Live Like It’s True {Bible Podcast}
On each episode, Shannon Popkin and her guest talk through one of the most interesting or astonishing stories (narratives) of the Bible, and how to live like that story is true. Think of each story like a container, filled with easy-to-retrieve truth. Each story gives you concrete ways to reject the lies, rehearse the truth, and share it with others. You’re invited to open your Bible, drink in the story, and live like it’s true! Shannon is the author of five books, and speaks regularly for Christian women’s retreats, conferences, and events. Shannon lives with her family in West Michigan. Learn more at www.shannonpopkin.com.
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The Truth About God's Offensive Judgment & Rising Mercy | Lindsay Schott | Genesis 6-9 - The Flood
What if I find the flood kind of offensive? What if it makes me uncomfortable? If Jesus is kind and forgiving, how can God just end everybody?
Lindsay Schott joins me to explore the flood narrative, where God grieves over human wickedness but also offers mercy through rescue. Lindsay shares how God transformed her judgy heart and gave her more compassion, and we talked about how trust is admitting God knows more than we do.
Guest: Lindsay Schott
Bible Passage: Noah and the Flood - Genesis 6-9
Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workbook
- Check out TeachEquip.com.
- Check out Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Lindsay Schott
Lindsay Schott is a watercolorist, Women’s Ministry Teacher at Stonegate Church and co-founder of Teach Equip. She has a passion for women to know the scripture and to experience deep transformation in relationship with Jesus and others. Lindsay is also the co-author of Trying: Reflections on Faith Through Infertility, Miscarriage, and Loss. She and her husband, Landon, live in the Dallas area with their four children, Hannah, Ruby, Piper and Ben. You can see Lindsay's watercolor work at lindsayschott.com and see her creative journey on Instagram @lindsayschottwatercolor.
Connect with Lindsay:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
From New Age To New Believer: Community Vs. Judgment | Kara Seymour
What happens when a woman deeply entrenched in New Age invites her new community of Christian friends over to her house filled with Hindu statues and oracle cards? In part 2 of my conversation with Kara Seymour, she shares about how her new relationship with Jesus changed everything—but not immediately. Kara talks about the beautiful community and sisterhood she's experienced, but also some responses of judgment.
We're kicking off our Judgy series—looking at stories of judgment and mercy from the Bible and how to live like it's true that our God is a merciful Judge. I loved getting to overlay some thoughts from several Bible stories about mercy into my conversation with Kara.
Guest: Kara Seymour
Bible Passage: Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman - Luke 7:35-50
Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workbook
- Check out Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Kara Seymour
Kara Seymour is a woman whose life was radically transformed by the power of the gospel. After spending over 20 years deeply immersed in New Age spirituality—both personally and professionally—she encountered Jesus in January 2024 in a way that completely upended her worldview. Within weeks, she surrendered her life to Him, walked away from deception, and stepped into the freedom only Christ can offer. Today, Kara leads Pasta + Prayers, an online community of over 200 women around the world, where she helps others discover the truth of God’s Word through faith, fellowship, and homemade pasta.
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
From New Age to New Life: One Woman's Amazing Story | Kara Seymour
Kara Seymour was deeply entrenched in the New Age movement as a Kundalini yogi. She was also thoroughly convinced that Christians were judgmental, boring, and brainwashed. So she was as surprised as anyone when she met a group of Christian women who became her new best friends.
I can't wait for you to hear her amazing story of transformation, the judgment she felt outside and inside the Church, and how her relationship with Jesus has changed her life.
We're kicking off our Judgy Girl series, where we're looking at stories of judgment and mercy from the Bible and how to live like it's true that our God is a merciful Judge. I'm weaving in some thoughts about several Bible stories of mercy into my conversation with Kara.
Guest: Kara Seymour
Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workbook
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Kara Seymour
Kara Seymour is a woman whose life was radically transformed by the power of the gospel. After spending over 20 years deeply immersed in New Age spirituality—both personally and professionally—she encountered Jesus in January 2024 in a way that completely upended her worldview. Within weeks, she surrendered her life to Him, walked away from deception, and stepped into the freedom only Christ can offer. Today, Kara leads Pasta + Prayers, an online community of over 200 women around the world, where she helps others discover the truth of God’s Word through faith, fellowship, and homemade pasta.
Connect with Kara:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
When You Get The Miracle but Forgo Gratefulness {Allison Brost}
When your heart is breaking, what does it look like to notice God's goodness? Can gratitude grow in the soil of deep grief?
In this episode of the Live Like It's True podcast, I'm talking with Allison Brost—who lost a child—about how grief and gratitude can intertwine in the most unexpected ways. Listen in as we talk about the healing power of gratitude in the story of the one leper who turned back to thank Jesus. Even in your sorrow, there’s an invitation to return to God with a grateful heart.
Guest: Allison Brost
Bible Passage: Jesus Heals Ten Men with Leprosy - Luke 17:11-19
Get your Free Resource: False Narrative Watchlist
- Check out Allison's new book, "Grateful: 30 Days of Growing in Thankfulness" at Shannon's Amazon Store HERE.
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Allison Brost
Allison Brost is the author of the book, "Grateful: 30 Days of Growing in Thankfulness," and an independent singer/songwriter from Janesville, WI. She loves to share daily encouragement online for those journeying in their faith at This Side of Perfect. Her passion is to share words of hope—both through books and song—that can point people to Jesus and uplift the church. When she’s not busy homeschooling her kids or leading worship, you can find her sitting outside, most likely with a cup of tea in hand.
Connect with Allison:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
God Wants To Be The Answer To Our Desperate Prayers {Rachel Wojo}
What is the answer to your most desperate prayer? Could the answer to your complex situation actually be quite simple?
Join us for part 2 of this episode on the Live Like It's True podcast, where Shannon and Rachel Wojo finish their conversation on the story of Hannah's complex prayer to the Lord. She is desperate. She is misjudged. And yet she sees that Lord is the answer for which she is looking.
Where else can I listen to this podcast?
Go HERE to find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple, Youtube, Spotify, and more.
Guest: Rachel Wojo
Bible Passage: The Birth of Samuel - 1 Samuel 1:1-19
Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workbook
- Check out Rachel's new book, Desperate Prayers: Embracing the Power of Prayer in Life's Darkest Moments, at my Amazon Storefront HERE
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Rachel Wojo
Rachel Wojo is an inspirational author, public speaker, podcaster known for her popular blog, rachelwojo.com. Through her biblical approach and personal life experiences, Rachel empowers women to discover strength and hope in everyday situations. Despite enduring the loss of her mother, adult special needs daughter, and father, Rachel remains resilient. She has authored the uplifting book, One More Step: Finding Strength When You Feel Like Giving Up, and is set to release her new work, Desperate Prayers: Embracing the Power of Prayer in Life's Darkest Moments (10/8/24). Rachel is crazy in love with her husband, Matt, and cherishes her motherhood with six children on earth and two in heaven.
Connect with Rachel:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Desperate Prayers: Finding God's Strength in Dark Times {Rachel Wojo}
Have you ever felt desperate in your times of trial or grief? Have you been mad or hopeless about your situation?
Join us for part 1 of this episode on the Live Like It's True podcast, where Shannon interviews Rachel Wojo about the loss of her daughter and associated times of her desperately praying to the Lord. By looking at the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel, they see the beauty of Hannah's going to God with her pain and seeking His will her life. We hope this conversation will encourage you, too, to live like the story is true and go to the Lord in your own times of desperation.
Where else can I listen to this podcast?
Go HERE to find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple, Youtube, Spotify, and more.
Guest: Rachel Wojo
Bible Passage: The Birth of Samuel - 1 Samuel 1:1-19
Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workbook
- Check out Rachel's new book, Desperate Prayers: Embracing the Power of Prayer in Life's Darkest Moments, at my Amazon Storefront HERE
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Rachel Wojo
Rachel Wojo is an inspirational author, public speaker, podcaster known for her popular blog, rachelwojo.com. Through her biblical approach and personal life experiences, Rachel empowers women to discover strength and hope in everyday situations. Despite enduring the loss of her mother, adult special needs daughter, and father, Rachel remains resilient. She has authored the uplifting book, One More Step: Finding Strength When You Feel Like Giving Up, and is set to release her new work, Desperate Prayers: Embracing the Power of Prayer in Life's Darkest Moments (10/8/24). Rachel is crazy in love with her husband, Matt, and cherishes her motherhood with six children on earth and two in heaven.
Connect with Guest:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Is Your Girl Excited About Her Bible & Her Purpose? {Dannah Gresh}
Does your girl know what her purpose is? Is she ready to take a stand for Jesus in a crazy-hair sort of way? If you're not sure and that sounds a little scary (for you and for her!), join me for a powerful conversation with Dannah Gresh. Dannah is passionate about helping your girl find her purpose by meeting a Person in the pages of her Bible.
In this episode of Live Like It's True, we're talking about her latest True Girl Bible study, Esther: Becoming a Girl of Purpose which is written for girls ages 8-12. Find out how Esther made a powerful influence in quiet, ordinary ways—and how your girl can, too.
Where else can I listen to this podcast?
Go HERE to find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple, Youtube, Spotify, and more.
Guest: Dannah Gresh
Bible Passage: Esther
Get your Free Resource: False Narrative Watchlist
- Check out Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Dannah Gresh
Dannah Gresh is the founder of True Girl, co-host of Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth’s Revive Our Hearts podcast and a bestselling author. She has written over 28 books, including the classic "And the Bride Wore White: Seven Truths to Live in Sexual Integrity." She lives in State College, Pennsylvania with her husband, Bob, on a hobby farm with a menagerie of animals. Learn more at dannahgresh.com or mytruegirl.com.
Connect with Dannah:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Discipleship: Passing the Beautiful Baton of Grace {Hunter Beless and Courtney Doctor}
What would change if you thought of discipleship as passing the baton of grace from one generation to the next? Courtney Doctor and Hunter Beless have teamed up, not only to write a Bible study on Titus, but to model a Paul-and-Titus type friendship, rooted in discipleship.
Join us as we discuss the relationship between Paul and Titus, the bad reputation and leadership of those in Crete, and how to put the gospel of grace on display in our own generation.
Where else can I listen to this podcast?
Go HERE to find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple, Youtube, Spotify, and more.
Guests: Hunter Beless and Courtney Doctor
Bible Passage: Titus's Ministry in Crete - Titus 1 CSB
Get your Free Resource: False Narrative Watchlist
Titus: Displaying the Gospel of Grace
- Check out Hunter and Courtney's new book on Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Hunter Beless
Hunter Beless is the founder and host of Journeywomen, the author of "Read It, See It, Say It, Sing It" and "Amy Carmichael: The Brown-Eyed Girl Who Learned to Pray," and the co-author of "Titus: Displaying the Gospel of Grace." Her favorite places to do ministry are within the four walls of her home and in her local church. Hunter and her husband, Brooks, have four amazing kiddos who memorize Scripture way faster than them! When they're not reading, seeing, saying, or singing the Bible, you can find them camping, riding bikes, or snuggling up with a good book.
Courtney Doctor
Courtney Doctor is an author, Bible teacher, frequent conference and retreat speaker, and periodic blogger. She received an MDiv from Covenant Theological Seminary in 2013 and is a Bible teacher and author of several books and Bible studies including From Garden to Glory: How Understanding God's Story Changes Yours (2024); Steadfast: A Devotional Bible Study on the Book of James (2019); and In View of God's Mercies: The Gift of the Gospel in Romans (2022). She currently serves as the Director of Women's Initiatives for The Gospel Coalition. Her greatest desire in all of this is to be able to faithfully study, apply, and teach the word of God and help others to
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Overwhelmed? Here's The Way Back To Vibrant Joy {Asheritah CiuCiu}
Have you lost your joy? Do you wake up tired and snap at your kids? Are you overwhelmed with all you must do?
Asheritah Ciuciu, author and speaker, joins me for an honest conversation about how to live like it's true that Jesus's yoke is easy and his burden is light—especially if life feels exactly the opposite.
Where else can I listen to this podcast?
Go HERE to find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple, Youtube, Spotify, and more.
Guest: Asheritah CiuCiu
Bible Passage: Jesus's Yoke is Easy - Matthew 11:28-30
Free Resources:
- Devotional Personality Type Quiz at www.DelightinginJesus.com.
- Live Like It's True 20 Page Workbook
- Check out Asheritah's newest book, Delighting in Jesus, on Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Asheritah Ciuciu
Asheritah Ciuciu is a national retreat speaker, YouTube Bible teacher, and bestselling author of ten books, including Full, Prayers of Rest, and Unwrapping the Names of Jesus. Growing up as a Romanian missionary kid, Asheritah helps people worldwide delight in Jesus through creative Bible habits. She and her high school sweetheart raise their three spunky kids in NE Ohio—and anywhere they adventure together in their camper. Connect with Asheritah, and discover your devotional personality type, at www.DelightinginJesus.com.
Connect with Asheritah:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
When Your Giant Problem Looms, Worship Gives You Perspective {Donna Amidon}
When giant-sized problems pop up in your life, your feelings can't be trusted to guide you. Donna Amidon joins Shannon on the Live Like It's True podcast to talk about the story of Joshua and Caleb in Numbers 13 and 14. Learn how to choose worship to gain perspective and overcome your fear.
Where else can I listen to this podcast?
Go HERE to find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple, Google, Spotify, and more.
Guest: Donna Amidon
Bible Passage: Caleb and Joshua - Numbers 13-14
Get your Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
- Check out Donna's Book, "Tracing His Promise," at Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE
- "Gently and Lowly" by Dane Ortlund
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Donna Amidon
A graduate of Southern Evangelical Seminary, Donna is a wife, mom, speaker, author, musician, and lover of all things Bible. Since college, Donna has dedicated herself to engaging women in the rich truths of Scripture while weaving its application into daily life. With a passion for the local church, Donna has served as a Bible teacher, worship leader, radio broadcaster, small groups director, and pastor’s wife. Currently, Donna is an active speaker for Stonecroft Ministries and women’s events.
In addition to speaking, Donna works for Back to the Bible as a Spiritual Fitness Coach, hosting short video programs to encourage Christians in their spiritual journey. She is excited about the release of her first book, Tracing His Promise.
Donna and Ryan live in Virginia, where they enjoy raising their two teenage children and maltipoo, Roxy.
Connect with Donna:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Surprise of Unusual Kindness to Strangers in Need {Kristin Elizabeth Couch}
Have you ever been the recipient of kindness that was surprising or unusual in nature? How did that kindness cause you to respond?
On today's episode of the Live Like It's True podcast, Shannon is joined by author, Kristen Elizabeth Couch, to discuss Paul's journey from Acts 28, where he is shipwrecked, and thrown into an unknown territory with unknown people - the recipe for possible disaster! However, we see how God showed kindness to Paul through these unusual circumstances. We also see God's kindness to the native people, by bringing them Paul, a servant of Jesus and bringer of the greatest news and kindness - the Gospel.
Where else can I listen to this podcast?
Go HERE to find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple, Google, Spotify, and more.
Guest: Kristen Elizabeth Couch
Bible Passage: Paul on Malta - Acts 28:1-10 ESV
Get your Free Resource: False Narrative Watchlist
- Check out Kristen Elizabeth Couch's new book, "Deep Roots, Good Fruit," on Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Kristen Elizabeth Couch
Kristin Elizabeth Couch is a pastor’s wife, the mother of four grown children, and a grandmother. She graduated from Taylor University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Writing. In her new book, Deep Roots, Good Fruit, Kristin shares stories of the Holy Spirit’s work in the midst of everyday life, and encourages you to reflect on how to grow the fruit of the Spirit in your life too. She invites you to read her stories published weekly at The Palest Ink.
Connect with Kristen:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How to Overcome Loneliness by Giving Up Control {Becky Harling}
What is making you feel lonely? Do you struggle to find an answer to this question and have you ever considered that it might be your need for control?
Join us on this episode of Live Like It's True, where Shannon chats with author, speaker, and podcaster, Becky Harling, and continues the story of two sisters, Rachel and Leah, and learn about their desire to control those around them. Maybe you, too, will see how when you praise God and connect with Him, both your loneliness and desire to control others disappears. You may even find that your connection with others is now able to grow deeper.
Where else can I listen to this podcast?
Go HERE to find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple, Google, Spotify, and more.
Guest: Becky Harling
Bible Passage: Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel - Genesis 30:1-2
Get your Free Resource: False Narrative Watchlist
- Check out Becky's New Book, Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World, Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE
- Comparison Girl by Shannon Popkin
- Comparison Girl for Teens by Lee Nienhuis and Shannon Popkin
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Becky Harling
Becky is married to Steve Harling, and together they have four kids and fourteen grandkids. They’ve had the opportunity to travel all over the United States and to many different countries around the world.
In addition to being an author and speaker, Becky is a certified coach with The John Maxwell Team. She offers classes and seminars on leadership, communication, and personal growth, as well as personal coaching for those looking to grow emotionally, professionally, or spiritually.
Connect with Becky:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Truth About Envy and Your Loneliness {Becky Harling}
Have you ever considered that your envy of others may be causing you to also feel...lonely? Maybe your time spent on social media is actually causing you to feel more alone and less connected, like you'd hoped. Are you constantly comparing yourself to others and noticing a growing distance between yourself and those with whom you are comparing?
Join us on this episode of the Live Like It's True podcast, where Shannon is joined by author, speaker, and podcaster, Becky Harling, to hear about the story of two sisters, Rachel and Leah. You'll see how God invites us to see Him as the Gift Giver, draw near to Him in thankfulness, and celebrate with others the gifts God has given them. Doing so will increase our connection not only to Him, but also to those around us.
Where else can I listen to this podcast?
Go HERE to find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple, Google, Spotify, and more.
Guest: Becky Harling
Bible Passage: Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel - Genesis 29:16-35
Get your Free Resource: False Narrative Watchlist
- Check out Becky's New Book, Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World, Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE
- Comparison Girl by Shannon Popkin
- Comparison Girl for Teens by Lee Nienhuis and Shannon Popkin
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Becky Harling
Becky is married to Steve Harling, and together they have four kids and fourteen grandkids. They’ve had the opportunity to travel all over the United States and to many different countries around the world.
In addition to being an author and speaker, Becky is a certified coach with The John Maxwell Team. She offers classes and seminars on leadership, communication, and personal growth, as well as personal coaching for those looking to grow emotionally, professionally, or spiritually.
Connect with Becky:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Introducing Jesus: What Happened When He Assumed Authority {Rachel Jones}
Do I truly believe that Jesus has all authority over this world? If so, then why am I fretting? Why am I losing sleep? Why do I have this innate need for control?
Rachel Jones joins me on the podcast to talk about the day Jesus's authority was challenged in the synagogue. And the shocking events that unfolded next will convince you that this world's ultimate authority belongs—not to powerful people or evil forces, but to Jesus alone.
We're looking at one of the example texts Rachel used in her new book, The Quiet Time KickStarter. If reading the Bible is one of your goals for '25 check out this fabulous new resource from Rachel Jones, published by The Good Book.
Where else can I listen to this podcast?
Go HERE to find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple, Google, Spotify, and more.
Guest: Rachel Jones
Bible Passage: Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit - Mark 1:21-28 NIV
Get your Free Resource: False Narrative Watchlist
- Check out Rachel's new book, "The Quiet Time Kickstart" on Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE
- "God's Word for You" Bible Commentaries
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Rachel Jones
Rachel Jones is the author of A Brief Theology of Periods (Yes, Really), Is This It?, and several books in the award-winning Five Things to Pray series, and serves as Vice President (Editorial) at The Good Book Company. She helps teach kids at her church, King's Church Chessington, in Surrey, UK.
