More To Be Podcast

Do you feel like your life is "too far gone?" That God can't make anything of the mistakes you've made?Are you carrying a secret shame in your heart, terrified of the consequences that would ensue if others found out?Maybe your shame is linked to an abortion, and you've decades grieving and carrying it all alone. This episode is especially for you.  On this episode of the More to Be Podcast, I'm joined by my friend, Toni McFadden, who is an inspirational woman of God on a mission to lift shame and bring healing to post-abortive women. She humbly shares her story of encountering the redemptive hand of God after a childhood marred by choices she would like to see this next generation handle differently. Our conversation will speak hope into your heart, no matter your journey, and inspire you to step into your story in light of God's grace, love, forgiveness, and leading. You can get to know Toni at tonimcfadden.com as well as onScripture FocusMatthew 7LeviticusEphesians 3:20Isaiah 43Continue to G

Do you feel like your family is out of sync? That you're all heading in different directions? That your priorities aren't lining up with your spouse?Well, you're not alone! Most family units lack a sense of mission and purpose. Decisions are made on the fly based on what feels good to the loudest, strongest voice. That kind of dynamic doesn't lead to a family experience that feels good for anyone. The good news is there is another way to do family, whether you're raising littles or getting ready to launch teens into adulthood. There's hope, too, if you find yourself leading your family as a single mom or simply don't have the support of your spouse. On this episode of the More to Be Podcast, I have the delight of chatting with friend and a graduate of the Life Coach Training Course, Kimberly Amici, about how to create family culture. Kim has been passionate about this topic for many years, intentionally creating family culture with her spouse and children, in ways that will inspire you to get creative wi

How would you define the relationships in your life? Connected? Disconnected? Physically present but emotionally disengaged? Toxic? The state of our relationships matters much when it comes to the impact on our faith. That's because God designed us to need one another. We're not meant to go through life alone. So what will it take to figure out how to do life together well? In this episode of the More to Be Podcast, Kalie and I jump back into the conversation that kicked off Season 4 and considers the biblical foundation for cultivating T.R.U.E. Connected Relationships. The acronym, T.R.U.E. is derived from a philosophy of natural horsemanship modified by my friend, Shelly, the founder of an equine-assisted therapy center. I've taken it a step further by considering the ways God wants us to cultivate relationships marked by Trust, Respect, Understanding, and Empathy. This episode is jam packed with practical ideas for growing emotionally, spiritually, and relationally, not only for our own pers

What is your perspective on counseling?Do you feel like it carries a stigma in your circle? That only weak people go for help?Does it feel like a lack of faith to seek out counseling . . . that maybe you just have to pray more? In the last decade of my life, I've experienced tremendous healing from the Lord and radical transformation through the support of a number of counselors. Each one spoke into my life at a time when I could not find the way forward. More prayer didn't work. More Bible study didn't work. More self-control didn't work. By God's grace, I took the advice of a dear friend and got myself into counseling. I discovered that my issues were trauma-related and that healing was indeed possible. I learned how to invite God in to heal my heart. With great and godly support, I walked through forgiveness. I unearthed my identity in Christ. I gained insight into how to cultivate healthy relationships.Yes, I am a great advocate of counseling as much as I am for coaching. But I'm still in shock as to

In this episode of the More to Be Podcast, Elisa is joined by co-host Kalie Kelch for an honest conversation about making memories with purpose and understanding impact of our values in that process. Their conversation weaves in and out stories, as Elisa invited Kalie to share about her family vacation and all the value-based decisions that shaped their adventure. You'll hear heart-tender confessions leading to practical strategies for responding to jealousy, insecurity, and living with an eternal mindset as they dig through passages from Matthew, Luke, and Romans.Scripture FocusMatthew 7Luke 11Romans 8Continue to Grow Core Values WorksheetUnblinded Faith: Gaining Spiritual Sight Through Believing God's WordEquine-Assisted CoachingListen & Share EverywhereListen on iTunes, Stitcher, and SpotifyIf you've been blessed by this podcast, then hope you'll show your support by sharing it with your friends and family! We would also be so grateful for you to rate and review our podcast wherever you

