Your Story With Melinda

Your Story with Melinda #29 What do you really believe about your life and your creator? Melinda's guest this week is Debbie Lindell, author of a new book called She Believes. As a women's speaker, Debbie champions women of all ages and helps them connect to one another through life-giving sisterhood. But her book really focuses in on living the faith-filled life God created us to live. It's an idea Melinda took to heart and she talks in-depth with Debbie about it as she shares her story on the podcast. Connect with Debbie Lindell * learn about Debbie's Designed For Life women's conference * buy a copy of She Believes: Embracing the Life You Were Created to Live * tell her you heard the show on Facebook or Twitter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIfaxHbKuR4 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Story #28 Sharing their story this week is author Christie Purifoy. She is a Jesus-follower who believes that life, in all its pain, beauty, and mystery, is a journey of love. Christie's latest book, Roots and Sky: A Journey Home in Four Seasons, is the story of her family's first year in an old farmhouse called Maplehurst. You'll hear her motivation behind the book and why it's important to find a home on this side of heaven. Most importantly, Christie's journey is about all the ways heaven comes to us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_22Eoi9AASY See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Story #26 Sharing their story this week is singer, songwriter, and Canadian worship leader Brooke Nicholls. Before heading out on her European tour this fall, Brooke joins Melinda for this emotional and inspiring interview. They discuss their dreams, convictions, love of music, what Heaven will be like, and faith. Then Brooke's husband, Steve Lensink, joins her in studio for a special performance of her single "Home" from her new album Found in You. Yes, Melinda cried a little. Connect with Brooke Nicholls * find tour dates and more information on Brooke at www.brookenicholls.ca * let her know you heart the podcast on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram * buy her latest single and other music on iTunes While you're on iTunes, help this podcast reach more people by subscribing and leaving us a review.  Here is a quick link to do that: bit.ly/yourstorywithmelinda. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjoeWUU_ofc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Story #25 Sharing their story this week is the thoughtful, funny, and inspiring Elyse Fitzpatrick. She is the author of a new book called Home: How Heaven and the New Earth Satisfy Our Deepest Longings and it's all about longing to find the place we truly belong. On this podcast, Melinda and Elyse talk honestly and imaginatively. They explore heaven and the afterlife to help you find peace and comfort. http://media.blubrry.com/faithstrongtoday/content.blubrry.com/faithstrongtoday/YourStory-025-Elyse_Fitzpatrick.mp3 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Story #24 Sharing their story (or should we say re-story) this week is Mary DeMuth. She is an author and speaker, but the most important thing she wants you to know is that she loves Jesus. It's the main focus of her conversation with Melinda on this week's podcast. Mary opens up about her own struggle with feelings of worthlessness, her life and family, and how she came to know Jesus. It's an episode that is sure to leave your feeling worthy in light of God's wild love. Connect with Mary DeMuth * check out Mary's blog and Re-story Podcast at www.marydemuth.com * her latest book, "Worth Living" is available for purchase on Amazon * message her on Facebook or Twitter and let her know you heard the show Finally, if you've read Mary's latest book, we'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUiQFpv7ZS0 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Story #23 Telling her story this week is Dawn Camp, author of The Gift of Friendship. She joins Melinda and special co-host Kimberley MacLaren to talk about the beauty of shared moments in life and faith. They also discuss some of today's best writers with some great book suggestions for you to check out. Connect with Dawn Camp * on her personal blog My Home Sweet Home * follow her on Facebook and Twitter * check out her books on Amazon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mQS5CIuZEE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Story #22 Sharing their story this week is multi-award winning recording artist Ali Matthews. Ali has been a performing songwriter for 35 years and is highly respected in both the Christian and mainstream music industry due to her accessible, honest lyrics and her ability to weave the “spiritual” into everyday life experiences. You'll also get an acoustic performance of "Lucinda's House" when you subscribe to our YouTube channel. In this story: * a fun game of Would You Rather... * Ali's influence and how she got into music * faith and how it helps navigate the industry * a special live performance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXZffhqJdj4 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Story #21 This week, Melinda welcomes Leanne Cabral to share her story. Leanne is an author, speaker, coach, mom, and wife who loves to help parents navigate the awesome privilege of passing on the Christian faith to their children. http://media.blubrry.com/faithstrongtoday/content.blubrry.com/faithstrongtoday/YourStory-021-Leeanne_Cabral.mp3 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Story #20 Sharing their story with Melinda this week is author, speaker, and nutritionist, Laura Harris Smith, whose latest book, 30-Day Faith Detox, aims to renew your mind, cleanse your body,  and heal your spirit. Having always had one foot in ministry and one in media, Laura speaks and ministers internationally and is known for bringing a light-hearted look at the heaviest of life's topics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bAXw2qBWvU     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Story #19 Sharing his story this week is author James K.A. Smith, who joins Melinda via Skype to discuss faith and how it can fundamentally shape our hearts. James is a professor of philosophy at Calvin College, where he holds the Gary and Henrietta Byker Chair in Applied Reformed Theology and Worldview. His latest book is You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit and helps readers recognize the formative power of culture and the transformative possibilities of Christian practices. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtL6brCzh68 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Story #17 Born into a family of nine in (what at that time was) a third-world country, Wisdom Moon grew up experiencing poverty firsthand. On this podcast, Wisdom shares his story with Melinda Estabrooks and how growing up with an atheist father and a devoted Christian mother lead him to worship ministry. He currently works at Integrity Music as the Manager of Song Resource & Church Engagement and gives leadership to WeAreWorship.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UVVlbFacGQ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast, Melinda is joined by Executive Director of LifeCare Centres, Scott Armstrong (www.lifecarecentres.com), and registered clinical psychologist and author, Dr. Merry Lin (www.drmerrylin.com), to discuss absent dads. http://media.blubrry.com/faithstrongtoday/content.blubrry.com/faithstrongtoday/YourStory-016-DrMerry_ScottArmstrong.mp3 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Story #15 This week, Melinda welcomes Sami Cone to share her story. Sami is the author of Raising Uncommon Kids: 12 Biblical Traits You Need to Raise Selfless Kids, as well as a blogger, radio host,  TV correspondent and loves mentoring others to live their dream life on less and pursue their passions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9LmCj5O6iA See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode, podcasting mom Emily Thomas shares her story as we welcome her to the Faith Strong Today team. Emily is a teacher turned RN, turned artist who now stays at home with her kids and hosts a podcast called Mom Struggling Well, where she interviews someone (usually a mom) about a challenge they've had and how they struggled WELL through it. Melinda turns the tables on her as we get to know the mom behind the mic, and hear how she struggled well through life's ups and downs. Find Emily at MomStrugglingWell.com and subscribe to the FST Podcast on iTunes, Android, or your favourite podcasting app for a new episode of 'Mom Struggling Well' every Saturday on Faith Strong Today! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9o4MSq2BFU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Story #13 Faith Strong Today is a sponsor of the upcoming No Greater Love festival and, this week, Melinda welcomes the visionary woman behind the biggest Christian music event in Canada. Karri Ward shares her her story and the importance of unity in the Body of Christ. You can find out more about the festival at www.nogreaterlove.ca and let us know you're coming by using the hashtags #LetsFillTheField and #UnitedInFaith on social media. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esPcw0ao2Is See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Story #12 This week, Melinda is joined by the Executive Director and CEO of Prison Fellowship Canada, Stacey Campbell, to share her story and how we should respond to those in the prison system. In addition to her executive duties, Stacey continues to work hands-on in the PFC national ministry of reconciliation with ‘the least of these’ and practices a Biblical approach to transformation, justice, restoration and prevention based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Find out more about Prison Fellowship Canada at www.prisonfellowship.ca. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjdNCdQr5T8 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining Melinda Estabrooks in the studio this week is Helen Sworn, the foremost international expert on anti-human trafficking and International Director of Chab Dai and Freedom Collaborative. Helen shares her story of courage and hope for the most vulnerable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYhatzbE3rU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

http://media.blubrry.com/faithstrongtoday/content.blubrry.com/faithstrongtoday/YourStory-010-Lauren_Daigle.mp3 Life experience often serves to sharpen a songwriter’s edge and Melinda welcomes recording artist Lauren Daigle to share her journey on this episode of 'Your Story'. Though she’s young, Lauren Daigle has lived a lot of life and those experiences have helped her create heartfelt worship music. She has been nominated for GRAMMY, was a contestant on American Idol, and has won multiple awards for her singing and songwriting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Melinda Estabrooks welcomes her good friend, Wendy VanderWal-Gritter, author of Generous Spaciousness and Executive Director at New Direction Ministries of Canada, to share her story. Wendy is an internationally recognized contributor in the conversations around faith and sexuality. http://media.blubrry.com/faithstrongtoday/content.blubrry.com/faithstrongtoday/YourStory-009-Wendy_Vanderwal_Gritter.mp3 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, hear two moving stories of courage, strength and resiliency. Karen Petersen (left) and Sandy Reynolds (right) join Melinda to share their journey into leadership, battling their own fears and others expectations, and eventually helping women find their voice as well as finding their own. They are both involved with The FIELD Collaborative, a community dedicated to multi-sector leadership solutions. http://media.blubrry.com/faithstrongtoday/content.blubrry.com/faithstrongtoday/YourStory-008-Karen_Petersen_Sandy_Reynolds.mp3 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.