32. Katie Blackburn: When life looks nothing like you imagined

Katie Blackburn’s story is one of resilience, courage, and God’s faithfulness. As a single mom of six, Katie has walked through unexpected turns she never saw coming. In this conversation, we talk about the power of community, the gift of being vulnerable, and the strength only God can provide when life feels overwhelming. Katie also shares what it’s been like to raise a child with autism, and the lessons she’s learning about letting go and trusting God with her kids’ stories. This is a raw, hope-filled reminder that even when everything falls apart, God is still there. About Katie: Katie Blackburn is a writer, single mom to six, and relentless believer finding grace in motherhood, special-needs parenting, and everyday faith. Her voice—honest, gentle, and anchored in community—shines through in her writing. Find Katie online: Coffee + Crumbs Substack Her blog & Gluing the Cracks Instagram: @katiemblackburn Find Hanna online: Website: https://hannaseymour.com | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanna_seymour | Podcast (No Matter What): Apple | Podcast (The Weekly One): Spotify | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hannaeseymour

Kelly Needham shares her story of learning what true purpose looks like—in motherhood, ministry, and everyday life. We talk about what it means to rely fully on God, why the small acts of service matter so much, and how to rethink ambition and success in light of the Gospel. We also dive into family rhythms, reading habits, and the tension of wanting to honor God while living in a culture that often tells us otherwise. Find Kelly Needham online: Website: https://kellyneedham.com | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyneedham | Podcast (Clearly with Kelly Needham & Jenny Randle): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearly/id1684295216 | Book (Purposefooled): https://www.kellyneedham.com/purposefooled Find Hanna online: Website: https://hannaseymour.com | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanna_seymour | Podcast (No Matter What): Apple | Podcast (The Weekly One): Spotify | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hannaeseymour Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Technical Challenges 02:57 Kelly's Current Projects and Ministry Growth 05:48 Family Dynamics and Parenting Insights 08:47 Reading Habits and Literary Preferences 11:52 Daily Life and Family Values 14:51 Purpose and Meaning in Life 17:42 The Premise of 'Purpose Fooled' 25:46 The Weight of Expectations 30:11 Redefining Greatness 34:52 Finding Purpose in the Mundane 40:31 Living for an Audience of One 50:19 The Journey of Dependency

Christy Nockels joins me to share her story as a musician, a mom, and a woman following Jesus. We talk about what it looks like to keep family and faith first, how music can shape parenting, and the ways God has used hardship and surrender to teach her. Christy reminds us to slow down, live in the present, and trust God’s plan—especially when it comes to rest. We also chat about her brand-new lullaby album, King Who Never Sleeps, and the joy it’s already bringing to families. Find Christy Nockles online: Website: https://christynockles.com | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christynockles | Podcast (The Glorious in the Mundane): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-glorious-in-the-mundane/id1017451826 | Music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5WNNkGJ1FqQxQJQq9Sxjba Find Hanna online: Website: https://hannaseymour.com | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanna_seymour | Podcast (No Matter What): Apple | Podcast (The Weekly One): Spotify | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hannaeseymour Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Connections 02:10 The Power of Music in Parenting 06:00 Prioritizing Callings and Family 11:10 Living from a Place of Rest 14:18 Be Where You Are: Embracing the Present 20:25 Working with God vs. Working for God 24:31 Adventuring with God 29:13 The Journey to Lullabies 34:02 The Message of King Who Never Sleeps 39:24 Lessons from Hardship and Surrender

This is a really important conversation. Jessica Hottle joins me to talk about healing from childhood trauma, learning how to forgive, and ultimately finding freedom in Christ. In this episode, we discuss: Responding to and recovering from childhood trauma How to forgive those who have wronged you and why it matters The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation How to dismantle the lies that keep us from healing and wholeness How to see the truth of Romans 8:28 when we're looking at past trauma Scripture Mentioned: Ephesians 5 John 10:10 Psalm 145:17 Psalm 139 1 John 1 Resources Mentioned: More about Jessica  Follow Jessica on instagram Follow Living Free Living Healthy on instagram Boundaries by Henry Cloud  Try Softer by Aundi Kolber  Sponsors: Faithful Counseling – Professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective 25 Days in Philippians The College Girl's Survival Guide

