In this episode, I sit down with my friend Stephanie Latchford to talk about how God has been wooing her closer to Him in this season of life. Stephanie shares how she’s stepping out of her comfort zone and learning to trust God even in the unknown, holding tight to the truth of Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous.”

We dive into why it’s so important to practice Sabbath and truly unplug , not just from work, but from technology , so we can be present with our families and recharge spiritually. We talk about the idea of a technology fast and how it helps us realign our priorities and quiet the noise. And Stephanie shares a season where God encouraged her to turn off the radio (and noise) in the car and sit quietly with her thoughts and in the presence of God.

Stephanie also shares how God has been reminding her that her testimony matters, and how sharing it not only strengthens her own faith but encourages her daughters to live boldly and confidently in theirs. And the importance of asking people if they are willing to give their life to Jesus.

We discuss the deep human desire to feel needed and why community matters so much. Friendship is a big part of this conversation, how we can lift each other up, rally together, and encourage one another when life feels heavy. Stephanie shares how she organized an event for our kids this summer and gathered so many volunteers so that they could feel a sense of being needed and collaborate by sharing their strengths.

We even talk about those moments when we ask God “why,” and why sometimes simply bringing that question to Him is more important than having an answer. And Stephanie shares her life verse Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and righteousness and all will be given to you as well", and the importance of putting God first above all things.

If you’re looking for encouragement to be bold in your faith, to slow down and rest, and to surround yourself with people who make you better, this episode will speak to you.

In this episode, I’m talking about the difference between knowing about God and actually knowing Him—walking with Him, having a relationship with Him, and trusting Him no matter what comes.

I share my own story of how I began seeking God before my cancer diagnosis and how that made all the difference when my world was turned upside down. My testimony didn’t feel dramatic at first—it was simply me loving Jesus in the middle of ordinary life. But when crisis hit, I learned the power of already having a relationship with God instead of waiting until I was desperate to seek Him.

We’ll dig into what the Bible says about suffering, why bad things happen, and how God’s presence shows up in the middle of it all. I’ll share how I knew He was with me in my hardest season, plus practical ways you can grow your own relationship with Him so you recognize His voice even when life doesn’t make sense.

Some of the scriptures I share in this episode:

• Romans 8:22 – Creation groaning under the weight of sin
• Genesis 50:20 – God bringing good out of Joseph’s suffering
• 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 – God’s power made perfect in weakness
• John 10:27 – Recognizing the Shepherd’s voice
• Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever
• James 1:22 – Do what the Word says
• Psalm 34:18 – God is close to the brokenhearted
• John 11:35 – Jesus wept with His friends in their grief
• Romans 8:28 – God works all things for good

If you’ve ever wondered whether your story with God “counts,” I want to remind you that every testimony matters because God is always the hero. And if you’ve only known facts about Him but haven’t yet experienced a real relationship, this episode will give you encouragement and practical steps to take that next step of faith.

Thanks for joining me. If this episode encouraged you, I’d love for you to share it with someone who needs to hear that knowing God is about more than head knowledge—it’s about a relationship that brings peace, strength, and hope in the fire.

In this episode, I’m sharing some of my favorite book recommendations that have encouraged, challenged, and filled my mind during difficult seasons. Whether you’re the one sitting in a hospital room, going through treatments like chemo, or you’re a family member waiting and watching alongside someone you love, books can be a lifeline.

I truly believe that what we feed our minds matters. When we’re in the middle of a waiting season—whether it’s in an infusion center, at the bedside of a loved one, or just walking through uncertainty—having the right words, truth, and encouragement can help anchor us.

I’ll be talking through a handful of books that have personally impacted me and sharing why I think they’re worth adding to your reading list. My hope is that these resources give you strength, comfort, and maybe even a fresh perspective for your own journey.

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

Life Without Limits - Nick Vujicic

The Tears That Taught Me- Morgan Richard Oliver

God So Close- Becky Thompson

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry- John Mark Comer

What Women Fear- Angie Smith

Fruit- Alabastor Company

You’ll find some more bible study recommendations HERE on my website.

In this episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I’m sharing one of the most personal parts of my story — what it’s really like to walk through chemotherapy. When I first heard the word “chemo,” I didn’t know what to expect. TV shows and stories painted one picture, but the reality was far more complex and personal.

I talk through my experience with Oxaliplatin, the side effects I never saw coming, and the practical things I wish I had known before I started treatment. More importantly, I share how my faith sustained me when my body was weak and my spirit was weary, along with the scriptures that carried me through the hardest days.

You’ll hear:

• What chemotherapy actually does and why the side effects happen
• My personal journey with Oxaliplatin and how I managed the unexpected
• The verses and biblical encouragement that gave me strength when I felt powerless
• Practical ways to prepare emotionally, physically, and spiritually for treatment
• Why you are never truly alone, even on the hardest days

My hope is that this episode equips you with tools, encouragement, and truth — whether you’re facing chemo yourself, walking alongside a loved one, or simply wanting to understand more deeply what this journey is like.

If this episode encouraged you, would you share it with someone who needs hope today? And if you haven’t yet, subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes where we’ll continue to walk together through life’s fires with faith, hope, and grit.

In today’s episode of Thrive Through the Fire, I’m talking about something we all wrestle with at some point: when life just doesn’t feel fair. From childhood moments to deep adult pain—"unfair" is a thread that runs through many of our stories. I’ll walk through that feeling with you, share personal moments from my journey with cancer, and open the Word to show that even in Scripture, we’re not alone in this tension.

We’ll look at biblical examples of unfairness—Cain and Abel, Leah and Rachel, Joseph, David, Asaph, even Peter—and how each of their stories reminds us that God is still working even when things don’t make sense. I’ll also offer some practical encouragement on how to reframe our pain through a Kingdom lens, including how to worship instead of worry and fix our eyes on the eternal.

If you’ve ever asked, “Why them and not me?” or “Where is God in all of this?”—this episode is for you.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Why the feeling of “unfair” starts young and follows us into adulthood
• How seemingly small comparisons turn into deeper wounds when real life gets hard
• Raw, personal stories from my own walk through health battles and unanswered prayers
• Biblical stories that prove we aren’t the first to struggle with “unfair”
• The danger of comparison and the freedom that comes when we trust God’s story for us
• Practical encouragement for what to do when life just doesn’t make sense
• Why worship is stronger than worry
• How to fix your eyes on what’s eternal—even when what’s visible hurts

Key Scriptures from This Episode:

• Psalm 73:4,13 – “They have no struggles… Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure.”
• John 21:22 – “What is that to you? You follow Me.”
• Romans 8:28 – “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him…”
• 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 – “…our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory…”
• Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
• Philippians 4:6–7 – “The peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds…”

Takeaways:

• Fairness isn’t the foundation of faith—dependence is.
• Comparison may be human, but trust is holy.
• God doesn’t waste your pain—even when the process feels cruel.
• Worship shifts your heart to remember who God is when the “what” feels heavy.
• You’re allowed to be honest with God. He can handle your questions.

Let’s Stay Connected:

If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to share it or leave a review? And if you haven’t already, follow me on Instagram so we can keep walking through this faith journey together. Your story matters, and you’re never walking alone. Check me out HERE

In this episode, I sit down with Bob and Linda Lotich, authors of Simple Money, Rich Life, to talk about something so many of us struggle with: money. But we don’t just talk dollars and cents. We talk about faith. About trusting God when your bank account is empty. About surrendering control when things feel impossible. And about what happens when we invite God into every area of our finances.

Bob shares his powerful testimony of hitting financial rock bottom and how that desperation led him to cry out to God, and hear Him clearly. Linda opens up about her own financial challenges and how God brought the two of them together not only in marriage, but in mission.

Together, Bob and Linda walk us through the heart behind Simple Money, Rich Life and how God's plan for our money is far less complicated, and far more freeing than we often realize. We talk about practical financial tools grounded in biblical truth, and they share what it’s like to be 7-figure givers who don’t chase wealth but chase God’s will.

This conversation dives into:

• What it means to be a good steward without falling into legalism or guilt
• How surrendering our finances brings peace and clarity
• The difference between the poverty gospel, prosperity gospel, and biblical balance
• Why generosity isn’t just about tithing, it’s about trusting

We also talk about the lies many of us believe when it comes to money, worthiness, and God’s involvement in our everyday lives. Bob reminds us that we’re not too far gone, not too messy, and not too late to bring God into our money story. And to close the episode, he offers a heartfelt prayer over everyone walking through financial uncertainty.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your financial situation or unsure of how to honor God with your money, this episode will speak to your heart.

