In this episode of the GOA Speakers Podcast, hosts Abigail Garrett and Greg Oliver sit down with award-winning singer-songwriter, author, and speaker Ginny Owens. Ginny shares her powerful story of losing her sight at age three, navigating bullying and exclusion, and discovering a deep, resilient joy in Christ.

She walks us through her journey from aspiring high school music teacher to signed recording artist in Nashville, her EP “Different Kind of Water,” her nonprofit The Asaph Project, and her passion for helping believers find hope in suffering, hear God’s voice above the cultural noise, and live out courageous compassion in a broken world.

If you’ve ever wrestled with suffering, purpose, or how to do justice and love mercy in everyday life, this conversation will deeply encourage you.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro to GOA Speakers Podcast and Ginny Owens

01:00 – Moving to Nashville, Belmont, and early career dreams

02:15 – Rejected from teaching jobs and invitation to sing at church

03:40 – Demo recordings and first interest from music industry

04:50 – Signing with BMG and Rocketown; debut album background

05:45 – Losing her sight at three and her parents’ response

07:15 – Hardest part of blindness: people’s reactions

08:40 – Mom’s counsel and roots of “Singing in the Dark”

09:25 – Bullying, being left out, and growing compassion for outsiders

11:45 – EP “Different Kind of Water” and the woman at the well

13:20 – Writing songs for both Christian and non-believing friends

14:55 – Debuting new music in Nashville; long creative process

16:55 – Launching The Asaph Project for worship leaders

18:35 – Planning worship liturgy with theological depth

19:15 – Need for new worship themes: work, repentance, justice, forgiveness

20:45 – Why Ginny went to seminary and moved to NYC

21:50 – Studying under Tim Keller and key lessons on culture and identity

25:50 – Keller’s cancer journey and learning to trust God in suffering

27:55 – Speaking, retreats, and opening Scripture with people

29:20 – “Love Be the Loudest”: hearing God above the noise

30:15 – Hope in suffering and the promise of Romans 8:28

33:10 – New book “Courageous Compassion”: doing justice and loving mercy

35:10 – New worship music coming and where to connect with Ginny

https://goaspeakers.com/speakers/ginny-owens/

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Three-time Grammy-nominated artist Michele Pillar joins the GOA Speakers Podcast to share a powerful testimony of faith, trauma, abortion, and deep restoration in Jesus. From the early days of the Jesus Movement and pioneering contemporary Christian music, to a decade-long break from touring and a life-changing dream about the child she aborted, Michele opens up with rare honesty and grace.

In this episode, Michele talks about:
• Her start in the Jesus Movement and recording on the early Praise albums
• Insecurity about songwriting and encouragement for young writers
• Life on the road, burnout, and why she took 10 years off from touring
• The hidden shame of an abortion at 17 and finally bringing it into the light
• How Jesus led her through real, practical restoration over a decade
• Her vivid dream of her aborted son and the song that came from it
• Serving crisis pregnancy centers and helping women find hope
• Her upcoming allegorical novel and a possible film adaptation

If you or someone you love has walked through abortion, trauma, or deep shame, this conversation offers a tender and practical picture of how God patiently restores and heals.

00:00 – Intro to the GOA Speakers Podcast

00:07 – Meet Michele Pillar: artist, author, Grammy-nominated singer

01:08 – Early days of the Jesus Movement and Calvary Chapel

03:48 – Christian music takes off and Michele signs with Sparrow

07:52 – Why she walked away from 200 concerts a year for 10 years

09:40 – How she actually did “restoration” with Jesus, step by step

14:02 – Chaotic childhood, alcoholic mom, praying under the bed

16:43 – Pregnant at 17, Roe v. Wade, and the abortion clinic

18:10 – Coming to Christ three weeks after the abortion

19:59 – Why crisis pregnancy centers are so important to her

20:44 – Sharing her story on the Dr. Phil Show and talking about Jesus

22:56 – The dream: a field of children and meeting her son

26:26 – God says, “It’s time for you to be whole”

