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Does it feel like your husband isn't measuring up as a spiritual leader? Maybe he doesn't pray at meals or lead family devotions, and you're quietly waiting on him to step up first.  If so, this one's for you. This question came up again and again in our latest reader survey, from wives with quieter husbands, wives in unequally yoked marriages, and even a mom worried about her daughter's family.  That's why, in this episode, we're going straight to Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5 to see what Scripture actually says about husbands leading (and what it doesn't).  Spoiler: a lot of what we expect from Christian husbands isn't in there. I'm also sharing what spiritual leadership really looks like in my own marriage, including the two times my husband vetoed me (and why I only listened once). In this episode, we talk about: • What the Bible actually asks of husbands and wives, and which "rules" come from culture instead • Why you don't have to wait for your husband to go first before you read your Bible, pray, or go to church • What it means that you're not your husband's Holy Spirit (and why that's such a relief) • How submission works when God is above your husband, not the other way around • A simple prayer for when you want something for your family and your husband isn't on board yet • How to spot the quieter ways your husband is already leading your family If you've been carrying the weight of your husband's faith along with your own, you can set down what God never asked you to carry. Give your husband some grace, keep growing in your own faith, and start noticing the leadership that's already there.   🔗 STAY CONNECTED: Website: https://equippinggodlywomen.com Support the show

Between the spilled juice, the buzzing work email, and the kids who need Mom for all of the things, does prayer time with God always end up on the back burner?  Good news. You're not failing at prayer. You just need a different plan for this season. I get it. I'm in a season of very little sleep myself right now, up way too late with a toddler, up way too early to work. There is no serene, quiet-coffee, sit-down prayer time happening in my life at the moment.  And that's okay. Because prayer was never meant to require perfect stillness. It just means talking to God, and you can do that anywhere, anytime, no matter how busy your life is. In this episode, we talk about: Why prayer doesn't require a quiet, uninterrupted "prayer closet" moment to actually countHow to turn your worries, your ruminating thoughts, and your daily triggers into instant prayersSimple ways to make God part of your day without adding one more thing to your to-do listWhat Scripture actually says (and doesn't say) about "praying continually"Why a rushed 30-second prayer in the car counts just as much as a long oneHow to build a prayer habit that fits a season with zero extra time to spare 📖 RESOURCES MENTIONED:  Brittany Ann's book: "Fall in Love with God's Word" https://amzn.to/3dLfzLQ (affiliate)   Stormy Omartian's website: https://www.stormieomartian.com/  Brooke McGlothlin’s website: https://brookemcglothlin.net/ 🔗 STAY CONNECTED:  Website: https://equippinggodlywomen.com Support the show

Ever lie awake praying about a big decision, begging God for an answer, and hear... nothing? You haven't missed your window with God, and He hasn't moved on to someone easier to reach. Hearing His voice isn't a mystical gift some Christians have and you don't, it's a skill you can actually learn. In this episode, I'm walking through my go-to telephone analogy for hearing God's voice: He's calling, but are you picking up? We'll talk about how to tell the difference between your own thoughts, the enemy's lies, and God's actual voice (spoiler: at first they can all sound the same), plus real stories of how God has spoken to me over the years, some dramatic, most of them quiet and easy to miss if I hadn't been paying attention. In this episode, we talk about: • Why God's silence usually isn't a "no" (and what it might actually mean) • The three places your thoughts can come from, and how to start telling them apart • Why hearing from God gets easier with practice, not spiritual maturity points • Real, ordinary ways God has spoken to me, through scripture, circumstances, and quiet nudges • What to do today if you've prayed before and heard nothing You don't have to keep waiting for a voice dramatic enough to prove God is real. He's speaking. This episode will help you learn to recognize His voice, and trust what you're hearing. 📖 RESOURCE MENTIONED: Brittany Ann's book: "Follow God's Will" https://amzn.to/3dLfzLQ (affiliate) 🔗 STAY CONNECTED: Website: https://equippinggodlywomen.com Support the show

