On today’s episode of Anchored by the Sword, Jessica Kastner joins us to talk candidly about walking through divorce, single motherhood, faith after heartache, and how Jesus has brought her into deeper healing and freedom. As a published author, speaker, and co-host of the “Free Failing” podcast, Jessica is no stranger to the messy middle of life — and she’s sharing it all with humor, honesty, and hope.

Jessica opens up about being a mom of three boys, navigating life after divorce, and finding intimacy with the Lord like never before. She shares how she overcame guilt, shame, and years of unhealthy attachment, and why she believes God truly gives us beauty for ashes.

If you've ever felt like your story disqualifies you — or if you're in the thick of rebuilding after brokenness — this one’s for you.

Topics Discussed:

• Jessica’s prodigal journey and how pregnancy led her to God
• Freedom found in Christ through two divorces
• Christian culture’s harmful narratives around marriage and purity
• Therapy, boundaries, and breaking cycles
• Parenting boys, co-parenting challenges, and choosing peace
• Why your divorce doesn’t disqualify you from abundant life
• The power of securely attaching to God
• Why we must normalize healing and mental health in the church

Key Quote:
"Your divorce is not your identity. It’s just part of your testimony. And God wastes nothing."

Bio:

Jessica Kastner is a published author, “Free Failing” podcast co-host, and a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. As a publicity manager at Penguin Random House’s Christian division, Jess brings a wealth of hands-on industry expertise in helping authors such as John Mark Comer, Mark Batterson, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Tasha Cobbs Leonard spread messages of God’s love on a global scale.

When she’s not shuttling her mildly grateful teens around town, she shares her gritty, honest commentary at Jessicakastner.com. Her first book, “Hiding from the Kids in My Prayer Closet: Finding Grace and Laughter, When Motherhood Gets Real,” by David C Cook, released July 2017.

Anchor Verses:

Psalm 112

Connect with Jessica:

Website: https://jessicakastner.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/authorJessicakastner

💥 Bonus: The first 30 people who register for the Anchored in Hope workshop on Sept 20 will get Gena McCown’s devotional, Deep Forgiveness, a bookmark with a link to order Katie Reid’s Bible study, God, What Do I Do, and a candle!

📍Canton, OH | 🗓️ September 20 | 🎟️ Early Bird: $25, VIP: $40 includes workshop t-shirt and reserved seating

https://www.anchoredbythesword.org/event-details/anchored-in-hope-finding-purpose-in-your-pain

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Hey friends! Today’s episode is a timely one — because if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably felt overwhelmed or anxious at some point lately. I’m joined by Dr. Charles Stone, pastor, author, and brain science nerd (in the best way possible) to talk about how we can actually reduce anxiety and stress using a powerful combo of Scripture and neuroscience.

Dr. Charles shares from his new book, Stress Less: 9 Habits from the Bible and Brain Science to Build Resilience and Reduce Anxiety, and gets real about his own freedom story. We talk about pastoring through the chaos of COVID, personal health scares, family trials, and how God has shown up through every moment.

He also shares practical tools—like a powerful breathing exercise and the STOPP method—that help us stay grounded and anchored in truth when life gets chaotic. This episode is packed with wisdom, hope, and some “why didn’t I learn this sooner?” kind of tips.

We chat about:

• Leading a church through lockdown and health crises

• God’s role in our stress response

• Bible characters who dealt with extreme stress (hello, Paul and Job!)

• Breathing techniques that actually rewire your nervous system

• How to spot emotionally safe people in your life

• The HEART acronym and why your circle matters

• Why theology and brain science go hand in hand

You’ll walk away feeling encouraged, equipped, and a little nerdy in the best way.

Bio:

Dr. Charles Stone (MDiv, D Min, PhD) has served in vocational ministry for forty-three years, thirty of which as a senior pastor. He recently completed a nine-year role as lead pastor of West Park Church in London, Ontario, Canada, a multicultural congregation with over a thousand attendees. He has authored eight books and now serves as a coach-consultant to pastors and leaders. Over three hundred of his articles have appeared in magazines and in online publications, such as Outreach Magazine, Leadership Journal, Pastors.com, SermonCentral.com, and Churchleaders.com.