Connect with Rachel:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Astonishing Faith Is Like A Puppy, Begging For A Crumb {Erika VanHaitsma}
Have you ever thought to ask God for just a crumb? Have you considered that the smallest piece of God's mercy is extravagantly more than what you need?
Join us on this episode of the Live Like It's True podcast, where Shannon is joined by Erika VanHaitsma, from "The Context and Color of the Bible" podcast, to hear about how Jesus is astonished by the extravagant faith of a Canaanite woman, who is more than happy to beg, like a puppy, for a crumb-sized helping of what Jesus has to offer.
Guest: Erika VanHaitsma
Bible Passage: The Faith of a Canaanite Woman - Matthew 15:21-28
Get your Free Resource: False Narrative Watchlist
- Check out Erika's new book, "Faith Walk; 50 Daily Devotionals" on Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE
- Jesus's Proof that We'll Get New Bodies in Heaven - Erika's Previous Episode on Live Like It's True
- The Context and Color of the Bible Podcast
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Erika VanHaitsma
Erika is married to Bryan and together they have five children, whom she homeschools. Erika attended Moody Bible Institute, as well as Jerusalem University College. She has a Master's Degree in Historical Archaeology and Geography. Erika enjoys hosting "The Context and Color of the Bible" podcast with her sister, Veronica, and also speaking at retreats.
Connect with Erika:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Jesus: A Bettering Life Hack Or Satisfying Like Bread? {Felicity Carswell & Sarah Dargue}
Have you ever wondered how you can "come to Jesus," when you are living in the 21 century, and He is seated in heaven? Jesus said "come to me," but he spoke those words on a hillside in Israel more than 2,000 years ago. How do I come to him today?
On today's episode of the Live Like It's True podcast, Shannon is joined by Felicity Carswell and Sarah Dargue, from the "Two Sisters and a Cup of Tea" podcast, to discuss the answers to these questions, as well as how we can apply the answers to our daily lives. Using John Chapter 6, they reveal how we can feast on Jesus through his Words, even today, to satisfy our hungry souls.
Where else can I listen to this podcast?
Go HERE to find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple, Google, Spotify, and more.
Guest: Felicity Carswell and Sarah Dargue {Two Sisters and a Cup of Tea}
Bible Passage: Many Disciples Desert Jesus - John 6:60-71 NIV
Get your Free Resource: False Narrative Watchlist
- Check out Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE
- 10 of Those Website
- Two Sisters and a Cup of Tea Podcast
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Two Sisters and a Cup of Tea - Felicity and Sarah
Felicity & Sarah are sisters who grew up in the south of England, came to faith in the North, and now live on different continents.
Felicity lives in Chicagoland, Illinois with her husband and two children. She loves people, sport & a good novel, alongside teaching the Bible to women in her local church. Her biscuit of choice is a Chocolate Hobnob.
Sarah lives in West London with her husband and three children. She loves being creative, hanging out with people and reading stories to her children, alongside the joys of local church ministry in all its variety. Her biscuit of choice is a Jammy Dodger (with cream).Connect with Guest:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
People Love Your Success, but God Just Loves You {Vera Schmitz}
What do people celebrate about you? Do they love your performance? Do they cheer you on for your successes? And what happens when you can't deliver what everyone expects? Vera Schmitz experienced this, after training for—but not going to—the Olympics.
Learn how you, like Vera, can revel in God's love and grace for you, which has nothing to do with your performance.
Also, we're so excited about a special offer from Dwell Differently: Get a free month subscription with this code: THEROCK Ready to build your life on the rock foundation of God's Word? Check out the resources offered by Dwell Differently to help you memorize verses and engage with God's word.
Guest: Vera Schmitz
Bible Verses Mentioned:
Get your Free Resource: False Narrative Watchlist
- Go to DwellDifferently.com and use code THEROCK for one month free!
- Check out Vera's new book, Dwell Differently, at my Amazon Storefront HERE
- Comparison Girl by Shannon Popkin
- Comparison Girl for Teens by Shannon Popkin and Lee Nienhuis
- She Reads Truth Website
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Vera Schmitz is a wife and mom, author and podcast host, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Dwell Differently. Vera loves to watch a verse from the Bible come alive artistically and affect people's lives. Vera's new book, Dwell Differently will help you overcome negative thinking with the simple practice of memorizing God's Truth.
Connect with Dwell Differently:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Christmas: How To Surrender Control And Receive The Impossible {Kristi Huseby}
"How can this be?" Mary asked the angel. She knew where babies come from. And in response God gave her—and us—tangible proof that he is the God who does the impossible. Joining me for part two of a conversation on the Live Like It's True podcast is Kristi Huseby. Join us and learn how you too can surrender to God and receive the impossible this Christmas.
Bible Passage: Luke 1
Get your Freebie: False Narrative Watchlist
- Check out Kristi's new book, She Who Dares at my Amazon Storefront HERE
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Kristi Huseby
Kristi is an author and speaker, and works as the Director of Community Development at Reach Global, the international arm of the Evangelical Free Churches of America. She travels internationally, training and equipping, empowering women to be lead more effective in their own churches and communities, in the areas God has called them to serve.
Connect with Kristi:
Key Takeaways
- Collectivist cultures view individual actions as reflective of the family.
- Mary's unexpected pregnancy would have brought significant social stigma.
- The angel reveals that God's favor and his challenges are not mutually exclusive.
- God often chooses the opposite of who we might expect to fulfill His purposes.
- The story of Mary encourages us to trust in God's plan despite our doubts.
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Lessons from Mary on Daring to Surrender Control {Kristi Huseby}
What are you trying to control? How is it affecting your relationships with people and with God? Kristi Huseby joins me on the Live Like It's True podcast to talk about the story of Mary, who dangerously risked it all and surrendered to God. And God invites you to do the same.
Bible Passage: Luke 1
Get your Freebie: False Narrative Watchlist
- Check out Kristi's new book, She Who Dares at my Amazon Storefront HERE
- Control Girl to Jesus Girl Series
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Kristi Huseby
Kristi is an author and speaker, and works as the Director of Community Development at Reach Global, the international arm of the Evangelical Free Churches of America. She travels internationally, training and equipping, empowering women to be lead more effective in their own churches and communities, in the areas God has called them to serve.
Connect with Guest:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Story: How to Make a Point, Not an Enemy {Gabe Hartfield}
Would you like to learn how to make a point without making an enemy? Would you like a compelling way to offer truth in a world of competing narratives? In this second part of my conversation with Gabe Hartfield, we talk about the power of crafting effective stories that resonate with people—whether we're sharing them from a platform or in relationship.
Guest: Gabe Hartfield
Bible Passage: Various
Get your Freebie: False Narrative Watchlist
- Check out resources mentioned at my Amazon Storefront HERE
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Gabe Hartfield
Gabe Hartfield has been the Young Adults Pastor at Crossroads Bible Church for the last 3 years. Before that he served as Campus Staff for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Davenport University. He received his M. Div at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2017.Connect with Gabe:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Story: God's Captivating Way of Revealing Truth {Gabe Hartfield}
"This one time, when I was twelve..." The next time you're losing your audience, say this and everyone's head will bob up. There's something about story that captures our attention, isn't there? And God—the author of the Bible and the creator of human beings—knows this.
Join me for a fascinating conversation on the Live Like It's True podcast with Gabe Hartfield about God's captivating way of revealing truth through story.
Guest: Gabe Hartfield
Bible Passage: Various
Get your Freebie: False Narrative Watchlist
Recommended Resources
Gabe Hartfield has been the Young Adults Pastor at Crossroads Bible Church for the last 3 years. Before that he served as Campus Staff for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Davenport University. He received his M. Div at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2017.
Connect with Gabe: Linktree
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Powerful Habit of Lifting Our Eyes to See Others {Brenda Yoder}
What if we lifted our eyes more? What if we looked up from our screens and phones and took in the simple landscape? What if we made eye contact and actually noticed the people around us?
Technology has given us ways to connect, but it's also complicated our relationships with each other as humans, don't you agree?
Brenda Yoder is joining me on the Live Like It's True podcast to talk about her new book, Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life. Learn why an uncomplicated life involves stewarding the opportunities God has given you to look up and be a good neighbor.
Guest: Brenda Yoder
Bible Passage: The Good Samaritan in Luke 10
Get your Freebie: False Narrative Watchlist
- Check out Brenda's new book, Uncomplicated at my Amazon Storefront HERE
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Brenda Yoder
If you feel trapped in a chaotic, relentless, demanding lifestyle, there is a way to a more peaceful life. Brenda L. Yoder, a counselor, career woman, and busy mom who’s raised her kids on a farm in the heart of Amish country reveals practical skills in Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life, a well of timeless wisdom from the Amish, homestead lifestyles, as well as past generations
Yoder equips readers of Uncomplicated with 10 timeless virtues, mindsets, and behaviors drawn from past generations to overcome practical obstacles and solve daily challenges with a calm presence, authentic faith, and a voice of reason.Connect with Guest:
Midlife Moms Podcast
IG: @brendayoderspeaks
Facebook: @brendayoderspeaker
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How to be Behind God's Door of Safety {Shadia Hrichi}
In the Bible, there's always a door between God's destruction and his deliverance. Some people try to blockade themselves and keep destruction out. But a much wiser approach—the one Rahab took—is to choose safety behind the door of deliverance that God provides. Are you behind the door?
In part two of a conversation on the story of Rahab in Joshua 2, Shannon welcomes Shadia Hrichi backs to the Live Like It's True podcast for a fascinating conversation about deliverance from destruction.
Guest: Shadia Hrichi
Bible Passage: Rahab Hides the Spies - Joshua 2:8-14 ESV
Get your Freebie: False Narrative Watchlist
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
- Check out Shadia's new book, Rahab: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me, at my Amazon Storefront HERE
- Shaped by God's Promises by Shannon Popkin
- How to Stir Souls in a Post Christian World - Live Like It's True Episode with Darin + Joy Stevens
Music: Cade Popkin
Shadia Hrichi
Shadia is a passionate Bible teacher, award-winning author and speaker who has a heart for seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. She holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies and is the author of numerous articles and Bible studies.
Shadia's study, Rahab: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me is part of her "Behind the Seen" series. Gritty stories of real people with impossible challenges whose encounters with God open our eyes to His awesome power and love working behind the seen.
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
God's Astonishing Response to the Faith of Just One {Shadia Hrichi}
What would God do if there was only one in a city of thousands, who wanted to be rescued by him? And what if that one person was a prostitute? On the Live Like It's True podcast, we're talking about the astonishing story of the spies God sent to Jericho—not for a reconnaissance mission, but a mission to rescue a prostitute named Rahab.
Guest: Shadia Hrichi
Bible Passage: Rahab Hides the Spies - Joshua 2:1-7 ESV
Get your Freebie: False Narrative Watchlist
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
- Check out Shadia's new book, Rahab: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me, at my Amazon Storefront HERE
- Shaped by God's Promises by Shannon Popkin
- The Pour Over News Source
Music: Cade Popkin
Shadia Hrichi is a passionate Bible teacher, award-winning author and speaker who has a heart for seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. She holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies and is the author of numerous articles and Bible studies.
Shadia's study, Rahab: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me is part of her "Behind the Seen" series. Gritty stories of real people with impossible challenges whose encounters with God open our eyes to His awesome power and love working behind the seen.
Connect with Shadia:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How to Live Like It's True that God has Control {Kori Pennypacker}
How has God used a storm to show you that you're not in control? And how has he used that storm to invite you to surrender control to Him? In this episode of the Live Like It's True podcast, Kori Pennypacker of Bible2School.com and I are talking about the story of Jonah—the prophet who stubbornly tried to run away from God and was swallowed by a whale. Consider how God is asking you to live like it's true that He (not you) is the one who has control.
Listen on: Apple | Spotify | Other
Guest: Kori Pennypacker
Bible Passage: The Story of Jonah - Jonah 1-3:3
Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
Resound Media:
Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.
Mentioned Resources:
- "You CAN Tell the Children" Podcast Episode featuring Shannon Discussing: "Comparison Girl for Teens"
- "You CAN Tell the Children" Podcast Episode featuring Shannon Discussing: "What To Do When Control Shows Up In Our Parenting"
- Control Girl: Lessons on Surrender Your Burden of Control From Seven Women of the Bible by Shannon Popkin
- Bible Bus Story Mentioned in this Episode
Music: Cade Popkin
Bible2School
For more than 40 years, Bible2School has been providing weekly released time Bible classes for 2nd, 3rd, & 4th graders in public school.
We have a passion for children and Jesus. We believe that everyone, especially children, should experience the power of God’s love. Our hope is that our ministry will impact communities across the nation. Our vision is for every public school in our nation to have a dynamic Bible program taught during their school day as allowed by national released time court rulings.
Connect with Bible2School:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Surprise of Suffering and Empowering Truth {Amy Lively}
How do you expect the story to go, once you begin following Jesus? Do you anticipate bigger and better realities for your life? Have you considered suffering might be part of the equation? In this episode of Live Like It's True, Amy Lively and I discuss Peter's misconception about suffering and the hopeful truth that Jesus offers him.
Guest: Amy Lively
Bible Passage: Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ - Matthew 16:13-23
Get your Freebie: False Narrative Watchlist
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
- Check out Amy's new book, Can I Borrow A Cup of Hope at my Amazon Storefront HERE
Music: Cade Popkin
Amy Lively
Amy Lively is an author and speaker who teaches God’s Word as a “how-to” manual for loving him and loving others. Her new book Can I Borrow a Cup of Hope? How to Find Faith for Hard Times in 1 Peter and she also wrote How to Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird. Amy is a student at Asbury Theological Seminary studying Biblical and Theological Foundations. She and her husband of 33 years, David, live in the high Rocky Mountains of Colorado and on the Nature Coast of Florida.
Can I Borrow A Cup of Hope?
When the pain and problems of life barge in, hopes and dreams run out. In these uncertain seasons of personal crisis, national chaos, and global catastrophe, it's easy to wonder if life will ever be anything but sorrow and despair.
The apostle Peter knows exactly what it's like when hope is gone. He watched as the Messiah was arrested, crucified, and buried. And Peter himself failed almost every test of his faith, even with Christ right in front of him. But he also knows that God is faithful and true, carrying us through our harshest suffering and redeeming our heaviest regrets. Bible teacher, author, and speaker Amy Lively dives into Peter's first epistle, a short letter with a lot of power, to light the way for today's struggling Christian. In this daily Bible study, she guides readers through the beautiful story of Peter and shows how he embodies the way to set our hope fully in Christ alone. With gentle honesty and a touch of helpful humor, Amy helps readers understand that when it feels like the end of the world to them, it's just the beginning of the power of Jesus.
Connect with Amy:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Truth About Comparison, When You're the Mom with Less {Lara d’Entremont}
What if that other mom is able to raise six kids and chickens, plus make her own cheese, and you can barely keep up with your one child and keep him from the brink of disaster?
Listen on: Apple | Spotify | Other
Guest: Lara d’Entremont
Bible Passage: Parable of the Talents - Matthew 25:14-30
Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
Resound Media:
Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.
Mentioned Resources:
- A Mother Held: Essays on Anxiety and Motherhoodby Lara d'Entremont
- Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World by Shannon Popkin
- You're Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God's Design and Why That's Good News by Kelly Kapic
Music: Cade Popkin
Lara d’Entremont
Lara d’Entremont is first a mom to three little wildlings in rural Nova Scotia, Canada. While the wildlings snore, she primarily writes—whether it be personal essays, creative nonfiction, or fantasy novels. She desires to weave the stories between faith and fiction, theology and praxis, for women who feel as if these pieces of them are always at odds. Her first book, A Mother Held, is a collection of essays on the early days of motherhood and anxiety. Much of her writing is inspired by the forest and ocean that surround her, and her little ones that remind her to stop and see it.
Connect with
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
A "Lifequake" Story of God's Faithfulness and New Beginnings {Tracie Miles}
Have you experienced a "Lifequake"? Perhaps an unwanted divorce, a job loss, a health or financial crisis? Tracie Miles and I talk about the context of Jeremiah 29:11—and what is and isn't promised to us in our lowest moments of exile. Tracie's story of God's faithfulness will inspire, challenge, and equip you for the new beginnings up ahead.
Guest: Tracie Miles
Bible Passage: Jeremiah 29:4-9
Get your Freebie: False Narrative Watchlist
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
- Check out Tracie's new book, God's Got You at my Amazon Storefront HERE
- Check out my book, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control From Seven Women in the Bible
Music: Cade Popkin
God's Got You
“Eight years ago, it felt as if the train of life I had been riding on slammed into a brick wall when my marriage of twenty-five years imploded because of circumstances beyond my control,” said Tracie. “I also went from financially stable to desperately broke and trying to find a full-time job for the first time in fifteen years as the sole provider. Shortly after that, I entered my fifties and went from a full-time mom to an empty nester.”
In her book, God's God You, Tracie graciously helps readers understand their emotions and take control of their negative thoughts. Her relatable stories and actionable takeaways equip readers to find the courage to reinvent themselves through embracing God’s truth and plan. Tracie Miles
Tracie Miles is the bestselling author of seven books, director of COMPEL Pro Writers Training at Proverbs 31 Ministries, and the founder of the Living Unbroken Divorce Recovery program. Her latest book is "God’s Got You: Embracing New Beginnings with Courage and Confidence." She has three grown children, a son and daughter-in-law, and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Connect with Tracie:
Website: traciemiles.com
Facebook: @p31traciemiles
Instagram: @traciemiles
X (Twitter): @traciewmiles
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Jesus's Assurance & Challenge for a Wounded Doubter {Dr. Michelle Bengtson}
Have you ever doubted that the Bible is true? That people could rise from the dead? That Jesus is really God? Today on the Live Like It's True podcast, Dr. Michelle Bengtson and I are talking about a wounded doubter named Thomas, and how Jesus responded. Find out how Jesus offers you both assurance and a challenge as well.
Guest: Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Bible Passage: Jesus Appears to Thomas - John 20:19-29
Get your Freebie:
- 99 Truths from God’s Word to Speak Over Your Life to Combat the Lies of the Enemy from Dr. Michelle Bengtson
- False Narrative Watchlist from Shannon Popkin
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Mentioned Resources
- The Hem of His Garment by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
- Sacred Scars by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
- Control Girl by Shannon Popkin
- Your Hope Filled Perspective Podcast with Dr. Michelle
Music: Cade Popkin
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Dr. Michelle Bengtson is a hope concierge! Her passion is to share hope and encouragement with others, whether as a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, host of the award-winning podcast Your Hope Filled Perspective, or the author of several award-winning books including Hope Prevails, Breaking Anxiety’s Grip, and The Hem of His Garment.
Her newest release is Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past is Not Wasted. She loves all things teal, spending time with friends and family, taking long walks, or sitting by quiet shores, and it’s a bonus when any of those are accompanied by sea salt caramel chocolate! You can find her and her hope-filled resources at DrMichelleB.com.
Connect with Guest:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
Podcast
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Story that Will Make You Re-Think Your Scars {Dr. Michelle Bengtson}
Have you ever tried to hide your scars? And what about your hidden scars on the inside? Do you try to cover over the most painful parts of your life? And have you looked forward to having no scars in heaven? Today on the Live Like It's True podcast, Dr. Michelle Bengtson and I had a conversation that I think might make you rethink any misconceptions you have about your scars. As Jesus reveals his scars after his resurrection, find out why the disciples go from trembling fear to astonished joy in an instant.
Guest: Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Bible Passage: Jesus Appears to His Disciples - John 20:19-29 NLT
Get your Freebies:
- 99 Truths from God’s Word to Speak Over Your Life to Combat the Lies of the Enemy from Dr. Michelle Bengtson
- False Narrative Watchlist from Shannon Popkin
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Mentioned Resources
- The Hem of His Garment by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
- Hope Prevails by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
- Sacred Scars by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
- Control Girl by Shannon Popkin
- Your Hope Filled Perspective Podcast with Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Music: Cade Popkin
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Dr. Michelle Bengtson is a hope concierge! Her passion is to share hope and encouragement with others, whether as a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, host of the award-winning podcast Your Hope Filled Perspective, or the author of several award-winning books including Hope Prevails, Breaking Anxiety’s Grip, and The Hem of His Garment.
Her newest release is Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past is Not Wasted. She loves all things teal, spending time with friends and family, taking long walks, or sitting by quiet shores, and it’s a bonus when any of those are accompanied by sea salt caramel chocolate! You can find her and her hope-filled resources at DrMichelleB.com.
Connect with Dr. Michelle Bengtson:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How to Change Your Brain, Using Stories Of The Bible {Dr. Alan Weissenbacher}
Did you know your brain can change? And did you know willpower isn't what makes the change? This was a fascinating conversation with Dr. Weissenbacher on the Live Like It's True podcast, giving you some of the science that supports what we do here on the podcast.
Rehearsing stories from the Bible can change your life! Listen to learn how.
Guest: Dr. Alan Weissenbacher
Bible Passage: Varied
Recommended Resources Including the Brain Change Program
Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
Resound Media:
Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.
Mentioned Resources:
- Episode with Amy DiMarcangelo on the Good Samaritan
- Episode with Ann Swindell on Paul's Conversion story
- Episode with Lisa Appelo on the Widow's Last Meal
- Episode with Sarah Walton on Jesus Asleep in the Boat
- Control Girl which includes lesson meditations
- Comparison Girl which includes lesson meditations
Music: Cade Popkin
Dr. Alan Weissenbacher
Dr. Alan served as chaplain at the Denver Rescue Mission, where he helped homeless addicts by removing them from an urban setting, empowering them to operate a farm, by providing counseling, spiritual care and job training. His work with these clients inspires his research into a unique blend of neuroscience and spiritual formation, and was the impetus for his new book: The Brain Change Program: 6 Steps to Renew Your Mind and Transform your Life.
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How Jadedness Blinds You and Simple Faith Makes You See {Melissa Spoelstra}
How has your jadedness kept you from seeing clearly? And how could simple faith open your eyes to the truth?
Melissa Spoelstra and I are talking about a story in the Bible, where people were divided in how they saw Jesus after he leaned down and made mud by spitting in the dirt. The line dividing these people—and us today—will ultimately separate them into life and death, or heaven and hell-bound groups.
Guest: Melissa Spoelstra
Bible Passage: Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind - John 9:1 - 41 NLT
Get your Freebie: False Narrative Watchlist
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Recommended Resources:
Melissa's study on the Gospel of John, along with other resources from this season
Music: Cade Popkin
Melissa Spoelstra is a Christ-follower, who is madly in love with Jesus and addicted to the study of His Word. She is passionate about knowing Christ and inspiring other women to seek Him by opening their ears to listen to His Spirit, reading His Word curiously, asking questions, exercising good hermeneutics, and clinging tightly to God through the storms of life.
Melissa is a wife to her awesome pastor husband Sean, and mother to Zach, Abby, Sara, and Rachel.
She has a degree in Bible Theology from Moody Bible Institute, and is a contributor for Proverbs 31 ministries First Five app.
Melissa has written ten Bible studies complete with teaching videos, leader’s guide, and participant workbooks, plus several other books.
Website: www.melissaspoelstra.com
Instagram: @melissa.spoelstra
Facebook: @authormelissaspoelstra
Twitter: @melspoelstra
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
When You Can't See Why, But You Trust God Anyway {Carol Kent}
Why God? I don't understand why you're doing this?
Have you ever cried out to God with a prayer like this? Last time we talked with Carol Kent about that horrifying day she got the unthinkable news that her son was being arrested for first degree murder. We talked about, "When God Says You Must Lay Down Your Isaac," and compared Carol's experience to Abraham's—when he was asked to lay Isaac on the altar.
This time, we'll pick up the both Carol's story and Abraham's and talk about when we don't understand why.
Listen on: Apple | Spotify | Other
Guest: Carol Kent
Bible Passage: Abraham Laying Isaac on the Altar (Genesis 22)
Get your Freebie: Pray the Promises + Leader's Guide
Mentioned Resources
- When I Lay My Isaac Down by Carol Kent
- Shaped by God's Promises by Shannon Popkin
- www.SpeakUpConference.com
- www.SpeakUpforHope.org
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Carol Kent
Carol Kent is a bestselling author and an international speaker for conferences, outreach events, and retreats. She’s the executive director of the Speak Up Conference, an event committed to helping people develop their speaking and writing skills. She and her husband, Gene, have founded the nonprofit organization, Speak Up for Hope, which benefits inmates and their families. Carol holds a master’s degree in communication arts and a bachelor’s degree in speech education.
Carol has trained Christian speakers for over twenty-five years and she has been a featured speaker at Women of Faith, Extraordinary Women, and Women of Joy arena events. She is the author of over twenty-five books, including the bestselling When I Lay My Isaac Down, Tame Your Fears, and Becoming a Woman of Influence. Her two newest titles are a 365 page-per-day devotional titled, He Holds My Hand, and Staying Power.
Connect with Carol
Website: www.carolkent.org
Instagram: @carolkentspeaks
Facebook: @authorcarolkent
Twitter / X: @carolkentspeaks
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
When God Says You Must Lay Down Your Isaac {Carol Kent}
Have you ever been tested by God? Has he asked you to lay down someone or something that is precious to you, just like he asked Abraham to place Isaac on the altar?
In this episode of Live Like It's True, Carol Kent tells her painful story of laying her precious son on the altar, before the Lord. Learn how to respond in faith when God asks you for everything, even when it makes no sense.
Guest: Carol Kent
Bible Passage: Abraham Laying Isaac on the Altar (Genesis 22)
Get your Freebie: Pray the Promises + Leader's Guide
Mentioned Resources
- When I Lay My Isaac Down by Carol Kent
- Shaped by God's Promises by Shannon Popkin
- www.SpeakUpConference.com
- www.SpeakUpforHope.org
Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Carol Kent
Carol Kent is a bestselling author and an international speaker for conferences, outreach events, and retreats. She’s the executive director of the Speak Up Conference, an event committed to helping people develop their speaking and writing skills. She and her husband, Gene, have founded the nonprofit organization, Speak Up for Hope, which benefits inmates and their families. Carol holds a master’s degree in communication arts and a bachelor’s degree in speech education.
Carol has trained Christian speakers for over twenty-five years and she has been a featured speaker at Women of Faith, Extraordinary Women, and Women of Joy arena events. She is the author of over twenty-five books, including the bestselling When I Lay My Isaac Down, Tame Your Fears, and Becoming a Woman of Influence. Her two newest titles are a 365 page-per-day devotional titled, He Holds My Hand, and Staying Power.
Connect with Carol
Website: www.carolkent.org
Instagram: @carolkentspeaks
Facebook: @authorcarolkent
Twitter / X: @carolkentspeaks
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Vulnerable Faith, When it's Too Risky to Hope {Hope Blanton & Chris Gordon}
What if God eavesdropped on your heart? Would he hear you sighing and scoffing about impossible situations? Would he see you rolling your eyes at the idea things could change? In this conversation with Hope Blanton and Chris Gordon on the Live Like It's True Podcast, we're discussing the day God came to lunch at Sarah's table, and inviting her to be vulnerable and take a great leap of faith, even when it felt too risky to hope.
Guests: Hope Blanton and Christine Gordon
Bible Passage: Genesis 18:1-15
Get your Freebie: Pray the Promises + Leader's Guide
Mentioned Resources
- Breakthrough Faith After Chronic Suffering and Hopelessness - Hope and Christine’s Last Episode on Live Like It’s True
- Shaped by God’s Promises - New Bible Study by Shannon Popkin
- Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible by E. Randolph Richards and Brandon J. O’Brien
- Colossians: At His Feet Studies
Connect with Hope and Christine
Website: At His Feet Studies
Instagram: @athisfeetstudies
Facebook: @athisfeetstudies
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Truth About God's Control When You Feel Threatened {Beth Runkle}
God is in control. We say that, but sometimes it's hard to believe it with the whole world seems to be coming unhinged.
In this episode of Live Like It's True I'm talking with military spouse, Beth Runkle, about a section of Sarah's story that is hard to read. Abram has put Sarai in a vulnerable position and she's taken by Pharaoh into his harem where she remains for months. Yet by the end of the story, you'll be more convinced than ever that God is in control.
Guest: Beth Runkle
Bible Passage: Sarai in Pharaoh's Harem - Genesis 12:1-4
Freebie:
- 25 Ways to Pray for the Military (by Beth Runkle)
- Pray the Promises
Resound Media:
- Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.
Mentioned Resources:
Music: Cade Popkin
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Interesting and Surprising Origin Story of God's People {Courtney Doctor}
Have you considered the magnitude of God's promises to you? Has your life been shaped by those promises, the way Abraham and Sarah's were?
I'm so grateful for Courtney Doctor and her brilliant mind. Don't miss part one of this great conversation. This time, we're talking about all of the surprises tucked into the origin story of God's people.
Guest: Courtney Doctor
Bible Passage: Genesis 12:1-4
Freebie: Praying the Promises
Resound Media:
Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.
Mentioned Resources:
- “An Absurd Story of Being Fooled by God’s Enemy”– Courtney’s Episode on Live Like It’s True
- The Gospel Coalition’s Women’s Conference – (TGCS) June 20, 2024 - June 22, 2024
- Register for my Breakout Session at TGCW – Gospel Thriving For Teens in a World That Compares
- Behold and Believe: A Bible Study on the “I Am” Statements of Jesus by Courtney Doctor
- From Garden to Gloryby Courtney Doctor
- Purchase on Amazon: Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith
- Learn More about my new study: Shaped by God's Promises
Music: Cade Popkin
Courtney Doctor
Courtney is a wife and mom, author and Bible teacher, director of women’s initiatives at The Gospel Coalition. In her new book, From Garden to Glory: How Understanding God’s Story Changes Yours (on sale May 7, 2024), Courtney gives an overview of the Bible—from God’s creation to new creation and the role believers play.
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Surprise of the Story is That God Takes Initiative {Courtney Doctor}
When Courtney was in her early twenties, she was in a church membership class, where the gospel was being explained and she kept raising her hand, saying, "I chose God. I know; I was there..." Can you relate with the sense that you were the one who chose God? What if your story is actually one of God taking the initiative? And what if that was actually really good news?
I'm so grateful to have Courtney Doctor returning to the Live Like It's True podcast, where we're in the second part of our Sarah series—considering the story of Sarah found in Genesis 12-21 which started with God choosing her little family of two and promising to make of them a great nation.
Guest: Courtney Doctor
Bible Passage: Genesis 12:1-4
Freebie: Praying the Promises
Resound Media:
Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.
Mentioned Resources:
- “An Absurd Story of Being Fooled by God’s Enemy”– Courtney’s Episode on Live Like It’s True
- The Gospel Coalition’s Women’s Conference – (TGCW) June 20 – 22, 2024
- Register for my Breakout Session at TGCW – Gospel Thriving For Teens in a World That Compares
- Behold and Believe: A Bible Study on the “I Am” Statements of Jesus by Courtney Doctor
- From Garden to Glory by Courtney Doctor
- Purchase on Amazon: Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith
- Learn More about my new study: Shaped by God's Promises
Music: Cade Popkin
Courtney Doctor
Courtney is a wife and mom, author and Bible teacher, director of women’s initiatives at The Gospel Coalition. In her new book, From Garden to Glory: How Understanding God’s Story Changes Yours (on sale May 7, 2024), Courtney gives an overview of the Bible—from God’s creation to new creation and the role believers play.
Connect with Courtney:
Website: CourtneyDoctor.com
Instagram: @courtneydoctor
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Astonishing Resurrection of a Dead Marriage, Past Hope {Jill Savage}
If you don't know what to do because your husband doesn't seem to love you anymore, and you're worried your marriage is dead, this conversation about what God did in my friend Jill's marriage offers so much hope.
Jill Savage is an author and speaker, and she and her husband Mark do marriage coaching—which might surprise you if you heard part one of our conversation, titled, “When He Lies and Betrays: One Woman’s Story of Redemption.” But just wait till you hear about how God resurrected a marriage that had no pulse.
Jill's story is also part of my new Bible study on the life of Sarah, Shaped by God's Promises. Whether you're here because you're studying through this book with me, or you're a regular listener, I hope you'll be inspired by Jill's story of God's faithfulness.
Listen on: Apple | Spotify | Other
Guest: Jill Savage
Bible Passage: Genesis 20
Freebies:
Resound Media:
Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.
Mentioned Resources:
- No More Perfect Marriage
- Mark and Jill's Marriage Coaching
- Purchase on Amazon: Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith
- Learn More about my new study: Shaped by God's Promises
Music: Cade Popkin
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
When He Lies And Betrays: One Wife's Story Of Redemption {Jill Savage}
She never expected what she saw on his phone that night. And no one expected the surprise ending to their story.
Joining me on the Live Like It's True podcast, Jill Savage tells her story of discovering her husband's affair, and how God sustained her through a very difficult season. This is part one of a two-part conversation of redemption and hope.
I shared part of Jill's story in my Bible study on the life of Sarah, Shaped by God's Promises. Whether you're here because you're studying through this books with me, or you're here as a regular listener, I hope you'll be inspired by Jill's story of God's faithfulness.
Guest: Jill Savage
Bible Passage: Genesis 20
Freebies:
Resound Media:
Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.
Mentioned Resources:
- No More Perfect Marriages
- Mark and Jill's Marriage Coaching
- Purchase on Amazon: Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith
- Learn More about my new study: Shaped by God's Promises
Music: Cade Popkin
Jill Savage
Jill Savage is an author, speaker, and coach who is passionate about relationships. Jill is the host of the No More Perfect Podcast, the creator of five online courses, and the author of fourteen books including No More Perfect Moms, No More Perfect Kids, No More Perfect Marriages, and My Heart Is Broken. Jill and her husband, Mark, live in Illinois and have five children and six grandchildren. You can find Jill online at www.markandjill.org.
Connect with Jill:
Instagram: jillsavage.author
Facebook: jillsavage.author
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
From Trauma to Testimony: One Mom's Story of Tenacious Faith {Sana Latrease}
When Sana when through the trauma of almost losing her nineteen-year-old son in a car crash, she did the unexpected: she shared the forty-three day experience on social media and asked the world to pray that God would do the impossible. Why? Because—as she says—then, "Everyone will know it was God."
In part two of this conversation with Sana Latrease, I know you'll be inspired by the tenacious faith of this mom who had the illogical belief that she would one day praise God for her son's full recovery.
I had the privilege of sharing part of Sana's story in my Bible study on the life of Sarah, Shaped by God's Promises.
Bible Passage: Sarah's Story in Genesis 12-21
Freebies:
Resound Media:
Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.
Mentioned Resources:
- Purchase on Amazon: Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith
- Learn More about my new study: Shaped by God's Promises
- Everyone Will Know It was God by Sana Latrease
Music: Cade Popkin
About Sana
Sana Latrease Cotten has dedicated her life to helping disadvantaged families and advocating for youth within the foster care system. As the Founder and CEO of Unashamed, Inc., a non-profit organization, she works to promote emotional health and support families affected by incarceration, foster care, and teen pregnancy.
In addition to her advocacy work, Sana is a sought-after transformational speaker and author sharing her personal story of surviving early childhood sexual abuse and growing up in the foster care system.
Sana is the author of Everyone Will Know It was God and has been featured in The 700 Club, the Jennifer Hudson Show and named one of the 100 Women of Color by June Archer & Eleven28 Entertainment in 2019.
Sana is a devoted wife of 17 years to her husband Joshua, and a proud mother to their two children, Jamir and Janai. She is also a doting grandmother to her grandson, Syer.
Connect with Sana:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
From Trafficked to Triumph: One Woman's Faith Story {Sana Latrease}
Where was God, when a little girl was being trafficked by the mother who should have kept her safe?
On the Live Like It's True podcast, I'm talking Sana Latrease to talk about her story of God's faithfulness, even in the middle of her childhood trauma. This isn't the story Sana would have written, but it's the story God wrote for her.
Also check out my Bible study on the life of Sarah, Shaped by God's Promises, where Sana's story is featured, along with several others I'm talking with during the "Sarah Series."
Guest: Sana Latrease
Bible Passage: Sarah's Story in Genesis 12-21
Freebies:
Resound Media:
Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.
Mentioned Resources:
- Purchase on Amazon: Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith
- Everyone Will Know It was God by Sana Latrease Cotten
- Learn More about my new study: Shaped by God's Promises
Music: Cade Popkin
Sana Latrease
Sana Latrease Cotten has dedicated her life to helping disadvantaged families and advocating for youth within the foster care system. As the Founder and CEO of Unashamed, Inc., a non-profit organization, she works to promote emotional health and support families affected by incarceration, foster care, and teen pregnancy.
In addition to her advocacy work, Sana is a sought-after transformational speaker and author sharing her personal story of surviving early childhood sexual abuse and growing up in the foster care system.
Sana is the author of Everyone Will Know It was God and has been featured in The 700 Club, the Jennifer Hudson Show and named one of the 100 Women of Color by June Archer & Eleven28 Entertainment in 2019.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Sana is a devoted wife of 17 years to her husband Joshua, and a proud mother to their two children, Jamir and Janai. She is also a doting grandmother to her grandson, Syer.
Connect with Sana:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
One Woman's Painful Trial and Promise-Driven Perspective {Gabriela Puente}
At age 27, Gaby's cancer treatment are narrowing her options for one day having children. Yet Gaby walks this painful path between her trial and God's promises with perspective and hope. She shares her story in my latest episode on the Live Like it's True podcast.
Gaby's story is also highlighted in my new Bible study, Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith. Whether you're here because you're reading that book, or you're a regular listener, I hope you'll be inspired by this conversation.
Guest: Gaby Puente
Bible Passage: Sarah's Story in Genesis 12-21
Freebies:
Resound Media:
Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.
Mentioned Resources:
- Purchase on Amazon: Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith
- Learn More about my new study: Shaped by God's Promises
- Vivir es Cristo by Jonathan and Sarah Jerez.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
- Isaiah 56:3-4
Music: Cade Popkin
Gabriela Puente
Gabriela Puente has a degree in Communications and currently is pursuing a Biblical Counseling certification with ACBC. She works at Compassion Connection, an organization that supports both churches and individuals through partnerships focused on church planting and leadership training in Ecuador.
Gaby is a member of La Fuente church, in Quito, and you can find her on Instagram.
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Faith Tested: One Missionary Kid's Story of Commissioning in Crisis {Heather Cofer}
Would you ask your twelve-year-old to bravely live her faith, in a time of crisis? In part two of our conversation, Heather Cofer shares the story of her twelfth birthday in Mongolia and how—even when she was so afraid—her dad commissioned her to walk by faith. She also tells about the crisis her husband's family (also missionaries in Mongolia) faced.
Heather's story is highlighted in my new Bible study, Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith. Whether you're here because you're reading that book, or you're a regular listener, I hope you'll be inspired by this conversation.
Guest: Heather Cofer
Bible Passage: Genesis 12:1-4
Freebies:
Resound Media:
Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.
Mentioned Resources:
- Purchase on Amazon: Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith
- Learn More about my new study: Shaped by God's Promises
Music: Cade Popkin
Heather Cofer is a wife and mother of six living in northern Colorado with a passion for encouraging women to love Jesus. She is the author of Expectant: Cultivating a Vision for Christ-Centered Pregnancy, and has also written for Revive Our Hearts, Set Apart Ministries, Risen Motherhood, and Well-Watered Women. She enjoys fresh flowers, good coffee, and laughter with loved ones.
Connect with Heather Cofer:
Website: https://www.heathercofer.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercofer/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.a.cofer
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How to be Happy, Minus the Envy and Comparison {Melissa Kruger}
Have you been comparing yourself? Are you envious of someone God has treated "better" than you? In a story about envious grumblers who are comparing, Jesus invites you to be one of the happy ones instead.
Guests: Melissa Kruger
Bible Passage: Laborers in the Vineyard - Matthew 20:1-16 ESV
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- The Envy of Eve by Melissa Krueger
- The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis
- Comparison Girl by Shannon Popkin
- Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares by Lee Nienhuis and Shannon Popkin
Melissa Kruger serves as vice president of discipleship programming for The Gospel Coalition (TGC). She’s the author of multiple books, including The Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a Covetous World, Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood, Growing Together: Taking Mentoring Beyond Small Talk and Prayer Request, and Wherever You Go I Want You to Know. Her husband, Mike, is the president of Reformed Theological Seminary and they have three children.
Connect with Melissa:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
When God Says You Need to Leave Everything You Love {Heather Cofer}
What if God asked you to leave everything you love? Would you do it? Heather Cofer talks about her experiences as a child in Mongolia which still shape her life today.
Heather's story is highlighted in my new Bible study, Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith. Whether you're here because you're reading that book, or you're a regular listener, I hope you'll be inspired by this conversation.
Guest: Heather Cofer
Bible Passage: Genesis 12:1-4
Freebies:
Resound Media:
Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.
Mentioned Resources:
- Purchase on Amazon: Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith
- Learn More about my new study: Shaped by God's Promises
Music: Cade Popkin
Heather Cofer
Heather Cofer is a wife and mother of six living in northern Colorado with a passion for encouraging women to love Jesus. She is the author of Expectant: Cultivating a Vision for Christ-Centered Pregnancy, and has also written for Revive Our Hearts, Set Apart Ministries, Risen Motherhood, and Well-Watered Women. She enjoys fresh flowers, good coffee, and laughter with loved ones.Connect with Heather Cofer
Website: https://www.heathercofer.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercofer/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.a.cofer
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
When She Has More Wealth And I Want What's Fair {Lydia Brownback}
Why does she have more? Why do I have less? And what does Jesus say, when I want what's fair? In this episode of the Live Like It's True Podcast, we're looking at a story Jesus told in response to these very questions—the parable about the bigger barns.
I'm so honored to have Lydia Brownback, author of the Flourish Bible Studies, joining me for this conversation.
Listen in and find out how you can heed Jesus's warning about a "bigger barns" mindset, and find contentment and security instead.
Guest: Lydia Brownback
Bible Passage: Parable of the Bigger Barns - Luke 12:13-24 (ESV)
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources
- Luke: Good News of Great Joy (Flourish Bible Study)
- ESV Study Bible
- Lydia, as guest on "Help Me Teach the Bible" with Nancy Guthrie
Music: Cade Popkin
Lydia Brownback
Lydia Brownback is passionate about promoting biblical doctrine with a high view of God. She is the author of several books, including the Flourish Bible Study series, and a speaker at Christian conferences and events. Lydia holds an MAR in biblical studies from Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia) and a BS in communications from Syracuse University. More information about Lydia can be found at lydiabrownback.com.Connect with Lydia:
Website: lydiabrownback.com
Instagram: @lydiabrownback_author
Facebook: @lydia.brownback
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Right and Wrong Way to Compare Sin {Lindsay Schott}
Have you ever felt unworthy, because of your sin? Or have you every tried to comfort yourself by comparing with someone who sinned in worse ways that you? In this series, we're looking at comparison stories that Jesus told, and this one is a story about comparing sin. But it's a story with a twist that might surprise you in the best way—especially if you're the one feeling unworthy.
Guest: Lindsay Schott
Bible Passage: "The Pharisee and the Publican" Luke 18:9-14
Teen Comparison Quizzes: ComparisonGirl.com
Mentioned Resources
- Lindsay Schott Artwork
- Teach Equip
- "Christians in an Age of Outrage" by Ed Stetzer
- Live Like It's True Podcast Episode with Lindsay Schott on Rest
- Comparison Girl by Shannon Popkin
- Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares by Lee Nienhuis and Shannon Popkin
Music: Cade Popkin
Resound Media: Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.
Lindsay Schott
Lindsay Schott is a watercolorist, Bible teacher, and co-creator of the Women's Teaching Program at Stonegate Church. She has a passion for women to know the scripture and to experience deep transformation in relationship with Jesus and others . Lindsay's also the co-author o
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Jesus's Backward but Foolproof Way to Be Great {Kelly Needham}
"Which of us is the greatest, Jesus?" Jesus's response to the disciples might surprise you, but it also might bright you comfort and peace. There's a foolproof way to be great in the kingdom of God, and it's backward from the way of the world. Want to learn the secret?
Join Kelly Needham and I on the Live Like It's True Podcast, as we talk about Jesus's illustration of a child, in response to his disciples asking, "Who's the greatest?"
Guest: Kelly Needham
Bible Passage: "Who is the Greatest?" Matthew 18:1-5
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources
- How to Bear God's Image by Gender {Kelly Needham}
- How to Overcome My Desire to Control My Husband (Kelly Needham}
- How to Live Like it's True that You're Forgiven {Kelly Needham}
- Your Eternal Reward by Erwin Lutzer
- Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares by Lee Nienhuis and Shannon Popkin
- The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
- One Minute After You Die Sermon by Erwin Lutzer
Connect with Kelly:
Website: KellyNeedham.com
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Truth From Jesus When You Compare Sin {Tasha Calvert}
What if Jesus could read your thoughts about other people's sins? And what about your own sins? Do you have shameful secrets that seem too awful to even confess? In this episode, we're going to consider a story Jesus told at a dinner party where someone was comparing sin. It's a story that exposes our false narratives about sin, and invites us into a beautiful story of forgiveness.
Tasha is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and the host of the “Digging In with Tasha Calvert” weekly podcast.
Guest: Tasha Calvert
Bible Passage: Story of the Two Debtors in Luke 7:36-50 CSB
Teen Comparison Quizzes: ComparisonGirl.com
Mentioned Resources:
- Digging In Podcast with Tasha Calvert
- Prestonwood Women - studies and Bible teaching that Prestonwood makes available upon request.
- Prestonwood Women - resources on Youtube and Right Now Media
- Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares by Lee Nienhuis and Shannon Popkin
- Worship the King by Chris Tiegreen
- The Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent
Transcript: Available here
Music: Cade Popkin
Resound Media: Go to www.ResoundMedia.cc for more Gospel centered resources.
Connect with Tasha:
Website: tashacalvert.com
Instagram: tistashcalvert
Podcast: Digging In with Tasha Calvert
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Jesus's Warning About Your Obsession With Your Appearance {Heather Creekmore}
What would Jesus say about your efforts to get healthy? When you wake up in the morning, is your first thought about what you ate the night before? Has your lifelong obsession been to finally like what you see in the mirror?
With the launch of Comparison Girl for Teens, I've invited a number of guests to join me on the Live Like It's True podcast, to talk through various ways we tend to compare ourselves and what Jesus has to say about it. In this episode, we are comparing our skin-deep packaging. Often we're not only comparing our appearances with others; we're comparing ourselves against what we're "supposed" to look like.
Guest: Heather Creekmore
Bible Passage: Whitewashed Tombs - Matthew 23:27-28
Teen Comparison Quizzes: ComparisonGirl.com
Mentioned Resources
- 40 Day Body Image Workbook by Heather Creekmore
- Aging Gratefully by Heather Creekmore
- Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares by Lee Nienhuis and Shannon Popkin
- Compared to Who? Podcast with Shannon as Guest
Heather Creekmore
Heather Creekmore writes and speaks hope to thousands of women each week inspiring them to stop comparing and start living. She’s the author of four books including her 40-Day Body Image Workbook: Hope for Christian Women Who’ve Tried Everything and Aging Gratefully a devotional on aging for women in midlife.
Heather has been featured on Fox News, Huff Post, Morning Dose, Church Leaders, For Every Mom, and dozens of other shows and podcasts.
Connect with Heather
Website: www.improvebodyimage.com
Podcast: Compared to Who?
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How Teens Can Thrive in a World of Comparison {Lee Nienhuis}
When a teen walks into a room, statistics show that there's an 80% chance she believes she doesn't belong there. She wonders, Am I okay? What are they thinking? How do I measure up?
In our new book, Comparison Girl for Teens we're inviting teens to find new freedom, confidence and true influence in the middle of a world that compares.
Guest: Lee Nienhuis
Bible Passage: What Did Jesus Say about Comparison?
Take the Teen Quizzes: ComparisonGirl.com
Mentioned Resources
- Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares by Lee Nienhuis and Shannon Popkin
- Brave Moms, Brave Kids by Lee Neinhuis
- Counter Cultural Parenting by Lee Nienhuis
Music: Cade Popkin
Lee Nienhuis
Lee is a passionate Bible teacher who invites girls of all ages to pray boldly and believe God for their own generation and the next. Lee’s books include Brave Moms, Brave Kids and Countercultural Parenting and she cohosts several podcasts.
Lee and her husband, Mike, have four great kids and live at a Christian Camp in West Michigan. When she isn’t at sporting events or whipping up dinners, she loves hot cups of coffee, deep friendships and laughing till her sides ache.
Connect with Lee:
LeeNienhuis.com
Facebook
Instagram
Books
Brave Moms, Brave Kids
Countercultural Parenting
Comparison Girl for Teens
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Saying Yes to Mercy Opportunities is Risky but Good {Amy DiMarcangelo}
Refugees. Trafficking victims. Addicts. Adoption. Homeless. When faced with opportunities to show extravagant mercy, we think,
- But what if I go into debt?
- This could be a trap.
- If I bring her into my home, will we be safe?
- What if there's corruption?
Yet what sounds like the voice of wisdom, is actually the voice of fear.
I'm joined by Amy DiMarcangelo for a conversation about a man who wanted Jesus to give him a thin list of neighbors to love. But instead, Jesus invites the man—and us—into the story of "The Good Samaritan," where mercy is both risky and good.
Guest: Amy DiMarcangelo
Bible Passage: Luke 10:25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources
- Go and Do Likewise: A Call to Follow Jesus in a Life of Mercy and Mission by Amy DiMarcangelo
- The Pour Over News Source
- Ministries of Mercy by Tim Keller
Resound Media: www.ResoundMedia.cc
Music: Cade Popkin
Amy DiMarcangelo
Amy DiMarcangelo is the author of Go and Do Likewise: A Call to Follow Jesus in a Life of Mercy and Mission and A Hunger for More: Finding Satisfaction in Jesus When the Good Life Doesn't Fill You. She is also a graduate student at Westminster Theological Seminary and lives in New Jersey with her husband and three children.
Connect with Amy:
Website: equippedformercy.com
Instagram: AmyDiMarcangelo
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How to Disciple the Children You Love with Stories {Trillia Newbell}
Do you long to pass on your faith to your children, grandchildren, nieces and neighbors? How can you disciple the children you love in on-the-go moments of life? The stories in the Bible are simple enough to be grasped by children, yet profound enough for adults to spend their lives pondering.
In this bonus episode on the Live Like It's True podcast, my guest Trillia Newbell shares about her new children's book, Jesus and the Gift of Friendship, and we discuss how to disciple the children we love using stories.
Guest: Trillia Newbell
Bible Passage: Jesus Calling His Disciples - John 15
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources
Trillia Newbell is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, and children’s books, including God’s Very Good Idea; The Big Wide Welcome; and Creative God, Colorful Us. Newbell is the acquisitions director at Moody Publishers and lives with her husband, Thern, and two children near Nashville, Tennessee.
On the episode, we talked about her new book, Jesus and the Gift of Friendship.
Connect with Trillia:
Instagram: @trillianewbell
Twitter (X): @trillianewbell
Website: https://www.trillianewbell.com/
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
When You Are Weak and He is Strong {Emily Jensen}
What is your weakness, and what does God think about it? Join Emily Jensen and me for a conversation about ineloquent Moses and his assignment from God that felt impossible. Learn how to live like it's true that your weakness isn't a problem for God.
Guest: Emily Jensen
Bible Passage: Moses Given Powerful Signs - Exodus 4:10-17
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources
- He is Strong by Emily Jensen
- Risen Motherhood by Emily Jensen
- What You Need to Know About Your Identity Crisis - Burning Bush Episode on Live Like It's True
Emily Jensen
Emily A. Jensen is an author, a podcaster, and the cofounder and content director of Risen Motherhood. Her first book (coauthored with her podcast partner and sister-in-law) Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments, has sold more than 100,000 copies. Her latest book is He is Strong: Devotions for When You Feel Weak (October 2023). Emily lives in central Iowa, with her husband and their five children.
Connect with Emily:
Website: emilyajensen.com
Instagram: @emilyajensen
Podcast: Risen Motherhood
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
What's Next and Why Stories Create Great Containers for Truth
Hey, it's Shannon for a quick update on what's next in 2024. I have several exciting things to announce, plus the roadmap for what's coming in the coming months.
We're welcoming Emily Jensen, Trillia Newbell, and Amy DiMarcangelo for our J-Term Series!
Get updates from Shannon: Here
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Music: Cade Popkin
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
God, If you Love Me, Why is This Happening? {Vaneetha Risner}
Why, God? Why haven't you shown up for me? If you love me, God, how could you let this happen to me?
In today's episode, we're going to invite you to bring questions like these straight to Jesus. And I think you might be surprised by the answers to these questions, embedded in the story from John 11 that we're going to look at.
Guest: Vaneetha Risner
Bible Passage: The Story of Lazarus in John 11
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources
- Desperate for Hope by Vaneetha Risner
- The Scars that Have Shaped Me by Vaneetha Risner
- Funeral Sorrow and the Best Plot Twist Everwith Mary Kassian
- The Return of the King, Lord of the Rings, Book 3 by J.R. Tolkien
Vaneetha is passionate about helping people find hope in their suffering. All her books: the Bible Study, Desperate For Hope, her memoir, Walking Through Fire, and the devotional, The Scars That Have Shaped Me, encourage readers to turn to Christ in their pain.
Her story includes childhood bullying, losing an infant son, developing post-polio syndrome, and going through an unwanted divorce. Some of her greatest joys are being a wife to Joel and a mother to Katie and Kristi and you can find her embarrassing them in Raleigh, NC. Vaneetha writes regularly for Desiring God, and has been featured on Family LifeToday, Joni & Friends, and Christianity Today.
Connect with Vaneetha
Website: Vaneetha.com
Facebook: VaneethaRisner
Instagram: @vaneetharisner
Twitter: @vaneetharisner
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Jesus's Revealing Question, "What do you want?" {Amber Cullum}
"What do you want me to do for you?" When Jesus asked this question, first of his two disciples, and then of a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, their responses revealed their hearts. How would you answer? What might this reveal? Will you follow Jesus if you see a cross up ahead?
In this episode with Amber Cullum, we're looking at the story of Blind Bartimaeus, and how his response to this question, "What do you want?" was completely different from James and John's response in the scene before. So what can we learn from disciples who were blind, and a blind man who sees?
Listen in as we discuss how to live like it's true that there's a cross up ahead, but that Jesus is the Son of David who will ultimately heal all that is broken.
Amber Cullum is a physical therapist turned stay-at-home mom, podcast host, and speaker who has always loved connecting with people through their hardships, passions, and faith. She's the host of the "Grace Enough" podcast.
Guest: Amber Cullum
Bible Passage: Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus - Mark 10:46-52 ESV
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources
- Article: 12 Podcasts You Don’t Want To Miss
- Grace Enough Podcast - with Shannon as Guest
- Romans 8:28 - All Things for Good Bible Passage
- Jennifer Rothschild's 413 Podcast - With Shannon as Guest
Amber Cullum is a physical therapist turned stay-at-home mom, podcast host, and speaker who has always loved connecting with people through their hardships, passions, and faith.
After moving to Raleigh, NC with her husband and 3 young children she was encouraged to dream again in the midst of the daily grind. That was the beginning of Grace Enough Podcast, a weekly show with 220+ episodes published that focuses on how God can use any story to impact His kingdom.
Grace Enough has been featured in Christianity Today as 1 of 12 Podcasts You Don’t Want To Miss.
Connect with Amber:
Website: GraceEnoughPodcast.com
Instagram: @graceenoughpodcast_amber
Podcast: Grace Enough Podcast
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
God's Ultimate Control When You Feel Vulnerable and Abandoned {Cheryl Lutz}
A crying baby. A crocodile infested river. An evil king. And a woman of faith.
The story of Moses in the basket (or ark) is full of tension, suspense, and an amazing outcome. Though God's name is not mentioned, His sovereignty is seen in every detail—including the one where Jochebed gets to raise her own baby and tell him the stories of the God who has promised to deliver his people.
Is God distant and unaware? Has he forgotten you? Are facing your frantic fears without Him? Or is God ultimately in control, when you feel vulnerable and abandoned? This story answers those questions and more.
Guest: Cheryl Lutz
Bible Passage: The Birth of Moses - Exodus 2
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources
Cheryl Lutz is an inspirational speaker, certified lay counselor, pastor’s wife, and recovering people pleaser!
As the author of Securely Held, Finding Significance & Security in the Shelter of God’s Embrace—she helps Christian women break the power of other people's opinions and live confidently as God’s masterpiece.
Connect with Cheryl:
Website: CherylLutz.com
Facebook: Cheryl Lutz, Securely Held
Instagram: @SecurelyHeld_ministries
Youtube: Cheryl Lutz, Securely Held
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
An Astonishing Reconciliation After Wicked Betrayal {Jodie Niznik}
Twenty years after a wicked betrayal, the tables have turned, and Joseph holds the power over his brothers. So he chooses to... reconcile? This story helps us consider God's sovereignty, the wicked choices of people, and how the two can coexist in the same story. Join me for this interesting conversation with author, speaker, and podcaster, Jodie Niznik.
Guest: Jodie Niznik
Bible Passage: Joseph Provides for His Brothers and Family - Genesis 45:1-8
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources
- 3 Ways Comparison Derails Us - Shannon's Episode on the So Much More Podcast with Jodie
- Jesus Under Arrest, Yet in Complete Control {Lindsay Schott} - Lindsay Schott's Episode on Live Like It's True Podcast with Shannon
- Woman Who Identified the Wrong Man as Criminal - Story Mentioned by Shannon
- The Sound of Freedom Movie
- "Unpacking Forgiveness" by Chris Brauns
- Trust: A Study of Joseph for Persevering Through Life’s Challenges by Jodie Niznik
Jodie Niznik is a seminary-trained lover of God’s Word who has served in vocational ministry for over twelve years. She helps people create space for God in their lives through her Scripture meditation podcast and equips them to take another step with Jesus through her Real People, Real Faith Bible studies and teaching.
Connect with Jodie:
Website: http://www.jodieniznik.com/
Instagram: creatingspaceforgod
Podcast: So Much More: Creating Space for God
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
What To Do When You Know Your Security Is Threatened {Carol Tetzlaff}
Suppose you're traveling and you know there are thieves up ahead. You also know you've got lots of cash and valuables on your person. What should you do?
This is basically the scenario we all face every day. We're living in a dangerous world. Life has risk around every turn. As we embark on new legs of the journey, what should we do to prepare for the unknown risks up ahead?
We're going to consider God's perspective on those questions as we look at a lesser known story in our Bibles found in the book of Ezra.
