Do you long to live free and fully alive in your God-given purpose? If you're wondering if it's too late or if you've been through too much to experience God's life-changing freedom, you'll be so inspired by this new episode of the Bold, Brave & Beautiful podcast with author and pastor, Karrie Garcia.
After years of numbing her pain, struggling with drug addiction and surviving her mother's devastating suicide, Karrie discovered God’s redemptive and healing power in her life so that she could be free and finally fully alive. Now a third-generation pastor, speaker and trauma-informed story coach, Karrie joins Barb for a powerful conversation about silencing the inner critic, finding God’s voice of truth, and recognizing the power of knowing one’s story.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Karrie on Instagram
Karrie's book - Free & Fully Alive: Reclaiming the Story of Who You Were Created to Be
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Karrie Garcia is a pastor, author, and CEO who shares her journey to inspire change in others. She began speaking publicly at 19 and has addressed audiences ranging from small groups to thousands. Despite facing struggles such as drug addiction and the suicide of her mother, Karrie emerged victorious through her faith in Jesus Christ.
She founded Freedom Movement, a nonprofit addressing issues of brokenness and pain often unaddressed in traditional church environments, and authored The Exchange, a nine-week course for those seeking hope and healing. Karrie is a pastor, licensed life coach, and CEO. She inspires change in others by boldly sharing her journey to freedom and by using her training in the area of psychology to help others connect their minds with their bodies for a holistic approach to overall wellness.
Karrie is currently working toward her Training Certificate Level III at the Allender Center, a program addressing trauma-focused narrative therapy taught by leading Christian psychologist, Dan Allender. Karrie's authenticity and fearless approach to difficult topics makes her a relatable and empowering voice for those seeking freedom and healing. Her new book, Free & Fully Alive, guides readers through embracing their past and discovering a deeper connection with themselves, God, and others.
Whether you're carrying emotional wounds from childhood trauma or suffering from anxiety and depression, panic attacks, or intrusive thoughts, you know this isn't what God wants for you. He lovingly knit you together and calls you to a life of abundance. So why do His joy and love feel so far away sometimes? Join Barb and author Laura L Smith, author of the new book, Holy Care for the Whole Self, for a powerful yet practical conversation about how you can develop God-honoring, effective mental health care strategies in your life, starting today! Laura shares the tools that you need to rest in God's unconditional love and to find your strength and peace in Him.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Holy Care for the Whole Self: Biblical Wisdom for Mental and Spiritual Well-Being
Connect with Laura on Instagram!
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Laura L. Smith is a popular speaker, best-selling author, and Bible teacher leading women to tear down lies so they can live in truth. Holy Care for the Whole Self is her thirteenth book.
Most recently she is known for Restore My Soul: The Power and Promise of 30 Psalms and How Sweet the Sound: The Power and Promise of 30 Beloved Hymns (which sold more than 130,000 copies).
A fan of Jesus, her prince charming of a husband, their four kids, almond milk mochas, dark chocolate, music, books, and travel. Smith describes her work this way: “I tell stories (through writing and speaking) in hopes of helping others discover what took me so long to see: God’s amazing grace is abundant and free for the taking. We can’t earn it. We don’t have to. All we have to do is accept it. And when we do, surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.”
Laura lives in the picturesque college town of Oxford, Ohio. There you’ll find her running the wooded trails, strolling the brick streets, teaching a local Bible study, shopping at the Saturday morning farmer’s market, or going on a sunset walk with her family.
Many of us long for lasting peace and stability whether we are healing from painful memories, grieving a recent loss, or simply trying to find a quiet path in a chaotic world. In this episode, interior stylist and popular Instagram influencer, Anh Lin, shares from her new book Forever Home. She was born in Vietnam in a dirt floor home and moved to America when she was two. She lost her father to cancer early in life and lived for years with a difficult, strained relationship with her mother. In her conversation with Barb, Anh combines a unique blend of Biblical teaching and her personal story to teach us how to live free from the pain of the past and invite God to rebuild your brokenness into a beautiful life.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Forever Home: Moving Beyond Brokenness to Build a Strong and Beautiful Life
Connect with Anh on Instagram!
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Today’s conversation is an encouraging breath of fresh air to help you live well no matter if you feel like you’re on top of the world or the world is on top of you. Join Barb and Grace Wabuke Klein, author of Flourish: Finding Purpose in the Unknown and Unexpected Seasons of Life, for a conversation on how to trust God’s grace and goodness when we’re not sure what’s happening in our lives. Grace will explain the four seasons of life and how to hold on to hope and believe God for His best in your life.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Flourish: Finding Purpose in the Unknown and Unexpected Seasons of Life
Connect with Grace on Facebook!
Connect with Grace on Instagram!
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"I've always felt unfit as a Korean but somehow too Korean everywhere else."
Tasha Jun has always been caught between worlds: American and Korean, faith and doubt, family devotion and fierce independence. As a Korean American and author of the new book, Tell Me the Dream Again, Tasha has wandered between seemingly opposing worlds, struggling to find a voice to speak and a firm place for her feet to land. In our conversation today Tasha speaks to those who feel unseen or unwanted, letting them know that they are not outsiders to God. When we let all the details of ourselves unfold—when we embrace who we were divinely knit together to be—this is when we'll fully experience his perfect love.
*Editor's Note: On Better Together, we emphasize that life is not perfect, and unfortunately in this episode, we had a little bit of imperfect audio towards the end of the interview due to some outdoor work being done in the background. Thankfully the interview is still easy to hear, but we just wanted to provide a little bit of context. Enjoy this wonderful conversation with Tasha Jun! :)
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Tell Me the Dream Again: Reflections on Family, Ethnicity, and the Sacred Work of Belonging
Connect with Tasha on Facebook!
Connect with Tasha on Instagram!
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Singles often feel left out of church and the gospel, even though Jesus and the Apostle Paul were single. Even when churches preach the significance of singleness from the platform, singles often feel alone and left out in the culture of the church which seems to be built similar to Noah’s Ark, that everyone is in sets of two. In her new book, Dr. Danielle Treweek, an Aussie single Jesus-follower, talks with my fabulous podcast producer Tabitha about the eschatological view of singleness and they have a surprising conversation that will raise the eyebrows of those who are married or single. If you’ve been struggling with seeing your singlehood through the big picture of Scripture or you want to support your single sisters in Christ better, Danielle’s interview will give you lots to think about and reflect on. Don’t miss this!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
The Meaning of Singleness: Retrieving an Eschatological Vision for the Contemporary Church
Connect with Danielle on Twitter!
Connect with Danielle on Instagram!
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Introverts unite! Join us for a podcast episode all about you and best of all, you don’t need to say or do anything. Barb speaks with bestselling author Holley Gerth about her popular book, The Powerful Purpose of Introverts, on how to maximize your God-given strengths while giving yourself permission to accept yourself as you are and not let anything hold you back.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
The Powerful Purpose of Introverts
Connect with Holley on Twitter!
Connect with Holley on Facebook!
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How can mothers raise their daughters with healthy messages about sex, self, and speaking up? What are some of the toxic teachings that need to be acknowledged and challenged? Barb speaks with Sheila Gregoire, author of the popular book, The Great Sex Rescue, about Sheila’s book for mothers of daughters titled, She Deserves Better: Raising Girls to Resist Toxic Teachings on Sex, Self and Speaking Up. During their conversation, Sheila reveals data from her survey of more than 7,000 women about how experiences in church as teens affect women’s self-esteem and their relationships today.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
She Deserves Better: Raising Girls to Resist Toxic Teachings on Sex, Self and Speaking Up
Connect with Sheila on Twitter!
Connect with Sheila on Facebook!
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Have you been grieving and hurting because no one knows how badly you feel? It takes time and space to grieve well, but too often our grief is rushed whether by our own shame about grief or others pushing us to stop grieving. Drawing from her own experience with grief, Natasha Smith talks with Barb about what it means to grieve and to give ourselves permission to sit with our grief so that we can heal in healthy ways. Natasha’s new book, Can You Just Sit With Me, equips readers with the necessary tools to connect with God and to find an understanding companion to walk with them through the grieving process.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Can You Just Sit With Me? Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life
Connect with Natasha on Twitter!
Connect with Natasha on Facebook!
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Learning how to deeply connect with our children can feel challenging at times. How do we answer their tough questions about life, the world around them, or about God? How can we lead them spiritually as they navigate the ups and downs that life inevitably brings?
In today's conversation, Barb speaks with Kayla Craig about her devotional, Every Season Sacred, a resource created to help families grow and connect through all seasons of life. Whether your family is walking through a dark time or it feels as if things are in full bloom, this gentle conversation will encourage you to find sacred in every season.
Producer's Note: Unfortunately we ran into some mic issues at a couple of points throughout this interview. Sometimes technology is not our friend! However, thankfully the issues did not last long. We pray this episode blesses you!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Kayla on Facebook!
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This current generation of young men longs to see genuine, risk-taking Christianity in action. They desperately need heroes who are genuine, passionate, and noble. Our young men are aching for someone to show them—by example—all it takes to live for Christ. There’s a war raging—and moms are the ones who hold the key to victory. In my conversation with best-selling author and speaker, Rhonda Stoppe, today we are talking about 5 principles godly moms need to keep in mind as they are praying about raising godly sons. No matter how old your son is, you can keep praying for him to become a godly man!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Check out Rhonda's YouTube Channel!
Connect with Rhonda on Twitter!
Connect with Rhonda on Facebook!
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Are there questions that you would like to ask God but you’re too angry or confused to talk to Him? In my conversation with my friend and author Amberly Neese, we step right into uncomfortable questions that Christians ask like: “Can I trust God? What must I do to be healed? Why should I pray?” In her new Bible study, Untangling Faith, Amberly looks at six big questions that Christians ask and invites us to lean in and learn from Jesus. The Bible records over 300 questions that Jesus asks. In my conversation, Amberly guides us toward understanding God’s heart and helping us learn how to ask God the hard questions that can actually help us trust Him more.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Untangling Faith: Reclaiming Hope in the Questions Jesus Asked
Connect with Amberly on Facebook!
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As much as we love that God can heal us from our hurts in the past, what do we do when past hurts start hurting again? Does this mean that we aren’t healed or that God didn’t do His job?
Today, Barb has a powerful conversation with licensed professional counselor and best-selling author Michelle Nietert. Michelle and Barb have been friends for years and she shares helpful and encouraging insights for those who don’t understand how or why past wounds can open up again. Michelle recently lost her father and personally, she’s rewalking the journey from her childhood trauma again as well. Join us for a heartfelt, vulnerable but helpful conversation on today’s episode.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life
God, I Feel Sad: Bringing Big Emotions to a Bigger God
Managing Your Emojis: 100 Devotions for Navigating Your Feelings
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Have you ever read about one of the feasts in the Bible and thought to yourself, "What is that all about?"
Well, in today's episode, Barb speaks with author and recovering expat Alicia Akins about how the feasts of the Bible relate to us today and how we can live with faith in the truth that we are called to live an abundant life.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Invitations to Abundance: How the Feasts of the Bible Nourish Us Today
Connect with Alicia on Twitter!
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Becoming a homesteader may sound totally out of reach, but chances are you may already enjoy some of those activities in your day-to-day life. Do you enjoy whipping up a home cooked meal, taking care of your house plants, or creating a cozy home for your family? Well in this episode, our special guest proves that there is a little bit of homesteader in all of us.
In today's conversation, Barb speaks with author and friend Kathi Lipp about her move from Silicon Valley to the mountains of California and her journey to becoming an accidental homesteader. Even if you don't aspire to grow your own vegetables or knit your own clothes, Kathi shows us how we can embrace a simpler and more fulfilling life and create a home that we love.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
The Accidental Homesteader: What I've Learned about Chickens, Compost, and Creating Home
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Kathi Lipp is the Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of 20 books, including An Abundant Place: Daily Retreats for the Woman Who Can’t Get Away, Overwhelmed, and Clutter Free. Along with being a part of the InCourage at Dayspring writing team, she is the host of Clutter Free Academy the Podcast! with Kathi Lipp, Facebook group Clutter Free Academy, and Clutter Free for Life.
As a writing and marketing coach, she is also the host of the Writing at the Red House Podcast and runs both The Writing at the Red House Retreats and The Red House Writers Collective – a writing program that helps authors develop their writing, their platform, and their business.
She is often featured in Nation Media, including Woman’s World Magazine as one of their “Ask the Experts”, Focus on the Family, MOPSInternational, Crosswalk.com, Girlfriends in God and Proverbs 31 Ministries
Kathi lives on her Red House mini-homestead with her husband Roger, a dog, and eight chickens and holds cozy writer retreats for content creators.
For the past decade, Christ follower and social media influencer Sade Solomon has been praying and waiting on God for her Mr. Fabulous and Forever. At the same time, she’s wrestled with topics around sex, singleness and abstinence. In 2013, Sade began openly sharing her life changing commitment to abstinence on social media. In today’s conversation, Barb and Sade talk about the beauty of God’s blessing in trusting Him, but also the ups and downs of waiting to see how God’s promises will come to pass. Sade’s message will uplift and encourage single Christian women who’ve been on their knees praying for years, “God, where’s my man?”
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Ready, Set, Wait by Sade Solomon
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Guarding our hearts against temptation is not just something we should strive for before the day we finally get to say "I do". Temptations to sin and compromise can continue into marriage, and as women we need to be aware and on guard. In today's conversation, Barb speaks with author Sarah Wells about two tough seasons in her marriage when she was tempted to stray away from keeping her vows, and how we can all resist our own temptations to sin whether physically, emotionally, or mentally.
Whether you are in a season of wrestling right now or not, this honest and vulnerable conversation can equip you to protect your heart and your marriage.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
American Honey: A Field Guide to Resisting Temptation
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When we are walking through seasons of loneliness, weariness, or feeling abandoned by those we love, it can feel like no matter how hard we try to manage the pain, things just aren't getting better. In today's episode, Barb speaks with author Ashley Morgan Jackson about her season of struggling with mental health and how God showed her that He was always present even when she felt invisible to everyone around her.
If you are feeling alone or unseen, this episode is for you.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Tired of Trying: How to Hold On to God When You're Frustrated, Fed Up, and Feeling Forgotten
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Across the country we’re still wrestling with how to talk about race well. Where do we even begin the conversation on a topic that is so big and heavy? If you are a parent or grandparent, how do you respond to your children’s questions and how often should you talk about race in your home? Today, Barb is talking with Dr. Michelle Ami Reyes, co-author of the book The Race Wise Family, a 2023 recipient of the Christianity Today Book Award. During today’s conversation, you will learn a roadmap for how to talk about race in your home as well as many practical tips and fantastic resources to help you answer the hard questions for yourself as well as your kids and grandkids.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
The Race-Wise Family: Ten Postures to Becoming Households of Healing and Hope
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When our earthly fathers hurt, harm or abandon us, it can leave a deep wound that feels like it will never fully heal.
In today's episode, Barb chats with author Kia Stephens about her experience with an absent father in her life, and the beautiful hope and healing that all women can experience, even if their relationship with their father is never fully restored. We don't have to stay wounded forever, and that is GOOD news!
Join us for this hopeful conversation and share it with a friend who needs it. Let's all get better together.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Overcoming Father Wounds: Exchanging Your Pain for God's Perfect Love
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Are you feeling spiritually malnourished? Like no matter how hard you try to make it through life, you still feel empty, tired, overwhelmed or exhausted?
In today's episode, Barb speaks with author Amy Seiffert about how we can experience life, fullness and satisfaction in Christ. In a world that is preoccupied with staying busy and checking a neverending to-do list, Amy challenges us to practice rest, remember the steadfast love and care of our God, and experience true peace and nourishment in Him.
Take a deep breath, grab your favorite cup of tea or coffee, and join us for this encouraging and uplifting conversation.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
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Would you say that your thoughts are more positive or negative? Too often we underestimate the damage that negative thinking and toxic beliefs have on our faith. Barb’s guest author, speaker and music artist Denise Pass discusses how to overcome negative mindsets and position ourselves fully in God’s truth and how we can live that out. As one who has faced some of life’s greatest disappointments and heartaches, Denise offers powerful Scriptural insights and hope for you today.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life
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Biblical mindset coach, author, speaker, worship leader, songwriter, and podcaster, Denise Pass holds an MA in Biblical Exposition and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biblical Exposition at Liberty University. Denise is the author of Make Up Your Mind, Shame Off You, 31 Days of Hope Reinvented and creator of The Bible Tribe® podcast. Denise serves on the writing teams for P31 First 5 app and COMPEL blog, and writes for her ministry, Seeing Deep Ministries, encouraging women to overcome the battles of the mind with the word of God, heal shame and find hope in God’s word. Denise has also written songs that received radio play, including “You Are Worthy,” “Seeing Deep EP”, and songs from her album, Praying For You. Denise homeschooled her 5 children and she and her husband serve together at their church in Spotsylvania, VA, where Denise is the Director of Family Ministries and Worship Arts.
Do you believe in Jesus, love God, but you don’t trust what you see happening in church? In the wake of scandals, abuse claims and questionable leadership, perhaps you’ve grown weary and found yourself wondering whether the church is redeemable and whether you should even stay.
Today, Barb talks with author Kate Boyd about her new book An Untidy Faith and has an honest conversation that we believe will give voice to those of you who are desperately trying to hold on to your faith but you’re not sure what exactly your faith means anymore. Through her own journey of disentangling from toxic religion as well as her life-giving travels around the world to meet other believers, Kate talks about the questions that you’ve been afraid to ask and she casts a vision for how you may find freedom and joy in following Jesus again.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
An Untidy Faith: Journeying Back to the Joy of Following Jesus
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Have you ever felt like your faith is failing? Like your suffering and pain is just too much to handle?
Join us for today's conversation as Barb speaks with author and speaker, Michele Cushatt, about how we can develop a faith that will not fail. From divorce, to struggles with motherhood, to walking through three bouts of cancer, Michele is no stranger to suffering. Yet through it all, her faith has endured.
If you feel like you are at the end of your rope, you are not alone. There is hope, friend, even when it's hard to see it. May this conversation serve as a warm hug and a reminder that you are seen, known, and dearly loved.
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
A Faith That Will Not Fail: 10 Practices to Build Up Your Faith When Your World Is Falling Apart
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