CortneyJo welcomes back her dear friend Cat Samuel to share her inspiring journey of faith and identity. After achieving her dream of attending the University of Michigan with the Gates Millennium Scholarship, Cat’s life took unexpected turns through heartbreak, loss, and seasons of instability. A powerful encounter with God shifted her view from distant Creator to personal Lord, leading her to Missouri, then North Carolina, where true community and discipleship reshaped her faith. Today, Cat shares how moving from performance to surrender, embracing spiritual disciplines, and trusting God’s slow, steady work has transformed her life for His glory.

Show Highlights
(3:03) The early days of Cat’s faith and identity journey

(6:22) How Cat got everything she wanted, but then it all changed

(12:08) Going from seeing God as a distant creator to personal Lord

(19:43) Cat’s move to North Carolina following a stormy season of life

(22:31) Her stormy season of life continues

(30:39) The role that community played in Cat’s healing and growth

(36:46) What she would say to women who feel caught in performance

(44:01) What being a M.U.C.H. Woman means for Cat today

Links Referenced

• Celebration of Discipline: https://www.amazon.com/Celebration-Discipline-Path-Spiritual-Growth/dp/1596444541

CortneyJo takes the guest seat in this episode of the I Am M.U.C.H. Woman Podcast. With Cat Samuel stepping in as host, they explore CJ’s journey of faith, healing, and the origins of M.U.C.H. Woman Ministries. She reflects on past struggles, how Luke 12:48 shaped her path, and the transformation she’s experienced over the years. Through challenges, CortneyJo has deepened her faith, leaning on therapy, scripture, and personal growth. Now, she embraces her identity as a leader, mother, and ministry founder.

Show Highlights
(2:59) How the I Am M.U.C.H. Woman podcast came to life

(8:26) What life has looked like for CortneyJo on her three-year journey of healing and growth

(16:07) CortneyJo’s current views on relationships

(20:24) How CortneyJo’s relationship with the Lord has evolved over time

(25:12) How she’d answer the question “Who is CJ?” today

(28:37) Where the podcast is heading in the future

(33:27) What being a M.U.C.H. woman means for CortneyJo

On this episode of the I Am M.U.C.H. Woman, CortneyJo welcomes her therapist, Dr. Brian Humphreys on the show to discuss her journey and the importance of seeking out counseling. A clinical psychologist with 30+ years of experience, Brian shares his passion for grief therapy and supporting millennials. CortneyJo reflects on her personal growth, crediting Brian’s patient, supportive approach for helping her navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and faith. They discuss the importance of finding the right therapist, the M.U.C.H. Woman ethos, and how curiosity—not shame—drives transformation.

Show Highlights
(1:27) How Brian and CortneyJo met

(3:05) Why Dr. Brian Humphreys enjoys working with millennials

(7:12) Dr. Humphrey’s approach to psychologist

(11:31) How Brian was able to gently help CortneyJo course-correct

(16:46) Changes Dr. Brian Humphreys has seen in CortneyJo

(21:22) CortneyJo’s experience with a therapist before Dr. Humphreys

(26:02) What being a MUCH Woman means for Brian

(34:41) How the women in Dr. Brian Humphrey’s life embody the MUCH Woman

Links Referenced

• Romans 2:4 - “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Romans%202%3A4
• Dr. Brian Humphrey’s appearance on
  Second Half Stewardship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x65GoNwNuaQ
• Dr. Brian Humphrey’s contact information https://www.christiancounselorsnetwork.com/counselor/4233/

In this heartfelt episode, host CortneyJo welcomes her dear friends and spiritual mentors, Don and Cheryl Gibson, to share their inspiring story of nearly 50 years of faith, love, and resilience. Don reflects on overcoming family struggles, feeling called to ministry at 14, and witnessing his father’s salvation. Cheryl shares about her Christian upbringing and their fateful meeting at a youth camp in 1976. Married eight months later, they built a life rooted in teamwork, ministry, and devotion. From navigating early challenges to overcoming a life-changing accident, the Gibsons’ journey exemplifies God’s grace, mutual respect, and unwavering commitment to Christ and one another.

Episode Highlights:
(2:44) Don’s story

(6:53) Cheryl’s background

(8:18) How Don and Cheryl met and eventually got married

(17:47) What led the Gibsons to pursue full-time ministry

(20:53) How they’ve maintained faithfulness through challenging times

(25:37) The importance of seeking insight from others

(30:20) How Cheryl and Don’s relationship changed after a motorcycle accident

(37:50) What being a MUCH woman means for Cheryl

(41:15) What it’s like for Don being married to a MUCH woman

Celisse Lambert joins the I Am MUCH Woman podcast to share her journey from law to ministry, following God’s call in 2021. She discusses the stages of spiritual growth—knowledge, belief, trust, and surrender—and how each builds upon the other. Celisse opens up about overcoming fear and doubt, especially during financial uncertainty, trusting God’s timing instead of relying on her own plans. She explains how she discerns God’s voice through prayer, dreams, and inner knowing, stressing the importance of staying grounded in Scripture and community. Celisse concludes with a powerful reflection on being a MUCH Woman, living fully surrendered to God.