Guest: Carol Tetzlaff
Bible Passage: Fasting and Prayer for Protection - Ezra 8
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources
- Ezra: Unleashing the Power of Praise by: Carol Tetzlaff
- More than Just a Word by: Carol Tetzlaff
- Angels by Amy Grant
Carol Tetzlaff
Carol is an author, speaker, and co-owner of Redemption Press. Her passion is discipleship of all ages as she has served many years on staff at the local church in every capacity from kids’ ministry to worship ministries. Discipling has sifted from the local church to authors around the world as they partner together to spread the message of the gospel.
She is married to Kelley, and they have eleven fun and super cute grands. They have the best life ever together in Gilbert, Arizona. She also loves super-sweet iced coffee, spending time with friends, shopping at boutiques, and the color yellow. Finding a cute pair of shoes … on sale… can make a good day even better.
Carol is the author of the 2022 Selah Award Bible Study winner, Ezra: Unleashing the Power of Praise.
Connect with Carol
Website: CarolTetzlaf.com
Instagram: @Carol_Tetzlaff
Facebook: @caroltetzlaff
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
A Large-to-Little Group: God's Backward Way to Victory {Rachael Adams}
Bigger is better, says the world. But God often takes groups from large to little. Why is that? On this episode of the Live Like It's True podcast, Rachael Adams and I are discussing the interesting story of when God thinned out Gideon's army by about 99%, then sent him to war.
We'll explore what God was after, and how it turned out.
Rachael Adams is a wife and mom, author and speaker, and host of The Love Offering Podcast. Check out her new devotional, "A Little Goes a Long Way."
Guest: Rachael Adams
Bible Passage: Gideon Defeats the Midianites - Judges 7
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources
- A Little Goes a Long Way by Rachael Adams
- The Love Offering Podcast
- Shannon's appearance on The Love Offering
- Teach Equip (Formerly called 'Women Teaching Women')
Rachael Adams
Writer and podcaster, Rachael Adams, started her ministry to help women realize their God-given purpose and significance. She is host of The Love Offering Podcast that features real stories of women who are living out their faith. Rachel and her husband, Bryan, run a family business and farm in Kentucky with their two children, Will and Kate, and their two doodle dogs.
A Little Goes a Long Way
In her book, A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to a Significant Life, Rachael offers biblical truths about God's ability to unlock eternal influence when we consistently pursue and obey Him. Her desire is that other women find fulfillment, satisfaction, and purpose—not based on their circumstances but based on God's promises. Some of the reflective truths she offers include the following:
- a little work
- a little conversation
- a little effort
- a little gratitude
- a little forgiveness
Connect with Rachael:
Website: RachaelKAdams.com
Podcast: The Love Offering
Facebook: @rachaeladamsauthor
Instagram: @rachaeladamsauthor
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
When You See Jesus, Your Bible Appetite Grows {Kristen Wetherell}
What would happen if you looked for Jesus on all the pages of your Bible? Would you read it differently? Would it satisfy your hunger more? On this episode of the Live Like It's True podcast, Kristen Wetherell and I are exploring the story of the two disciples on the Road To Emmaus, who didn't realize they're talking to Jesus—and what He opens their eyes to.
Kristen is a pastor's wife, mom, author and speaker from the Chicagoland area. Check out her new book, "Help for the Hungry Soul."
Bible Passage: On the Road to Emmaus - Luke 24:13–35
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources
- Help for the Hungry Soul by Kristen Wetherell
- The One Year Book of Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament by Nancy Guthrie
- Reading the Bible Supernaturally by John Piper
- Purposefooled by Kelly Needham
Kristen is a pastor’s wife, a mother of three, a writer, and a speaker. She's authored several books including:
- Help for the Hungry Soul: Eight Encouragements to Grow Your Appetite for God’s Word
- Humble Moms: How the Work of Christ Sustains the Work of Motherhood
- Fight Your Fears: Trusting God’s Character and Promises When You Are Afraid
- For the Bible Tells Me So (board book series)
- Hope When It Hurts: Biblical Reflections to Help You Grasp God’s Purpose in Your Suffering
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Breakthrough Faith After Chronic Suffering and Hopelessness {Hope Blanton & Christine Gordon}
Have you experienced chronic illness or longtime suffering? Or maybe you know someone who has experienced the isolation and hopelessness of having no where else to turn. It can feel like God has forgotten you, or his back is turned to you. But in this story, we're going to watch a breakthrough moment, where a woman finds out what has been actually true all along.
Guests: Hope Blanton and Christine Gordon
Bible Passage: Luke 8:42-48 ESV
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources
- At His Feet Studies
- Luke, Part I: A Study of Luke 1-8 (At His Feet Studies)
- Encounters with Jesus by Gary Burge (tampon story, page 39)
Each lesson in an At His Feet Study consists of four steps: reading the Scripture passage, answering observation questions, reading commentary about the passage, and answering application questions helping you apply the text to your life. Also included is a “focus verse” for memorization. Below are all of the studies available from At His Feet.
Connect with Hope and Christine
Website: At His Feet Studies
Instagram: @athisfeetstudies
Facebook: @athisfeetstudies
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Truth about God's Wrath & the Way to Safety {Rebecca George}
Is God even real? If he is, does he care how I live? How could God make my life better? This story has all the answers to these questions and more.
It's not an easy story to take in, but it's an important story and—unlike the people going about their business in Noah's day—we'd better know this story and live like it's true.
Guest: Rebecca George
Bible Passage: Genesis 6-7
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources
- Do the Thing by Rebecca George
- Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How to Leave & Cleave, and What Happens When You Don't {Bruce & Sue Osterink}
What does it mean to leave and cleave in today's world? What happens when we don't?
Whether you're about to be married, you've been married for years, or you have adult children who have said, "I do," God's command to leave and cleave is meant to help the marriages you care about thrive.
My guests, Bruce and Sue Osterink have mentored nearly one hundred couples, and offer timeless wisdom for the beautiful (yet sometimes painfully challenging) process of two becoming one in marriage—which can't happen without first leaving the family you came from.
Guests: Bruce and Sue Osterink
Bible Passage: Genesis 2:25
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Gender, Masturbation, And The Advice Found in Genesis {Kristin Clark}
What does it look like to be brave and tell the truth, when so many are saying, "Maybe I'm not a girl..."? And what is the truth about a person's gender?
Also, why is masturbation wrong if it's not hurting anyone? And how can we respond like God does, when someone opens up about sexual sin?
Kristen and I talk through these questions and more, offering advice found in our Origin Story, from Genesis 1-3. God doesn't leave us to wonder about our gender and sexuality. Will you live like this Story is true?
Guest: Kristen Clark
Bible Passage: Genesis 1-3
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Sex, Purity and Longings of a Girl's Heart
- In His Image movie
- Episode with Mary Kassian
- Episode with Kim Cash Tate
- Shannon's book Comparison Girl
- Kristen's Girl Defined episode on Masturbation
Recommended Resources: (Scroll down)
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Kristen Clark
Kristen Clark is married to her best friend, Zack, and is the newly adoptive mom to two precious boys from Ukraine. She is co-founder of Girl Defined Ministries, author of several books, including Not Part of the Plan: Trusting God with the Twists and Turns of Your Story, and is passionate about promoting the message of God-defined womanhood through blogging, speaking, mentoring young women, and hosting Bible studies in her living room. In the end, she’s just a fun-lovin’ Texas girl who adores all things outdoors and is an unashamed dog-lover who snuggles with her little maltipoo whenever she can.
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
One Woman's Hidden Porn Addiction, and How She Broke Free {Jessica Harris}
As a thirteen-year-old, Jessica innocently stumbled upon the world of pornography. Before long, it took over and threatened to destroy her whole life.
In this episode, Jessica and I are walking through her story, and comparing it to the truths from Genesis 1-3, which we've been looking at in season 4 of Live Like It's True. Learn how Jessica broke free from the power of sin and shame, and how can you can, too.
Guest: Jessica Harris
Bible Passage: Genesis 1-2
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Quenched
- Begger's Daughter
- Episode with Nicole Furno
- Episode with Portia Collins
- Episode with Courtney Doctor
Full Shownotes: Here
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Fruitful Complementarianism: Why Brothers and Sisters Are Better Together {Cheyenne Werner}
Are there any women trying to control things at your church? And are there any shepherding men, who are ignoring the women at your church?
If you've ever rolled up your sleeves in church ministry, you know that there are often pitfalls and frustrations, when we—as men and women—try to blend our gifts in the church. In this episode, we're going to talk about how to cultivate a fruitful complementarianism in the local church—one where brothers and sisters realize they are better together, by God's design.
In this conversation, we're talking again about Complementarianism. Last time, Brian Robinson and I talked about what complementarianism is, and what it's rooted in. But this time, I have my friend Cheyenne Werner with me, talking about women's ministry in the church, and what we learn about it in Genesis 1-3.
To help me with this conversation, I've invited my friend Cheyenne Werner, who is a women's ministry coordinator at Peace Church, here in West Michigan, where I live.
Guest: Cheyenne Werner
Bible Passage: Genesis 1-2
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Path Back to the Tree of Life Painting
- Episode with Mary Kassian which mentioned the parallel between marriage and babies, and Pentecost and the church being born.
- Knowing Faith Episode on Complementarianism
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Complementarianism: Is God's Unique Design for Women Risky? {Brian Robinson}
What are role distinctions based on? Is it God's idea for husbands to lead? What if a husband is wrong? Should a wife still submit? Doesn't complementarianism put women at risk? And where does it say women can't preach?
I'm grateful to have Brian Robinson with me to discuss the topic of "complementarianism", or the idea that God created men and women equal in value, but gave them distinct roles in marriage and in the church. We're looking back to Genesis 1-3, and all we learned in our True Story of the Beginning series, plus we're looking to other New Testament passages which point back to Genesis, for guidance on this difficult topic.
Guest: Brian Robinson
Bible Passage: Genesis 1-3, I Timothy 2:11-14, I Peter 2:23-24, I Peter 3:1-2, I Corinthians 14:33-35
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
LGBT+ and the Story of Marriage in Genesis {with Laurie Krieg}
What can Christian do about her same-sex attraction? How is an LGBT Christian to respond to the Bible's blueprint for marriage, in Genesis? What impact does a Christian's disgust over sexual brokenness have on those around her, who are suffering?
I'm sitting down with my friend, Laurie Krieg, to talk about the story of Genesis 1-3 and what it shows us about God's design for marriage—especially for the LGBT+ Christian. Laurie shares how she found the determination to work through her mixed-orientation marriage suffering, by digging into the juicy steak of theology, served up in the Genesis narrative and what it points to.
Laurie is a coach/consultant, speaker, author, and podcast host whose mission is to equip Jesus-followers with a gospel-centered approach to sexuality.
More: Full Length Shownotes
Guest: Laurie Krieg
Bible Passage: Genesis 1-3,
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Laurie's Book: An Impossible Marriage: What Our Mixed-Orientation Marriage Has Taught Us About Love and the Gospel
- Focus on the Family episode, highlighting Laurie's family: The Joys of Raising a Large Family - Part 2 with Guests Randy & Marcia Hekman
- Ada Bible - Laurie Intervied by Aaron Buer: The Questionable Life | Aaron Buer 9am
- Down Gillian Lane, where Laurie played "Brooke" Keys for Kids Ministries > Programming > Down Gilead Lane > Read & Listen
- Live LIke It's True Episode with Mary Kassian, talking about marriage metaphor, and the imagery of Christ's side split open and the church being born:E33 Adam and Eve: Man and Wife {Mary Kassian - Genesis 2}
- Live Like It's True Episode with Portia Collins - the first mention of the gospel: E36 The Seed of the Woman {Portia Collins - Genesis 3}
Laurie's Story
For as long as Laurie can remember, she has loved Jesus, and she has been same sex attracted. In this episode Laurie shares her story with us:
- Growing up in a strong Christian activist family
- Her crisis of faith as a college-aged Christian in a same-sex relationship
- God's call for her (a happy-to-be-single adult) to get married
- Her crisis, as a young mom, when a memory of abuse unexpectedly surfaced
- Her full-blown temptation to leave her impossible marriage
- Her fight back to intimacy in her marriage
- How she's currently living like this story from Genesis 1-2 is true!
LGBT+ Christian Marriage Questions
- What should an LGBT+ person do about pain from the church, and homophobic attitudes?
- How does Genesis 1-2 provide a roadmap for how marriage is supposed to look?
- How does the Bible's metaphor of marriage, provide a "juicy steak" of a reason to stay in a difficult marriage?
- How is marriage between a man and a woman not the ultimate picture God is offering us? And what is that ultimate picture?
- What sho
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How to Endure Pain and Loss with Heavenly Hope {Nancy Guthrie}
Does the pain of loss ever go away? Is there hope for wholeness and healing, after a lifetime of hurt?
We experience loss differently when we know the full story. Like when you go the funeral of someone you know and love, rather than a stranger. We have a fuller understanding of what has been broken. And we have a deeper longing for resolution.
In this last episode on The True Story of the Beginning series, we're going to turn our attention to the end of the story. That part we're still longing for, which we get a glimpse of in Revelation—the book that comes at the very end of our Bibles.
I'm so delighted to have Nancy Guthrie back to talk with me about Genesis 1-3 and Revelation 21-22.
You'll remember that Nancy was with us in our first episode of this series, where we talked about Eden's Fall. Nancy Guthrie is an author, speaker and Bible teacher, who hosts several podcasts with the Gospel Coalition.
Guest: Nancy Guthrie
Bible Passage: Genesis 1-3, Revelation 21-22
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- The Story of Eden's Fall (First Episode in this Series)
- Even Better Than Eden
- Blessed (new book on Revelation)
- Help Me Teach the Bible Podcast
- Biblical Theology Workshop for Women
Recommended Resources: Visit the shownotes.
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Full-length Shownotes
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
What does God Think About Your Sin and Shame? {Kim Cash Tate}
https://wp.me/p7IZQm-88l
Guest: Kim Cash Tate
Bible Passage: Genesis 3:21-24
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Full Show Notes: Here
Kim Cash Tate is a Bible teacher and author of several books, including Cling: Choosing a Lifestyle of Intimacy with God and her fictional Promises of God series. She is also a singer/songwriter and has created and written a scripted web series called Cling the Series. Kim has an active YouTube channel with biblical content and you can find her there and on all social media platforms @kimcashtate. She and her husband Bill have two young adult children.
For the full set of shownotes, including recommended resources on Genesis 1-3, and more, go here.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Our Hope in a Corrupt, Broken World {Mike Wittmer}
Have you ever wondered why everything seems to work against you? Why does the basement flood and the attic have carpenter ants? Why does the computer crash and the electric bill spike? Could it be that you—as a human—are experiencing the effects of a cosmic war?
This story in Genesis 3 is explaining why things are the way they are. Why everything is bent and broken and dying. God is giving us the answers, as he speaks to Adam about the consequences for his decision to sin.
Guest: Mike Wittmer
Bible Passage: Genesis 1-3, Revelation 21-22
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- 1 Corinthians 11:8
- 1 Corinthians 15 is a chapter on resurrections
- Chris Brauns's instructions about meeting at the tree. (It's the fifth tree back, not the third!)
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Recommended Resources: Go to the extended shownotes for my recommended books, podcast episodes and more, which correlate with our conversations about Genesis 1-3 here in season 4.
Joining me is Dr. Michael Wittmer. Mike is the author of several books, including Becoming Worldly Saints, Anticipating Heaven, and The Bible Explainer. He's a pastor and a seminary professor at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary—here in Grand Rapids, where I live. He is married to Julie and has three young adult children. It's a huge honor that we have him with us today, and I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
Find Mike
For the full set of shownotes, including recommended resources on Genesis 1-3, and more, go here.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How to Overcome My Desire to Control My Husband {Kelly Needham}
Do you ever struggle with control? And do you sometimes feel like taking control is noble and right? Do you think, "If I don't do something here, the whole world is going to come unhinged!"
If that's you, I can totally relate. But I can also relate, if you're feeling like your inner Control Girl has caused you to look back with some regret and heartache.
We have Kelly Needham back today, to talk about "The Desire to Control my Husband", but I want to add right at the top, that this desire can be a problem also for women who don't have a husband. So if you're not married, this episode is still for you.
Guest: Kelly Needham
Bible Passage: Genesis 3:16
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- John Piper's sermon
- Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible - my nine week study.
- Take the Control Girl Quiz
- Control Girl FREE bonuses
- Control Girl Leader materials
- "Male and Female" earlier episode with Kelly Needham
- Let me Be a Woman by Elizabeth Elliot
- "The woman is the neck" from my Big Fat Greek Wedding
- James 3:3-5 - verses about the tongue
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Recommended Resources: Go to the extended shownotes for my recommended books, podcast episodes and more, which correlate with our conversations about Genesis 1-3 here in season 4.
Kelly Needham hopes to convince as many people as possible that nothing compares to knowing Jesus. She teaches the Bible at her home church and co-leads a Women’s Teaching Program, training women to accurately handle the word of truth. She is the author of Friendish: Reclaiming Real Friendship in a Culture of Confusion and is a frequent blogger and speaker. Kelly and her husband, Jimmy, have four children and live in the Dallas, Texas area.
Find Kelly
Control Girls of the Bible
As I studied these women of the Bible, I realized that they were all doing what I try to do: They were trying to grab for or hold onto control, based on her small-minded perspective—and she was making everyone miserable. Want to discover what lessons I learned about control, about myself, and about God?
Ultimately that study became my Bible study, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible.
I'd love for you to join me for this nine-week study.
For the full set of shownotes, including recommended resources on Genesis 1-3, and more, go here.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Astonishing Truth About God's Battle Line {Portia Collins}
Picture a line drawn in the sand between good and evil. Does it ever feel like the other side—the side where Satan stands—is winning? Well, the verses we're going to look at tell about a different ending to the story, all because of the Seed of the Woman. As you're going to hear my guest say today, Satan doesn't have a dog in the fight.
Portia Collins is a Christian Bible teacher, writer, and podcaster with a passion for sharing God’s Word. Portia is also the founder of She Shall Be Called, a nonprofit women’s ministry focused on Bible literacy. You can also catch her hosting two weekly podcasts: Grounded—a podcast/videocast from Revive Our Hearts—and Sweet Tea with Jasmine & Portia.
Guest: Portia Collins
Bible Passage: Genesis 1-3, Revelation 21-22
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Recommended Resources: Go to the extended show notes for my recommended books, podcast episodes and more, which correlate with our conversations about Genesis 1-3 here in season 4.
Portia Collins is a Christian Bible teacher, writer, and podcaster with a passion for sharing God’s Word. Portia is also the founder of She Shall Be Called, a nonprofit women’s ministry focused on Bible literacy. You can also catch her hosting two weekly podcasts: Grounded—a podcast/videocast from Revive Our Hearts—and Sweet Tea with Jasmine & Portia.
Portia and her husband, Mikhail, have a daughter and currently make their home in the Mississippi Delta. Although she is a full-time working wife and mom, she is never too busy to enjoy a few of her favorite things. She enjoys cooking traditional southern dishes, getting lost in a good book, & writing.
Find Portia
For the full set of shownotes, including recommended resources on Genesis 1-3, and more, go here.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Truth About Hiding and Shame {Nicole Furno}
Have you ever tried to hide your sin from God? Have you withdrawn from Him in shame—afraid of his anger over what you've done? Or maybe you've convinced yourself that your sin isn't all that bad. That there's nothing to be ashamed of. The story we're going to talk about corrects both of these false narratives that are quite common in the world.
I'm excited to have Nicole Furno with me today. Nicole is a Bible teacher, writer, and blogger. Nicole's infectious love for God’s Word encourages and inspires women no matter their age or stage of life.
