In this deeply moving episode of Anchored by the Sword, I sit down with author and mama Joy Scott, whose story is marked by faith, loss, healing, and unwavering hope. Joy is the author of Flow: Keeping Your Heart Alive When Life Hurts, released this past September—a book born out of unimaginable pain and profound encounters with God’s presence.
Joy shares her powerful journey of walking through abuse, divorce, and the devastating loss of her four-year-old son, Joseph, to brain cancer. Through it all, she has learned how to keep her heart open, tender, and anchored in God instead of closing off in survival mode.
We talk about:
• What it means to truly guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23)
• How to stay connected to God in the middle of deep grief
• Why God is not the author of sickness or loss—and how His love carries us through
• How to process pain honestly without getting stuck in it
• Why forgiveness is about freedom, not forgetting
• How Psalm 139 gives us a blueprint for healing
Joy’s message is clear: your pain does not disqualify you—it becomes the place where God meets you.
Whether you’re walking through loss, betrayal, heartbreak, or just trying to survive a season that didn’t go the way you hoped, this episode will remind you that God is still near, still good, and still writing your story.
Bio:
Joy Scott is an author, speaker, and certified teacher. She carries a burning desire to influence those who are stuck by sharing her story and the obstacles she has overcome. Encouraging others to obtain healing, freedom, and purpose is her life message. Joy resides outside New Orleans with her husband and two sons.
Anchor Verses:
Isaiah 61
Proverbs 4:23
Psalm 139
Connect with Joy:
Website: https://www.joyscott.me
IG: https://www.instagram.com/joy_scott
FB: https://www.facebook.com/joyevettescott/
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
In this episode of Anchored by the Sword, I’m joined by author, podcaster, and content creator Erica Gwynn to talk about the lies we believe—often without even realizing it—and how those lies quietly shape the way we see ourselves, God, and our purpose.
Erica’s book, That’s Just Not True: How to Replace the Lies You Didn’t Know You Believed with God’s Unchanging Truth, released in October, tackles 17 common lies that sound good on paper but don’t actually line up with Scripture. Together, we unpack how striving, perfectionism, people-pleasing, comparison, and cultural phrases like “I can do anything” or “manifest your dream life” can slowly pull us out of true partnership with God.
We talk honestly about:
• Freedom as an ongoing process, not a finish line
• Why limits are not failures, but part of God’s design
• How rejection by people can actually be redirection and protection from God
• The danger of manifesting apart from surrender
• What it looks like to dream with God instead of apart from Him
Erica also shares the Scripture that keeps her anchored in seasons of uncertainty and encourages listeners to give themselves grace—especially at the start of a new year.
This conversation is for anyone who feels tired of striving, overwhelmed by comparison, or stuck believing things about themselves that God never said.
Bio:
Erica Ligenza Gwynn is an author, podcaster, coach, speaker, and content creator. She's the founder of Coming Up Roses, an online community rooted in the belief that while not everything in life is pretty, and every rose has its thorn, we can still honor our seasons and live in full bloom. Erica is building a wild and wonderful life in the Philadelphia area with her husband, Jamie, their two awesome kids, their cats Purrcy and Milo, and Lucy the Labradoodle.
Anchor Verses:
Connect with Erica:
Website: https://ericagwynn.com
Blog: https://cominguprosestheblog.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ericaligenza/
https://www.facebook.com/cominguprosestheblog
https://ericagwynn.com/podcast
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
In this solo episode of Anchored by the Sword, I’m taking time to pause, reflect, and thank God—and you—for all He has done in 2025, while also looking ahead to where He’s leading in 2026.
Before we talk numbers, goals, or plans, I want to say thank you. Thank you for listening faithfully, for tuning in when you can, and for trusting me and my guests with your time. God has been on the move—within this ministry and in my own life—and I believe He wants to meet you right where you are too.
In this episode, I share highlights from the past year including first-time experiences, unexpected opportunities, growth in ministry and community, and personal healing. From hosting our very first women’s workshop, to speaking events, book signings, TV interviews, travel, and even stepping into the world of film and television as an extra—2025 was full of moments I never could have planned on my own.
I also open up about personal milestones: completing counseling, deepening friendships at church, family celebrations, and learning—again and again—that grief, healing, and growth are not linear.
As we look toward 2026, I share what I’m choosing to leave behind, what I’m leaning into, and the three themes God has clearly placed on my heart: peace, purpose, and provision.
In This Episode, I Share:
• A recap of how God moved through Anchored by the Sword in 2025
• Highlights from speaking, travel, workshops, media, and book events
• Personal growth, counseling, and the importance of using God-given tools
• What I’m choosing to leave in 2025—and what I’m leaning into in 2026
• Ministry and personal goals centered on peace, purpose, and provision
This episode is an invitation—to reflect, to release, and to ask God what He wants to do next in your life.
2026 Anchor Verses:
Lamentations 3:24
Isaiah 43: 18-19
Hebrews 6:1
Connect with Gina and Anchored by the Sword:
Website: https://www.anchoredbythesword.org
Email: gina@anchoredbythesword.org or connect@anchoredbythesword.org
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
In this episode of Anchored by the Sword, I’m joined by author, speaker, and former corporate executive Ava Pennington to talk about what it truly means to flourish—not by striving harder, but by surrendering more deeply to the Holy Spirit.
