The Hope Story Podcast

Epizode

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  Patience: Trusting God's Timing Part 2 20.09.2026 22min

  Patience: Trusting God's Timing Part 2 In this episode, we celebrate the launch of Patience: Trusting God's Timing in Every Season, a collaborative book featuring the voices and faith journeys of nine women from across the country. Host Leilani sits down with three of the contributing authors Marilynn Lester, Cathy Smith, and Lisa Recor to discuss what stirred them to write about patience, what the writing process revealed about their own relationship with God, the beauty of collaborating with other authors, and their encouragement for anyone in a season of waiting. The book is available now on major platforms, including Amazon. 0:00 — Welcome and book introduction 1:52 — Author introductions begin 2:56 — Cathy introduces herself 3:16 — Lisa introduces herself 4:33 — What stirred each author to write about patience 5:06 — Marilynn on the fruit of the Spirit 5:34 — Cathy on everyday situations requiring patience 6:48 — Lisa on patience building trust and perseverance 7:41 — The heart behind each chapter 8:41 — Cathy on patience in daily life 10:23 — Lisa: don't settle as a daughter of God 10:48 — What writing revealed about themselves 11:24 — Marilynn on trusting God's timing 12:27 — Lisa on God working on them separately first 12:34 — The collaborative writing process 13:12 — Community through Zoom calls 14:30 — Lisa on being humbled God chose nine women 15:19 — Who the authors hope finds their chapter 16:41 — Cathy's tips: breathe before reacting 17:54 — Encouragement for those in a waiting season 18:37 — Cathy: hang in there, God's always there 20:05 — Lisa: jump in and swim, God's not finished 22:01 — Closing and where to buy the book
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  Hope for Tomorrow: Conversations on Fiction, Faith, and Resilience 02.09.2026 39min

  Hope for Tomorrow Launch: Authors on Faith, Resilience, and Writing Courage The podcast celebrates the launch of “Hope for Tomorrow,” a collaborative short-story fiction collection exploring hope, resilience, healing, redemption, and second chances, now available on major platforms including Amazon. The host interviews contributors LaDawn Caldwell Bridgeman, Christine Martinez, and Alex Faith about their creative processes and the themes behind their pieces, including community support, truth and trust, and trusting God. Alex describes writing Christian fiction that glorifies God and developing a kingdom-based story over about a year, while Christine shares a first-person, loosely autobiographical story spanning 44 years and shaped by vulnerability, relinquishing control, and the message that it’s never too late, including her experience with an eating disorder and a near-death moment. LaDawn discusses a faith-based rom-com tone centered on girlfriends, divorce recovery, and “be still,” and the authors encourage writers to begin, be courageous, and use accountability and community. 00:00 Welcome and Launch 01:29 Meet the Authors 01:51 Creative Warmup Questions 03:21 Inside Hope for Tomorrow 04:01 LaDawn Theme Inspiration 06:22 Alex Joins the Project 08:09 Christine Story Origins 10:19 Meaning Behind the Stories 14:36 Messages and Themes 16:55 Writing Journey Deep Dive 23:32 Collaboration and Community 26:26 Who the Stories Are For 30:15 LaDawn Visual Vibe 32:46 Advice for Aspiring Writers 38:18 Final Thanks and Call to Action
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  The Heart of 'Peace': Stories That Inspire 26.08.2026 29min

  The Heart of 'Peace': Stories That Inspire This podcast episode celebrates the launch of “Peace,” a collaborative book featuring multiple writers, and includes a behind-the-scenes conversation with contributors Lauren Ulrich and Vanessa King. Lauren, a homeschool mom in South Carolina, shares how writing about her journey with fatherlessness and God as Prince of Peace helped her heal, let go of shame and fear, and step out in courage, using images like Jeremiah 17:7–8 and the song “Turn It to Praise.” Vanessa, a former military service member and homeschool mom in Virginia, describes feeling prompted by the Holy Spirit to participate, writing with practical application about prayer, and wrestling with self-doubt and procrastination. Both discuss how editing and community reminded them they are not alone and encouraged readers to trust God’s sovereignty and begin writing even without having everything figured out. You can get your copy here. 00:00 Welcome and Book Launch00:51 Meet the Authors02:48 Why Peace Matters04:43 Lauren’s Story and Theme09:52 Writing Struggles and Growth15:12 Lessons and Looking Back21:13 Community and Collaboration25:11 What Readers Will Feel28:53 Advice for Writers31:11 Final Thanks and Invitation
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  Cultivating Hope: A Look Inside My Hope Story Volume 2 25.08.2026 40min

