Ep 135 // Singing Through the Fire: Lara Silverman on Chronic Illness, Surrender, Love, and a Theology of Suffering

What happens when it seems God opens the door to your dream job…and then, the door slams shut?

Lara Silverman—a Stanford-educated lawyer, jazz singer, actress, and now author—was on the cusp of a thriving career when a rare neurological illness left her largely bedridden. In this raw and hope-filled conversation, Lara shares her powerful journey through suffering, surrender, and a breathtaking love story with her late husband, Matt.

With honesty, humor, and deep faith, Lara invites us to wrestle with the hard questions: Why does a good God allow suffering? How do you keep hope alive when healing doesn’t come? Can beauty really rise from ashes?

Her new memoir, Singing Through the Fire, is not just a story—it’s a testimony of courage, intimacy with Jesus, and a love that even death cannot extinguish.

• Surrender in the Valley: What Lara learned when God asked her to release her dream job and later her health.
• Theology of Suffering: Why prosperity gospel clichés don’t hold up in the face of chronic illness—and what Scripture really says.
• A Holy Love Story: How God brought Matt into her life at the height of her illness, and the eternal hope their marriage continues to embody.
• Finding God’s Intimacy in Pain: How surrender opened space for Lara to experience God’s presence in powerful ways.
• Eternal Perspective: Why heaven reframes our questions about love, loss, and the goodness of God.

• Buy Lara’s Memoir → Singing Through the Fire (Available now on Amazon)
• Follow Lara Silverman on Instagram: @singingthroughfire_author

Stay connected with Megan:

• Website: meganbnilsen.com
• Social: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
• Grab the Book: Untangled Faith + Companion Journal
• Free Gift: Wanna learn how to make Holy Spirit-led decisions? Go...

Ep 134 // Brave Women, Mighty God: Saying Yes to the Holy Spirit with Author Laura L. Smith

What does it look like to follow the Holy Spirit’s nudge—especially when it’s risky, countercultural, or downright scary? Best-selling author Laura L. Smith joins me to share her journey of saying “yes” to God’s call—from corporate careers to seminary studies, from motherhood to ministry. Together, we unpack the lies women believe, the courage found in biblical women’s stories, and the everyday ways God nudges us toward Kingdom impact.

If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I know if it’s God’s voice?” or felt the tension between fear and faith, this episode will strengthen your courage and remind you that God equips you for every calling.

• “As far as ways to hear from the Lord, making time for Him is a great way to hear from Him.” – Laura L. Smith
• “God empowers and equips us to do crazy things that have huge ripple effects.” – Laura L. Smith
• “Sometimes hearing God isn’t an audible voice—it’s peace after prayer, a word from a friend, or even a poem on a chalkboard.” – Megan Nilsen
• “We so underestimate what we are capable of. We make ourselves much smaller than God ever intended us to be.” – Laura L. Smith

1. God’s voice is personal – He speaks uniquely to each of us through Scripture, prayer, community, journaling, and even unexpected signs.
2. Courage is cultivated – Like Esther, Mary, and Hannah, bravery grows through prayer, fasting, and trust in God’s promises.
3. Your yes matters – Whether it’s leaving a career, stepping into seminary, or sharing your faith with a neighbor, your obedience has ripple effects beyond what you can see.
4. Truth replaces lies – God’s Word calls us chosen, holy, and His masterpiece—no matter what lies we’ve believed about ourselves.
5. Faith is contagious – Living authentically and openly as a believer invites others to ask questions and see Jesus in you.

📖 Connect with Laura L. Smith:

• Instagram: @laurasmithauthor
• Website: www.laurasmithauthor.com
• Book: Brave Woman, Might God: 30 Things You Can Do

✨ Stay connected with Megan:

• Website: meganbnilsen.com
• Social: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
• Grab the Book: Untangled Faith +

Ep 133 // Warfare Parenting: Praying for Your Prodigal Children with Author Laine Lawson Craft

What do you do when your children walk away from the faith you’ve worked so hard to instill? Today, Megan Nilsen sits down with Laine Lawson Craft—best-selling author, speaker, and host of the Warfare Parenting podcast—to talk about the power of prayer in the lives of prodigal children.

