Honestly, Though

For years, Catholics and Protestants have argued about how Christians should approach Mary, the Mother of Christ. A saint to be prayed to? An icon to be worshipped? Or a disciple to emulate? Join Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez as they welcome Dr. Kelley Mathews to discuss the historical Mary and why we should dust her off and examine her role outside of the nativity scene.  Follow Dr. Mathews o...

They are the least known and least read books in the Bible—the Minor Prophets. Also called, "The Book of the Twelve," these twelve prophets spoke the words of God to Israel and Judah. What do we miss when we skip them? Only some of the richest and most beautiful prophecies pointing to our Messiah. This Advent season, join Rebecca Carrell, Liz Rodriguez, and Nika Spaulding as we prepare him room in...

On this episode of Honestly, Though: Real Talk. Real Life. Real Faith., Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding welcome back author and Bible teacher Kat Armstrong for a powerful conversation about tracing themes throughout Scripture. Kat reminds us that God never wastes a person, place, or thing, and her passion for studying the Bible and serving Jesus will leave you inspired and encouraged in your ow...

All she wanted to do was start a Christian camp, so how did she end up launching and running a paper company? Stephanie Peters sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding to talk about waiting on the Lord, counter-intuitive moves, and small steps of faith at a time. Find out more about Duncan and Stone Paper Co. here:  https://www.duncanandstone.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo4sjIbLMyfawSnqHJRbXl65VIdt...

The world tells you to do more, try harder, build your side-hustle, because you are only as good as what you produce. And it's killing you. Jenn Jett, founder of the Well Summit and self-proclaimed spiritual mentor and table setter, invites you to slow down, sit with the Holy Spirit, and see what He might say. If you find yourself swept along in the frantic pace of our culture, this conversation s...

Shame whispers that we are unworthy. Regret tells us we’ll never change. But what does God say? In this powerful episode of Honestly, Though, Rebecca and Liz welcome Dr. Lacey Congdon—DTS graduate and expert in helping women break free from the grip of shame. Together, they explore the roots of shame and regret, how these emotions can silently shape our lives, and what it means to be fully known a...

In this powerful episode of Honestly, Though, hosts Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding are joined by Kelly Dippolito from the Center of Women in Leadership to revisit the stories of Rahab, Sarah, and Bathsheba—three women often misunderstood or overlooked in Scripture. Together, they explore how God worked through their courage, faith, and even their pain to move His redemptive story forward. Tune...

In this episode, Rebecca Carrell, Liz Rodriguez, and Kate Downing dive into a powerful conversation about what it means to fight the fear of the world by growing in the fear of the Lord. As anxiety, uncertainty, and cultural pressure rise all around us, how do we respond with boldness, peace, and faith? The trio explores the difference between being paralyzed by fear and being anchored in reverenc...

In a culture that attaches worth to productivity, many of us live dangerously close to the brink of burnout. If you find yourself striving and straining and still coming up short, we recorded this conversation just for you. Jodi H. Grubbs sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about the art of being still and the spiritual renewal that God imparts through silence. Find Jodi's lat...

In this episode, we welcome Rev. Dr. Laura B. Murray to explore the transformative power of Christian hospitality. Drawing on her deep theological insight and practical experience, Dr. Murray discusses how hospitality extends beyond social niceties to become a radical, countercultural expression of God’s love. She invites listeners to consider hospitality not as a mere act of hosting, but as a pos...

The Bible tells the story of the world, God's people, and God's plan to save the nations. The Old Testament tells the story of the birth, rise, fall, and partial redemption of Israel. The Gospels tell the story of Jesus. Acts through 3 John tells the story of the birth, rise, and spread of the Church. We are, right now, living between 3 John and Revelation. Pastor, author, and theologian J.T. Engl...

When did people believe that Jesus was God and what role did women play in the spread of the gospel? Dr. Sandra Glahn sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding to talk about the mothers of the church and the various ways that men and women served together. Resources: Find out more about Dr. Sandra Glahn here:  https://sandraglahn.com/ Find out more about Nika Spaulding here:  https://www.n...

He denied Jesus after walking on water. He saw Christ transfigured on the mountain, but still suffered doubt. What can we learn from the Apostle to whom Jesus said, "And upon this rock I will build my church"? More than you might think, Join Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding on this episode of Honestly, Though as they examine the life of Simon Peter. Find the book  And Upon This Rock , edited by...

