When life feels unsettled, peace can feel impossible to find. In this Advent episode, Ellen Adkins joins Kaley Olson and Wendy Blight to unpack the deeper meaning of “shalom” — not just the absence of conflict but the presence of wholeness. Together, they trace the story of peace from the garden of Genesis to the birth of Jesus, revealing why Christ alone brings calm to the chaos within us and around us.

A hope-filled conversation for anyone longing for a steady, soul-deep peace this Christmas.

You’ll learn:

• The deeper meaning of “shalom” and why biblical peace offers wholeness, not just relief.
• How Jesus’ birth fulfills God’s long-awaited promise to push back the chaos of sin.
• Why our instinct to control often amplifies inner turmoil — and the freeing alternative Scripture gives us.
• How to identify places of unrest in your life and step into them with Christ-shaped peace.
• The powerful hope of a future where God fully silences chaos and makes all things whole again.

Resources From This Episode:

• Join us for Advent in the First 5 app!
  Download the free app, and spend five minutes each day studying God’s Word with women around the world.
• Go deeper with our brand-new Advent study guide, More Than a Manger.
  Experience the Christmas story with fresh eyes through rich biblical teaching and meaningful daily reflections.
• Help more women access biblical Truth this season.
  Your generosity fuels everything we do — from free podcasts to devotions to study resources.
   [Give to Proverbs 31 Ministries today.]
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode

Want More on This Topic? 

• Check out this episode of The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast with Lysa TerKeurst and Dr. Joel Muddamalle on finding inner peace. 
• Watch this episode of Therapy & Theology if you’re struggling with letting go of control. 

When the holidays feel heavy, hope can feel far away. In this Advent episode, Bible teacher Wendy Blight joins Kaley Olson and Ellen Adkins to show how Jesus brings real hope into the places where we feel most broken. Through Scripture and Wendy’s powerful personal story, you’ll discover why biblical hope is more than wishful thinking — it’s a confident expectation rooted in who God is.

Perfect for anyone who needs a breath of hope this season.

You’ll learn:

• Why biblical hope is a confident expectation — not wishful thinking.
• How the story of hope begins in Genesis and is fulfilled in Jesus.
• Ways to move from a victim mentality toward healing and trust in God.
• How to experience Scripture as alive and active in seasons of brokenness.

Resources From This Episode:

• Join us for Advent in the First 5 app!
  Download the free app and spend five minutes each day studying God’s Word with women around the world.
• Go deeper with our brand-new Advent study guide, More Than a Manger.
  Experience the Christmas story with fresh eyes through rich biblical teaching and meaningful daily reflections.
• Help more women access Biblical Truth this season.
  Your generosity fuels everything we do — from free podcasts to devotions to study resources.
   [Give to Proverbs 31 Ministries today.]
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode

Want More on This Topic? 

• Listen to another great episode of The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast titled “How To Walk By Faith When Life Feels Hard” with Jennifer Rothschild.

If your days feel rushed and your soul feels weary, this episode is for you. Our friend Amanda Jass joins us to share how three simple rhythms — Know, Grow, and Go — can help you slow down, reconnect with God, and live with purpose right where you are.

Through her personal story and wisdom from Scripture, Amanda reminds us that becoming who God created us to be isn’t about striving harder — it’s about abiding deeper. When we truly know God’s Word, grow in His presence, and go where He leads, we’ll find the peace and confidence our hearts have been longing for.

You’ll learn:

• What it means to know God and let His Word shape your identity.
• How to grow in faith through rest, prayer, and connection with others.
• How to go and live on mission in your everyday life — even in the small moments.
• Why God’s rhythms invite us to slow down instead of speed up.

Resources From This Episode:

• Join our four-part Advent series on The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast — find hope, peace, joy, and love as you prepare your heart for Christmas.
• Subscribe to the Proverbs 31 Ministries email — stay in the know about all God is doing.
• Download the First 5 mobile app — join our Advent study, and spend five minutes a day in God’s Word.
• The Go Bible for Kids — help your children fall in love with God’s Word through fun illustrations and easy-to-understand truth.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode

Want More on This Topic? 

