Woman Alive | The podcast for Christian women

It’s Christmas! And while this season brings much joy to both believers and non-believers - many of us will be navigating mixed emotions at this time of year. A recent YouGov poll on Christmas revealed only 59% of Brits feel happy over the festive period. Christmas can come with a lot of ‘shoulds’ and unrealistic social expectations of happiness and connectedness. But, along with the festive cheer, comes memories of loved ones who are no longer with us, navigating complex family dynamics, loneliness, busyness and pressure to make the day special. On this episode, host Tola-Doll Fisher and her guests consider how Christians might celebrate in this season, whilst being considerate of these mixed feelings - in themselves and others. Rhiannon and her husband Pete serve together in a small church in Preston and have a blended family of six. She is also director of the charity Activate Your Life, which inspires women to share God’s love in authentic ways. Rhiannon's article for Woman Alive is the inspiration for the discussion we're having today. Read it here: https://www.womanalive.co.uk/notes-on-parenting--celebrate-with-care-this-christmas/20563.article and you can find out more about Activate Your Life at https://www.activateyourlife.org.uk/ Bekah Legg is CEO of Restored, a Christian organisation with a mission to speak up about violence against women and equip the Church to stand against domestic abuse and with survivors. Bekah and her late husband Steve have a blended family including five girls. You can find out more about Restored at https://www.restored-uk.org/ The Great Sexpectation question in this episode is titled ‘How do I not fall out with my family this Christmas?’ The Woman Alive podcast is produced by award-winning podcast producer, Dami Okeke. Special offer! Podcast listeners get 50% off Woman Alive magazine: womanalive.co.uk/podcast

On the surface, it’s easy to label the beauty industry one big “vanity project” that lacks any real substance and only magnifies our insecurities. However, even the most committed Christian women – some of your favourite preachers and role models – will likely have makeup or skincare favourites as well as potentially indulging in beauty treatments. But from a Christian perspective, Tola-Doll Fisher asks "if God made us so wonderfully, why do Christians even need the beauty industry?" Amy Dyas is a professionally trained makeup artist with experience in Editorial, Fashion (including London Fashion Week), TV, Bridal, Music Videos and Film. Amy is passionate about clean beauty and using sustainably sourced products and her article for Woman Alive is the inspiration for the discussion we're having today. Read it here: womanalive.co.uk/discovering-clean-beauty/19003.article and connect with Amy on Instagram @beautycleanbyamy @justbeyoutiful Mariana Mathenan is a beautician, and founder of ‘Grace on Wheels’, a beauty van which provides free treatments to women who are without homes or have been victims of domestic violence and/or human trafficking. This year, Mariana felt led by God to sell the van and open a beauty shop, and she is currently looking for a new owner for the beauty van. You can connect with Mariana on Instagram @graceonwheelsbv The Great Sexpectation question in this episode is titled ‘How do I get over being jealous of my married friends?’ The producer of the Woman Alive podcast is Dami Okeke. Special offer! Podcast listeners get 50% off Woman Alive magazine: womanalive.co.uk/podcast

When was the last time you heard this three-letter word at church? On this episode of the Woman Alive podcast, Tola-Doll Fisher and her guests talk about sex... and if you now feel immediately uncomfortable, then this may just be the episode for you! Whilst the world is obsessed with sex - there seems to be an unspoken embargo on the topic in the Church, which only lifts when you get married – and even then, there are limited spaces to discuss it. The Bible describes sex as a holy gift of intimacy from God, to be enjoyed in marriage. So why has the conversation been blacklisted in so many of our churches? Shakira Peronet is a freelance copywriter and content creator. Though originally from London, she now lives in Paris, after a pandemic romance resulted in marriage. Her article for Woman Alive is the inspiration for the discussion we're having today. Read it here: https://www.womanalive.co.uk/opinion/we-expect-married-couples-to-go-from-zero-to-hero-in-the-bedroom-after-their-wedding-but-i-found-out-its-not-that-simple/13451.article and connect with Shakira on Instagram @shakirainparis Tracey Nash is a social media manager, worship leader and teacher of the Word in her local church. She is an avid traveller, wordsmith, a lover of food and Jesus! You can connect with Tracey on Instagram @wrappednculture The Great Sexpectation question in this episode is titled ‘I feel insecure in my marriage’ The producer of the Woman Alive podcast is Dami Okeke. Special offer! Podcast listeners get 50% off Woman Alive magazine: womanalive.co.uk/podcast

The Bible tells us that we are created in the image of God - but as male and female, how is the image of God expressed in our genders? Is it scriptural to identify femininity in the nature of God? Have we created an image of God built on patriarchy? Is the church too feminine …and how does all this impact your relationship with God? On this episode of the Woman Alive podcast, Tola-Doll Fisher and her guests discuss God, femininity and the Church. Elaine Storkey is a theologian, lecturer, broadcaster and Christian feminist. In 2020 she wrote a book titled ‘Women in a Patriarchal World’ which was based on her articles for Woman Alive magazine. She has been writing Bible Studies for Woman Alive for 25 years! Her article for Woman Alive is the inspiration for the discussion we're having today. Read it here: https://www.womanalive.co.uk/is-the-holy-spirit-the-female-part-of-god/19813.article Sally Hope is a writer specialising in faith, feminism and domestic abuse. She is also the creator of the Always Hopeful Programme and author of the book No Visible Scars. Both are resources for Christian women who have experienced domestic abuse. You can find out more about Sally’s work at www.alwayshopeful.org.uk Resources mentioned in this episode: Elaine’s book ‘Meeting God In Matthew’ Sally’s book ‘No Visible Scars’ Find support at Restored https://www.restored-uk.org/ The Great Sexpectation question in this episode is titled ‘I did everything the right way but ended up with nothing. I feel so let down by God’ The producer of the Woman Alive podcast is Dami Okeke. Special offer! Podcast listeners get 50% off Woman Alive magazine: womanalive.co.uk/podcast

Neurodivergence, motherhood and faith are a unique intersection which more Christians are navigating, as awareness grows of the genetics that can affect our learning. Many believers are involved in campaigning to remove the stigma in the Church. At the time of recording, this topic had become heavily politicised following the US President’s controversial comments about the cause of Autism. Tola-Doll Fisher explores how Christian women navigate neurodivergence with motherhood and faith. Julie Williams is a writer and marketing specialist living in Cape Town, South Africa. She is a wife and mother to five children, and received an ADHD diagnosis at the age of 40. Her article for Woman Alive is the inspiration for the discussion we're having today. Read it here: https://www.womanalive.co.uk/opinion/i-am-a-christian-mum-of-five-and-i-just-found-out-i-have-adhd/16195.article Ann Wilson is a diagnostic clinician for autistic adults, working for the NHS. She and her husband have two adult children, and their daughter was diagnosed with ADHD and autism at the age of 6. Resources mentioned in this episode: Andrew Wilson’s book ‘The Life You Never Expected’ National Autistic Society - https://www.autism.org.uk/ The Great Sexpectation question in this episode is titled: I want to leave my husband! The producer of the Woman Alive podcast is Dami Okeke. Special offer! Podcast listeners get 50% off Woman Alive magazine: womanalive.co.uk/podcast