Advertise on podcast: Echos of Impact

Marriage can be beautiful and deeply life-giving… and still bring out parts of us we didn't know needed work. In this episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise pull back the curtain on their own marriages and have an honest conversation about what they've learned through nearly 35 years of combined marriage. They share how they met their husbands, what they still love about them after all these years, the rhythms that have helped them stay connected, and some of the places where marriage has stretched them the most. From different conflict styles and perpetual arguments to video games, parenting, intimacy, codependency, apologies, and learning when to step in versus when to let go, this conversation isn't about pretending they have marriage figured out. It's about recognizing that loving someone well sometimes means communicating what you need—and sometimes means trusting God enough to stop trying to manage their growth for them. At the heart of the episode is a reminder that a healthy marriage isn't a conflict-free marriage. It's two imperfect people continuing to turn toward each other, stay curious, repair when things go wrong, and allow God to work in both of them. A note before listening: This conversation reflects Briana and Cherise's personal experiences in healthy, safe marriages. They also acknowledge that some marriages involve emotional or physical unsafety, and their experiences aren't meant to be a formula or comparison point for every relationship. What We Cover: How Briana and Cherise met their husbands—and what first drew them to each other Why going to bed together every night has become an important rhythm in Cherise's marriage Staying connected without expecting your spouse to be your everything Making room for friendships, hobbies, and individuality within marriage Why laughter has helped carry both marriages through hard seasons Putting your marriage before your kids while still being present parents What it looks like to model healthy conflict for your children Why conflict itself isn't necessarily unhealthy The reality of having the same disagreements again and again Cherise's honest struggle with video games in her marriage—and learning the difference between communicating a need, nagging, and quietly holding contempt What happens when one spouse wants to resolve conflict immediately and the other needs space Learning to apologize, repair, and recognize when your spouse may communicate remorse differently than you do The temptation to notice all the ways your spouse could grow Why you can't be your spouse's Holy Spirit Supporting your husband without over-functioning, enabling, or trying to fix him Trusting God with your spouse's growth Recognizing when your desire to "help" is actually being driven by anxiety The many different kinds of intimacy within marriage Protecting time together when you have children at home Staying curious about your spouse, expressing gratitude, and choosing to turn toward each other instead of away Learning the small things that make your spouse feel seen and cared for The power of prayer and focusing on your own growth with God Key Quotes: "You can't be their Holy Spirit." — Cherise "Turn toward each other and not away from each other." — Cherise Join the Conversation: What part of this conversation felt familiar in your own marriage? Maybe it was the way you handle conflict. Maybe it was realizing how easy it is to try to manage someone you love. Or maybe it was the reminder to keep turning toward each other in the ordinary, everyday moments. Come talk with us on Instagram or join the Echos of Impact Community on Facebook: Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact Final Notes: If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who might need the conversation too. And if you've been enjoying Echos of Impact, follow the show and leave a review. It helps more women find these conversations and reminds us that the honest stories we share really do matter.

What do you do when you know God is good… but your life doesn't feel good at all? In this episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with writer and storyteller Sarah Freymuth for an honest conversation about faith, mental health, suffering, and learning to trust the character of God when your feelings are telling you something very different. Sarah is the Content and Storytelling Manager for Fellowship of Christian Athletes and writes for platforms including Proverbs 31 Ministries, YouVersion, (in)Courage, and She Reads Truth. She has a heart for helping people uncover God's goodness in places that don't feel good, especially when it comes to faith and mental health. Through her own seasons of serious health challenges, anxiety, depression, and prolonged suffering, Sarah has learned what it looks like to keep reaching for God even when His presence feels distant. This conversation makes room for the questions we sometimes feel afraid to say out loud: God, are You really here? Do You see me? Why is this lasting so long? What if my faith isn't as strong as I thought it was? Sarah shares how she learned that faith isn't always about holding tighter. Sometimes it's realizing that when we don't have the strength to hold onto God, He is still holding onto us. And for the woman who is still in the middle of a hard season, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to pretend you're okay to be deeply loved by God. What We Cover: Sarah's journey of knowing God from childhood and how suffering deepened her faith Wrestling with anxiety, depression, health struggles, and unanswered questions What happens when you know God loves you but you can't feel His love The shame Christians can experience around mental health Why trying to "fix" someone's suffering can sometimes make them feel even more alone The power of presence, prayer, and simply walking alongside someone Finding small signs of hope when looking too far ahead feels impossible Learning to trust God's character when your emotions feel unreliable The difference between striving to hold onto faith and trusting God to hold you How Sarah's husband learned to support her through mental health struggles Why healing doesn't always happen quickly or in a straight line Looking for small "glimmers" of God's presence in dark seasons The heart behind Sarah's book, All the Hard Things: 50 Days Through the Valley What Sarah is learning now about abiding, slowing down, and simply being with Jesus Key Quotes: "He was holding me when I couldn't hold myself." — Sarah Freymuth "My faith is not strong enough. Thank God His is." — Sarah Freymuth Connect with Sarah Freymuth: Website: https://www.sarahfreymuth.com Instagram: @sfreymuthawake Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SFreymuth Substack: https://substack.com/@sarahfreymuth Join the Conversation: Have you ever walked through a season where you knew what was true about God, but struggled to actually feel it? We'd love to hear what this conversation brought up for you. Echos of Impact on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ Join the Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact Final Notes: If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who may need the reminder that they don't have to have perfect faith to be held by a faithful God. And if you haven't already, follow Echos of Impact and leave a review. It's a simple way to help more women find these conversations and know they aren't walking through the hard things alone.

There's a moment every parent eventually faces — the one where you stop steering the boat and start becoming the lighthouse. For Tabitha Deller, that shift didn't happen all at once. It came slowly, through raising four sons, trusting God with things she couldn't control, and learning that love sometimes looks like letting go. Tabitha is a writer, Bible teacher, and speaker who has spent years helping women encounter the truth of Scripture and the love of Jesus. In this conversation, she shares her own story — from a childhood where faith was familiar but hadn't yet become personal, to a college season where she began walking with Jesus for herself, to the ongoing work of parenting sons who are now grown and living their own lives. At the center of this episode is the tension so many moms live in: how do you raise your kids with truth, boundaries, and real presence — and then trust God enough to let them go? Tabitha's answer isn't a formula; it's a picture: boat, tugboat, lighthouse. And a reminder that sometimes the most faithful thing you can do is less, not more. What We Cover: Tabitha's journey from head knowledge to heart knowledge in her faith Why purpose can look different in different seasons The importance of Christian community and discipleship Trusting God through suffering and difficult circumstances Letting go as your children become adults Creating a home where your kids know they can come back with hard questions Holding truth, boundaries, love, and relationship together Why apologizing to your children can model strength rather than weakness Moving from the "boat" to the "tugboat" to the "lighthouse" as a parent Choosing prayer over trying to control someone else's journey Tabitha also reminds us that hard does not automatically mean bad. God can be working in the very seasons we would never have chosen, producing endurance, character, and hope as we learn to trust Him more deeply. Key Quotes: "We are the lighthouse. We are not even in the water with them... they know they can look towards it, and if they ever lose their way, that light is going to be there and they can find their way back." "Rules without relationship equal rebellion." Connect with Tabitha Deller: Website: http://www.tabithadeller.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabdeller/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064928052076 Substack: https://substack.com/@tabithadeller Join the Conversation: Head to Instagram or our Facebook group and tell us which part of this picture stayed with you — the boat, the tugboat, or the lighthouse. Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact Final Notes: If this episode encouraged you, follow Echos of Impact and leave a review. It genuinely helps more women find these conversations.

What do you do when you're following God, trusting Him, praying, and life still becomes harder than you ever imagined? In this episode of Echos of Impact, Briana sits down with singer, poet, author, speaker, and creative Juliet Dawn for a deeply personal conversation about faith through abuse, miscarriage, infant loss, trauma, unanswered prayer, and the long road of continuing to come back to Jesus. Juliet grew up with strong roots of faith, but at 21 she prayed a prayer that would stay with her for decades: "I just want to make a difference no matter the cost." What followed was a life she never could have predicted — including an abusive relationship, multiple miscarriages, the devastating loss of her twin boys, Louis and Elliot, serious health struggles, and another complicated pregnancy with her son Leo. One of the most powerful parts of Juliet's story is the tension between what happened with her twins and what happened when she became pregnant with Leo. After praying for a miracle for her twins and not receiving the answer she desperately wanted, Juliet found herself praying again — this time without knowing what the outcome would be. She shares how she continued to hold onto faith even when she couldn't predict what God would do. Juliet also shares the story behind her song "There's a Time," which she wrote with her mother around the same season she prayed that prayer at 21. The recording was lost for more than three decades, only to resurface after Juliet had lived through so much of what the song spoke about. Looking back, she could finally see it as a thread God had placed in her story long before she understood why she would need it. This conversation isn't about pretending hard things don't hurt. It's about what it can look like to keep turning toward Jesus when life doesn't make sense, healing takes longer than you hoped, and you're tired of asking, When is this going to end? A quick note before listening: This episode includes conversations about abuse, miscarriage, infant loss, grief, and trauma. Please listen with care. What We Cover The strong faith roots Juliet developed growing up in a pastor's home The prayer she prayed at 21: "I just want to make a difference no matter the cost" Surviving a decade-long abusive relationship Multiple miscarriages and the devastating loss of her twin sons Praying again after experiencing unanswered prayer The pregnancy and birth of her son Leo, which Juliet describes as a miracle How years of trauma affected Juliet emotionally and physically Why healing has meant persistence and continually coming back to Jesus The story behind "There's a Time" and why rediscovering the song decades later meant so much How trauma changed Juliet's voice — and how she believes God restored it The importance of having spiritually mature people around you when life feels relentless Choosing praise when you don't know what else to pray Key Quotes "I wasn't sure what the outcome of those prayers was going to be, but I had enough faith to believe for a miracle." "The healing for me has looked like persistence, persistence, persistence, persistence — keep coming back to Jesus, keep coming back to Jesus, keep coming back to Jesus." Connect with Juliet Dawn Website: http://JulietDawn.co.uk YouTube: https://youtube.com/@julietdawnmusic?si=NPWd40cnbW4kUoNi Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5AxYDVlsL1Xy0MNypqerwC?si=0Dj87RIhREC2ncGMIERnDg Pilgrim's Progress Film / Musical: https://youtu.be/NmNKIuSTb7E "Arise & Shine": https://youtu.be/AaCLM1tQvj4 "There's a Time": https://youtu.be/HTKz5GmNlbI "Beauty for Ashes": https://youtu.be/bt3bQjcxtwo Join the Conversation Have you ever walked through a season where you kept wondering, God, when is this going to end? We'd love to hear what has helped you keep coming back to Him in the middle of a season you didn't understand. Echos of Impact on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ Join the Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact Final Notes If this conversation encouraged you, follow Echos of Impact wherever you listen so you don't miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a rating or review is one simple way you can help more women find these conversations. Thanks for listening, friend.

What if the questions you keep asking God are telling you something about what's happening underneath the surface? In this monthly Briana + Cherise episode of Echos of Impact, we're talking honestly about the questions we bring to God—the ones about closed doors, unanswered prayers, hearing His voice, suffering, purpose, and whether He really sees us in the middle of it all. Sometimes the question we're asking out loud isn't actually the deepest question in our hearts. Briana shares a beautiful story of reconnecting with a friend after nearly 15 years of believing she had somehow caused the friendship to end. What she eventually learned was completely different from the story she had carried for years—and it opened up a conversation about how easily our assumptions can become shame, fear, and beliefs about ourselves that were never true. Cherise also shares how one simple thought from a previous conversation—the questions we ask can point to our pain points—caused her to look differently at the questions she brings to God. Questions like, Why didn't this work out when I thought You were leading me there? How are You going to redeem this? Do You hear me when I pray? Are You with me? And underneath so many of them is the same tender question: God, can I trust You when I don't understand what You're doing? This conversation is an invitation to stop being afraid of your questions. God isn't intimidated by them. Bring them into prayer. Bring them into worship. Pay attention to what they might be revealing—and allow Him to meet you there. What We Cover: Why the questions we ask can reveal deeper pain points Briana's unexpected reconciliation with a friend after nearly 15 years How assumptions can quietly turn into shame What happens when you feel sure God led you somewhere—and the door still closes Learning to recognize obedience even when you don't understand the outcome The difference between knowing God loves you and experiencing His love personally Cherise's question underneath "What's the point of prayer?"—"Are You with me?" Trusting that suffering will not be wasted Bringing grief and unanswered questions honestly before God Why steadfastness matters when life gets harder instead of easier Learning to bring our questions into worship instead of carrying them alone Asking God to show us His love in personal, meaningful ways Key Quotes: "I feel like almost all questions end up leading you to, like, 'Can I trust You? Can I trust You, God? Can I trust Your heart when I don't understand what's going on?'" — Cherise "When's the last time that God showed you He really loved you?" — Briana A Question to Sit With: What question have you been asking God lately? And if you sit with it a little longer… what might you really be asking underneath it? Maybe it's Are You with me? Did I hear You wrong? Will You redeem this? Do You really see me? Or simply: Can I trust You? Bring that question to Him. You don't have to clean it up first. Join the Conversation: We'd love to hear what this episode brought up for you. Come connect with us on Instagram or join the Echos of Impact Community on Facebook. Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact Final Notes: If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a friend who may be carrying some questions of her own. And if you're enjoying Echos of Impact, following the podcast and leaving a review is one of the simplest ways you can help more women find these conversations. Thanks for being here with us. 🤍

What do you do when you love someone deeply, you've prayed, you've tried to help, and you still can't control the outcome? In this episode of Echos of Impact, Briana sits down with Christian speaker, author, and Bible teacher Myra Ingargiola for a deeply personal conversation about surrender, motherhood, mental illness, addiction, grief, and trusting God through circumstances she never would have chosen. Myra shares how God first began drawing her to Himself as a little girl and how that thread of faith carried through some of the hardest chapters of her life. Myra's story includes placing a daughter for adoption as a young woman, years of infertility, later adopting her son Jared, and eventually being reunited with her daughter. She also shares the long journey she and her husband walked with Jared as he struggled with serious mental illness and addiction, and how they learned to love him while also setting boundaries and releasing the need to fix what was beyond their control. After Jared died from a fentanyl overdose in 2023, Myra began to see more clearly just how deeply his life had impacted the people around him. His story did not end with his illness or addiction. Through grief, Myra continues to come back to the lesson God has woven throughout her life: surrender isn't giving up. It's trusting God with what we cannot carry, control, or understand. Content note: This episode includes discussion of serious mental illness, addiction, fentanyl overdose, and the loss of a child. Please listen with care. What We Cover Myra sensing God's call on her life at eight years old Returning fully to her faith after walking through an abusive relationship Placing her daughter for adoption and the shame she carried afterward Infertility, adopting Jared, and eventually reuniting with her daughter Facing the possibility of losing Jared before his adoption was finalized What surrender looked like when Myra realized she could not control the outcome Jared's journey with mental illness and addiction Learning how to love someone while still maintaining healthy boundaries Protecting a marriage while walking through an incredibly difficult parenting season Letting go of the pressure to have all the answers The importance of understanding mental illness rather than responding from fear or shame Losing Jared to a fentanyl overdose in November 2023 The impact Jared had on clinicians, social workers, and others who cared for him Remembering the person someone is beyond what they are struggling with Why surrender can feel especially difficult in grief Learning to place something in God's hands without continually trying to take control back Holding onto hope when the story looks nothing like you expected Key Quotes "Purpose isn't something we can create, it's something we surrender to." "There's always hope." Connect with Myra Ingargiola Website: http://myraleespeaks.com/ Phone: 774-218-6108 Article: Whispers of Hope — available through Myra's website Join the Conversation Have you ever found yourself trying to control something you had already told God you were surrendering? We'd love to hear what this conversation brought up for you. Follow Echos of Impact on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ Join the Echos of Impact Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact Final Notes If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who may need the reminder that the people we love are more than their hardest seasons, and that there is still hope even when we cannot see how the story will unfold. Follow Echos of Impact wherever you listen so you don't miss next week's conversation. And if the podcast has encouraged you, leaving a rating or review is one simple way to help more women find these stories.

You don't have to stop being afraid before God can use you. In this episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with Bible teacher, author, podcaster, and speaker Laura L. Smith for an honest conversation about what biblical courage actually looks like. Laura shares why being brave isn't about "girl power," having more confidence, or somehow becoming fearless. It's about learning to depend on the power of God when what He's asking you to do feels bigger than you. Laura is the author of 15 books, including her newest book, Brave Woman, Mighty God. She shares how her own story of growing up with emotional wounds and believing lies about her worth shaped her passion for helping women tear down the lies they believe and replace them with the truth of who God says they are. She also takes us behind the heart of her newest book and the women of Scripture whose stories show us just how intentionally God has always seen, valued, and used women. And maybe one of the biggest lies standing between us and what God is calling us into is simply: "I'm not enough." Laura reminds us that courage doesn't mean doing everything at once. Sometimes it looks like praying, naming the fear, asking God to direct the next step, and then actually taking it. Because we aren't called to sit still until we feel ready. God invites us to ask, seek, knock, and walk with Him one step at a time. What We Cover Laura's own story of growing up believing lies about her worth and learning to receive the love of God How her childhood dream of becoming a writer slowly became something she was willing to pursue The heart behind Brave Woman, Mighty God Why biblical courage isn't about becoming fearless or relying on our own strength The lie Laura hears women struggle with most: "I'm not enough" How to recognize thoughts that are degrading, condemning, or inconsistent with the character of God Practical ways to move forward when God is calling you into something that feels overwhelming Why prayer comes before trying to figure out every step What Ruth, Eve, Deborah, Mary of Bethany, Mary Magdalene, Phoebe, and other women of Scripture can teach us today How God elevated and entrusted women even within cultures that often marginalized them How difficult relationships with our earthly fathers can affect the way we understand God as Father Why Laura chose to attend seminary after already writing 15 books What studying Scripture in its historical and cultural context has taught her Moving from a scarcity mindset toward trusting the abundance of God Why God doesn't need you to become someone else in order to use you Key Quotes "I think the biggest lie I hear over and over and reframed a thousand ways is I'm not enough." "God always elevated women above the culture they were in." Connect with Laura L. Smith Website / Books: https://LauraSmithAuthor.com Instagram: @LauraSmithAuthor Featured Book: Brave Woman, Mighty God Join the Conversation Where are you waiting to feel brave before taking the next step God may already be asking you to take? Come connect with us and share what this conversation brought up for you. Echos of Impact on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ Join the Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact Final Notes If this episode encouraged you, follow Echos of Impact so you don't miss what's coming next. And if you have a minute, leaving a rating or review is one simple way to help more women find these conversations. Thank you for listening and being part of this community.

What happens when the freedom you thought you wanted starts to feel a lot more like bondage? In this episode of Echos of Impact, Briana sits down with Nicole Onate to talk about what happened when Nicole walked away from the God she thought she knew and started building life on her own terms. Growing up, Nicole had come to see God as someone waiting for her to get it wrong. Christianity felt like a list of rules she could never live up to, so eventually she stopped trying. But the life she thought would bring freedom didn't give her the peace she was searching for. Nicole shares honestly about rebellion, childhood wounds, a difficult reaction to prescription medication that led to treatment, months of insomnia, and the deeper questions that surfaced when she finally reached the end of herself. Through a handful of people who simply loved her well, a study of C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity, and one very simple prayer of surrender, Nicole began discovering a completely different picture of God. Not a God asking her to perform. A God inviting her into relationship. This conversation is about so much more than changing behavior. Nicole shares how knowing Jesus began changing the way she thought, what she desired, how she treated the people closest to her, and even the relationship she had with her mom. It's a beautiful reminder that surrender isn't about finally getting everything right. It's about allowing God to transform us from the inside out. What We Cover How Nicole developed a fear-based view of God at a young age Why legalism eventually made her feel like there was no point in trying What pursuing life on her own terms looked like Reaching a place where she began asking deeper questions about meaning and purpose The simple sentence from a friend that Nicole never forgot How Mere Christianity helped her begin looking at faith differently The night Nicole finally surrendered to God Moving from rules and behavior modification to genuine heart transformation How God began restoring Nicole's relationship with her mom Why sanctification requires grace for ourselves and for other people Loving people without trying to control where they are in their faith journey The difference between constantly looking inward and fixing our eyes on Christ Learning to be honest with God and with the people we love Finding rhythms of serving others while still making space to be filled by God Key Quotes "I am at my wit's end and like I don't know what a relationship with you looks like but like here I am." "I pray that you give Jesus a chance. He's so lovely." Connect with Nicole Substack: https://substack.com/@claudianonate?r=kfk65&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=stories&shareImageVariant=blur Instagram: @hateitorloveitremix Join the Conversation Maybe you've known about God for a long time, but somewhere along the way faith started feeling more like pressure than relationship. Or maybe you've tried doing life your own way and discovered it didn't give you what you thought it would. We'd love to hear what this conversation brings up for you. Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ Join the Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact Final Notes If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who may need to hear Nicole's story. And if you're enjoying Echos of Impact, follow the podcast and consider leaving a review. It helps more women find these conversations and reminds us that no story is ever wasted.

What if the greatest threat to your calling isn't simply refusing to obey God—but doing what He asks while resisting the work He wants to do in your heart? In this episode, Briana and Cherise catch up on summer adventures, motherhood, home renovations, and Briana preaching her first Sunday sermon. Briana also shares a sweet moment that happened afterward: while praying and thanking God for the opportunity, she looked up and saw a cloud shaped unmistakably like a whale—complete with what appeared to be water spraying from the top. Then they take a deeper look at the story of Jonah. Jonah eventually went to Nineveh and delivered God's message, but his outward obedience never became inward compassion. He wanted God's mercy for himself while resenting that same mercy when it was extended to people he believed deserved judgment. Jonah's story reminds us that God is not only interested in getting us to the correct destination or convincing us to complete an assignment. He wants to transform our hearts until we care about the people He cares about. Briana and Cherise also ask a difficult question: Who is your Nineveh? Who have you given up on? Who have you decided is too stubborn, too difficult, or too far gone? Is there someone you struggle to believe deserves the same grace and mercy you have received? Loving difficult people does not mean excusing harmful behavior, ignoring wisdom, or giving someone unlimited access to your life. Forgiveness and healthy boundaries can exist together. But we can still ask God to protect our hearts from bitterness and help us see others as people He deeply loves. Because ultimately, we cannot love difficult people well through willpower alone. The only way to truly love them is to remain close to the One who loves them. In this episode, we talk about: Briana preaching her first Sunday sermon The whale-shaped cloud that made her feel personally seen by God What our response reveals when God asks us to do something difficult Why Jonah was running from God—not merely from Nineveh How God's warning can also be an invitation to mercy Why Jonah resented God's compassion toward the Ninevites The difference between outward obedience and inward transformation How God worked through Jonah despite Jonah's resistant heart The mercy Jonah welcomed for himself but resented for his enemies How Jonah's story points ahead to Jesus Recognizing the people we may have quietly written off Why loving difficult people requires God's strength The difference between forgiveness and restored access Maintaining compassion, wisdom, safety, and healthy boundaries Timestamps 00:00 Summer life, camping, and Cherise's freedom run 03:13 Living through home renovations 03:57 Motherhood and changing summers with older children 05:18 Briana preaches her first Sunday sermon 09:08 The whale-shaped cloud that made Briana feel seen 12:41 Why Briana preached about Jonah 14:05 Calling, purpose, and responding to God 17:31 Jonah wasn't only running from Nineveh—he was running from God 20:19 Jonah knew God might show mercy 23:16 Recognizing our own "Ninevites" 25:20 Jessica Honnell McLennan's story of unimaginable loss and forgiveness 28:08 The storm, the sailors, and Jonah's rock-bottom moment 33:41 Nineveh repents despite Jonah's reluctant obedience 36:59 You can obey God and still miss His heart 38:02 Jonah's anger over the plant and God's compassion for Nineveh 42:16 Finding God's mercy at rock bottom 44:19 Wanting grace for ourselves while resenting it for others 46:12 How Jonah's story points to Jesus 49:04 Who is your Nineveh? 49:52 Loving difficult people through God's strength 52:45 Forgiveness, discernment, and healthy boundaries 54:44 Closing prayer Questions to reflect on Who is your Nineveh? Is there someone you have quietly decided will never change? Are you obeying God outwardly while resisting what He wants to change within you? Do you celebrate God's grace when He extends it to someone you believe does not deserve it? Where might God be asking you to replace resentment with prayer? Are you attempting to love difficult people through willpower instead of remaining close to God? What would it look like to forgive someone while still maintaining wise and healthy boundaries? Scriptures discussed Jonah 1–4 Exodus 34:6–7 Job 1:21 Matthew 12:38–41 Luke 11:29–32 Resources mentioned Related Echos of Impact episode with Jessica Honnell McLennan: Listen on Spotify Follow Jami Nato on Instagram: @jaminato Join the Conversation Who came to mind when you heard the question, "Who is your Nineveh?" You do not have to share their name, but we would love to hear what God is showing you through this conversation. Follow Echos of Impact on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ Join the Echos of Impact Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact Follow the podcast so you do not miss next week's conversation, and consider sharing this episode with someone who may need the reminder that obedience is about more than completing an assignment—God also cares about what is happening within our hearts.

What happens when the thing you have spent your entire life chasing finally happens, but the fulfillment only lasts twenty minutes? Actress, wife, mom, and podcaster Carrie Alexander began acting at just eleven years old. After years of auditions, exciting opportunities, painful rejection, and looking to the entertainment industry for validation, Carrie found herself questioning whether success could ever truly satisfy her. In this episode, Carrie shares how God met her during a low point, invited her into a genuine relationship with Jesus, and began rebuilding her identity on something far more secure than applause, achievement, or being chosen for the next role. Together, we talk about the difference between disappointment and devastation, inviting God into every part of our dreams, and learning to stop living with a constant "pick me" mentality. Carrie also opens up about marriage, new motherhood, social media comparison, her difficult postpartum experience, and the freedom she has found in sharing honestly while she is still in the middle of the struggle. Carrie's story is a beautiful reminder that purpose is not something we have to chase. It is found through daily obedience, stewarding what is in front of us, and drinking from the living water only Jesus can provide. What We Cover How beginning an acting career at eleven shaped Carrie's identity The emotional highs and lows of auditions, success, and rejection Why achieving one of her biggest career goals only fulfilled her for twenty minutes How God met Carrie during an unhealthy relationship and a difficult season The unexpected story of how Carrie met her husband Inviting God into our careers, ambitions, disappointments, and dreams Viewing the entertainment industry as a mission field The convictions and boundaries Carrie and her husband follow as Christian actors How identity in Christ turns devastation into disappointment Breaking free from the need to be chosen, praised, or affirmed Learning to work for the Lord instead of constantly seeking recognition from others Why vulnerability allows other women to feel seen Sharing honestly in the middle of a struggle instead of waiting until everything is resolved Carrie's heart behind the New Mom Podcast The comparison and distraction many mothers experience through social media Being present with our children in a technology-filled world The difference between striving for success and stewarding God-given dreams Finding satisfaction in Jesus, our true source of living water Key Quotes "Purpose looks a lot more like being obedient daily to the Lord." "I can be willing to say it's disappointment versus devastation." "What if you just share in the middle?" "If the Lord sees it, it's enough." "Where am I looking for worldly water, and where am I expecting it to fill me?" About Carrie Alexander Carrie Alexander is a believer, wife, mom, actress, and podcaster. She began acting at eleven years old and has appeared in numerous television shows and films, including Austin & Ally, Parks and Recreation, The Goldbergs, Big Little Lies, and 9-1-1. Carrie found her faith at age twenty-three and began pursuing a life centered around Jesus. She and her husband met in Los Angeles, are both actors, and share a passion for bringing light into the entertainment industry. After becoming a mom in 2025, Carrie launched the New Mom Podcast, where she encourages mothers through honest conversations about faith, identity, community, and the realities of new motherhood. She also shares devotionals and encouragement through her blog. Connect with Carrie Carrie's Blog: CarrieAlexander.blog Carrie on Instagram: @carriewampler New Mom Podcast on Instagram: @newmompodcast Join the Conversation Where have you been looking for validation or fulfillment outside of Christ? Share what stood out to you from this conversation and tag Carrie and Echos of Impact on social media. We would love to hear how God is reminding you that your identity is secure in Him. Take the Next Step This week, notice the moments when disappointment begins to feel like devastation. Bring those places honestly before God and ask: Has this become an idol in my life? Am I seeking approval from people instead of God? What would it look like to steward what is directly in front of me today? Am I drinking from the living water Jesus offers, or searching for satisfaction somewhere else? If this episode encouraged you, please follow Echos of Impact, share it with a friend, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps more women discover these faith-filled conversations. Until next week, friends! 💛

Christian leadership isn't about having all the answers, carrying every responsibility, or making sure everyone agrees with you. It's about staying close to Jesus, loving people well, and having the courage to empower others to step into who God created them to be. In this episode of Echos of Impact, Briana sits down with Pastor Christy Gibas, lead pastor of The Table Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Christy shares how God patiently pursued her—from a teenager who responded, "I hope not," when someone recognized a call on her life, to leaving a successful career in banking and eventually stepping into the role of lead pastor. Christy also opens up about the painful season that first changed the way she saw God's grace. After the end of her first marriage, she expected anger and disappointment from her father. Instead, he simply told her, "Just come home." That response helped her begin to understand the heart of a God who was already pursuing her. Together, Briana and Christy talk honestly about the difference between achievement and healthy leadership, why courageous leaders cannot avoid difficult conversations, and how gentleness and conviction can exist together. Christy also shares a powerful story of following God's prompting in an airport—and what happened when one small act of obedience reminded a stranger that God saw her. This conversation is an encouragement for anyone who feels called to lead but wonders whether they are qualified, courageous, or spiritually prepared enough. You do not have to control everything or become someone else. You can remain dependent on Jesus, listen for His voice, and help the people around you become who He created them to be. What We Cover How Christy's painful divorce changed the way she understood God's grace The early signs that God had placed a call on her life Leaving a successful banking career to enter pastoral ministry The difference between achieving results and leading people well Why healthy leaders empower others instead of holding onto control The vision behind The Table Church and discipling people through relationships Letting go of perfection and opening our homes to genuine connection How to lead with both gentleness and conviction Why courageous leadership requires moving toward difficult conversations Learning to recognize God's voice through Scripture and His character Christy's powerful airport story about trusting a prompting from God Loving and honoring people whose backgrounds and opinions differ from ours Key Quotes "God cares about reaching people, but He cares about our dependence on Him more." "Really, to lead them is to love them well and empower them into the thing that God has created and designed them for." Connect with Christy Gibas The Table Church: table.org Facebook: facebook.com/christy.gibas Email: [email protected] Join the Conversation Where might God be asking you to release control and empower someone else? Come share what this conversation brought up for you on Instagram or inside the Echos of Impact Community. Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact Final Notes Follow Echos of Impact so you don't miss future conversations about faith, purpose, leadership, healing, and obedience. And if this episode encouraged you, consider leaving a review or sharing it with someone who is learning how to lead with courage while staying dependent on Jesus.

What if the thing making our lives easier is also asking for more access than we realize? In this timely episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with Misty Phillip for a conversation about faith, artificial intelligence, family, and discernment in a world that is changing faster than most of us can keep up with. Misty brings both wisdom and tenderness to a topic that can feel overwhelming, reminding us that Christians don't have to respond to AI with fear, but we do need to respond with prayer, wisdom, and spiritual clarity. Misty Phillip is a best-selling author, cybersecurity and AI executive, podcast host, and faith leader. As COO of Trilogyworks, she helps organizations navigate responsible AI implementation and cybersecurity. Before stepping into technology leadership, Misty left a promising consulting career to homeschool her three sons for more than twenty years. She later founded Spark Media, equipping thousands of Christian podcasters, and has written several books, including The Struggle is Real, But So is God, Spark Your Influence, Upskill or Die: Thriving in the AI Revolution, and her newest release, The Trojan Horse of the Digital Age: Why Christians Must Discern AI. This conversation is about more than technology. It is about what we allow into our homes, what we hand to our children, and how we stay rooted in God's Word when the line between helpful and harmful keeps moving. Misty shares pieces of her own story of grief, motherhood, surrender, and obedience, and then invites us to think honestly about how AI is shaping our attention, our families, our work, and our need for real human connection. What We Cover: Misty's faith journey and the moments where God met her in grief and surrender What it looked like to homeschool her three sons for more than twenty years How God led Misty from podcasting and media into cybersecurity and AI leadership Why Christians need wisdom and discernment around artificial intelligence What families may be missing about AI in everyday life The difference between using AI as a tool and treating it like a companion Why children need real connection, emotional intelligence, and spiritual grounding in the digital age How to approach technology without fear, but with prayer and biblical wisdom What it means to raise kids who can discern what is real, what is false, and what is forming them Key Quotes: "AI in itself is a tool, but it's not neutral." "Use computers for computer things." Big Takeaway: Some things are meant to stay human — connection, companionship, discipleship, parenting, and discernment. Connect with Misty Phillip: Website: https://mistyphillip.com Book: The Trojan Horse of the Digital Age: Why Christians Must Discern AI Company: https://trilogyworks.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mistyphillip Speaking Inquiries: [email protected] Join the Conversation: We'd love to hear what this conversation stirred in you. What are you currently praying through when it comes to technology, your home, your kids, or your own habits? Come connect with us on Instagram or join the conversation in the Echos of Impact Community. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact Final Notes: Thank you for listening to Echos of Impact. If this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or gave you something to think about, we'd be so grateful if you would follow the podcast, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review. Your support helps more women find these conversations and be reminded that God is still leading, still speaking, and still inviting us to walk with wisdom in every season.

What do you do when life doesn't unfold on the timeline you imagined? In this episode of Echos of Impact, Cherise is joined by Katherine Catlett — social media manager, strategist, writer, content creator, and soon-to-be author of her first devotional for young women. Katherine began journaling when she was just 12 years old as a way to process big emotions with God. More than 40 journals later, those pages have become part of the foundation for her writing and her calling. Katherine shares about heartbreak, singleness, comparison, dating anxiety, emotional healing, and learning to stay rooted in God's love through every season. Together, Cherise and Katherine talk about what it means to move through grief instead of rushing past it, how to separate rejection from your worth, and why waiting doesn't have to make you bitter. One of the biggest reminders from this conversation is this: you may not always get to choose the season you're in, but you do get to choose how you wait. In this episode, we talk about: How Katherine's journaling began as a way to process emotions with God What reading her old journals has taught her about perspective Asking "God, what would you say to her?" as the heart behind her devotional How heartbreak can either make you bitter or help you grow Why grief has to be moved through, not ignored Dating anxiety, anxious attachment, and finding security in God Separating rejection from your identity and worth The pressure of singleness and comparison culture How social media can amplify the feeling of being "behind" Choosing worship, healing, and growth in a waiting season Katherine's journey toward writing her first devotional for young women Key Quotes: "You don't just grieve the person, you grieve the life that you thought you would have." "I wanted to grow and learn and become a better person, not a bitter one." "You get to choose how you wait." A few reminders from this conversation: Life will be messy, and that does not mean you are failing. Life will also be stunningly beautiful, and those moments are worth noticing. No matter what season you are in — messy, beautiful, lonely, uncertain, or full of waiting — God loves you deeply, faithfully, and forever. Connect with Katherine: Instagram: @klcatlett TikTok: @klcatlett28 Blog & website: https://www.katherinecatlett.com/ You can also sign up for Katherine's email newsletter through her website to follow along with her writing journey and updates on her upcoming devotional. Join the Conversation: Which season are you in right now — and what would it look like to wait well in it? Come share with us over on Instagram or in the Echos of Impact community. We'd love to hear what landed with you. Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact Final Notes: If this episode met you where you are, follow Echos of Impact so you never miss a conversation, and leave a quick review — it genuinely helps more women find the show. Thank you for being here. Whether you are waiting for healing, clarity, love, purpose, or the next open door, this is your reminder that God is not absent in the waiting. He is steady, present, and deeply kind — and the waiting season can become a place of worship, growth, and intimacy with Him.

What happens when God opens the door you've been praying for… but walking through it is still harder than you expected? In this episode of Echos of Impact, Cherise and Briana sit down for one of their monthly conversations — just the two of them — talking honestly about transition, closed doors, and the surprising weight that can come with answered prayers. Cherise shares what this season has really looked like for her family: selling their home, moving to a new city, buying land, and stepping into something that felt clearly led by God — and deeply stretching all at once. After years of burnout, disappointment, and doors that seemed to close at the last second, things started opening fast. But even in the blessing, there were still lessons. Surrendering control. Facing anxiety. Grieving what was good, even while stepping into something new. Briana shares her own story too — a season of closed doors, financial strain, and a house that came together in a way that could only be explained as God. Together they sit with a tension that doesn't get talked about enough: what do you do when the thing God led you into is still hard? This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered why something God clearly opened still feels heavy — and for anyone learning to trust that He is present in both the lessons and the blessings. In this episode, we talk about: Why blessings from God can still feel heavy or hard What closed doors teach us about trust and timing How faith is tested when we can't control the outcome The difference between comfort and calling Grieving a good season, even when the next one is also good The emotional weight of transition and major life change Why a hard season doesn't mean God is absent Staying anchored to God when life feels chaotic Trusting that if God brought you there, He will provide Key reminder from this episode: Sometimes the door God opens isn't the easiest path — but it might be the one where He's asking you to trust Him more, grow deeper, and see His faithfulness in a brand new way.     Join the Conversation: We'd love to hear from you. Have you ever walked through a season that felt like both a blessing and a lesson at the same time? Share it with us on Instagram or in our Facebook community — we want to hear your story. 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ 👥 Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact     Enjoyed this episode? Follow Echos of Impact so you never miss a conversation, and if this one landed for you, we'd be so grateful if you left a review. It helps more women find the show — and that matters more than you know.

Content Note: This episode includes discussion of a medical crisis, surgery, and a life-threatening health emergency, as well as a brief mention of youth suicide. Listener discretion is advised. What do you do when God brings you through something you never expected to survive? In this episode of Echos of Impact, Briana sits down with Brenda Neal to hear her powerful testimony of healing, obedience, and purpose. Brenda shares about a routine surgery that unexpectedly revealed cancer, an aneurysm that later ruptured, and the terrifying moment when she believed she was about to die. But in that moment, Brenda says the Holy Spirit met her and made it clear: it was not her time. Brenda is an ordinary woman who has experienced the extraordinary power of God. In the midst of life-threatening circumstances, God's power met her in a profound way and brought healing to her life. She is passionate about helping others get to know God, believe His Word, and learn how to position themselves to receive what He promises. Brenda is a faithful and dedicated leader within her church, supporting several ministries including youth, media, anniversary, and mothers' ministries. She is also an inspirational Christian speaker who shares with women about God's miracle-working power, and she facilitates a faith-based workshop for tween girls ages 8–13 called I'm Cute, which stands for chosen, unique, talented, and exquisite. This conversation is about more than surviving a medical crisis. It's about what happens after survival — when God gives you an assignment and asks you to step out from behind the scenes. Brenda shares how God gave her two simple words: "Tell it." And now, she is walking in obedience by sharing the goodness, glory, and healing power of God wherever He opens the door. What We Cover: Brenda's near-death experience and unexpected medical journey How a routine hysterectomy revealed cancer The ruptured aneurysm that almost took Brenda's life The moment Brenda says the Holy Spirit told her it was not her time to die Why Brenda believes God gave her the assignment to "tell it" How God can heal through doctors, treatment, prayer, and practical steps The difference between faith and trust Learning to hear God's voice through relationship with Him Why obedience sometimes means stepping out from behind the scenes Brenda's heart for encouraging tween girls through her I'm Cute workshop Romans 8:28 and trusting that God can work all things together for good Key Quotes: "Living out my purpose is doing what God assigns me to do." "He told me what He'd have me to do, Brenda, two words: Tell it." "God heals in different ways. So don't be afraid of any way that He heals." "Bring you to the table, and that's good enough." Connect with Brenda Neal: Website: https://brendaneal.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brenda.neal.351 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-neal-pmp/ Join the Conversation: We'd love to hear what this episode stirred in you. Have you ever walked through something hard and later realized God was asking you to use your story to encourage someone else? Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ Join the Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact Final Notes: Thank you for listening to Echos of Impact. If this episode encouraged you, follow the podcast, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your story matters, and sometimes the thing God brings you through becomes the very thing He asks you to tell.     Note: this is a sensitive topic touching on near-death medical experiences and, briefly, youth suicide — if anyone listening is personally struggling with thoughts of self-harm, encourage them to reach out to a trusted person or a crisis line for support.