Laine shares her powerful journey of interceding for her three children through seasons of depression, addiction, and struggle, and how God miraculously brought each one back to Him. This heartfelt conversation will equip you with practical strategies, renewed hope, and spiritual encouragement to keep standing in the gap for your kids.

If you’ve ever felt weary, discouraged, or ready to give up, this episode is your reminder: the battle belongs to the Lord, and no child is too far from His reach.

• Why the real battle for our children is spiritual—not just behavioral.
• How to “plead the blood of Jesus” over your kids in prayer.
• Stories of God’s miraculous intervention in Laine’s family.
• How to persevere when the answers to your prayers don’t come quickly.
• Practical encouragement for parents of prodigal teens and young adults.

• “You’re not battling your child—you’re battling the darkness that wants to steal, kill, and destroy.” – Laine Lawson Craft
• “God’s mercy runs deeper than any mess our kids can find themselves in.” – Laine Lawson Craft
• “Never underestimate the power of a praying parent.” – Megan Nilsen

• Reflection: Where have you felt weary in praying for your children or loved ones? How can you shift from striving to surrendering those battles to the Lord?
• Journal with God: “Lord, what do You want me to know about the way You are pursuing my child’s heart right now?”

• Connect with Laine Lawson Craft: lainelawsoncraft.com
• Books by Laine: The Parent’s Battle Plan and Warfare Parenting Devotional

Connect with Megan Nilsen:

• Website: meganbnilsen.com
• Social: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
• Grab the Book: Untangled Faith + Companion Journal
• Free Gift: Wanna learn how to make Holy Spirit-led decisions? Go to holyspiritstoplight.comfor your free guide!
• Book a...

Ep 132 // The Spiritual Power of an Organized Life with Professional Organizer Tracy Hoth

What if decluttering your home or workspace could also declutter your soul? In this episode of the Kingdom Life Coaching podcast, Megan Nilsen sits down with certified life coach and professional organizer Tracy Hoth to explore how organization can be a deeply spiritual practice. Tracy shares her personal testimony, her journey from professional organizing to Kingdom-focused life coaching, and the practical ways she integrates faith into everyday systems.

Whether you’re looking to simplify your life, create a more peaceful home, or align your daily habits with your faith, this conversation offers both practical tools and spiritual encouragement. Learn how to see your possessions through a Kingdom lens, steward what you have with intentionality, and even use journaling to hear God’s voice more clearly.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How decluttering can deepen your connection with God
• Tracy’s faith journey and calling to help others live with intention
• Step-by-step tips for organizing your home, office, or digital life
• The power of Beautiful Exchange journaling to process life with God
• How to steward your possessions with a Kingdom mindset

Connect with Megan Nilsen:

• Website: meganbnilsen.com
• Social: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
• Grab the Book: Untangled Faith + Companion Journal
• Free Gift: Wanna learn how to make Holy Spirit-led decisions? Go toholyspiritstoplight.comfor your free guide!
• Book a free discovery callto see if Kingdom Life Coaching could help you unlock your next right step!

About Tracy Hoth:

Tracy Hoth is a certified life coach and professional organizer with over 17 years of experience helping individuals and entrepreneurs create calm, organized environments. Through her business, Simply Squared Away, she equips people to clear the physical and mental clutter so they can focus on what truly matters. Learn more at simplysquaredaway.com.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Visit simplysquaredaway.com for free resources and coaching
• Learn more about Beautiful...

Ep 131 // How to Pursue Goals God's Way with Kingdom Business Strategist Gabe Cox

"You can't manifest your way to a goal."

What does it really mean to chase a big dream God’s way—without burning out, striving, or placing your worth in the outcome?

In this inspiring conversation, I’m joined by Gabe Cox, host of Pursuing Goals God’s Way and creator of Red Hot Mindset. Gabe shares her incredible story of training for and running the Boston Marathon, raising a potential Olympic athlete, and navigating the tension between high-achieving goals and Spirit-led surrender.