27:28 – What wholeness in Christ feels like after deep shame

31:33 – The Clothesline Conference: women “hanging shame on the line”

35:20 – Connecting Mary’s unexpected pregnancy to women in crisis today

37:31 – New projects: fantasy allegory, film hopes, and TV series

https://goaspeakers.com/speakers/michele-pillar/

Follow along with the GOA Speakers Podcast at www.goaspeakers.com

Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and author Matt Hammitt (founding member of Sanctus Real) joins the GOA Speakers Podcast to share his powerful story of music, marriage, and choosing life in the middle of heartbreak.

From starting Sanctus Real in a high-school basement to stepping away at the height of success, Matt opens up about the cost of calling, the conversation with his wife that birthed the song Lead Me, and their journey with their son Bowen’s congenital heart disease. He also shares how God led him into pro-life advocacy, fatherhood resources, and a new season of songwriting and speaking.

Listen in for an honest look at what it means to lead your family well, cherish the days God gives, and fight for your marriage, your children, and your faith.

Timed highlights:

0:00 – Intro: Welcome to the GOA Speakers Podcast

0:30 – Meet Matt Hammitt: Grammy-nominated artist, author, and speaker

1:00 – Starting Sanctus Real at 16 in a basement in Toledo

2:40 – Life on the road: 150–200 dates a year and a growing family at home

4:20 – The tension: Band dream vs. family dream

6:00 – Stepping away from Sanctus Real in 2016 to prioritize family

7:28 – The story behind Lead Me: “We need to talk”

9:00 – Sarah’s words: “I need you to lead me” and the first draft of the song

10:10 – Why good intentions are worthless until they become action

11:36 – Lead Me’s success and the irony of being gone more than ever

12:27 – Bowen’s birth, diagnosis, and first open-heart surgery

13:40 – Number one song on radio and a son fighting for his life

14:51 – Walking with other families who left the hospital empty-handed

16:02 – Bowen today: third surgery, thriving at 15, and living day by day

18:05 – Pressure to end Bowen’s life and choosing to fight for him

19:20 – Becoming an advocate for life and partnering with pregnancy centers

21:57 – Dare To Be A Dad: practical curriculum for fathers in crisis

23:00 – Parenting teens and staying present in a new season

24:10 – Intentional trips with each child and staying connected on the road

25:58 – Days God Gave: the heart behind Matt’s new single

27:00 – Fans’ real-life family videos and the power of legacy

29:01 – Signing with Gotee Records and a new songwriting season

29:40 – Writing for other artists, including the song Testimony

31:20 – Matt’s heart to serve ministries, pro-life events, and men’s conferences

31:50 – 30 years of Sanctus Real and a new song with both lead singers

33:02 – Closing thoughts and how to book Matt Hammitt

Follow Matt: https://goaspeakers.com/speakers/matt-hammitt-booking-agency/

Follow along with the GOA Speakers Podcast at www.goaspeakers.com

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of the GOA Speakers Podcast, Abigail and Greg sit down with comedian, author, and mixed media artist JJ Barrows for a vulnerable, funny, and deeply encouraging conversation.

JJ shares how an improv class she took as a “cheaper alternative to therapy” accidentally launched her stand-up career, how comedy became a lifeline in seasons of depression and relapse, and why telling the truth about your insecurities can be one of the most healing things you ever do.

She also opens up about her journey through rehab, navigating an eating disorder and severe depression, growing up as the granddaughter of legendary worship leader Cliff Barrows (Billy Graham’s longtime music leader), and how she reconciled the cost of ministry with the impact it had on her family.

Now a mom, JJ talks about how motherhood has reshaped her art, her comedy, and her sense of calling, and shares her dream for a “Mom Brain Comedy Tour” that helps parents laugh from a place of real-life experience and solidarity.

If you’ve ever wrestled with mental health, faith, calling, or parenting, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone and that there is hope, help, and even humor in the process.