What is your response when life doesn't go as planned?Do you doubt God's love for you? Question your purpose? Struggle to find your identity, when what you thought would define your life no longer exists as a possibility? On this episode of the More to Be Podcast, I'm joined by Sheridan Voysey, a fellow writer and speaker, as well as broadcaster, for a deeply powerful discussion about what to do when life doesn't go as planned. Sheridan, like many of us, experienced the dashing of dreams and hopes, both professionally and personally. He recounts how walking the road of faith while waiting on God for so many unanswered prayers shaped his identity and purpose. In his most recent book, The Making of Us: Who We Can Become When Life Doesn't Go to Planned, as well as in our conversation, Sheridan invites us to step into his story about his struggle with infertility and becoming a childless family with his wife, Merryn. But this episode isn't simply about their hopes and dreams rewritten -- it's about

In this episode of the More to Be Podcast, I'm joined by my dear friend and regular co-host, Kalie Kelch, to unpack God's Word around the concept of what cultivating connected relationships looks like into today's culture and hype-connected world. I bring into the discussion the concept of T.R.U.E. Connected Relationships, which I've adapted from my equine-assisted training and the example of my friend, Shelly, who leads an equine-assisted therapy organization. We talk honestly about motherhood, idolatry, and God's healing work through relationships! We open up to John 15 as we look at the example of Jesus urging us to remain in love and be connected to the vine. Continue to Grow Suicide ResourcesLife Coach TrainingEquine-Assisted CoachingLove Exchange by Margaret TherkelsenLetting Go of Control with Jennifer Dukes Lee {Podcast #202}Buck, the MovieHealing the Hurts of the PastSonship: A Journey into a Father's Heart  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What does it look like to be the love of God in this world?Have you felt like you can't be God's love because you don't have it for yourself?Well, sister, you're not alone. Being God's love can be overwhelming without understanding what His love full looks like. So in this season 3 finale episode, we tackle this topic of God's love as we circle back in a review of all that we've studied and discussed over the past six months.From our launching point of studying the Proverbs 31 woman to where we find ourselves today, Kalie and I consider how God's love is the gateway to freedom . . . the kind of freedom that enables us to become who He intended as we fix our minds on truth instead of feelings.Speaking of the mind, this episode is also loaded with information about the way our brains works. You'll not want to miss out on this science-rich teaching moment, as I share what I've learned about brain development, trauma, and the way God goes about healing our neurological pathways, which enables us to be loved by Hi

What does sisterhood mean to you? Is it a wounding word or one that reminds you of God's faithful provisions?On this episode of the More to Be Podcast, I'm joined by Heather Boersma, a fellow speaker, author and life coach with a heart for reaching the next generation of teen girls with hope and God's love. While she might be passionate about reaching teens, her message is for all us.This episode is packed full of hope and practical biblical wisdom for navigating through anxiety, bullying, motherhood, and friendship.You'll see why her latest book, Letters from a Big Sister, is such a powerful tool we can put in the hands of teen and college-age girls, but you just might decide to read it for yourself first! Scripture FocusGalatians1 John 4Romans 8Notable Links & Mentions Letters from a Big Sister, by Heather BoersmaPractical Ideas for Battling Anxiety (with links to lots of resources)Impact Together plus the Mentor Training IntensiveNatural Lifemanship Training Starting with Whole30Get

What would it look like for you to think of today as the day your legacy of great faith is written?How would you embrace this moment, struggle, opportunity with a different perspective?Could you see yourself, based on your life thus far, being added to chapter 11 of Hebrews, entering in with the saints of the past to this profoundly real hall of faith?On this episode of the More to Be Podcast, Kalie Kelch joins me to unpack a vision of living now for our legacy of faith that is yet to be pronounced by future generations. We take a look at our lives through the lens of those described in Hebrews 10 and 11. These passages point to the only hope we have in this land of the living as we journey to eternity. We weave in and out of these powerful Scriptures, exploring the context of the bible characters we know of well but maybe haven't quite thought about from the perspective of waiting and wonder.How can their obedience prompt us?How can their faith inspire us into action as we use whatever God has given us to be

