This 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!
Read MoreThis week we are excited to welcome blogger and podcaster Caitlan Reese Killian to the show! Caitlan is a Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer thriver with a mission to celebrate God's goodness in all things. In this episode, Caitlan shares her powerful story of dealing with disappointment, experiencing the goodness of God in her darkest moments, finding an unexpected kind of healing, and remaining rooted in her true identity. She reminds us that God’s goodness and grace are available to us in any moment because He is with us in every moment.
Read MoreThis week we are excited to welcome pastor and author Justin Kendrick to the show! In this episode, Justin shares tools from his latest book, How to Quiet a Hurricane: Strategies for Christian Endurance in the Midst of Life’s Storms. We recorded this episode in early September, prior to the hurricanes that would devastate our country over the coming month. Justin’s message is more powerful than ever as millions of people recover from the literal hurricanes that hit their lives. Whether the hurricanes in your life are literal or figurative, Justin’s perspective on the goodness of God, a new type of safety and tackling doubt will challenge and inspire you. You don’t want to miss this one!
Read MoreThis week we are excited to welcome pastor, speaker, songwriter and author, Jack Mooring to the show! His book, Portrait of God: Rediscovering the Attributes of God through the Stories of His People, is an incredible guidebook, using the stories of influential Christian figures to help modern-day believers find stability in their faith amidst the chaos of the world. Tune in to this week’s episode of The Collected Podcast for the tools on digging deeper into the truths about the unchanging character of God, experiencing the presence of God, and finding healing from depression.
Read MoreThe Collected Podcast is BACK! We’re so excited to start Season 7 with a renewed vision and a new name… for our host! Jes (now French!) is sharing a summer update about her wedding and the plans for this upcoming season. Join us as we review the nine names of God that we have studied over the past three seasons and look ahead to more exciting deep dives in the future! Check out the blog for a few wedding photos and links to each episode that is referenced in the show today.
Read MoreThis week Jes is circling back to Part 2 of our Names of God series as we dig deeper into JEHOVAH SHAMMAH, The Lord is There. The first time we see this name in the Bible is in the book of Ezekiel, when the prophet receives a vision of God– Jehovah Shammah– in the New Jerusalem. At this point, the Isrealites have been in captivity in Babylon for 25 years. The temple and city was in ruins, and yet this vision from God was a reminder that God is still there in the city and with His people– even when they are in captivity because of their sin. This name is a powerful reminder to the ancient Israelites that God has NOT forsaken them, He was there with them, and He will be faithful to fulfill His promises. This name is also a powerful reminder to us that wherever we are, whatever our circumstance, God is there. You are not forsaken or forgotten, no matter what you have done! Tune in to learn more!
Read MoreThis week we are honored to welcome Jay Hewitt to the podcast! Jay is a pastor, author, and motivational speaker whose life journey is an awe-inspiring testimony of courage and faith. Diagnosed with terminal brain cancer at thirty-seven, he found strength through God, embracing his purpose as a storyteller. In this episode, Jay shares about his book, I AM WEAK, I AM STRONG. He encourages listeners to hold on to the hope of Jesus, and get up in the strength of Jesus. Even in your weakest moments, God is still near and His power will be demonstrated in your weakness. You won’t want to miss this one!
Read MoreThis week Jes is sharing Part 10 of our Names of God series! We are highlighting different names and character attributes of The Lord, and this week we are learning about Jehovah M’Kaddesh– the Lord who sanctifies, who cleanses, and makes us holy and set apart. This episode is airing right after this year’s celebration of Easter, and I can’t think of a better time to dig into the significance behind this name of God. Afterall, Jesus lived a perfectly holy life– set apart for a divine purpose. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is what created a way for us to be seen as holy by a Holy God. The episode also discusses the importance of observing the Sabbath as a way to remain rooted in our identity and create a rhythm of rest and refocus.
Read MoreIn this episode, Jes Biondo goes off script and shares a different message than originally planned. She explores the book of Zechariah and encourages listeners not to grow weary in their pursuits. She emphasizes the power of the Holy Spirit in accomplishing God's purposes and encourages listeners to seek holiness and obedience. The episode concludes with a reminder to not despise small beginnings and to stand strong in what God has placed before you. Tune in next time for a message on God as Jehovah M’Kaddesh– The Lord who Sanctifies!
Read MoreThis week we are excited to welcome Audrey Sower to the podcast! In this episode, Audrey shares many stories of God’s faithfulness and the countless ways He provides and works in our lives. Through each unexpected turn– from moving to Uganda, to adopting three girls as a single mom– Audrey has learned that she can depend on the Sovereign God of the universe to see her needs and meet her right where she was. Audrey’s message encourages listeners to trust in God's provision and to not underestimate His power.
Read MoreIt’s part 9 of our Names of God series! We are 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 Nissi– The Lord is our banner, our source of victory, He fights for us. In ancient times, a banner was a bare pole with a bright shining ornament that would sparkle in the sun. The Lord is the light that we shine into the world, and the world will recognize we are His by the light that we carry.
Read MoreThis week I am excited to welcome my neighbor and friend, Minda Corso, to the podcast! In this episode, Minda shares about the importance of seeking God and resting in His faithfulness, even in the midst of hard times. If you feel like you are walking through a fire right now (literally or figuratively), then Minda’s message of hope and encouragement is for you! Minda reminds us to trust God's plans, even when they don't align with their own expectations, and stay committed to reading and seeking God's Word.
Read MoreWe’re back! This week Jes is sharing Part 8 of our Names of God series! We are 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 Rapha (Ropheka)– He restores our souls, he is healer and solace. The healing power of The Lord has the ability to bring sweetness to the things in your life that were once bitter. The ultimate act of Jehovah Rapha, our Healer, is sending Jesus to die on the cross to bring healing and freedom from sin.
Read MoreMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year! This week Jes is wrapping up the year with a look back at 2023 and sharing a few hopes and dreams for 2024.
Read MoreThis week we are honored to welcome Katie Newberg back to the show! Katie is a wedding photographer and blogger over at her site Bungalows & Olives! In this episode, Katie recaps the powerful testimony that she shared in Season 3, Episode 26 of the podcast, and she goes on to update us on the seemingly insurmountable challenges that she has faced since our last interview. Despite all of the odds stacked against her, Katie's story once again reminds us that nothing is impossible with God! You won't want to miss this story of hope, miracles, and overcoming the darkness! Also, stay tuned for some of our Christmas favorites at the end of the show.
Read MoreThis week I’m excited to bring you my conversation with Laura Swisher. I was blown away by her vulnerability as she shared the struggles that she has walked through and the ways that God has shown up in her life to bring her a life of freedom and recovery. Laura serves as Executive Director for Seeds of Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides college scholarships to bright young leaders. Tune is as Laura reminds us about the love of the Father and His ability to meet us in our lowest moments and provide in ways that we could never have imagined on our own!
Read MoreThis week we are honored to welcome author, podcaster, and non-profit leader, Georgette Jackson to the podcast. Georgette is the founder of Divine Rest, which provides guidance, support and housing for women who are in need of a fresh start. In this episode, Georgette shares how she walked through a heartbreaking story of loss, and found freedom, healing and joy in the midst of her grief. If you are longing for rest, walking through grief, or waiting to see God’s promises fulfilled, then this episode is for you!
Read MoreWelcome to Season Six!! We are so excited to start a new season in the podcast and in life. Tune in to hear an exciting (and long-awaited) life update from Jes, and a message of hope about Jehovah Jireh– God as our Provider, the One Who Sees to It. Jes shares that the very thing that God provides to fulfill our needs is not a thing at all– rather, it’s Himself. We hope you walk away from this episode knowing that you have access to the peace, power and presence of the God of the Universe. He will always provide a way for His promises to be true. He did not promise that life would be easy, but HE did promise that He would never leave you nor forsake you.
Read MoreKelly Kashmer is the founder and Executive Director of NothingPink, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase awareness of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers and provide personalized support for individuals at high risk. Kelly formed the organization following a positive cancer diagnosis only two weeks after a BRCA2 positive result. After finishing chemotherapy and 11 surgeries, Kelly formed the 501(c)3 organization in order to make a difference in the lives of women in her community. From that moment forward, she has served as founder and Executive Director to increase awareness of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers and provide personalized support for individuals at high risk.
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