This week on The Collected Podcast, Jes shares a tender, hope‑filled reminder that God is restoring you even in the places that feel slow, messy, or unfinished. Jes shares a personal journal entry that sparked this message, then walks through a rich biblical exploration of restoration as healing, rebuilding, renewal, and the beautiful “now and not yet” of God’s promises. Through Scripture, story, and honest reflection, this conversation invites you to trust Jesus’ leading, ask Him for more, and see your life through the lens of the bigger story He’s writing. If you’re longing for encouragement, clarity, or a fresh sense of God’s nearness, this episode will speak deeply to your spirit and remind you that your restoration is already underway.
Read MoreThis week on The Collected Podcast... we’re leaning into a tender, timely reminder from the heart of God: hold course. After a busy, overwhelming season and a moment of wanting to quit, Jes shares how a simple word spoken to her back in 2018 became the lifeline she needed eight years later—and how it might be the encouragement your weary heart needs too. Through Scripture, personal journal entries, and a rich look at the biblical meaning of “holding fast,” this episode invites you to remember God’s faithfulness, cling to His Word, and stay steady in the work He’s called you to. If you’re feeling tired, discouraged, or unsure of your next step, this conversation will help you lift your eyes, anchor your hope, and keep moving forward with renewed courage and joy.
Read MoreThis week we are excited to welcome author, speaker, and managing editor of Recovery.com, Caroline Beidler to the podcast! Caroline shares about her powerful journey from addiction to healing and the God who met her every step of the way. We talk about shame, belonging, the science of recovery, and how love and community can transform even the hardest stories. Caroline offers a rare blend of vulnerability, wisdom, and practical hope for anyone touched by addiction or longing for deeper healing. If you’re longing for hope, or walking alongside someone in recovery, this conversation will remind you that God restores what feels lost.
Read MoreThis week we are excited to welcome Alicia Barr—author of More Than a Secret— to the podcast! Join us as Alicia opens up about the hidden places shame can take us and the freedom that comes when we finally tell the truth. She shares her journey through a four-year affair, the desire for belonging that led her there, and the grace, counseling, and community that helped her heal. If you’ve ever felt unseen, stuck in secrecy, or unsure how to come back from a hard fall, this warm and hope-filled conversation will remind you that Jesus meets us right where we are. This episode is an invitation to breathe again, to tell the truth, and to believe that redemption is possible—no matter how far you feel you’ve fallen.
Read MoreThis week we are excited to welcome pastor, professor, and best‑selling author, Mark Buchanan to the show! This episode dives into Mark’s powerful story of faith, calling, and courageous discipleship as he and Jes explore his new WWII‑inspired novel What Is Left of the Night. From his unexpected journey into ministry to the village that risked everything to shelter Jewish refugees, Mark invites us to consider what true allegiance to Jesus looks like—and how hope can shine even in the darkest places. Tune in for a warm, thoughtful conversation that will stir your heart and strengthen your faith.
Read MoreThis week we are excited to welcome author and speaker Annie Weber to the show! Annie shares her powerful story of coming to Christ, navigating marriage and military life, and discovering God’s steady sovereignty in every season. Her insights are practical, hope‑filled, and rooted in Scripture, offering the kind of encouragement that meets you right where you are. If you want to grow spiritually, feel less alone, and be reminded that God is at work in the details of your life, this conversation will speak straight to your heart.This conversation invites us all to slow down, reflect, and remember the steady sovereignty of God in every season.
Read MoreThis week we are excited to welcome author, speaker, and long-time educator Laurie Robinson Sammons to the podcast! Laurie brings a rare blend of wisdom, warmth, and lived experience that speaks directly to anyone walking through challenge, burnout, grief, or a longing for deeper faith. Her stories—from decades in education to mentoring young women, navigating profound loss, and discovering healing through Jesus—offer practical encouragement and a powerful reminder that hope and wholeness are possible. If you need a gentle nudge toward resilience, rest, or renewed connection with God, this conversation will meet you right where you are.
Read MoreThis week on The Collected Podcast, we are excited to welcome author and content creator Zach Windahl, whose latest book, The Bible Simplified, walks readers through the entire Bible story with clarity and context. In this episode, Zach shares fresh insights and powerful stories about his personal journey—wrestling with doubt, finding renewed depth, and cultivating intimacy with the Lord. Whether you're navigating uncertainty or seeking to strengthen your faith, this conversation has something meaningful for you. Join us as we geek out about the Bible and explore practical steps to deepen your relationship with God.
Read MoreThis week I am excited to welcome Will Acuff, author of No Elevator to Everest, to the podcast! In this episode, Will shares about answering a call to ministry, navigating fear and burnout, and the unexpected path of Spirit-led self-awareness. We dive into themes of facing our fears, embracing God’s tender love, and the power of curiosity in our spiritual lives. This conversation reminds us that there’s no elevator to purpose—we walk it out with honesty, trust, and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.
Read MoreThis week we are excited to welcome Rebecca George back to the podcast! Rebecca was first on the show in S5E8, sharing about her first book, Do The Thing. This week she shares about her latest book, You’re Not Too Late, which takes an honest look at the longings that we experience in life, whether an ache for a spouse or child, for healing in a broken relationship, or for a clearer direction in our calling. Rebecca reminds listeners and readers alike that we can fall into resentment about what we lack—or we can see our unmet desires as an invitation to draw closer to a trustworthy God. If you are in a season of waiting or longing, then this episode is for you!
Read MoreThis week we are excited to welcome Carla Romero back to the podcast! Carla is a storyteller, deep thinker, and natural conversationalist who brings her Southern charm, unfiltered honesty, and curiosity-driven spirit into every discussion on faith. She was first on The Collected Podcast in Season 1, Episode 19 which aired on Feb 21, 2019. Since then, God has taken her on a powerful journey to deepen her faith and root her in her true identity in Christ. Tune in for a candid conversation about deconstruction, asking tough questions and dealing with shame. Carla also shares about her debut book, From Dirt to Divine, which invites readers to wrestle with faith in fresh and unexpected ways.
Read MoreThis week we are excited to welcome Joy Callaway. Joy is an international bestselling author of historical fiction and southern contemporary romance (and she is Jes’ favorite author!). In this episode, Joy reminds us that when we are in Christ, we are never alone. God is the author of our lives and He is writing a beautiful story of hope and redemption. If you are walking through a difficult season and need a reminder of the hope and provision of The Lord, then this episode is for you!
Read MoreThis week we are excited to welcome author and podcaster Hope Reagan Harris to the show! Hope shares about her latest book, Now Over Next: Conquering the Fear of Missing Out. She encourages listeners to not be defined by the world’s view of success, but rather to trust God with what He is doing right now in your life. God will never leave you high and dry. Even if the way feels hard, God is working for your good and His glory. If you’ve ever thought, “there must be more to life than this”, then this episode is for you!
Read MoreThis week we are honored to welcome author, speaker and podcaster Rachel Wojo to The Collected Podcast! Rachel shares about her new book, Desperate Prayers: Embracing the Power of Prayer in Life’s Darkest Moment and her powerful testimony of experiencing God in the midst of intense grief. If you, or someone you know, is walking through a season of pain, confusion or uncertainty, then this episode is for you! Tune in as Rachel shares about finding hope and comfort through desperate prayers and the power of Christ.
Read MoreThis week on The Collected Podcast, Jes is sharing Part 11 of our Names of God series! Over the past few years we have been highlighting different names and character attributes of The Lord. Understanding who God is and who we are in Him are vital parts of walking in freedom and remaining rooting in who we are created to be. This week we are learning about Jehovah Shalom– The Lord Our Peace. Through the study of the life of Gideon, we learn that nothing surprises God or is too hard for God. Join Jes as she dives into the passage and shares fresh insights to deepen our understanding of God as Jehovah Shalom– the true source of lasting peace.
Read MoreHappy New Year! This week I am excited to welcome Mike Jette to The Collected Podcast! Mike is a financial advisor and author of Following the Invisible Jesus: He is Still Turning Water into Wine. If you are walking through a season of darkness, feeling like you are in over your head, or struggling to believe that your life has value, then Mike’s message is for you. Tune in for this timely message of hope and renewed vision for the New Year.
Read MoreMerry Christmas! This week we are honored to welcome Tori Hope Petersen to the podcast! Tori is an author, speaker, podcaster and advocate for vulnerable children. In this episode, she shares about her new book, Breaking the Patterns that Break You: Healing from the Pain of Your Past and Finding Real Hope that Lasts, and how to break free from the lies that you may be believing in order to experience true healing and freedom in Christ. She shares a powerful message of hope for the New Year and reminds us that we are each loved and made with a purpose.
Read MoreMerry Christmas! This week on The Collected Podcast, Jes is sharing the next message in our Names of God Series. Throughout this series, we have been highlighting different names of The Lord. Understanding who God is and who we are in Him are vital parts of walking in freedom and remaining rooting in who we are created to be! Today we are circling back to IMMANUEL, God With Us. This name of Jesus reminds us that He is with us always and in everything – in our suffering, in our pain and sorrow, in our joy, in our conflict, in our sin, in our uncertainty– in all the things that we experience in a broken world. Jesus did not shy away from these things and He with us through everything. Tune in for a message of hope and peace as we enter into the Advent Season.
Read MoreThis week we are excited to welcome researcher, missionary, author and marriage and family therapist, Dr. Nicole Wilke to the show! Dr. Wilke currently serves as Director of Christian Alliance for Orphans’ Center on Applied Research for Vulnerable Children and Families, bridging research and practice to improve care for vulnerable children and families around the globe. In this episode, she shares about her latest book, Overcoming: What Scripture and Science Say About Resilience and provides practical resources to help us rethink how to approach resilience and overcome adversity. We also dive into the love of God and the hope that we have in Him!
Read MoreThis week on The Collected Podcast, Jes is sharing the next message in our Names of God Series! Throughout this series, we have been highlighting different names of The Lord. Understanding who God is and who we are in Him are vital parts of walking in freedom and remaining rooting in who we are created to be! Today we are circling back to JEHOVAH ROHI. This name highlights The Lord as our loving shepherd. In the Ancient Near East, a good shepherd would endure danger, extreme weather conditions and sleeplessness in order to protect and provide for his sheep. In the same way, God protects us from danger, provides us with nourishments through His Word, stays by our side through times of struggle, and seeks after our hearts when we wander away. This is such a beautiful picture of care and selfless love!
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