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Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityLaureen Mgrdichian, Associate Professor at Biola University.Laureen Mgrdichian is an Associate Professor at the Crowell School of Business at Biola University. She teaches courses in marketing, entrepreneurship, consumer behavior, promotions, and women in leadership. She also oversees an annual student-led conference designed to encourage women in the workplace.
Laureen was president of a start-up video production company, placing product domestically as well as licensing internationally. In addition, she owns her own baking business specializing in corporate gifts. Her corporate work includes marketing for Universal Studios.
Laureen received her M.B.A. from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at U.C.L...2025-03-1853 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityLauren France, Founder, The Lydia NetworkLauren France is passionate about connecting other people's passions and resources to meet greater needs. As the Director of Development and Marketing at Equipping Leaders International, she forges meaningful relationships with donors and builds the organization's Annual Fund.
About a year ago, Lauren founded The Lydia Network, a giving society of Christian women solving the global leadership crisis in the Church. This vibrant community funds the training of global church leaders across 38 nations in the global South. The Lydia Network funds critical initiatives but also nurtures a network of women committed to the discipleship of Christ.
2025-03-051h 02Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityAmy-Jo Girardier, Women’s Minister, Former Girls' Minister, AuthorAmy-Jo Girardier loves getting to disciple girls and women in her local church. She has served as Girls Minister for 19 years at Brentwood Baptist in Brentwood, TN. She currently is serving as the Women’s Minister. She is an author of 3 Lifeway bible studies for teen girls and an upcoming contributor on a devotional for women. In addition to ministry, Amy-Jo loves all things technology, drinking coffee, running, serving on staff with her husband
Darrel and being with their two boys: Scout and Skylar. She is a graduate of Southwestern Theological Seminary.
In this episode, Courtney an...2025-02-2657 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityKylie Collins, Walk With You FounderKylie was born and raised in the Midwest and currently resides in central Iowa with her husband of 9 years, Aaron, and their 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son. She holds a Bachelor of Science Nursing degree from the University of Iowa and began her nursing career in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, caring for its most vulnerable and critically ill babies.
In the fall of 2022, she founded Walk With You and now works full-time, walking with families in their deepest and most desperate moments of grief - leading up to, during, and following the loss of their beloved c...2025-01-2853 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityNaná Castillo and Claudia Lotti, Co-authors of Toda Mulher TrabalhaNaná Castillo is the creator and mentor of the Filipenses Quatro Oito ministry (Philippians 4:8), which aims to transform the everyday lives of women through the truths of the gospel. She is a speaker, blogger, and co-author of the book Toda Mulher Trabalha (Every Woman Works). She is also a registered nurse with a master’s degree in pediatric nursing and a PhD in health sciences. She taught for years at a university before dedicating herself exclusively to ministry and her family. She lives with her husband and two children in São Paulo, Brazil, where they are members of the...2025-01-171h 17Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityCourtney Doctor, Dir of Women's Initiatives at TGCCourtney Doctor received an MDiv from Covenant Theological Seminary and currently serves as the Director of Women’s Initiatives for The Gospel Coalition. She is a Bible teacher and author of From Garden to Glory as well as several Bible studies including In View of God’s Mercies, Behold and Believe, and Remember Your Joy. Courtney and her husband Craig have four children and five beautiful grandchildren.
Follow Courtney on Instagram.
Visit courtneydoctor.org
In this episode, Courtney answered these questions from Courtney Moore and Missie Branch:
—How did Go...2025-01-0949 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityAsk Us Anything, Courtney Moore and Missie BranchCourtney Moore founded the nonprofit organization Women & Work in 2018. She is co-host of the Women & Work Podcast and general editor of Women & Work: Bearing God’s Image and Joining in His Mission through our Work (B&H Publishing, 2023). Courtney received her BA in Religious Studies from the University of Mobile and an MA in Biblical Counseling from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is passionate about seeing Jesus Christ honored by women as they steward their gifts and leverage their unique potential for His glory. Courtney, her husband Brent, and their 3 kids now live in Birmingham, Alabama after serving fo...2025-01-0258 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityKrystal Wilson, Former Police OfficerKrystal has been blessed to live a life full of experiences. She's a former D1 softball player, saved at age 23, a former police officer, mother of 2 on earth, 1 in heaven and 1 in the womb. She's worked in finances, been an event planner for a Southern Baptist seminary, and is currently a project manager for a pro-life, whole life Christian ministry.