We unpack what it looks like to align your ambitions with God’s heart—and how to discern when a goal is from Him or from our own striving. Gabe opens up about a powerful moment of obedience where she laid something down in faith…and what God did with it will leave you deeply encouraged.

If you’ve ever struggled to align your Christian goals with God's will, this episode will show you how to pursue faith-based dreams in a way that brings peace, purpose, and productivity.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How to pursue ambitious goals without losing your soul
• What it means to surrender your dream and still stay hopeful
• A framework for discerning whether your goal is God-given or self-driven
• Why your identity must be rooted in Christ, not achievements
• What happened when Gabe took a radical step of obedience (and what it unlocked!)

Favorite Quote:

“There’s no goal that’s unworthy in God’s Kingdom—if He gave you the desire, He will make a way.”

Take a Next Step:

Feeling stirred to realign your goals with God's voice? Start by asking, “What is God asking me to surrender today, so He can bring the fruit only He can bring?”

Whether you're a dreamer, a doer, or someone trying to hear God’s voice in your next step—this episode is for you.

Connect with Megan Nilsen:

• Website: meganbnilsen.com
• Social: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
• Grab the Book: Untangled Faith + Journal
• Free Gift: Wanna learn how to make Holy Spirit-led decisions? Go to holyspiritstoplight.com for your free guide!
• Book a free discovery call to see if Kingdom Life Coaching could help you unlock your next right step!

Listen to Gabe's interview with Megan on the Pursuing Goal's God's Way podcast:

Ep 130 // How to Hear God and Walk in Gutsy, Life-Changing Faith with Author Gari Meacham

What happens when God speaks in your darkest moment—and asks you to stay when everything in you wants to run?

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Megan welcomes author, speaker, and ministry leader Gari Meacham to share her incredible story of transformation, faith, and freedom. From growing up in a traumatic home, struggling with disordered eating and suicidal thoughts, to experiencing the redemptive power of Jesus in a college dorm room, Gari’s testimony will stir your soul and encourage your spirit.

But it doesn’t stop there—Gari vulnerably shares the heart-wrenching journey of walking through infidelity in her marriage, and how hearing God’s voice gave her the strength to stay, heal, and rebuild something beautiful. You’ll hear how Gutsy Faith isn’t just the name of her podcast—it’s how she lives her life.

She also dives into:

• How to discern God’s voice when the world’s voices get loud
• The moment she knew Jesus was real—before she even knew the word “salvation”
• What it took to break free from the bondage of disordered eating
• Why Uganda radically changed her life and birthed The Vine, a thriving global ministry
• Her and Bobby’s current 13-year prayer—and how they’re still believing boldly for it

If you’ve ever wondered: “Is this really God speaking to me?” “Is there hope after marital betrayal?” “Can God use my pain for something good?" … this conversation is your invitation to sit with the Lord, zip your lips (you’ll hear why!), and truly listen.

• You can absolutely hear God’s voice—and it changes everything
• Redemption is real, even in the messiest moments
• Scar tissue doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means you’re stronger
• Gutsy faith means obeying God, even when it defies logic
• True spiritual hunger leads to lasting freedom

1. Have I created space to actually listen to God lately—or am I doing all the talking?
2. What area of my life needs gutsy faith right now?
3. Is there a scar I’ve been hiding that God wants to use for healing—mine or someone else’s?
4. Where have I seen God in the details, even when I wasn’t looking?

Connect with Megan Nilsen:

• Website: meganbnilsen.com
• Social: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
• Grab the Book: Untangled Faith
• Free Gift: Wanna learn how to make Holy Spirit-led decisions? Go to holyspiritstoplight.com for your free guide!
• Book a free discovery call to see if Kingdom Life Coaching could help you unlock your next right step!

• Connect with Gari at www.garimeacham.com
• Learn more about The Vine Uganda here
• Check out Gari’s books: Spirit Hunger, Truly Fed, Watershed Moments
• Don’t miss her...

Ep 129 // How to Stop Playing Small and Live Unapologetically in Your Assignment with Jeanette Peterson

What would change if you lived fully into who God says you are—without apology, hesitation, or fear?

