Pastor, author and speaker Mark Batterson joins Blake to discuss his new book, A Million Little Miracles. Building on themes from his earlier work, Mark dives into the idea of everyday miracles, exploring how small moments of beauty and gratitude can transform our lives. The conversation highlights how acknowledging these smaller blessings—like breathing or witnessing the changing colors of leaves—can help us see the world through a lens of wonder and gratitude. Mark encourages listeners to cultivate a “holy curiosity,” a perspective that appreciates the complexities of creation and sees every day as filled with divine purpose. The episode ultimately invites listeners to redefine miracles, seeing them in both the big, life-altering events and the quiet, daily gifts that often go unnoticed.

In this episode, you’ll be able to…

• Discover how to recognize and appreciate everyday miracles in your life, from small moments to major blessings.
• Learn about the transformative power of gratitude and how it can shift your perspective.
• Explore the idea of seeing yourself and others as "walking, talking miracles," fostering deeper compassion and connection.

Mark is the author of A Million Little Miracles — available everywhere on November 19!

To connect with Mark…

Website: markbatterson.com

Instagram: @markbatterson

Facebook: @markbatterson

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Listen in to this special post-election episode where Blake provides an in-depth reflection on the recent election results. Join her to discuss initial expectations and preparations, the surprising outcome, and the ensuing public and personal reactions. The episode highlights the polarized nature of public discourse, the challenges of maintaining personal relationships amidst political divides, and the critical role of faith in navigating these challenging times. Thankfully Blake has walked through this before and is able to offer advice on how to respond to hostile interactions, the importance of prayer, and finding hope and community in uncertain times.

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In this special pre-election edition of Confessions of a Crappy Christian, Blake reflects on the anticipation and uncertainty surrounding the upcoming election, emphasizing the importance of being spiritually prepared for any outcome. While addressing concerns about potential policy impacts and media influence, Blake underscores that true strength and hope are rooted not in politics but in faith. Citing Philippians 4:12-13 and Isaiah 40:31, Blake shares that waiting on the Lord—through seeking, trusting, and praying—renews our strength and helps us face challenges with assurance.

No matter the result, listeners are reminded that God remains in control, providing hope that never disappoints, as affirmed in Romans 5:1-5. Blake encourages everyone to stay anchored in faith, resilient, and prayerful, trusting in the steadfast nature of God to navigate whatever comes next.

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Mother-daughter duo Clarissa and Fiona Moll join Blake to discuss their journey of grief after losing Rob, Clarissa's husband and Fiona's father, in a tragic hiking accident. They talk about how their experience led them to write the book Hurt Help Hope, which serves as both a guide and a resource for others walking through grief. Clarissa reflects on the importance of having conversations about death, even before tragedy strikes, and how those discussions provided a sense of direction amidst loss. Fiona opens up about balancing societal pressures with grief as a young teen and how leaning into vulnerability, rather than strength alone, became essential. Together, they emphasize the value of embracing faith during sorrow, recognizing Jesus as a comforting presence in both the darkness of grief and moments of hope. The conversation offers insights into navigating grief non-linearly, encouraging listeners to find comfort and community in their journeys.

In this episode, you’ll be able to…

• Gain insights into navigating grief as a family and fostering deeper connections through shared vulnerability.
• Learn how to balance personal healing with supporting others during difficult times.
• Explore the challenges of grieving at different life stages, especially as a parent and teenager.

Clarissa and Fiona are the authors of Hurt Help Hope – available everywhere now!

To connect with Clarissa and Fiona…

Website: clarissamoll.com

Instagram: @mollclarissa

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Writers Meseidy Rivera and Rachel Reeves (from Here Are the Headlines) join Blake to discuss the importance of voting, particularly for Christians, and criticize those abstaining from elections due to dissatisfaction with candidates. They highlight concerns about religious freedom, free speech, and media censorship, emphasizing that Trump, despite his flaws, is more likely to protect these rights than Harris. Throughout, the hosts stress the importance of civic responsibility and choosing hope amid uncertainty, wrapping up with humor about bracing for election night chaos and staying connected in the weeks to come.

In this episode, you’ll be able to…

• Understand the importance of voting, particularly for Christians, and their concerns about abstention.
• Explore the potential impact of the 2024 election on religious freedom, free speech, and media censorship.
• Gain insight into how the hosts compare Trump and Harris, focusing on which candidate they believe will better uphold religious and constitutional values.

To connect with Rachel and Meseidy…

Rachel: @herearetheheadlines

Rachel’s Website: herearetheheadlines.com

Meseidy: @itsmeseidy

Meseidy’s Substack: It’s Meseidy

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Writer, author, and creator of Scribble Devos Whitney Lowe joins Blake to discuss her new devotional, Set Your Eyes Higher, which focuses on four key themes: identity and insecurity, wisdom and humility, capacity and burnout, and scarcity and abundance. Whitney explains that the devotional aims to move beyond surface-level Christianity by addressing real-life struggles through a lens of scripture. They emphasize the value of devotionals as accessible "on-ramps" to deeper scripture engagement, especially for people overwhelmed by life or new to faith. The conversation also critiques the prideful tendency to dismiss devotionals, suggesting that even brief moments with God can yield profound spiritual growth. Ultimately, the episode highlights the importance of anchoring one's identity and pursuits in God's abundance rather than cultural expectations or personal performance.