Guest: Nicole Furno
Bible Passage: Genesis 3:8-12
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- I John 1:9, "If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
- Ann Voskamp
- Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Recommended Resources: Go to the extended shownotes for my recommended books, podcast episodes and more, which correlate with our conversations about Genesis 1-3 here in season 4.
Nicole Furno is a South Florida-based Bible teacher, writer, and active blogger. With a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary, she combines her educational knowledge with her sense of humor to teach and write women’s Bible studies. Her infectious love for God’s Word encourages and inspires women no matter their age or stage of life. Nicole loves early mornings, farmers markets, fitness, and living by the ocean with her smarty-pants husband and three spunky children.
Find Nicole
For the full set of shownotes, including recommended resources on Genesis 1-3, and more, go here.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
An Absurd Story of Being Fooled by God's Enemy {Courtney Doctor}
Have you ever had an intruder? Knowing that someone has entered your space immediately makes you feel violated and on guard, and that's exactly how we're supposed to feel when an intruding serpent shows up in the Garden of Eden.
I feel so honored to have Courtney Doctor as our guest today. Courtney is a an author, Bible teacher, frequent conference and retreat speaker, and she serves as coordinator for women's initiatives for the Gospel Coalition. Courtney's Bible study, From Garden to Glory: A Bible Study on the Bible’s Story is part of our recommended resources all throughout this season. You can find that full list of books, podcast episodes and videos in the extended shownotes at shannonpopkin.com.
Courtney helps us explore this story about an intruding serpent who twists God's words, and then, in all absurdity, Adam and Eve listen to him. I hope this conversation will help you—as Courtney says—know where you are in the story, and live like the story is true.
Guest: Courtney Doctor
Bible Passage: Genesis 3:1-15
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- In View of God's Mercies: The Gift of the Gospel in Romans
- Remember Your Joy: A Bible Study of Salvation Stories in the Old Testament
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Recommended Resources: Go to the extended shownotes for my recommended books, podcast episodes and more, which correlate with our conversations about Genesis 1-3 here in season 4.
Courtney Doctor is an author, Bible teacher, frequent conference and retreat speaker, and periodic blogger. She received an MDiv from Covenant Theological Seminary in 2013. She currently serves as the Coordinator of Women's Initiatives for The Gospel Coalition. Her greatest desire in all of this is to be able to faithfully study, apply, and teach the word of God and help others to do the same.
God has blessed Courtney and her husband, Craig, with four wonderful children, two amazing daughters-in-law, five sweet grandchildren — and their much-loved, goofy dog, Walter.
Find Courtney:
For the full set of shownotes, including recommended resources on Genesis 1-3, and more, go here.
Tags: Bible Podcast
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Rich and Revealing Story of the First Marriage {Mary Kassian}
When the world started asking how marriage should be defined, where did you look for answers? The story of the first man and wife in Genesis 2 is rich and revealing, filled with significant details—which help us not only understand marriage between man and wife, but also something more important.
It's an important time to have this conversation, because we live in a time where there are lots of assumptions being made about gender, marriage, and sexuality, which run contrary to what we find in this text.
I'm so thankful to have award-winning author and Bible teacher, Mary Kassian returning, to help us think through what it means to be a woman, living according to God's design.
We hope this conversation will help you know the true story, share the story, and live the story.
Guest: Mary Kassian
Bible Passage: Genesis 2:5-25
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
Recommended Resources: (Go to full length shownotes)
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Recommended Resources: Go to the extended shownotes for my recommended books, podcast episodes and more, which correlate with our conversations about Genesis 1-3 here in season 4.
Mary A. Kassian is an award-winning author and Bible teacher who speaks to women around the world about living out their faith and especially what it means to be a woman according to God's design. She has published several books and Bible studies including The Right Kind of Confident, The Right Kind of Strong, Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild and Conversation Peace. Mary and her family reside in Canada.
Find Mary
For the full set of shownotes, including recommended resources on Genesis 1-3, and more, go here.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Truth About Your Hustle, When God Offers Rest {Lindsay Schott}
Are you a perfectionist? Do you run yourself ragged with your work, or your ministry? And have you asked yourself why?
Now, I've often asked, "Why am I so tired?" But I think a better question is: "Why am I driving myself to exhaustion?"
I have to admit, this was the episode in this series I was secretly least excited about. Not because of my guest; Lindsay Schott is one that I was most excited to have return. But this idea of rest, and giving up a day of work? That doesn't really light my fire.
But after having the conversation, I realized it was the one I most needed. I think you're going to find answers that you didn't even realize you were looking for—partly because you don't even realize how much the world is demanding hustle. It's everywhere! This idea that you have to max out your potential and use your opportunities. You have to push yourself and work. Yet what is God saying about our hustle?
Guest: Lindsay Schott
Bible Passage: Genesis 2:1-3
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- True Story of the Arrest
- Trying: Reflections on Faith Through Infertility, Miscarriage, and Loss co-authored by Lindsay Schott
- Women's Teaching Program at Lindsay's Church
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Recommended Resources: Go to the extended shownotes for my recommended books, podcast episodes and more, which correlate with our conversations about Genesis 1-3 here in season 4.
Lindsay Schott is a watercolorist, Bible teacher, and co-creator of the Women's Teaching Program at Stonegate Church. She has a passion for women to be equipped to know the scripture and teach it effectively to others. Lindsay's also the co-author of Trying: Reflections on Faith Through Infertility, Miscarriage, and Loss.
She had her husband, Landon, live in the Dallas area with their four children, Hannah, Ruby, Piper and Ben. You can see Lindsay's watercolor work at lschottartistry.com and see her creative journey on Instagram.
Find Lindsay
- Website
- Book: Trying: Reflections on Faith Through Infertility, Miscarriage, and Loss.
For the full set of shownotes, including recommended resources on Genesis 1-3, and more, go here.
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Do You See God's Staggering Generosity? {Stephanie Rousselle}
Do you ever think of God as stingy? Do you focus on the things that He hasn't given you? The opening scene of Genesis shows us a different view of God. As we see the waters teaming with life and the birds filling the sky and plants popping up everywhere from the ground, we see that God is a generous God and fills the world with ample abundance.
Joining me for a short segment is Kelly Needham (who was with us last time). Kelly is an author, Bible teacher and new podcast host! Please check out the podcast she and her husband Jimmy are just launching a podcast called "Clearly".
For the remainder of the episode, I'm talking with Stephanie Rouselle is the founder of Gospel Spice Ministries. Stephanie was born and raised in France. She is a wife, mom, podcaster, and Bible teacher. And she is 100% French.
Guest: Stephanie Rousselle
Also Kelly Needham (our guest from last time), will join us for a short segment.
Bible Passage: Genesis 1
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Male and Female - with Kelly Needham (previous episode)
- Gospel Spice Podcast
- What Should I Believe About Evolution Video
Recommended Resources: Go to the extended shownotes for my recommended books, podcast episodes and more, which correlate with our conversations about Genesis 1-3 here in season 4.
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Producer: Maria Lyons
What is a "Day" in Genesis 1?
I know there are a lot of conversations going on about Genesis 1, and what the word "day" means. Is it twenty-four hours? Is there a different meaning? Here's the deal. Even if you and I had different opinions on how to answer that question, I'm guessing it wouldn't make much difference in how we live like the story is true.
Do you believe—as I do, that God created the world? If not, let's chat! I'd love to hear your thoughts. But if so, let's focus on living like it's true that we serve the God who both creates and fills.
Find Stephanie
For the full set of shownotes, including recommended resources on Genesis 1-3, and more, go here.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How to Bear God's Image by Gender {Kelly Needham}
What does it mean to be male or female? What does it mean to image God? And how are these two things related?
The answers to these questions are found on the earliest pages of our Bible, tucked into our origin story. I'm so thankful to have my friend Kelly Needham back with us to talk through some of the most weighty questions that our culture is wrestling with. Kelly brings such wisdom and clarity to the conversation.
Guest: Kelly Needham
Bible Passage: Genesis 1:26-31
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Let Me Be a Woman by Elizabeth Elliot (story about sailboats on the sand)
- Listening to the Language of the Bible - Lois Tverberg quote
- True Story on the Roof - episode one with Kelly Needham
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Recommended Resources: Go to the extended shownotes for my recommended books, podcast episodes and more, which correlate with our conversations about Genesis 1-3 here in season 4.
Kelly Needham hopes to convince as many people as possible that nothing compares to knowing Jesus. She teaches the Bible at her home church and co-leads a Women’s Teaching Program, training women to accurately handle the word of truth. She is the author of Friendish: Reclaiming Real Friendship in a Culture of Confusion and is a frequent blogger and speaker. Kelly and her husband, Jimmy, have four children and live in the Dallas, Texas area.
- Friendish (Book) - Reclaiming Real Friendship in a Culture of Confusion
- Purposefooled (Upcoming book) - Why Chasing Our Dreams, Finding Our Calling and Reaching for Greatness Fails Us and What We’re Really Meant to Live For.
- Clearly (Upcoming Podcast) - IF IT’S COMPLEX, CONFUSING OR CONTROVERSIAL, IT’S COVERED HERE. Jimmy and Kelly Needham help demystify the Bible and give you the tools to get out of the fog and see God for yourself.
Find Kelly
For the full set of shownotes, including recommended resources on Genesis 1-3, and more, go here.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Eden's Grand Potential, The Colossal Fall, and Our Solid Hope {Nancy Guthrie}
Knowing your origin story matters. Think about if you walk into a movie half way through, or open a book in the middle. You don't understand what's broken or missing. You can't understand what's been lost.
It's like being slightly sad at the funeral of someone you never met, but secretly wishing the funeral would be over so you can get back to whatever you wanted to do with your day. Contrast that with grieving over a person you deeply loved; someone you knew from the beginning of their life until the end; someone you long to see again.
We experience loss differently when we know the full story. We long for resolution differently.
Guest: Nancy Guthrie
Bible Passage: Genesis 1-3, Revelation 21-22
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Even Better Than Eden
- Blessed (new book on Revelation)
- Help Me Teach the Bible Podcast
- Biblical Theology Workshop for Women
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Recommended Resources: Go to the extended shownotes for my recommended books, podcast episodes and more, which correlate with our conversations about Genesis 1-3 here in season 4.
Nancy Guthrie teaches the Bible at her home church and at conferences across the country and the world, and is the author of many books, including Even Better than Eden. Nancy hosts the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast at The Gospel Coalition. She and her husband host Respite Retreats for couples who have faced the death of a child and are co-hosts of the GriefShare video series.
Find Nancy
- Website
- Help Me Teach the Bible Podcast
- Blessed Podcast - Conversations about Revelation
- Biblical Theology Workshop for Women
For the full set of shownotes, including recommended resources on Genesis 1-3, and more, go here.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Welcome to Season 4: The True Story of the Beginning
Why do the weeds grow and the flowers die? Why is there cancer, and divorce, and death? And why, even when my life is so full, do I feel so empty?
The answers to these questions are found, not in some lengthy discourse, but in a relatively short story about a man and woman who lived in a beautiful garden, where they walked and talked with God.
But then they ate the forbidden fruit and were driven from the Garden into the wilderness. This story helps to make sense of the curses and consequences we still live with today, and at the same time stirs our hearts with hope for our New Creation home.
Welcome to season 4: The True Story of the Beginning.
Bible Passage: Genesis 1-3
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Recommended Resources: Go to full shownotes
Music: Cade Popkin Music
We're going to take the next twelve episodes to work through Genesis 1-3, paragraph by paragraph, asking three questions:
➡️What's surprising about this part of the story?
➡️How does this story correct the false narratives of the world?
➡️How can we live like the story is true?
The answers to these simple questions will give us God's wise perspective and hopeful guidance on a wide array of topics including temptation, corruption, marriage, gender, shame, hiding, disappointment, longing... the list goes on. Embedded in this story about a generous Creator God, are precious truths that can guide us back to hope, security, peace, and joy.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
When God Asks for More After You've Lost So Much {Lisa Appelo}
"The end of your rope is the middle of God's Story." That's what Lisa Appelo says, as she reflects on the pain of losing her husband suddenly, leaving her to raise seven children.
If you're grieving over a loss, and wondering why God would ask for even more, the Bible story Lisa and I are unpacking is just for you. May you be inspired by a widow's faith, and amazed by God's faithfulness as we look at the story of the Widow of Zarephath from I Kings 17. And may you live like her miraculous story is true!
Guest: Lisa Appelo
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 17:8-16
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo - Read Chapter 1 for free
- The story of Rahab in Joshua 2.
- Generous Giving
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Summer Giveaway: Two ways to win
- If you haven't yet, sign up for my Live Like It's True Workbook and you'll be entered for a chance to win.
- Find one of my posts pointing to this episode on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter and either tag a friend or share.
Lisa Appelo
A former litigating attorney, Lisa is passionate about rich Bible teaching. She writes at the popular site LisaAppelo.com, founded a team of writers at hopeingrief.com, and serves on the Executive Team for COMPEL with Proverbs31Ministries. As a single mom of seven, Lisa’s days are filled with parenting, ministry, and long walks to justify lots of dark chocolate. Connect with Lisa on IG @LisaAppelo.
Find Lisa:
Win a Copy of Lisa's Book, Life Can Be Good Again!
Lisa Appelo is a speaker inspiring women to cultivate faith in life’s storms and author of Life Can Be Good Again: Putting Your World Back Together After It All Falls Apart. When life shatters and you're navigating a life you didn't sign up for, Lisa provides compassionate, Biblical insight to help you find your footing, process raw emotion, and anchor your threadbare hope to see you won’t merely survive this, but that life can be good again.
What if There's More?
Friend, whatever you're going through, it's not hopeless. This widow had a whole new chapter of miracles awaiting her; she just had to respond in faith and open her hand to God.
How is God asking you to open your hand today? Is there some way that He is asking you to be extravagantly generous?
Don't forget to grab your LLIT Workbook, which will help you think through which false narratives of the world are corrected by the True Story of the Widow's Last Meal from I Kings 17.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
What You Need to Know About Your Identity Crisis {Sojo Academy}
Do you have any signs of an identity crisis? Do you have symptoms like:
- Apathy, or searching for more purpose or passion in your life
- Questioning your goals and relationships
- Hopelessness or anxiety about the future
When Moses encountered the burning bush, three times, he asked the question, "Who am I?" But God offers a better question for those struggling with their identity.
Guest: Jen Evangelista and Arabah Joy of Sojo Academy
Bible Passage: Exodus 3:1-12 ESV
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Jen Evangelista & Arabah Joy (Sojo Academy)
As a career missionary (AJ) and a pastor's wife (Jen), Arabah Joy and Jen Evangelista have spent the last 27+ years mentoring others in their relationship with God.
Collectively, they've adopted internationally, lived in 5 different countries, gone through medical school, put their husbands through seminary, planted churches, worked as professionals, started their own businesses, served as military wives, volunteered in schools, and homeschooled kids.
Because of this, they bring decades of ministry and life experience to the women they serve in Sojo Academy, the global community of women they run together. For more, visit sojoacademy.com.
Find Sojo Academy:
A Better Question
Moses had lots of reasons for an identity crisis. We can relate as we hear him say, "Who am I?" when God gives him his assignment through a burning bush. But did you catch the better question that the text seems to be answering? Who is God?
I hope you'll take some time in Exodus 3 and consider this True Story of the Burning Bush. Maybe as you lay your head on the pillow, or you're driving your kids somewhere, or talking a walk, think through this story and consider, "Who is God?" And then live like the story is true.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
What Can Little You Do About Such Big Problems? {Amy Carroll & Lynn Cowell}
Do you feel small and uncertain? Are you tempted to stay quiet and passively do nothing—because you're not sure what little you could possibly do in the face of such big problems?
Lynn Cowell and Amy Carroll are with me to talk about the story of Esther, and what her story in the Bible has to say about the false narratives of complacency and passivity. Amy and Lynn both serve on the team at Proverbs 31 Ministries, and they've teamed up to write a new Bible study, which I'm so excited to tell you about.
Lynn Cowell and Amy Carroll
Guest: Lynn Cowell and Amy Carroll
Bible Passage: Esther 4:12-17 CSB
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Esther: Seeing Our Invisible God in an Uncertain World (6 week study)
- Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World - Endorsed by Lynn!
- Influence: Building a Platform that Elevates Jesus (Not Me) - Endorsed by Amy!
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Lynn Cowell is a national conference speaker who passionately empowers women of all ages to understand the importance of Christ confidence. She is the author of several books including Make Your Move: Finding Unshakable Confidence Despite Your Fears and Failures for women.
Amy Carroll delights in gathering a community of women with tender hearts and strong voices. She’s a speaker and writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries, a speaker coach, and the author of Breaking Up with Perfect: Kiss Perfection Goodbye and Embrace the Joy God Has in Store for You.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
What You Need to Know About the Least Likely Christian {Ann Swindell}
Do you know anyone who seems like the least likely person to ever turn and follow Jesus? You look at them and think, "There's just no way..." Maybe the person you think of as the least likely Jesus follower is you.
Well, today we're looking at the story of Saul (who becomes Paul) in Acts 9. He was a man who thought he would never, ever follow Jesus. And the people around him agreed. He was the least likely person to ever give his life to Jesus, because he was obsessed with destroying the lives of Christians, and wiping out the story of Jesus for good.
And yet, all of that changed over a three day period in a house on Straight Street.
Ann Swindell
Guest: Ann Swindell
Bible Passage: Acts 9:1-9 ESV
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Path to Peace by Ann Swindell.
- Season 2 of Live Like It's True: The True Story of Easter
- Episode: The True Story of the Arrest with Lindsay Schott
- Episode: The True Story of the Empty Tomb with Erika VanHaitsma
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Summer Standout Series
Today is part 2 of a conversation with Ann Swindell, which is part of my Summer Standout series. Over the summer, I'm connecting with a handful of fellow Bible study authors who are releasing a new study, and so I've let them choose the story from the Bible that we'll be talking about. Also, each episode will include a giveaway. Scroll down for two ways to win.
Ann Swindell
Ann Swindell and her writing have been featured widely by The Gospel Coalition, Risen Motherhood, (in)courage, Proverbs 31 Ministries, and other publications. Ann lives in West Michigan with her pastor-husband and their children. Learn more at annswindell.com.
Find Ann:
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
When You Find Out You Were Wrong About Jesus {Ann Swindell}
Has God been putting up roadblocks in your path? Has he been making it impossible for you to "proceed with the route" you had in mind for your life? This can be really frustrating—especially when your plans revolved around pleasing God. Maybe you're feeling disillusioned or even angry—wondering what God is trying to do here.
If so, I think today's conversation is going to be incredibly helpful to you. We're looking at a Bible story where a man was utterly convinced that he was headed out to please God. He was on an upward trajectory, and was gaining momentum and honor. And yet Jesus stopped him in his tracks, and rerouted him to a life filled with so much more.
Ann Swindell
Guest: Ann Swindell
Bible Passage: Acts 9:1-9 ESV
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Path to Peace by Ann Swindell.
- Season 2 of Live Like It's True: The True Story of Easter
- Episode: The True Story of the Arrest with Lindsay Schott
- Episode: The True Story of the Empty Tomb with Erika VanHaitsma
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Summer Standout Series
Today we're kicking off my Summer Standout series. Over the summer, I'm connecting with a handful of fellow Bible study authors who are releasing a new study, and so I've let them choose the story from the Bible that we'll be talking about. Also, each episode will include a giveaway. Scroll down for two ways to win.
Ann Swindell
Ann Swindell and her writing have been featured widely by The Gospel Coalition, Risen Motherhood, (in)courage, Proverbs 31 Ministries, and other publications. Ann lives in West Michigan with her pastor-husband and their children. Learn more at annswindell.com.
Find Ann:
Summer Giveaways!
You have two ways you can enter to win any of the Bible studies and books I'm giving away this summer, including a copy of Path to Peace.
- If you haven't yet, sign up for my Live Like It's True Workbook and you'll be entered for a chance to win.
- Find one of my posts pointing to this episode on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter and either tag a friend or share.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Jesus's Proof that We'll Get New Bodies in Heaven {Erika VanHaitsma}
Have you thought about your funeral lately? What if your funeral wasn't the end of your story? What if you knew there was life to to be lived afterward? Would it make a difference in how you lived today?
In the True Story of the Tomb, Erika VanHaitsma and I talk about the morning the women rose early to bring the spices they had prepared to Jesus's tomb—only to find it was empty. Listen as we talk about the most astonishing story in the Bible, and what difference it would make to live like the story is true.
Guest: Erika VanHaitsma
Bible Passage: Matthew 27:45-54
Freebie: Get your free Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Context and Color of the Bible
- Conversation about the Passover with Erin Davis
- Conversation with Kristen Wetherell, where we talked about, "Not YOLO" but you'll live twice.
- Get the full-length show notes.
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Guest: Erika VanHaitsma
Erika is a happily married homeschooling mother of 5 from Michigan. She has a BA from Moody Bible Institute and Masters in Historical Geography and Archeology from Jerusalem University College. Her passion is to add color to the black and white pages of Scripture by adding context and culture.
Find more from Erika:
- ErikaVanHaitsma.com
- Context and Color of the Bible Podcast
- Instagram@contextandcolorofthebible
- Facebook Group
Don't Miss the Retelling!
We'll be back on Saturday for our last retelling episode of this True Story of Easter series. I'll be retelling this story, and inviting you to do the same.
Shownotes for all the resources shared can be found at shannonpopkin.com.
Care to Share?
Did you enjoy this episode? Please share with a friend and/or leave your review on Apple Podcasts!
You can contact me here. (I'd love to hear from you!)
Get the full-length show notes here.
Thanks so much for listening!
GET YOUR FREE LIVE LIKE IT'S TRUE WORKBOOK
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
That Dark, Good Friday, When It Looked Like Evil Won {Asheritah Ciuciu}
Let's not rush too quickly past that moment when darkness covered the land, as the Light of the Word was slowly snuffed out. Oh, the agony of giving up his Spirit! Oh the love, as he did it.
I can't think of a better guest to have this conversation with than Asheritah Ciuciu. She has such wisdom, and tender compassion for you, as we contemplate that dark, Good Friday when it looked like evil won. (Spoiler alert: it didn't!)
Asheritah is an author, speaker, and founder of One Thing Alone Ministries. As a wife and mama to three little kids, she can rarely fit in an hour of Quiet Time each day. But she knows there is hope. Because Jesus welcomes us into His presence even during the busy seasons of life.
Guest: Asheritah CiuCiu
Bible Passage: Matthew 27:45-54
Freebie: Get your free Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Asheritah's soon-to-be-released book, Prayers of Rest
- Psalm 22
- Psalm 31:1-5
- Asheritah's podcast, Prayers of Rest
- Asheritah's Lent Devotional, Uncovering the Love of Jesus
- Moody Bible Commentary
- Get the full-length show notes.
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Guest: Asheritah Ciuciu
Asheritah Ciuciu is a bestselling author, national speaker, and host of the Prayers of REST podcast. A Romanian missionary kid, she's passionate about helping people around the world enjoy Jesus through creative spiritual habits. Asheritah is married to her high school sweetheart and together they raise their three spunky kids in NE Ohio. Discover your creative devotional type at OneThingAlone.com.
Find more from Asheritah:
Don't Miss the Retelling!
We're mixing things up this week. Don't miss our bonus episode, Sharing the True Story of Easter, with guest Karlena del la Cruz from Storyrunners. We'll be back next Wednesday, for a conversation with Erika VanHaitsma about the True Story of the Empty Tomb. It's an amazing conversation, full of hope!
Shownotes for all the resources shared can be found at shannonpopkin.com.
Care to Share?
Did you enjoy this episode? Please share with a friend and/or leave your review on Apple Podcasts for a chance to win a "Live Like It's True" t-shirt!
You can contact me here. (I'd love to hear from you!)
Get the full length show notes here.
Thanks so much for listening!
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
BONUS: Sharing the True Story of Easter {Karlena from Storyrunners}
Have you shared the true story of the Bible with anyone lately? Would you like to, but need a little help getting started? If so, you're in the right place.
Karlena de la Cruz, from StoryRunners is my guest, and we're talking about sharing the Easter story. Will you be gathering with friends or family this week? What if you took a few minutes to share an Easter story?
Guest: Karlena de la Cruz
Bible Passage: Luke 24:1-11
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- StoryRunners
- Cru (Campus Crusade), founded by Bill and Vonette Bright
- Sign up for a story experience here.
- Register for storytelling training here.
- Listen to oral story recordings here.
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Shownotes: get the full set here
Leading a Story Discussion
- Tell the story.
- Retell the story.
- Ask the group to piece the story together.
- Ask prompting questions, like, "What happened next?"
- Go in a circle.
- Toss a ball, and whoever catches the ball tells the next bit of the story.
- Learn the story together
- Perhaps you'll act it out
- Learn using hand motions
- Use objects to retell the story
- Go through twice this way.
- Break into pairs and retell the story to each other.
- It's good to separate out.
- The storyteller can help those who get stuck.
- Come back together and have someone volunteer (or be voluntold) to retell the story.
- Discuss the story using these questions:
- What did you like in this story? (Not looking for analytical, looking for devotional thoughts.)
- What in the story was confusing? What did you not like?
- What does this story tell you about people? How did the people react? What can we learn about human nature?
- What did you learn about God in this story? What about Jesus? The Holy Spirit?
- If this story were really true, how would you life be different?
- Who am I going to go out and tell this story to?
Don't Miss the True Story in the Dark with Asheritah
Make sure to return on Wednesday, as Asherita Ciuciu and I talk about the True Story in the Dark. If you know Asheritah, you know she's the perfect guest to lead us through a conversation about this somber, yet pinnacle moment of the whole story of the Bible: Those hours that Jesus hung in the dark on a cross. You won't want to miss it.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Retelling the Story of the Arrest
What if you were being lied to? Would you want to know? We're going to talk in this episode about listening to the true story, found in the Bible so that we're able to spot the false narratives of the world.
Bible Passage: John 18:1-11 NASB
Freebie: Get your free Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Pointing Fingers, Throwing Rocks Article
- Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control From Seven Women in the Bible
- Get the full-length show notes.
Music: Cade Popkin Music
The True Story of the Arrest
Whenever you hear the word, "worldview", please know that you're most likely hearing about false narratives and true ones. Jeff Myers says that worldview is “a pattern of ideas, beliefs, convictions, and habits that help us make sense of God, the world, and our relationship to God and the world.”
So our worldview is the story we tell ourselves to make sense of the world we're part of. Worldview is a storytelling word. And so very many people are telling themselves a story that is rooted in a lie, or a false narrative.
So how can we make sure we have the story straight? Well, just like in the story with my son, we first have to consider we might be believing a lie. And then we have to put our story next to the true story—which I hope you believe is the Bible. But even if you don't yet believe the Bible, I would challenge you to read the stories and lay them next to the story you're telling. See which one makes more sense. Many times, when we just take a moment to think about the narratives we're telling ourselves, it doesn't take much to be convinced that we're believing a lie.
Read more in the full show notes here.
Care to Share?
Did you enjoy this episode? Please share with a friend and/or leave your review on Apple Podcasts for a chance to win a "Live Like It's True" t-shirt!
Have a suggestion? You can contact me here. I'd love to hear from you!
Thanks so much for listening!
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Jesus Under Arrest, Yet in Complete Control {Lindsay Schott}
When somebody is being arrested, who's the person with the power? Who seems to be in control? Ordinarily, you'd think it was the guy putting the handcuffs on, right? Not the one with his hands behind his back. But when Jesus of Nazareth comes out into the open and faces hundreds of soldiers who are waiting to arrest him, it might look at first glance like he's just stepped into a trap, but I think by the end of this conversation you're going to see that—even in his arrest, Jesus was completely in control.
And at the end of this episode, I'm going to invite you to live like that is true.
I’m thankful that I got to sit down with my new friend Lindsay Schott to talk about The True Story of the Arrest, captured in John 18:1-11.
Guest: Lindsay Schott
Bible Passage: John 18:1-11.
Freebie: Get your free Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Trying: Reflections on Faith Through Infertility, Miscarriage, and Loss.
- Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control From Seven Women in the Bible
- Get the full-length show notes.
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Guest: Lindsay Schott
Lindsay is a watercolorist, Bible teacher, and co-creator of the Women's Teaching Program at Stonegate Church. She has a passion for women to be equipped to know the scripture and teach it effectively to others. Lindsay's also the co-author of Trying: Reflections on Faith Through Infertility, Miscarriage, and Loss. She had her husband, Landon, live in the Dallas area with their four children, Hannah, Ruby, Piper and Ben.
Find more from Lindsay:
- lschottartistry.com
- Book: Trying: Reflections on Faith Through Infertility, Miscarriage, and Loss.
Don't Miss the Retelling!
We'll be back on Saturday for the retelling episode, where I'm going to focus on spotting false narratives of the world, by reading the true story found in the Bible. You won't want to miss it!
Shownotes for all the resources shared can be found at shannonpopkin.com.
Care to Share?
Did you enjoy this episode? Please share with a friend and/or leave your review on Apple Podcasts for a chance to win a "Live Like It's True" t-shirt!
You can contact me here. (I'd love to hear from you!)
Get the full-length show notes here.
Thanks so much for listening!
GET YOUR FREE LIVE LIKE IT'S TRUE WORKBOOK
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Retelling the Story of Judas {John 13}
How do you behave during suspenseful movie scenes? I tend to make lots of noise, and call out to the characters on screen who can't hear me (which drives my kids nuts). Today we're going to revisit and retell the suspenseful scene where Jesus is seated next to the one who will betray him: Judas.
Bible Passage: John 13:17-30
Freebie: Get your free Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Article and video about the seating arrangement of the last supper
- Instructions for observing Passover
- Offering of the Sop
- Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World
- Get the full-length show notes.
Music: Cade Popkin Music
The True Story of Judas
From a storytelling perspective, this is an amazing scene of suspense. There's a dinner party. The Rabbi and his followers have gathered in an upper room, and we're looking in—knowing that something is about to happen. Our author, John, has already let us know that Judas is going to betray Jesus, and Satan has entered him.
But then, as we watch the scene unfold, we see Jesus seat Judas beside him in the seat of honor at the feast.
I've linked to a video that really helped me understand the customary way of seating around a triclinium, which was a low u-shaped table that had cushions around it. The guests would lean in on their left sides, and their seating arrangement was according to greatness.
Read more in the full show notes here.
Care to Share?
Did you enjoy this episode? Please share with a friend and/or leave your review on Apple Podcasts for a chance to win a "Live Like It's True" t-shirt!
Have a suggestion? You can contact me here. I'd love to hear from you!
Thanks so much for listening!
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How to Fuel Your Faith with the Story of Judas {Lee Nienhuis}
Have you ever watched someone betray Jesus? Have you felt the pain and shock of watching someone among you—someone who seemed to be a follower of God—turn against Him? This can be confusing and disorienting, but what if it's true that Jesus knows exactly what is in each of our hearts? As we talk about the True Story of Judas, that's what we're going to find. And amazingly, even the story of Judas can be fuel for our faith.
Guest: Lee Nienhuis
Bible Passage: John 13:17-30
Free Resource: Get your "Live Like It's True Workbook"
Mentioned Resources:
- Brave Moms, Brave Kids by Lee Nienhuis
- Countercultural Parenting by Lee Nienhuis
- Comparison Girl by Shannon Popkin
- Control Girl by Shannon Popkin
- Get the full-length show notes.
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Lee Nienhuis
Lee has been engaging people through the Word for close to two decades. It has been her honor to speak at Youth and Women’s events, conferences, workshops, and church events. Lee is an author and passionate Bible teacher. She is a Communications Specialist for Moms in Prayer International and the first Host of the Moms in Prayer Podcast and the Co-host of The Martha and Mary Show.
Lee's books, Brave Moms, Brave Kids (2018) and Countercultural Parenting (2020), published by Harvest House, have helped countless parents gain a biblical perspective on parenting a godly and countercultural generation. Lee and her husband, Mike, have been married 21 years. Mike and Lee have four great kids who make her need Jesus. Lee loves hot cups of coffee, laughing till her sides ache, and Jesus.
Find more from Lee:
- LeeNienhuis.com
- Podcasts: Moms in Prayer International Podcast and The Martha and Mary Show
- Books: Brave Moms, Brave Kids and Countercultural Parenting
Don't Miss the Retelling!
We'll be back on Saturday for the retelling episode, where I'll be focusing on the storytelling element of suspense. Then, I'll retell the story of Judas, and invite you to do the same.
Shownotes for all the resources shared can be found at shannonpopkin.com.
Care to Share?
Did you enjoy this episode? Please share with a friend and/or leave your review on Apple Podcasts for a chance to win a "Live Like It's True" t-shirt!
You can contact me here. (I'd love to hear from you!)
Get the full length shownotes here.
Thanks so much for listening!
GET YOUR FREE LIVE LIKE IT'S TRUE WORKBOOK
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Retelling The Story of The Lamb {Luke 22}
Here in this True Story of Easter Series, we're talking about the King who is a Lamb; Jesus is the lamb who dies so the people go free. Today, we're going to talk about several metaphors that the Bible uses, which I hope will shed new light on this amazing story which I'm going to retell—with Jesus gathering his disciples in the upper room to celebrate the Passover, the night before his crucifixion.
Bible Passage: Luke 22:7-20
Freebie: Get your free Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- The True Story of the Lamb with Erin Davis
- Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World
- Get the full-length show notes.
Music: Cade Popkin Music
The True Story of the Lamb
Here in the True Story of the Lamb, Jesus is showing us that he is the Lamb of God, who rescues his people. Understanding this image is a little more complicated, though. With a vine and branches, we immediately understand the metaphor. But we don't look at a lamb with its fluffy white wool and say, "Yes, I see! A lamb is a deliverer." To understand the metaphor, we have to understand the history of the nation of Israel. We have to look back at an event called the Passover.
I hope you were able to listen to my conversation with Erin Davis, where we talked about this at length. It was such a rich conversation!
Here's how an image of a lamb connects to the concept of deliverance, you have to know about the Israelites who were slaves in Egypt for four hundred years. And you have to know about how—per God's instructions—they all smeared the blood of the lamb on the door that they escaped through the next day. Without the lamb's blood, the angel would not have passed over. They would have experienced death in their household, not deliverance and freedom.
Read more in the full show notes here.
Care to Share?
Hey, if you're loving the podcast, would you consider taking two minutes (here's a link to Apple Podcasts) to rate and review? This allows it to be seen by others (and it's a huge encouragement to me!).
Have a suggestion? You can contact me here. I'd love to hear from you!
Thanks so much for listening!
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Sinful People, and the Long-Awaited Lamb of Fulfillment {Erin Davis}
If you were invited to a special dinner party, where the honored guests gathering around the table are all friends of Jesus who will be participating in a symbolic reenactment of the most important day in the history of the world, would you go?
What I've just described is communion, or the "meal of remembrance" which Jesus instated, during a very special dinner party he shared with his disciples the night before he was crucified.
On season two of Live Like It's True, we're talking about the True Story of Easter, and in this episode, we're going to talk about that dinner party (some call it the Last Supper), found in Luke 22.
Guest: Erin Davis
Bible Passage: Luke 22:7-20
Freebie: Get your free Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- 7 Feasts (See instructions below on how to win)
- Comparison Girl by Shannon Popkin
- Grounded Videocast (with Revive Our Hearts)
- The Deep Well Podcast
- Fasting and Feasting by Erin Davis
- Get the full-length show notes.
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Erin is a writer and teacher passionately committed to getting women of all ages to the deep well of God's Word. She is the author of more than a dozen books and Bible studies, including Connected, Beyond Bath Time, and 7 Feasts and the host of The Deep Well podcast and Grounded videocast with Revive Our Hearts. When she’s not writing, you can find Erin chasing chickens and children on her small farm in the Midwest.
Find more from Erin:
- ErinDavis.org
- Grounded Videocast (with Revive Our Hearts)
- The Deep Well Podcast
Don't Miss the Retelling!
We'll be back on Saturday for the retelling episode, where I get to focus on metaphor in the Bible, and how God uses the image of the Lamb to tell us a story about himself.
Care to Share?
Hey, if you're loving the podcast, would you consider taking two minutes (here's a link to Apple Podcasts) to rate and review? This allows it to be seen by others (and it's a huge encouragement to me!).
Have a suggestion? You can contact me here. I'd love to hear from you!
Get the full length shownotes here.
Thanks so much for listening!
GET Y
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How To Process A Story That Makes You Wonder If God Is Good {Lazarus in John 11-12}
How do you respond when God allows you to get hurt? How do you pray after he fails to prevent the pain you're experiencing? Or when he fails to do the thing that would seem most consistent with his kind and loving character?
Bible Passage: John 11:38-44 and12:10-11
Freebie: Get your free False Narrative Watchlist
Mentioned Resources:
- Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control From Seven Women in the Bible
- Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World
- Get the full-length show notes.
Music: Cade Popkin Music
The True Story of Lazarus
The two women in our story today are experiencing this very thing. Mary and Martha both know Jesus could have prevented their brother from dying, but he didn't show up. Then when he shows up four days late, they say, "Jesus, if you were here..." They don't say but seem to imply: "Why didn't you come? Don't you care?"
In this True Story of Easter Series we're talking through some pieces of the story which make us look at Jesus with jaw-dropping astonishment. He doesn't do what we expect him to do. And this story is no exception. I'm going to be talking through some of the story elements that we find in John 11 and 12, and then I'll be retelling the True Story of Lazarus.
Read more in the full show notes here.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Funeral Sorrow and the Best Plot Twist Ever {Mary Kassian}
Are you going through something really painful right now? Are you wondering, "Why, Jesus? Why didn't you intervene?"
There are two sisters named Mary and Martha, in our story today, who are asking that very question after the death of their brother, Lazarus. As we discuss the plot twists found in this True Story of Lazarus from John 11:38-44 and12:10-11, I think you're going to notice that Jesus loved these sisters, and Jesus knew how their story was going to turn out.
What if this was true about you, as well?
Guest: Mary Kassian
Bible Passage: John 11:38-44 and12:10-11
Free Resource: Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
Extended Shownotes: Episode 12
About: Live Like It's True Podcast
About: Host Shannon Popkin
Music: Cade Popkin Music
We are kicking off a brand new season of Live Like It's True! Each week, we'll be looking at one part of the Easter story.
You might be thinking, "Wait, I didn't think the story of Lazarus had anything to do with Easter..." Well, I didn't either, until I took a closer look. But by the end of our conversation, I hope you'll see that what happens in response to the healing of Lazarus were the carefully laid dominos which began to topple and lead to the cross.
Mary A. Kassian is an award-winning author and Bible teacher who speaks to women around the world about living out their faith and especially what it means to be a woman according to God's design. She has published several books and Bible studies including The Right Kind of Confident, The Right Kind of Strong, Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild and Conversation Peace. Mary and her family reside in Canada.
Find more from Mary:
Don't Miss the Retelling!
We'll be back on Saturday for the retelling episode, where I get to focus on some of the story elements of this Bible text, then retell the story, and invite you to do the same.
Care to Share?
Hey, if you're loving the podcast, would you consider taking two minutes (here's a link to Apple Podcasts) to rate and review? This allows it to be seen by others (and it's a huge encouragement to me!).
Get the full length shownotes here.
Thanks so much for listening!
