Ep. 71: Redemption in Real Life (How God Uses Brokenness for His Good)

Around this time of year, many of us find our New Year’s goals starting to fade. Emily and Glendie sit down with Christian life coach Patty Gerstenberger to talk about why motivation drops, how shame can impact our goals, and how we can pursue growth in a way that aligns with God’s heart. Together they share practical wisdom to help you move forward with clarity and grace. Thank you for joining us today! If this episode blessed you, don’t forget to rate, review, and share it with friends and family. Learn more about Life Services Spokane by following us on Facebook and Instagram. The Life Renovation Podcast is a ministry of Life Services Spokane, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Spokane, WA. To learn more about our work with those impacted by unplanned pregnancy, fatherlessness, or past abortions, please visit www.lifeservices.org.

What does healthy community really look like? Glendie and Emily sit down with Chaplain TK to explore how faith, presence, and loving people well shape meaningful connection. From rethinking church to walking with people through real-life struggles, this episode offers a hopeful vision for belonging and what it means to build community that truly cares. Thank you for joining us today! If this episode blessed you, don’t forget to rate, review, and share it with friends and family. Learn more about Life Services Spokane by following us on Facebook and Instagram. The Life Renovation Podcast is a ministry of Life Services Spokane, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Spokane, WA. To give, or learn more about our work with those impacted by unplanned pregnancy, fatherlessness, or past abortions, please visit www.lifeservices.org.

In this episode of the Life Renovation Podcast, Glendie and Elizabeth sit down with pastor, international author, and former labor-and-delivery nurse Laurel Bahr to explore her powerful journey of healing from sexual abuse. Laurel shares her discovery, the challenges she faced, and the profound lessons she learned along the way. With compassion and wisdom, she provides valuable insights for anyone coming to terms with abuse in their life, including how it often manifests. Trigger Warning: This episode addresses sensitive topics—but you may leave with something unexpected: HOPE. Love Gone Wrong: Living Happily Ever After as Survivors of Abuse by Laurel Bahr

What is a Life Renovation and do I even need one?  Find out in our intro episode as co-hosts Glendie and Elizabeth break down the hard questions of life and introduce tools to help you navigate them. Show Notes: Scripture quoted by Glendie:  John 1:1-5  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcomeit.  Statistics on pornography, fatherless and abortion mentioned: 68% of churchgoers and over 30% of pastors struggle with pornography. 33% of children in America live in father absent homes. 4 in 10 women in the church have experienced an abortion, but only 7% ever tell anyone in their church. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LSSpokane/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lifeservicesofspokane/   Life Renovation Podcast is a ministry of Life Services Spokane, a Christ-centered 501c3 based out of Spokane, WA.  To learn more about our work with those impacted by unplanned pregnancy, fatherlessness, and past abortions visit our website at www.lifeservices.org  

In this powerful episode, hosts Glendie and Elizabeth begin a thoughtful series on gender identity and same-sex attraction, welcoming Sheri Olsen, Executive Director of Path of Life. With grace and biblical grounding, Sheri walks us through four common identity-based perspectives found within the LGBTQ community, helping listeners understand the deeper roots and beliefs behind each. This conversation offers clarity, compassion, and truth for anyone seeking to engage these topics with love and wisdom. Show Notes:  https://www.portlandfellowship.com/clarity.php https://www.pathoflifespokane.org/ Thank you for joining us today!  If this episode blessed you, don’t forget to rate, review, and share it with friends and family. Learn more about Life Services Spokane by following us on Facebook and Instagram. Life Renovation Podcast is a ministry of Life Services Spokane, a 501c3 based out of Spokane, WA. To learn more about our work with those impacted by unplanned pregnancy, fatherlessness or past abortions please visit our website at www.lifeservices.org.

Public school educator and administrator, Mike McCune joins Glendie and Elizabeth to talk about the State of the Family.  Are families today much different than in the past? What are some of the issues today's families are grappling with?  What kind of support is needed to help strengthen today's families? Show Notes: The Two Parent Privilege-Melissa S. Kearney Educated: A Memoir-Tara Westover Song Mike referred to by Ben Rector: The Men That Drive Me Places Quote from Maya Angelou: "Do the best you can until you know better.  Then when you know better, do better." Check out Whitworth University here Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to rate the podcast and share it with people you know! Follow us on Facebook & Instagram Website: https://lifeservices.org Life Renovation Podcast is a ministry of Life Services Spokane, a Christ-centered 501c3 based out of Spokane, WA. To learn more about our work with those impacted by unplanned pregnancy, fatherlessness and past abortions, visit our website at www.lifeservices.org.

“My Body My Choice” has become a popular slogan that represents personal bodily autonomy, bodily integrity and freedom of choice. On today’s episode, Glendie and Elizabeth take a deep dive into the history of where “My Body My Choice” comes from, how to use logic and reason to critically think through this issue and give you some tools on how to have meaningful conversations with others of differing viewpoints. Show Notes: The Hand of God-Dr. Bernard Nathanson NARAL Who is Larry Lader? Who is Betty Friedan? Roe v. Wade Movie 5 Tools for Navigating Hard Topics Lead with questions not statements Win the person, NOT the argument Keep the MAIN thing, the MAIN thing Be Kind Ask their story Thanks for listening! Don't forget to rate the podcast and share it with your friends! Follow us on Facebook & Instagram! Life Renovation is a ministry of Life Services, Spokane, a Christ-centered 501c3 based out of Spokane, WA.  To learn more about our work with those impacted by unplanned pregnancy, fatherlessness, and past abortions visit our website at www.lifeservices.org    

In this episode of the Life Renovation Podcast, co-hosts Glendie and Elizabeth connect with Kim Heidinger and her daughter, Makayla Gring. Kim, a returning guest from episode 33, joins Makayla in sharing their deeply personal journey through addiction and its impact on their family. Their honest, raw, and heartfelt conversation offers hope and encouragement to those navigating life's challenges and seeking renewal and renovation. Show Notes: Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction Helping Captives The Parable of the Lost Son Thank you for joining us today.  Don't forget to rate and share this podcast with your friends and family!  Find out more about Life Services Spokane by following us on Facebook and Instagram! Life Renovation is a ministry of Life Services Spokane, a 501c3 based out of Spokane, WA.  To learn more about our work with those impacted by unplanned pregnancy, fatherlessness or past abortions please visit our website at www.lifeservices.org.

“If what I went through is anything like what women experience during a chemical abortion, they deserve to know the truth.” In this episode of our Real Stories of Renovation series, Natalie Poulson shares her personal journey of discovering she was unexpectedly pregnant at 47, walking through weeks of uncertainty, and ultimately facing miscarriage. Natalie reflects on how her own painful experience reshaped her understanding of chemical abortion after hearing about it at Life Services Dream Beyond Auction '25. This is a vulnerable, hope-filled story of loss, honesty, and the tender ways God renovates our lives through heartbreak.  Show Notes AbortionPillReversal.com 24/7 Helpline: 1-877-558-0333 Abortion Pill Rescue Network         www.heartbeatinternational.org/our-work/apr   Thank you for joining us today! If this episode blessed you, don’t forget to rate, review, and share it with friends and family.   Learn more about Life Services Spokane by following us on Facebook and Instagram. The Life Renovation Podcast is a ministry of Life Services Spokane, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Spokane, WA. To learn more about our work with those impacted by unplanned pregnancy, fatherlessness, or past abortions, please visit www.lifeservices.org.    

On today's episode, Glendie and Elizabeth have a heart to heart conversation with Nathan & Rami Henry about fostering and adoption and what that journey has looked like in their lives.  Whether you are considering fostering or adoption or are already on your own journey, you'll be greatly encouraged! Show Notes: Find out more about Project 1.27 Resources through Spokane 127 Spokane Fatherhood Initiative LifeLine Children's Services Additional questions?  Drop us a line at [email protected] Follow us on Facebook & Instagram! Life Renovation is a ministry of Life Services Spokane, a 501c3 based out of Spokane, WA.  To learn more about our work with those impacted by unplanned pregnancy, fatherlessness or past abortions please visit our website at www.lifeservices.org