The Wise Table Podcast

In this episode, we're challenging the idea that Christians should only be gentle, agreeable, and accommodating. God didn't create lions by accident. He created people who protect, confront, defend, and stand their ground when necessary. The problem isn't being a lion. The problem is being only a lion—or only a lamb. We're talking about strength, assertiveness, courage, compassion,...

What happens when an "ordinary" teacher says yes to an extraordinary calling? In this powerful episode, Breanna Johnson, who is anything but ordinary, shares how God led her from the classroom to the heart of West Africa—where she now serves as a missionary in the predominantly Islamic country of Senegal. Through moments of risk, faith, culture shock, and deep human connection, Breanna r...

This shouldn’t be happening. The Wise Table wasn’t built for global reach—it was built for real conversations. And yet, somehow, it’s crossing borders, landing in countries we never targeted… including several where Christianity isn’t the majority—and in some cases, not welcomed at all. We’re talking about Islamic nations. Closed spaces. In this episode, we break down the countries tuning in, what...

What if the biggest struggles in worship aren’t the songs—but the hearts behind them? In Episode 13 of TWT, “Confessions of a Worship Leader,” Shealee sits down with Jess Mengel for a conversation that trades polished answers for real confessions—the kind that usually stay off the mic. We’re talking about pride that creeps in mid-set. Showing up to lead while quietly falling apart. The pressure to...

You know the moment. Something small happens… and suddenly you're reacting way bigger than the situation. Later, you think: “Why did I do that?”In this episode of The Wise Table, we’re talking about the tension between the Bible’s call to self-control and the reality of trauma-induced triggers. Because sometimes our reactions aren’t just bad habits—they’re wounds speaking. So where does faith...

If the resurrection didn’t happen, Christianity collapses. But what if it did? In this episode of The Wise Table , we look at the one event the entire Christian faith stands or falls on—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Not just as a Sunday school story… but as a historical claim that may have left physical evidence behind. Why does the mysterious image on the Shroud of Turin continue to puzzle sc...

“Everything is fine”… until you get that call . This week, Shealee got the kind of call that stops your world for a moment: her uncle was in a foreign country and nearly lost his life . Suddenly prayers get more urgent, control disappears, and all the things we thought we were holding together… slip right out of our hands. In this episode, Shealee opens up about what happens when life reminds you...

What if we’ve been reading it wrong this whole time? For generations, the story of the fall has been reduced to a simple idea: Eve ate the fruit, Adam followed, and everything went wrong. But when you slow down and actually read the text, the details tell a far more complex—and challenging—story. In this solo episode of The Wise Table , we take a fresh look at Genesis 3 and uncover some things man...

In this powerful and inspiring episode of The Wise Table Podcast , we sit down with author, speaker, and disciple-maker Beatty Mengel to unpack a story of courage, faith, and divine intervention that will stay with you long after the episode ends. Beatty is the author of The Four-Day Journey Max Will Never Forget: Adventures of the Holy Spirit , a gripping Christian suspense story that chronicles...

Is God loving—or controlling? Is choosing God real freedom, or a forced decision? In this episode of The Wise Table , Shealee Parker sits down with Pastor Brian Elliott to face the questions Christians often avoid—and skeptics never stop asking. This conversation was sparked by a single comment on social media —one honest question that opened the door to a much bigger discussion. With 35 years in...

In this episode of The Wise Table , Shealee is joined by her grandparents, Wally and Lana Shea—semi-retired pastors from Iowa whose ministry didn’t slow down… it simply went online. Long before they were on YouTube, they were two college kids who fell in love, got married, and all in the middle of the Jesus Movement in 1970—a movement they say never actually stopped. Today, Lana leads the heartfel...

Part 2 is here, and Jenny Gordon is back with our host, Shealee Parker—tackling marriage expectations, conflict, and the fine art of not losing your mind in either. It’s funny, honest, and just the right amount of unfiltered. If you missed Part 1, go back! You can find the shortcut attached to this episode. (#4: Pride, Procrastination, & Poor British Accents) Thanks for listening! Find The Wis...

What starts as a total laugh fest with bad New York & British accents somehow turns into one of the most honest and heartfelt conversations. In this episode, our host, Shealee Parker, and guest, Jenny Gordon, go from cracking jokes to cracking open real topics — procrastination, consistency, grief, pride, and what it really means to let yourself be vulnerable. It’s equal parts comedy and convi...

Is People-Pleasing Really That Bad? Spoiler: yes, it is. In this solo episode of The Wise Table , I dig into the hidden costs of people-pleasing—from stress and burnout to losing your sense of self. We’ll look at what psychology says, what Scripture shows us, and how to break free from the trap of living for approval so you can finally live with peace and purpose.

Turns out, stress doesn’t always break in—it usually gets an invite. In this episode of The Wise Table , I sit down with my mom, Tabitha Elliott, to unpack how much of our stress we create ourselves. With plenty of laughs, we share stories, insights, and the strategies we use to stop getting pulled back into the cycle. Find the best highlights from each show and get notified of new shows on Instag...

Your body wasn't the problem—the lies you’ve believed were. In this episode of The Wise Table , we unpack the truth about body image, eating disorders, and the toxic messages that shape how we see ourselves. With faith and wisdom at the center, we’ll expose the lies of the enemy and reclaim the freedom to see our bodies the way God intended. Resource Links Chrissy’s Podcast (Old School Food Fr...

Hey Friends & fellow Podcast Junkies. Welcome to The Wise Table, a podcast that’s good for your heart and your hustle. I’m so glad you’ve found your way here. I'd love to connect with you! Follow @TheWiseTablePodcast on Instagram to get alerts of new episodes and access to premium clips, or email thewisetablepodcast@gmail.com .