43. How Biblical Hospitality Changes Everything ft. Abby Kuykendall

What if the people right in front of you are the ones God is inviting you to love most intentionally? In this episode, Hanna sits down with author Abby Kuykendall to talk about Christian hospitality as a spiritual discipline, why perfection kills connection, and how to create safe, meaningful spaces around your table. Abby unpacks themes from her new book, Let the Biscuits Burn, and explains how real hospitality starts with learning to be present—with yourself, with others, and with Jesus. Whether you're navigating the holidays, wanting better connection with neighbors, or longing to bring people into your life without overwhelm, this conversation will give you practical, low-lift hosting ideas you can use right away. If you’ve ever felt too busy, too tired, or too insecure to host, this episode will lift the pressure and give you tools to open your home—and your heart—no matter your season. In This Episode -Entertaining can often be a selfish act. -Biblical hospitality focuses on who God wants at the table. -Serving others should be the priority in hospitality. -The environment should foster intimate and vulnerable conversations. -The Holy Spirit's guidance is crucial in hospitality. -Cooking and decorating should reflect a desire to serve others. -Hospitality is about community and connection. -Creating an inviting space is essential for meaningful interactions. -It's important to shift focus from self to others in hospitality. -True hospitality is a reflection of one's faith and values. Chapters 00:00 — Intro 02:14 — Who Abby Is & Why Presence Matters 05:40 — Learning to Slow Down Enough to Notice Your Inner World 10:22 — How Emotional Awareness Shapes Spiritual Formation 14:55 — The Power of Naming What’s True 18:30 — What Happens in Our Bodies During Stress or Disconnection 22:48 — Practicing Attunement With Yourself First 27:05 — Soul Friendships & Showing Up for One Another 31:42 — Parenting: Connection Over Perfection 35:10 — Repair as a Daily Rhythm in All Relationships 38:00 — Bringing Jesus to the Table of Every Relationship 41:22 — How Slowing Down Makes Room for the Holy Spirit 45:18 — Practical Rhythms for Connection in Daily Life 48:30 — Final Encouragements & Closing Key Quotes "Entertaining is selfish because it is what you want." "It's not who I want at my table, it's who God wants." 📚 Connect with Abby 📖 Let The Biscuits Burn → https://a.co/d/8O9ZDAD 📸 Instagram: @abby.kuykendall 💬 Connect with Hanna 🌐 hannaeseymour.com 📸 Instagram: @hannaeseymour 🎧 Listen to No Matter What wherever you get your podcasts #AbbyKuykendall #NoMatterWhatPodcast #LetTheBiscuitsBurn #BiblicalHospitality #ChristianPodcast #ChristianWomen #SpiritualHabits #BusyMomLife #HannaSeymour