Ava shares her journey from the corporate world to full-time writing and teaching, her powerful testimony of faith shaped over decades, and the sacred grief of losing her husband of 40 years to cancer. With honesty and wisdom, she reminds us that grief is not linear, seasons change, and God remains our anchor through it all.
We dive into her newest book, Flourish: Grace-Centered Practices to Protect and Grow a Fruitful Life in Christ, and unpack the Fruit of the Spirit—why we often feel like we “don’t have enough,” and how God grows fruit in us through surrender, not self-effort.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
• Leaving the corporate world to follow God’s call
• Walking through grief with hope and eternal perspective
• Why the Fruit of the Spirit is grown through surrender, not striving
• Recognizing seasons and giving ourselves grace within them
• Learning to draw strength from God instead of ourselves
This conversation is rich, grounding, and deeply encouraging for anyone navigating loss, calling, or a longing for deeper spiritual growth.
Bio:
Ava Pennington is an accomplished author, speaker, and Bible teacher whose previous work, Reflections on the Names of God, won third place in the 2023 Golden Scroll Awards. Her passion for helping believers live abundantly in Christ shines through in Flourish, making her an engaging guest for podcasts, radio shows, or written features.
Anchor Verses:
Proverbs 18:10
Ephesians 6:10
Connect with Ava:
Website: https://avapennington.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1By4whU6i9/?mibextid=wwXIfr
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
On this episode of Anchored by the Sword, I’m so excited to introduce you to Debora Coty—speaker, author, and the voice behind the beloved Too Blessed to Be Stressed series that has sold over 2 million copies worldwide.
Debora shares her powerful story of stepping into writing later in life, obeying God’s nudge in unexpected seasons, and how humor, Scripture, and honesty became tools God used to bring healing—not just to others, but to her own heart.
We talk about what it looks like to follow God through deep loss, unanswered prayers, depression, and reluctant obedience—and how God’s presence meets us even when joy feels impossible.
Debora also opens up about her newest devotional, Bless Your Heart, the meaning behind the title, and how knowing the names and character of God carried her through grief, trauma, and heartbreak and how it can do the same for you!
Highlighted Takeaways
This conversation is full of wisdom, hope, laughter, and reminders that God is near—even when life feels overwhelming.
Bio:
Debora M. Coty is an events speaker, columnist, certified writing coach, and award-winning author of more than 40 inspirational books, including the bestselling Too Blessed to be Stressed series, with more than 2 million books sold in multiple languages worldwide. Debora is a diehard tennis addict and choco-athlete (that’s the step beyond chocoholic – she exercises just so she can eat more chocolate). Deb lives, loves, and laughs in central Florida with her longsuffering husband of 47 years, two grown children, five precocious grandbuddies, and Laz the Resurrection Dog (now that’s a story you must hear!).
Anchor Verses:
Psalm 46:1
Psalm 147:3
Ezekiel 36:26
Philippians 4: 6-7
Connect with Debora:
Website: https://deboracoty.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/deboracoty
FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1G8WJGBx5H/?mibextid=wwXIfr
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
Have you ever woken up from a dream and thought, What was that… and why does it feel important?
In this episode of Anchored by the Sword, I sit down with Paige Collins, founder of Icon Media Group and author of the Awaken Dream Journal: Understanding God’s Voice in Your Dreams, that released this past October. We dive into the often-mysterious, sometimes strange, and deeply sacred way God speaks to His people through dreams.
Paige shares her powerful testimony—from a life-changing encounter with God at her kitchen table after miscarriage, to learning how to steward dreams as a place of intimacy, healing, warning, and calling. Together, we talk about recurring dreams, dream symbolism, and why the “weird” dreams are often the ones worth leaning into the most.
✨ In This Episode, We Cover:
• Paige’s personal freedom story and encountering God’s presence in a season of deep grief
• How God uses dreams for healing, direction, and spiritual awareness
• Why recurring or strange dreams matter more than we think
• Practical ways to steward your dreams and partner with the Holy Spirit in interpretation
• The heart behind the Awaken Dream Journal and how it helps believers discern God’s voice
• How dreams can anchor us in peace—even during seasons of chaos or uncertainty
This conversation is honest, thoughtful, and grounding—especially if you’ve ever wondered whether God might be trying to get your attention while you sleep.
Bio:
Paige Collins is a lifelong dreamer and visionary entrepreneur, and is the founding partner of Icon Media Group, a premier PR firm specializing in faith and family entertainment. With over twenty-five years of strategic communications expertise,
Paige has spearheaded high-impact publicity campaigns for major faith-based film releases, as well as for Kingdom-driven nonprofits and brands, producing red-carpet premieres, intimate press conferences, and behind-the-scenes media experiences.
Beyond publicity, Paige is a multifaceted creative professional, serving as both film producer and screenwriter, leading her own film and television development company, Honeybee Entertainment – a calling she received in a dream.