  Cultivating Hope: A Look Inside My Hope Story Volume 2 On collaboration release day for Hope Books, the host celebrates the launch of “My Hope Story Volume 2,” part of an ongoing series of hope-filled stories, and interviews contributing authors Laura Pettit and Anna Grace Head. They discuss their chapters: Laura writes about God as a “master gardener” who revives buried dreams through His timing, faith, and restoration (referencing Ephesians 2:10), while Anna Grace writes about her journey as a wife and stepmom and God untethering her from perfectionism, learning to rely on God’s strength in weakness and to “find Him in the middle.” They reflect on writing as a healing process, the value of writing before life feels resolved, and favorite tools like Focus View in Word, journals, coffee, and Grammarly, then close by inviting listeners to pick up the book and be encouraged by its stories. Get your copy here! 00:00 Welcome and Release Day01:24 Meet Laura Pettit02:44 Meet Anna Grace Head03:04 Gluten Free Snack Talk05:40 Why These Chapters Matter06:52 Laura on Buried Dreams14:35 Anna Grace on Perfectionism17:46 Practicing Surrender Daily19:48 Perfectionism Roots21:22 Grace Over Performance21:59 Boundaries And Rest24:24 Breaking Family Cycles25:23 Laura Writing Journey30:00 Anna Grace In The Middle34:51 Writing Tools And Wrap Up
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  Joy: Experiencing Heaven’s Delight in Every Season 24.08.2026 34min

  Joy: Experiencing Heaven’s Delight in Every Season The episode celebrates the release of the collaboration book Joy: Experiencing Heaven’s Delight in Every Season, the second in a Fruits of the Spirit series, available on Amazon, and introduces contributing authors sharing how true joy is not circumstantial. Stephanie Judy’s chapter “Rugged Joy” reflects on grief after a stepdaughter moved away and a healing New England road trip inspired by Psalm 91. Trish Cordell writes about learning joy through surrender when living alone at 58. Michelle Barringer recounts a trial-filled 2011 and praying for joy as strength. Julie Almodovar’s “Joy in a Red Suit” highlights her brother-in-law’s 16-year transformation serving as Santa, including hospital and fire-station toy deliveries. Christina Edwards, a widowed retiree, shares finding joy in sudden loss through gratitude, God’s presence, community, and poetry. The group also discusses vulnerability, editing, and writing courage. Buy your copy here. 00:00 Joy Book Launch01:17 Meet the Authors03:27 What True Joy Means04:36 Stephanie Rugged Joy06:58 Trish Blooming Alone09:40 Michelle Joy Strength13:41 Julie Santa Suit Joy16:34 Christina Sudden Loss16:41 Three Gifts for Grief17:47 Poetry as Healing18:30 Joy Through Community20:18 Writers Roundtable Begins21:27 Stephanie Writing Sprint24:01 Michelle on Editing28:34 Julie Finds Lightness31:04 Christina Vulnerability and Flowers33:29 Courage to Share Your Story34:16 Book Plug and Farewell
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  Goodness in Every Season: Stories of Faith and Resilience 20.08.2026 37min

  Redefining Goodness: Whitney Driscoll and Joyce Prutz on God’s Goodness in Every Season Host Leilani welcomes Whitney Driscoll and Joyce Prutz to the Hope Books podcast to discuss their contributions to the collaboration Goodness: Shining His Light in Every Season and how they approached the theme of “goodness” from nearly opposite perspectives. Whitney shares her rural Kentucky background, her performance-based view of “good,” and how personal unraveling and bitter, honest conversations with God led her to redefine goodness as belonging to God and flowing through believers. Joyce, a longtime stay-at-home “girl mom,” describes her mother as effortlessly good, recalls life at the “big white house on the corner,” and highlights family traditions like large Christmas gatherings. Both offer encouragement for hard seasons—allowing feelings but not staying there, choosing trust daily—and discuss hope as redemption and an “anchor,” including Joyce’s story of loss and eventual joy with her granddaughter. 00:00 Welcome and Setup00:56 Meet Whitney01:52 Meet Joyce04:01 Defining Goodness06:40 Joyce Mom Tribute08:41 Whitney Hard Truths13:33 Two Paths One Theme17:08 Advice for Hard Seasons20:18 Rapid Fire Round28:37 Living the Message32:42 Hope and Closing
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  My Hope Story Vol. 2 Pt. 1 09.04.2026 40min