GET YOUR FREE LIVE LIKE IT'S TRUE WORKBOOK
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Season 2: The True Story of Easter
Hey, hey! Welcome back to another season of Live Like It's True! This season, we're discussing the True Story of Easter.
Where else can I listen to the podcast?
Go HERE to find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple, Google, Spotify, and more.
FREE RESOURCE: The Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned:
- "About Me" (Which includes a new family photo.)
- Extended shownotes.
- Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World
- Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control From Seven Women in the Bible
- Finding the Lost by Kenneth Bailey
- Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Have you ever wondered why Jesus didn't tie everything together for his disciples? Why did Jesus not simply say, "I'm God's Son. I'm here to die for you so that you can be reconciled with God and have eternal life"? That's the question I'm exploring, as we kick off a new season of the podcast, focused on the True Story of Easter.
Get the extended shownotes here.
Care to Share?
Hey, if you're loving the podcast, would you consider taking two minutes (here's a link to Apple Podcasts) to rate and review? This allows it to be seen by others (and it's a huge encouragement to me!).
GET YOUR FREE LIVE LIKE IT'S TRUE WORKBOOK
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How to Stir Souls in a Post-Christian World
How can you stir up curiosity in someone who thinks the story of Jesus is irrelevant to their lives—especially at Christmas time?
We're welcoming Darin and Joy Stevens, who live in the UK, where it's not that people are against God; they just don't think he's relevant. So what can we learn from their experience as we engage an increasingly post-Christian culture and yet still seek to stir souls with the True Story of Jesus Christ?
Guest: Darin and Joy Stevens
Mentioned Resources:
- StarttoStir
- Five Ways to Keep the Conversation Going at "Start to Stir"
- Gospel Fluency by Jeff Vanderstelt
- I told a story about "Running from Faucet to Faucet" which you can read here.
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Sharing the Story at Christmas
In this bonus Christmas episode, we're going to focus in on sharing the story of the Bible with others. This time of year offers us some unique opportunities.
I told a story about my son going from faucet to faucet, looking for hot water. That's what people do, don't they? And Christmas is a time when people are more aware than usual of their empty bucket, and their endless frustration—partly because of what they think Christmas should be like.
So as we interact with extended family, or attend parties, or connect with neighbors, how can we look for opportunities this Christmas to talk about the true story of God? How can we make the story relevant?
Guest Darin and Joy Stevens
Darin and Joy have served in youth ministries in the UK for over twenty years and have launched a new "StarttoStir" ministry, helping everyday people like us stir up curiosity in those who are seemingly disinterested in faith. How can we ask good questions and keep the conversation going (instead of shutting it down)? And how do we find a point of relevancy, for even bringing up something related to the Gospel?
Make sure you stick around till the end where Darin shared five different things we can look for to stir up conversations about faith.
LIVE the Story
One of the ways you live like the story is true is by having an urgency to share it with others. If it's true that people we love are lost, and that their sin separates them from God, won't we do whatever we can to help them find the true story? As Darin said, each person has a soul. We can count on that! So let's find ways to stir up curiosity, this Christmas, in the people God has places in our paths. Let's use good questions, and look for points of relevancy. Let's invite people into the story at God so much wants them to know.
Full Shownotes
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Jesus's Unsurpassed Power To Stop Your Storm's Terror {Sarah Walton}
Are you living through the terror of a storm? Is there a situation that feels completely out of your control? And do you wonder if maybe God is asleep? Have you even wondered, "Does God care about me?"
Sarah Walton joins me to talk about the story in Mark 4 of the disciples fighting for their lives as a storm rages, with Jesus asleep in the boat. Jesus does calm their storm, but not immediately! And the question we're after is: "Why?"
Bible Passage: Mark 4:35-41
Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Together through the Storms by Sarah and Jeff Walton
- Hope when it Hurts by Sarah Walton and Kristen Wetherell
- Control Girl by Shannon Popkin
- Knowing Faith Podcast with Russell Moore - listen at about the 9:20 mark
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Sarah Walton
Sarah Walton is a stay-at-home with four kids under 14 years of age. She’s the co-author of Hope When It Hurts and Together Through the Storms (May 2020) and blogs at Setapart.net. She and her husband, Jeff, recently relocated to Colorado Springs and attend Austin Bluff Evangelical Free Church. After more than a decade of trials and learning to walk with Christ as her family navigates Lyme Disease, special needs, and more, she shares how the gospel gives hope to our suffering. In her free time, she enjoys daydreaming about what she would do if she actually had free time.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Unlock the "Born Again" Mystery in a Story {Aaron Brewster}
Have you been born again? Do you know what this metaphor even means—and why Jesus used it to confront a Bible teacher named Nicodemus? And what about the metaphor of wind or the imagery of the snake on the pole? And why didn’t Jesus just use plain English... or maybe Greek?
Join me for a conversation with Aaron Brewster, where we discuss the story of Nicodemus from John 3.
Where else can I listen to the podcast?
Go HERE to find this episode on your favorite podcast app, including Apple, Spotify, and more.
Guest: AM Brewster
- Bible Passage: John 3:1-21
- Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
- Mentioned Resources:
Aaron Brewster
AMBrewster is the president of Truth.Love.Parent. and host of its acclaimed parenting podcast. Aaron is a husband, father, biblical counselor, pastor, and speaker. He's created hundreds of hours of free parenting resources including The Celebration of God Podcast.
Know the Story
"The True Story of Nicodemus" is found in John 3:1-21 of your Bible. If you’re familiar with John 3:16, did you know that verse is part of this conversation, and a direct quote of Jesus?
Share the Story
Often “sharing the Gospel” has meant trying to distill deep theological truths down to a snack size passage, which we think is easier to give away. If you’ve ever learned a Gospel presentation or shared a tract, most likely John 3:16 was part of it, because it does succinctly share some of the basic truths of the Gospel.
But when we share a story, like this one about Nicodemus, it’s easier to hold onto. Sharing a story from the Bible doesn’t feel like sharing doctrine, yet that’s exactly what happens. If you share this story of Nicodemus, it’s like opening your velvet pouch, filled with theological gems, and offering them to another person.
I hope you’ll take the challenge, and get this story ready to share with a friend or loved one this week.
Complete Shownotes Here.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Spirit's Breakthrough Power, Even in the Wilderness {Barb Roose}
Have you ever been forced into a wilderness of discomfort? An out-of-your-control season where the comforts of life are beyond reach? And do you want to binge your way through your wilderness, thinking, "Oh? I have to live without that? Well, then. I'll just feast on this."
Barb Roose joins me to look at the astonishing story in Matthew 4 of Jesus—who has been in the wilderness without food for forty days, and yet still has the power to overcome temptation.
Jesus lived through the power of the Holy Spirit, and you can, too!
Bible Passage: Matthew 4:1-11
Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Surrender by Barb Roose
- Surrender Principles by Barb Roose
- Control Girl by Shannon Popkin
- Psalm 34:18-19
- Genesis 3:1-7
- Deuteronomy 8:3
- Barb's Surrender Strategies
- Sign up for Shannon's Live Like It's True emails (chance to win Surrendered)
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Guest: Barb Roose
Barb is a Bible teacher who loves following God more than anything else. Rather than teaching audiences to follow God to get what they want, Barb inspires audiences to discover that God is all that they truly need!Barb is the author of five Bible studies including Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus and Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle and multiple books. Barb lives in NW Ohio and is proud mother of three adult daughters.
Find Barb on:
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Jesus Found Value in the Lonely Spaces {Alicia Bruxvoort}
Have you been feeling lonely recently? Do you ever feel misunderstood? Are there times you wonder if there's anywhere you really belong? If so, consider this: Jesus can relate.
Alicia Bruxvoort joins me to talk about what Jesus did when he encountered the Lonely Spaces. Alicia admits that we can't escape loneliness. Even in a crowd, or in a marriage, or across the table from a friend, we can still feel lonely. But in our lonely spaces, we have a choice. We can do what Jesus did in Mark 6.
Bible Passage: Luke 5:12-16 NIV
Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- For more on Jesus passing "clean" to the "unclean" (not the other way around), read Encounters with Jesus by Gary Burge, p. 53.
- The Hidden Gift of loneliness (Proverbs 31 Article by Alicia Bruxvoort)
- When Our Lonely Places Become Sacred Spaces (Proverbs 31 Article by Alicia Bruxvoort)
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Guest: Alicia Bruxvoort
Alicia speaks regularly at women’s events and writes for Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Encouragement for Today, an online devotional that daily reaches millions of women around the globe with bold hope and biblical truth.
A storyteller at heart, Alicia loves to weave the wonder of scripture with the whimsy of ordinary life and help women connect with Jesus on the pages of His word.
Alicia enjoys hot coffee and soulful stories, but her favorite tale is the one she lives with her husband, Rob, and the kids who gather around their table. Together, they chase Jesus and sunsets in Holland, Michigan.
Find Alicia Bruxvoort:
Get the full length shownotes here.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Fear Melts When You Know You'll Live Forever {Kristen Wetherell}
What fears do you struggle with? What anxieties hold you back? Do you worry about the things you can't control?
Kristen Wetherell joins me to talk about Jesus's responses to our fears in Luke 12. If you only live once, there's a lot to protect and so much to fear. But if you live twice? If you know that you'll live forever? Well, then. What is there left to fear?
Guest: Kristen Wetherell
Bible Passage: Luke 12:4–7, 22–32
Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources: Fight Your Fears by Kristen Wetherell
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Kristen Wetherell is a pastor’s wife, mother, writer, and speaker. She is the author of Humble Moms (April 2022), Fight Your Fears, co-author of the award-winning book Hope When It Hurts, and editor of 12 Faithful Women. Kristen lives in Chicagoland with her husband Brad and two kids where they are members of The Orchard.
Find Kristen on:
A Sermon About Fear
You may notice that this episode is a little different from the others because in Luke 12, Luke isn’t sharing a story, but rather a teaching of Jesus that gives us some insight into the about the overall story the Bible tells.
According to this overarching story that we’re part of, what should we fear? What shouldn’t we fear? I think you’re going to find so much encouragement in listening to Kristen share some of her fears, and in how she teaches us to fight our fears by reminding ourselves of a story of God, that is so much bigger and goes so far beyond the things that we fear.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Jesus's Forgiven Friend Might Look Like a Sinner {Erica Wiggenhorn}
Do you see the people around you like Jesus does? Or is a certain type of person you might look at with disdain? Who do you see as appalling, or as an annoyance? Is it possible that she looks like a sinner to you, but Jesus calls her forgiven?
Erica Wiggenhorn is with me to discuss the story of Simon and the sinful woman in Luke 7. The woman is letting down her hair, and making a scandalous scene at Jesus's feet. Simon thought of her as "that sort", but Jesus saw her as a woman with an eternal soul, who desperately needed forgiveness and saving. I'm going to invite you to live like this story is true.
Guest: Erica Wiggenhorn
Bible Passage: Luke 7:36-50
Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Unexplainable Jesus: Rediscovering the God You Thought You Knew by Erica Wiggenhorn
- Letting God Be Enough by Erica Wiggenhorn
- Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World
- Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth Bailey
- The Context and Color of the Bible Podcast with Erika VanHaitsma
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Erica is a speaker, Bible teacher, and the award winning author of the Unexplainable Bible study series with Moody Publishers. She lives in Phoenix with her best friend and husband, Jonathan, and their four kids—two of which are human. (The others are furry and adorable.)
Find Erica on:
The True Story at Simon's Table
This true story is found in Luke 7:36-50 in your Bible. It's an absolutely astonishing story in so many ways.
- It's astonishing that this woman falls at Jesus's feet with reckless abandon, and is willing to be utterly humiliated and "make a scene" to honor him.
- It's astonishing that Jesus doesn't push her away, but rather uses her as the positive example.
- It's also astonishing that Jesus turns Simon's eyes to look at this scandalous scene.
- It's amazing that Jesus tells her, "Go in peace."
LIVE the Story
Jesus asked Simon, "Do you see this woman?" Simon saw her as an annoyance. He looked at her with disdain. Living like this story is true is looking at "that sort" and saying, "Jesus loves her and died for her." It's seeing her as someone who was created with an eternal soul, and will either spend eternity with Jesus in peace, or eternity apart from him in hell.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Has Jesus Asked You to Participate in a Multiplying Miracle? {Jenn Hand}
Has Jesus asked you to give more than you have, today? Maybe you're stressed out, overwhelmed or burned out, and you just don’t have enough to do what Jesus has assigned to you today. I
f that’s you, I’m glad you’re joining us for this episode, because we’re going to talk about a situation where Jesus’s disciples were feeling exactly like that. Jenn Hand is joining me to talk about Mark 6, and a story of Jesus multiplying what little the disciples had.
What would change if you live like this story is true?
Guest: Jennifer Hand
Bible Passage: Mark 6:30-44
Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
Resources:
- Coming Alive Conversations
- Speak Up Conference
- Story of Hope Workbook
- Comparison Girl (my 6 week study, endorsed by Jenn)
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Jenn Hand is the Executive Director of Coming Alive Ministries. She’s an author, a speaker, and the host of the podcast “Coming Alive Conversations”. She has a master’s degree in trauma counseling and she travels around the world, doing trauma debriefing in the wake of natural disasters. Jenn loves to invite you to laugh with her and experience the love of Jesus, as you do. (Just wait till you hear her “Beans and Rice Story”!)
Find more from Jenn:
The Feeding of the 5,000
The True Story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand is found in Mark 6:30-44. It's an astonishing story of not having enough and Jesus multiplying what they did have to satisfy everyone. How can we live like this story is true?
Share the Story
Were you amazed by you amazed by Jenn’s story about—in her missions training, going through the Stories of Hope Workbook? I compared sharing these Bible stories, one at a time, with leaving “bread crumbs” for her friend—which lead to Jesus. Would you be willing to share just one story (a bread crumb?) with a friend who doesn’t yet know Jesus? Pray for His direction.
Live the Story
Jesus multiplied what they had. What little amount do you have? What is God asking you to place in his hands, knowing that He can multiply it if He wants?
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Why You Might Be A Better Gospel-Sharer Than You Thought {John 4:1-42}
Do you feel pretty inadequate, as a Gospel-Spreader?
In this retelling episode, we're looking back to the story from John 4, where Jesus interrupts his trip to Galilee to have a conversation with the least likely Gospel-Spreader: A Samaritan woman who had been repeatedly divorced and was now living with another man.
John is the only Gospel writer to include this story. Why? He wants us to see that Jesus came for everyone, and that anyone can help share the good news.
Bible Passage: John 4:1-42
Referring Back to Episode: The Truth About Your Thirstiness for More with Mary Demuth
Mentioned: Storyrunners with Cru.
Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Truth About Your Thirstiness for More {Mary DeMuth}
What are you constantly thirsty for? What’s the habit or person or behavior you’ve returned to repeatedly—always dipping your bucket and yet coming up dry? And what difference should it make that Jesus has offered you his living water?
On Season One of Live Like It’s True, we’re discussing the True Stories of Jesus. Mary DeMuth joins me to discuss the story from John 4 of Jesus meeting the Woman at the Well.
Guest: Mary DeMuth
Bible Passage: John 4:1-30 NLT, The Samaritan Woman at the Well
Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
Featured Resource: The Day I Met Jesus co-authored by Mary DeMuth
Complete Shownotes: at ShannonPopkin.com
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Mary DeMuth is an international speaker, literary agent, podcaster, and the author of over forty books, including The Day I Met Jesus. Mary loves to help people re-story their lives. She lives in Texas with her husband of 30 years and is the mom to three adult children. Be prayed for on her daily prayer podcast with 2 million downloads: Pray Everyday podcast.
Find Mary on:
The Woman at the Well
The true story of the Woman at the Well is found in John 4:1-30 of your Bible. (Please note that in the broadcast, Mary is using the NLT and I thought I was using the NLT, but actually I was reading from the ESV. Sorry about that confusion!)
It's the true story of a Samaritan woman who had the longest recorded theological conversation with Jesus in the Bible. I hope you'll be amazed by the approachableness of Jesus and his thirst-quenching water, and then I hope you'll live like the story is true.
Live the Story
Here are some ways to live like this story from John 4 is true.
- When Jesus said, “Go get your husband," it was because he wanted to have a forthright conversation with the woman at the well about her sin and her thirst. I shouldn't try to hide something from Jesus, because he already knows. What do I need to have an honest conversation with him about?
- Jesus revealed to the woman that He was the Messiah and it changed everything for her. How have I responded to the Messiah? Have I bent my knee, and lived like it’s true that He is the Anointed One of God?
Full shownotes here .
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
The Surprise of the Story: When Jesus Doesn't Fix It {Paralytic in Mark 2}
In the story from Mark 2 (or Luke 5) of the friends bringing the paralyzed man to Jesus, the storyteller uses a surprise to highlight something important in the story.
My retelling episodes focus in on certain story elements, either of the story we discussed in a previous episode, or the overarching story that the Bible tells.
This episode is a follow up to my conversation with Kelly Needham in the episode, "How to Live Like it's True that You're Forgiven."
Bible Passage: Mark 2:1-12 CSB
Referring back to the story from this Episode:
"How to Live Like it's True that You're Forgiven." with Kelly Needham
Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
· Friendish by Kelly Needham
· Comparison Girl by Shannon Popkin
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
How to Live Like It's True that You're Forgiven {Kelly Needham}
The man in our story thought paralysis was his biggest problem, but Jesus took care of an even bigger one. And his friends got to dig up a roof and make a way for it to happen.
Guest: Kelly Needham
Bible Passage: Mark 2:1-12 CSB
Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
Resources:
- Friendish by Kelly Needham
- Comparison Girl by Shannon Popkin
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Complete Shownotes: at ShannonPopkin.com
Kelly Needham
Kelly is the author of Friendish: Reclaiming Real Friendship in a Culture of Confusion and she's been featured on Revive Our Hearts, Desiring God, and The Gospel Coalition.
Whether writing or speaking, Kelly’s aim is to convince as many people as possible that nothing compares to knowing Jesus. You can find more of her writing and speaking at kellyneedham.com or follow her on social media.
Visit www.shannonpopkin.com/promises/ to learn more about my six-week Bible study with Our Daily Bread, titled, "Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith." Learn how you too can be shaped by the promises of our faithful God.
Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Welcome to the Live Like It's True {Bible Podcast}
What story are you telling with your life? We’re all telling a story, but we’re all not telling the true story.
Welcome to Live Like It’s True—the podcast devoted to helping you know the story, share the story, and live the story.
The story that I’m referring to, of course, is the true story the Bible tells. In this trailer episode, I’ll be sharing what you can expect from each episode, the guests I’ve invited for this first season, and my hopes and goals for the podcast, overall.
Freebie: Live Like It's True Workbook
Mentioned Resources:
- Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World
- Finding the Lost by Kenneth Bailey
- Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg
Music: Cade Popkin Music
Interested in more? Connect with me:
The Story the Bible Tells
I started falling in love with this story--this truer, overarching story, when I was just a little girl. My dad has pictures that I drew, sitting in church listening to the sermon and trying to make sense of it all. In my basement I have some of the Bible story books that my parents read to me when I was small, and when I look at the pages, I remember how I was drawn to those stories. Still today, when I open my Bible, I find it satisfying and clarifying.
But I need lots of reminders, and I’m guessing you do to. That’s why - whether I’m sharing words on a page or a platform or from behind this podcast microphone, it’s my goal to always invite you to open God’s word with me, drink in the richness of the story, and then live like the story is true.
You can contact me here. (I'd love to hear from you!)
Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
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Podcasten Live Like It’s True {Bible Podcast} är skapad av Shannon Popkin. Podcastens innehåll och bilderna på den här sidan hämtas med hjälp av det offentliga podcastflödet (RSS).
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