Anchor Verses:
Psalm 12:6
Connect with Paige:
Website: https://www.thechristiandreamer.com
Business IG: https://www.instagram.com/thechristiandreamer
Icon Media Group IG: https://www.instagram.com/weareiconmedia
Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/kpaigec
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
In this episode of the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I’m joined by Kim Harms—writer, speaker, two-time breast cancer survivor, and author of the newly released devotional Carried Through Cancer: 70 Days of Spiritual Strength from Cancer Fighters, Survivors, and Caregivers.
Kim shares her testimony of faith, perseverance, and God’s nearness through two cancer diagnoses, long-term treatment, and seasons of suffering. We talk honestly about fear, hope, endurance, and how Scripture anchored her when the road felt overwhelming.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Kim’s faith journey and growing up anchored in Christ
• Her first breast cancer diagnosis at 40 and a second diagnosis seven years later
• Walking through chemotherapy, radiation, and long-term treatment
• The Scriptures that sustained her in different seasons of suffering
• Why she wrote Carried Through Cancer and who the book is for
• The power of short, accessible devotionals when strength is limited
• Encouragement for caregivers and those supporting loved ones
• Why letting others help is both humbling and healing
This conversation is for anyone walking through cancer—fighters, survivors, caregivers—or anyone navigating a hard season and needing reminders that God is near and faithful.
Bio:
Kim Harms is a two-time breast cancer survivor and the author of Carried Through Cancer: 70 Days of Spiritual Strength from Cancer Fighters, Survivors and Caregivers (B&H 2025) and Life Reconstructed: Navigating the World of
Mastectomies and Breast Reconstruction. She has a degree in English from Iowa State University and more than two decades of professional writing experience for a wide variety of publications.
Married to Corey for nearly three decades, the two live in central Iowa and have three sons and one English Springer Spaniel who thinks he’s the fourth child.
Anchor Verses:
Isaiah 41:10
I Peter 5:10
Connect with Kim:
Website: https://kimharms.net
IG: https://www.instagram.com/kimharmsauthor
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
In this powerful and deeply honest episode of the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I sit down with Janelle Martin, author of Losing Her, Finding Us: A Mother’s Fight, a Daughter’s Journey, and the Road to Recovery.
Janelle shares her journey through heartbreak, parental alienation, addiction, and ultimately redemption—both her daughter’s recovery and her own. What began as unimaginable pain became the very place God birthed healing, purpose, and a calling to help other families walk through addiction with hope and wisdom.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Janelle’s freedom story and growing up with a foundation of faith
• Walking through emotional abuse, divorce, and parental alienation
• The devastating impact of addiction on families—and the loneliness parents feel
• Letting go when you can’t fix it, and trusting God with what you can’t control
• The role of recovery—not just for the addicted, but for parents too
• How God used pain to birth purpose, leading Janelle into mental health and brain healing work
• Writing Losing Her, Finding Us alongside her daughter’s voice and story
• Why hope matters, even when outcomes feel uncertain
Highlighted Takeaways:
• Healing is possible—for the addicted and the family walking alongside them
• You are allowed to have joy and purpose, even while your loved one struggles
• God can redeem what feels irreparably broken
This conversation is raw, redemptive, and filled with reminders that restoration is possible—even when the road feels impossible.
Bio:
Dr. Janelle Martin is a licensed counselor, certified IASIS MicroCurrent Neurofeedback provider, and a doctor of functional medicine. She is the founder of The Mind Connection, a holistic mental health practice based in Houston, Texas, where she helps clients heal from trauma, addiction, and emotional dysregulation using an integrative mind-body approach. Janelle is also the author of Losing Her, Finding Us, a powerful memoir chronicling her daughter’s battle with addiction and their family’s journey to healing. With deep empathy and hard-earned wisdom, Janelle now advocates for families navigating similar paths, offering practical support and hope. Her work combines clinical expertise with personal experience to meet others in their pain and walk with them toward recovery.
Anchor Verse:
John 16:33
Connect with Janelle:
Website: https://www.ourbeautifulrecovery.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AtEZKwJLt/?mibextid=wwXIfr
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ourbeautifulrecovery
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jnelmartin
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
Hey friends!
Welcome back to another episode of the Anchored by the Sword Podcast. Today’s conversation… whew. Get ready. God’s presence is all over this one.
I’m honored to introduce you to Juliet Dawn, a UK-based singer, worshipper, storyteller, and a woman with a testimony so powerful it honestly feels like it should be a movie. Her newest album, Born to Be, released in September, and the story behind it will absolutely strengthen your faith.
Juliet grew up knowing Jesus from a young age, but what she walked through in adulthood is almost unimaginable — coercive control, a decade of emotional abuse, near-death experiences, trauma, miscarriages, the loss of twins, physical illness, spider bites, PTSD, chronic pain, a broken singing voice, nervous breakdowns, and a long battle for healing.
But through every season, God kept whispering His promises:
And now?
God has taken Juliette from the deepest valleys into a season of redemption, restoration, and fulfillment of a prayer she prayed at 21:
“Lord, I just want to make a difference — no matter the cost.”
You’ll hear how God led her from trauma to testimony, from brokenness to Nashville recording studios, from silence to releasing powerful songs like There’s a Time and Beauty for Ashes.
Her music has brought people to tears, healed hearts, and opened doors only God Himself could open.
We talk about:
✨ Surviving emotional abuse
✨ Walking through devastating loss
✨ The long road of healing
✨ God’s miracles in impossible medical situations
✨ The anointing behind her songs
✨ Recording in Nashville
✨ Her role in the Pilgrim’s Progress musical film
✨ What it looks like to hold onto hope when everything hurts
Juliet’s story is raw, breathtaking, and soaked in God’s glory.
My prayer is that you leave this episode knowing—deep in your bones—that God truly brings beauty from the ashes.
Listen in. Be encouraged. And let the hope rise again.
Bio:
Juliet Dawn is a multifaceted artist whose creative output spans across performance, music, poetry, film and literature, expressing messages of hope and light born of her own journey of overcoming. Her personal story is one of significant trauma and loss, but she has found restoration through her Christian faith, love and resilience, and now purposes to bring compelling wisdom to others through meaningful lessons learnt.
Juliet’s compelling story weaves through all that she communicates, and now by combining the gifts of her rich, raw life and poetic honesty, she offers something that is both credible, and grounded in real life. Many of the songs and melodies are simply extraordinary, and this is the hallmark of the daughter/mother team; music that is not only timeless, but that leaves a forever deposit in people’s hearts!
Anchor Verses:
Jeremiah 29:11
2 Timothy 1:7
Ecclesiastes 3
Connect with Juliet:
Website: https://www.julietdawn.co.uk
IG: https://www.instagram.com/julietdawnmusic
FB: https://www.facebook.com/dovetailshalom/
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
I am beyond excited to welcome back my amazing repeat guest, Becky! She first joined me for the kickoff of Season Two back in September 2021, and today we’re catching up to hear about her newest project and book.
Becky’s latest release, A Verse a Day for the Anxious Soul: 100 Days of Peace for the Calm You Crave, is perfectly timed for the holiday season, when life feels extra full and our hearts crave calm. In this episode, Becky shares her personal journey with anxiety, the practices that help her navigate the day-to-day, and how leaning into God’s Word has brought her real peace.
We dive into:
Whether you experience anxiety personally or care for someone who does, this episode is full of encouragement, truth, and practical ways to live a calmer, more grounded life—one verse at a time.
Bio:
Becky Keife is the author of A Verse A Day For The Anxious Soul and a Bible teacher, speaker, and author passionate about helping people hear God’s voice, embrace their true identity, and step into their purpose. A dedicated mental health advocate, Becky equips individuals and churches to understand anxiety biblically and experience Jesus wholly. She loves long naps, puffy clouds, and shady trails. Becky lives in Southern California with her husband and three always-hungry teenage sons.
Anchor Verses:
Matthew 11: 20-30
Deuteronomy 31:8
Connect with Becky:
Website: https://www.beckykeife.com
IG: @BeckyKeife
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
Y’all… this episode is one of those full-circle, only-God-could-write-this moments. I am beyond excited to introduce you to Howard Chang, also known as Quiqqly—the man who helped design the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys that so many of us (and now our kids and nephews) grew up playing with. And now? God has brought his creativity full circle—right into the pages of Scripture.
Howard shares how, straight out of high school, he found himself designing hundreds of Ninja Turtle toys that would go on to shape generations. Decades later, those same designs resurfaced, reminding him that what God plants never truly disappears. But what makes this story even more powerful is Howard’s personal journey with God—through divorce, sickness, being a single dad of three, depression, anxiety, and rock-bottom moments that became holy ground for radical transformation.
Howard vulnerably shares how, twelve years ago, everything changed when he encountered the Lord in the middle of his deepest brokenness. Since then, God has restored his life and redeemed his creativity into something eternal.
Now, Howard and his wife, Gloria, are launching an incredible new project: Bible-inspired collectible action figures—heroes like David, Moses, Noah, Deborah, Sarah, and even Goliath as a robotic figure—designed to spark faith, imagination, and conversation across generations. Their heart? To place God’s truth right under the Christmas tree, reaching believers and non-believers alike.
This episode is about:
Truly, this conversation felt like different seasons of my own life colliding in the most God-ordained way—childhood nostalgia, ministry, and Kingdom purpose all meeting in one place.
Highlighted Takeaways
Final Encouragement from Howard
“Never give up on the process. God is always working—even when you can’t see it.”
Bio:
Howard “Quiggly” Chang is the visionary creator of Ancientz—a bold, faith-fueled universe where spirit-powered robotic warriors battle darkness. But before Ancientz, Quiggly made his mark in pop culture history as one of the original creative forces behind the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toy phenomenon. As Lead Toy Concept Artist at Varner Studios, he helped design some of the most iconic TMNT figures of the late '80s and '90s.
Anchor Verse:
Isaiah 55: 8-9
Connect with Howard and Ancientz:
Website: www.ancientz.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ancientz_official
FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DCTwxcsXT/?mibextid=wwXIfr
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
I am so excited to welcome back my dear friend Jennifer Watson, who originally joined us back on episode 42 with her book Freedom. Today, she’s back to talk about her brand-new book,What If You’re Doing Better Than You Think? Finding Courage and Confidence When Life Gets Messy—and wow, is this message timely as we head into the fast, chaotic holiday season.
Jennifer is a writer, podcaster, mama of two adult daughters, and a passionate advocate for mental health and real-life faith. In this powerful and honest conversation, we talk about what it really looks like to walk through depression, seasonal struggles, shame spirals, counseling, community, and the courage it takes to ask for help.
✨ In This Episode, We Talk About:
• Why mental health struggles are inevitable in a chaotic world
• The dangerous cycle of the shame spiral
• Jennifer’s personal journey with seasonal depression and seeking medical help
• Why getting help is not weakness—it’s bravery
• How the church can better support mental health
• The power of community and counseling
• Walking with children and teens through anxiety and depression
• Writing from the messy middle, not just the healed place
• Why women need spaces that go deeper than small talk
• Scriptures that anchored Jennifer in her darkest seasons
• A gentle but powerful truth: You are doing better than you think.
This episode is full of hope for anyone who feels like they’re barely holding it together—and a reminder that you might be doing so much better than you think.
Bio:
Jennifer Renee Watson is a fierce advocate for mental health and abuse survivors who are bravely healing from unresolved trauma and finding their voice. She is the cohost of the More Than Small Talk Podcast, and has spoken at churches and conferences all over the US.
Anchor Verses:
Psalm 34:18
Isaiah 40:31
Connect with Jennifer:
Website: www.jenniferreneewatson.com
FB: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferwatson/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferwatson/
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I’m joined by Maddie Joy Fischer, whose brand new devotional Rest & Rely: A 60-Day Devotional to Replace Fear, Anxiety, and Worry with God’s Truth releases this Tuesday—and truly, the timing could not be more perfect.
As the holiday season approaches, fear, anxiety, grief, and pressure have a way of rising to the surface. Maddie courageously shares her personal journey with anxiety, insecurity, control, and fear—including her struggle with health anxiety and a lifelong fear of flying—and how God gently led her into a deeper place of surrender, rest, and reliance on Him.
We talk about what it looks like to stop striving in our own strength and learn to live first as daughters, not employees of God. Maddie beautifully unpacks how rest and reliance work together, how healing is often a process, and how God uses even our turbulence to teach us who He truly is.
This conversation is full of truth, tenderness, and hope for anyone who feels overwhelmed, exhausted, anxious, or afraid.
✨ Highlighted Takeaways
This episode is an invitation to lay down striving, pick up surrender, and rediscover the peace that only comes from truly resting and relying on the Lord.
Bio:
Maddie Joy Fischer is a 26 year old writer, speaker, and worship leader in St.Louis, MO. She is a wife, the oldest of five siblings, and a born and raised Pastor’s kid. She is also an ambassador (writer) for Live Original, Sadie Roberson’s ministry. Maddie’s passion is to point people to Jesus through living a life of surrender. For 10 years, she has shared this passion on her social media platforms with a desire to see people grow in knowledge of God's word, boldness to proclaim it, and love for the One who it’s all about. She continues to take every opportunity she is given to live out the calling God has prepared for her life as He has continues to grow her ministry every step of the way.
Anchor Verses:
Psalm 23
Psalm 34:8
Proverbs 3:5-6
Connect with Maddie Joy:
Website: https://www.maddieejoy.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/maddiee_joy
FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ABZsv6rrC/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Maddie’s new devotional, Rest & Rely, releases this Tuesday and is available for preorder now. https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781540904010_rest-rely?fbclid=PAVERFWAOVf-5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAafd-lBETrsmzz4LsKDZ-5qXbT6P95ZP6ryDEmfbYIv2xAJIpAeoFqMks98T9A_aem_IyZGOiS6yxGiohsAiBHLtA
Be sure to grab a copy for yourself—or someone who needs encouragement this season.
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
Hey guys, welcome to this episode of the Anchored by the Sword Podcast! I am SO excited for you to hear this conversation because today I’m joined by the amazing Amanda Hope Haley — author of Stones Still Speak and a brilliant biblical archaeologist who is passionate about helping believers truly understand Scripture.
Amanda and I had already been talking for so long offline that we finally said, “Okay… we need to hit record!” And I’m so glad we did. Her story is layered with faith, curiosity, academic depth, humor, and a whole lot of God’s perfectly timed direction.
🔍 In This Episode, Amanda Shares:
• How biblical archaeology can illuminate stories we thought we knew.
• The moment in graduate school when she realized something she’d believed her whole life wasn’t actually in Scripture — and how that experience shaped her calling.
• Why Christians shouldn’t fear questions… because God isn’t scared of them either.
• The danger of headlines, misinformation, and “clickbait Christianity” — and how we can anchor ourselves in truth.
• How her infertility journey and her time at Thomas Nelson unexpectedly opened the door to publishing.
• What it looks like to come home again as an adult… and how God continues to weave purpose into every season.
• The importance of slowing down, reading Scripture for ourselves, and not letting society’s pace replace depth with convenience.
• Her life-giving marriage story and the beautiful way Song of Solomon has anchored her and her husband through deep valleys and big moves.
⭐ Episode Highlights:
• “Don’t be afraid of hard questions — let them push you deeper into Scripture.”
• “Archaeology doesn’t exist to prove the Bible; it helps us contextualize it.”
