Gracenotes Podcast

🔖 Topics Covered: Sarah’s journey through chronic illness and motherhood Parenting children with neurological and health challenges How suffering shaped her children’s compassion and faith The heart behind Jesus Will Meet You There What Jesus’ interactions in the Gospels reveal about weakness Helpful vs. unhelpful ways to comfort someone who is suffering Why listening matters more than having the “right words” Experiencing Christ’s nearness in seasons of exhaustion and doubt 📚 Learn more about Sarah at Substack Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

🔖 Topics Covered: Grief has a way of changing everything in an instant. Whether you've lost a spouse, child, parent, friend, or are grieving another unexpected loss, this conversation offers biblical hope for the hurting heart. In this episode of Grace Notes , Grace sits down with bestselling author and speaker Lisa Appelo , whose life changed overnight when her husband unexpectedly passed away, leaving her to raise their seven children alone. Rather than offering a checklist for "getting over" grief, Lisa shares why true healing is found in knowing the character of God. Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

What if worship isn’t just something we do on Sundays—but something that reshapes every moment of our day? In this episode, Grace sits down with author and speaker Emily Jensen to talk about her new booklet on worship and how it transforms ordinary motherhood into meaningful devotion. From busy mornings and school drop-offs to the deeper questions of why we do what we do, Emily invites us to see worship as our right response to who God is and what He has done. They explore how worship impacts our perspective and carries us through seasons of suffering. Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

🔖 Topics Covered: Sarah’s journey through chronic illness and motherhood Parenting children with neurological and health challenges How suffering shaped her children’s compassion and faith The heart behind Jesus Will Meet You There What Jesus’ interactions in the Gospels reveal about weakness Helpful vs. unhelpful ways to comfort someone who is suffering Why listening matters more than having the “right words” Experiencing Christ’s nearness in seasons of exhaustion and doubt 📚 Learn more about Sarah at Substack Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

Episode Title: Seven Habits of Resistance — Discerning Cultural Lies & Living the Way of Jesus Guest: Elizabeth Woodson — Founder of The Woodson Institute Episode Summary: Elizabeth shares about her new book on the Seven Lies of Culture and the Seven Habits of Resistance , offering practical spiritual practices that help believers resist cultural narratives and live rooted in Christ, they also discuss... Understanding OT truths like, Exodus 34:6 "And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." How habits shape our spiritual lives Identifying false cultural stories Practical ways to apply spiritual disciplines in everyday moments How the church can encourage one another in truth Find more at: https://biyaya1.substack.com Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

Postpartum is a difficult season, Cradled is a resource to support new moms. Grace chats with Annie Vanderheiden, the former Risen Motherhood editor about 8 postpartum tasks. feeding changing sleeping soothing washing nurturing praying anticipating -Ordinary moments can point women back to Jesus and remind them that “As moms care for children, He cares for moms.” -Annie’s personal struggles with postpartum depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation, shame, and isolation—especially during COVID. -How Christ gently shepherds mothers in weakness and exhaustion. -The importance of community, vulnerability, church support, meals, prayer, and honest conversations during postpartum. Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

Vickie Gaynier: From Addiction and Despair to Portraying Heroes of the Faith. Vickie shares her powerful testimony of overcoming years of drug use and despair. She recounts her transformative experience of accepting Jesus Christ while in a mental ward. She now uses her acting talent to portray women of faith, such as Corrie ten Boom and Fanny Crosby, bringing their stories to life and inspiring others. Vickie emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, God's grace, and the power of personal testimony. The episode also explores Vickie's journey as a mother, her struggles, and her reliance on God to guide and mold her parenting. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own faith and the impact of their testimonies. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:35 Vickie's Testimony: From Despair to Faith 01:20 Discovering Acting and Portraying Women of Faith 02:46 Motherhood and Learning from Others 04:28 A Journey Through Addiction and Redemption 13:33 The Power of Forgiveness 15:54 Portraying Corrie ten Boom and Other Women of Faith 18:16 Closing Thoughts and Prayer 19:57 Where to Find More of Vickie's Work Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

