63. Why Holiness Isn’t About Trying Harder ft. Tasha Calvert

What if worship isn’t just something you do on Sunday—but something you’re doing all day, every day?In this episode of No Matter What, Hannah sits down with author and Risen Motherhood co-founder Emily Jensen to unpack the true meaning of worship. Together, they explore how worship goes far beyond music and church attendance—it’s about your heart, your habits, and what you’re truly living for.Emily shares her powerful testimony of coming to faith, how God transformed her life, and why worship is really about responding to who God is and what He’s done. You’ll walk away with practical ways to turn everyday moments—laundry, work, parenting—into acts of worship.If you’ve ever wondered how to live out your faith in the middle of a busy, ordinary life… this conversation is for you.✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:-What worship really means (and what it doesn’t)-How to worship through your words, work, and daily rhythms-Why you’re always worshiping something—and how to refocus your heart-Simple ways to make your everyday life an offering to GodChapters00:00 Intro04:10 Her salvation story07:40 Parenting teens + trusting God13:20 What is worship, really?17:50 Worship beyond Sunday mornings20:10 Words, works, and why explained23:00 Practical ways to live worship daily29:30 Worship in the mundane moments32:00 What you pay attention to shapes you35:15 Modern-day idols we don’t recognize37:00 Worship as surrender + sacrifice42:00 Spirit and truth worship44:00 Outro📚 Connect with Emily📸 Instagram: @EmilyAJensen🌐Risen Motherhood Podcast: https://emilyajensen.com/podcast📖 Worship (Disciplines of Devotion Series) by Emily Jensen: https://a.co/d/0hP7W28V💬 Connect with Hanna🌐 https://hannaseymour.com/📸 Instagram: @hannaeseymour https://www.instagram.com/hannaeseymourLeave a review for Everyday Spiritual Habits on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=154600937X Get your copy of Everyday Spiritual Habits: https://everydayspiritualhabits.com/🎧 Listen to No Matter What wherever you get your podcasts#Worship #EmilyJensen #NoMatterWhatPodcast #RisenMotherhood #ChristianPodcast #ChristianWomen #SpiritualHabits #BusyMomLife #HannaSeymour

What do you do when life gets really hard?In this replay episode of No Matter What, Hanna sits down with Tara-Leigh Cobble (host of The Bible Recap) to talk about how God’s Word sustains us through life’s most difficult seasons.Even though this conversation originally aired in 2020, its message is just as powerful today—maybe even more. Tara shares her personal story of walking through hardship and how consistent time in Scripture became the anchor that carried her through.If you’ve ever struggled to stay in the Word… felt spiritually dry… or wondered if it really makes a difference—this episode is for you.✨ You’ll walk away encouraged to:-Stay consistent in God’s Word (even when it’s hard)-Trust God in seasons you don’t understand-Build rhythms that strengthen your faith-See how Scripture transforms your perspective over time⏱️ Chapters01:00 – Who Is Tara-Leigh Cobble?02:30 – The Impact of The Bible Recap05:00 – Why Reading the Bible Chronologically Matters10:30 – Tara’s Personal Story of Hardship18:00 – Walking Through Pain with God25:00 – Why Consistency Matters More Than Intensity32:00 – Staying in God’s Word When It’s Hard40:00 – How Scripture Transforms Your Perspective48:00 – Encouragement for Difficult Seasons55:24 – Final Thoughts + Outro📌 Key Topics Covered-The power of consistent Bible reading-Why chronological Bible reading can deepen understanding-Tara-Leigh Cobble’s personal story and hardships-Trusting God in difficult seasons-Spiritual growth through daily rhythms-Faithfulness when emotions fluctuate-The role of Scripture in shaping perspective-Building sustainable spiritual habits-Encouragement for those feeling spiritually stuck📚 Connect with Tara-Leigh📸 Instagram: @TisTashCalvert🌐The Bible Recap Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bible-recap/id1440833267📖 The Bible Recap book: https://a.co/d/04v3etnW💬 Connect with Hanna🌐 https://hannaseymour.com/📸 Instagram: @hannaeseymour https://www.instagram.com/hannaeseymourLeave a review for Everyday Spiritual Habits on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=154600937X Get your copy of Everyday Spiritual Habits: https://everydayspiritualhabits.com/🎧 Listen to No Matter What wherever you get your podcasts#Biblereading #TheBibleRecap #NoMatterWhatPodcast #TaraLeighCobble #ChristianPodcast #ChristianWomen #SpiritualHabits #BusyMomLife #HannaSeymour

