Velvet Ashes Legacy Podcast

Aubri Casey knows what it's like to serve faithfully while quietly carrying more than anyone can see. After over ten years living and serving cross-culturally with her family, unexpected transitions, health challenges, and the weight of ministry reshaped her understanding of what true rest looks like. Now, as Associate Director of Adult Debriefing with TRAIN International, Aubri spends her day...

What does it cost to give your life away quietly? In this month’s Velvet Ashes Legacy Podcast, Sarah sits down with author Jordan Monson to explore the remarkable story of Katharine “Katy” Barnwell—a woman whose influence on Bible translation shaped millions of lives, even though most people have never heard her name. Born in London during the Blitz, Katie’s story begins in the shadow of war and u...

In this episode of the Velvet Ashes Legacy Podcast, we explore the quiet but powerful theme of feeling like an imposter—especially in the unique spaces women navigate cross-culturally. Through an honest and hope-filled conversation with Jenn Chang, we unpack the tension between calling and doubt, confidence and comparison, and the ways imposter syndrome can take root in our stories. Jenn shares fr...

What are you listening to in the midst of all the noise? The world hums with urgency, headlines, and endless voices—yet beneath it all, there is a quieter invitation: to listen for what is true, steady, and unseen. In this episode, we sit with the weight many are carrying and the sacred practice of tuning our hearts again. We also step into the story of John and Betty Stam—a story marked by courag...

What does it really mean to retreat? In this month’s episode, the entire Velvet Ashes team — Denise Beck , Danielle Wheeler , and Sarah Hilkemann — gathers for a behind-the-scenes conversation about the heart, history, and hope of Velvet Ashes retreats. What started years ago as a simple experiment — an online invitation for women scattered across the globe to step away and meet with God — has gro...

What does a faithful life look like when the fruit isn’t always visible right away? In this month’s episode, Sarah talks with Jeff Barker about the life of Arlene Schuiteman—a Midwest farm girl whose quiet yes to God carried her across Africa and shaped generations to come. Listen in and be reminded that God is always at work, even when we can’t yet see it. Learn more about  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Velvet A...

What happens when everything that once defined you—your strength, your calling, your ability to serve—falls away? In this episode of the Velvet Ashes Legacy Podcast , Denise and Sarah sit down with Joy , a former medical global worker and physician assistant whose life and ministry were radically reshaped after severe illness brought her fast-paced, highly productive life to a sudden halt. What fo...

This month on the Velvet Ashes Legacy Podcast, Denise and Sarah open the episode with a joyful December check-in and a little book talk—because what better way to start a conversation than with reading rhythms and favorite formats from our community? But the heart of this episode is something deeply special. Sarah sits down with her former professor, Rick Clark, to talk about the extraordinary lif...

What if rest isn’t a reward after burnout—but part of how God designed us to live and serve? This month on the Velvet Ashes Legacy Podcast , Denise talks with Nathan and Tricia LaGrange of Oasis Rest International —a ministry offering safe spaces of renewal for global workers around the world. 🌍 They share how God gave them a vision for helping others find true rest—body, mind, and soul. Tune in...

This month we’re welcoming a new theme song and diving into stories of resilience, refuge, and calling. Denise and Sarah share favorite cross-cultural kitchen gadgets (yes, rice cookers and electric kettles make the list!) and talk about creating safe spaces when home doesn’t always feel safe. They highlight upcoming Velvet Ashes events—including the Equip Conference and the Unplugged Retreat—desi...

Denise and Sarah kick things off with something lighthearted—our recent Instagram poll on pen preference. Yes, pens! Because sometimes delighting in the little things—like whether you love a bold gel pen or a fine-tip ballpoint—really does matter. Then we’ll turn to something deeper as we hear Dawn’s story from Italy. She shares how God has been at work in her life and how attending the Velvet Ash...

God has woven the language of story into the fabric of Scripture, inviting us into His grand narrative of redemption. And here we are, in the middle. The middle of our own stories, with all their beauty, brokenness, questions, and quiet miracles. We want to share more of your stories this upcoming season on the Legacy podcast! Do you have a story of a way you have seen God work? A way he has broug...

In this episode, we explore the remarkable life and legacy of F. Grace Allen, a little-known but deeply influential Free Methodist global worker who spent 53 years serving in Southern Africa. Born in 1864 to a devout Methodist family, Grace’s calling to the mission field led her to Portuguese East Africa and later to Fairview Mission Station in South Africa, where she built a home and school for m...