In this episode, Krystal shares mostly about her time as a police officer. She discusses:
What led her to desire this profession
What police academy was like, especially as a woman
What a typical d...2023-11-2942 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityWhitney Pipkin, Journalist & AuthorWhitney K. Pipkin is a journalist and writer living with her husband and three kids in Northern Virginia where they are members of Grace Bible Church. She serves as the written content coordinator for the ministry Women & Work and the author of We Shall All Be Changed: How Facing Death with Loved Ones Transforms Us, releasing February 2024 from Moody Publishing. Find her @WhitneyKPipkin on Instagram and Twitter, and read more of her work at WhitneyKPipkin.com.
In this episode, host Missie Branch and Courtney Moore interview journalist and writer Whitney Pipkin. They discuss the importance of curiosity a...2023-10-2554 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityCaroline Cobb, Singer-SongwriterCaroline Cobb is a singer-songwriter who before her 30th birthday, set a goal to write a song for every book of the Bible in one year. That year set a new calling into motion: to tell God's Story through music, helping you rehearse it and respond to it as you go about your everyday.
Her latest album, Psalms, released in May of 2023. Before that, A King & His Kindness (2021), zoomed in on Jesus and built on Caroline’s previous Story-telling projects: A Seed, A Sunrise (2019), The Blood + the Breath (2013), and A Home & a Hunger (2017).
...2023-10-1838 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityErica P., Missionary & WidowErica P. is a graduate of Auburn University where she pursued a degree in electrical engineering. During that time, the Lord gave her a passion for Himself and a burden for the nations. He specifically called her to serve amongst East Asia.
She married her husband David in 2002 and joined the International Mission Board in 2004 with plans to serve an unreached people group in East Asia. David and Erica, along with their three children, served this people group for 16 years before being forced to leave due to security issues in March of 2020. Little did they know that th...2023-09-271h 04Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityAsk Anything with Courtney Moore & Missie Branch, Fall Season LaunchOn this episode of the Women & Work podcast, Courtney Moore and Missie Branch kick off the fall 2023 podcast season answering some questions the Women & Work community asked over the summer. On this episode we discuss:
The importance of balancing work and family responsibilities.
The challenges and rewards of being a stay-at-home parent.
Navigating societal expectations and cultural perceptions of women's roles.
The value of friendships and community in supporting and encouraging one another.
Finding purpose and contentment in one's current season of life.
And so much more. We can't wait for this season of the Women & Work p...2023-09-2059 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityJustin Whitmel Earley, The Common Rule Book DisucssionIn 2021, Justin Earley joined the Women & Work team for a live disucssion about his book The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction.
Justin Earley provides concrete, doable practices, such as a daily hour of phoneless presence or a weekly conversation with a friend. These habits are “common” not only because they are ordinary, but also because they can be practiced in community. They have been lived out by people across all walks of life―businesspeople, professionals, parents, students, retirees―who have discovered new hope and purpose.
In this Q&A, Courtney Moore, fou...2023-08-3048 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityDr. Jim Hamilton, Work and Our Labor in the Lord Book DiscussionWe are nearing the end of this Summer Podcast season - we hope you have enjoyed these book club discussions.
Work has been a part of God's good creation since before the fall―created to reflect His image and glory to the world. What are we to make of this when work today is all too often characterized by unwanted toil, pain, and futility? Dr. Jim Hamilton, Professor of Biblical Theology at @southernseminary and senior pastor at Kenwood Baptist Church, joined the Women & Work team to talk about his book Work and Our Labor in the...2023-08-2350 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityDr. Joanne Jung and Dr. Richard Langer, The Call to Follow Book DiscussionDr. Joanne Jung and Dr. Richard Langer wrote "The Call to Follow: Hearing Jesus in a Culture Obsessed with Leadership" and we interviewed them in the fall of 2022.
How often have you thought about or been trained in how to be a better follower? We hear so much about leadership and its importance but almost nothing about being a better follower.
Of course, as Christians, we know our main identity is marked by "followership" and we seek to follow Jesus. Some of the topics discussed in this fascinating episode:
...2023-08-1659 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityHannah Anderson, Made for More Book DiscussionHannah Anderson is an author and Bible teacher who lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with her husband, Nathan, and three children. Her books include All That’s Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment and Turning of Days: Lessons from Nature, Season, and Spirit. She also cohosts the Persuasion podcast, which addresses cultural, theological, and more mundane issues from a Christian perspective. Hannah’s goal is to encourage believers to think deeply and broadly about how the gospel transforms every area of life.
In this episode, Hannah discusses:
What image-bearing has to do with w...2023-08-091h 11Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityJ.D. Greear, What Are You Going to Do with Your Life? Book DiscussionJ.D. Greear is lead pastor of The Summit Church, a multi-site congregation in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. He holds an M.Div. in International Church Planting and a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Greear also lived and worked among Muslims in Southeast Asia for two years and wrote Breaking the Islam Code. He and his wife have four children.