His doctorate research for Stress Less involved consulting more than five hundred research studies, articles, and books on stress resilience. He also studied more than four hundred ministry leaders by using surveys, interviews, and data analysis software.

Anchor Verses:

Luke 2: 52

Isaiah 32: 8

Connect with Charles Stone:

Website: https://charlesstone.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/chucks9886

FB: https://www.facebook.com/charles.stone1/

💥 Bonus: The first 30 people who register for the Anchored in Hope workshop on Sept 20 will get Gena McCown’s devotional, Deep Forgiveness, a bookmark with a link to order Katie Reid’s Bible study, God, What Do I Do, and a candle!

📍Canton, OH | 🗓️ September 20 | 🎟️ Early Bird: $25, VIP: $40 includes workshop t-shirt and reserved seating

https://www.anchoredbythesword.org/event-details/anchored-in-hope-finding-purpose-in-your-pain

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, I sit down with Ashley Opliger—author, speaker, and founder of Bridget’s Cradles—as she shares her story of grief, hope, and the redemptive love of Jesus. Ashley opens up about the heartbreaking stillbirth of her daughter, Bridget, and how God birthed a nationwide ministry through her loss. She also vulnerably shares about the sudden and tragic death of her father and how she continues to cling to the hope of heaven.

We talk about what it means to walk through unimaginable grief while still trusting in God’s goodness. Ashley shares how Bridget’s Cradles now comforts grieving families across all 50 states and how God continues to multiply her small steps of obedience for His glory.

We cover:

• The sacred moment of holding Bridget and how her cradle brought peace

• Walking through deep trauma and the loss of her father to a drunk driver

• Wrestling with God’s sovereignty and the goodness of God in the middle of suffering

• The importance of presence over platitudes when comforting someone grieving

• Encouragement for those who want to turn their pain into purpose

• Her favorite scriptures and how suffering has drawn her closer to Jesus

This episode is for anyone walking through grief, asking hard theological questions, or wondering how God can redeem even the most painful parts of our story.

Bio:

Ashley is Bridget's Mommy and co-founder and President of Bridget's Cradles. She is married to Matt and they have three children: a daughter in Heaven, Bridget, and two sons, Branton and Brenner.

Ashley is a fully-devoted follower of Christ and longs to glorify Him with her life. She desires to share the hope of Heaven with moms grieving the loss of their baby.

Ashley enjoys spending time with her family and friends, crafting, reading, and podcasting. You can read more about her daughter's life story here and watch a short video of her story here. To watch a short documentary filmed by Grotto Network on Ashley's work with Bridget's Cradles, visit here.

Anchor Verses:

1 Peter-entire book, read chapter 1: 6-7

Connect with Ashley:

Website: https://www.ashleyopliger.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ashleyopliger

Business Website: https://www.bridgetscradles.com

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Ashley’s book Cradled in Hope

• Bridget’s Cradles Ministry: www.bridgetscradles.com

• Free eBook: How to Support a Loved One Who’s Lost a Baby

• Cradled in Hope Podcast

• Ashley’s personal story and her dad’s tribute: ashleyopliger.com

💥 Bonus: The first 30 people who register for the Anchored in Hope workshop on Sept 20 will get Gena McCown’s devotional, Deep Forgiveness, a bookmark with a link to order Katie Reid’s Bible study, God, What Do I Do, and a candle!

📍Canton, OH | 🗓️ September 20 | 🎟️ Early Bird: $35, VIP: $50 includes workshop t-shirt and reserved seating

https://www.anchoredbythesword.org/event-details/anchored-in-hope-finding-purpose-in-your-pain

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Y’all, get ready—this episode is pure fire!

I sat down with the one and only Marnie Swedberg, and let me tell you, her passion for helping women find clarity and walk in their God-given callings is contagious. Marnie is a speaker, author of 14 books, and the founder of WomenSpeakers.com. She’s spent decades encouraging women to get their messages out, even when the world tries to silence them.

From struggling with dyslexia as a child to memorizing Scripture and now teaching and empowering women around the globe, Marnie’s story is a powerful reminder that God equips the called—not the other way around.

We talk about:

• ​What to do when you’re not sure if it’s God’s voice, your own, or the enemy’s
• ​How to keep showing up when discouragement hits hard
• ​Why your “yes” matters more than your qualifications
• ​The three questions to ask when your voice feels suppressed
• ​Why your work has eternal value—even the small stuff

Her life verse, 2 Corinthians 9:8, is all about overflow—and after this conversation, I truly believe your heart will be overflowing with courage, direction, and renewed purpose.

Bio:

Fun and fast-paced, yet peaceful and approachable, Marnie's history includes fires, floods, car wrecks, business set-backs, burglaries, lightning strikes and in her immediate family, cancer, head-injury and sudden death. She models come-back behavior, possibility thinking and profound faith.

Marnie Swedberg is a Missions Ministry Mentor, author of 14 "how-to" books, founder & director of www.WomenSpeakers.com and host of the #1 ranked Blog Talk Radio Show, Marnie's Friends.

She homeschooled the three Swedberg children from K-12, managed the family businesses (a restaurant and retail store), and has helped launch and grow women-led businesses and ministries worldwide. She hosts nine virtual women's summits per year.

Anchor Verse:

2 Corinthians 9:8

Connect with Marnie:

https://www.Marnie.comhttps://amzn.to/42mhEShhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/marnieswedberg/https://www.facebook.com/mentormarniehttps://www.facebook.com/SpeakerMarnie/https://www.pinterest.com/mentormarnie/https://www.instagram.com/mentormarnie/https://twitter.com/MentorMarniehttps://www.youtube.com/mentormarniehttps://www.WomenSpeakers.comhttp://www.ThrivewithMe2023.com

Flow Through Vessel: https://www.marnie.com/ftv_az

💥 Bonus: The first 30 people who register for the Anchored in Hope workshop on Sept 20 will get Gena McCown’s devotional, Deep Forgiveness, a bookmark with a link to order Katie Reid’s Bible study, God, What Do I Do, + a candle!

📍Canton, OH | 🗓️ September 20 | 🎟️ Early Bird: $35, VIP: $50 includes workshop t-shirt and reserved seating

https://www.anchoredbythesword.org/event-details/anchored-in-hope-finding-purpose-in-your-pain

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I thought I’d be further along by now”—this episode is for you.

This week on the Anchored by the Sword podcast, I had the absolute joy of chatting with my friend Rebecca George—speaker, podcast host, ministry leader, and author of the brand-new book It’s Not Too Late: Trusting God in a Hurry Up World. She shares powerful encouragement for anyone who is navigating seasons of waiting, unfulfilled longing, or weariness from striving.

We talk about the real-life tensions of trusting God when things don’t happen on our timeline—how we idolize good things, revise the past, catastrophize the future, and miss what God is doing right now. Rebecca’s personal journey of delayed dreams, deep faith, and holy surrender is one that will breathe life into your tired heart.

If you’re holding a good desire that hasn’t come to pass yet—this conversation reminds you: it’s not too late. Whether you’re waiting on a promise, navigating disappointment, or wrestling with hurry and hustle culture, this conversation is a fresh dose of encouragement to stay anchored in truth. God hasn’t forgotten you. You don’t have to strive your way into His love. And there’s still beauty and purpose in the middle of your story.

Bio:

Rebecca is the founder of Radical Radiance® - a podcast community where listeners are equipped to blend what they love with the Jesus who makes them shine. She is a podcaster, speaker, and author whose greatest joy in life is discipling others to pursue their passions in a way that builds the Kingdom. In her free time you can find her running outside, writing, or trying a

new recipe with 90s country playing in the background.

Connect with Rebecca:

Website: https://www.radicalradiance.live

FB: https://www.facebook.com/radicalradiancepodcast/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccageorgeauthor

Book Website: https://www.nottoolatebook.live

Rebecca’s previous episode (113): https://open.spotify.com/episode/0XMgZeoTaQ67jOvPcRKEVF

💥 Bonus: The first 30 people who register for the Anchored in Hope workshop on Sept 20 will get Gena McCown’s devotional, Deep Forgiveness, a bookmark with a link to order Katie Reid’s Bible study, God, What Do I Do, and a candle from Crookston Candles!

📍Canton, OH | 🗓️ September 20 | 🎟️ Early Bird: $35, VIP: $50 includes workshop t-shirt and reserved seating

https://www.anchoredbythesword.org/event-details/anchored-in-hope-finding-purpose-in-your-pain

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I had the joy of sitting down with my friend, Katie Reid—author of Made Like Martha, her newest fiction release A Very Bavarian Summer, and her powerful new Bible study God, What Do I Do? A Study of Judges 1–5.