What if joy is still possible—even in the seasons you wouldn’t have chosen? Today, Hanna is joined by author and podcast host Rachel Awtrey for a warm, honest, hope-filled conversation about learning to love your life — even in seasons you didn’t choose and wouldn’t pick again. Rachel shares the surprising backstory behind her book Love Your Life (Even When You Don’t Like It All the Time) and how she began to practice joy in the middle of loneliness, constant transition as a military spouse, and the everyday grind of motherhood. Together, Hanna and Rachel talk about the small, ordinary things that bring them joy (like open windows, fall breezes, and instrumental jazz), and why those “little” things actually matter deeply in our spiritual formation. They unpack how joy is something we practice, not something we wait to feel; how paying attention to God’s goodness grows gratitude; and why celebration becomes a kind of spiritual discipline that prepares us for the harder days. Rachel also shares practical ways to invite joy into your home, friendships, rhythms, and thought life — especially when nothing feels ideal. If you’re craving more joy, more presence, and more delight in the life you’re actually living, this conversation will feel like a deep breath and a gentle nudge toward hope. 💡Topics discussed: -Joy can be found in the ordinary moments of life. -Celebration is a discipline that can transform our perspective. -Community is essential for unlocking joy and combating loneliness. -Invitation is a powerful tool for building friendships. -We often have more in common with others than we realize. -It's important to be open to unexpected friendships. -Hosting is about love, not impressing others. -Spiritual formation is more important than just gaining information. -We should focus on being present in our relationships. -God desires a personal relationship with us, not just a student-teacher dynamic. ⏰ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Episode Intro 01:12 – Meeting Rachel Awtrey 03:04 – The Story Behind “Love Your Life” 06:55 – When Joy Feels Hard to Find 10:31 – Practicing Joy in the Everyday Moments 14:18 – Motherhood, Loneliness & Honest Confession 18:42 – Why Celebration Is a Spiritual Discipline 22:57 – How Gratitude Shapes Our Perspective 27:40 – Small Rhythms That Grow Big Joy 31:28 – Friendship, Connection & Feeling Known 35:16 – Inviting God Into Ordinary Life 39:48 – What Rachel Is Loving in This Season 43:12 – Encouragement for Anyone Struggling Right Now 46:05 – Final Thoughts & Where to Find Rachel ✨ Key Quotes "This isn’t a self-help book. It’s a self-plus-God-help book—because only the Lord can heal what our hacks and habits never will." - Rachel Awtrey "People are starving to be invited in. Most of us are just waiting for someone else to go first—so go first, even if it’s awkward or messy." - Rachel Awtrey "You’re not meant to be impressive; you’re meant to be available. Hospitality isn’t perfection—it’s letting people into your real life." - Rachel Awtrey 📚 Connect with Rachel 📖 Love Your Life → https://a.co/d/7hYp1kQ 🎙️ Real Talk with Rachel Awtrey Podcast 📸 Instagram: @rachel.awtrey 💬 Connect with Hanna 🌐 hannaeseymour.com 📸 Instagram: @hannaeseymour 🎧 Listen to No Matter What wherever you get your podcasts #RachelAwtrey #NoMatterWhatPodcast #LoveYourLife #BiblicalHospitality #ChristianPodcast #ChristianWomen #SpiritualHabits #BusyMomLife #HannaSeymour

Do you ever feel like life is one big balancing act you’re about to drop? 😅 Author and podcaster Tara Sun joins Hanna to talk about what to do when you’re overbooked and overwhelmed. From saying “no” to good things, to finding rest in daily routines, to learning that spiritual maturity is actually dependence on God—this conversation will help you reset your pace and remember what really matters. 💡 In This Episode: Learning to rest without quitting How to depend on God instead of self-reliance The difference between being busy and living abundantly What Mary and Martha can teach us about anxiety and presence Why rest is a posture, not a nap The one-sentence prayer Tara’s dad prays every day 📖 Grab Tara’s book: Overbooked and Overwhelmed → https://amzn.to/4oAoO0u 🎙️ Listen to Truth Talks with Tara → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-talks-with-tara/id1526013986 🌐 Connect with Hanna: hannaeseymour.com | @hannaeseymour

What if you stopped trying to prove your love to God—and just rested in being loved by Him?  In this tender, tear-filled conversation, Dove Award–winning singer-songwriter Ellie Holcomb joins Hanna Seymour to talk about what it means to be God’s beloved even in the wilderness. Ellie shares stories behind her newest album Far Country, the grief and longing that shaped it, and how she learned that God’s love isn’t something to earn or achieve—it’s something to receive. This is one of those honest, healing episodes you’ll carry with you all week. About Ellie Holcomb Ellie Holcomb is a Dove Award–winning artist, author, and mom who writes songs and stories to remind people of the hope we have in Christ. Her latest record, Far Country, invites listeners to hold both sorrow and joy as we journey toward the home our hearts long for. Listen to Far Country → https://music.apple.com/us/album/far-country/1833088326 Follow Ellie → https://www.instagram.com/ellieholcomb About Hanna Seymour Hanna Seymour is an author and podcaster with big sister energy and a seminary degree. Her upcoming book, Everyday Spiritual Habits, releases February 2026 and helps you build small, simple habits to grow your faith in daily life. Preorder now: https://amzn.to/43hSuap Sign up for The Weekly One: https://hannaseymour.com

viral “silly song” creator Sarah Maddack joins Hanna to talk about choosing obedience over outcome and learning to please God, not people. Sarah shares how her unexpected career began with a slug on her rug, how she wrestles with discouragement and comparison in a world driven by numbers and algorithms, and what it looks like to trust God with both creativity and calling. Together, Hanna and Sarah talk about identity, surrender, motherhood, and the temptation to measure worth by views instead of faithfulness. This conversation will remind you that God calls us to obedience, not results—and that success in His kingdom looks a lot more like everyday faithfulness than viral fame. In this episode: How Sarah’s viral “silly songs” began Finding identity beyond performance or platform Pleasing God vs. pleasing people Obedience over outcome when success fades What motherhood teaches us about God’s love About Sarah:Sarah Maddack is a silly songwriter and artist who lives in Nashville, TN. She started her music career after a video of her rapping to a slug on her rug went viral on TikTok. She is most known for her song “Coffee Shop Bop” (“I hopped into a coffee shop”), which gained over 30 million views and became a viral social media trend. Sarah writes and performs songs about anything random, wholesome, or found in daily life—hippos, baked goods, insects, and more. Her music is quirky, fun, upbeat, and family-friendly. She’s passionate about the joy that following Jesus brings and encourages her followers to embrace silliness and not take themselves too seriously! Connect with Sarah:🎵 Listen to Sarah’s music on Spotify🎶 Watch her videos on YouTube📱 Follow her on Instagram🎵 Follow her on TikTok Connect with Hanna:🎙 Listen to No Matter What on Apple Podcasts or Spotify📖 Sign up for The Weekly One at hannaeseymour.com📸 Follow Hanna on Instagram▶️ Watch on YouTube

When Katy’s husband said he wanted to leave his career and become a pastor, her first response was, “That would ruin my life.” In this episode, Katy Fassett shares her raw journey of releasing control, losing identity and income, rebuilding community, and ultimately learning to trust God in motherhood and massive change. Honest, funny, and deeply encouraging for any woman navigating surrender. In this episode we talk about: Letting go of control in motherhood Supporting a husband through a massive calling shift Losing income + identity overnight Navigating loneliness in the little years Rebuilding community from scratch Choosing faith over fear (even when it costs comfort) Katy is fun, silly, deeply honest, and full of faith. If you’ve ever thought:“I didn’t sign up for THIS version of my life… but I want to trust God anyway,”this episode will speak straight to your heart. Bible Verse:“Our purpose is to please God, not people.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Katy Fassett is a mom of (almost) five, a former Beachbody partner, and a soon-to-be pastor’s wife. Online, she’s known for her fun, honest, and faith-filled take on motherhood, fitness, and real life. Katy encourages women to take care of their bodies, lean into community, and trust God—especially when life doesn’t go as planned. 🤍 CONNECT WITH KATY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katy.fassett/ Youtube  @katy.fassett  🔗 CONNECT WITH HANNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannaeseymour https://hannaseymour.com/ ✅ IF THIS ENCOURAGED YOU… • Subscribe • Rate and review • Share it with a friend

Former Miss New York turned military wife, mom of three, and declutter guru, Shannon Leyko has lived about a dozen lives in thirty-seven years — and every one of them has taught her something about freedom, faith, and what really matters.In this episode, Shannon shares her story of walking away from a fear-based religion, rediscovering God’s grace, and learning to live a decluttered life — not because she loves minimalism, but because she wants her heart, home, and habits to align with her values.We talk about how letting go of excess can become a spiritual practice, how overconsumption quietly becomes idolatry, and why true freedom often begins with what we choose to release.In this episode:How losing her mom led Shannon closer to JesusLiving without excess so your values lead your home — not your stuffWhen possessions become our security or identityShannon’s journey out of legalism and into graceWhy faith sometimes means slowing down and focusing smallHow personal faithfulness creates ripple effects in the world✨ This one will leave you breathing easier, more grounded, and freshly focused on what truly matters.✨ Connect with Shannon Leyko: 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/paring_down/ 🎙️ Podcast → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paring-down-realistic-minimalism-decluttering-intentional/id1713108995 💌 Connect with Hanna: Instagram → https://instagram.com/hannaeseymour Subscribe to The Weekly One → https://hannaseymour.com/theweeklyone 👉 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and SHARE this episode with a friend.

What does it look like to live a life that’s both productive and unhurried? In this week’s conversation, I sit down with Ruth Chou Simons—Wall Street Journal bestselling author, artist, podcaster, and founder of GraceLaced. Ruth shares from her new book The Way of the Wildflower and helps us see how God uses every season—growth, rest, and even dormancy—to shape us. We talk about: Why hurry often starts in the heart Trusting God’s timing instead of rushing ahead How sanctification can’t be forced or fast-tracked What dormancy looks like in our spiritual lives The freedom of dependency on God’s sufficiency This episode is a gentle reminder: God isn’t in a rush with you. 🌿 Links & Resources Ruth’s new book: The Way of the Wildflower Ruth on Instagram: @ruthchousimons Ruth’s art & shop: GraceLaced Other books by Ruth: GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, When Striving Ceases, Now and Not Yet Connect with me: hannaseymour.com Instagram: @hannaeseymour My weekly devotional email The Weekly One: https://hannaseymour.com/theweeklyone If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who feels rushed in this season. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s conversation!

Motherhood can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and impossible. We often believe the lie that we need to “do it all” or be the perfect mom. But in today’s conversation, author and mom of five, Katie Faris, reminds us that our limits are not failures—they are invitations to depend on the limitless God.Katie and I talk about: The common lies moms believe about keeping it all together How suffering and grief intersect with motherhood What it looks like to embrace dependence on God rather than striving to be “super mom” The freedom that comes from being a faithful, not a perfect, parent Her new devotional Every Hour I Need You and how studying God’s character transformed her daily walkIf you’ve ever felt weary, inadequate, or like you’re falling short as a mom, this episode will encourage you to lift your eyes to the God who sees you, loves you, and equips you for the sacred calling of motherhood.Order Katie’s devotional: https://www.amazon.com/Every-Hour-Need-You-Meditations/dp/1433586103 Connect with Katie: https://katiefaris.comFollow Katie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiefaris 🔗 Connect with Hanna Website: https://hannaseymour.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannaseymour Subscribe to The Weekly One: https://hannaseymour.com⁠/theweeklyone

Cristina Baker has lived through homelessness, addiction, and trauma. But in the middle of her darkest moments, she encountered Jesus in a way that changed everything. Now with over 1 million followers on TikTok, Cristina shares daily prayers and encouragement with millions of people online. She’s the author of Hope in 60 Seconds and her newest book A Minute of Hope: 100 Prayers for Staying Steadfast Through Challenges and Change. In this conversation, Cristina and Hanna talk about: Her radical encounter with Jesus that turned her life around The lifelong process of healing and sanctification Why prayer is not just something we do, but a way of life How God redeems even our wilderness seasons Practical encouragement for making prayer part of your everyday moments Cristina’s story is a living reminder that no one is too far gone for God to redeem, and that a single prayer can change everything. 📖 Scripture mentioned: Jeremiah 29:11, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Psalm 34:17–19, James 5:16 📚 Cristina’s books: Hope in 60 Seconds and A Minute of Hope ⭐ Connect with Us Connect with Cristina: 🌐 cristinabaker.com 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok Connect with Hanna: 🌐 hannaseymour.com 📸 Instagram 🎙 No Matter What podcast ✉️ The Weekly One — one verse, one quote, and one question each week