Do you ever feel like other women just "get" the Bible in a way you never will? Like everyone else has some spiritual fluency you missed out on?  Here's the truth: Understanding Scripture isn't a gift some women have and you don't. It's a skill, and you can absolutely learn it. In this episode, I'm breaking down why the Bible can feel confusing even when you're reading it faithfully (hint: it's not your faith, it's missing context), and walking you through the exact process I use to study Scripture for myself instead of always reaching for someone else's conclusions. In this episode, we talk about: • Why the Bible can feel confusing, even when nothing is wrong with your faith • The difference between exegesis and eisegesis (and why it protects you from misreading Scripture) • A simple, five-step process for studying any passage or topic on your own • How to use commentaries, concordances, and multiple translations without losing your own voice in the process • Why you don't need a Bible degree to trust your own read on God's Word You don't have to keep waiting for someone else to hand you the answer. You already have what it takes to understand your Bible for yourself, and by the end of this episode, you'll know exactly where to start. 📖 RESOURCE MENTIONED: Brittany Ann's books: "Follow God's Will" https://amzn.to/3dLfzLQ (affiliate) and "Fall in Love with God's Word" https://amzn.to/3fcgJAn (affiliate) 🔗 STAY CONNECTED: Website: https://equippinggodlywomen.com Support the show

Tried another Bible reading plan and fallen off track again?  If every failed attempt feels like more proof you don't love God enough, I want to stop you right there: That's not what's actually happening, and this episode will show you why. So many of us have been handed a pre-made Bible reading plan, told to stick to it through sheer willpower, and then quietly assumed we're the problem when it doesn't work.  In this episode, I'm walking through my own Bible reading journey (spoiler: it has looked completely different in nearly every season of my life) and I'm showing you how to build a Bible reading routine that's actually designed around your real, busy life instead of someone else's. In this episode, we talk about: • How often you need to read the Bible (what Scripture actually says, not just what you've been told) • The real reason your Bible reading plan keeps falling apart (hint: it's not a discipline problem) • Why you need to consider your current season and preferences before building a plan (and how to do that) • A simple five-question framework for creating a Bible reading routine you'll actually stick with • Why falling off track doesn't mean you have to wait for a "clean slate" to start again You are not a failure, and you don't love God any less because consistency feels hard. You just need a plan that was actually built for your real, chaotic, beautiful life. And that's exactly what we're building today. 📖 RESOURCE MENTIONED: Brittany Ann's book: "Fall in Love with God's Word" https://amzn.to/3dLfzLQ (affiliate) 🔗 STAY CONNECTED: Website: https://equippinggodlywomen.com Support the show

Somewhere between the laundry, the carpool line, and the bedtime routine, have you quietly started to believe your life doesn't matter that much right now?  You're not forgettable, and you don't have to wait until the kids are grown to start living out your God-given purpose. In this episode, I'm walking through some of the biggest lies we believe about calling: that only certain kinds of women get one, that yours is on hold until this season ends, or that if you haven't figured it out by now, you've already missed your window. (Spoiler: None of that is true, and I'll show you why straight from Scripture.) We're also picking apart Ephesians 2:10 and what it really means that you were created on purpose for a purpose. In this episode, we talk about: • The biggest misconceptions about God's calling on your life (and why they're keeping you stuck) • Why your calling isn't "on hold" until the kids are older • The difference between a big, visible purpose and a quiet, faithful one, and why both count • Seven simple questions from Follow God's Will to help you figure out what's actually yours to carry right now • Why God already knew every part of your current season before He called you to it • You don't need the whole plan today. You just need the next small step, and the confidence that you're already valuable, because God created you on purpose for a purpose. 📖 RESOURCE MENTIONED: Brittany Ann's book: "Follow God's Will" https://amzn.to/3dLfzLQ (affiliate) Katie Orr's Website: https://katieorr.me 🔗 STAY CONNECTED: Website: https://equippinggodlywomen.com Support the show