Want a copy of Bob’s book? Visit seedtime.com/free to grab Simple Money, Rich Life. The book is Free for a limited time, all you have to do is cover the cost of shipping. Find Bob and Linda on Instagram and check out their Podcast Seedtime Money, anywhere you listen to podcasts.

In this episode, I’m diving deep into something we all need, especially in a season of recovery—peace. And more importantly, how to protect that peace with healthy, God-honoring boundaries.

As a cancer survivor, I know firsthand what it’s like to come out of a life-altering experience and feel overwhelmed by the world’s demands. After treatment, everyone wanted my time again—but I wasn’t ready. I had to learn to protect what God was restoring in me. That’s what this episode is all about.

I share what the Bible says about peace, how Jesus modeled boundaries, and how we can set our own without guilt or shame. Whether you’re recovering from illness, grief, burnout, or just trying to keep your head above water—you are not alone, and your peace matters.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• Why peace is more than just quiet—it’s a promise and a practice
• How Jesus modeled healthy boundaries, even in ministry
• The difference between biblical boundaries and culture’s version
• How to set boundaries in a way that honors God and others
• Practical steps for protecting your energy, time, and healing
• Encouragement to let go of guilt and stop apologizing for rest
• Stories from my own journey with cancer, including how I learned (sometimes the hard way) to say no

I also explore biblical examples like Nehemiah and Moses, and reference Rick Warren’s powerful reminder: You have just enough time to do God’s will.

If you’ve ever struggled to say no… if you’ve ever felt guilty for needing space… if you’re in a season of rebuilding—this one is for you.

Takeaway Question:

What’s one boundary you can set this week to protect your peace?

Scripture References:

• Galatians 5:22–23
• Philippians 4:7
• John 14:27
• Luke 5:16
• John 5:19
• Mark 6:31
• Nehemiah 6:3
• Exodus 18
• Psalm 23:2
• Romans 12:2
• Ephesians 4:2
• Philippians 2:3–4

Healing isn’t just about getting better—it’s about getting whole. God is not rushing you. Rest is holy. Boundaries are biblical. And peace is your inheritance.

Tune in now, and let’s walk this road of recovery together—with wisdom, grace, and the peace of Christ guarding every step.

Subscribe to my devotional or email list to stay connected.

Today’s episode of Thrive Through the Fire is one that’s close to my heart, because it’s something that changed my own life—especially during cancer and the tough unknowns that followed.

I’m diving into the power of our words—specifically the ones we say to ourselves.

We all know how important it is to use kind words with others. But how often do we forget to speak kind words to ourselves? Words carry weight. They create. They shape our mindset, our health, and our hope.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

• What Scripture says about the power of life and death in the tongue
• How our thoughts and self-talk impact our faith and even our physical bodies
• My personal story of navigating cancer and the panic-inducing “what if” thoughts
• How to identify the lies we speak over ourselves and replace them with truth
• Biblical examples of people who spoke life in hard seasons
• Five practical ways you can begin speaking life over yourself today

I’ll walk you through how I used Scripture like Jeremiah 29:11 to anchor my soul during a season of fear and uncertainty—and how I still go back to those promises when the enemy whispers lies.

If you’ve ever struggled with negative self-talk, fear, or feeling like you're not enough—this episode is especially for you. My prayer is that by the end of it, you’ll be equipped to speak God’s truth over your life with boldness and peace.

This isn’t just encouragement—it’s a mindset shift rooted in Scripture.

Let’s speak life, even in the fire. Especially in the fire.

Scriptures mentioned:

• Proverbs 18:21
• Genesis 1
• Jeremiah 29:11
• Romans 12:2
• Psalm 42:11
• Luke 8:43–48
• Matthew 4
• 2 Corinthians 12:9
• Psalm 139:14
• Philippians 4:13
• Ephesians 1:4–7
• Isaiah 41:10
• Romans 8:28
• Psalm 138:8
• Proverbs 3:5–6
• 2 Corinthians 5:17
• 1 Corinthians 2:16
• Romans 8:37

Resources + Next Steps:

• Write out your scripture affirmations on post it notes and put them around your house.
• Want to connect or share your story? DM me on Instagram @Thrive_through_the_fire
• Check out my website for more resources and tools, CLICK HERE.

Thanks for being here. Let’s keep walking through the fire—together.