  Collaboration Authors from our newest 2026 publication My Hope Story Vol. 2, share their stories of hope and their writing journey.   Grab Your Copy Today: https://a.co/d/0grHk3mh
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  Unshakeable Pt. 1 08.04.2026 43min

  Collaboration Authors from our newest 2026 publication Unshakeable, share their stories of unshakeable faith and their writing journey. Grab your copy today! https://a.co/d/0aQklCI6
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  Love: The Greatest of These Pt. 2 07.04.2026 38min

  Collaboration Authors from our newest 2026 publication LOVE: The Greatest Of These, share their stories of understanding the Fruit of the Spirit of Love and their writing journey. Get your copy today!  Love: The Greatest of These
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  Love: The Greatest of These Pt. 1 07.04.2026 33min

  Collaboration Authors from our newest 2026 publication LOVE: The Greatest Of These, share their stories of understanding the Fruit of the Spirit of Love and their writing journey. Get your copy today!  Love: The Greatest of These
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  Grace Through the Storm Pt. 1 31.12.2025 30min

  Grace Through the Storm is a powerful conversation with four courageous voices—authors Deb, Laura, Corenna, and Jeannie—who came together to write through seasons of uncertainty, pain, and faith. In this episode, these women share the heart behind their stories and the unique journey each one took in contributing to the project. You’ll hear honestly about the writing process, the doubts they had to confront, and the fears they had to overcome in order to say yes. They open up about why they felt called to write, how God met them in the midst of the storm, and how grace became both their anchor and their message. This episode is an encouragement for writers, dreamers, and anyone who has ever wrestled with doubt but felt a quiet nudge to step forward anyway. If you’ve been wondering whether your story matters—or if you’ve been hesitant to write the words on your heart—this conversation will remind you that grace often flows most freely in the storm. ✨ A conversation about faith, obedience, courage, and the healing power of telling your story.
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  Beyond the Battle Part 1 12.11.2025 31min

  In this powerful episode of HopeStory, we sit down with three incredible women—Heather, Julie, and Amy—who share their raw and inspiring journeys of life after a cancer diagnosis. Each of them has faced the battle head-on, learning to trust God through the fear, the waiting, and the healing process. Together, they open up about what it means to live beyond the battle—to walk in faith when the future feels uncertain, to find purpose in the pain, and to discover the beauty of God’s presence in every step of the healing journey. If you or someone you love has ever faced a season that tested your faith, this conversation will remind you that God is still faithful, still good, and still writing hope into every story.
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  The Power of Saying Yes! 06.11.2025 9min

  A little bonus content for you! Sometimes one small yes can change everything. In this special episode, Liz shares her personal story — the moment she said yes to an unexpected invitation that completely changed her writing journey and the inspiration that came from the Hope*Story Conference. Through honest reflection and faith-filled encouragement, Liz talks about gaining clarity about next steps and walking in the assignment of being a writer. If you’ve ever hesitated to say yes because of fear, doubt, or uncertainty, this episode will remind you that your obedience could open the door to your next chapter — one filled with purpose, community, and hope.
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  The Art of Letting Go 05.11.2025 53min

  Grief has a way of shaping us—and sometimes, the only way through it is to write our way forward. In this powerful episode, Liz sits down with Hope Dover, Liz Quinn, and Alexandra Craig, three of the authors from Letting Go, to talk about the healing that happens when we put words to our pain. Together, they explore how writing became a sacred space to process loss, find meaning, and rediscover God’s presence in the middle of heartbreak. Their stories remind us that letting go isn’t just about release—it’s about renewal. If you’ve ever faced the ache of goodbye or wrestled with words in a season of sorrow, this conversation will meet you there—with honesty, faith, and hope. Find the Art of Letting Go on Amazon. https://a.co/d/ffZnq9P
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  Anchored in Hope Pt. 1 29.10.2025 22min