• “Tradition is powerful… but tradition isn’t Scripture. Go back to the text.”
• “When the world moves fast, Christians have to choose to be countercultural in the way we pursue God.”
From Tennessee to Harvard to publishing… from infertility and healing to discovering where tradition hasn’t always matched Scripture… Amanda’s journey is powerful, eye-opening, and incredibly grounding.
Bio:
As the “Red-Haired Archaeologist”, Amanda Hope Haley teaches readers how archaeological discoveries illuminate the ancient world—both the people and places of the Bible--in new ways. When we first encounter the Bible, we are taught its stories--Adam and Eve, Moses and the Red Sea, David and Goliath, Jonah and the whale, and more. But when a story lacks the details we crave, we fill in the blanks--with what we've seen in movies, read in books, and been told by our Sunday school teachers. But there's a better way to encounter the whole story of Scripture: uncovering and understanding the ancient world and the people who experienced biblical events.
With an MTS in Hebrew Scripture and Interpretation from Harvard, Amanda Hope Haley is a lover of the Bible--its God, words, people, and history. Writing and speaking as the Red-Haired Archaeologist, she teaches how artifacts contextualize Scripture. She hopes to see Bible lovers work together to learn history, interpret Scripture, and apply God's Word to their lives. She contributed to The Voice Bible as a translator, writer, and editor, and she has been a collaborator for popular Christian authors.
Anchor Verses:
Song of Solomon/Songs 6:3
Connect with Amanda:
Website: https://redhairedarchaeologist.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/AmandaHopeHaley
FB: https://www.facebook.com/AmandaHopeHaley/
Grab a free chapter and learn more at StonesStillSpeak.com.
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
Hey friends, welcome back to another episode of Anchored by the Sword Podcast! Today’s conversation is extra special because I’m recording in person with my friend, Destiny Tackett. Funny enough, Destiny and I met the way all great friendships begin… through a coffee shop that I’m basically a permanent resident of. They know my order so well that if I dare switch it up, the whole place goes into shock — but here we are.
Destiny is 24, a ministry graduate, a barista, and a young woman who carries the kind of story that reminds you just how faithful God is — even in the moments when life is loud, chaotic, and full of pain. She grew up in a very difficult home environment: seven siblings, a father who has been in prison her whole life, abuse from a step-parent, and years of coping with the only tools brokenness gives you. Her story is heavy, but it’s also overflowing with God’s redemption.
In this episode, Destiny shares how Jesus tugged on her heart at the end of high school — even while she was still partying, smoking weed, and trying to numb everything she’d lived through. She applied for ministry school while still feeling completely unqualified, yet God kept drawing her closer. College became the place where the Lord peeled back layers, exposed wounds that needed tending, and surrounded her with pastors, mentors, and friends who helped her walk into real freedom.
Destiny talks honestly about:
• Growing up in trauma and learning to name the pain
• Coping through food, alcohol, weed, and porn — and how Jesus met her right there
• Being willing to heal privately and publicly
• Becoming a light in a family full of sorrow and cycles
• Learning what it means to be God’s daughter
• Being an ambassador of hope in everyday conversations
• Wrestling through real-time grief as our world feels heavier by the day
We also talk about the events in our world recently — the violence, the tragedies, the overwhelming grief that many of us have felt so deeply. Destiny shares how the Lord has taught her to hold hope and grief together, and how remembering that we fight a real enemy actually anchors her heart in truth.
She reminds us that Jesus has overcome, He is still reigning, and He is near to the brokenhearted even when our emotions try to tell us otherwise.
This episode is such an encouragement for anyone who’s walking through heaviness — personal or global. Destiny’s story is a reminder that the gospel is not just a past event. It is active, alive, and holding us up in real time.
Be sure to share this episode with someone who needs hope today.
Bio:
Destiny Tackett is a young Christian in her twenties who is learning to walk out ministry and discipleship in the rhythms of everyday life. With a heart marked by vulnerability, Destiny is committed to embracing healing from past traumas and sorrows while inviting others to experience God’s nearness in their own stories.
Through her journey, Destiny has discovered a profound truth: the Lord has been present in every step, even in the moments when His hand felt hidden. Her life reflects a growing trust in a God who is unfailingly good, deeply loving, and righteous in all His ways. Destiny’s hope is to point others toward that same faithful God as she continues to grow, serve, and walk in obedience to His call.
Anchor Verses:
John 16:33
2 Corinthians 5:16–20
Philippians 1:6
Connect with Destiny:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D1pZzGdVy/?mibextid=wwXIfr
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
Hey friends, welcome back to this episode of Anchored by the Sword Podcast. Today I’m sitting down with the incredible Rev. Beth Caulfield — pastor, filmmaker, screenwriter, and woman of God whose testimony is straight-up wild in the best way.
Beth has a beautiful new project coming out called “Conceivable,” a faith-based film that tells the real and raw story of her late-in-life pregnancy, her wrestling, the surprising emotions that surfaced, and the spiritual battles she faced both medically and within the church.
This movie was born out of Beth’s own journey — one filled with ministry, motherhood, seminary, shock, surrender, and the unmistakable leading of the Holy Spirit. Today we talk about the making of the film, what it was like to return to screenwriting later in life, and how God is using her story to spark conversations about faith, life, and calling in a complicated world.
Beth shares about:
• God’s unexpected adventures
• Writing a screenplay in her 50s
• Taking a faith-based film project onto a secular college campus
• Raising her family while raising ministries
• Her daughter’s surprise role in the film
• Her heart to help others step into Christian filmmaking
• How God uses every season — even the ones we didn’t choose
This conversation is honest, tender, surprising, and full of hope. I can’t wait for you to hear it.
Listen in and be encouraged — God is not done writing your story.
Bio:
Rev. Beth Caulfield is the writer, co-director and producer of the new film and movement: Conceivable. The movie is about a minister in midlife that has an unplanned pregnancy. The movement is about building community around compassionate conversation and saving lives. Conceivable reimagines the traditional streaming experience utilizing new generation technology. Offered more than a traditional streaming experience, viewers can watch exclusive PVOD events, join live meet-and-greets with directors, actors, and specialists, take part in discussions, and directly connect with filmmakers to host local screenings. More than just an audience, participants can also earn by sharing, promoting, or organizing screenings—transforming engagement into tangible reward and social connection.
Beth is an ordained Elder in the Global Methodist Church. She is a pastor, author, screenwriter, director, producer, actress and audio narrator. She is appointed by the GMC to a ministry of cinematic arts leadership and works ecumenically with people of faith worldwide to bring faith-based stories to the big screen.
She brings over twenty years of ministry experience, including pastoring local churches, denominational administration, prison ministry and Bible study leadership internationally.
Her BA from UPENN’s Annenberg School of Communications, MDIV from Drew Theological School and Fortune 50 corporate background also inform her filmmaking ministry. She follows God’s call to creating faith-based films understanding that movies profoundly influence people and culture.
Her first full-length feature film, Conceivable, premiered at the prestigious Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival and is soon to be released to theaters and all digital platforms world-wide.
She lives in New Jersey where she and her husband Tom have raised their three children.
Anchor Verses:
Zechariah 4:6
John 10:10
Connect with Beth:
Website: https://www.conceivablethemovie.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/bethcaulfield710
FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/17UgdvXPdb/?mibextid=wwXIfr
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome my friend Alexandra Hoover, author of the brand-new book You Can Let Go: Make Peace with Your Past, Break Free from Offense, and Move Forward with God, released in October.
Alex and I dive deep into her powerful story — from a childhood marked by trauma and instability to an encounter with Jesus at age 18 that completely changed the trajectory of her life. Today, she is a wife, mom of three, author, teacher, and a woman passionate about helping others walk in healing, identity, and freedom.
Her book cuts to the heart of something every single one of us wrestles with: offense, the ways it shapes us, hides in us, and tries to lead our lives until we finally let God address the roots.
This conversation is rich, honest, layered, and so needed — especially for women who are tired of carrying wounds they never asked for and stories they didn’t choose.
🌟 Episode Highlights:
• “Offense became a friend before I knew it.”
Alex shares how early pain, betrayal, and instability taught her to pick up offense long before she even knew the word for it.
• Offense is more than a feeling — it's a lens.She explains how offense can quietly become a copilot, shaping how we see ourselves, others, and even God.
• Healing is different from equipping.You Can Let Go isn’t just about what hurt us in the past — it’s about learning to walk equipped for the hurt that will come in the future.
• Offense leads to deeper struggles.Rejection, insecurity, jealousy, anger, and a critical spirit are often fruit of the deeper root of offense.
• The first step: admit the hurt.Alex talks about how naming the pain with God is the doorway to freedom.
• Boundaries vs. walls.
She breaks down how walls keep everyone out (even the good), but boundaries protect what is good and keep us operating in wisdom and freedom.
• Letting go even when closure never comes.
Alex shares the reality that she hasn’t gotten the fairy-tale closure with her parents — but she has gotten it with God.
• Practical signs we are picking offense back up.
Replay loops, insecurity, shifting into judgment, or needing to “position ourselves” are all red flags.
• Identity and letting go, go hand-in-hand.
The more secure we are in Christ, the less power others’ reactions, assumptions, or misunderstandings have over us.
❤️ Final Encouragement
“Jesus is still writing your story. Even in the confusing, disorienting places, He’s piecing things together in ways you can’t yet see. Nothing is wasted. Nothing is too hard for Him to redeem.”
Bio:
Alexandra Hoover is an accomplished and best-selling author, ministry leader, sought-after national speaker, and Bible teacher whose diverse roles showcase her unique blend of gifts and experiences. With a passion for inspiring others through her writing and teaching, she brings a profound depth of insight and compassion to her work. Alexandra's commitment to faith and her dynamic leadership make her a guiding light for those seeking spiritual growth and understanding.
She’s enrolled in Northern Seminary, pursuing her Master of Arts in Women and Theology. She’s a passionate teacher & preacher whose words spur people on to hope, healing, and mission.
She has the privilege of serving on staff at her local Church in Charleston, SC, and spends her days loving on her family and stewarding the gifts placed before her.
