 Kyerra Johnson-Massey is a Trauma Survivor with a passion to bring awareness and prevention to the suicide epidemic. She will be joining me on Episode 49 (airing August 23rd, 2019) to share her story and what her foundation is doing to educate communities about suicide prevention. Plan to listen! About Kyerra: Kyerra is the Owner and Founder of We Speak Foundation. We Speak Foundation is a Christ-Centered organization based on the needs of individuals and families that cannot meet day to day challenges. We Speak Foundation offers scholarships, funding for low-income families, hosts special volunteer projects and strives to play an active role in communities of need. This program is funded by donations and fundraisers to continue working with families. Every donation counts in order to create a firm foundation for all people, no matter a person’s race, ethnicity, color or background; We Speak Foundation believes in the love of people and sharing that love by meeting the needs of those who want help. We Speak Foundation also collaborates with other volunteer organization wishing to help serve their communities. For more information, visit wespeakfoundation.org Kyerra currently works for The Supreme Court of Missouri, Office of State Court Administrators in Civil Management Analysis. Although this is a newer endeavor from her past as a criminal analyst, she is no stranger to the court systems of Missouri, where she served almost 2 years in the criminal division of the 23rd Judicial, Jefferson County Circuit Clerks Office. There she worked with court system programs and understanding the dynamics of Missouri state statutes, local ordinances and government reliance among the public. Kyerra has a strong sense of community empowerment as she stands as a member of the United Nations Associations: Saint Louis Chapter and On the Board for Citizens for Global Solutions: Saint Louis Chapter. If Kyerra is not in the community, searching and finding ways to push for development; she is working her brain away at web mastering and graphics for computer design. It is safe to say that she is a “Jack of All Trades” Connect with Kyerra online at: Website: https://www.wespeakfoundation.org/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Kyerra-Johnson-Massey-276954862996209/ Articles on Kyerra's family trauma: St. Louis Post The Dispatch Argus Kyerra's story is haunting. Her strength and grace as she lives with these scars is admirable and inspiring. It's also not impossible. If you too have faced trauma, healing and hope are possible for you as well. Be sure to listen to episode 49 as Kyerra addresses those with similar stories and shares how she found hope in such heartbreaking circumstances. Are you or someone you know contemplating suicide? If so, please seek help. Your Life matters. Here are some resources to assist you . . . Suicide Prevention Resources: Call 1-800-273-8255 (Available 24/7)   Fellow Podcaster, Merritt Onsa, is joining me on Episode 48 (airing August 16th, 2019). Merritt will share about how she recognized and obeyed God's prompts to start a podcast and then host a ladies retreat a year later. Plan to listen! About Merritt: Merritt Onsa longs to see the love of Jesus set women free from the bondage of fear, shame and comparison so that their lives will sing His praises and their dreams will come alive. As host of The Devoted Dreamers Podcast, she interviews Christian women about their God-shaped dreams. These conversations include real-talk about the fears and challenges we all feel when we do courageous things outside of our comfort zone. This is the place that fuels Merritt’s fire. Hearing these stories reminds us that fear is common—we all feel it—and yet it doesn’t have to halt our flourishing or the pursuit of our dreams. In fact, it is often the thing that draws us closer to the Lord. Merritt and her home-brewing, community-building husband, Todd, live with their two young daughters near Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Connect with Merritt online at Website: merrittonsa.com Instagram: @merrittjo Twitter @merritto Facebook: Devoted Dreamers Imposter Syndrome Resolved Small Group Curriculum: http://bit.ly/impostersyndromeresolved Sign up for the monthly Dream Letter: http://bit.ly/dreamltr Top 30 Episodes of The Devoted Dreamers Podcast: https://www.merrittonsa.com/blog/top-30-episodes   Julie Landreth is my guest on Episode 47 (airing August 9th, 2019). Julie will share about her curriculum called Wife Lab (TM) and we'll chat about marriage, ministry and the importance of prayer and obedience. Don't miss it! About Julie: After years of dating, Julie was swept off her feet by the man of her dreams. Once married she found herself asking, “Is this what married life is about? Why does it seem so unfulfilling? Who is this guy I married anyway? Surely God designed marriage to be better than what I am experiencing? I think my husband needs to change!” Instead, God showed Julie he wanted to work on her, it was a struggle, but through praying for her husband her marriage was transformed. Vulnerable, honest, raw, vivacious, and funny, Julie loves nothing more than sharing her journey towards freedom in marriage. Her passion is to pursue her husband and marriage as God intended, naked and unashamed. Her mission is to bring other women along on the journey to revolutionize their marriages, too. Julie is a wife coach and creator of “Wife Lab”. She is intentional about her marriage, speaking, writing, and spreading God’s love. Julie is married to Shawn, and they live in San Jose, CA with their son Cash, and 3 kitties. Connect with Julie online at: Website: www.julielandreth.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julielandreth/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakerJulieLandreth/ Wife Lab (TM) is a 6-8 week course developed by Julie designed to take women on a journey towards freedom in marriage. Julie fosters a safe environment for women to learn what it means to be a wife. She shares openly from personal experience on topics such as prayer, sex and affection, a husband’s work, love and respect, leadership, and communication. Through rich conversation, prayer, journaling and digging into what God says in the Bible, marriages are transformed. Learn more about Wife Lab (TM) and how to participate Here. Julie will be speaking at Uplift 2019, a conference on September 14th, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. You can learn more about that event at https://lovedandblessed.com/uplift.   Joyce Fields is my guest on Episode 46 (airing August 2nd, 2019). Joyce and I discuss her book, Mother's Dozen: An Easy Recipe For Raising GREAT Kids! Joyce offers valuable parenting advice for my listeners. Note: In this episode Joyce mentions the scientific belief of infants beginning as female at conception. This was a new idea to me. Here is an article on that. About Joyce: Born in Detroit, Michigan, Joyce is a retired Executive Assistant and now resides in Arcadia, California. She started her career as a stenographer at a major utility company. Joyce has been married for 52 years and has two grown sons. She and her husband have been together for 62 years--since they were both 13 years old. Joyce is the author of 10 books, and she is also a professional proofreader. Her mission statement is: "I write books that inspire people on their journey to make the world a better place." Her books are available at GoodShortBooks.com and Amazon.com Connect with Joyce online at: Website: http://GoodShortBooks.com Blog: http://www.lineofserenity.wordpress.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyce.fields.311 Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodshortbooks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjfields7/ Joyce's Books (click covers to order):
 Karen Ford is my guest on Episode 45 (airing July 26th, 2019). Karen and I discuss money matters with a focus on preparing teens financially for adulthood. About Karen: Karen is a Master Financial Coach, Public Speaker, Entrepreneur, and Author who has coached people with a variety of money issues; from just $500 in debt to $800,000 in debt. She has coached folks with up to 86 credit cards and taught them how to pay down and pay off those credit cards in record time. Karen’s mission is to inspire others to rid themselves of debt, and build wealth. She encourages others to break the shackles of debt and gives valuable insight into building wealth so they can experience financial freedom! Karen Ford’s #1 Amazon Best Selling Book “Money Matters” is a discovery for many. This book is not only motivational, but practical. She is an avid real estate investor, who enjoys buying, selling, and flipping properties. She has even bought properties for as little as $10 and turned a few dollars into thousands! In “Money Matters” she provides keys to demolishing debt, shares how to budget correctly, and gives principles in wealth building. Connect with Karen online at: Website: https://karenford.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneymanaging/ Karen's Books (click the covers to order):
