You Were Made for More

Today, we’re going to have the opportunity to hear a conversation that I had with Robin Turner, who serves as the director of children’s ministry at St. Stephen’s Church in Sewickley, PA, about birth control, alternatives to traditional birth control, and what her husband and she have implemented in their own marriage. I think this is an important conversation to have because women's health i...

Mother's Day 2020 is right around the corner! This conversation on today's episode with Ashley Setterlind could not be more perfectly timed. Ashley is a follower of Jesus, pastor’s wife, mom, and worship leader. She’s also the creator of an online community called Deeply Rooted Motherhood , where she believes that life is better when we encourage each other instead of compare each other....

In this episode, we get the awesome opportunity to chat about a topic we haven’t covered ever on the podcast, but maybe you’ve heard us mention in a few interviews - the Enneagram!  I wanted to offer y'all a fun episode to really dive into and process in the midst of quarantining and social distancing, so here we go...  We’re going to chat with my twin sister, Meesh, who many of you know sinc...

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and protection.” Psalm 91:4 (NIV) Welcome to a special episode of the You Were Made for More podcast! If you’re a subscriber and you normally spend time with us, you probably have picked up on the fact that we release episodes once every 2 weeks - so, technically, this is a bonus ep...

In this episode, Sammie talks with one of her former youth group students, turned friend🥰, about the power of an invitation, being faithful to our callings as youth leaders, and what it looks like to partner with parents as a youth leader. Sarah McSweeney is not only one of my dearest friends, but she also holds such a special place in my heart because she actually was one of the first youth grou...

Worldwide, 97 billion dollars per year goes into the sex industry. The average age of someone who enters the sex industry is 12 years old. 80% of human trafficking is done through the commercial sex industry (strip clubs, pornography, etc.). Today, we’re going to have the opportunity to hear a conversation that I had with the founder of SoLoved - Mindy Summers. Mindy is a young wife and mother who...

"In my grief, ultimately, there is still a gift." -Cassidy Mills In this episode, Sammie talks with Cassidy Mills about her experience with sexual assault, the healing that she's found in a relationship with Jesus, and ultimately, what it means to walk through life-altering trauma with your eyes on Him.  I spent a long time praying about someone who could share their story with trut...

In this episode, Sammie tackles the story of Job's life in the second part of our abundance series. If you missed the first episode, go ahead and listen to episode 19 before you hit play on this one! In that episode, Sammie's husband, Juan dives into an analogy of life being God's party - one where we're all invited, everything we could ever need or want is there, and God is th...

In this episode, Sammie's husband, Juan Gallo, dives into what abundance actually means through an analogy of God being the generous host of a party that we're all invited to. If you've ever wondered what John 10:10 really means, what the name of this podcast is all about, and how we lean into abundance in the here and now, this episode is for YOU! Share this episode with a friend w...

Season 2 is BACK. PRAISE! This week's episode is all about why you may have noticed we're a little bit MIA! This month is the March for Life (if you've never been, take a listen to this episode because we talk about it here) but if you have, you know it's an awesome, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sammie shares what God has put on her heart about identity, personhood, and how w...

In this episode, Sammie talks about reflecting on Advent, the coming of Jesus, and wraps up Season 1 of the podcast with a short reminder of what the Christmas season is all about.  We'll see you in January for Season 2 of the #YouWereMadeForMorePodcast! PS: if you're looking for a great Advent devotional that's reusable throughout the years, check out Paul David Tripp's Devoti...

In this episode, Sammie talks with Chaney Mullins about lots of topics: sexuality and marriage, femininity, women’s healthcare, and the value, or sanctity, of human life. Chaney  serves as Development Coordinator for Divine Mercy Care , an educational and fundraising organization advancing pro-life health care.  There, she works to promote the next frontier in the pro-life movement:  inspiring pro...

My twin sister Meesh is joining me today on the You Were Made for More Podcast, so we can talk a little bit more about who we are and our struggle with identity growing up! I’m so thankful that I’m a twin - and it’s also cool to have someone who grew up in the same environment as you, during the same time as you, but with a totally different personality and different perspective. Meesh and I are s...