What if holiness isn’t restrictive… but freeing?In this episode of No Matter What, Hanna sits down with author and women’s minister Tasha Calvert to talk about one of the most misunderstood—and avoided—topics in the Christian life: holiness.Tasha shares why holiness isn’t about perfection or performance, but about surrender. Together, they unpack what it really means to live “set apart” in a culture that pulls us in every direction—and how that identity changes everything from our habits to our relationships to how we walk through suffering.If you’ve ever felt like following Jesus is just a checklist… or wondered why your faith feels stagnant… this conversation will challenge and encourage you.✨ You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective on:-What holiness actually means (and what it doesn’t)-Why striving fails—but surrender transforms-How to trust God in hard seasons-The connection between holiness and everyday life-Why Christian community is essential for growth⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Welcome + Meet Tasha Calvert04:23 – Joys & Challenges in This Season08:23 – Why Write About Holiness?13:11 – What Holiness Really Means16:05 – How Holiness Transforms Your Life18:43 – Trusting God in Hard Seasons22:10 – Holiness Needs a Rebrand23:08 – Holy Habits & Everyday Life23:32 – Holiness in Real Life (Health, Sex, Finances)24:17 – Cultural Brokenness & Sexuality27:11 – Conviction & Everyday Choices29:12 – God Cares About Every Area31:02 – You Don’t Produce Holiness—God Does36:09 – Why Community Matters38:47 – How to Start Building Christian Community41:11 – Bible Study as a Rhythm42:51 – Growth Through Consistency📚 Connect with Tasha📸 Instagram: @TisTashCalvert🌐Tasha's Website: https://tashacalvert.com/📖 Set Apart For More by Tasha Calvert: https://a.co/d/03t9iDt4💬 Connect with Hanna🌐 https://hannaseymour.com/📸 Instagram: @hannaeseymour https://www.instagram.com/hannaeseymourLeave a review for Everyday Spiritual Habits on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=154600937X Get your copy of Everyday Spiritual Habits: https://everydayspiritualhabits.com/🎧 Listen to No Matter What wherever you get your podcasts#Holiness #SetApartForMore #NoMatterWhatPodcast #TashaCalvert #ChristianPodcast #ChristianWomen #SpiritualHabits #BusyMomLife #HannaSeymour

What if your current season of life isn’t keeping you from God… but is actually the very place He wants to meet you?In this episode of No Matter What, Hanna sits down with Hosanna Wong to talk about her new book, Uncomplicate It, and the freedom of connecting with God in your real, everyday life—not just in an ideal one.If you’ve ever felt guilty because your spiritual life doesn’t look the way it used to, or the way you think it “should,” this conversation is for you. Together, Hanna and Hosanna talk about shame, spiritual rhythms, motherhood, grief, abiding in Christ, and why God never intended your faith to be one-size-fits-all.This is such a hopeful, practical conversation for anyone who wants to stop striving and start walking with Jesus in the life they actually have.