In this episode, you’ll be able to…

• Reflect on how pride, insecurity, and identity influence your relationship with God and others.
• Learn how to apply spiritual wisdom and build resilience by trusting in God's guidance, even in overwhelming circumstances.
• Discover practical ways to stay rooted in your calling without succumbing to burnout, fear, or societal pressures.

Whitney Lowe is the author of Set Your Eyes Higher - available everywhere now!

To connect with Whitney…

Website: scribbledevos.com

Instagram: @whitneypiersonlowe

Facebook: @scribbledevos

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Psychologist, author, and speaker Dr. Camden Morgante joins Blake to discuss the effects of purity culture, particularly on women, and the misconceptions and shame that many have struggled with because of it. Dr. Camden defines purity culture as a movement, especially prominent in the 1990s and 2000s, that promoted abstinence before marriage using fear and shame. They discuss how the movement's rigid rules led to shame, especially when individuals didn’t follow them, and the lasting emotional damage for many, even into marriage. Camden highlights how people were left with false promises, like the idea of a “fairy tale marriage” for those who stayed pure, and the painful process of disentangling from those beliefs. The episode offers a compassionate look at healing from these deeply ingrained teachings.

In this episode, you’ll be able to…

• Understand the definition and impact of purity culture, especially its effects on women.
• Explore how purity culture used fear and shame to promote abstinence and its lasting emotional and relational consequences.
• Gain insight into how to approach sexuality with grace and compassion, without the burden of shame.

Dr. Camden is the author of Recovering from Purity Culture - available everywhere on October 15, 2024!

To connect with Dr. Camden…

Website: drcamden.com

Instagram: @drcamden

Facebook: @drcamden

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Author, speaker, and podcaster Jordan Raynor joins Blake to discuss his children's picture book, The Royal in You. The conversation begins with an exploration of Raynor’s personal journey and misconceptions about heaven, which led him to write this book. He explains that many Christians dread eternity due to false teachings about heaven being a place of endless worship without purpose. Jordan emphasizes the biblical vision of heaven as a renewed earth, where we will work, create, and reign alongside Jesus. The conversation dives into how understanding this changes our present lives, giving greater purpose to daily tasks and helping us experience glimpses of heaven here on earth.

In this episode, you’ll be able to…

• Understand the biblical perspective of heaven and the new earth based on scripture.
• Explore how our view of eternity shapes how we engage with culture and the world today.
• Gain insights on how to live with an eternal perspective that influences your daily life and decisions.

Jordan is the author of The Royal in You - available everywhere on October 22, 2024!

To connect with Jordan…

Website: jordanraynor.com

Instagram: @jordanraynor

Podcast: Mere Christians Podcast

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In this solo episode, Blake discusses the history of the CIA's controversial MK Ultra program, which explored mind control and behavior modification through drugs, hypnosis, and psychological manipulation. The episode begins by referencing recent events that reignited the discussion around government secrecy and censorship. She emphasizes the long-term effects on unsuspecting U.S. citizens, who were subjected to non-consensual experiments with devastating consequences. The episode ultimately questions the government's trustworthiness and stresses that faith in Christ is the only source of true security.

In this episode, you’ll be able to…

• Uncover the dark history of MK Ultra, the CIA’s mind control program, and its unethical experiments on unwitting individuals.
• Consider the lasting effects of MK Ultra’s legacy and ongoing concerns about government overreach and secrecy.
• Learn about Dr. Sidney Gottlieb’s role in developing chemical weapons and assassination tools, earning him the title "Poisoner in Chief."

To connect with Blake…

Instagram: @thegirlnamedblake

Website: thegirlnamedblake.com

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Wife and mom, Brittany Poppe joins Blake to share her deeply personal story of healing and transformation after experiencing an abortion in her youth and the emotional, spiritual, and psychological aftermath she experienced. She describes how her faith journey was not linear and how each time she shares her story, it brings her closer to healing. The conversation highlights the often overlooked emotional and mental health effects of abortion on women and the importance of redemption and recovery through faith. Today, she helps other women who have gone through similar experiences through her podcast ministry, focusing on post-abortion healing and support.

In this episode, you’ll be able to…

• Explore the importance of addressing abortion in the church with both truth and grace.
• Discover how to find forgiveness and freedom from shame through Christ.
• Gain insights into resources available for post-abortion healing, including counseling and support networks.

To connect with Brittany…

Instagram: @brittanypoppe

Podcast: Does God Forgive Abortion?

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In this special episode of Confessions of a Crappy Christian, we delve into the complex conversation surrounding gun reform following recent tragic events. Addressing both sides of the debate, I share my perspective on the nuances of proposed legislation, including red flag laws, universal background checks, safe storage requirements, and restrictions on high-capacity magazines and assault weapons.

As a Christian and a constitutionalist, I express my concerns about the potential infringements on individual rights and the effectiveness of these reforms. It's vital to explore not just the laws but the underlying issues of mental health and cultural factors contributing to gun violence. Join me for a thoughtful discussion that aims to foster understanding and dialogue.

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