What made the God of Judaism so unusual in the ancient world? The same thing that makes the Christ of Christianity so unusual today—an everlasting, all-encompassing, never-failing love. But through the years, scholars and commentators have philosophized that Paul focuses more on justification and sanctification than love. Dr. Nijay Gupta, author and professor at Northern Seminary, argues that the...

In the New Testament alone, Jesus asked over 300 questions. In this episode of Honestly, Though, Nika Spaulding shares what she discovered when she studied all the questions in the Bible and how answering them shapes us. Find Nika's Resources:  https://www.nikaspaulding.com/resources We love hugs! And when you rate, review, and share Honestly, Though on Apple Podcasts (and all podcast platforms),...

Who are we, and how does that answer change when we become Christians? In this compelling conversation, pastor and podcaster Kyle Worley sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Nika Spaulding to discuss life's deepest questions and how they all find their "yes and amen" in Christ. To all who are lost or lonely, Kyle beckons you to come "Home with God." Purchase Kyle's book,  Home with God: Our Union wi...

The key to wrapping your mind around and receiving God's everlasting love lies in understanding his triune nature. Nika Spaulding unpacks the mysterious notion of a three-in-one God and why that should change how we live, love, and worship. Find Nika's Resources:  https://www.nikaspaulding.com/resources We love hugs! And when you rate, review, and share Honestly, Though on Apple Podcasts (and all ...

Some of the greatest deliverers in the Story of Scripture go largely unnoticed. Author and Bible teacher Mary DeMuth joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about what we miss when we neglect their stories. Find more about Mary Demuth at  https://www.marydemuth.com/about/ Her latest book is called  The Most Overlooked Women in the Bible: What Their Stories Teach Us About Being Seen and Hea...

Jason and Tracy Binder's world came crashing down in February of 2022 when a doctor pointed to a shadow on an MRI and told her she had a deadly form of brain cancer. Two surgeries and two years later, the Binders are dedicated to helping couples with similar diagnoses survive and grow through the trauma. Their journey through radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and the emotional toll of cancer has pr...

A ragtag homeless rabbi. Twelve unlearned young men who bickered about who was the best. And a high-ranking Jewish official who would stop at nothing to destroy them. The early church faced seemingly impossible odds, yet by the end of the first century, Christianity had spread across the known world. On this special edition of  Honestly, Though , Dallas Theological President Dr. Mark Yarbrough and...

You may have noticed that November 2024 is significant in American politics. Author David T. Koyzis, political scientist and activist, joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss what we often miss when approaching elections. Find David Online: AUTHOR: David T. Koyzis            BOOK: Citizenship Without Illusions BOOK INFO: https://www.ivpress.com/citizenship-without-illusions PRESS KIT:  ...

When author Amanda Hayhurst accepted God's call on her life, she had no idea it would lead her to the back door of Atlanta's shadiest clubs. But what she found on the other side was fertile soil for seeds of grace. Join Rebecca Carrell, Nika Spaulding, and Amanda for a conversation you won't soon forget. Amanda Hayhurst is an author and graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary. She is passionate...

Do you believe that every moment of life holds sacred potential? Or that God is intimately involved in even the most seemingly mundane moments of your life? Dr. David Taylor joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about praying our lives back to God and experiencing the comfort, delight, and even laughter of the Holy Spirit. Information on David Taylor : BOOK:  Prayers for the Pilgrimage:...

The Apostle Paul mastered the art of contextualizing the gospel—entering into a culture, analyzing its societal norms, and using them to point to the work of Christ and the life of the believer. And like pastors and teachers today, he found many parallels in sports. This week on Honestly, Though, Nika Spaulding walks us through sports in the ancient Roman Empire and what Paul envisioned when he re...

After several months off, Rebecca Carrell, Liz Rodriguez, and Nika Spaulding are back to discuss the big changes they've experienced over the summer and how the Lord has faithfully comforted them along the way. We love hugs! And when you rate, review, and share Honestly, Though on Apple Podcasts (and all podcast platforms), we see it immediately, and it feels just like a big, warm hug. Thank you i...