Advertise on podcast: She Lives Freed with Brittany Dawn Nelson

Everyone tells you that having a baby changes everything, but few people honestly talk about what it can do to your marriage.In today's episode, Jordan and I are sitting down for a real, unfiltered conversation about our first year since becoming mom and dad. Parenthood has been one of God's greatest gifts to us and we love our son to the moon and back! But this season has also stretched us, refined us, and exposed the weak areas in our marriage that we never expected. We're sharing the hard moments, the beautiful parts, and the lessons God has taught us along the way. Whether you're newly married, expecting your first baby, in the newborn trenches, or simply preparing for the future, our prayer is that this conversation encourages you to pursue each other intentionally while keeping Christ at the center of your marriage… even more so once you are mom and dad.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What surprised us most after becoming parents How our relationship changed after bringing home a baby The identity shift from husband and wife to mom and dad Sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and learning to give each other grace Communication challenges during the postpartum season How intimacy and emotional connection changed after baby The biggest adjustments we weren't prepared for Honest moments from our first year of parenthood What God has been teaching us through this season This episode was one that we’ve been meaning to record for a moment, and I’m so glad that we finally did. Remember to lean into each other when you’re navigating the newborn stages, and even past that… because God never intended for us to do this alone. If you’re walking through a similar season, our prayer is that this episode encourages you to cry out to the Father, cling to the hem of His garment, and trust that He is with you in this chapter.  Let’s Connect! If this episode blessed you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and tag me on Instagram @realbrittanydawn so I can connect with you personally! Have a question or topic idea? Send me a DM, I’d love to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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What happens when you finally surrender the things you were never meant to carry on your own? In today’s deeply powerful episode, Brittany sits down with Stephanie Franklin-Suber for a raw and hope-filled conversation about striving, survival mode, chronic illness, burnout, grief, and the freedom that can only be found through full dependence on God. Stephanie shares her testimony of walking through cancer, chronic health struggles, emotional depletion, and even surviving a cardiac arrest… and how those seasons completely reshaped her understanding of surrender, healing, identity, and intimacy with God. This conversation is for the woman who: Loves Jesus but feels exhausted Has been trying to hold everything together in her own strength Wonders why healing has taken longer than expected Feels discouraged in a difficult season Is ready to stop surviving and start surrendering Together, Brittany and Stephanie talk about what it looks like to trust God with a journey you didn’t choose, honor your body without shame, and discover that God still meets us tenderly in our weakest moments. This episode will remind you that freedom in Christ is real… and even at the end of yourself, His grace is still enough. Connect with Stephanie Franklin-Suber: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebuildyourtemple_ Website: https://rebuildyourtemplegodsway.com/ Let’s Connect! If this episode blessed you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and tag me on Instagram @realbrittanydawn so I can connect with you personally! Have a question or topic idea? Send me a DM, I’d love to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Motherhood today can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to raise children who genuinely love Jesus in a world that constantly pulls them in the opposite direction. In this episode, I’m joined by Rhonda Stoppe… best-selling author, speaker, and host of the Old Ladies Know Stuff podcast. With over 40 years of marriage, children and grandchildren, Rhonda brings a powerful, multi-generational perspective on what it actually looks like to raise Godly children in real life: not from perfection, but through faithfulness. We talk about the difference between raising well-behaved kids and raising disciples, how to let go of control and mom guilt, and what it truly means to steward motherhood as a calling… rather than a performance. If you’ve ever felt the weight of wanting to “get it right” as a mom: this conversation is for you. What it really means to raise Godly children The difference between behavior modification vs. heart transformation How to disciple your kids in everyday, practical ways Letting go of perfection, control, and comparison Raising kids with fearless faith in today’s culture Why your personal walk with God matters more than you think Common parenting mistakes Christian moms are making How God redeems our failures in motherhood What matters most in the early years (especially for new moms) Rhonda Stoppe is a best-selling author, internationally respected speaker, and host of the award-winning podcast Old Ladies Know Stuff. She has spent decades equipping women and families with biblical wisdom rooted in real-life experience. Married for over 40 years, Rhonda is a mom and grandmother, offering a rare and powerful perspective on raising children who walk with the Lord across generations. Connect with Rhonda Stoppe: Website: http://NoRegretsWoman.com Moms of the Bible Book: https://www.rhondastoppe.com/moms-of-the-bible-book/ Let’s Connect!If this episode blessed you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and tag me on Instagram @realbrittanydawn so I can connect with you personally! Have a question or topic idea? Send me a DM, I’d love to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, I sit down with trauma therapist and nervous system expert Rochelle Walsh to talk about burnout from a perspective many women have never considered. Instead of seeing burnout as a lack of faith, discipline, or time management, it's often a sign of nervous system dysregulation. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stretched thin, or like you’re constantly running on empty—even while doing things you love—this conversation is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - Why burnout is often a nervous system issue, not a spiritual failure - The hidden impact of chronic stress and high-capacity living - How motherhood and life transitions can trigger overwhelm - Practical ways to regulate your nervous system daily - The power of slowing down and being fully present - Why self-compassion is essential for emotional and spiritual health Connect with Rochelle: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rochellewalsh_ Website: https://rochellewalsh.mykajabi.com/ Joyful and Present Let’s Connect! If this episode blessed you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and tag me on Instagram @realbrittanydawn so I can connect with you personally! Have a question or topic idea? Send me a DM, I’d love to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode of She Lives Freed, I have the honor of chatting with Lisa Bevere for a conversation that is both deeply convicting and incredibly freeing. We’re talking about a pattern that so many women fall into, but rarely recognize: nagging, control, and the urge to constantly correct our husbands.Culture normalizes it, social media jokes about it, but Scripture has something very different to say. This episode isn’t about shame: it’s about refinement. If you’ve ever felt frustrated in your marriage, caught yourself repeating the same things over and over, or if you’ve struggled to trust God with your husband’s growth… this conversation will challenge you to step out of control and into surrender and respect. Your words have the power to either build your marriage or slowly tear it down. And God is calling us higher in this hour as wives and women of God. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The biblical truth about nagging and why it’s more serious than we think How constant correction can tear down your husband’s identity The difference between healthy communication vs. control Why nagging often reveals a deeper trust issue with God How to communicate needs without dishonor Practical ways to replace frustration with life-giving words The role of prayer in transforming your marriage How to become a woman who builds her home with wisdom Learn more from Lisa Bevere and her ministry, books, and teachings that equip women to walk boldly in truth. Connect with Lisa Bevere:Website: https://lisabevere.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabevereTwitter:  http://twitter.com/LisaBevereFacebook Fan Page:  http://www.facebook.com/lisabevere.page  Let’s Connect! If this episode blessed you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and tag me on Instagram @realbrittanydawn so I can connect with you personally! Have a question or topic idea? Send me a DM, I’d love to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At what point did what you’re walking through become who you are? In today’s episode, we’re having an honest, Spirit-led conversation about labels: anxiety, ADHD, trauma, burnout… and how easily they can shift from something we experience to something we identify with. This episode is not about dismissing real struggles, it’s about bringing clarity, discernment, and truth back into the conversation. Because even though these symptoms might be real… your identity is still rooted in Christ. In this episode, we talk about the difference between understanding your struggles and coming into agreement with them, how the spirit of confusion can keep you stuck, and what it looks like to actually walk in freedom: mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. If you’ve ever felt like “this is just who I am”… this episode is for you. When a diagnosis or struggle becomes your identity The difference between awareness vs. agreement What the Bible says about confusion and identity How the spirit of confusion operates in everyday life Misdiagnosis, culture, and the normalization of labels The role of the Holy Spirit in healing and clarity Practical steps to break agreement with false identities How to renew your mind and walk in truth daily Connect with Kingdom Sexuality Ministry: Britley’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/britleyann Ellie’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/ellie_bt Website: www.fanintoflame.co Let’s Connect! If this episode blessed you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and tag me on Instagram @realbrittanydawn so I can connect with you personally! Have a question or topic idea? Send me a DM, I’d love to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why does it feel like you’re having the same fight over and over again in your marriage? In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Jenna Shaffer, a licensed therapist and Christian marriage coach, to talk about something so many couples experience… but don’t always recognize: toxic cycles. We’re diving into what these patterns actually look like, why they keep repeating, and