#415 Finding Perfect Peace in the Character of God with Jonny Ardavanis

I am thrilled to be joined by the amazing and talented Shana Wilson Williams and Melinda Watts in today’s episode. Shana is a pastor’s daughter, worship leader and songwriter from Detroit. Melinda is a family lifestyle travel creator, speaker, and worship leader from Atlanta.   These two incredible women have come alongside other talented artists to create the album, Return To Love, which calls the church back to its true purpose by embracing authentic worship and community. It showcases a rich blend of musical styles and diverse voices, all centered on the powerful theme of rediscovering true worship and love in a divided world. As we come off of this election season, Shana and Melinda are here to remind us how important it is to examine our hearts, prioritize our relationship with God, and better love ourselves, our families and our neighbors.   I hope you’ll join us for this rich conversation and will give this powerful album a listen!   4:14 – Shana 101   From Detroit Mom and wife Pastor’s daughter and worship leader     7:00 – Melinda 101   From New Jersey, now in Atlanta Mom and wife Worship leader with a love for ministry     8:21 – Return To Love   How this collaborative project came together The meaning behind this album Returning to the feet of Jesus     11:57 – Rediscovering True Worship   Lessons from Revelation Rediscovering a deep connection with God Putting aside our differences Loving yourself to love others well     20:19 – Overflowing Love: A Call To Kingdom   Being mindful of what you consume Worship that brings your attention back to the presence of God Leading by example and focusing on kingdom values Breaking bread with those who are different than you   36:00 – Takeaways   Shana and Melinda’s hope for this project Connecting with Shana and Melinda     FEATURED QUOTES   “We need to not just be waiting for Him to return but be ready for Him to return. And the only way we can be ready is if we return back to what it was supposed to be- that's genuine love, genuine community, genuine fellowship with one another, putting aside our own motives or agendas or views…and returning to the sacredness of who Jesus is.”   “We are supposed to be known in the world by our love and so to see this project focus on love is really helping us get back to what we should be known by.”   “I hope that after listening to this project, that people reevaluate their relationships- their relationships with one another, with fellow Christians, non-Christians, and that we would keep love at the center.”   ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OR LINKS THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN POST   Listen to the Return To Love Album:   https://www.returntolovealbum.com/   Learn more about Shana   https://www.shanawilsonwilliams.com/sww   Shana on Instagram   https://www.instagram.com/shanawilsonwilliams/?hl=en   Shana on Tik Tok   https://www.tiktok.com/@shanawilsonwilliams   Shana on YouTube   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC98C1ok21B5YlR4xF22vTlw   Learn more about Melinda   https://www.melindawatts.com/   Melinda on Instagram   https://www.instagram.com/melindawattsglobal/   Medina on Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/melindawattsmusic/   Melinda on Tik Tok   https://www.tiktok.com/@melindawatts_   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.   

Welcome to episode 420! Today, it's just me, and I'm tackling one of the most frequently asked questions I’ve received since the release of my first book, If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry. And that is… “How do I get a book published?” A recent study showed that more than 80% of Americans dream of writing and publishing a book. So, in today’s conversation, I’m going to walk you through the basics of book publishing and share the tips and tricks I learned along the way. If you've ever imagined holding your own book in your hands or are just curious about the publishing world, stick around. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer idea of where to start and how the process works! 2:37 – Understanding Your Options  ·      The different approaches to publishing ·      Getting an agent ·      Creating a book proposal  6:50 – Finding Your Team ·      Researching agents who specialize in your genre ·      Putting together your query letter ·      Showing agents your personality 12:03 – The Book Proposal Process ·      What is a book proposal? ·      Showing your knowledge and commitment ·      Sample chapters  15:49 – Self-Publishing and Hybrid Publishing ·      Hiring your team ·      Don’t forget about marketing! ·      Considerations for hybrid publishing 19:25 – Okay… So Where Do I Start?!  ·      Polishing your manuscript ·      Having a book proposal ·      Defining your goals + researching options ·      Establishing relationships + thinking about marketing ·      Don’t give up!  FEATURED QUOTES  “If you don't hear back or you get a rejection, you can't let it discourage you. Tons of successful, famous authors have received multiple rejections before finding the right fit. So, you are not alone. It is part of the process.”  “The writing community in general is incredibly supportive and has been vital in my own process.”  “Publishing a book, writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint…Rejections are going to happen. Timelines are going to change. Things are not going to go the way that you want them to go, but you have to keep going. You have to have that end goal in mind and focus on the end result that you're really, really looking for, because that part is incredibly rewarding.” Punchline Agency https://punchlineagency.com/ Hope Writers https://www.hopewriters.com/     Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world. 

I'm thrilled to welcome my dear friend, Mattie Jackson, back to the show! You may remember her from earlier this year, and I was so inspired by our chat that I had to invite her back- especially with the release of her new book, Through the Valley of Grief.  Mattie is an author, podcaster, and speaker whose life changed dramatically when she tragically lost her 28-year-old husband to a traumatic brain injury just weeks before their first anniversary. Despite her grief, she has used her story to give glory to God and to bring others hope and healing. Her new book is a 365-day devotional, carefully crafted to guide readers through spiritual practices that offer hope and peace during times of grief. If you or someone you know is walking through loss right now, I hope that this episode- and Mattie’s devotional- will be a source of comfort and inspiration.  6:02 – Mattie 201 •    Having a baby •    Releasing her second book •    The difference between Lemons and this new devotional 13:52 – Walking Through Grief •    The four practices to navigate grief •    Feeling grief without getting stuck in it •    Actions and tools to move toward hope and healing 27:02 – Finding Freedom In Hope •    The courage required to hope •    Don’t let Satan steal present joy •    God’s message of hope 41:23 – Closing Remarks •    Helping others through the grieving process •    Getting your copy of Mattie’s book FEATURED QUOTES “This was really hard fought, hard written, five years in the making- and it was a lot of work, and so I'm really proud of it in that way as a writer.” “We need to be affirmed in our pain, and that's important, but we also need to be called to act in it.” “There is such freedom in the action of hoping, even though you don't know what the final outcome is going to be.” “The courage to hope in a very broken situation, in a very rightly anxiety-producing world, is going to only come from God's Word.”   Learn more about Mattie: Get your copy of Through The Valley of Grief https://www.amazon.com/Through-Valley-Grief-Devotional-Spiritual/dp/0593601238 Get your copy of Lemons On Friday https://www.amazon.com/Lemons-Friday-Trusting-Greatest-Heartbreak/dp/0785241272/ref=asc_df_0785241272?nodl=1&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=675601147131&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16219095298050732835&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYtFXuwWotiZA-6LEU-IvYhl8AlHMjw6dcuilzZnQUl6pI2as2x1W99FzU_aem_PH7jpc88JU1KxPkE8PIAgA Mattie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mattiejackson/?hl=en Mattie on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mattiejacksonofficial/ In Joy Life Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-joy-life-with-mattie-jackson/id1667357187   Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly   GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv   About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world. 

My guest this week is the incredible and hilarious Joby Martin, the lead pastor of The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida. Since launching the church in 2012, Joby has been at the forefront of a movement that helps people from all walks of life discover and deepen their relationship with Jesus.  Beyond his leadership at The Church of Eleven22, Joby is also an author, speaker, husband, and father of two beautiful children. His newest book Run Over By the Grace Train: How the Unstoppable Love of God Transforms Everything just hit shelves this September.  I hope you’ll join us today as we talk about this concept of grace and explore how we can better understand and apply it in our daily lives. I had an absolute blast learning from Joby's wisdom and getting into the nitty gritty on this subject!  2:09 – Joby 101 Getting saved in high school Feeling called to ministry Planting a church in Jacksonville Connecting to people through comedy 12:30 – The Importance Of Grace In Today’s Culture How grace is often misunderstood and misapplied Grace transforms everything We need grace daily 16:37 – Defining Grace How grace is defined by scripture  Grace brings the dead to life God’s relentless pursuit of us 26:50 – Encouragement For Those Struggling With Grace Investigating the Bible and seeking a relationship with Jesus The Gospel of John Being open to the transformative power of grace 35:18 – Final Thoughts Who is Jesus to you? Everything Jesus has for us is good Grace has a face Connecting with Joby FEATURED QUOTES “I've also realized in preaching, if I just preach from my own failures and weaknesses, I never run out of material.” “If you got hit by a train, your whole life would be different. You can't say that you've been hit by the grace of Jesus, and things don't change in your life.” “I promise you, there's more grace in Jesus than sin in you, and He wants you, and He's not disappointed to choose you.” -- Learn more about Joby: https://www.jobymartin.com/ Get your copy of Run Over By The Grace Train https://www.jobymartin.com/books/grace-train Church of Eleven22 https://coe22.com/ Joby on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jobypmartin/ Joby on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jobypmartin Joby on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PastorJobyMartin   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world. 

You are in for a treat this week! My guest is the hilarious and amazing Sophie Hudson. Sophie is a best-selling author and a beloved podcaster who started blogging at BooMama.net in 2005 and has co-hosted The Big Boo Cast since 2007- roles that make her feel like the internet's mee-maw. She's known for her infectious laugh, love of live sports, and cooking her mama's recipes for friends. Her latest book, A Fine Sight to See: Leading Because You Were Made for It, explores leadership principles from the book of Exodus, touching on the important role women played in Moses’s life and the Israelites’ journey to freedom. Sophie’s approachable style and love for laughter make her work- and this episode- so insightful and incredibly fun. We had an absolute blast as Sophie shared her heart and her wisdom. You don’t want to miss this one! 2:23 – Sophie 101 Southern accents, morning weddings & the power of a good nap Living in Birmingham, Alabama  Starting a blog in 2005 and co-hosting a podcast An unexpected journey to full-time writing 20:42 – Women In Leadership How Sophie landed on Exodus 1-20 for her book The challenges women face in leadership roles in the church Using the language of leadership for women 33:40 – Developing Humble Leadership The balance between confidence and humility in leadership Leadership that reminds people of who God is Leading with a quiet life Practicing your gifts in private 45:58 – Closing Thoughts Bonding over musical theater Getting your copy of A Fine Sight To See FEATURED QUOTES “I think Moses is a leadership manual for all of us, women or men.” “We need men to lead, but we also need women to lead, and women are underrepresented in leadership in our churches.” “If you have influence over one other person, you're a leader in that person's life.” Learn more about Sophie: BooMama https://www.boomama.net/ https://www.boomama.net/about-me/ Get your copy of A Fine Sight To See  https://www.amazon.com/Fine-Sight-See-Leading-Because/dp/0764243349 Sophie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/boomama205/?hl=en Sophie on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SophieHudsonBooMama/ The Big Boo Cast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-boo-cast/id262921699 Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com  http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly    GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn  Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG  ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb  Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8  Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv  About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world. 