  In this inspiring episode of the Hope Story Podcast, we sit down with three incredible authors — Melissa, Lynn, and Amanda — from our collaboration project, Anchored in Hope. Each of them opens up about their personal journey of writing their story and the challenges they faced along the way. From battling imposter syndrome and confronting fear, to walking through forgiveness, their stories remind us that hope is often forged in the hardest seasons. You’ll be encouraged, uplifted, and reminded that your story has purpose — even the parts you’re still healing from. Anchored in Hope: Inspiring Stories of Faith that Endures is available now on Amazon.
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  Rising Above - Part 1 21.10.2025 22min

  In this powerful episode of the HopeStory Podcast, we sit down with a group of incredible women from our Rising Above collaboration book. Each writer opens up about what it really took to share their hard stories — the moments that tested their faith, the healing that came through writing, and the courage it took to put their words into the world. Together, we talk about battling imposter syndrome, overcoming comparison, and finding freedom in vulnerability. Whether you’re a writer, dreamer, or simply someone walking through a hard season, this conversation will remind you that your story matters — and that it’s possible to rise above.
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  Your Book is Your Mission Statement 04.12.2024 13min

  Podcast Notes: Your Book is Your Mission Statement Host: Brian DixonPodcast Title: Hope Books Podcast Key Takeaways: Your Book is Your Mission Statement: Your book reflects your journey, your challenges, and your message to the world. It serves as a banner of freedom and hope, showing others that transformation is possible. The Power of Your Story: Your life experiences, especially moments of being stuck, are your reader’s starting point. Writing about your past challenges provides hope and a path forward for those currently struggling. Structure Your Book: Part 1: The Prison – Describe the low point in your life. Part 2: The Path – Share the actionable steps you took to overcome. Part 3: The Promise – Highlight the transformation and the life you now live. Connection with Your Reader: Identify your reader’s pain point and meet them where they are. Use your story to walk alongside them, offering hope and practical steps. Your Story as a Gift: Reframe past challenges as blessings. Sharing your story not only helps others but also redeems your experiences. Action Steps: Write It Down: Identify a story where you felt stuck and write it in detail. Post It: Share your story on social media to start connecting with your audience. Dream Big: Envision the book you want to write and take steps to make it a reality. Encouragement: Your story matters. There are people waiting for your words of hope. Hope Writers is here to guide and support you in crafting your message. Quote to Remember:“Your book is your banner of freedom. It’s your mission statement to say, ‘You can do this.’” For more resources and support, visit Hope Books.
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  Savvy Marketing for Writers 13.05.2022 19min

  Share your writing to communicate your values and message to your reader. Does the idea of promoting your work make you feel awkward? When you think about marketing, do you worry you’ll come across as too salesy? In this bonus episode, host Clarissa Moll helps you determine how to market your work in ways that are authentic to your message and your personality. Special guest, marketing strategist Mike Kim breaks down social media marketing and shares the features of a well-designed personal brand. The Writerly Life is a production of hope*writers. Written and compiled by Clarissa Moll Edited and mixed by Tyler Anderson Music by Karla Colahan
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  PR for Beginning Writers 29.04.2022 16min

  You don’t need to be a pro to get your words out into the world. If you want to serve your readers, you need to tell them about your work — especially if you’ve just written a book! You’ve worked hard on the words you’ve written, and you want to share them with others. In this bonus episode, host Clarissa Moll shows you how you can promote your work and elevate your message in a way that feels genuine to who you are. Special guest, public relations strategist Robin Barrett also offers practical ideas for how to get your work in front of your audience. The Writerly Life is a production of hope*writers. Written and compiled by Clarissa Moll Edited and mixed by Tyler Anderson Music by Karla Colahan
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  The Liberating Power of Storytelling 15.04.2022 21min

  You have stories inside of you, waiting to be told. What do you do when your everyday life is mostly dusting and dishes, not writing? Where can you find compelling content in your day job at the office, in the classroom, or at home with your kids? Regardless of where you spend your 9-to-5, your writing life grows as you approach your days with curiosity and a commitment to tell the stories that surround you. In this episode, host Clarissa Moll discusses how to create attainable writing goals and find meaningful stories in everyday moments. Special guest, author Shannan Martin talks about how curiosity and commitment can help you build a writing life that lasts. The Writerly Life is a production of hope*writers. Written and compiled by Clarissa Moll Edited and mixed by Tyler Anderson Music by Karla Colahan