Timed highlights:
0:00 – Welcome to the GOA Speakers Podcast
0:06 – Meet JJ Barrows: comedian, author, mixed media artist, and mom
1:06 – What is a mixed media artist, really?
2:01 – From still life to abstract: how JJ fell in love with the process of painting
3:30 – Etsy shops, pipe cleaners, and party headpieces
4:14 – Art, motherhood, and creativity with a toddler in the craft room
5:22 – How searching for “alternatives to therapy” led JJ to a stand-up class
7:55 – “I just needed therapy and couldn’t afford it” – when honesty becomes comedy
10:18 – Why truth-based humor connects so deeply
13:52 – Seeing God’s hand in an “accidental” comedy career
17:04 – The pressure of being a clean comic and a woman comedian, especially in church spaces
19:09 – Facing audiences who show up thinking “prove you’re funny”
19:51 – Rehab at 23: depression, eating disorders, and being tired of waking up
21:40 – The Chicago flight, “Da Bears,” and a surprising spark of hope
25:59 – Why most healing is not a one-night miracle
27:55 – Making room in the church for therapy, medication, and slow journeys
28:30 – Growing up as Cliff Barrows’ granddaughter and a pastor’s kid
29:50 – The hidden cost of global ministry on family life
33:42 – A teddy bear in rehab and a breakthrough in feeling seen
36:03 – The woman hiding behind a neighbor’s house, a violent home, and “His Eye Is on the Sparrow”
38:40 – Letting go of resentment and embracing a complicated legacy
39:47 – The changing stigma around therapy and mental health in the church
41:36 – Why asking for help is actually a sign of strength
42:12 – How JJ’s ministry and motherhood are shaped by her family story
42:37 – Labor, delivery, and discovering how universal “mom stories” really are
44:12 – The vision for the Mom Brain Comedy Tour
45:40 – Why parents laugh hardest at what they have lived through
47:47 – Final encouragements and where to find JJ online

More about JJ: https://goaspeakers.com/speakers/jj-barrows/

Follow along with the GOA Speakers Podcast at www.goaspeakers.com

In this debut episode of the GOA Speakers Podcast, Greg Oliver and Abigail Garrett sit down with American Ninja Warrior legend Travis Rosen, known as the “Ageless Wonder” and “Mr. Consistency.” Travis shares how an eight–year break from competition, a late start at age 35, and a devastating foot injury all became part of a bigger story about faith, perseverance, and overcoming life’s obstacles.

From training like an elite gymnast in his 40s to praying mid–course on national television, Travis gives an honest, behind–the–scenes look at Ninja Warrior, talks about turning the show into a mission field, and explains how every person can impact others right where they are.

Timed Highlights:

0:00 – Welcome to the GOA Speakers Podcast and introduction of Travis Rosen

1:45 – From retired gymnast and couch potato to Ninja Warrior hopeful

3:30 – Getting on Season 2 and the early days of American Ninja Warrior

5:00 – Competing as one of the oldest athletes and earning the “Ageless Wonder” nickname

7:10 – Inside Travis’s diverse and intense training regimen

9:00 – No practice runs allowed and competing before ninja gyms existed

11:15 – How faith led Travis into Ninja Warrior and kept him going

14:00 – The Season 10 Vegas finals injury and wrestling with “God, why?”

17:50 – Turning adversity into impact and inspiring others through recovery

20:10 – A mid–course prayer that changed everything on a brutal obstacle

22:50 – Treating the show as a mission field and praying with injured competitors

25:20 – Pre–competition prayer huddles and surprising responses from non–believers

28:40 – The long–awaited “ninja book” Travis is writing

30:10 – Pull up numbers, new injuries, and aging as a former elite athlete

33:00 – Why you do not need a TV show to make a real impact on people

More about Travis: https://goaspeakers.com/speakers/travis-rosen/

Follow along with the GOA Speakers Podcast at www.goaspeakers.com