I’m so excited to welcome the hilarious and amazing Ellen Skrmetti to the show today! Ellen first rose to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic, capturing hearts with her Instagram sketches where she "calls" Jesus for advice. Her account went viral in the spring of 2022, racking up millions of views and a devoted following. Now, Ellen has just released her first book, Hey Jesus, It’s Me: I Have Questions, Comments, and Concerns, where she brings her signature Southern charm and wit to tackle topics like motherhood, menopause, and menus- subjects her fans have come to love. Trust me, you won't want to miss this episode- Ellen and I had a blast (and even did a bit or two). I can’t wait for you to hear it! 7:35 – Ellen 101 Studying at Second City Growing an Instagram following Starting comedy after a career in advertising sales Waiting on God’s timing 12:52 – God Math The importance of timing and faith  Doing your reasonable best 16:33 – Faith, Comedy, and Southern Charm How Ellen’s faith and Southern upbringing influence her comedy The mix of truth and absurdity in comedy  Starting rumors about Nate Bargatze!! 22:41 – Hey Jesus! The evolution of Ellen’s sketches How the “Hey Jesus” sketches resonated with people Wholesome and positive comedy in a world filled with negativity Menopause, y’all! 31:34 – Final thoughts Connecting with Ellen Getting your copy of Hey Jesus FEATURED QUOTES “Even though my path is so unconventional... it's God's path.” “My goal with the book is for people to remember that He does want our sad, He does want our fears, He wants everything… He wants to laugh with you. I mean, He created laughter.” "People want something wholesome and people want something to cling to that's positive because there's so much negative."   Learn more about Ellen: https://ellenskrmetti.com/ Ellen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justskrmetti/?hl=en Get your copy of Hey Jesus https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1546007040?tag=hacboogrosit-20 Ellen’s upcoming shows and signings https://ellenskrmetti.com/about-appearances/ Ellen on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmYobCHqa6CKHHjutgw80rw Ellen on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ellen.skrmetti/ Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv   About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

My guest this week is Jonny Ardavanis, Lead Pastor of Stonebridge Bible Church in Franklin, Tennessee, and founder of Dial In Ministries, an organization dedicated to providing biblical resources for the next generation. Previously serving as a camp director at Hume Lake Christian Camps and dean at The Master's University, Jonny’s passion is helping people know and love Jesus through a deeper understanding of His Word.  In this episode, we dive into his new book, Consider the Lilies: Finding Perfect Peace in the Character of God. With statistics showing that one-third of teenagers have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and one in four young adults have experienced suicidal thoughts in recent years, Jonny offers a compassionate, biblically-centered approach to addressing anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles. This is such a powerful and timely conversation, whether you're personally navigating these challenges or supporting someone who is. You don’t want to miss this! 2:26 – Jonny 101 Husband and girl dad Pastor of Stonebridge Bible Church in Tennessee President of Dial In Ministries 4:35 – Consider The Lilies Jonny’s experience at Hume Lake Providing a resource that addresses anxiety from a biblical perspective Understanding God’s character in addressing anxiety 12:12 – Living In An Anxious World The root causes of anxiety and worry The stories of Job, David and Elijah Jesus addressing anxiety in scripture 31:28 – Finding Hope and Healing Experiencing holy hindsight Practical steps for those dealing with anxiety Christian counseling and community support The hope and joy found in Christ FEATURED QUOTES “To be human in the world in which we live is to be prone to anxiety.” “What is anxiety? Well, I use the definition that it's anytime we take our eyes off of God and fix our gaze instead on the problems, pressures, and uncertainties of life.” “If God loves, cares, provides for the lilies and the birds…how much more does God love, provide, care and nurture those who are made in His image and who have been blood bought by his one and only Son, Jesus Christ?” Learn more about Jonny: https://www.forthegospel.org/jonny-ardavanis Jonny on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jonnyardavanis/?hl=en Pre-order your copy of Consider The Lilies https://www.amazon.com/Consider-Lilies-Finding-Perfect-Character/dp/0310368243 Stonebridge Bible Church https://stonebridgebible.org/ Dial In Ministries  https://dialinministries.org/ Dial In Ministries on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGB5fYWHTNemqp9aZC232eg Dial In Ministries on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dialinministries/?hl=en Dial In Ministries on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/p/Dial-In-Ministries-100063760952717/ Dial In Podcast https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3166a6da-ec56-457f-a56b-f513711d2dfe/dial-in-with-jonny-ardavanis Bio Jonny Ardavanis is the lead pastor of Stonebridge Bible Church in Franklin, Tennessee, and the founder and president of Dial In Ministries, a ministry that provides biblical resourcing for the next generation. Jonny formerly served as both a camp director at Hume Lake Christian Camps and as a dean at The Master’s University. Jonny is passionate that people come to know and love Jesus Christ as they pursue a deeper understanding of His Word. Jonny lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife, Caity Jean, and their two daughters.        DialinMinistries.org instagram.com/JonnyArdavanis ; instagram.com/DialinMinistries youtube.com/@DialinMinistries x.com/DialinMin Podcast: Dial In with Jonny Ardavanis Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.                

My guest today is my dear friend, Dr. Steve Bezner. Steve is the senior pastor of Houston Northwest Church, in Houston Texas. His passion is to see Houston and the world become more like heaven as people become more like Jesus. He’s a preacher, teacher, writer, and speaker and has such a gift for making the Bible easy to understand. Steve’s new book is releasing this October, called Your Jesus is Too American: Calling the Church to Reclaim Kingdom Values over the American Dream, which I’m so excited to talk about today. In this book, Steve challenges the overpowering influences of money, politics, and status that often overshadow Jesus' teachings. With over a decade of pastoral experience, Steve encourages readers to rediscover important kingdom values like humble service, reconciliation, generosity, and a grounded political witness in our communities. This is such an incredible book, and I strongly believe it’s a must-read as we head into this election season.  So, without further ado, let’s get into it! 5:44 – Steve 101 Pastor of Houston Northwest Church Growing up in north Texas Being called to ministry Two adult sons 7:36 – The Genesis Of The Book The inspiration behind Your Jesus Is Too American The book’s foundation in the Sermon on the Mount Embodying the kingdom of God in the middle of community 15:29 – Living Out Kingdom Values  Being disciples of Jesus first Focusing on issues rather than candidates Turning to scripture and working towards the vision of Jesus locally Jesus’ command to love your enemy 34:33 – Faith In Action Embodying Jesus in our daily lives Recognizing ingrained beliefs that conflict with Jesus’ words Stepping into the lived experience of the kingdom Pre-ordering your copy of Your Jesus Is Too American FEATURED QUOTES “The purpose of a church is to provide faithful witness for Jesus in the midst of a community that often wants to ignore Jesus and ignore His way.” “The first and most important identity needs to be your identity in Christ and joining into His story.” “When you die to the American dream and you embrace the way of Jesus, you actually end up having a far better experience of being human than you could ever imagine.”   Learn more about Steve: https://www.stevebezner.com/ Get your copy of Your Jesus Is Too American https://www.amazon.com/Your-Jesus-Too-American-Calling/dp/1587436310 Houston NW Church https://www.hnw.org/ Steve on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sbezner/ Steve on X https://x.com/bezner Steve on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sbezner/?hl=en   Connect with me:   http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly     GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv     About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?   Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.

I’m thrilled to welcome the incredible, hilarious, and brilliant Chase Rashad to the show. Chase is the lead pastor at Unison Christian Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is also a musician and a racial equity coach for many schools, churches, and businesses.  Chase recently released a new book, Seamless: What Your Spiritual Gifts Are Really For, exploring how spiritual gifts, intended by God to transform the world, are often underutilized. He reminds us that, like a human body has many different parts and functions, every believer has a unique role to play in the Body of Christ. This conversation was truly special. We laughed, we got deep, and this quickly became one of my favorite episodes in a long time. Chase’s insights on community, the role of spiritual gifts, and the importance of working together within the church were so inspiring and thought-provoking. Trust me, you’re in for a treat this week! 3:56 – Chase 101 Married for 19 years Parent to 4 humans and a great dane Pastor, singer, writer, musician and author The perfect shade of green and sanctified imagination 12:49 – What Your Spiritual Gifts Are Really For Where Chase’s passion for this book came from The importance of unity among believers 1 Corinthians 12 Spiritual gifts as a way to serve others 24:44 – The Power of Every Gift Recognizing and honoring all gifts The danger of only valuing visible or “up front” gifts The detrimental effects of isolation  How spiritual gifts are often best discovered and used in community 39:30 – Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts Identifying your gifts in community Spiritual gifts as a conversation starter Praying over your skills and talents Connecting with Chase FEATURED QUOTES “It’s not hung on, how big our churches are, how dope our podcasts are, how good our books are, and how great we sing… Our witness for Christ is hung on our love for each other and our unity. And that was really the burden by which I wrote Seamless.” “If you're working against your ability to be united, you're also working against your ability to show the world Jesus.” “Our purpose isn't to memorize Scripture with each other. Our purpose isn't to sing songs to one another. Our purpose isn't even to just make sure that we're good. Our purpose is to make disciples.” Learn more about Chase: Get your copy of Seamless https://www.amazon.com/Seamless-What-Spiritual-Gifts-Really/dp/1632575841 Unison Christian Church https://unisongr.churchcenter.com/home Unison Christian Church Podcast  https://unisoncc.podbean.com/ Chase’s Music https://music.apple.com/us/artist/chase-rashad/1481147224 Chase on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chase-r-stancle-sr-b577b068/ Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com  http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly   GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn  Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG  ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb  Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8  Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv  About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world. 

This week, I'm so excited to welcome Sandra Stanley and her daughter, Allie Stanley Cooney, as our guests. Sandra, a familiar face on the show, is a dedicated foster parent, foster advocate, and co-author of the book Parenting: Getting It Right. This time, Sandra is joined by her daughter, Allie, who has a Master’s in Christian Education and background in student ministry, to discuss their book Meet Me in the Middle: 8 Mother-Daughter Conversations about Life and Faith.  This book is such an incredible resource for those looking to strengthen their relationship with young girls in their lives. As a mom of a tween girl myself, this conversation was so insightful and encouraging. Moms, grandmas, sisters, dads, uncles, and mentors- there is something in this episode for you!  4:52 – Allie 101 Georgia native, pastor family, youngest of 3 Background in student ministry and Christian education Wife and mom 7:27 – Sandra 201 Life as a grandmother Writing a book with Allie 36 years of marriage 8:26 – Writing a Book Together What led Sandra and Allie to write this book  Having hard conversations ahead of time Setting your child up for success 15:24 – The Imperfect Path of Parenting Appreciating a parent’s love when you become a parent Making mistakes as a parent Allowing children to make mistakes in a safe environment The unique dynamic of a mother/daughter relationship  Philippians 4:4-9 as a foundation for this book 28:16 – Meet Me In The Middle How this book is structured  Identity and self-worth in middle and high school What we model matters Parenting in the age of social media Helping your children own their faith 48:17 – Final Thoughts Navigating big feelings with your children Getting your copy of Meet Me In The Middle Encouragement for moms and mentors FEATURED QUOTES “If we can bridge the gap between moms and daughters so that they can have some of the hard conversations ahead of time, before…. there's conflict and tension…it is such a win when those hard times come.” “We really wanted to structure it in a way that a grandmother or an aunt or a mentor could also pick it up and do this with the young lady in their life that they love and who is important to them.” “You don't have to change, you don't have to pretend, you don't have to give up hope, because Jesus did all of that on your behalf… You are enough and you are loved, and you are a child of God.” “What we model matters, and it matters in the development of our children's faith and how they view their Heavenly Father.” Learn more about Sandra and Allie: https://www.sandrastanley.com/meetmeinthemiddle Get your copy of Meet Me in the Middle  https://www.amazon.com/Meet-Me-Middle-Mother-Daughter-Conversations/dp/0310368677 Get your copy of Parenting: Getting It Right https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Getting-Right-Andy-Stanley/dp/0310366275/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zWEmq7GGvxYEchs0KShkw_xA3D4LBVR9tIJAm0eZLRgsDPFM_0sVtgStL4OceEucDiZxuWVTa7BVc4qDvnVWp7BeV1To3BFO9wjky07Q-79EBPiNXZ7kgu1gkj4eK0vUojrsnXGW9LG5NIcO6A9y3vGgpzBMRJ6okTT9KESOzRcswK2SRxd7AYBXH5v9trlMJNfAeRisd-GLAzzEHg0BnNrdhj8Ng9QM9egb7OTAdCo.K97LQwbs-mFGFmMBDRy1cpDI5RVsSO8JoZbkRnss_qA&dib_tag=se&hvadid=634502039983&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9010494&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5591213651008220050&hvtargid=kwd-1913356014711&hydadcr=27890_14488800&keywords=parenting+getting+it+right&qid=1725999611&sr=8-1 Allie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliekaycooney/?hl=en Sandra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandrawstanley/?hl=en Connect with me:  http://www.stillbeingmolly.com  http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly   GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn  Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG  ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb  Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8  Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv  About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.