Come Over for Dinner!

In this episode, host Bess Hawthorne sits down with Rachel Jankovic to talk about her new book, No Time to Be Dumb , and her latest project, Fresh Tank: Weekly Encouragement for Women. They discuss how our emotions can bring glory to God, learning and growing from mistakes, and the importance of the work we do at home. In Episode 2, it’s all about the Grace Agenda Block Party! Bess and Rachel take you behind the scenes of planning a large-scale event and feeding a crowd. From organizing and food to volunteers and logistics, they share what goes into making it happen, with plenty of stories and laughs along the way. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to pull off an event like this, this episode is for you! We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Join Araz Torosyan as she shares the many hospitality lessons she's learned through frequent moves as a Navy spouse. From hilarious newlywed cooking disasters to confidently hosting a beloved soup night for her husband's dive school classmates, Araz reflects on how opening her home has grown over the years. She also shares her creative approach to building community in every new place (hint: she doesn't wait for an invitation!), along with family-friendly recipes that are always a hit. We wrap up the conversation with thoughtful ideas for making overnight guests feel at home and a favorite kid-friendly kitchen tool recommendation. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Join Valerie Abraham as she shares how her upbringing in France, life in America, and marriage to her Egyptian American husband have shaped her unique approach to cooking and hospitality. From Sunday morning coffee and pastries to practical table décor on a budget (including dollar store dishes!), Valerie offers inspiring ideas, kitchen must-haves she uses daily, three favorite book recommendations, and a flavorful menu influenced by multiple cultures. She also reminds us that hospitality is an imitation of God, the ultimate giver of every good gift. We close with a moving, thought-provoking conversation about both giving and receiving hospitality during a season of grief. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Join Valerie Abraham as she shares how her upbringing in France, life in America, and marriage to her Egyptian American husband have shaped her unique approach to cooking and hospitality. From Sunday morning coffee and pastries to practical table décor on a budget (including dollar store dishes!), Valerie offers inspiring ideas, kitchen must-haves she uses daily, three favorite book recommendations, and a flavorful menu influenced by multiple cultures. She also reminds us that hospitality is an imitation of God, the ultimate giver of every good gift. We close with a moving, thought-provoking conversation about both giving and receiving hospitality during a season of grief. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Join Mandi Kirsch as we discuss how to make events truly special, from family Advent feasts to memorable weddings. Mandi tells the story of how she became her church’s go-to wedding planner, complete with an impressive collection of décor stored in her basement available for others to borrow. She also offers a family favorite recipe featuring a magic ingredient, an authentic Mexican side dish, and practical encouragement to practice hospitality by using what God has given you. We wrap up the conversation the way every good meal should end - talking about the coffee to be served. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Join Ericha Van Brimmer as we talk about finding your style of hospitality, what works for you in your current stage of life, and how that will naturally change over time. Her advice: think through who your guests are and how to bless them, starting with your family first. She encourages us to remember that hospitality is a way of life, not a performance, and that your hospitality "muscle" grows over time as you practice it. Perfection isn’t the goal, loving people is. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Join Kirsten Miller for a conversation on what hospitality looks like as a grandmother. In this episode, we discuss how to be GREAT in your role as a grandma, mother-in-law, and parent to adult children. Kirsten shares many creative ways to spend time with your grandchildren, along with tips for hosting large, kid-filled gatherings. We reflect on seasons of life, the gifts God has given each of us, and a book that helped shape Kirsten's perspective. We hope this discussion encourages you and equips you with tools to be a wise and godly woman who cultivates a family in good fellowship with close relationships. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Join Kirsten Miller for a conversation on what hospitality looks like as a grandmother. In this episode, we discuss how to be GREAT in your role as a grandma, mother-in-law, and parent to adult children. Kirsten shares many creative ways to spend time with your grandchildren, along with tips for hosting large, kid-filled gatherings. We reflect on seasons of life, the gifts God has given each of us, and a book that helped shape Kirsten's perspective. We hope this discussion encourages you and equips you with tools to be a wise and godly woman who cultivates a family in good fellowship with close relationships. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Join Mary Ellen Turner as she shares practical, realistic ways to practice hospitality in the busy years of raising little kids. From delicious meals the kids happily devour to a plan for preparing meals for others, Mary Ellen shares numerous tips you'll find very helpful. She discusses a clever cleaning tip, ways to welcome the littlest guests, an after-lunch treat for the adults, and how the freezer can help you stay prepared for hospitality. We also talk about the kitchen tools she reaches for every single day, items you may want to add to your own wish list. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Join Lorin Grimaldi, mom of six and church potluck coordinator, as she shares practical tips on feeding families at church and at home, teaching kids to help with cleaning, and using clever systems like color-coding to bring order to everyday life. She also shares her five-minute tip, a simple habit that helps you pause and warmly greet your guests. We talk about delicious recipes and the gift of unexpected hospitality, including simple ways to add a thoughtful, surprising extra touch. Plus, we highlight a variety of favorite product picks, including some delicious treats you need to try this summer! We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Join Hero Merkle, a florist, caterer, and recent college grad, as she discusses the art of creating beautiful floral arrangements and shares stress-free strategies for cooking on a large scale. She's coordinated a delicious menu you’ll want to make again and again. Hero reveals a little-known grocery store hack, offers advice on thoughtful communication with guests, and highlights a must-have kitchen item everyone should own. Along the way we tell lots of stories that will have you laughing with us. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Join Hero Merkle, a florist, caterer, and recent college grad, as she discusses the art of creating beautiful floral arrangements and shares stress-free strategies for cooking on a large scale. She's coordinated a delicious menu you’ll want to make again and again. Hero reveals a little-known grocery store hack, offers advice on thoughtful communication with guests, and highlights a must-have kitchen item everyone should own. Along the way we tell lots of stories that will have you laughing with us. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Celebrate Easter with a three-day family feast - Feaster! Join Kim and Kristina Hatcher as they discuss how to expand the holiday into a whirlwind of fun, food, and activities for all ages. From starting the week with a Holy Week liturgy to planning a full Feaster schedule and recipes to feed the crowd, this episode is packed with ideas to make your celebration joyous. To cap it off, the Hatchers reveal a family favorite: the Feaster beer garden where adults share beers, kids sip sodas, and each person contributes a Scripture, song, painting, or reading to meditate on Easter. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Join Annika Haney, a college senior, as we talk about practicing hospitality in the middle of college life — from crêpe nights and roommate dinners that build community to birthday celebrations that make people feel loved. She shares practical ways to host on a budget and a busy schedule, living out her house motto: live with people, not just alongside them. Annika also offers favorite recipes, helpful hosting tips, a must-read book, and online tools that make cooking and gathering easier for any cook, young or old. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Join me for an inspiring conversation with Alyssa Donovan from Canada, best known for her incredible sourdough creations! We dive into everything from making your own starter to tips and resources for making delicious loaves. She even shares a dessert focaccia recipe! Alyssa talks about the best flours for gluten-free baking, so your baked goods turn out soft and fluffy, and she recommends a site with delicious recipes you'll refer to again and again. We discuss a way to make chores fun for kids, why an air fryer might be a kitchen must-have, and a Brussels sprouts recipe the whole family will love. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

In this episode, Ginger Elmore, mother of nine, joins me with two of her daughters, Courtney and Trinity, to talk about raising capable, confident daughters who help create a hospitable home. Ginger shares wisdom on preparing girls to step in and skillfully take charge in the kitchen and other areas of hospitality, while Courtney and Trinity discuss what they've learned from their mom. Together, they share favorite menus for everything from after-church coffee hour to their weekly Wednesday family and friends dinner. You'll hear insights into large-scale hospitality, must-have items, and how to make every guest, especially the littlest ones, feel welcome. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Join Lizze Miller as she discusses how to dive into hospitality when you’re new to town ( She's moved 7 times in 4 years! ) and how to make others feel comfortable. Lizze shares her theory on building a well-balanced dish and menu and how to use a timeline approach. She's known best for cakes. You won't want to miss her famous recipe or her fun ideas for a cookbook club! We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Join Elizabeth Landis as we discuss her new book, The Forgotten Realm . While church and family are familiar places where we spend much of our time, Elizabeth helps us understand the often-overlooked civil realm and why it matters. She encourages us to make this realm a part of our lives and offers practical advice on where to begin. We then jump back into the family realm for quick, flavor-packed recipes perfect for busy days. Plus, Elizabeth shares a unique dessert idea you definitely won’t want to miss! We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Immigrating from Russia as a teen, Nicole Shuparski offers a unique perspective on serving others including a humorous look into life on her church’s hospitality committee. From the cauldron-sized pot she uses for her beloved clam chowder to the oar she stirs it with, Nicole shares her must-have tools and reliable recipes, including trusted King Arthur Baking classics. She highlights the importance of writing out a plan, staying flexible, and keeping a good attitude. Nicole also reminds those who are married to be in sync with their husband's vision for hospitality and to avoid comparison to others. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

Immigrating from Russia as a teen, Nicole Shuparski offers a unique perspective on serving others including a humorous look into life on her church’s hospitality committee. From the cauldron-sized pot she uses for her beloved clam chowder to the oar she stirs it with, Nicole shares her must-have tools and reliable recipes, including trusted King Arthur Baking classics. She highlights the importance of writing out a plan, staying flexible, and keeping a good attitude. Nicole also reminds those who are married to be in sync with their husband's vision for hospitality and to avoid comparison to others. We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!