Friend, if you've been feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, this conversation is for you!

We're wrapping up a special week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast! Earlier this week, I had the privilege of talking with Stephanie Esposito, co-host of Salted on Abundant TV, and today I'm joined by her co-host, Vivian Cumins. I love that each one shares a unique story of God's faithfulness and restoration.

Vivian's story is one that so many of us will relate to. For years, she believed perfection was the goal. She excelled in her career, poured herself into ministry, and gave everything she had to everyone around her. But underneath all the accomplishments was a woman who was physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually exhausted.

Eventually, everything came crashing down. Vivian shares the moment she found herself lying on her living room floor, completely depleted, crying out to God because she simply couldn't keep going.

And that's where everything began to change. In the middle of her darkest season, God whispered words that would become the foundation of her healing:

"Hold on. I will restore you."

Through surrender, a wilderness season, and even a battle with melanoma, Vivian discovered that restoration isn't about going back to who we used to be. It's about becoming who God originally created us to be.

We also talk about her two books, Break Down Better and A Better Way, where she encourages burned-out women to slow down, heal from the inside out, and rediscover God's design for balanced living.

Vivian's reminder that God never intended for us to strive ourselves into sickness.

He created us for relationship, not relentless performance.

Friend, if you're running on empty today, hear this:

You don't have to earn your rest.

God is inviting you into it.

If you've ever struggled with perfectionism, burnout, anxiety, overcommitting, or believing your worth is tied to your productivity, I pray this episode reminds you that God never asked you to carry it all.

Bio:

A small-town girl from Chickasha, Oklahoma, Vivian Cumins is the author of Break Down Better: 52 Restoring Devotionals for Burned-Out Women, and A Better Way! The Break Down Better Guided Journal, co-host of Salted, the hottest new women’s television talk show on Abundant TV, and the host of the Juggling Life, Finding Balance Podcast.

A retired career professional with over 26 years of service in the United States Air Force and Forest Service, Vivian draws from a wealth of experience and a heart for helping others find peace amid life’s demands.

Vivian knows first-hand the challenges women face while juggling multiple personal and professional responsibilities. Having walked through her own season of burnout and breakdown, she now shares how partnering with God can bring calm, strength, and joy. With authenticity, warmth, and wisdom, Vivian equips women to honor God, care for themselves, and live a joyful, balanced life.

Vivian is married to her best friend, Eddy, and is the proud bonus mom to two adult children and a “Glammy” to five grandchildren.

Anchor Verses:

1 Peter 5:10

Jeremiah 29:11

Isaiah 43:19

Connect with Vivian:

Website: https://viviancumins.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/viviancumins

FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JGhJF3DGX/?mibextid=wwXIfr

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gjave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Friend, this week is a special week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast! Not only am I joined by Stephanie Esposito, author, speaker, military wife, and host of the #1-rated Abundant TV show Salted, but this is also the first of two incredible Abundant TV hosts you'll hear from this week. Stephanie joins me today, and be sure to come back Friday for another inspiring conversation with a fellow Abundant TV host.

In this powerful episode, Stephanie shares her personal freedom story—one that began in a hospital room when her young son was facing a life-threatening illness. After weeks of unanswered questions, Stephanie found herself crying out to God and standing on His promises like never before. What happened next changed not only her son's story but her understanding of faith, healing, and God's faithfulness forever. Stephanie shares how she learned that God's promises are not just for "other people." They're for His children.

Together, we talk about what it means to trust God when life doesn't make sense, how disappointment can sometimes keep us from seeing God's hand at work, and why it's so important to anchor ourselves in Scripture instead of our emotions.

We also discuss her journey from television news to ministry, her book The Covering: Spiritual First Aid for Families, and the incredible success of her Abundant TV show, Salted, which is creating space for authentic conversations about faith, mental health, relationships, purpose, and the issues Christian women are navigating every day.

One of my favorite moments from this conversation was when Stephanie reminded us that sometimes God answers our prayers in ways we never expected. We can become so focused on what we think the answer should look like that we miss the miracle standing right in front of us.

God cannot lie. His promises are still true, and His faithfulness is still your anchor.

If you've ever struggled with disappointment, fear, anxiety, unanswered prayers, or wondering if God's promises really apply to you, this conversation will encourage your heart.

Bio:

Stephanie Esposito is an author, speaker, military wife, mom of three and a Boston Terrier, and host of Salted, the #1-rated show on Abundant TV.

She loves people and has always wanted to be a voice for the underdog. She has had that opportunity both as a journalist and then in conventional ministry. She has over 15 years of experience in leadership, building teams, leading people and communications.

She is also the author of The Covering: Spiritual First Aid for Families, a resource designed to help families stand on God's Word during life's most challenging moments.

She loves working out, cheering on the Phillies and Eagles, and eating pizza.

Anchor Verses:

Jeremiah 29:11

Hebrews 6:17-19

Connect with Stephanie:

Website: https://www.stephanieesposito.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D62z9dQUj/?mibextid=wwXIfr

IG: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie.esposito

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Friend, have you ever experienced a season where everything you thought was secure suddenly fell apart?

This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I sit down with Bible teacher, author, speaker, and teaching pastor Alli Patterson to talk about freedom, failure, redemption, and learning to build our lives on the only foundation that truly lasts.

Alli shares her powerful personal story of coming to faith as a teenager, drifting away from the Lord during college and early adulthood, and eventually walking through a devastating season of brokenness that nearly destroyed her marriage. Through that painful experience, she encountered the kindness, forgiveness, and presence of Jesus in a way she had never known before.

What I love about Alli's story is that it reminds us that God is not afraid of our mess. He is a God of redemption, restoration, and second chances.

We also dive into her newest Bible study, Spirit-Led Bible Study: Six Practices to Bring the Bible to Life, where Alli teaches practical ways to approach Scripture that move beyond simply reading words on a page and into genuinely encountering God through His Word.

One of my favorite moments from this conversation was Alli's reminder that hearing God's Word is only part of the equation.

Jesus didn't simply call us to listen.

He called us to build.

The storms of life reveal what our foundation is made of, and true freedom comes when we choose to build our lives on Christ instead of success, comfort, achievement, or our own plans.

Whether you've struggled with failure, finding your footing after difficult seasons, or feeling intimidated by studying the Bible, this conversation will encourage you to take the next step toward Jesus and trust Him to rebuild what feels broken.

Bio:

Alli Patterson is a teacher, author, wife and mom of four out of Cincinnati, Ohio. She currently serves as a Teaching Pastor at Crossroads Church on the national teaching team. Alli is the leader of Woman Camp and founder of the Ignite Conference out of her passion for equipping women in the Kingdom of God.

As a lifetime learner and lover of scripture with a seminary degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, Alli loves to create ways for others to know and love Jesus through his Word. She has created a fresh approach to Bible study in the release of Spirit-Led Bible Study, coming February 2026. She has written two books, How to Stay Standing and Blueprint for Belonging- both providing practical help translating Biblical principles into real life.

Alli speaks at events and conferences and enjoys podcasting. She is a runner and die-hard Buckeye football fan who loves Mexican food almost as much as her bratty calico cat.

Anchor Verses:

Luke 6:47-49

Luke 6:45

Connect with Alli:

Website: https://www.allipatterson.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/theallipatterson

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theallipatterson

About Spirit-Led Bible Study

In Spirit-Led Bible Study: Six Practices to Bring the Bible to Life, Alli teaches practical and approachable ways to engage Scripture, helping readers move beyond simply reading the Bible to truly interacting with God through His Word.

The study introduces six practices designed to help believers observe, interpret, pray through, and apply Scripture while allowing the Holy Spirit to guide the process.

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***