In this episode, Sarah and Denise dive into the complicated nature of home —how it shifts, stretches, and sometimes splinters as we live across cultures. Drawing from their own experiences around the world, they reflect on what it means to belong, how home can be more of a feeling than a place, and the surprising ways God meets us in the in-between. Whether you're longing for home, rebuilding it,...

In this episode of the Velvet Ashes Legacy Podcast, we welcome Dr. Kendal P. Mobley to explore the life and legacy of Helen Barrett Montgomery — a pioneering educator, preacher, translator, and leader in the early women’s missionary movement. Dr. Mobley shares stories from Helen’s childhood, her passion for social reform in Rochester, and her deep commitment to missions as a form of Kingdom work....

In this episode, Cindy Wu shares her journey of faith and service, exploring the intersection of cross-cultural work, hospitality, and justice. With a heart for the marginalized and a deep understanding of cross-cultural ministry, Cindy unpacks what it means to welcome the stranger and embody the love of Christ in tangible ways. Join us as we discuss her experiences, the lessons she's learned, and...

This month on the Legacy Podcast, we explore the extraordinary life of Volahavana Germaine, known as “Nenilava.” Her bold faith and unwavering spirit carried herthrough immense challenges as she ministered in Madagascar and beyond. Guiding us through her story is Reverend Dimbiniaina H. Randrianasulu—Reverend Andry—an ordained clergy in the Lutheran Church of Madagascar and Nenilava’s godson. His...

Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I’m just not cut out for this cross-cultural life. I’m not like [insert the name of a global worker from the past or someone on your team].” On this month’s podcast we get to hear from Sue Eenigenburg, author and long-time global worker. She shares honestly about how she didn’t feel like she fit the cross-cultural worker mold, yet she consistently said yes t...

We have a powerful legacy story to share with you this month! When our special guest, Rev. Dr. Grace Rajan, first learned the story of Ada Jones Lee, she was sad that more people didn't know about this family that ministered in her home country of India. Ada's story includes the tragic loss of six of her children. Dr. Rajan shares beautifully about the faith of Ada and her family, and we hope you...

What does it take to stay when just the calling to global work isn’t enough? This month Jody opens up about her winter season of the soul. She shares vulnerably about the weight of the cost of this cross-cultural life, the gift of obscurity, and how Jesus met her beautifully in the wilderness. Don’t miss hearing Jody’s story on this month’s Legacy podcast! Learn more about ⁠ Velvet Ashes We are gr...

Mary Lane Clarke (1872-1970) was a teacher, linguist, Bible translator, author, and global worker to the very end of her long life. She and her husband served in Sierra Leone, where she was part of making Scripture available in the heart language of the people. Hear from our Velvet Ashes Resident Scholar, Dr. Laura Chevalier Beer, as she shares more of Mary's story this month. Learn more about  ⁠⁠...

This month, Denise is joined by Stephanie Gutierrez, host of the Modern Day Missionaries podcast. In this episode, they discuss Stephanie’s work in equipping global workers, her recent favorite guests, and the impact of her family’s transition off the field. Stephanie also shares about the new roles she and her husband have embraced in this next season of life. Learn more about Stephanie Modern Da...

Cross-cultural life can be challenging, but laughter has a way of lightening the load and keeping hope alive. In this episode, Denise and Sarah chat with Katelyn Comer from the Velvet Ashes Instagram team, the creative mind behind our beloved Friday Funnies. Katelyn shares some fun behind-the-scenes stories and reflects on the importance of humor in her life. Plus, Denise and Sarah give us a sneak...

This was such a fun conversation with Karli - composting toilets, the beauty of Florence, when you don't love where you live, and so much more. Karli Von Herbulis is a joyful wife, blessed mama, and resident of Kigali, Rwanda. You can find her zipping through books, cooking a fun meal, or podcasting at Third Culture Thriving. Resources mentioned in this podcast: Third Culture Thriving Summer L...

Streams in the Desert was published in 1924 and has never gone out of print. This devotional was written by Lettie Burd Cowman (1870-1960), an incredible woman who helped found OMS and eventually served as its president. Learn more about Lettie's story this month from our special guest, Michelle Ule! Michelle Ule is the author of two biographies: Overflowing Faith: Lettie Cowman and Streams in...