Katie shares how her personal journey of trusting God in the unknown—including a big move from Michigan to Florida—is being shaped by the very truths she’s teaching in her new study. We talk about obedience when the next step is unclear, collaboration over competition, and how to walk in godly confidence like Deborah from Judges.

From childhood faith to adult grace, Katie opens up about trying to earn God’s love for years until she finally embraced what was already hers. Her story is a reminder that God’s grace isn’t a reward for our performance—it’s a gift we receive.

Bio:

Katie M. Reid is a Bible teacher and the author of Made Like Martha and God, What Do I Do? Trained in education, Katie teaches around her kitchen table, in the classroom, and around the country. She co-hosts The Martha + Mary Show and runs the Martha + Mary Show Sisterhood group on Facebook. Katie is a pastor’s wife and worship leader. Following Jesus, marrying her husband, and being a mom to five are the best decisions she’s made.

Anchor Verses:

Psalm 78: 4-8

Connect with Katie:

Website: https://www.katiemreid.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/katie_m_reid

FB: https://m.facebook.com/KatieMReidWriter/

💥 Bonus: The first 30 people who register for the Anchored in Hope workshop on Sept 20 will get Gena McCown’s devotional, Deep Forgiveness, a bookmark with a link to order Katie Reid’s Bible study, God, What Do I Do, and a 4 ounce Faith in the Fire candle from Crookston Candles!

📍Canton, OH | 🗓️ September 20 | 🎟️ Early Bird: $35, VIP: $50 includes workshop t-shirt and reserved seating

https://www.anchoredbythesword.org/event-details/anchored-in-hope-finding-purpose-in-your-pain

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

In this episode, I sit down with powerhouse leader, author, and speaker Gena B. McCown. With 30 years in ministry and the marketplace, Gena brings her hard-earned wisdom and unwavering heart for women in the church. We talk about her books, Women's Ministry Purpose, and Still Here and Still Struggling to Serve, and the tension many women feel when called to ministry in spaces where leadership isn’t always welcomed or supported.

Gena’s testimony is raw, honest, and filled with God’s redemptive grace—from growing up in a home where church wasn't discussed, to a revival night that changed her life forever. She reminds us that it’s not about perfection, it’s about surrender. That grace was never something we could earn—and that breath in our lungs means we’ve still got purpose.

Some key takeaways from the episode include:

🕊️ “Forgiveness isn’t about reconciliation—it’s about release.”

📖 “If we were meant to be perfect, Christ wouldn’t have been necessary.”

🔥 “We don’t have time to waste. The Church needs every part of the Body functioning.”

We also dive deep into:

• The barriers women face in the church today

• What it really means to walk in forgiveness

• How freedom comes from laying guilt and shame down for good

• Why her life verse, Deuteronomy 2:3, is pushing her (and all of us) to “go north”

  
  

This is a powerful episode for anyone feeling unseen, stuck, or silenced. Gena’s voice will stir something in your spirit—and remind you that God isn’t done with you yet.

Bio:

Gena McCown has been married for over twenty years, and has three daughters. Born and raised in S. Florida, Gena has served in ministry leadership for over twenty years including: Women's Ministry, Drama Ministry, MOPS Leadership. Gena teaches a Women's Ministry course at Christian Leaders Institute, Grand Rapids Michigan.

Anchor Verses:

Deuteronomy 2:3

Connect with Gena:

Website: https://genabmccown.wixsite.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/15ftvy2VUm/?mibextid=wwXIfr

IG: https://www.instagram.com/genamccownpsl/

*Hey ladies! Our Anchored in Hope Women’s Workshop is happening September 20th in Canton, Ohio — and it’s going to be a powerful day of worship, teaching, and finding purpose in your pain.

🎟️ Early bird tickets are just $35, and the first 30 people to sign up will get a FREE devotional from Gena McCown anda 4oz Faith in the Fire candle from Crookston Candles — ready for you the day of the event!

Get your ticket now at https://www.anchoredbythesword.org/event-details/anchored-in-hope-finding-purpose-in-your-pain and come be refreshed. ✨🕊️💖

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***