A Cup of Gratitude

This week I speak with Cara Shine, who is a Lay Pastor, bestselling author, Speaker, and award-winning retired elementary school teacher with a surprising testimony of finding Jesus in the midst of chaos and fear. Raised in the Jewish faith, Cara spent much of her early life feeling rejected and judged by the Christians around her. The bullying she endured as a child left lasting scars, shaping her view of Jesus and her sense of belonging. But everything changed in the fall of 2002, during the terrifying three-week reign of the DC sniper attacks. As a young mom and school teacher paralyzed by anxiety, Cara encountered Christians who showed her the true heart of Christ through love, kindness, and courage. What followed was what she calls a “Holy ripple effect” that transformed her life, her faith, and her purpose. If you’ve ever been afraid to share your faith, unsure of how to reflect Jesus to others, or burdened by the actions of those who misrepresented Him, Cara's story will reignite your passion to lovingly share the Gospel. We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won’t want to miss this inspiring episode! 
www.carashine.com
*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

This week I speak with Rose Ward, whose passion is to help readers enjoy clean fiction by creating fantastic adventures that inspire purpose and truth. With a pen guided by faith and imagination, she writes stories that whisper hope and call hearts home. Beyond the page, Rose is the founder of Ministry Moms and co-founder of the Living Seeds Foundation, where she develops faith-filled educational resources for every age. When Rose is not writing and creating, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and children—finding beauty in the ordinary and gathering joy from the soil of simple days. We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won't want to miss this inspiring episode!
LINKS: 
rtwardauthor.com 
livingseeds.foundation
Theme Music: "Blessed Time" by Ketsa

This week I speak with Jamie Bollinger, who has served in ministry
through worship, speaking, songwriting, and mentorship — helping
people encounter God through authentic faith, honest hope, and the
presence of worship. After experiencing profound personal loss in 2023, 
Jamie’s message took on an even deeper dimension. Through grief, worship 
became more than a song — it became a lifeline. Her ministry now carries a
gentle but powerful message of hope for weary hearts, reminding
others that faith and grief, sorrow and joy, can exist together.
Whether leading worship, speaking at women’s events, ministering
to widows, or sharing her story through music and encouragement,
Jamie creates spaces where women feel seen, strengthened, and
reminded they are not alone. Through worship, honest storytelling, and 
practical Encouragement, Jamie invites others to discover that even in life’s 
hardest places, God is still present — still faithful — and still bringing beauty 
from the ashes. We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful 
thread of Jesus in her life. You won’t want to miss this encouraging episode! 

🌐 Website (Primary)

https://jamiebollinger.com

🎵 "Even So”

https://jamiebollinger.com/evenso

🤍 Start Here (Free Resources)

https://jamiebollinger.com/start

🎹 YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@JamieBollingermusic

📱 Instagram

@jamiebollinger
*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

This week, I speak with Hannah Castiaux, who is a Bible teacher, author, pastor's wife, and the founder of God's Glory in Your Story. She is passionate about helping women walk in freedom through God's Word, grow in confidence in Christ, and live led by the Holy Spirit. Through her teaching and personal story, Hannah encourages women to exchange shame for truth and experience the freedom Jesus offers. We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won’t want to miss this encouraging episode!

https://godsgloryinyourstory.com/book
https://www.instagram.com/hannahcastiauxofficial/

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

This week, I speak with Allison Byxbe, the author of Journaling as a Spiritual Practice and the founder of the journaling communities Saturday Pages and The Inky Collective. She is a former writing professor turned journaling teacher dedicated to helping others find healing and wholeness through taking pen to page. She lives in South Carolina with her husband Ben and three kiddos. We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won’t want to miss this inspiring episode!
https://allisonbyxbe.com/
https://allisonbyxbe.com/journaling-as-a-spiritual-practice/

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa