The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast

What if one small act of obedience could change the entire trajectory of someone’s life? In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Meredith Brock and Kaley Olson sit down with Dr. Nujerling Vargas — a neurosurgeon from the Dominican Republic whose story is nothing short of remarkable. From walking barefoot to school and sharing a single notebook between siblings … to performing brain surgery and leading in her field, Nujerling’s journey is a testimony of what happens when someone is given the chance to dream. Through the support of Compassion International, her physical needs were met, her faith was formed, and her future was forever changed. If you’ve ever wondered whether your impact really matters, this conversation will remind you that it does — more than you know. You’ll learn: Resources From This Episode: compassion.com/proverbs31Click here

What if the way you see your life could shift — not because your circumstances change but because your perspective does? In this powerful and story-rich episode, Cailah Garcia and Kaley Olson sit down with longtime friend of Proverbs 31 Ministries Sharon Jaynes to talk about the life-changing impact of gratitude. With humor, honesty, and deeply moving personal stories (including a travel day gone completely wrong), Sharon shares how gratitude isn’t just a feeling — it’s a practice that can reshape how we experience God in our everyday lives. If you’ve been feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or stuck in a cycle of negativity, this conversation will gently reframe your perspective and remind you that even in hard moments, God is still at work. You’ll learn: Resources From This Episode: Download the FREE Journal: Unpolished. When You Don’t Like Your Story by Sharon Jaynes. ESV Bible (Crossway). American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). Click here Want More on This Topic? Therapy & Theology“How To Accept a Future You Never Wanted.”

Have you ever felt stuck trying to make the right decision — afraid one wrong move could mess everything up? In this honest and practical conversation, Meredith Brock and Cailah Garcia sit down with author and speaker Grace Valentine to talk about what it looks like to make decisions with God instead of with anxiety. Through personal stories (including a hilarious texting mishap), biblical wisdom, and a deep dive into Proverbs 3:5-6, Grace reminds us that decision-making was never meant to be something we navigate alone. When we try to decode every outcome or gather endless opinions, we often spiral into chaos instead of stepping into wisdom. If you’re facing a big decision right now — or simply feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty — this episode will help you pause, seek God’s voice, and move forward with faith instead of fear. You’ll learn: Resources From This Episode: Connect With Grace Valentine. https://www.gracevalentine.orgEncouragement for Today Devotions. SubscribeCome Close to Jesus — A Brand-New Resource From Lysa TerKeurst. Come Close to JesusGive nowClick here Want More on This Topic? “Why Am I So Afraid of Failure?”The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast

If you’ve ever sat down to pray and felt unsure of what to say — or wondered whether God is actually listening — this episode is for you. In this honest and hope-filled conversation, Kaley Olson and Cailah Garcia sit down with Lysa TerKeurst to talk about what prayer really is: not a performance, not perfect words, but daily dependence on a God who is already near. Together, they explore how to pray when you’re spiritually tired, how to discern whether you’re hearing God or just your own thoughts, and why asking for “daily bread” might be the most grounding prayer you can pray. If you’ve been wrestling with big unanswered prayers or quiet doubts, this episode gently reminds you that Jesus already came close to you — and He is not waiting for you to have it all together before you come to Him. You’ll learn: Resources From This Episode: Come Close to Jesus: What to Pray When You Need the Lord to Still Your Thoughts, Calm Your Heart, and Guide Your Waywww.proverbs31.org/giveClick here Want More on This Topic? When God Doesn’t Remove the Hard Thing — But Meets You in It.

Our thoughts are busy places — full of worries, assumptions, memories, and what ifs that can quietly shape how we live and respond to the world around us. And while no one has a perfectly manicured mind, Scripture reminds us that we don’t have to be ruled by every thought that shows up. In today’s episode, our friend Max Lucado joins us to share a hopeful, practical message about renewing your mind and learning to take your thoughts captive. Drawing from Romans 12 and other powerful passages, Max walks us through three simple but life-changing tools to help you identify toxic thought patterns, uproot lies, and replace them with God’s Truth. You’ll learn: Partner With Us: If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by anxious thoughts, stuck in negative self-talk, or frustrated by emotional overreactions, this conversation will give you language, clarity, and next steps for moving forward with greater peace and freedom. That’s why we created a free downloadable resource called “I’ll Go First.” It is a simple, guided conversation tool designed to help you open honest, meaningful dialogue about what’s really going on beneath the surface. Whether you’re wrestling with your own thoughts or walking alongside someone who is, this resource gives you practical questions and biblical encouragement to begin the journey toward healthier thinking together. Resources From This Episode: “Tools to Fight Anxiety and Better Your Mental Health”"Tame Your Thoughts"Each time you support Proverbs 31Subscribe Click here