Aimee Joseph author of 'Made to Rest, True Peace in a World that Never Stops.' Aimee is a mother of three and wife to a pastor. She shares her insights on biblical rest derived from her own experiences and the process of raising three boys. She emphasizes the significance of spiritual rest, being grounded in a Christ-centered life, as opposed to self-centered cultural solutions for restlessness. Aimee discusses daily, weekly, and seasonal rhythms that help believers find true rest and peace amidst a busy life, offering practical tips like 'wonder walks.' The conversation also explores scriptural foundations of rest, notably the Sabbath, and ends with a prayer for rest and guidance. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:33 Parenting Teenagers: Highs and Lows 03:00 The Importance of Rest 05:28 Defining Biblical Rest 09:44 Practical Rhythms of Rest 13:28 Scriptural Foundations of Rest 24:09 Closing Thoughts and Prayer 26:23 Where to Find More from Aimee Joseph Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

What does it take to build long-lasting, Christ-centered friendships in a world full of busyness & loneliness? In this episode, I sit down with Bailey T. Hurley , author of Together Is a Beautiful Place , to chat about the joys and challenges of friendship. Bailey shares her own story of navigating seasons of friendship drought, the cost and beauty of prioritizing relationships, and how biblical principles like carrying one another’s burdens can transform the way we connect. We also dive into practical ideas like open houses, that make friendship feel both approachable and life-giving Learn more on her Book Page. Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

Today’s guest is Cara Ray , author of The Pursuit of Holy Leisure: Enjoying God in Everyday Places . Cara is a writer, Bible teacher, and the founder of The Writer’s Bloc Community and Podcast , a space created to help Christian women grow in both the art and heart of writing. Once a self-described “quiet time checkbox checker,” Cara now writes to help believers slow down, savor Scripture, and pursue what she calls holy leisure —a soul at rest in God, even amid busy, demanding lives. Her work has been featured on Desiring God , Gospel-Centered Discipleship , and the YouVersion Bible App . Find more here. Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

Grace Thomas chats with author Kristen Wetherell about practical ways to prioritize prayer along with... -Staying the course when motherhood feels discouraging -How chronic illness and suffering shaped Kristen’s dependence on God -Prayer shifting from duty to desire -Teaching children to pray in simple, tangible ways -Common misconceptions about prayer -How prayer reveals the true condition of our hearts Find more here: https://biyaya1.substack.com Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

Grace Thomas talks with Mary Eschen, host of Parenting Decoded , about raising independent kids, managing screen time, & building strong parent-child connections. Introduction: Meet Mary Eschen, Parenting Expert and Host of Parenting Decoded Mary’s Parenting Journey: From Helicopter Mom to Love and Logic Coach Screen Time and Technology: Practical Tips for Today’s Kids: tools like Bark.com. Building Human Connection: One-on-One Time with Your Child Resources and Tools: Podcasts & lectures Closing Prayer and Reflection: Applying God’s Guidance in Parenting Podcast: www.parentingdecoded.com Gracenotes: https://biyaya1.substack.com/ Help other parents discover Grace Notes ! Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform, and share this episode featuring Mary Eschen’s practical parenting advice. Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

What do you do when you doubt your purpose and calling? When you have big goals and don’t know what to do? Kelly’s book Purposefooled answers these questions with scripture and timely insights. Book Quotes “We were made for nothing less than the infinitely glorious, breathtakingly beautiful person of God Himself.” “I am no longer the main character in my own life.” “True greatness exists only in the triune God—the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.” “The call for the Christian isn’t ‘follow your dreams’; it’s ‘follow Christ.’” Links Kelly’s Book YouTube Channel Spotify Instagram Find more on Substack: https://substack.com/@gracen0tes?utm_source=user-menu Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

Abbey Wedgeworth , creator of the beloved Training Young Hearts series and the devotional Held shares practical tools for raising kiddos. Together they explore how the gospel shapes everyday parenting. Abbey shares honest highs and lows of motherhood, the beauty of raising three boys, and the importance of helping children see that Jesus was a child too—one who always used His hands, words, and heart for good. She also explains her idea of training refrains —simple, repeatable phrases that replace frustration with gospel truth—and offers encouragement for moms. Find more on Substack. Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