Episode Highlights
(0:57) Celisse’s background

(3:31) How Celisse discerned God’s call to full-time ministry

(9:13) What it was like to trust in God without a backup plan

(12:45) Celisse’s battles with doubt

(17:32) How Celisse feels being in alignment with God’s will for her life

(19:10) How Celisse was able to discern the voice of God

(21:28) The importance of seeking wise counsel

(25:28) How Celisse discerns feelings of peace

(27:33) Celisse’s thoughts on being a MUCH Woman

(30:14) How to connect with Celisse

Knoxville-based clinical psychologist Dr. Janetta Jamerson, aka Dr. JJ, joins the I Am M.U.C.H. Woman podcast for an empowering discussion on breaking unhealthy relationship cycles, embracing emotions, and reclaiming personal agency. Dr. JJ likens growth to mastering video game levels, where confidence and skills build with each challenge. She and CortneyJo explore aligning with God’s inherent goodness, balancing hope, faith, and fantasy, and grieving unrealistic expectations to find freedom. Dr. JJ emphasizes making choices with courage, even amid fear, while CortneyJo shares her journey of “doing it afraid,” inspiring women to grow with authenticity and faith.

Episode Highlights:
(1:34) What typically leads us into unhealthy cycles

(3:10) How we know what’s right for us

(4:49) Thinking of life like a video game

(6:30) Developing confidence in who Christ made us to be

(8:59) How hope can get you stuck in unhealthy cycles

(10:05) The difference between having faith and fantasy

(14:26) How to free yourself from situations that are not going to work out

(16:41) What it means to Dr. JJ to be a M.U.C.H. Woman

(18:42) Where to find Dr. JJ’s old videos

Links Referenced

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJJ1

CortneyJo is joined by friends Tamika, Cat, and Mya—all University of Missouri alumni—to share the blessings of 20+ years of faith-centered friendship. Reflecting on their spiritual journeys, each woman discusses her unique path: Tamika’s Diary of a Kingdom Mom newsletter, Cat’s missionary work with Wycliffe Bible Translators, and Mya’s role as a school principal and entrepreneur. Together, they embody the MUCH Woman values: being Measured, Unafraid, Captivating, and Heroic. Their heartfelt conversation explores the strength, encouragement, and growth that come from godly friendships, emphasizing the joy of community and the power of mutual spiritual support.

Episode Highlights:
(1:18) Why Tamika, Cat, and Mya are still rockin’ with Jesus after 20 years

(9:58) Tamika’s reasons for choosing Cat, Mya, and CortneyJo as her bridesmaids

(14:03) Cat, Mya, and CortneyJo’s memories of that time in their lives

(17:46) How having faith-filled friendgirls has encouragd each woman on her journey

(26:27) What it mean to them to be MUCH Women

(36:15) CortneyJo’s perspective on her friends’ responses

(38:21) How to keep up with Tamika, Cat, and Mya

Links Referenced

• Diary of a Kingdom Mom: https://diaryofakingdommom.substack.com/
• Mod Missions: https://www.modmissions.com
• Faith Walk Academy: https://www.faithwalkacademy.org
• Mya’s Gourmet Popcorn: https://www.myaspopcorn.com/
• Faith Walk Academy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FaithWalkAcademy/

Connect with the Podcast:
Website: https://www.muchwoman.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_muchwoman/

Perseverance, surrender, and faith—these are the foundations of Olympic swimmer Erika Connolly’s journey, both in and out of the pool. In this episode of the I Am M.U.C.H. Woman podcast, Erika opens up about how her deep connection to Christ has guided her through triumphs and trials. After a career-threatening injury in 2023, she leaned into her faith, turning to Scripture for comfort and strength. With a renewed focus on honoring God over personal success, Erika’s story is a testament to the peace that comes from trusting in His plan. Tune in to hear her inspiring story of faith and surrender.

Episode Highlights:
(2:28) When Erika became interested in swimming

(6:45) How faith in Christ has strengthened Erika as a woman

(11:36) Erika’s journey to the Olympics

(16:34) Erika’s back injury and how it tested her faith in a new way

(21:34) What helped Erika maintain her faith in such a trying time

(24:57) How Erika’s faith has increased since the Olympics

(29:40) Advice Erika would give to women to embody the M.U.C.H. philosophy

(32:21) What it means to Erika to be a M.U.C.H. Woman

Links Referenced

• Erika Connolly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikajadebrown/
• Erika Connolly TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@erika.jade.brown

Connect with the Podcast:
Website: https://www.muchwoman.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_muchwoman/