Exhausted from trying to juggle being the perfect Christian, wife, mom, and friend -- while also working, taking care of the house, and the 100 other things you have to do on any given day?  The problem isn't just that you're doing too much (as we discussed in the previous episode). It's that you don't have a filter to determine what God is actually asking YOU to do... and what He isn't.  The good news? Finding God's unique will for YOUR life is a lot easier than you might think and it makes everything SO much easier. In this episode, I'm sharing the "perfect day" story that made my husband say "your math isn't adding up" (he wasn't wrong). We're picking back up with the Pharisees, who tried to follow over 600 rules and completely missed the point, and looking at how Jesus answered the exact question you're probably asking right now about God's will: what actually matters most? In this episode, we talk about: • Why chasing "good enough" at faith, marriage, and parenting all at once keeps you stuck • The simple two-part filter Jesus gave us for figuring out God's will • Big C calling vs. little C calling (and why you already know your Big C calling) • How to tell if something is truly loving God and others, or just another "should" • Real, everyday examples, like a hard conversation or a nap, that already count as living out your calling • Why your family isn't standing in the way of your purpose, it often is your purpose You don't have to keep guessing whether you're measuring up. God's will for your life is simpler than the checklist you've been carrying, and you're already living more of it than you give yourself credit for. 📖 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Brittany Ann's book: "Follow God's Will" https://amzn.to/3dLfzLQ  (affiliate) Katie Orr: https://katieorr.me/ 🔗 STAY CONNECTED: Website: https://equippinggodlywomen.com Support the show

📖 JOIN OUR UPCOMING LIVE WORKSHOP! 📖 "Read God’s Word: How to Create a Bible Reading Routine You Actually Stick With" Thursday, August 20th AT 6pm EST - Live via Zoom Get your free ticket here: https://equippinggodlywomen.com/workshops/read-gods-word/ Ever wake up early determined to spend time in God's Word before the chaos starts, only to spend the next hour breaking up an iPad fight, cleaning up spilled cereal, and hunting down a missing shoe? If you're a busy Christian mom stuck in this cycle, you're not failing. You just have a clarity problem, not a consistency problem. In this episode, I'm sharing the moment I realized why staying consistent with Bible reading, prayer, marriage, and parenting feels impossible no matter how hard you try. (Spoiler: it started with a very eye-opening Instagram scrolling experiment.)  If you're carrying an invisible tally of everything you're failing at, faith, marriage, parenting, all of it, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we talk about: Why "just try harder" keeps backfiring for busy moms (and what actually works instead)The real difference between a willpower problem and a clarity problemHow to spot the invisible "shoulds" driving your overwhelm and mom guiltA simple, practical first step to get honest about what's actually on your plateWhy missing one day of Bible reading or prayer doesn't mean you've already blown itYou don't have to carry it all, and you're not the failure you think you are. Take a breath, because clarity, not more willpower, is exactly what's coming next. 📖 RESOURCE MENTIONED: Brittany Ann's book: "Follow God's Will" https://amzn.to/3dLfzLQ (affiliate) 🔗 STAY CONNECTED: Website: https://equippinggodlywomen.com Support the show

Ever look around and think, "What is this nonsense?" The news is a disaster. Politicians disappoint. Pastors fall. The economy's a mess. And you're supposed to be joyful because... why exactly? If you're tired of being told to "just choose joy" when the world feels like a dumpster fire, this conversation is for you. In this episode with Brant Hansen (author of Life Is Hard, God Is Good, Let's Dance and host of The Brant Hansen Show), we're talking about how to actually experience joy without being fake, how to navigate Christian ministry and culture without becoming cynical and jaded, and why the children Brant serves through CURE International—kids facing severe medical challenges in some of the hardest places on earth—have more joy than most Christians in America. Brant shares what he's witnessed behind the scenes in Christian America that makes cynicism so tempting, how to build something God-honoring without falling into the traps so many encounter, and why joy isn't about pretending everything is fine—it's about something much deeper and more real. We talk about why grouchiness and jadedness are so easy right now (and honestly, understandable), what's different about the joy Brant sees in children who have every reason to be bitter, and how to maintain hope and perspective when you're watching people make terrible decisions and the world seems to be falling apart. This episode is for you if: • You're grouchy and cynical about everything right now (the world, the church, people) • You feel guilty because you know you "should" be joyful but you're just... not • You're tired of toxic positivity and fake Christian cheerfulness • You're in Christian ministry/writing/influencing and struggling with what you see behind the scenes • You're watching Christian leaders fall and wondering what the point even is • You want real joy, not performed joy—but don't know how to get there • You're exhausted by the state of the world and need a perspective shift Brant gives honest, clear, practical guidance for anyone struggling with cynicism and jadedness right now—which is most of us. This conversation offers a much-needed change in perspective without the fluff or the guilt trip. If you're thinking "I know I should be joyful, but the world is a dumpster fire"—this one's for you. 📖 RESOURCE MENTIONED:  Brant's book: "Life Is Hard, God Is Good, Let's Dance: Experiencing Real Joy in a World Gone Mad" https://amzn.to/4d81dAZ 🔗 CONNECT WITH BRANT: https://www.instagram.com/branthansen/ Learn more about CURE International: https://CURE.org Support the show

Ever ask your teenager "How was your day?" and get nothing but a grunt and "fine?" You miss the days when they were little and told you everything. Now they've gone quiet right when you need to know what's going on most. In this conversation with Tim and Mark Shoemaker (father-son duo and authors of "What to Say and How to Say It to Your Teen"), we're talking about how to get your teenager to open up, what conversations you need to be having before they leave home, and how to reach their heart instead of just winning arguments. Tim and Mark share why the tactics that worked in elementary school backfire with teens, how to avoid conversation killers (interrupting, sarcasm, claiming to know their motives), and why atmosphere, timing, and tone matter more than you think (hint: take them to a restaurant, not their bedroom). We talk about the 30 tricky conversations parents need to have (friends, dating, screens, faith, anxiety, gender, church pushback), when to deal with something immediately versus waiting for the right moment (the Jesus-in-the-temple lesson you've never heard), and what to do when you've already blown it so many times you feel like you've lost their trust. This episode is for you if: • Your teenager has stopped talking to you and you don't know how to connect • You're terrified of having "the big conversations" (sex, faith, mental health, culture) • You resort to lecturing and then wonder why they tune you out • You've already blown it multiple times and don't know how to rebuild trust • You interrupt them because you "already know" what they're going to say • You don't know when something is urgent versus when it can wait • You're watching the teenage years slip by and know you need to speak into their life NOW Tim and Mark give practical guidance on asking questions first (not lecturing), how to truly listen (Mark's dad took notes while he talked!), and why teenagers are incredibly forgiving when you genuinely apologize and try again. Plus, the rat trap object lesson that shows your teen you're trying to protect them, not control them. Remember: This isn't about winning an argument. It's about reaching their heart. And there's still time. 📖 RESOURCE MENTIONED: Tim and Mark's book: "What to Say and How to Say It to Your Teen: A Parent's Guide to 30 Tricky Conversations" https://amzn.to/42r7B01 (affiliate) 🔗 CONNECT WITH TIM & MARK: Tim's website: https://www.TimShoemaker.com Mark on Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/MarkShoemaker3/ Support the show

Ever feel crushing pressure to get parenting exactly right—but the advice you're following just isn't working for your family? Or worse, it's causing harm? In this conversation with Marissa Franks Burt and Kelsey Kramer McGinnis (authors of The Myth of Good Christian Parenting: How False Promises Betrayed a Generation of Evangelical Families), we're talking about the hidden history behind popular Christian parenting advice, why methods from the 1970s are still shaping how we parent today, and how to tell what's actually biblical versus what's just cultural baggage. Marissa and Kelsey share how the Christian parenting industry emerged as a reaction to 1960s social upheaval, why James Dobson's Dare to Discipline set the tone for decades of authoritarian parenting methods, and how ideas about authority, compliance, and control became marketed as "God's way" to parent even though the New Testament only gives one direct instruction to Christian parents. We talk about why mothers are told not to trust themselves (you'll be too soft, too empathetic), how "prosperity gospel parenting" promises specific outcomes if you follow the formula, and why treating the Bible as an instruction manual for parenting robs families of freedom, connection, and relationship. This episode is for you if: • You're following Christian parenting advice that doesn't feel right in your gut • Everything you try seems to conflict with other "biblical" advice • You feel like a failure because methods that work for others don't work for you • You're terrified of damaging your kids by getting it wrong • You can't tell what's actually biblical versus what's just one person's opinion • You're recovering from a strict religious upbringing and rethinking how to parent • You want freedom to parent your actual children, not follow a formula Marissa and Kelsey give research-backed clarity on evaluating parenting resources (check credentials, theology, how it lands in your body), why there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all parenting expert, and how to reclaim your agency as a parent who knows your children better than any author. Plus, why God gently leads those who have young—you are seen, known, and trusted with your particular children. Remember: Your children are whole people and you can connect with them. You don't need a formula; you need freedom to parent the real kids in front of you. 📖 RESOURCE MENTIONED:  Marissa and Kelsey's book: "The Myth of Good Christian Parenting: How False Promises Betrayed a Generation of Evangelical Families" https://amzn.to/4vu7L4d (affiliate) 🔗 CONNECT WITH MARISSA & KELSEY:  Marissa's website: https://www.MarissaBBurt.com Marissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mburtwrites/  Kelsey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseykmcginnis/ Support the show

Ever feel like you're trying so hard to be a good Christian wife and mom, but life keeps getting in the way? Another bill. Another sickness. Another thing that knocks you completely off track. You get up, dust yourself off, try again and then life hits you with something else. In this conversation with Charaia Rush (author of The Myth of Bouncing Back), we're talking about how to keep going when life keeps knocking you down, why "bouncing back" isn't the goal, and what to do when you're running on empty with nothing left to give. Charaia shares why we need to dethrone the idol of ease (suffering isn't unnatural; it's part of the journey), how to know when you're choosing hard because God called you vs. trying to control the outcome, and why sometimes God hides things from us even when we're doing everything right (just like He did with the disciples). We talk about setting realistic expectations when you have big dreams and a toddler climbing on your head, why it's okay to say "this is hard AND they're a blessing" (you don't have to invalidate your struggle), and how to discern when to take action versus when to surrender the outcome and just wait. This episode is for you if: • Life keeps hitting you with one thing after another • You're trying so hard but nothing seems to work • You don't know whether to keep going or quit • You're exhausted from getting knocked down repeatedly • God gave you dreams but you have no idea HOW to make them happen • You're running on fumes and wondering if you're even on the right path • You need permission to admit something is hard without feeling guilty Charaia gives honest, grace-filled guidance on choosing your hard, listening to your body's signals about when to take action, and why "again" isn't a curse word; it's a blessing because it means God keeps showing up every single time. A note: This conversation goes deep. We tackle questions about discernment, control, and waiting that don't have easy answers. Pause as you listen. Pray through the questions. Ask God to search your heart about what you're trying to control versus what He's calling you to. That's where the real fruit is. Remember: You are blessed with again. Every time you have to get back up, God shows up with you. 📖 RESOURCE MENTIONED: Charaia's book: "The Myth of Bouncing Back" https://amzn.to/3Q6ZwuE (affiliate) 🔗 CONNECT WITH CHARAIA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CharaiaRush Support the show

Do you ever wonder what your kids are finding online? Or who's finding them? Two juries just confirmed what parents have suspected all along: social media companies are knowingly designing their platforms in a way that harms children. Last Tuesday, a New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million after finding that the company misled consumers and knowingly allowed children to be exposed to predators and sexually explicit content. The very next day, a California jury ruled that Meta and Google knowingly designed their platforms to be addictive and that those design choices caused real harm to a real person. These verdicts open the door for regulation, but meaningful change could take years. In the meantime, it's our job as mamas to do what Big Tech won't: protect our kids and teach them how to navigate the online world wisely. In this episode with Chris McKenna (founder of Protect Young Eyes and author of The 5 Habits of a Tech-Ready Family), we're talking about why every yes to technology requires ridiculously informed parenting, the five habits that create tech-wise families, and how to protect kids without becoming fearful or controlling. Chris shares how apps are designed to exploit teenage brain development (targeting the reward center that asks "am I loved?"), what to do when all your kids' friends are on social media, and why modeling your own tech use matters more than the rules you set. We talk about creating offline spaces for kids to connect with friends, how to say yes to technology without saying yes to every risk, and why you're more capable of this than you think, even when you feel overwhelmed. This episode is for you if: • You're terrified of invisible online dangers you don't fully understand • You feel guilty for giving kids devices but stuck because everyone else has one • You're exhausted being the only parent monitoring everything • All your kids' friends are on social media and you don't know what to do • You're overwhelmed by how fast technology changes • You need practical steps, not just more fear 📖 RESOURCE MENTIONED: Chris's book: "The 5 Habits of a Tech-Ready Family" https://amzn.to/3PBjHRg (affiliate) 🔗 CONNECT WITH CHRIS: Website: https://protectyoungeyes.com Support the show

Ever feel completely overwhelmed trying to be an amazing Christian, an amazing wife, and an amazing mom, when you barely have enough hours in the day to get everyone fed and out the door? In this conversation with Kyle Strobel (author of When God Seems Distant and director of the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Biola University), we're talking about how to follow God well when life is chaotic, messy, and overwhelming. This isn't influencer Christianity with three perfect tips; this is real life, real struggle, and real faithfulness in the middle of it all. Kyle shares how to stand strong in your faith when you're drowning in responsibilities, why spiritual formation doesn't have to look like what you see online, and what it means to follow God's will when you're just trying to survive the day. We talk about why you don't need more hours in the day to be faithful, how God meets you in the messy mundane (not just the quiet spiritual moments), and what following God actually looks like when you're living in survival mode. This episode is for you if: • You're overwhelmed by all the responsibilities of being a wife, mom, and Christian • You feel guilty for not doing "enough" spiritually • You don't have time for all the spiritual practices you think you should be doing • You feel like you're failing at following God because you're drowning in daily tasks • Influencer Christianity doesn't work in your real, chaotic life • You want to be faithful but you're stuck in survival mode • You feel distant from God because you're too busy to connect Kyle gives honest, practical guidance on what faithfulness really looks like in the mundane moments, why you don't have to be perfect to follow God well, and how to stop comparing your messy reality to everyone else's highlight reel. Remember: You can follow God faithfully in the chaos. You don't need perfect conditions; you just need to show up where you are. 📖 RESOURCE MENTIONED:  Kyle's book: "When God Seems Distant" https://amzn.to/3NnYfhZ (affiliate) 🔗 CONNECT WITH KYLE:  Substack: https://kylestrobel.substack.com/ Support the show

Ever feel like God loves you because He has to, but He doesn't actually like you? Like you're constantly disappointing Him and He's just tolerating you until you get it together? In this conversation with Kristen LaValley (author of "Growing Up Saved"), we're talking about the shame so many of us absorbed growing up in church, why performing for God's love is exhausting (and impossible), and how to heal from believing you're too broken for God to genuinely delight in. Kristen shares her story of growing up in a charismatic church feeling like God hated her because she didn't worship the "right" way, the pressure to reach spiritual milestones to earn validation, and how getting diagnosed with ADHD broke the shame she'd carried her whole life. We talk about recognizing the "shame stories" you're telling yourself, finding "truth keepers" who remind you who God says you are, and why swinging to the opposite extreme after leaving strict church environments isn't real freedom either. This episode is for you if: • You believe God loves you but you're not sure He actually likes you • You're exhausted from performing to earn God's approval • You grew up in church and absorbed shame about who you are • You feel broken because you don't "do faith" the right way • You're terrified of being certain about everything or having doubts • You compare your faith journey to others and feel like you're failing • You struggle with perfectionism in faith, motherhood, or marriage Kristen gives honest, grace-filled guidance on breaking shame's hold, why God went looking for Adam and Eve when they hid (He doesn't want you hiding either), and how metabolizing God's love changes everything about how you walk with Him. Plus, why shame is a liar that keeps you from understanding how much God truly loves you. Remember: God loves you AND He likes you. Not because of what you do, but because of who He is. 📖 RESOURCE MENTIONED: Kristen's book: "Growing Up Saved" https://amzn.to/40Q4q1g (affiliate) 🔗 CONNECT WITH KRISTEN: Website: https://www.KristenLaValley.com Support the show