What is your definition of healthy leadership as a woman in ministry?Have you ever felt like the health of your leadership role is impacted by the health of your marriage? You might be wondering what leadership and marriage have to do with the focus of our ministry at More to Be, and that is completely understandable. While we know that everyone in our tribe is not in leadership role nor married, a good bit of y'all come our way looking for resources to share with the ministries you lead while also seeking out spiritual nourishment and biblical encouragement for yourself.So on this episode of the More to Be Podcast, I invited my good friend, Esther Littlefield to share her story and passion for Christian women in leadership and healthy Christian marriages with us. As a pastor's wife and ministry leader, Esther knows the pressure quite well. Her own experiences inspired her creation of a marriage course at EstherLittlefield.com as well as the creation of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast.While we kic

Do you feel like you're supposed to read your Bible and have a quiet time?Are you drawn into devotional time with the Lord, but sometimes it just doesn't seem to amount to much?Have you felt like being a "Bible girl" ought to earn you brownie points with God, even though you know that isn't the way it works? On this episode of the More to Be Podcast, Kalie Kelch and I circle back around to consider the importance of studying God's Word. With King Solomon as our guide, as we consider his wisdom in Ecclesiastes, we wrestle through the way suffering is a part of life while recognizing the opportunity to embrace joy and hope through our work and relationships. We jump from the Old Testament to the New Testament, finding a fresh perspective from John for pursuing an abiding relationship with God made accessible through Jesus, landing on love as the motivator of our lives. Grab your Bibles and get ready for an on-the-good study of Truth that will transform your thinking today.Scripture FocusEcclesiastesJo

What does it looking like to choose joy in the middle of suffering?How can you find joy again after losing those closest to you?We tackle these questions and more on this episode of the More to Be Podcast. I'm joined by the founder of the Choose Joy Foundation, Laura Pedersen, which was established in honor of her sister, Sara Frankl. Some of you might remember joy advocate, Sara, as the blogger chronicling her faith alongside her journey with a debilitating illness and necessary isolation, at Gitzen Girl. At the age of 38, Sara went home to be with the Lord, and her sister, Laura, took up the mantle of carrying her Choose Joy message forward, all the while putting into practice what Sara preached as she faced a battle with breast cancer.It was an honor to spend time with Laura and unpack the promises found in God's Word. We talked about what it looks like to live out our faith as spiritual beings in human bodies committed to kingdom work. You'll walk away from this episode not only encouraged by th

What does it really look like to live brave in our faith?Can we actually apply the Scriptures to everyday life?What needs to shift in our habits so that our actions reflect what we say we believe about God and His Word? In this episode of the More to Be Podcast, Kalie Kelch joins me again for a chat about what it looks like to apply the Scriptures in good days and bad, when we're feeling beat up by the enemy and ready to fight like the warrior God made us to be.It shouldn't be a surprise that just as we were getting ready to record, I found myself in a situation where I had to preach to my own soul the very truths and principles we talk about in this episode, which was inspired by our reading of Brave Together: Devoted to God and Each Other in the More to Be Tribe Facebook Group (you can join in any time). So maybe, as you listen to our conversation and study of Scripture, you'll find these familiar verses fall afresh on you. And maybe, you'll decide to bookmark this episode for when

Have you given up hope on saving your marriage?Do you feel like you'll never figure out how to be in a healthy relationship with your spouse?Would you like to help an extended family member or friend rescue their marriage?While the focus of our ministry at More to Be isn't solely on marriages, the state of marriages certainly impacts our kingdom-focused ministry. So on this episode of the More to Be Podcast, I've invited my good friend Cherie Zack, founder of Fighting for Your Marriage, to share with us her story and why she started a ministry devoted to helping wives fight for their marriages. She offers us not only hope through unraveling the details of her journey but a tremendously valuable perspective on how to allow God to work in our hearts before we expect Him to work in our husbands. I also share a part of my story as it relates to my own marriage and how God took me at the most desperate moment and reroute my vision as a wife through a divine appointment.This episode is filled with encouragemen