In this episode, JD discusses:
Callings/assignments and how we can leverage our gifts to be significant in God's kingdom
Women's gifting's and how those can be used inside and outside the...2023-08-0256 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#51 J.T. English, Pastor of Storyline ChurchJ. T. English, PhD, is an author and teacher, and currently serves as the lead pastor of Storyline Church in Arvada, CO. Previously, J.T. served as a pastor at The Village Church in Flower Mound, TX, where he founded and directed The Village Church Institute, which is committed to theological education in the local church. He received his ThM in Historical Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and PhD in Systematic Theology from Southern Seminary. He is married to Macy English, and they have two children, Thomas and Bailey.
J.T. Also co-hosts the Knowing Faith Podcast...2023-05-311h 03Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#50 Amy Whitfield, Summit Church Executive Director of Communications, Contributing Author, Women & WorkAmy Whitfield is Executive Director of Communications at The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham. Prior to that, she served in various roles within the Southern Baptist Convention for twenty years. She co-authored the book SBC FAQs: A Ready Reference and is the co-host of the podcast SBC This Week. In 2019, she helped launch the SBC Women’s Leadership Network, and she serves as chairwoman of the board of directors of Women & Work. Amy and her husband Keith have two children and live in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
In this episode, Amy discusses with Courtney the chapter she...2023-05-241h 03Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#49 Joanna Meyer, Contributing Author to Women & WorkJoanna serves as Denver Institute’s Director of Public Engagement and oversees the Women & Vocation Initiative. Prior to coming to the Institute, she worked in global telecom, nonprofit consulting, and campus ministry with Cru. She served as associate faculty at Denver Seminary and as a sewing instructor at Fancy Tiger Crafts. She has an MA in Social Entrepreneurship from Bakke Graduate University and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Joanna wrote chapter 8 in Women & Work, entitled, “The Grief and Grace of an Unexpected Career.” In this episode, she and Courtney discuss:
Effec...2023-05-1744 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity# 48 Courtney Reissig, Author, Bible Teacher, Contributing Author to the Women & Work bookCourtney is a writer and Bible teacher living in Little Rock, AR. She is the author of numerous books and bible studies, including Teach Me to Feel: Worshiping Through the Psalms in Every Season of Life and a forthcoming bible study on the covenants. Courtney and her husband are the proud parents of four sons and together they serve at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, AR where she is also the Discipleship Content Director.
Thank you for listening. If this content is helpful to you as you seek to live out your God-given calling to...2023-05-1048 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#47 Portia Collins, Bible Teacher, Writer, Podcaster, Non-Profit LeaderPortia 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.
Portia wrote chapter 6 in Women & Work, entitled, “Don’t Waste Your Gifts.” In this episode, she and...2023-05-0358 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#46 Hannah Anderson, Writer, Bible Teacher, Contributing Author to Women & WorkHannah Anderson is an author and Bible teacher who lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with her husband, Nathan, and three children. Her books include Made for More, Humble Roots, All That’s Good, and Heaven and Nature Sing Her latest children's book, The World God Made, releases in May 2023. Hannah’s goal is to encourage believers to think deeply and broadly about how the gospel transforms every area of life.
In this episode, Courtney continues to chat with another contributing author to our forthcoming book, Women & Work: Bearing God’s Image and Joining...2023-04-2656 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#45 Jen Oshman, Author, Speaker & PodcasterJen Oshman has been in women’s ministry for over two decades on three continents. She’s the author of Enough about Me and Cultural Counterfeits, and her most recent book, Welcome: Loving Your Church by Making Space for Everyone. She hosts a weekly podcast about cultural events and trends called All Things, and she is the mother of four daughters. Jen's family currently resides in Colorado, where they planted Redemption Parker.
Jen is also a contributing author to Women & Work: Bearing God’s Image and Joining in His Mission through our Work.
In...2023-04-1939 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#44 Courtney Powell, Director of Ministry Content and Contributing Author to Women & WorkCourtney Powell holds a Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Christian studies from Union University and a MA in church ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to being an Operations Consultant for a non-profit, she also serves as the Director of Ministry Content for Women & Work, where she helps to create and promote content that encourages and inspires women to use their gifts for the advancement of the kingdom. She lives with her husband and three daughters in Arvada, Colorado where her husband serves on staff with Storyline Church.
Courtney is a...2023-04-121h 08Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#43 Missie Branch, Contributing Author to Women & WorkMissie Branch serves as Asst. Dean of Students to Women and Director of Graduate Life at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in NC. She is also currently a student there completing her graduate degree in Ethics, Theology, and Culture. Missie is married to Duce Branch and together they have four children. She is passionate about women seeing themselves as theologians and disciples first. Missie is a contributing author to The Whole Woman: Ministering to Her Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength and the co-host of the Women & Work Podcast. Currently, Missie is serving as the Chair of the Board of Trustees...2023-04-0543 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#42 Elyse Fitzpatrick, Author, Bible Teacher, CounselorElyse Fitzpatrick has an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary. She has authored 25 books on daily living and the Christian life. Elyse loves to proclaim the good news of the gospel: That Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, perfectly obeyed all the Law in our place, suffered in isolation and agony as punishment for our sin, died, and then rose again, all for our justification.
A frequent speaker at national conferences, she has been married for nearly 50 years and has three adult children and six really adorable grandchildren. Along with her husband, Phil...2023-03-2959 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#41 Mary Wiley, Publishing Editor for Women & WorkMary Wiley is the author of the Bible study, Everyday Theology, and serves as the associate publisher for B&H Publishing Group. She holds a BA in Christian studies and English from the University of Mobile and an MA in theological studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She and her husband, John, have three children and live in the Nashville area.
Through B&H Pubishing Group, Mary acted as the publishing editor for our book, Women & Work: Bearing God’s Image and Joining in His Mission through our Work. In this episode, Mary discusses with Missie an...2023-03-2253 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#40 Dee Ann Turner, Retired VP of Talent at Chick-fil-ADee Ann is a 33-year veteran of Chick-fil-A, Inc. Prior to retirement, she was Vice President, Talent and Vice President, Sustainability for Chick-fil-A, Inc. Selected as the company’s first female officer in 2001, she was instrumental in building and growing Chick-fil-A’s well-known culture and talent systems.
During her long career, she worked closely with Chick-fil-A’s founder, S. Truett Cathy, and other key leaders as an architect of their organizational culture. Turner was responsible for thousands of selections of Chick-fil-A Franchisees and corporate staff members. Additionally, she led Talent Management, Staff Learning and Development, Diversit...2022-12-1552 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom ProductivityErica Patrick, Missionary, Mom & WidowErica Patrick is a graduate of Auburn University where she pursued a degree in electrical engineering. During that time, the Lord gave her a passion for Himself and a burden for the nations. He specifically called her to serve amongst Chinese peoples.
She married her husband David in 2002 and joined the International Mission Board in 2004 with plans to serve an unreached people group in southwest China. David and Erica, along with their three children, served this people group for 16 years before being forced to leave due to security issues in March of 2020. Little did they kn...2022-12-081h 09Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#39 Dr. Jen Bennett, Professor, Podcast Host, Author & SpeakerDr. Jen Bennett is a driven visionary communicator who has a unique way of connecting with her audience. She enjoys teaching, leading, and building and is committed to helping others be successful. As a Strategic Communication Professor at Indiana Wesleyan University, Jen equips college students to discover their voice, develop their expertise, and lead with influence to impact culture for Christ. Jen provides students with real-world opportunities that help launch them into the careers and professions that they are called to.
Jen has consulted various entrepreneurs, small business owners, ministries, organizations, and college students in social media...2022-12-0149 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#38 Jane Creswell, Master Certified CoachJane Creswell is an innovator and leader in the field of corporate coaching. She leveraged 17 years of product development and management experience at IBM to invent the role of “Organization Coach” and become the founder of IBM Coaches Network. At IBM, she focused her organization on achieving extraordinary results by individual coaching of the leaders at all levels of the organization.
Currently, Ms. Creswell is utilizing those experiences to help corporations worldwide wanting to establish a long-term, self-sustaining system of internal coaching and reap the benefits of a coaching culture. Her focus is on helping leaders...2022-11-1645 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#37 Carolyn McCulley, Author, Speaker & FilmmakerWe trust you will enjoy this episode with Carolyn McCulley, but we did want to let you know that we cover some heavy topics that might be triggering to some listeners. Carolyn is a filmmaker, and in this episode, she discusses her work in covering gun violence and sexual assault. We wanted you to be aware in case that type of content was not what you were expecting to hear. As always, we love learning from women who take these hard subjects and seek to redeem them to the glory of God through their work. We hope you enjoy...2022-11-1059 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#36 Dr. Tabitha Harder, Women’s Health Physical Therapist & Orthopedic SpecialistDr. Tabitha Harder is a Women's Health Physical Therapist and Orthopedic Specialist in Brentwood, Tennessee. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree from The University of Tennessee in 2004. She is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist with the American Physical Therapy Association and is trained in Obstetrics and Postpartum Physical Therapy. She is an advocate for Women's Health and has a private practice in Brentwood, Tennessee where she provides prenatal and postpartum care for women.
Tabitha is also a pastor's wife and mother of four. She is married to Mike Harder, a pastor of Brentw...2022-11-0244 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#35 Vaneetha Risner, Author, Speaker & SuffererVaneetha writes and speaks about finding hope in suffering. Her memoir, Walking Through Fire as well as her devotional, The Scars That Have Shaped Me both encourage readers to turn to Christ in their pain. 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, or online at vaneetha.com. Vaneetha writes regularly for Desiring God and has been featured on Family Life Today, Joni & Friends, and Christianity Today.
She also has an upcoming Bible study with L...2022-10-2647 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#34 Kelly Minter, Author & Bible TeacherKelly Minter is an author, Bible teacher, and podcaster. Her most recent Bible study from Lifeway publishers is called Encountering God - Bible Study Book: Cultivating Habits of Faith Through the Spiritual Disciplines. Kelly speaks around the country and also works closely with Justice & Mercy International in the Amazon jungles of Brazil as well as the Eastern European country of Moldova.
Kelly is deeply passionate about teaching the Bible and believes it permeates all of life. Her love for the Word of God led her to create her Cultivate Event, an event centered around Scripture, w...2022-10-1954 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#33 Nikki Lawrence, President of BLACK+DECKERNikki Lawrence is a connector by nature. Her warm personality leaves little room for anyone to be a stranger for too long. This trait has fueled her pastime and helped Nikki charm audiences as a Mistress of Ceremony at conferences, fundraisers, and events all across the country. By day, she is a Corporate Executive for a Fortune 500 Company with a global team and multi-billion dollar portfolio. She has been with her company for 19 years and held a plethora of leadership roles for almost two decades.
Among her passions is the desire to see women from every walk...2022-10-1252 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#32 Dr. Karen Swallow Prior, Research Professor of English and Christianity & CultureThis episode of the Women & Work podcast features an interview with Dr. Karen Swallow Prior, a Research Professor of English and Christianity & Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
She is the author of Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me (T. S. Poetry Press, 2012), Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist (Thomas Nelson, 2014), and On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books (Brazos 2018). She is co-editor of Cultural Engagement: A Crash Course in Contemporary Issues (Zondervan 2019) and has contributed to numerous other books.
She is host o...2022-10-0554 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#31 Ask Anything with Missie Branch & Courtney Moore2022-07-271h 07Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#30 Courtney Moore, Founder + President of Women & WorkCourtney Moore is the Founder and President of Women & Work, as well as co-host of the Women & Work Podcast. She holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Mobile and an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Courtney is passionate about seeing Jesus Christ honored by women as they steward their gifts and leverage their unique potential for His glory. She has been married to Brent for 15 years. They have 3 great kids and live in El Paso, TX where Brent pastors LIFEchurch.
In this next get-to-know-your-host episode...2022-07-201h 07Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#29 Missie Branch, Southeastern Baptist Theological SeminaryMissie Branch currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Graduate Life at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is married to Deuce and they have 4 children. Missie is passionate about women seeing themselves as disciples and theologians. She’s a published author, chairwoman of the trustees at Lifeway Christian Resources, and of course, one of our beloved podcast hosts!
In this episode, Missie discusses:
✨Her journey from owning a successful cake business to becoming the Associate Dean of Students at SEBTS.
✨Women and leadership and some of the mess...2022-07-1356 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#28 Dr. Sarah Rainer, Children & Families PsychologistDr. Sarah Rainer has her Masters and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology. She specializes in child and adolescent mental health and development. Sarah is also the co-host of the Parenting & Pennies podcast on the Christian Parenting podcast network. Sarah serves in leadership at her church for women’s discipleship and enjoys discipling other women. She enjoys being a guest writer, speaker, and podcaster for different organizations.
In this episode, Sarah shares about her career as a Clinical Psychologist, caring for parents and caregivers, navigating a demanding career and family, and viewing all work as ministry.
2022-07-0654 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#27 Melissa Kruger, LIVE at Cultivate ConferenceOn this episode of the Women & Work podcast Courtney Moore and Missie Branch interview Melissa Kruger, Director of Women's Content at The Gospel Coalition. This episode was recorded live at Cultivate Conference in March of 2022 at The Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Besides serving at The Gospel Coalition, Melissa is also an author and podcast co-host. Her books include The Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a Covetous World and Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood. She serves alongside Jackie Hill Perry and Jasmine Holmes as co-hosts of the Let’s Talk podcast, produced by TGC...2022-06-2926 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#26 Jess Barefield, Interior Designer and Business OwnerJess Barefield is an interior designer and business owner, wife and mom of 3. She has a love for beautiful and practical spaces that comes from years of executing her own interior design dreams. Jess grew up in Pittsburgh and made stops in Philadelphia, Washington D.C, and Atlanta before settling in Dallas. Living in so many different houses helped her to appreciate the impact a well-designed home can have on family life. After doing it so many times for herself, Jess wants to help other families create a home that reflects who they are and beckons them home after...2022-05-181h 01Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#25 Ashley Gorman, Associate Publisher at B&H PublishingAshley Marivittori Gorman serves as an associate publisher at B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources. She holds an MDiv from Southeastern Theological Seminary and has been trained under The Charles Simeon Trust. Her passions are biblical literacy, women’s discipleship, foster care, theology, books, the local church, and teaching the Bible. Ashley and her husband, Cole, live in Nashville, Tennessee, with their daughter, Charlie. You can find her writing in various Lifeway Women Bible studies, books like World on Fire, and on digital venues like The Gospel Coalition, Lifeway Voices, ERLC, Relevant, Lifeway Women, and Ch...2022-05-111h 00Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#24 Sheila West, Businesswoman & EntrepreneurSheila is a businesswoman, entrepreneur, and communicator with thirty-plus years of experience. She was President/CEO of a multi-million dollar company that twice made the INC 500 list of America’s fastest-growing companies which has brought her national recognition and various awards. Sheila served as President of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce after serving on the executive committee for seven years. She was the first woman to serve on the Archery Merchants and Manufacturers Organization Board of Directors, serving three years as Secretary-Treasurer.
Sheila has experience as a platform, seminar, and panel speaker nationwide, both with...2022-05-0459 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#23 Joanna Meyer, Director of Public Engagement at Devener InstituteJoanna serves as Denver Institute’s Director of Public Engagement and oversees the Women & Vocation Initiative. Prior to coming to the Institute, she worked in global telecom, nonprofit consulting, and campus ministry with Cru. She served as associate faculty at Denver Seminary and as a sewing instructor at Fancy Tiger Crafts. She has an MA in Social Entrepreneurship from Bakke Graduate University and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
2022-04-2751 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#22 Tara Dew, Founder and Director of THRIVE at New Orleans Baptist Theological SeminaryTara has loved Jesus for as long as she can remember. She was saved as a child at a Billy Graham crusade, and then surrendered to the ministry as a teenager. A few years later, she married her high school sweetheart, Dr. Jamie Dew, who is now the President of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College.
Together, they have 2 sets of twins: Natalie & Nathan (14 years old) and Samuel & Samantha (12 years old). Tara loves spending time with her family, trying out new restaurants in New Orleans, and teaching women to know and love the Wor...2022-04-2057 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#21 Rachel Brock, Founder of Ministry DeskRachel is the Founder of Ministry Desk, a remote executive & administrative assistant agency for Christian leaders of churches, nonprofits, and businesses. Rachel has been serving in administrative roles for over ten years and currently serves as the executive assistant to the President of Reaching & Teaching International Ministries. Prior to this, she served as the assistant to Dr. Albert Mohler at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for several years.
Rachel graduated from Texas A&M University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Development and a minor in Business Administration. Rachel and her husband, Nathan, liv...2022-04-1344 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#20 Elyse Fitzpatrick & Eric Schumacher, Part 2In part 2 of this episode, Elyse and Eric discuss:
How to place our confidence in the Lord when we fall into the lies of pride and self-loathing.
Responding to people who fear that discussing the value of women is a slippery slope to egalitarianism.
Women in the new covenant are not to be quantified based on their relationship status but recognized for their partnership in the gospel.
How fearing women leads to dehumanizing and objectifying women which leads to pornography and abuse.
The meaning of having a “gentle and quiet spirit” in 1 Peter 3:4 and how it does not mean...2022-04-0649 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#19 Elyse Fitzpatrick & Eric Schumacher, Part 1Elyse Fitzpatrick is a nationally sought-after speaker and author of 25 books on daily living and the Christian life including Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women that she co-authored with Eric.
Eric Schumacher is a pastor, songwriter, and author. He earned a Master of Divinity in Biblical and Theological Studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He and Elyse co-host the Worthy Podcast together, which we wholeheartedly recommend to our listeners.
In this episode, Elyse and Eric discuss:
Their different work backgrounds and what led them to writ...2022-03-3042 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#18 Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler, Risen MotherhoodEmily Jensen and Laura Wifler are the cofounders of the Risen Motherhood ministry and cohosts of the Risen Motherhood Podcast.. They are also in the trenches of motherhood, right alongside their listeners.
Together, they have authored the book: "Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope For Everyday Moments.”
Laura and Emily are sisters-in-law and live with their families in central Iowa.
In this episode, Laura and Emily discuss:
God’s vision for motherhood as a calling for women.
How all women are called to spiritual mothering and mentoring other women.
T...2022-03-2359 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#17 Macy English, Owner & Principal Consultant of English MediaMacy English is the Owner & Principal Consultant of English Media, where she helps businesses with all things sales & marketing. She is a lover of people, culture, marketing, and health, and she strives for all that matters in life. Macy and her husband, JT, live in Arvada, CO, with their two kids and love to travel.
In this episode, Macy discusses:
How she balances being a pastor’s wife, mom, and business owner
How she discovered her natural gifts and the path that led her to start her own business
The importance of honing your stre...2022-03-1647 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#16 Chelsea Sobolik, Director of Public Policy at the ERLCChelsea Patterson Sobolik serves as the Director of Public Policy with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission in the Washington, D.C. office. Previously, she worked on Capitol Hill on pro-life policies, domestic and international religious freedom, adoption, and foster care issues.
Chelsea has been published at the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, and others. She is the author of Longing for Motherhood – Holding onto Hope in the Midst of Childlessness, and a forthcoming book on the topic of women and work.
She has a B.A. in...2021-11-171h 01Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#15 Blair Linne, Author, Poet & SpeakerBlair Linne is an author, speaker, actress, and Christian spoken word artist. She has appeared in numerous theater productions, commercials, and television shows including Days of Our Lives, Alias, Malcolm in the Middle, Boston Public, The Parkers and American Dreams, as well as her own Saturday morning show, SK8 (Skate) on NBC.
Blair has toured globally and is known as one of the originators of the Christian Spoken Word genre. At 13, she was one of the youngest contributors at The World Stage Anansi writer’s workshop. Since then, she has written poetry for Sprite, Neutrogena, NBC...2021-11-1058 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#14 Trillia Newbell, Author & SpeakerTrillia Newbell is an author and speaker, and currently works as an acquisitions editor for Moody Publishers. This comes after serving for 7 years as the Director of Community Outreach for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission for the Southern Baptist Convention.
She is passionate about issues of faith, family, and diversity, and her writings on this topic have been published in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Desiring God, True Woman, Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, and more.
Her most recently published book is a children’s book called: Creative God, Colorful Us
and...2021-11-031h 00Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#13 Amy Whitfield, Exec Dir. of Communications at The Summit ChurchAmy Whitfield works as Executive Director of Communications at The Summit Church in Durham, NC. She came into this role after serving as the Associate Vice President for Convention Communications for the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Amy co-authored the book, SBC FAQs: A Ready Reference, with Keith Harper, and alongside Johnathan Howe, she hosts the SBC This Week podcast. She is on the steering team of the SBC Women’s Leadership Network and serves on the board of directors of Women & Work.
Amy lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with her husband, Kei...2021-10-2759 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#12 Ruth Chou Simons, Artist, Author & EntrepreneurRuth Chou Simons is a bestselling and award-winning author of several books —including GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, and Foundations. This month, she released her newest book When Strivings Cease.
She is an artist, entrepreneur, and speaker, using each of these platforms to spiritually sow the Word of God into people’s hearts. Through her online shop at GraceLaced.com and her social media community, Simons shares her journey of God’s grace intersecting daily life with word and art. Ruth and her husband, Troy, are grateful parents to six boys–their greatest adventure.
In this e...2021-10-2053 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#11 Lauren McAfee, Ministry Investment Coordinator Hobby LobbyIn this episode, we speak to Lauren Green McAfee, a speaker, writer, Ministry Investment Coordinator for Hobby Lobby. She is the author of Not What You Think: Why the Bible Might Be Nothing We Expected Yet Everything We Need and Only One Life: How a Woman’s Every Day Shapes an Eternal Legacy. Her grandfather founded Hobby Lobby and currently she works for their corporate office. Lauren and her husband Michael live in Oklahoma City and are the proud adoptive parents of their daughter Zion and soon-to-be-adopted son, known right now as E.
In this epi...2021-10-1347 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#10 Michelle Stratton, AttorneyThis week’s episode features Michelle Stratton, an attorney in Houston, TX whose practice focuses on complex civil, commercial, and white-collar criminal litigation and appeals.
Before entering private practice, Michelle served as law clerk to Associate Justice Clarence Thomas on the Supreme Court of the United States and to Judge Edith Jones on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Michelle is married to Brandon, has 3 kids whom she homeschools part-time, and is a member at Christ Community Church in Houston.
In this episode, Michelle discusses:
– The path that le...2021-10-061h 00Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#9 Jen Wilkin, Author & Bible TeacherThis week’s episode features author and Bible teacher Jen Wilkin. Jen has organized and led studies for women in the home, church, and parachurch contexts. An advocate for Bible literacy, her passion is to see others become articulate and committed followers of Christ, with a clear understanding of why they believe what they believe, grounded in the Word of God. She also serves at The Village Church in Flower Mound, TX.
