Ever felt like you're the least qualified person in the room? Good news: you're exactly the kind of person God loves to use.

Throughout Scripture, God didn't just choose the polished, prepared, or seemingly perfect. He chose the overlooked, the insecure, the broken, and the people who had absolutely no idea what they were doing.

In this episode of Praise God the Pod, we're talking about how God uses ordinary, imperfect people to do extraordinary things. From Moses making excuses to the disciples being a bunch of regular guys, we're reminded that God's calling has never depended on our résumé.

If you've ever thought, "God, surely You've got the wrong person," this episode is for you.

You don't have to have it all together to be used by the One who holds it all together.

What does it really mean to be the hands and feet of Jesus?

In this episode of Praise God, we sit down with a special guest, Lydia Matthews, who shares her journey through the heartbreaking loss of her husbands and how the Body of Christ can make all the difference in life’s hardest seasons.

We’re talking about what it looks like to show up for one another, carry each other’s burdens, and be the Church—not just attend one.

Because when one part of the Body hurts, we all hurt. And when we stand together, we reflect the heart of Jesus.

Drake Thomas had a plan for his life—and kids weren’t the main focus of it. Fast forward a few plot twists, and he’s now a dad of FOUR. 😂

In this episode, Drake joins us to talk about Proverbs 16:9: “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” We’re talking about the plans we make, the unexpected turns God takes us on, and what happens when the life you didn't picture becomes the life God had planned all along.

Sometimes God’s best stories start with, “Well… that wasn’t the plan.”

Drake also works with The Arc of the Ozarks in Missouri, an organization providing services and support for individuals with disabilities. If you or someone you love in the area is looking for support or special needs services, Drake would love to help connect you with the right resources. You can reach him at dthomas@thearcoftheozarks.org.

Have you ever stopped to ask where the things you believe about yourself actually came from? In this episode, we're diving into the question God asked Adam and Eve in the garden: "Who told you that?" Together, we'll unpack how shame, insecurity, fear, comparison, and our past experiences can quietly shape our identity if we're not careful.

We'll talk about how to recognize the voices we've been listening to, compare them to what Scripture says, and begin replacing lies with God's truth. If you've ever felt like you're not enough, too broken, or too far gone, this conversation is a reminder that God has been asking the same question all along—not to condemn you, but to lead you back to the truth of who you are in Him.

This week, Jessica’s husband, Jason Ponder, joins us to share a story only God could write.

After a hard upbringing, difficult choices, and ultimately time in prison, his life looked very different from the one he lives today. He’s sharing the real story—the brokenness, the consequences, the moments that changed him, and how God met him in the middle of it all.

This is a testimony of redemption, restoration, and the reminder that your worst chapter does not get to write the ending.

No matter how far gone a life may look, God is still in the business of making all things new.

Anxiety has a way of convincing us that fear gets the final word—but God has a different story to tell.

This week, we're joined by our friend Heather as she shares her powerful testimony of walking through anxiety, the moments she questioned everything, and the incredible ways God met her in the middle of it all. Through honest conversation, laughter, and biblical encouragement, we talk about what it looks like to trust God when your mind won't quiet down, cling to His promises in difficult seasons, and discover that anxiety doesn't have the final say.

Whether you're personally battling anxiety, supporting someone who is, or simply need the reminder that God is faithful even in the hardest moments, this episode is for you.

Grab your coffee, lean in, and be encouraged—because anxiety picked the wrong girl... and it picked the wrong God.

Ever looked at your life and thought, "God... I have a few questions?" Yeah, us too.

In this episode, we're diving into one of the hardest parts of following Jesus—trusting Him when His plans don't make sense and His timing feels painfully slow. We'll talk about unanswered prayers, unexpected detours, seasons of waiting, and what it looks like to keep believing that God is good even when we can't see what He's doing.

We'll share personal stories and remind each other (and you) that God's delays are never accidents. If you've ever wrestled with the question, "Why isn't God moving?" or "What is He doing?" this conversation is for you.

Because while we may have notes... God has the better plan.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. Think about Him in all your ways & He will guide you on the right paths.

In this episode, we share the stories behind our faith journeys and how God found us—the highs, the lows, and the moments that changed everything. We talk about the seasons when we chased success, searched for purpose, wrestled with doubt, and wondered where God was in the middle of it all.

Whether you're walking closely with God, questioning your faith, or simply curious about what a relationship with Jesus looks like, this conversation is for you.

Because sometimes God's silence isn't His absence—it's an invitation to draw closer.

2 Timothy 1:8

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,