how past wounds, triggers, and miscommunication can quietly shape the way we show up in marriage. But more importantly, we’re talking about how to break the cycle. This conversation blends biblical truth + practical tools to help you move from frustration and disconnection to healing, awareness, and real freedom in your marriage. If you’ve ever thought, “Why do we keep going in circles?” – this episode is for you. What a toxic cycle in marriage actually is Why couples repeat the same arguments How triggers and past wounds show up in your relationship The difference between healthy conflict and destructive patterns Practical steps to break unhealthy cycles What to do in the moment when emotions escalate How one person can begin shifting the dynamic Inviting God into the healing process in marriage “You’re not stuck, you may just be in a cycle you haven’t identified yet.” Connect with Jenna Shaffer: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianmillennialmarriages/ Website: https://christianmillennialmarriages.com/ Christian Marriage Academy: https://christianmillennialmarriages.com/cma Use code LOVEFIRST to get $600 off (46% off) Let’s Connect! If this episode blessed you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and tag me on Instagram @realbrittanydawn so I can connect with you personally! Have a question or topic idea? Send me a DM—I’d love to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this deeply personal episode, I’m sharing the full story of bringing our baby into the world. The prayers, the unexpected moments, the heightened emotions of both myself and Jordan, and the undeniable presence of God through it all.  After everything it took to get here… infertility, loss, waiting, and surrender… this birth wasn’t just a moment in our lives, it was a testimony of God’s goodness, of His perfect timing. Whether you’re a mama, believing for your own miracle, or just need a reminder that God is faithful in every season, this episode is for you. The final days leading up to labor What I was feeling physically, emotionally, and spiritually How labor actually unfolded (the real, raw version) Unexpected moments and things I didn’t plan for Where I saw God show up in the middle of it all My husband’s role and perspective during the birth The moment we finally met our baby What this experience taught me about surrender and trust Isaiah 66:9 – “Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” Let’s Connect! If this episode blessed you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and tag me on Instagram @realbrittanydawn so I can connect with you personally! www.instagram.com/realbrittanydawn www.youtube.com/brittanydawn  Have a question or topic idea? Send me a DM, I’d love to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grief is something every one of us will face, yet it’s rarely talked about honestly in the church. In today’s episode, Brittany sits down with author, speaker, and podcast host Kirby Kelly to talk about walking through deep loss and finding hope in the middle of suffering. Kirby shares about losing her mom, the questions she wrestled with in her faith, and the ways God met her in the middle of grief. This conversation is raw, honest, and full of encouragement for anyone walking through pain, loss, or unanswered prayers. If you’ve ever wondered how to hold onto hope when your heart is breaking, this episode is for you. What grief looked like in the early days after losing her mom Wrestling with God in seasons of suffering How faith can feel fragile during loss and how God meets us in the middle of grief How our hope comes only from Jesus, even in heartache What hoping in Him looks like when life doesn’t make sense Encouragement for anyone currently walking through grief God is not distant in our suffering.. He is right there in it with us. Connect with Kirby Kelly: Podcast: https://www.lifeaudio.com/bought-beloved-with-kirby-kelly/?page=2 Instagram: www.instagram.com/kirbyisaboss About: https://kirby-kelly.com/ Book: https://bit.ly/TheFabricofHopeKirbyKelly Let’s Connect! If this episode blessed you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and tag me on Instagram @realbrittanydawn so I can connect with you personally! Have a question or topic idea? Send me a DM — I’d love to hear from you! What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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We live in a culture obsessed with vision boards, goal-setting, and manifesting the next best version of ourselves. But what if God isn’t asking you to envision your future. What if He’s asking you to obey Him today? In this solo episode, Brittany shares what the Lord has been gently convicting her of in this season: that vision without obedience can quietly become control, and that following Jesus often looks far less aesthetic than we expect. From stepping away for a season of rest, to wrestling with comparison in ministry, to learning the beauty of quiet obedience, this episode is an invitation to lay down our plans and pick up our yes. Brittany opens up about hidden seasons, surrendering desires, and why God rarely gives us the full picture… but always gives us exactly what we need. If you’ve ever felt pressure to have it all mapped out, struggled with comparison, or found yourself asking God to bless plans He never authored, this episode is for you. You don’t need another vision board, you need to be obedient. In this episode, we talk about: why vision boards aren’t bad, but can be a form of control the danger of turning our relationship with God into something transactional how comparison in ministry can mute the voice God gave you why God often speaks in steps, not summaries the purpose of hidden seasons and private obedience choosing gratitude over future potential what it really means to surrender, die to self, and follow Jesus learning to say, “If not — God is still good” Connect with Brittany Dawn and the SLF Podcast: SLF Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelivesfreed Brittany’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/realbrittanydawn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever ended the day wondering if you’re doing motherhood all wrong? In this episode, I’m joined by Bible teacher, author, and mom of three Abbey Wedgeworth for a deeply honest conversation about the guilt so many mothers carry: the fear that we’re ruining our kids.  