In this empowering conversation, Megan Nilsen sits down with Jeanette Peterson, a bold woman of faith, veteran, and kingdom entrepreneur. Together, they explore the intersection of faith, military service, personal healing, and God-given identity. Jeanette shares how she transitioned from military life to ministry, healed from deep trauma, and embraced her calling with fierce clarity.

This episode is a rallying cry for women who are ready to live unapologetically, walk in their kingdom purpose, and support one another in faith-filled community.

• Your identity is not your past—it's who God says you are.
• God doesn’t ask for perfection, but for presence and obedience.
• Healing from trauma equips you to help others find freedom.
• Spiritual transformation > behavior modification.
• The Proverbs 31 woman isn’t just one person—she’s a picture of what we can build together as women of faith.

Quotable Quotes:

"Your identity is not who you were."

"I want you to be whoever God called you to be."

"Behavior modification is not the goal—spirit-led living is."

1. What old identities do you need to let go of to embrace who God says you are?
2. How can you begin to live more unapologetically in your calling?
3. Who is in your circle that encourages you to hear God’s voice and follow it boldly?

Connect with Megan Nilsen:

• Website: meganbnilsen.com
• Social: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
• Grab the Book: Untangled Faith
• Free Gift: Wanna learn how to make Holy Spirit-led decisions? Go to holyspiritstoplight.com for your free guide!
• Book a free discovery call to see if Kingdom Life Coaching could help you unlock your next right step!
• Megan's Interview on Jeanette's Unapologetically Unstoppable Podcast // Ep 167 Untangling Your Faith Through Journaling with Megan Nilsen

Connect with Jeanette Peterson:

Website: https://jeanettepeterson.com/

Kingdom Warrior Bootcamp: https://jeanettepeterson.com/bootcamp

faith, military, identity in Christ, women empowerment, trauma recovery, personal growth, hearing God's voice, kingdom business, unapologetic living, Christian community

Ep 128 // What Legacy Are You Really Leaving? Uncovering Purpose Through Faith & Brokenness with Elisa Morgan

In this rich episode, Megan sits down with Elisa Morgan—author, speaker, and former President of MOPS International (currently named MomCo) —for a beautiful conversation about faith, motherhood, adoption, and the power of vulnerability. Elisa opens up about her personal journey of hearing God’s voice, navigating the beauty and mess of motherhood, and how brokenness can actually be the birthplace of deeper connection with God and others.

Megan & Elisa talk legacy, character, community, and what it really means to mentor the next generation—not from a place of perfection, but from authentic presence. Whether you’re in the thick of raising littles, walking through a season of empty nesting, or simply desiring deeper connection with God and others, this episode will encourage your soul.

Listen in to hear:

• How Elisa’s adoption story shaped her understanding of connection and calling
• Why hearing God’s voice is deeply personal—and how to recognize it
• The unique challenges and gifts of motherhood
• What MOPS taught her about building brave, vulnerable community
• Why brokenness is not a barrier, but a bridge to intimacy with God
• How to think about legacy as character, not accomplishment
• Encouragement to mentor the next generation, no matter your season

Memorable Quotes:

Reflection Questions:

1. When have you felt God speaking clearly to you? What did it sound like?
2. How has your brokenness led to deeper connection with others—or with God?
3. What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
4. Where might God be inviting you to be more vulnerable in your current season?

Connect with Megan Nilsen:

• Website: meganbnilsen.com
• Social: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
• Grab the Book: Untangled Faith
• Free Gift: Wanna learn how to make Holy Spirit-led decisions? Go to holyspiritstoplight.com for your free guide!
• Book a free discovery callto see if Kingdom Life Coaching could help you unlock your next right step!

Connect with Elisa Morgan:

• Website: https://www.elisamorgan.com
• Podcast: God Hears Her
• Instagram: @elisamorganauthor
• Books: The Beauty of Broken, Hello, Beauty Full, and more

Elisa Morgan, MOPS, MomCo, motherhood, adoption, hearing God's voice, legacy, vulnerability, community, brokenness, character,...