• Listen to “How To Slow Down When Life Can’t Stop” with Laura L. Smith.

Forgiveness can sometimes feel like an unfair gift we have to give someone else. But what if it's actually God's prescription for our own hearts to heal? 

In this deeply personal episode, Lysa TerKeurst opens up about what it really looks like to practice forgiveness when it seems undeserved or out of reach. With honesty and tenderness, she shares insights from her own journey, offering practical guidance on processing pain, naming your hurt, and choosing obedience to God even when your heart hasn’t caught up yet. 

Through this conversation, you'll learn: 

• What biblical forgiveness is and what it isn't. 
• Ways to handle real struggles: from navigating personal betrayals to extending grace when someone has hurt your child. 
• How letting go doesn’t mean letting someone keep hurting you.

Resources From This Episode:

• Surviving an Unwanted Divorce by Lysa TerKeurst, counselor Jim Cress, and Dr. Joel Muddamalle.
• The Therapy & Theology Podcast, Season 10, with Lysa TerKeurst, Jim Cress, and Dr. Joel Muddamalle.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode

Want More on This Topic?

• Watch the Therapy & Theology video on YouTube titled "How To Forgive When the Hurt Was So Unfair."

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by heartache that you didn't even want to talk to God? When loss, grief, and suffering pile up one after another, it's easy to feel stuck — angry, exhausted, and wondering where God is in the middle of it all. In this deeply personal episode, Madelynn Reyes, Donor Community Manager at Proverbs 31 Ministries, shares her journey through a season of unimaginable loss and how Jesus met her at her lowest point. Through the story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, Madelynn reminds us that God doesn't wait for us to get ourselves together — He's already there, waiting to meet us in our mess. Whether you're walking through your own season of suffering or supporting someone who is, this conversation will encourage you that your story matters and God wants to use it.

You’ll learn:

• Why it's OK to be honest with God about your anger, disappointment, and pain.
• What it means to acknowledge your own suffering and give yourself permission to heal.
• How Jesus uses your brokenness and heartache to bring hope to others.
• The power of being fully known and fully loved by a God who never pushes you away.

Resources From This Episode:

• Join The Well. Become a monthly partner and help women around the world encounter Jesus in their hardest moments.
• Download First 5. Start your day in God's Word with our free mobile app.
• Give today. Help another woman know the Truth and live the Truth because it changes everything.
• Subscribe. Never miss an episode of biblical encouragement.
• Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts. Help other women find the hope and Truth they're searching for.
• Complete our listener survey. Your feedback helps us serve you better, informing us of the topics and teachings you need most.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode

Do you ever feel like you’re carrying years of disappointment, shame, or questions about whether God hears you? Maybe you’ve prayed for healing, longed for comfort, or simply wondered if you’re worth His attention. In this episode, Erin Rae Peace joins us to unpack the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5 — the only place in Scripture where Jesus publicly calls a woman “daughter.” Together, we’ll explore what this tender encounter reveals about how deeply Jesus values women, the hope He offers when shame feels louder than the Truth, and why His embrace is closer than we think.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between hiding in fear and being lovingly pursued by God.
• How to replace assumptions about God’s disappointment with confidence in His love for you.
• What it means to be seen, known, and embraced by Jesus.
• Why faith, even when fragile, can open the door to healing and freedom.

Partner With Us: 

When life feels overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to provide for yourself or your family, it can seem like you’re in it alone … But it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we’re so grateful for Convoy of Hope, an organization that has spent over 30 years helping vulnerable communities and empowering women and girls to create a better future. Convoy of Hope partners with women to start their own businesses, giving them the tools to support themselves and their families. You can be part of this movement with us; visit convoy.org/p31 to help empower women and girls today. Together, we can lift up communities, create opportunities, and make hope possible.

Resources From This Episode:

• Would you take just a few minutes to fill out our listener survey? Your feedback will help guide us on the topics we cover, the guests we invite, and the ways we can continue to serve you through biblical teaching and encouragement.
• Each time you support Proverbs 31, your gift helps empower women and transform entire communities with God’s Word. 
• Send this episode to a friend who needs encouragement and God’s Truth today.
• Subscribe to The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast never to miss an episode of hope-filled stories as we unpack the Truth and learn to live it out together. 
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode

Have you ever wondered if God really sees you — your struggles, your desires, even the parts of your story you’d rather hide? In this episode, Bible teacher, writer, and speaker Oghosa Iyamu joins Meredith and Kaley to unpack the story of Hagar in Genesis 16 — a woman who felt unseen, overlooked, and on the run. Together, they share biblical truths and practical encouragement for how to face the battles in our minds with faith. If you’ve ever been tempted to return to old patterns, question your worth, or carry the weight of rejection, this conversation will remind you: God not only sees you — He knows you by name, and His love reaches you right where you are.

You’ll learn:

• Ways to recognize God’s blessings in your life.
• Practical steps to replace lies with Scripture-based Truth.
• How to combat what’s stealing your joy and gratitude.
• What it really looks like to take every thought captive as you build a stronger faith.

Partner With Us: 

• Would you take just a few minutes to fill out our listener survey? Your feedback will help guide us on the topics we cover, the guests we invite, and the ways we can continue to serve you through biblical teaching and encouragement.
• Life can be hard, and sometimes it feels like the pain will never end — but you don’t have to face it alone. That’s why we created "Beautiful Truths To Remember: 20 Scriptures To Hold On to While You’re Still Hurting." This free resource is designed to remind you of God’s goodness and Truth, even in the middle of your hardest seasons. We want to invite you to grab a copy for yourself and share it with a friend who needs encouragement too.
• Give today to help another woman know the Truth and live the Truth because it changes everything.
• Leave us a rating and written review on Apple Podcasts.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode

Resources From This Episode:

• Looking for more resources to grow in your faith? Find comfort and belonging in Oghosa’s Bible study, Forever Welcomed.
• Get encouragement and practical ways to grow when you visit Oghosa’s website.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and immediately started critiquing what you see? From body image struggles to chronic illness, infertility, or the natural process of aging, so many of us carry quiet shame and exhaustion when it comes to our bodies. In this episode, bestselling author and Bible teacher Lisa Whittle joins us to share how Scripture offers a better foundation — what she calls "whole-body theology." Instead of chasing self-improvement or settling for hype messages from culture, Lisa reminds us of the hope, freedom, and peace that come when we understand our bodies as God’s good design.

You’ll learn:

• Why cultural messages about “loving yourself” fall short — and how God’s Word offers something more lasting.
• What it means to live with a whole-body theology rooted in imago dei.
• How to confront cycles of shame, comparison, and self-improvement with biblical Truth.
• Practical encouragement for those navigating body image struggles, chronic illness, infertility, or aging.

Resources From This Episode:

• Would you take just a few minutes to fill out our listener survey? Your feedback will help guide us on the topics we cover, the guests we invite, and the ways we can continue to serve you through biblical teaching and encouragement.
• Purchase a copy of Lisa’s Bible study, “Body and Soul.”
• Listen to Lisa’s podcast, “Jesus Over Everything.”
• Give today to help another woman know the Truth and live the Truth because it changes everything.
• Leave us a rating and written review on Apple Podcasts.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode

Want More on This Topic? 

• Listen to “How To Escape the Comparison Trap” with Laura L. Smith.
• Watch the video titled “Breaking Unhealthy Patterns: The Victim Triangle” from the Therapy & Theology series on our YouTube channel.
• Go deeper with study content created by women, for women. Delight in Scripture with the CSB Women’s Study Bible. For both deep study and daily reading, this Bible is uniquely crafted to equip women to dig into God's Word and disciple other women in their life to do the same. Purchase a CSB Women's Study Bible here.

In this special behind-the-scenes episode, you’re invited to pull up a chair at the Proverbs 31 Ministries staff meeting as Lysa TerKeurst shares a powerful teaching on what to do when we feel tempted to take control of a situation or step in where it seems God isn't doing what we think He should do. 

If you’ve ever wrestled with trusting the Lord when the outcome is uncertain, this message will encourage you with the truth that He is good, faithful, and active in whatever you're facing right now. 