If you hoped this year would feel lighter by now — but you’re still in the same hard place — this episode is for you. In this honest and hope-filled conversation, Meredith Brock and Kaley Olson sit down with Sarah Freymuth to explore what God may be doing when the struggle doesn’t lift. Through Scripture and personal experience, Sarah reminds us that unanswered prayers aren’t signs of God’s absence — they can be invitations to deeper trust. If you’ve been asking “Why me?,” this episode gently invites you to shift the question to “What now, God?” and discover how God meets us in the valley. You’ll learn: Resources From This Episode: All the Hard Things: Therapy & Theology Podcast Therapy & TheologyClick here Want More on This Topic? Therapy & Theology“How Can I Trust God When I Don’t Understand What He Allows?”

We talk about grace a lot — but do we actually understand it? For many of us, grace feels like the doorway into faith … yet something we quietly try to “maintain” through our own effort. What if God never intended you to earn what He freely gives? In today’s episode, writer and Bible teacher Kristel Acevedo joins Meredith Brock and Kaley Olson for a deeply clarifying conversation about the kind of grace Scripture describes — the grace that saves us and keeps us. Through biblical teaching, real-life stories, and practical wisdom, Kristel helps us see why striving leaves us exhausted, how sanctification actually works, and why resting in God’s unshakable love is the starting place for real spiritual transformation. If you’re tired of trying to be “good enough,” wrestling with shame, or wondering whether you’ve used up all of God’s patience, this episode will breathe fresh hope into your heart. Grace isn’t a one-time gift. It’s the ongoing work of God in you — today, tomorrow, and every day after. You’ll learn: forfrom Resources From This Episode: When life feels uncertain, God’s promises are not. Stir up your faith with the 40 Days Through the New TestamentGive to Proverbs 31 Ministries todayConnect with Kristel Acevedo KristelAcevedo.comA Way in the WildernessDiscover the Every Woman’s Bible. EveryWomansBible.comClick here Want More on This Topic? “Are We Missing Jesus as We Work for Jesus?”The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast

What if your confidence in Jesus didn’t have to rest on feelings alone — but on real, compelling evidence? In this episode, Kaley Olson and Meredith Brock sit down with Dr. Joel Muddamalle to explore why Christians can trust both the Bible and the historical Jesus with clarity and confidence. Joel unpacks the surprisingly strong historical, textual, and archaeological evidence surrounding Scripture, the overwhelming support for the resurrection, and why even secular scholars take the Gospels seriously. You’ll walk away not just informed but anchored — reminded that the story of Jesus isn’t fragile, mythical, or wishful thinking. It’s trustworthy. It’s verifiable. And it changes everything. You’ll learn: Resources From This Episode: Download the free First 5 app: Begin a daily rhythmFollow Dr. Joel Muddamalle: InstagramSubstackExplore 40 Days Through the New Testament: Knowing the Savior Who Steadies Our Uncertainty:Walk through the New TestamentClick here Want More on This Topic? “Am I Reading My Bible Right?”The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast

Christmas is the story of Love stepping toward us — yet for many of us, love is still the place where our deepest questions live. Why is it hard to give? Why is it even harder to receive? And what does Advent have to do with it? In this final Advent episode, Kaley Olson, Wendy Blight, and Ellen Adkins explore what Scripture reveals about the human heart — and why Jesus came to transform it from the inside out. You’ll get a freeing look at why hostility toward God shows up in all of us, how the Holy Spirit enables a new kind of love we could never muster on our own, and a tender invitation to receive the love God is offering right now. With biblical teaching, honest reflection, and a prayer for anyone longing for a fresh start with God, this episode reminds us: His love isn’t distant or conditional. It’s personal, present … and it’s meant for you. You’ll learn: Resources From This Episode: Join us for Advent in the First 5 app! freeGo deeper with our brand-new Advent study guide, More Than a Manger. Help more women access biblical Truth this season. [Give to Proverbs 31 Ministries today.]Click here Want More on This Topic? “The Secret to Really Loving Your Neighbor”The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast

Joy sounds simple at Christmastime … until life brings loss, disappointment, or unanswered prayers. In this Advent episode, Wendy Blight joins Kaley Olson and Ellen Adkins to share how Jesus brings joy — not to replace suffering but right in the middle of it. Through Wendy’s honest personal story and a biblical look at joy throughout Scripture, you’ll discover how true joy isn’t rooted in circumstances — it's rooted in the presence of Jesus who meets us, sustains us, and carries us through things we never asked for. A powerful message for anyone who’s wondering how joy is possible in a season that feels anything but joyful. You’ll learn: Resources From This Episode: Join us for Advent in the First 5 app! freeGo deeper with our brand-new Advent study guide, More Than a Manger. Help more women access biblical Truth this season. [Give to Proverbs 31 Ministries today.]Click here Want More on This Topic? Therapy & Theology“How Can I Trust God When I Don’t Understand What He Allows?”

When life feels unsettled, peace can feel impossible to find. In this Advent episode, Ellen Adkins joins Kaley Olson and Wendy Blight to unpack the deeper meaning of “shalom” — not just the absence of conflict but the presence of wholeness. Together, they trace the story of peace from the garden of Genesis to the birth of Jesus, revealing why Christ alone brings calm to the chaos within us and around us. A hope-filled conversation for anyone longing for a steady, soul-deep peace this Christmas. You’ll learn: Resources From This Episode: Join us for Advent in the First 5 app! freeGo deeper with our brand-new Advent study guide, More Than a Manger. Help more women access biblical Truth this season. [Give to Proverbs 31 Ministries today.]Click here Want More on This Topic? this episodeThe Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcastthis episodeTherapy & Theology

When the holidays feel heavy, hope can feel far away. In this Advent episode, Bible teacher Wendy Blight joins Kaley Olson and Ellen Adkins to show how Jesus brings real hope into the places where we feel most broken. Through Scripture and Wendy’s powerful personal story, you’ll discover why biblical hope is more than wishful thinking — it’s a confident expectation rooted in who God is. Perfect for anyone who needs a breath of hope this season. You’ll learn: Resources From This Episode: Join us for Advent in the First 5 app! freeGo deeper with our brand-new Advent study guide, More Than a Manger. Help more women access Biblical Truth this season. [Give to Proverbs 31 Ministries today.]Click here Want More on This Topic? Listen to another great episode of The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast titled “How To Walk By Faith When Life Feels Hard” with Jennifer Rothschild.

If your days feel rushed and your soul feels weary, this episode is for you. Our friend Amanda Jass joins us to share how three simple rhythms — Know, Grow, and Go — can help you slow down, reconnect with God, and live with purpose right where you are. Through her personal story and wisdom from Scripture, Amanda reminds us that becoming who God created us to be isn’t about striving harder — it’s about abiding deeper. When we truly know God’s Word, grow in His presence, and go where He leads, we’ll find the peace and confidence our hearts have been longing for. You’ll learn: knowgrowgoResources From This Episode: The Proverbs 31 Ministries PodcastSubscribe to the Proverbs 31 Ministries emailDownload the First 5 mobile appThe Go Bible for KidsClick here Want More on This Topic? “How To Slow Down When Life Can’t Stop”

Forgiveness can sometimes feel like an unfair gift we have to give someone else. But what if it's actually God's prescription for our own hearts to heal? In this deeply personal episode, Lysa TerKeurst opens up about what it really looks like to practice forgiveness when it seems undeserved or out of reach. With honesty and tenderness, she shares insights from her own journey, offering practical guidance on processing pain, naming your hurt, and choosing obedience to God even when your heart hasn’t caught up yet. Through this conversation, you'll learn: Resources From This Episode: Surviving an Unwanted Divorce The Therapy & Theology Podcast, Season 10Click here Want More on This Topic? Therapy & Theology"How To Forgive When the Hurt Was So Unfair."