  Cyd Notter is my guest on Episode 44 (airing July 19th, 2019). Cyd and I discuss her book, The "Plan A" Diet. Tune in to learn more about the book. About Cyd: Cyd Notter is a graduate of the Center for Nutrition Studies and a certified instructor for several dietary therapy courses, including The Starch Solution, Food Over Medicine, and Women’s Health. She has developed and offers a variety of health and cooking classes, provides nutritional coaching on both individual and corporate levels, speaks to local groups, and has worked with school district employees and a hospital’s fitness center. Her column titled “The Nutrition Coach”—which ran in three local newspapers for seven years—featured general dietary advice, recipes, and answers to reader’s questions. Several of her articles have also been published in Cape Style Magazine, a Florida-based on-line publication. Combining her decades-long study of both nutrition and scripture, Cyd founded The ‘Plan A’ Diet™ to illustrate the correlations between biblical principles and healthy eating and to encourage Christians to take an active role in their health. Her “Wonderfully Made” ministry offers nutrition coaching, health and cooking classes, and weight loss challenges. Notter’s past accolades include being named Woman of the Year by the Morris Business and Professional Women in 1998, Entrepreneur of the Year by the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce in 2000, and having her business featured on several occasions in Décor magazine. She and her husband Steve live in Illinois, where they enjoy outdoor activities, classic movies, and old Volkswagens. Connect with Cyd online at: Website: www.cydnotter.com Facebook: facebook.com/theplanadiet Twitter: twitter.com/theplanadiet LinkedIn: Search - Cyd Notter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nottercyd/ Watch the book trailer at https://cydnotter.com/book-trailer/ Cyd's Book, The "Plan A" Diet (click a cover to order):    Sharon Wilharm is my guest on Episode 43 (airing July 12th, 2019). Sharon and I discuss the art of patiently waiting on God to advance your calling. Listen as she shares her unexpected journey into filmmaking and the "God moment" when she realized she had, in fact, been ministering all along through these unique talents. If you are in a season of waiting, eager for God to open doors and clear the path so you can live into your calling as you've imagined it, please don't miss this episode. About Sharon: Sharon Wilharm is a storyteller striving to impact lives through her films, her blog, her speaking, and most recently, her women’s ministry. Growing up, Sharon loved reading, writing, and drama. She dreamed of writing books and entertaining crowds of people, thinking she might go into ministry, be a missionary, a children’s minister, or a pastor’s wife. But God had other plans. He paired her with a communications major who wanted to make movies, and a decade after saying “I do”, they combined their unique talents and produced their first Mainstreet Productions feature film. Their seven motion pictures have screened in theaters across the country, aired on countless television networks and sold across the globe. Her filmmaking efforts have been recognized with dozens of accolades including the “Shibboleth Award for Visionary Leadership in the Field of Christian Film Making” and four ICVM Crown Awards including Silver “Best Picture”. At some point, she realized that movies had become her ministry. Her movies have gone places she'll never go, reached people she’ll never meet, and impacted lives in ways she’ll never know. As Sharon and her husband finished their last movie in spring 2018, she began praying for a new ministry to delve into. She wanted to impact lives in a more personal manner. After almost a year of prayer, God opened up an unexpected door. She's now women’s ministry leader at her church, which is funny, considering she’d never done much with women’s ministry in the past. But isn’t that so often the way God works? She's finding that she can look at women’s ministry in an objective manner, discovering that she's not the only woman who’s felt alone in a church packed with people. She's finding women who love God, but don’t always feel connected with His people. She's enjoying jumping in with gusto, striving to bind together the hearts of women so that they can support each other and build each other up. She’s excited to see all that God has in store for her future as she transitions from the film world to the world of women’s ministry. Connect with Sharon online at: Sharon’s speaker page Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharonwilharmspeaker/ Sharon’s website: www.sharonwilharm.com Sharon’s blog: www.faithflix.com Sharon’s blog on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithflixfilms/ Sharon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonWilharm Sharon on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sharonwilharm/boards/ Sharon’s movie website: www.summerof67.com Sharon's Movies (click film image to learn more):
Film Awards:
 
Simi John is my guest on Episode 42 (airing July 5th, 2019). Simi shares her salvation story and how God has used her for His glory.