Grace interviews Blair Linne, the author of ' Made to Tremble: How Anxiety Became the Best Thing That Ever Happened to My Faith.' Blair shares her journey from dealing with severe anxiety and panic attacks to finding deep dependence on God. Throughout the conversation, she discusses the challenges of balancing motherhood, homeschooling, and moving to a new city while managing anxiety. Blair emphasizes the importance of community support, faith in God, and practical tools for managing anxiety. She also talks about her family's ministry on family worship and how they've incorporated these practices into their daily lives. The episode concludes with a prayer for women facing similar struggles and information on how to connect with Blair and her work. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:49 Motherhood and Holiday Season Challenges 01:59 Blair's Story: From Philadelphia to Panic Attacks 05:25 The Journey Through Anxiety 07:41 Support Systems and Community Help 14:04 Family Worship and Ministry 17:52 Practical Tools and Final Thoughts 24:07 Closing Prayer and Contact Information Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

Rooted in the Word: A Conversation with Gretchen Saffles of Well-Watered Woman In this episode of Grace Notes , I had the joy of sitting down with Gretchen Saffles , founder of Well-Watered Women and author of The Well-Watered Woman , Word Before World , and Sweeter Than Honey . We talk about the highs and lows of motherhood, simplifying life during busy seasons, and what it means to stay rooted in God’s Word when life's overwhelming. Gretchen shares practical wisdom on studying Scripture in every season . We also dive into how social media can shape our theology —and how to renew our minds with truth. Find more here: https://substack.com/@gracen0tes/posts Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

🔖 Shownotes: Hunter Beless—Bible teacher, children’s book author, and founder of Journeywomen Ministries . Hunter shares about the highs and lows of motherhood, the heart behind her newest children’s book Jesus Loves You More , and how parents can point their children to the unshakable love of Christ. Together we talk about: Highlighting and celebrating God’s work in your children The story behind Journeywomen Ministries and Hunter’s writing journey The inspiration for Jesus Loves You More and its gospel-centered message How to help kids grasp the difference between human love and God’s perfect love Practical encouragement for pointing children toward lasting truths when life feels hard Order Here Listen on Apple Podcasts If you enjoyed this show, consider leaving a review or sharing with a friend. (: Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

Topics Covered * Why is prayer valuable? * If prayer’s so valuable, why don’t we do it more often? * What does prayer look like practically? Verses on Prayer * Psalm 138:8 “ The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever–forsake not the works of Your own hands.” * Colossians 4:2 “ Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” * John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” I’d love to hear your prayer goals or requests. Let me know your thoughts in the comments, or private message me. Thanks for listening! Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

We talk about: ✨ Ways families can cultivate a heart for prayer.✨ Jenny’s personal experiences overseas and lessons on hospitality, holiness, and cross-cultural love.✨ Practical resources & ideas. Resources Mentioned: Jenny’s Book! Around the World with Kate & Mack – a colorful kids’ resource from Wycliffe Bible Translators that helps families learn about Bible translation and pray for the nations. Around the World: Letters from Children Across Nations – from The Daily Grace Company , a family-friendly book with stories, cultural insights, and prayer prompts. Joshua Project – sign up for daily emails highlighting an unreached people group with prayer points: joshuaproject.net Jenny’s Blog – free guides, prayer prompts, and activities for families to pray for unreached people groups and learn about world religions. Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe

What does it take to build long-lasting, Christ-centered friendships in a world full of busyness & loneliness? In this episode, I sit down with Bailey T. Hurley , author of Together Is a Beautiful Place , to chat about the joys and challenges of friendship. Bailey shares her own story of navigating seasons of friendship drought, the cost and beauty of prioritizing relationships, and how biblical principles like carrying one another’s burdens can transform the way we connect. We also dive into practical ideas like open houses, that make friendship feel both approachable and life-giving Learn more on her Book Page. Get full access to Gracenotes at biyaya1.substack.com/subscribe