In this episode, Sammie talks with her best friend, Ally Carter. If you know Ally, you love her, and you're better for knowing her. Ally Carter is a fierce woman who loves Jesus and loves people equally as well. I met Ally a few years ago through my twin sister, but we formed a relationship when I would go visit Meesh at college. Ally was on staff with Young Life, and we automatically hit it...

“Abortion is a breakdown in community. In our moment of greatest need for real, compassionate, empowering human relationship, there is a void of connection.” — Josiah Friedman, CEO & Founder of Voices for the Voiceless In this episode, you’re going to meet a legend - Josiah Friedman is the CEO of Voices for the Voiceless, an organization that spends every day advocating for the worth and digni...

In this episode, Sammie sits down and talks to Ebie Hepworth; Ebie has a vulnerable and relatable heart that has allowed her to encourage countless women across the globe. You may know her from serving with an organization called Wipe Every Tear for five years, where she had the opportunity to be a part of bringing freedom and restoration to women trafficked in the sex trade. She's the author...

On this episode of the You Were Made for More podcast, Sammie talks with Zach Verrett. Zach is currently living in Austin, TX working for Austin Stone Community Church as part of their Connections ministry, and he's a magnetic, Jesus-loving, driven guy, who is serving the Kingdom with everything He has. Zach has a passion for relationships and seeing young men and women live into the life tha...

In this episode, Sammie chats with author Courtney Wilson, about the message in her book, It Is Written: Daily Truth to Face the Lies We Battle , and how to grab hold of our God-given identities. Courtney is passionate about sharing the Truth that's rooted in Scripture about who we are and developing dreams of this generation. Courtney's the founder of Trailblazer Journals , an online co...

In this episode, Sammie has a conversation with Rachel and Thomas Awtrey; two people who love Jesus, are chasing after Him, and just happen to have met in their high school youth group. Now, after years of dating and pursuing one another, they've been married for three years and share what they've learned through the love story that God has given them. Rachel and Thomas live in Birmingha...

In this episode, Sammie interviews Dana Henry, a counselor and pastor's wife from Sewickley, Pennsylvania, who has dedicated her Kingdom calling to helping people find freedom from their traumas, so that they may live abundantly in their relationships. Dana has experience professionally handling traumas, as well as experience in doing the hard work of personal healing herself. If you want a r...

"While the mess I experienced, both the things that happened to me & the broken path I chose, was not His heart for my life, He has yet to waste a drop of it. Healing is mine for the taking, victory is mine for the taking, freedom is mine for the taking. And the same is true for you, wherever you are - no matter how heavy the mess you carry. He sees you, He holds you, and He loves you, so...

In this episode, Sammie continues our relationship "crash course" series and covers more questions that students (and adults!) frequently ask. We talk about these four questions: What role should my parents play in my dating life? What happens if I'm rejected? What happens If I've already messed up? How do you even start building a healthy relationship? Things we mentioned in t...

In this episode, Sammie interviews her friend, Lexi Moles, and they talk about Lexi’s calling – Lexi serves as the Director of Middle School Outreach at Ciudad Nueva, a non-profit that serves the community of El Paso, Texas.  Lexi is one of the most relational humans you’ll ever meet in your life, and thankfully, that energy plays into her role as she is learning what it means to do life with midd...

In this episode, Sammie covers three of the top questions about relationships that students (and some adults!) ask. Welcome to part 1 of our relationship "crash course!" We talk about these three questions: How do you define dating? How far is "too far" physically?  Should I date someone who isn't a Christian? If you have questions you'd like to see us answer in part...

Disclaimer: This episode does mention pornography, masturbation, and other mature content. We encourage parents and students to talk about these topics together before listening. In this episode, Sammie interviews Kristie Cossel - a youth director from El Paso, Texas. Kristie has been married for almost two years to her husband, Mark, who she started dating in high school. Kristie has personal exp...