Does the idea of accountability scare the daylights out of you?Are you craving accountability, but not sure how to cultivate it?Do you struggle to get real with others, afraid that they may not be able to handle you?Maybe you feel like it's not fair to "put that" on someone else. We all come from different perspectives when it comes to sharing our personal struggles, especially with sin. But the Scriptures are clear that we are supposed to confess our sins one to another so that we may be healed. So what exactly does confession look like? Who are we supposed to trust with our struggle? How are we supposed to respond?In this episode of the More to Be Podcast, I'm joined by Kalie Kelch as we unpack the beauty of biblically-steeped accountability relationships. We consider every perspective, from how to go about sharing and what we can do to respond well. We also consider the biblical mandate along with promises for being in real, impactful relationships with other believers.We chat about what it looks like

Is it possible to find joy in the small things? The boring chores? The tedious tasks that demand our attention?Can we really learn to do whatever God has called us with joy, even if it isn't the least bit glamorous?If that is your struggle, tune into this episode of the More to Be Podcast and be inspired to find joy with Jesus in the small things. On this episode, I'm joined by friend and fellow writer, Asheritah Ciuciui for a chat about missional work and motherhood. Asheritah is a writer and speaker passionate about leading women to find joy in Jesus, which is what she does daily at OneThingAlone.com. In this episode, she shares her story of growing up overseas, falling in love, surrendering her ministry dreams, and yielding to God's work. She always had a passion to be writer and majored in English in college, but didn't know how it would happen. She began blogging during her first pregnancy and confesses the hardness of transition.In our heart-to-heart conversation, Asheritah also

Do you struggle with worry and anxious thoughts?Are you concerned that you might be headed for a clinical diagnosis, but don't really want to find out because you're afraid they might put you on medicine?Is your loved one in the battle of bullying back the debilitating lies anxiety wields their way each day? Do you worry that you're not doing the right thing to help them?You're not alone. Did you know that 44% of the women who responded to our More to Be survey confess they struggle with anxiety and worry and 45% are overwhelmed by their responsibilities?Which is why this episode of the More to Be Podcast is focusing entirely on the real truth about anxiety and practical ideas for battling anxiety.It is safe to say we’re not living out our faith in the day to day in the way we want it to manifest. Nearly half of our tribe is feeling trapped, overwhelmed, and anxious. And, here’s the scary statistic, sisters — it’s not reflective of just the millennials amongst us because our tribe is

Have you lived in fear of losing those you love the most?Do you ever wonder how someone emerges from a tragic event and not completely turn their heart against God?Maybe you're that person who has suffered the unimaginable and still can't come to terms with your new normal.Maybe years have passed and no matter how hard you try, God is out there somewhere. He's not personal to you. He's not real. He's not present.No matter where you find yourself today in your faith as you process the circumstances and losses in your life, I urge you to listen to this podcast with my special guest, Abby Rike Rockenbaugh.I'm not going to tell you one piece of her story in advance (and don't go Googling her either). Just tune in. Listen with an open heart and mind. Find a few tissues, if you're a crier like me, and carve out space to really soak up this episode. Abby's words are filled with wisdom and hope, sincerity and authenticity.You'll be blessed no matter your age or stage. You'll be inspired no matter where you've be

Are you as excited as we are about kicking off season three of the More to Be Podcast?What a moment to celebrate God's faithfulness and provision since beginning the podcast in January 2018. It's a privilege to serve you this way and we look forward to bringing you Scripture-steeped episodes to help you think biblically and live transformed. For Season 3, you can expect a new, 45 to 55-minute episode released every other week. We decided that in our busy lives, finding an extra hour to listen to an episode every week is pretty hard to do. However, if you're an every week kind of gal, we encourage you to go back to the beginning and re-listening to all the episodes as your time allows! Be sure to let us know how the Holy Spirit reveals to you something brand new! On this first episode of season 3, Kalie Kelch joins me again to chat about where we've been, where we're going, and how to live to brave together with each other . . . specifically, how we're using Brave Together as our study guide in