About Simi:
Simi was born in India and moved to Dallas, TX at the age of 7. She graduated with her doctorate in physical therapy and got married to Jayson John in 2010. She has 2 kids: Moriah (5 years old) and Gideon ( 3 years old ). Currently she lives in Oklahoma and serves with her husband who is the lead pastor of New Life Bible Church in Norman and works as a full time physical therapist for Mercy. Over the years, Simi has served in various ministries and believes in using whatever gifts God has blessed her with to the glory of His name. Her calling is to the local church and her passion is to empower women to live in the abundant life Jesus offers them. She shares weekly encouragements and Biblical truths with practical insights on her Instagram page and YouTube channel. You can connect with Simi online at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simijohn/ Blog/Website: simijohn.tv YouTube:https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCjd4wbzw-UhWbNkrv6__p8A Upcoming Event: August 17th Simi is doing a One Day Teen Retreat for Girls. Time: 10am-3pm Location: New Life Bible Church (Norman, OK) Cost: $15 (light breakfast and lunch provided) Register Here. Here is the YouTube video I mention in this episode: 
 Courtney Cohen is my guest on Episode 41 (airing June 28th, 2019). Courtney and I discuss her newest release, The Sacred Shadow: Enter Into the Daily Mystery of God's Kingdom. Tune in and learn more about the book. Listeners will also gain some wisdom to help them recognize the nearness of God. About Courtney: For Courtney Cohen, everything comes down to two questions: Who is God? And, who has He designed us to be? Whether she’s writing, speaking, or homeschooling her children, these questions propel her forward. Author of multiple books, including The Sacred Shadow and Refining Identity, Courtney passionately helps others encounter the reality and nearness of God in everyday life. Co-founder of Now Found Ministries, along with her husband, Courtney utilizes videos, blogging, and books to encourage others towards intimate relationships with God and a deeper awareness of His Voice speaking purpose over every life. Courtney is married to Steve, her most radical supporter, who also keeps her real. Living in Texas, Courtney and Steve have three children who, simultaneously, bless her socks off and keep her on her toes. Connect with Courtney online at: Her Author/Speaker Page: http://nowfound.org/speaking/courtneycohen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAmNowFound/ Blog: http://nowfound.org/ministries Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/channels/nowfound Courtney's Books (click a cover to order):
Enjoy this excerpt of The Sacred Shadow courtesy of the author: So many people feel an immense barrier looming between them and God, between the physical and spiritual realms. But, that's the lie. The barrier is thin, translucent, penetrable, inviting. What is this barrier? It may be as basic as surrender. Surrender is not prideful. It trusts not in itself. Surrender is open, releasing what is known, open to what is as yet unknown. Surrender. Where we recognize that what we see is not all that there is. And, even more, what we see is just a shadow. What we see is a far cry from what is deeply real. What we see may as well be a stick figure drawing placed next to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. There is color and depth and artistry and design and meaning and heart there in the realm of reality. But we must shift our definition of reality. Poetry and art and music draw one in, touch on a heart string that cannot fully express the depth of meaning. Thin places. The veil pressed in. The veil being penetrated. Let's stay there… It's the God who loves me who makes me real. His breath breathed through me, His Spirit residing in me, His voice calling to me within and without. This is what it is to be real. I often weary of this physical realm and all the focus of the senses. It leaves much to be desired when it is utterly disconnected from the realm of reality. And yet there is purpose here. How can we shift from the trite and meaningless to the deep and full? Isn’t it here? The wonder? Why do I spend so much of my living hours struggling to see it? Do we truly stumble so blind that we must be affronted with blinding magnificence for our blurry-soul-sight to recognize grandeur? The very same surging magnificence that cascades over our every day here. Who has time or eyes to notice? Wonder really could be here – for the seeing eyes. The Sabbath is another thin place. This place is the place of time. Odd that God declared a time (not a space) as the first designated “holy” thing. The Sabbath is much, much more than an appointed time for rest. It's a regular opportunity to return focus back to the realm of reality, the spiritual overlay. More than kicking up feet, laughter, and sleep, Sabbath is an invitation each week to walk through the veil once more. The physical tries desperately to dominate our focus. To convince us that's all there is. And with the neglect of the Sabbath invitation, we neglect the really real. The culture of instantaneous gratification leads to the challenge of experiencing this level of real. We want things packaged conveniently. Quick blurbs. Poignant quotes. We've been deceived to believe that one more tweet-able sliver of thought will transform our very lives. Social media overflows with triteness and platitudes. Face-to-face conversations are littered with the petty, given