Author of Help! I’m Ruining My Kids, Abbey gently dismantles the lies of shame and perfectionism and reminds us of a hope-filled truth: nothing in motherhood is beyond redemption. We talk about lifting our eyes off our mistakes and shortcomings, and fixing them back on Jesus Christ. This episode is an invitation to breathe again, loosen the grip of guilt, and to remember that God’s grace is sufficient, even in our weakest moments. In this episode, we talk about: why so many moms quietly believe they’re “ruining” their kids how shame and mom guilt distort the way we see ourselves (and God) when expectations of motherhood don’t match reality setting realistic rhythms and healthy limits without fear or pressure how God redeems our personal parenting stories breaking free from the comparison trap in motherhood If you’re a mom navigating unmet expectations, anxiety, comparison, or postpartum struggles… this episode is for you. Connect with Abbey Website: https://www.abbeywedgeworth.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbeywedgeworth Upcoming Book, Help! I’m Ruining My Kids (March 2026): https://a.co/d/gph6uuE Abbey Wedgeworth is a Bible teacher, author, and mom of three young boys. She is passionate about helping mothers walk in freedom from guilt and fear by grounding their hope in the unshakable grace of God. Her upcoming book, Help! I’m Ruining My Kids, releases in March 2026 and speaks honestly to shame, anxiety, and the redemptive power of the gospel in everyday motherhood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, we sit down for a deeply honest and hope-filled conversation about what it looks like to trust God when life takes an unexpected and heartbreaking turn. Tveen Verano shares her journey of walking through her son’s cancer diagnosis… not from a place of having it all figured out, but through surrender, grief, and steadfast faith. This conversation is a reminder that faith doesn’t always look pretty or put together. That sometimes it looks like showing up and clinging to Jesus, even when the outcome is uncertain. In this episode, we talk about: what it means to grieve and yet still have hope how God meets us in the valley, not just on the mountaintop learning to anchor our hope in Christ rather than in outcomes wrestling honestly with fear, waiting, and unanswered prayers encouragement for anyone who is barely hanging on Whether you’re a mom walking through a diagnosis, someone facing unexpected hardship, or simply in a season where faith feels heavy: this episode is for you. You are not alone sister, and Psalm 34:18 reminds us that God is near to the brokenhearted. Connect with Tveen Verano: Follow Tveen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tveenverano.rd/ Loved this episode? If this conversation encouraged you: share it with a friend or your spouse leave a review to help other couples find it subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations My prayer is that this episode is a reminder to you that even in your most difficult chapters, God is still writing out your story.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really look like to build a marriage that honors God — not with perfection, but through faithfulness? In today’s episode, I had the honor of hosting Chelsea Smith, author of I Do Today. It was a refreshingly honest, funny, and biblically grounded conversation about marriage, growth, intimacy, and keeping Christ at the center in a culture that pulls couples in every direction. With 25 years of marriage in her back pocket, Chelsea shares practical and life-giving advice that helps couples stop striving for an unrealistic “perfect marriage” and instead, commit to growing together — spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. In this episode, we talk about: how to anchor your marriage in Christ when culture says otherwise how respect and playfulness belong together in a godly marriage what surrender looks like when spouses feel pulled in different directions God’s design for intimacy — including sex — as something holy and life-giving navigating social media, comparison, and outside voices as a married couple Chelsea reminds us that the strongest marriages aren’t built on flawless behavior, but on daily faithfulness, intentional conversations, and choosing each other. And ultimately, keeping the Lord above each other. Whether you’re newly married, decades in, or praying for restoration, this conversation will encourage you to take one faithful step forward today. Order I Do Today: https://a.co/d/aTvDzbw Connect with Chelsea Smith: Follow Chelsea on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseasmith  Churchome: https://www.churchome.org Loved this episode? If this conversation encouraged you: share it with a friend or your spouse leave a review to help other couples find it subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations Remember — God is more interested in your faithfulness than your performance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices