Most of our days are lived in the in-between; ordinary hours filled with small griefs, flickers of joy, quiet disappointments, and unexpected beauty.

In this heartfelt conversation, Barb sits down with bestselling author Shannan Martin to talk about her newest book, Counterweights, and how to stay hopeful in a world that often feels heavy. With humor and honesty, Shannan shares the life-changing practice of "counterweights" — learning to hold both the good and the hard at the same time. Together, they explore how to navigate what's outside our control, notice the ordinary delights hiding in plain sight, and experience life as deeply good, even when it's tough.

If you've been feeling overwhelmed or weary, this episode is a gentle invitation to remain upright, hopeful, and fully alive right where you are.

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Counterweights: An Essential Practice for Holding Hope in a Heavy World

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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Shannan Martin is the bestselling author of several books, including Start with Hello, The Ministry of Ordinary Places, and the popular Substack The Soup. She is a wannabe gardener, a news geek, a fighter for justice, and a thrift store stalker. She and her family live as grateful neighbors in Goshen, Indiana, where Shannan is on staff at the local community kitchen.

Sometimes it feels like God is silent, leaving us unsure of where to turn or how to keep going.

In this episode, Barb speaks with Dominique Young, author of God, Where Are You? and founder of Faith Mamas, as she shares her own journey through grief, doubt, and unanswered prayers. They discuss why healing is often a slow process, how faith and therapy can work together, and why dropping the "masks" we wear is essential for real growth.

This episode is full of honest reflection, practical guidance, and hope for anyone navigating seasons of silence, struggle, or uncertainty in their faith.

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God, Where Are You?: Unmasking Your Pain, Uncovering His Presence

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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Dominique Young is the founder of Faith Mamas Inc. (Faith Family Worldwide), a community of more than 6,000 Christian women and a private app serving over 1,700 believers. She helps people break free from fear through Scripture and has been featured on the Don't Mom Alone podcast and The Refreshed Moms Podcast. Dominique holds a psychology degree from Hampton University and a master's in theology from Fuller Seminary. She is also a devoted wife and a mother of four.

What do you do when the life you planned gives way to a season you never saw coming?

In today's episode, Barb is joined by pastor, author, and podcaster Courtney Ellis for a thoughtful conversation about navigating life's tough transitions. Together they explore why God created change, what nature can teach us about living through it, and why even good change can bring real grief.

If you're facing a transition—expected or unexpected—this episode offers wisdom, honesty, and hope for the road ahead.

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Weathering Change: Seeking Peace Amidst Life's Tough Transitions

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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Courtney Ellis is a pastor at Presbyterian Church of the Master in Mission Viejo, California. She is the author of six books, including Looking Up: A Birder's Guide to Hope Through Grief. Courtney hosts The Thing with Feathers, a podcast about birds and hope.

Waiting for a miracle can be one of the hardest places to live, especially when faith wears thin, answers are delayed, and hope feels fragile.

In this episode, Barb talks with her long-time friend, author Lauren Gaskill about what it means to hold on to a faith that just won't quit. Drawing from her book Until the Miracle Comes, Lauren shares how to begin again when disappointment has shaken your faith. She'll share encouragement to remember your God-given identity changes everything. She tells us about why lament is a vital part of our faith journeys. This episode will remind you that God is working, even when you cannot see it.

If you're believing for a breakthrough and wondering how to keep going, join Barb and Lauren for this powerful conversation.

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Until the Miracle Comes: Finding Victory in a Faith That Won't Quit

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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Lauren Gaskill is an author, speaker, and the founder of the She Found Joy Podcast and retreats. She is passionate about helping others encounter Jesus and become transformed by His love. In her spare time she enjoys singing, hiking with her husband and sons, and baking just about anything — from cookies to crème brûlée.

What would change if you truly believed you are fully known—and fully loved—by God?

In this episode, Barb is joined by author Glenna Marshall to talk about her book Known & Loved and the life-changing truths of Psalm 139. Together, they explore how God's love differs from ours, and how the gospel reshapes our understanding of shame, suffering, and doubt. This conversation invites us to lift our eyes from ourselves and fix our gaze on the one true God whose love never runs dry.

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Known and Loved: Experiencing the Affection of God in Psalm 139

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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Glenna Marshall is married to her pastor, William, and is the mother of two sons. She is the author of The Promise Is His Presence, Everyday Faithfulness, Memorizing Scripture, and Known and Loved. She is a member of Grace Bible Fellowship in Sikeston, Missouri, where she and her husband have served for over twenty years.

Whether you're single, married, or simply navigating the cultural noise around sex and identity, this episode will challenge and encourage you to see sexuality through the lens of God's redemptive love.

This week, Barb is joined by Dr. Juli Slattery, author of Surrendered Sexuality, for an honest and hope-filled conversation about faith, intimacy, shame, and identity. Juli shares how our sexuality isn't about self-discovery—it's about understanding God's love—and how true transformation begins when we stop trying to fix ourselves and start surrendering our hearts to Him.

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Surrendered Sexuality: How Knowing Jesus Changes...Everything

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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Dr. Juli Slattery is the president and cofounder of Authentic Intimacy, a ministry helping people make sense of God and sexuality. She is the host of the weekly podcast Java with Juli. She has authored or coauthored fourteen books, including God, Sex, and Your Marriage, Rethinking Sexuality, and 25 Questions You're Afraid to Ask about Love, Sex, and Intimacy. Juli is a member of the board of trustees of Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Mike, have three grown sons and live in Akron, Ohio.

Ever open your Bible and think, "Where do I even start?" You're not alone — and you don't have to stay stuck.

In this week's podcast episode, Barb talks with Ellen Krause, Ashley Armijo, and Taylor Krause, co-authors of The Easy Bible Study Method, about how to approach Scripture with a simple 4-step framework that helps you actually understand what you're reading — and delight in it.

If you've been craving a deeper walk with God but feel overwhelmed by Bible study, this conversation is for you.

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The Easy Bible Study Method: A Guide to Understanding, Applying, and Delighting in God's Word

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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST

ELLEN KRAUSE, aka Mentor Mama, is cofounder of Coffee and Bible Time with daughters Ashley and Taylor. She hosts the CBT Podcast, which equips people to delight in God's Word and thrive in Christian Living! Ellen has been involved in women's ministry for over 20 years and mentors women worldwide through CBT. Her MA in marketing and her years in corporate America help CBT flourish. In her free time, she enjoys working out, doing mixed media art, sewing, gardening, and cooking.

ASHLEY ARMIJO is cofounder of Coffee and Bible Time, a ministry that helps women learn how to delight in God's Word and thrive in Christian living. She is an alumna of the Moody Bible Institute with a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Ministry Studies. It is Ashley's passion to teach women how to study and delight in God's Word whether that is online through Coffee and Bible Time or opening up her home to young women in the community. When Ashley doesn't have her nose in the Bible, she is spending time with her family, painting, and homemaking.

TAYLOR KRAUSE holds a bachelor's degree in pre-counseling and has devoted herself to extensive academic and personal study of the Bible. She is passionate about helping women apply biblical principles to their everyday lives, guiding them to grow closer to God through His Word. With a deep commitment to integrating spiritual and mental health, Taylor encourages women to embrace their true selves and feel fully loved. In her free time, she enjoys writing music, playing games with family, and taking time to relax.

What if stress isn't just a problem to manage — but a signal to rest?

In this episode, Barb talks with nurse and author Tracie Braylock about Radical Relaxation — a healing, faith-filled approach to dealing with stress that goes beyond self-care checklists.

You'll learn how engaging your God-designed relaxation response can lead to real peace, deeper trust, and lasting transformation — mind, body, and spirit.

Listen now and discover why rest might be the most radical act of faith you can take today.

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Radical Relaxation: Releasing the Stress You Were Never Meant to Carry

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ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST

Tracie Braylock (MSN, BSN, RN) is a holistic nurse educator, writer, and wellness consultant. As a former operating room nurse, she advocates for mind, body, spirit well-being, holistic wellness experiences, and liberating relaxation. Her work has been featured in the American Holistic Nurses Association New Beginnings magazine, Proverbs 31 Ministries, and Hallmark Mahogany. Tracie teaches workshops, leads retreats, and lectures on issues related to nursing, writing, self-care, and healing lifestyles. She lives in Ohio with her family.