Who is the woman behind Marsai Martin's success? In this powerful episode of the Woman Evolve Podcast, Sarah Jakes Roberts sits down with Carol Martin, mother of actress and producer Marsai Martin, to discuss overcoming childhood trauma, surviving homelessness, breaking generational curses, and building a legacy of faith, healing, and resilience. Before becoming the mother and strategist behind one of Hollywood's brightest young stars, Carol Martin faced unimaginable challenges. From childhood abandonment and food insecurity to homelessness, grief, and navigating difficult family relationships, Carol shares how her experiences shaped her approach to motherhood, marriage, and success. In this emotional and inspiring conversation, Sarah Jakes Roberts and Carol Martin explore what it takes to overcome adversity, heal from generational trauma, and intentionally create a better future for your children.

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Talk about a glow-up! We’ve watched today’s guest evolve right before our eyes. Marsai Martin broke out as a young star and has since become a trailblazing actress, producer, and entrepreneur. Clearly, sis is making her mark in Hollywood and in our hearts. Now, she’s pulling up on Sarah Jakes Roberts to share what keeps her head on straight and her heart in the right place. Did we mention our girl is living out a prophecy and stewarding it well? This episode is a much-needed chin check that life isn’t happening to you, it’s happening for you. And remember, what’s meant for you won’t miss you!

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What happens when life gets hard, prayers seem unanswered, and you're trying to hold on to your faith while navigating grief? This week, Sarah Jakes Roberts sits down with gospel artist Lisa Knowles-Smith for an honest, heartfelt, and hilarious conversation about finding purpose through pain, healing from church hurt, and learning to trust God's goodness even when life doesn't feel good. From losing her mother unexpectedly to reclaiming her story, returning to school, and discovering that healing sometimes requires both prayer and participation, Lisa reminds us that what you've been through doesn't have to define who you become. Because even in your hardest season, God's goodness is still following you!

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What’s up, Delegation? Our girl SJR is minding y’alls business from start to finish! But not before letting you into hers. And can you believe we’re less than two weeks away from going on tour?! This timely Q&A episode is for the woman ready to rediscover who she is, trust what’s worth fighting for, move beyond shame with grace, and regain her footing when life feels lonely. If you’ve got a question you want her to weigh in on, hit our line at (214) 790-7871 for a chance to have it answered on a future podcast episode.

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If your money has been moneying a little too hard lately, this conversation is for you. 👀

SJR sits down with personal finance expert and bestselling author Anthony O’Neal to talk about how to stop living paycheck to paycheck, create financial margin, build better money habits, and rethink what stewardship actually looks like. They’re getting into budgeting, revenge spending, financial freedom, faith and finances, and what to do when there just doesn’t seem to be enough money coming in.

And Delegation: we brought your questions with us. Because sometimes the next step isn’t making six figures overnight—it’s getting honest about what’s going out, making room for what matters, and learning how to steward the season you’re in.

Ready to go deeper? Grab Anthony O’Neal’s new book, Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck.

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Content Warning: This episode references sexual and domestic violence. Listener discretion is advised.

Comedian Ms. Pat believes there are two ways to tell a story—make ’em laugh or make ’em cry! And chile, she wound up doing both in this here episode with remarkable freedom. In conversation with Sarah Jakes Roberts, Ms. Pat shares how God has been messing with her lately, and let’s just say, His voice has been there all along. As an 8th-grade dropout, teenage mother, former drug dealer, and convicted felon, our girl is well on her way to becoming a media mogul. So what changed the trajectory of a tumultuous life riddled with poverty and abuse? Well, love gave her something to reach for, obedience brought her a happily ever after, and a trip to the welfare office landed her at an open mic. Press play, sis, and if you like what you hear, pre-order “Ms. American Dream,” Ms. Pat’s hilarious new memoir!

Oh, and before you go, take a peek at who all partnered with us for today’s episode.

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What happens to a dream deferred? Chile, let us tell it—it makes room for something more honest to take shape. Creator, actor, and director Terri J. Vaughn has always bet on herself, holding tight to God’s “yes” even when life handed her a “no.” In a deeply personal conversation with Sarah Jakes Roberts, Terri talks about the sacred responsibility of carrying a vision, plus recognizing when it’s unfolding differently than you expected. This episode moves through the generational lessons of womanhood while also exploring the beautiful chaos of loving a life that can still wear us out. And sis, maybe that’s the real work. Not holding on to the life you imagined, but trusting God enough to imagine again.

Check out this episode's partners!

Get 40% off select Lola Blankets products at https://Lolablankets.com by using code EVOLVE at checkout. Experience the world’s #1 blanket with Lola Blankets.

Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/EVOLVE #rulapod

Go to https://baskandlatherco.com and use code DAF for 20% off.

Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/kkzntqt9 #CashAppPod
Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.

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Everyone knows Pretty Vee the comedian. However, inquiring minds want to know... who is she when the cameras stop rolling? Sarah Jakes Roberts gets to know the woman behind the laughter as our girl Pretty Vee takes us back to growing up in a Jamaican household. Think you know who fueled her comedic aspirations? Well, think again! Pretty Vee reveals her OG comedy influences, plus gets candid about how her parents responded to her career choice. In the middle of what she describes as a personal metamorphosis, Pretty Vee is reinventing herself, moving beyond the punchlines, and letting go of what no longer serves her. Through it all, faith remains at the center—and she’s sharing that journey both in this episode and in her 100-day devotional, The Pretty Victory.Now, a little love for our partners!

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In this special episode of the Woman Evolve Podcast, Sarah Jakes Roberts shares a powerful message on identity, shame, healing, and learning to trust what God has already revealed about you.

Through 2 Kings 6 and John 8, SJR challenges us to stop allowing fear, rejection, past mistakes, and generational patterns to define who we are. When God begins uprooting what no longer belongs, it may feel uncomfortable — but it could be making room for the version of you He’s calling forward.

This is your reminder: the blessing wasn’t random, the favor wasn’t random, and your past does not disqualify your purpose.

Trust what you see. It’s go time.

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What if slowing down doesn't mean you stop moving, sis, but that you learn how to move without running yourself into the ground? As a mother, wife, fitness coach, and business owner, Grow With Jo shares what it looks like to find rest without retreating from life, but returning to God. She opens up about the challenges that pushed her to her knees this year, and how they pulled her deeper into the book of Proverbs. At the heart of this conversation is active rest—the practice of prioritizing recovery. So if life has you doing the absolute most this season, press play. Consider this your permission slip to breathe.

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What happens when life forces you to slow down, start over, and redefine what strength looks like? In this episode of the Woman Evolve Podcast, Sarah Jakes Roberts opens up about recovery, grief, identity, and reconnecting with God when life doesn’t go according to plan. She also responds to a powerful question about overcoming shame, releasing the need for people’s approval, and learning to see yourself through the lens of God’s compassion. Then, Peloton instructor, certified run coach, motivational speaker, and author Kirsten Ferguson joins the conversation for an honest discussion about faith, fitness, healing, motherhood, purpose, and what it means to keep moving when your life takes an unexpected turn.

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