Y'all are gonna love this girl. Ainsley Britain and her sassiness are in the house, talking about abusive relationships, how God has better for you, and how Jesus came to set us free.  In this episode, we discuss: How does one even find herself in an abusive relationship? How can we offer help and support to a friend in an abusive relationship? How the pathway to healing and freedom is a process that requires community How God is so much better and so much more powerful than we can ever understand Scripture Mentioned: James 5:14-15 Resources Mentioned: More about Ainsley Ainsley's coaching Ainsley's instagram Gary Thomas' Sacred Pathways

Songstress, Jillian Edwards, is here to talk about seasons of waiting, season of seeking clarity, and how there is blessing in the simple act of planting seeds. You will love this conversation and this woman--if you don't already! In this episode, we discuss:  Navigating the balance between faith and seeking clarity How seasons of waiting can be incredibly fruitful How our relationship with and definition of success should look different as followers of Christ How obedience, faithfulness, and success relate to each other Scripture mentioned: Phil 3:10 Isaiah 32:16-20 Psalm 84:11 Resources mentioned:  More about Jillian and her music! Jillian's latest album: Meadow The Dailys 25 Days in Philippians The College Girl's Survival Guide

If you only listen to one podcast episode in 2020, this should be it. Dr. Deb Gorton, author of Embracing Uncomfortable, shares her insight as a clinical psychologist with personal stories about how our drive for comfort is leading us away from our desired destination, and what you and I can do to start living differently. In this episode, we discuss:  How knowing your core identity gives you freedom to do so many other things How when we don't know who we are and what we value, we make the wrong short term decisions How when get locked into specific outcomes, it's hard to pivot when they don't match our reality How our drive for comfort leads us away from our desired destination Scripture mentioned: Colossians 1:16 - For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (NIV) Resources mentioned:  Embracing Uncomfortable by Dr. Deb Gorton More about Dr. Deb Gorton 25 Days in Philippians The College Girl's Survival Guide

What should have been an exciting new chapter of life, began with the funerals of her dad and then mom. Morgan Coyner joins me in the studio today to talk about her "great terrible", grief, death, addiction, and how the kindness of God can be found in even the darkest corners. In this episode, we discuss: How vital community is during seasons of grief When you struggle to see the kindness of the Lord How you can't allow your sin and shame to stay in the darkness The importance of lamenting and having space to wrestle with your doubts, anger, and disappointment Scripture mentioned: John 14:18 Psalm 68:6 1 Peter 5:10 Resources mentioned: The Next Door TND video Morgan talks about You can buy this cute T-shirt and support The Next Door TND Hope Line: 855-TND-HOPE Sponors: Faithful Counseling - Professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective 25 Days in Philippians The College Girl's Survival Guide

If you need to be reminded that God is in the details of your life, that He is for you, and that He's always good, my friend Laura Cooksey is here to testify. We talk about career, family planning, infertility, adoption, you name it-- we covered it. And you are going to be so grateful for this woman's story and her heart. In this episode, we discuss: The process of learning to trust God when reality doesn't meet our expectations How to plan, prepare, and pivot when the Lord redirects your steps How even amidst loss and grief, we can have hope How practicing gratitude in all circumstances is life giving and transforming Scripture Mentioned:  Prov 16:9 Isaiah 55:8-9 2 Cor 4:17 Lam 3:21-24 Ephesians 3:16-21 Resources Mentioned: The Thoughtful Table Follow @thethoughfultable on instagram Follow @laurabcooksey on instagram to learn about her new music!  Episode Sponsors: 25 Days in Philippians The College Girl's Survival Guide My theme song and ad music is by my amazing friend, Shaylee Simeone. Check her out.

You are going to love my new friend and songstress, Hope Darst. This conversation of identity and finding freedom, quickly became a theological discussion and I am here for it. Hope's story is going to challenge you and move you, and you're definitely going to want to listen to her album, Peace Be Still, after it's over. In this episode, we discuss: How do we become aware of the lies we are believing? What does it practically look like to die to self? How do we transform our mind, feelings, and behavior to do what God wants us to do? How the goodness of God is often most experienced amidst things that do not feel good How the story of Joseph can reframe our expectations of the Christian life Scripture mentioned: Rom 12:2 Psalm 91 Resources mentioned: Hope's debut album- Peace Be Still Episode Sponsors: Faithful Counseling - Professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective 25 Days in Philippians The College Girl's Survival Guide