Here she discusses with Courtney and Missie:
– How she became passionate about biblical literacy and what led her to begin teaching and writing, even when...2021-09-2949 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#8 Kristin Schmucker, CEO Daily Grace CoEpisode 8 features the founder and CEO of Daily Grace Co, Kristin Schmucker. The Daily Grace Co exists to equip disciples to know and love God and His word by creating beautiful, theologically rich, and accessible resources so that God may be glorified and the Gospel made known.
In this episode, Kristin discusses:
-The tragedy that led her to start writing devotionals
-How the Lord grew her business from a small apartment to a warehouse and over 50 team members!
-Organization tips on how to manage a busy schedule and be in...2021-09-2248 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#7 Jessica Hotz, Founder of ElevateIn episode 7, Courtney Moore and Missie Branch chat with Jessica Hotz, founder of Elevate, a non-profit that believes in creating sustainable job solutions globally that improve lives and transform communities.
In this episode, Jessica discusses:
– Life in Nebraska, her upbringing, and faith
– What led her and her husband to start the non-profit Elevate
– Elevate's mission and partnership with artisans around the world
Check out some of Jessica’s favorite Elevate products:
Dimarco bag
Travelers Tote
Utility Bag
Jess also...2021-09-1558 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#6 Sara Beth Fentress, 127 WorldwideThis month’s episode features Sara Beth Fentress, founder of 127 Worldwide, an organization that focuses on orphan prevention and caring for vulnerable communities around the world.
In this episode, Sara Beth discusses:
– How she began 127 Worldwide and some of the challenges with starting a non-profit
– Singleness and the joys and griefs that can accompany it
– What orphan prevention is and how 127 is meeting that need by connecting people with skills and giftings to communities around the world.
Check out their website here.
And if you have questions or want to conne...2021-07-2042 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#5 Jaelene Daniels, Professional Soccer PlayerIn this episode, we hear from professional soccer player, Jaelene Daniels. She is a celebrated women’s soccer player who played for the North Carolina Courage and the Women’s National Team. In this episode she discusses:
Discipline of your mind and body
Importance of Christian friends and community
Standing firm in your faith in the midst of cultural pressure to do otherwise
Mentorship and why it is so vital
Jaelene is a part of a mentorship program for female athletes. For more information, check them out at A Seat at the Table.
Pres...2021-05-1847 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#4 Tiffany Fykes, Realtor & Cofounder of Fykes Realty GroupIn this episode, we hear from realtor Tiffany Fykes. She and her husband founded Fykes Realty Group in Nashville, TN. In this episode she discusses:
Flourishing and promoting flourishing for others
Work-life balance
The importance of rest
Why community is vital
If you are interested in real estate or if you are moving to the Nashville area, check out fykesrealtygroup.com to contact Tiffany and her team.
She references several books in this episode:
Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller
Why Business Matters to God to God by J...2021-04-2639 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#3 Michele Coats, Founder & Principal of El Paso Christian SchoolIn this episode, founder and principal of El Paso Christian School, Michele Coats, discusses with us what led her to start a classical private school and how God paved the way to bring it to life. She also talks about her physical and mental journey along the way.
She discusses:
God calling her when she least expected it- to do something that seemed unlikely and even impossible.
God closing and opening doors in His timing and all of the ways He placed people in her path to help her in her weaknesses.
The beautiful d...2021-03-1536 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#2 Michele Rigby Assad, CIAIn this month’s episode, Michele Rigby Assad shares with Courtney Moore and Missie Branch about her journey as a CIA operative.
Her full story can be found in her book: Breaking Cover: My Secret Life in the CIA and What It Taught Me about What's Worth Fighting For.
In this episode, Michele discusses:
– How God used her childhood interests to help lead her to work abroad with the CIA
– Overcoming her own self-doubt and fear to be able to do the job God had called her to do
– What her day-to-day work look...2021-02-1139 minWomen & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity#1 Courtney Reissig, Author & Bible TeacherJoin Courtney Moore and Missie Branch as they interview Courtney Reissig, author, wife, mom of 4 boys, and Bible teacher.
Courtney walks us through how she moved from blogger to author of 3 books:
Accidental Feminist: Restoring our Delight in God’s Good Design
Glory in the Ordinary: Why Your Work in the Home Matters
Teach Me to Feel: Worshiping Through the Psalms in Every Season of Life
She discusses her reluctance to become a stay-at-home-mom and what the Titus 2:5 admonition for women to be workers at home really means.
How...2020-12-2142 min