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by heartache that you didn't even want to talk to God? When loss, grief, and suffering pile up one after another, it's easy to feel stuck — angry, exhausted, and wondering where God is in the middle of it all. In this deeply personal episode, Madelynn Reyes, Donor Community Manager at Proverbs 31 Ministries, shares her journey through a season of unimaginable loss and how Jesus met her at her lowest point. Through the story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, Madelynn reminds us that God doesn't wait for us to get ourselves together — He's already there, waiting to meet us in our mess. Whether you're walking through your own season of suffering or supporting someone who is, this conversation will encourage you that your story matters and God wants to use it. You’ll learn: Resources From This Episode: Join The Well.Download First 5Give today.SubscribeApple Podcastslistener surveyClick here

Do you ever feel like you’re carrying years of disappointment, shame, or questions about whether God hears you? Maybe you’ve prayed for healing, longed for comfort, or simply wondered if you’re worth His attention. In this episode, Erin Rae Peace joins us to unpack the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5 — the only place in Scripture where Jesus publicly calls a woman “daughter.” Together, we’ll explore what this tender encounter reveals about how deeply Jesus values women, the hope He offers when shame feels louder than the Truth, and why His embrace is closer than we think. You’ll learn: Partner With Us: When life feels overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to provide for yourself or your family, it can seem like you’re in it alone … But it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we’re so grateful for Convoy of Hope, an organization that has spent over 30 years helping vulnerable communities and empowering women and girls to create a better future. Convoy of Hope partners with women to start their own businesses, giving them the tools to support themselves and their families. You can be part of this movement with us; visit convoy.org/p31 to help empower women and girls today. Together, we can lift up communities, create opportunities, and make hope possible. Resources From This Episode: support Proverbs 31The Proverbs 31 Ministries PodcastClick here

Have you ever wondered if God really sees you — your struggles, your desires, even the parts of your story you’d rather hide? In this episode, Bible teacher, writer, and speaker Oghosa Iyamu joins Meredith and Kaley to unpack the story of Hagar in Genesis 16 — a woman who felt unseen, overlooked, and on the run. Together, they share biblical truths and practical encouragement for how to face the battles in our minds with faith. If you’ve ever been tempted to return to old patterns, question your worth, or carry the weight of rejection, this conversation will remind you: God not only sees you — He knows you by name, and His love reaches you right where you are. You’ll learn: Partner With Us: grab a copy for yourself and share it with a friendGive todayApple PodcastsClick here Resources From This Episode: Forever WelcomedOghosa’s website

Have you ever looked in the mirror and immediately started critiquing what you see? From body image struggles to chronic illness, infertility, or the natural process of aging, so many of us carry quiet shame and exhaustion when it comes to our bodies. In this episode, bestselling author and Bible teacher Lisa Whittle joins us to share how Scripture offers a better foundation — what she calls "whole-body theology." Instead of chasing self-improvement or settling for hype messages from culture, Lisa reminds us of the hope, freedom, and peace that come when we understand our bodies as God’s good design. You’ll learn: whole-body theologyimago dei Resources From This Episode: “Body and Soul.”“Jesus Over Everything.”Give todayApple PodcastsClick here Want More on This Topic? “How To Escape the Comparison Trap”“Breaking Unhealthy Patterns: The Victim Triangle”Therapy & TheologybyforCSB Women’s Study BiblPurchase a CSB Women's Study Bible here

In this special behind-the-scenes episode, you’re invited to pull up a chair at the Proverbs 31 Ministries staff meeting as Lysa TerKeurst shares a powerful teaching on what to do when we feel tempted to take control of a situation or step in where it seems God isn't doing what we think He should do. If you’ve ever wrestled with trusting the Lord when the outcome is uncertain, this message will encourage you with the truth that He is good, faithful, and active in whatever you're facing right now. You’ll learn about: controlstewardshipClick here Resources From This Episode: proverbs31.orgTherapy & Theology podcastGive herebyforCSB Women’s Study BiblPurchase a CSB Women's Study Bible here

Have you ever looked around and wondered, Is this really it? Or is God calling me to something more? In this episode, Meredith Brock, Kaley Olson, and Nicki Koziarz share how a trip to El Salvador with Compassion International unexpectedly shifted their perspective on calling and obedience and what it really means to live a life of purpose. You’ll hear the powerful story of one woman whose quiet but courageous “yes” to God created a ripple effect — transforming her family, her community, and even the hearts of our team. If you’re feeling unsure about your next step, worn out from waiting, or afraid your impact doesn’t matter, this conversation will remind you: You don’t have to know the outcome to walk in obedience. Sometimes the most world-changing thing you can do is simply show up and say yes. You’ll learn: Click here Partner With Us: 30 Bible Verses Every Christian Should KnowGive a 10-year anniversary gift! Resources From This Episode: Sponsor a child today!Explore Proverbs 31 Ministries