✨ In this episode:-Why your current season of life matters to God-How to stop comparing your faith to someone else’s-What it means to abide in Christ in real life-Why your spiritual rhythms may need to change-The difference between producing a lot of fruit and producing good fruit-How shame keeps us spiritually stuckCHAPTERS00:00 Intro02:44 Growing up around addiction and outdoor church in San Francisco04:44 Why who you were then still matters now07:13 How God uses your unique wiring09:06 Why short-form storytelling matters for ministry11:21 The heart behind Uncomplicate It13:12 How faith became overcomplicated16:30 Why shame keeps us spiritually stuck17:58 Personal faith vs. communal faith20:36 Why we think faith should all look the same23:50 Jesus meets us before we “get it together”25:57 Your current season is not a roadblock to God27:18 What it means to connect with God in your real life31:33 Practical examples of spiritual rhythms in different seasons35:00 Hanna on becoming a mom and reimagining spiritual disciplines37:40 John 15, vines, branches, and abiding39:42 When your spiritual structure needs to change42:37 The difference between lots of fruit and good fruit📚 Connect with Hosanna📸 Instagram: @Hosanna.Wong📖 Uncomplicate It! by Hosanna Wong: https://www.hosannawong.com/uncomplicate-it💬 Connect with Hanna🌐 https://hannaseymour.com/📸 Instagram: @hannaeseymour https://www.instagram.com/hannaeseymourLeave a review for Everyday Spiritual Habits on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=154600937X Get your copy of Everyday Spiritual Habits: https://everydayspiritualhabits.com/🎧 Listen to No Matter What wherever you get your podcasts#UncomplicateIt #SpokenWordPoetry #NoMatterWhatPodcast #HosannaWong #ChristianPodcast #ChristianWomen #SpiritualHabits #BusyMomLife #HannaSeymour

What if one simple practice could help you process your emotions, hear God more clearly, and find peace in the middle of overwhelm?In this episode of No Matter What, Hanna Seymour sits down with Lucas LeFevre, creator of Holy Work Journaling, to talk about the spiritual and scientific power of journaling. Lucas shares the deeply personal story of how journaling helped save his marriage, confront hidden struggles, and begin a life-changing journey toward healing and clarity.If you’ve ever felt emotionally numb, mentally overwhelmed, spiritually stuck, or just unsure where to start with journaling, this conversation is for you. Even if you hate journaling (Hanna does too), this episode offers practical, grace-filled ways to begin.You’ll hear:-Why journaling can bring clarity when life feels confusing-The connection between journaling, emotional healing, and spiritual growth-How writing helps expose lies and identify what’s true-Why journaling can support therapy, prayer, and discernment-A simple way to start journaling in just 2 minutes a dayIf you’ve been longing for more peace, purpose, and intentionality in your everyday life, this episode will give you a practical place to begin.CHAPTERS03:05 Lucas’s powerful story of discontentment and hidden struggle07:49 The moment everything changed on a run10:14 The letter that began healing his marriage12:10 How journaling became a daily spiritual practice15:25 Why external success doesn’t fix internal discontentment16:30 Is journaling different from prayer?18:52 Why we’re scared to write down what we’re really thinking19:37 The science behind expressive writing22:24 How journaling helps your brain make meaning24:05 Journaling as both a spiritual and scientific practice25:31 Your brain doesn’t sort beliefs into true and false27:21 Lucas’s practical journaling rhythm34:37 Why journaling can accelerate growth and healing37:03 Why Lucas calls it “holy work”41:39 A testimony of real life transformation through journaling49:23 Can 2 minutes of journaling still help?52:00 What to write when you don’t know where to start54:31 How self-awareness deepens spiritual growth56:57 Who this practice is really for📚 Connect with Lucas🌐 Join Holy Work with Lucas LeFevre: https://Holywork.com 📸 Instagram: @LukeLeFevre📖 Opening up by Writing it Down by Dr. James W. Pennebaker: https://a.co/d/093ERVPY 💬 Connect with Hanna🌐 https://hannaseymour.com/📸 Instagram: @hannaeseymourLeave a review for Everyday Spiritual Habits on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=154600937X Get your copy of Everyday Spiritual Habits: https://everydayspiritualhabits.com/🎧 Listen to No Matter What wherever you get your podcasts#Journaling #HolyWorkJournaling #NoMatterWhatPodcast #LucasLefevre #ChristianPodcast #ChristianWomen #SpiritualHabits #BusyMomLife #HannaSeymour

What does discipling your kids actually look like in real life when you already feel behind in your own spiritual life? In this episode of No Matter What, Hanna Seymour sits down with author and Bible teacher Melissa Kruger to talk about family discipleship, spiritual habits, and how parents can build a scripture-shaped home without pressure to do everything perfectly. Melissa shares why small, steady rhythms matter, how to lead your children spiritually even when you feel inadequate, and why parents do not need to know all the answers to begin. They also talk about Melissa’s new book, The Good News Family Devotional, a 52-week devotional through the Gospel of Mark designed to help families read scripture together in a simple, sustainable way. If you’ve ever wondered how to read the Bible with your kids, how to pray for them faithfully, or how to make family devotions feel doable instead of intimidating, this conversation will encourage you. In this episode: -Why spiritual growth is more about belief than busyness -How to build simple, sustainable rhythms in your home -What to do when you feel inadequate discipling your kids -Why family devotions do not have to be complicated -How scripture shapes both parents and children over time -Why praying Bible verses over your kids can change your prayer life Chapters 00:00 Welcome and introduction to Melissa Kruger 01:19 Melissa’s children’s books and why they connect with parents too 04:36 Who Melissa was at 16 and how she came to faith 07:46 What is bringing joy and what is stretching her in this season 10:56 Parenting, free will, and trusting God with your children 15:11 What we get wrong about spiritual growth 18:51 Why moms need realistic expectations for spiritual disciplines 23:10 Including your kids in your spiritual rhythms 28:38 The story behind The Good News Family Devotional 33:18 Why family discipleship feels hard for so many parents 38:13 What to do when your kids resist family devotions 40:50 How to handle hard Bible questions you cannot answer 45:07 How scripture shapes children over time 48:45 Melissa’s “no matter what” encouragement for parents 50:10 Final thoughts and praying scripture over your kids 📚 Connect with Melissa 📖 Preorder The Good News Family Devotional → https://amzn.to/4bOlaek 🌐 Melissa's children's books that Hanna loves: 📖His Grace Is Enough: https://amzn.to/4s0PGYB 📖Wherever You Go, I Want You To Know: https://amzn.to/4tdTd74 📸 Instagram: @MelissaBryanKruger 💬 Connect with Hanna 🌐 hannaeseymour.com 📸 Instagram: @HannaSeymour Leave a review for Everyday Spiritual Habits on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=154600937X Get your copy of Everyday Spiritual Habits: https://everydayspiritualhabits.com/ 🎧 Listen to No Matter What wherever you get your podcasts #Family #familydevotions #GoodNewsFamilyDevotional #NoMatterWhatPodcast #MelissaKruger #ChristianPodcast #ChristianWomen #SpiritualHabits #BusyMomLife #HannaSeymour

What if the breakthrough in your marriage doesn’t start with your spouse… but with you?In this episode of No Matter What, Hanna Seymour sits down with Amanda Hayhurst, author of Pray for Him and Pray for Her, to talk about what happens when you stop trying to fix your spouse—and start faithfully praying instead.Amanda shares her raw story of a struggling marriage, the turning point that changed everything, and how consistent, intentional prayer transformed not just her husband—but her own heart, peace, and perspective.If your marriage feels hard, stuck, or not what you hoped for, this conversation will remind you: God is still at work.Whether you’re married, hoping to be, or walking through a hard season—this episode will meet you right where you are.In this episode:Why trying to “fix” your spouse backfiresThe difference between helping and controllingHow prayer shifts your heart (even before it changes your marriage)What to do when your spouse isn’t respondingHow to trust God’s timing and planChapters00:00 Intro05:30 Testimony: From Broken Marriage to Transformation12:10 Common Marriage Struggles & How to Navigate Them14:20 The Power of Prayer in Marriage (What Actually Changes)18:17 How to Know God’s Will in Prayer22:19 Why Faith Matters in Prayer (Even When You Don’t See Results)26:05 Your Role vs. God’s Role in Marriage28:20 Trusting God’s Timing When Prayers Feel Unanswered31:58 How to Handle Conflict in a Christian Marriage43:17 Becoming the Spouse God Called You to Be📚 Connect with Amanda📖 Amanda's Devotionals → https://www.amandahayhurstwrites.com/store 🌐 Amanda's Website → https://www.amandahayhurstwrites.com/📸 Instagram: @AmandaHayhurstwrites💬 Connect with Hanna🌐 hannaeseymour.com📸 Instagram: @HannaSeymourLeave a review for Everyday Spiritual Habits on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=154600937X Get your copy of Everyday Spiritual Habits: https://hannaseymour.com/EVERYDAYSPIRITUALHABITS/🎧 Listen to No Matter What wherever you get your podcasts#Marriage #Prayforhim #NoMatterWhatPodcast #AmandaHayhurst #ChristianPodcast #ChristianWomen #SpiritualHabits #BusyMomLife #HannaSeymour

How should we read the Bible? Is it a collection of inspiring verses—or one unified story?In this episode of No Matter What, Hanna Seymour sits down with Bible teacher and author Courtney Doctor to talk about how understanding the Bible as one cohesive story—from Genesis to Revelation—changes the way we read Scripture and live our everyday lives.Courtney shares how seeing the Bible as a continuous story of God pursuing His people deepened her love for God’s Word and strengthened her trust in Him. Together, Hanna and Courtney discuss how Scripture was written to a real audience in a real historical context—and why understanding that context actually helps us apply the Bible more faithfully today.They also talk honestly about spiritual dryness, Bible reading struggles, and the shame many Christians feel when they fall out of consistent rhythms with Scripture.Whether you feel confident studying the Bible or you’re simply trying to open it more consistently, this conversation offers encouragement, practical wisdom, and a renewed vision for loving God’s Word.Courtney is the Director of Women’s Initiatives for The Gospel Coalition and the author of From Garden to Glory.If you’ve ever wondered how the Bible fits together—or why reading it matters in the middle of ordinary life—this episode is for you.Chapters0:00 Introduction3:40 Courtney’s story of coming to faith6:00 When the Bible became life-changing8:00 The Bible as one unified story11:10 Why Courtney wrote From Garden to Glory13:00 Why context matters when reading Scripture16:30 The question every Bible reader should ask18:40 Why study Bibles are so helpful21:40 What Christian women are getting right today23:30 Where we need grounding in God’s Word25:20 What the goal of the Christian life really is28:00 The power of consistent exposure to Scripture30:30 Shame and inconsistency in Bible reading33:00 Why we read the Bible: invitation and command36:20 What to do when your love for Scripture feels dry38:10 Finding time for the Word in busy seasonsKey Topics Covered-Reading the Bible as one unified story-Understanding Scripture in its original context-How God pursues His people throughout the Bible-Why Leviticus makes sense in the larger story of Scripture-The difference between knowing Scripture and loving God-Spiritual dryness and inconsistent Bible reading-Overcoming shame in spiritual disciplines-Why Scripture is both invitation and command-Practical ways to prioritize time in God’s Word📚 Connect with Courtney📖 From Garden to Glory → https://gardentoglory.com/📖 Courtney's Bible Studies → https://www.courtneydoctor.org/books📸 Instagram: @CourtneyCDoctor💬 Connect with Hanna🌐 hannaeseymour.com📸 Instagram: @HannaSeymourLeave a review for Everyday Spiritual Habits on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=154600937X Get your copy of Everyday Spiritual Habits https://hannaseymour.com/EVERYDAYSPIRITUALHABITS/ESV Study Bible: https://amzn.to/40ZuNSs Lifeway New Testament Handbook: https://amzn.to/4dgq1as 🎧 Listen to No Matter What wherever you get your podcasts#Biblereading #FromGardentoGlory #NoMatterWhatPodcast #CourtneyDoctor #ChristianPodcast #ChristianWomen #SpiritualHabits #BusyMomLife #HannaSeymour

Poet and speaker Tanner Olson returns to No Matter What to talk about his new book, Getting Through What You’re Going Through, and what it really looks like to cling to hope when life feels heavy. In this honest conversation, Hanna and Tanner talk about depression, anxiety, burnout, infertility, stress, and the quiet, steady presence of joy. They wrestle with waiting on God, learning to trust His timing, and remembering His faithfulness when circumstances don’t change. If you’re walking through something hard right now, this episode will remind you: everything may not be okay today — but that’s not the end of the story. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro 02:45 – “You Cannot Make God Hurry” (Poem Reading) 07:50 – Joining God in the Certain & Slow 15:20 – Stress, Pride & the Stomach Ulcer Wake-Up Call 23:40 – Why “Choose Joy” Didn’t Work 28:10 – The Power of Remembering 33:15 – Sitting With Someone in Suffering 38:20 – “Everything Will Be Okay” (Poem Reading) 41:15 – The 7,000 Student Goal KEY TOPICS COVERED Waiting on God’s timing Depression, anxiety & burnout Infertility and grief Stress as a symptom of pride Joy and sorrow coexisting The spiritual discipline of remembering Sitting with others in suffering Hope that endures 📚 Connect with Tanner 📖 Getting Through What You're Going Through → https://a.co/d/0gPvkctS 📖 All The Things I Say to God → https://a.co/d/0f5v2epl 📸 Instagram: @WrittentoSpeak 💬 Connect with Hanna 🌐 hannaeseymour.com 📸 Instagram: @Hannaeseymour Get your copy of Everyday Spiritual Habits https://hannaseymour.com/EVERYDAYSPIRITUALHABITS/ 🎧 Listen to No Matter What wherever you get your podcasts #Christianpoetry #WaitingonGod #NoMatterWhatPodcast #GettingThroughWhatYou'reGoingThrough #TannerOlson #ChristianPodcast #ChristianWomen #SpiritualHabits #BusyMomLife #HannaSeymour

Does God feel distant right now? What if He’s actually closer than you think?In this episode of No Matter What with Hanna Seymour, Hanna sits down with author Whitney Lowe to talk about her new book Called Back to Who You Are and the life-changing truth that God pursues us.From the book of Hosea to Luke 15, from seasons of discipline to seasons of manna-in-the-desert dependence, this conversation reframes how we see God’s love. If you’ve ever believed you had to chase God to earn His attention — or wondered where He is in the dark — this episode will anchor your heart in truth.No matter what season you’re in — wandering, waiting, doubting, or trusting — His goodness and mercy are still following you.CHAPTERS01:33 Meet Whitney Lowe02:22 The Origin Story of the Book04:02 Hosea and the Lion of Judah08:06 Love and Judgment: Two Sides of the Same Coin12:45 Luke 15 and the Running Father16:29 Image Bearers and Why God Pursues Us20:18 How Being Pursued Changes Everything25:31 Boundaries That Bear With28:39 Carrying Burdens vs. Carrying Loads30:23 Mutual Pursuit with God34:53 “No Matter What” — Whitney’s AnswerKEY TOPICS COVEREDBiblical theology of God’s pursuitHosea and covenant loveLuke 15 and the running FatherImage bearing and identity in ChristDivine discipline and kindnessSpiritual awareness and thanksgivingBoundaries and sacrificial loveMutual pursuit and revival📚 Connect with Whitney📖 Called Back to Who You Are → a.co/d/8hc2zZs📖 Set Your Eyes Higher → https://a.co/d/068Noloa📸 Instagram: @WhitneyPiersonLowe💬 Connect with Hanna🌐 hannaeseymour.com📸 Instagram: @HannaeseymourGet your copy of Everyday Spiritual Habits https://hannaseymour.com/EVERYDAYSPIRITUALHABITS/🎧 Listen to No Matter What wherever you get your podcasts#IdentityinChrist #NoMatterWhatPodcast #CalledBacktoWhoYouAre #WhitneyLowe #ChristianPodcast #ChristianWomen #SpiritualHabits #BusyMomLife #HannaSeymour