Advertise on podcast: The Brave Place with Christy Rodriguez (KLRC)

After walking through the shame and aftermath of abortion, Staci Phillips sits down with Christy and courageously shares her journey of God's redemption and restoration in her life. Staci now serves as the Executive Director of Deeper Still Northwest Arkansas & the Ozarks, a nonprofit that comes alongside men and women who have walked a similar path and are seeking healing and freedom. You can visit their website at: deeperstillarkansasnwa.org

Winning Dove Awards and Grammy nominations for his hit songs Brighter Days, The Goodness (with Toby Mac) and his album My Tribe, Singer/Songwriter Blessing Offor, shares his powerful story of navigating life and faith as an artist, blind man, and believer.

Christy chats with Singer/Songwriter Lauren Daigle about life and music and the two play a fun game of 50/50 with Christy.

Singer/Songwriter Jordan St. Cyr shares his honest and brave story of wrestling with his faith during his family’s most trying times. Reflecting on that moment when he heard the Holy Spirit speak to his heart…“Imagine what we could do if you lived with both feet in.” Jordan gives us a glimpse into the real life stories that inspired his hit songs “Fires,” “Weary Traveler”, and “Rescue.”

Learning to love the One who gives and takes away, sisters and co-authors Heather Gilion and Holly Snell share their brave story of becoming widows in their twenties as the bodies of their beloved husbands were found floating in a river. They found themselves face to face with God in a season of suffering they had never known...asking the questions….can I trust you God? Where are you? Can you really heal my wounds? Their book, Dancing On My Ashes, details their powerful journey and is a call to stop living wounded and accept the presence of God's hand in our lives. You can learn more about Heather, Holly, and their book by visiting dancingonmyashes.com.

September shares her experience of being raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and living most of her life dedicated to the Mormon faith, even serving as a Mormon Priestess throughout her 30’s and 40’s. She shares her brave story of leaving everything she knew and the freedom she has found in worshiping Jesus and following Him.

We're re-sharing one of our most listened-to episodes! At the age of 17, Michela Fields found herself in a web of manipulation and emotional narcissistic abuse. Always on the run, hiding from family and friends, and far away from her home country, she was forced to trust the only person she knew, her narcissistic husband. This is Michela’s brave story of living in confusion, pain, and turmoil for nearly 16 years until freedom and the healing arms of Jesus Christ gave her a new hope and a new life.

Singer/Songwriter Ben Fuller shares his journey of growing up in a home where the name, Jesus Christ, was used only as a curse word and how struggles with his father led to anger and depression. Eventually he found himself wandering in darker places such as contemplating suicide followed by a 14 year battle with drug and alcohol addiction. God used a family to bring him to church and his life began to change. He went from desiring to be a country music singer in Nashville to knowing that singing for the Lord would be his new song forever. You can learn more about Ben and his latest hit song "Who I am" by visiting www.benfullerofficial.com.

Singer/songwriter Micah Tyler spent his days wondering ‘what’s next,’ while driving a sausage delivery truck and questioning his own discernment to quit his youth pastor gig, sell half of what he owned to move his family into a single-wide trailer, and start traveling the region performing songs he’d written. Not an easy move with a wife, three kids, and no strong connection to the music industry at the time. “I just knew I had to be obedient and step out into music full time,” Micah recalls. “I told the Lord, ‘I don’t know how to be a professional musician, but you’ve taught me to be faithful.’ Micah shares his brave journey of sacrifice and faithfulness and how “Walking Free” (title of his book) in Christ is the foundation for fulfilling God’s unique purpose in our lives and experiencing to the fullest all that God has waiting for each one of us. You can learn more about Micah Tyler’s music and his book Walking Free by visiting micahtyler.com.

Singer/songwriter Austin French shares his brave story of emerging from an abusive childhood, a poverty stricken home, and church rejection. Struggling with anger towards his abusive father and the church, Austin reflects back on his journey..."I grew up in church, was surrounded by church culture, but I hated Christians for a long time. Our family was the family that pretended to be perfect on Sunday but was falling apart behind closed doors. As an eight-year-old boy, I was living two different lives, expected to be perfect on Sunday and then living in fear at home.” Discussing his book "Jesus Can" Austin takes listeners on a journey that showcases God's redemptive power taking a hardened heart and turning it into a heart of worship and praise. He has written multiple hit songs such as Jesus Can, Why God, Good Feeling, Freedom Hymn, Wake Up Sleeper and more. You can learn more about Austin and his music by visiting his website: austinfrenchmusic.com.

Solo artist, singer/songwriter, and author Mike Donehey (formerly lead singer of Tenth Avenue North) shares about his latest book Grace in the Gray, A More Loving Way to Disagree. Grace in the Gray reveals how to focus on the person standing before you more than the argument set against you. He is also the author of the best selling book, Finding God's Life for My Will, and hosts "Chasing the Beauty" Podcast. You can learn more about Mike's books, music, and latest album "Flourish", and his podcast by visiting mikedonehey.com.

Author of Moving Forward with Grief, Michelle Moore shares her journey navigating through the loss of her 16 year old son, Joshua. She takes listeners on a transparent & relatable journey jam packed with truth & practical tools for anyone walking through grief. You can find Michelle’s bible study, Moving Forward with Grief, along with her other bible study, A Race Well Lived, at faithfulhomebiblestudies.com and by visiting her blog: witheyesonthecross.com

Award winning singer songwriter Colton Dixon shares his heart on navigating life in marriage, being a dad, and living out his calling as a singer and songwriter. He shares his inspiration behind his latest hit song “Build a Boat” and how obedience is key in helping him grow in his faith. A two-time winner of Best Contemporary/Rock Album of the year, Colton has racked up two No. 1 radio singles. Many know him from finishing 7th on Season 11 of American Idol. But he has made a name for himself through his music with several hit songs from his albums “A Messenger” and “Anchor”. You can learn more about Colton by visiting his website at coltondixon.com.

NOTE: This episode contains sensitive material not meant for little ears. The mixed messages about sex in Christianity can be confusing and often harmful. Christy sits down with Brandi K. Harris, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist to discuss Brandi’s most recent book, The Truth About Holy Sex. Her insights, resources, and practical applications will help followers of Jesus increase intimacy and develop deeply satisfying sex. You can learn more by visiting Brandi’s website: www.ittakesabreath.com.

Singer/Songwriter Hope Darst, known for her popular songs “Peace Be Still,” “Promise Keeper,” and “Set Free,” opens up and takes us on an up close and personal journey through her own struggles, doubts, fears, questions, and God’s faithfulness through it all. You can learn more about Hope by visiting her website at hopedarst.com.