as answers for the deep. How far we've gone. We're too busy to dive in the deep end. Or we're too scared. They're basically the same thing anyway. Stay busy so we don't have to fear a lack of provision. Stay busy so we don't have to face the knowing silence. Stay busy so we can't hear the Voice beckoning us beyond the veil between realms. See and hear and smell and touch and taste, but do not dare breathe in Spirit. Because then our bubble of control and meager understanding will surely burst. I am tired of walking busy. I would rather walk on water. Slow, steady, walking miracles with each step. The thin place in walking on water is right above the water's surface, where the invisible floor lies, paved by our surrender, our complete trust in God. A call to surrender. A call to trust. A call to be. Let our prayer be simply this: God help me. Help me be. The doing is just too much when the being lacks.   Shelly D. Templin is my guest on Episode 39 (airing June 14th, 2019). Shelly and I discuss faith and how to support it through seasons of struggle. Listen and learn some tips for facing your faith barriers head on. About Shelly: Shelly D. Templin is an author, speaker and blogger who shares a message of hope – with humor. She is the author of Pushing to the Peak ~ A Story of the Success-ability of Dr. J. Glen House. Her brother, Glen, became a quadriplegic at the age of twenty and went on to become a successful doctor, businessman, inventor, entrepreneur, husband and father. She tells his encouraging story in the book Pushing to the Peak. Shelly has written for Focus on the Family, is a regular contributor to Hopemommies.org and has guest blogged for numerous ministries. Shelly has a heart to encourage women to be hope-filled overcomers. Shelly lives in College Station, Texas with her husband, Jack, of 32 years and their two dogs. She has three daughters, a son-in-law, and two darling granddaughters. In addition to loving her family, Shelly loves Texas, ice cream, reading, cycling, being outdoors, sunsets, hummingbirds and her dogs – not necessarily in that order. Connect with Shelly online at: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sdtemplin/chuckles-in-the-chaos/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/chucklesinthechaos Instagram: https://twitter.com/sdtemplin Twitter: https://twitter.com/sdtemplin Her blog: www.shellydtemplin.com Shelly's best posts worth checking out:Shelly's Book (click the cover to order):    Julie Plagens is my guest on Episode 38 (airing June 7th, 2019). Julie and I discuss her book, Estranged: Finding Hope When Your Family Falls Apart, and encourage listeners who may currently be impacted by their own family estrangements. About Julie: Julie is a wife, mother, teacher, author, and blogger. Before she married, she taught speech, drama, and English for three years in the Richardson Independent School District. After she married, she stayed home with her two children. Julie has volunteered for many years locally and in South Texas doing VBS, food distribution, and door-to-door witnessing. Now that her children are grown, she is a substitute teacher for a private school in Dallas, works intermittently for her husband, and speaks about her book Estranged. In 2008, Julie was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. Due to the seriousness of her illness, she decided to leave her family of origin because the relationship with her parents was causing physical, mental, and emotional stress. But this was not just any estrangement as both of her parents had been in full-time ministry for many years. Her father the associate pastor of two megachurches in Dallas. After seven years of no contact, Julie felt God calling her back to her family but didn’t know how to return. Every bridge had been burned with no hope of reconciliation. It was then Julie prayed and fasted. Through divine intervention, the relationship was mended. Now that Julie has reunited with her family, she wishes to bring hope to those who may feel alone or have shame about their family problems or estrangement. When Julie is not talking about forgiveness, she is sharing helpful tips on her blog about family, parenting, marriage, education, and faith. Julie lives with her husband of 25 years in Dallas, Texas. You can check out her book Estranged: Finding Hope When Your Family Falls Apart on Amazon or most any other digital platform. This post gives a free preview of the book: https://momremade.com/your-family-rift/ Connect with Julie online at: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/julieaplagens/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momremade/ Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/628239597606364/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momremade/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/momremade Her blog: momremade.com/ Julie's Books (click covers to order):
 
The following guests are scheduled (or in the works) with interviews reaching into July:
Stay tuned and watch how this page grows. There will be no guests on the show from September-November. It will just be me sharing whatever God lays on my heart in that season. My seasons/ format is structured with a rotation featuring 3 months of guests and then 3 months as the solo speaker repeating throughout the year. I am currently taking guest requests for episodes that would air between December 2019-February 2020. Interested in being a guest? Fill out the form below. |
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