Anchor Verses:
Psalm 38
Matthew 17, 18
Connect with Alexandra
Website: https://www.alexandravhoover.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/alexandravhoover
FB: https://www.facebook.com/alexvhoover/
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I’m joined by Pamela Good, author of He Never Let Go. Pamela’s story is one of deep brokenness, redemption, and hope — a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, God never lets go of our hand.
Once a fitness instructor and small business owner, Pamela’s life took many unexpected turns — from working in a maximum-security prison to returning to school at age 50. But it was through deep personal pain, family struggles, and years of healing that she learned what it truly means to live in the light of God’s love.
💬 Highlights from our conversation:
• Growing up in a home marked by mental illness and rejection — and how God planted seeds of faith early on.
• The moment Pamela hit rock bottom and heard God say, “Get up — I’ll show you the life you were meant to live.”
• How writing He Never Let Go brought healing, restoration, and forgiveness within her family.
• Learning to walk in true freedom and identity as a child of God.
• Encouragement for moms to face their own wounds so they don’t pass them to the next generation.
Pamela reminds us that healing doesn’t come quickly or easily, but when we surrender our pain to God, He writes beauty into every chapter of our story.
Bio:
Pamela Waggoner Good is on a mission to help others overcome Satan's strongholds, self-rejection, and feelings of unworthiness. She shows how faith in Jesus is stronger than those strongholds!
From a young age, Pamela faced unimaginable challenges, enduring a childhood marked by neglect, rejection, and emotional pain. Yet, amidst the darkness, a glimmer of hope emerged - a relationship with Jesus Christ.
As Pamela shares her story of resilience and redemption, she vividly recounts the harrowing moments that shaped her early years, painting a raw and honest portrait of the impact of emotional trauma and a way to heal and move forward.
Anchor Verses:
Psalms 23
Philippians 4:13
John 10:10
2 Timothy 1:7
Joshua 1:9
Connect with Pamela:
Website: http://pamelawaggonergood.com/
Book link: https://a.co/d/iDRYa3n
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I’m joined by Brittany Tinsley, author of Stories Our Scars Tell: Hope, Healing, and Honesty About the Wounds We Carry.
Brittany opens up about her journey through pain, faith, and healing — and how God transformed her deepest wounds into a message of redemption. From navigating mental health challenges to finding her identity in Christ, this conversation is real, raw, and full of hope.
💬 Highlights from our conversation:
• How Brittany found hope and healing after walking through self-harm and rejection.
• The importance of honesty and vulnerability in both faith and healing.
• What the Church is learning about mental health — and how we can do better.
• Why our scars can become powerful testimonies of God’s grace.
• The story behind Stories Our Scars Tell and how God led her to write it.
If you’ve ever felt unseen, misunderstood, or wondered how your story could possibly be used for good — this episode will remind you that God redeems every wound and writes beauty into every scar.
📖 Stories Our Scars Tell is available wherever books are sold.
Bio:
Brittany Tinsley is a writer and speaker whose work explores the intersection of faith and mental health. Through honest, heartfelt storytelling, she invites others to find the hope baked into their own lives. Brittany is a contributing author of the Oxford Handbook of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and has written for HuffPost, (in)courage, and To Write Love on Her Arms. Brittany lives in Texas with her husband and their two daughters.
Anchor Verses:
Isaiah 59:1
1 Corinthians 15:58
Connect with Brittany:
Website: brittanytinsley.com.
IG: https://www.instagram.com/brittanytinsleywrites
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***
This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I sit down with Heather O’Brien — prophetic healing coach, minister, author, and speaker — to talk about her powerful journey of healing and freedom. Heather is the author of No Fear Allowed, a book that helps readers get free and stay free by identifying fear at its roots and learning how to walk in lasting wholeness with God.
Heather shares her story of transformation — from working as an accountant and walking through depression, emotional trauma, and fear, to learning how to hear God’s voice and helping others do the same. Through her healing journey, she experienced both physical and spiritual weight loss — shedding 100 pounds in her body and even more of the emotional and spiritual heaviness she was never meant to carry.
In this conversation, we talk about:
Heather reminds us that healing is a journey — not a destination — and that God meets us with mercy every single day. You’ll walk away from this episode encouraged to let go of fear, embrace your identity in Christ, and believe that no matter what you’ve walked through, you can be free.
You can find Heather’s book No Fear Allowed on Amazon or at heatherobrien.net and listen to her podcast Heal with Heather O’Brien wherever you get your podcasts.
💬 Episode Quote:
“Healing isn’t about perfection — it’s about partnership. God doesn’t just want to fix your pain; He wants to walk with you through it.” — Heather O’Brien
⚓️ Encouragement:
No matter what your story looks like, you’re never too far gone for God to redeem it. Freedom starts with one brave “yes.” So, take that next step — forgive, surrender, and let His love make you whole.
Bio:
Heather O’Brien is a prophetic healing coach, minister, author, and speaker. She helps Christians heal with God by hearing God's voice. She is the host of a top 2.5% globally ranked podcast, Heal with God. She believes with God's help, you can forgive the unforgivable & heal from trauma.
Anchor Verses:
Connect with Heather:
Website: https://heatherobrien.net
IG: https://www.instagram.com/healwithgodpodcast
FB: https://www.facebook.com/healwithgodpodcast
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healwithgodpodcast
***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***