You’ll learn about:

• The difference between control (everything depends on me) and stewardship (I’ll be responsible, but I trust God with the outcome).
• How surrender leads to peace and positions you to recognize God's faithfulness in your everyday life.
• A real-life testimony of how one small act of obedience can change everything (you might want to grab a few tissues for this one!).
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode

Resources From This Episode:

• Would you take just a few minutes to fill out our listener survey? Your feedback will help guide us on the topics we cover, the guests we invite, and the ways we can continue to serve you through biblical teaching and encouragement.
• Learn more about Proverbs 31 Ministries: proverbs31.org.
• Gain more encouragement from Lysa TerKeurst on the Therapy & Theology podcast.
• Support Proverbs 31 Ministries, and help women around the world hear biblical Truth: Give here.
• Go deeper with study content created by women, for women. Delight in Scripture with the CSB Women’s Study Bible. For both deep study and daily reading, this Bible is uniquely crafted to equip women to dig into God's Word and disciple other women in their life to do the same. Purchase a CSB Women's Study Bible here.

Have you ever looked around and wondered, Is this really it? Or is God calling me to something more? In this episode, Meredith Brock, Kaley Olson, and Nicki Koziarz share how a trip to El Salvador with Compassion International unexpectedly shifted their perspective on calling and obedience and what it really means to live a life of purpose. You’ll hear the powerful story of one woman whose quiet but courageous “yes” to God created a ripple effect — transforming her family, her community, and even the hearts of our team. If you’re feeling unsure about your next step, worn out from waiting, or afraid your impact doesn’t matter, this conversation will remind you: You don’t have to know the outcome to walk in obedience. Sometimes the most world-changing thing you can do is simply show up and say yes.

You’ll learn:

• How to identify “holy discomfort” and what it reveals about the core of your calling. 
• How to move forward with confidence even when the first step seems unclear. 
• Why God may lead you into uncomfortable places to share His light.
• What power one small “yes” has to make an eternal impact. 
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode

Partner With Us: 

• The First 5 app is turning 10 — and we couldn’t have done it without you. For the past decade, this app has helped women all over the world meet with God first … before the chaos of the day begins. Now, we want to invite you to help carry that impact into the next decade. When you give to further all God is doing, we’ll thank you with two copies of our newest devotional study, 30 Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know — one to keep and one to share with a woman you know who’s in need of hope. Give a 10-year anniversary gift!

Resources From This Episode:

• We’re honored to come alongside Compassion International, a ministry committed to releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Through child sponsorship, you don’t just provide food, education, and medical care — you offer hope. You become part of a child’s story. And when you say “yes,” God uses that obedience to change two lives: theirs and yours. Sponsor a child today!
• Looking for more resources to grow in your faith? Find free Bible studies, devotions, podcasts, and more — all created to help you know God’s Word and live it out. Explore Proverbs 31 Ministries.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to figure it all out, force it to happen, or keep your head up even when your heart’s worn out — this message is for you.

In this keynote from She Speaks, Meredith Brock shares her honest story of learning to surrender the striving and live from a place of trust instead of trying. With laughter, vulnerability, and deep biblical wisdom, Meredith reminds us: We don’t have to prove ourselves to be used by God. We just have to stay surrendered.

You’ll learn:

• Why God can’t lift what you won’t lay down.
• How to recognize when you’re striving instead of surrendering.
• What Scripture teaches about letting God fulfill His promises — not forcing them.
• How to make a freeing perspective shift that takes the pressure off your performance.

Partner With Us: 

• The First 5 app is turning 10 — and we couldn’t have done it without you. For the past decade, this app has helped women all over the world meet with God first … before the chaos of the day begins. Now, we want to invite you to help carry that impact into the next decade. When you give to further all God is doing, we’ll thank you with two copies of our newest devotional study, 30 Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know — one to keep and one to share with a woman you know who’s in need of hope. Give a 10-year anniversary gift!

Resources From This Episode:

• Sign up to be the first to know when registration for She Speaks 2026 opens.
• Support free biblical resources like this podcast by joining The Well, our monthly partner program.
• Want more content like this? Find devotions, Bible studies, podcasts, and more — all at Proverbs31.org.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode