Fierce Calling

Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In this episode, I welcome my new friend Jac Marino Chen. Jac shares her remarkable testimony of being saved by Jesus Christ out of the darkness of abuse, addiction, New Age practices, and the occult. We’re also talking about her new book, Ensnared: Escaping New Age and Occult Practices Through Biblical Truth and Gospel Hope, which is now available for pre-order. From a self-described sorceress practicing ritual magick to discovering true freedom through faith in Jesus Christ, Jac warns of the deceptions of the enemy that can so easily ensnare those seeking to gain secret knowledge and control their own destinies. Our conversation explores the lure of secret knowledge, the deception of New Age philosophies, and the incremental steps that drew her deeper into occultism—including her involvement with divination, alien worship, and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. According to Jac’s media info about her book, “A growing number of Americans believe in or practice the occult. This includes tarot card readings, Ouija boards, astrology, and visiting psychics. Even some professing Christians believe there is no harm in dabbling in such practices.” It’s also concerning how New Age and New Thought practices are seeping into churches–sometimes much like a slow burn. A key theme that emerged was the prevalence of occult practices in modern culture and even the subtle infiltration of New Age beliefs into everyday life and the church. Several points were raised, including the deceptive allure of practices like divination, manifestation, and the use of crystals, as well as the importance of discerning truth through God’s Word. This episode not only shares her compelling testimony but also provides wisdom, encouragement, and biblical insight for anyone seeking hope or answers amidst spiritual confusion. ???? Episode Highlights & Key Takeaways Testimony of Transformation:One concept discussed was the slow and incremental way spiritual deception can take hold, leading Jack from childhood trauma and confusion, through self-described sorcery and ceremonial magick, to seeking real truth at her lowest point. She vividly described how searching for “secret knowledge” and a sense of control lured her deeper into darkness—until reading the Bible for herself changed everything 05:22. The Allure of Forbidden Practices:The discussion explored how practices like the Law of Attraction, crystals, divination, and certain spiritual rituals mirror biblical language but twist its meaning. Several points were raised, including the cultural glamorization of magick and how even mainstream environments now promote such practices as harmless or empowering 10:00. Truth Wrapped in Lies:A key theme that emerged was how spiritual counterfeits often mix just enough truth to appear harmless, making discernment essential. The conversation emphasized reading Scripture in context and not building beliefs or practices on isolated verses taken out of context 39:28. Hope for the Hurting & Advice for Families:For those concerned about loved ones drawn into New Age or occult practices, the message was clear: do not underestimate the power of prayer and faithfully sharing the gospel, even if a person seems resistant at first. Jack’s own turning point came through persistent, loving truth from her grandfather and others 43:55. New Book Release:Jack’s book, Ensnared: Overcoming the Darkness of the New Age and Occult with the Light of God’s Truth, is now available for pre-order. Link to her recent post on Harvest House: 5 Biblical Truths for Reaching Loved Ones Involved in the Occult ???? Connect with Jac! You can connect with Jac at https://www.jacmarino.com and find her book here: https://ensnaredbook.com/ https://ensnaredbook.com/ Jac Marino Chen was saved by Jesus out of a past of abuse, addiction, New Age practices, the occult, hermeticism, ritualmagick, and deep depravity. She is passionate about exposing the darkness she formerly pursued while pointing to freedom throughfaith in Jesus Christ. When not serving at church or doing occult outreach on her YouTube channel, you can find Jac writingworship music with her husband under the name Jac and Josh Music. ???? Your Story Matters As always, remember—your journey, your fierce calling, and your honest story can comfort and encourage others. Where can you share your experiences this week? Grace and peace,Doris Host, Fierce Calling Podcast What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/ Let’s Stay Connected! Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage! Love Fierce Calling? Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Conference, Tea, Christmas Event, Workshops, Retreats? I have a few dates still available in 2026, and booking for 2027 – 2028! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event… Screenshot Thanks for Listening! I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. If you’re looking for a speaker for your next women’s conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift Let’s have a chat about your next event! Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned. Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you. I hope you’ll join me next time when I talk with another guest who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect … Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I’ll talk to you soon. With love and joy, Doris

Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In today’s episode, host Doris Swift sits down with Kate Battistelli—author, speaker, and one of the hosts of the popular Mom to Mom Podcast. Kate shares her powerful story of stepping from a career in theater and the New York Broadway scene into an unexpected life of faith, family, and purpose after coming to know Christ at the age of 29. Together, Doris and Kate explore what it means to step into unknown seasons—such as the empty nest—and discover new meaning and purpose beyond motherhood. Kate reflects on her journey, from being a Broadway understudy to embracing roles as a mother to the award-winning Christian music artist, Francesca Battistelli, grandmother to 7, wife, and writer, all while encouraging women to boldly obey God’s call, even if it means venturing outside their comfort zones. We’re talking about her career in theater opposite a well-known actor, how she met her hubby, their sweet salvation story, and how God has amazing plans and a powerful purpose for each of our lives. You’ll also hear practical tips for navigating life transitions, building strong marriages, mentoring the next generation, and saying “yes” to unexpected challenges—whether it’s writing a book, starting a podcast, or simply volunteering. Stick around until the end for a special offer from Kate, and get ready to be inspired to step out where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect! Episode Highlights 00:00 “Writer, Podcaster, Former Actress” 04:20 Exciting Stories and New Offers 10:25 From Understudy to Leading Role 12:45 “Unexpected Encounter at Holiness Church” 14:35 “Life-Changing Divine Calling” 20:30 Faithful Obedience and Calling 22:12 Redefining Life After Parenting 25:44 “Preparing for Future Goals” 28:20 Prioritize Relationship Over Parenting 31:31 Finding Purpose Beyond Motherhood 34:32 Pray for Prodigal Children’s Return 38:02 Impact Through Obedience 42:06 “Join, Share, and Connect” We’re Talking About Her Amazing Books and More! Connect with Kate! You can connect with Kate at katebattistelli.com where you’ll find her books, social media links, podcast, blog, and even some amazing recipes! Plus, If you’d like to read the introduction and the first chapter of The Afterparty of the Empty Nest for free, just text: afterparty (all one word with no spaces), to 44144. And you’ll get a couple of other fun goodies as well! Kate Battistelli is the author of The After Party of the Empty Nest: Mom is Not Your Only Name, the bestseller, The God Dare: Will You Choose to Believe the Impossible, and Growing Great Kids: Partner with God to Cultivate His Purpose in Your Child’s Life. She is a contributing writer to the (in)courage Bible for Women and The Spirit-Led Woman’s Bible, and her writing has appeared in Guideposts, The Joyful Life magazine, The Better Mom, Mici magazine, and more. She is one-third of the popularMom to Mom Podcast. In addition, she is an honoree with She Leads Tennessee. As a young actress in New York City, Kate had a life-changing experience, going from understudy to starring as Anna in theBroadway National Tour of The King and I opposite Yul Brynner for more than 1,000 performances. Kate and her husband laid down their careers in the Broadway theatre in answer to their first “God Dare,” moving out of New York City and into a life of homeschooling and home business. She lives in Franklin, TN, near her daughter, contemporary Christian recording artist Francesca Battistelli, and seven precious grandchildren. Kate serves women by encouraging them to step out of their safe space and into His irresistible future. She’s a Jersey girl living in Franklin, TN, with her husband Mike. They’ve been married for 40 plus years and are the parents of GRAMMY Award-winning Christian recording artist Francesca Battistelli Goodwin. She and her husband, Matt, have given us 7 beautiful grandchildren, and they are the delight of our lives! What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/ Let’s Stay Connected! Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage! Love Fierce Calling? Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for 2026! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event… Thanks for Listening! I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. If you’re looking for a speaker for your next women’s conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift Let’s have a chat about your next event! Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned. Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you. I hope you’ll join me next time when I talk with another guest who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect … Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I’ll talk to you soon. With love and joy, Doris P.S. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for bite-sized wisdom and inspiration from Doris and our incredible guests! ???? Transcript Doris [00:00:52]:What is threatening to steal your joy? What is it that feels so heavy right now that you could barely stand? God has a plan and his plan is to surrender it. Surrender it to him. It might be a prodigal, it might be a relationship, a marriage, something with your job. So many things. We have so many amazing blessings, but there are so many things in our life that threaten to steal our joy. I’m Doris Swift, author of the award winning six week Bible study, Surrender the Joy. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. And it helps women rediscover the overflowing, ever present Jesus joy within that fills, empowers and ripens the fruit that God produces in our lives. Doris [00:02:32]:Using personal and biblical stories, I share how you can identify your joy stealers. Surrender them to God. Reawaken the joy within and share the joy with others. You can do it on your own or with a group. Check it out, friends. Surrender the joy stealers. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. It’s available on all the online retailers. It’s time to take your joy back. Doris [00:02:57]:Welcome back to the show today. I am so excited to introduce to you my friend, Kate Battistelli. I’ve been looking forward to this interview with her. She is the author of The After Party of the Empty Nest. Mom is Not Your Only Name. Amen. And she’s also the author of the bestseller The God Dare, Will you choose to believe the impossible? And Growing Great Kids Partner with God to Cultivate His Purpose in Your Child’s Life. Doris [00:03:26]:And she is a contributing writer to a lot of different publications and she’s also one third of the popular mom to mom podcast. So you listen to podcasts, so be sure to check that out. And she’s also a former actress, so we’re going to hear a little bit about that. It’s kind of exciting. She currently lives in Franklin, Tennessee and she is near her daughter, who you probably know, she’s the co...

Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In this episode, host Doris Swift welcomes back her friend and returning guest, Rebecca George—author, speaker, and founder of the Radical Radiance podcast community. Doris and Rebecca dive into themes every woman can relate to, including living in that “in-between-almost-but-not-yet” season, and the struggle of waiting on God’s timing in a world telling us to hurry up, because we’re falling behind. Rebecca shares insights from her newest book, You’re Not Too Late: Trusting God’s Timing in a Hurry Up World, and opens up about how longing, comparison, and even resentment can creep in, no matter what stage of life you’re in. Together, Doris and Rebecca discuss faith and trusting God with hopes, dreams, and that thing we’re longing for. They also talk about the importance of community, the dangers of the prosperity gospel, and how to cultivate spiritual resiliency in our everyday rhythms of waiting. Whether you’re waiting for a breakthrough, struggling with unmet desires, or simply looking to find more joy right where you are, this episode promises wisdom, encouragement, and a reminder: it’s not too late for you. Join us as we lean into God’s timing, celebrate kingdom work, and find inspiration for your own fierce calling! Episode Highlights Introduction to Rebecca’s New Book: “You’re Not Too Late” Book’s core message: Trusting God’s timing in a hurry-up world Who the message is for and why it resonates Living in the “In Between Almost-But-Not-Yet” The tension of waiting and longing Faithfulness in the “meanwhile” Rebecca’s Story and Passion Intersection Multiple hats Rebecca wears in life and ministry Importance of community among writers, speakers, and podcasters Creating environments free of competition and comparison How real-life women’s stories are integrated Each chapter’s exploration of an opposing mindset/emotion Interactive aspects—readers relating to stories and self-reflection prompts Shift in Book Focus: From Singleness to Bigger Picture Regarding Longing Original intent as a “singleness” book Expansion into broader themes of longing and desire Recognizing longing continues even after certain desires are fulfilled Coping with Longing and Waiting Gospel-centered perspective versus earthly focus Transitioning from struggle (despair, doubt, isolation) to hope (joy, community) Challenges of comparison and resentment Idolatry and Resentment in the Waiting When desires become idols Personal stories of jealousy and difficult emotions Honest conversations with God about unmet desires Navigating Comparison The ongoing struggle with comparison Coping with guilt over mixed emotions (joy for others, pain for self) Reminder of true fulfillment found in God Prosperity Gospel and Misguided Self-Help Critique of self-help and prosperity gospel ideas infiltrating Christian messaging Dangers of self-reliance and the myth that effort guarantees results Importance of biblical truth as the foundation Culture of Instant Gratification How technology trains us to avoid waiting Everyday habits undermining our resilience and patience Practicing small disciplines to build spiritual resilience God’s Timing and Looking Back Reflections on answered prayer coming in the right season The sweetness of fulfilled longing after seasons of waiting Gratefulness for God’s story being better than our plan Favorite Stories and Practical Takeaways from the Book “The Bench Story”—Rebecca and her husband’s intertwined journeys of prayer and waiting Psalm 139 “Search Me, God” prayer as a practical tool for self-examination Encouragement to use scriptural prayers during hard seasons Encouragement for Listeners Still Waiting Praying for future blessings and spouses Warning against making impulsive decisions out of fear of being “too late” Affirming listeners’ value and God’s perfect timing Connecting with Rebecca & Additional Resources Where to find Rebecca online (Instagram, podcast, books) Free video series accompanying the book Use of book for group or individual study Conclusion and Invitation Reiteration of every woman’s “fierce calling” Encouragement to partner with God in kingdom work Preview of future episodes and invitation to tune in again Connect with Rebecca! You can connect with Rebecca on Instagram @rebeccageorgeauthor and her website radicalradience.live Rebecca George is the author of You’re Not Too Late: Trusting God’s Timing in a Hurry Up World, and Do the Thing: Gospel-Centered Goals, Gumption, and Grace for the Go-Getter Girl , and the host of the popular podcast Radical Radiance. Her work has been featured on outlets such as Life Today TV, HomeLife magazine, and Moody Radio. Rebecca and her husband, Dustin, live in East Tennessee. Link to Previous Episode with Rebecca What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/ Let’s Stay Connected! Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage! Love Fierce Calling? Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for fall/winter 2025 & 2026! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event… Thanks for Listening! I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. If you’re looking for a speaker for your next women’s conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift Let’s have a chat about your next event! Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned. Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you. I hope you’ll join me next time when I talk with another guest who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect … Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I’ll talk to you soon. With love and joy, Doris P.S. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for bite-sized wisdom and inspiration from Doris and our incredible guests! ???? Transcript Doris [00:01:40]:What is threatening to steal your joy? What is it that feels so heavy right now that you could barely stand? God has a plan and his plan is to surrender it. Surrender it to him. It might be a prodigal, it might be a relationship, a marriage, something with your job. So many things. We have so many amazing blessings, but there are so many things in our life that threaten to steal our joy. I’m Doris Swift, author of the award winning six week Bible study, Surrender the Joy. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. And it helps women rediscover the overflowing, ever present Jesus joy within that fills, empowers and ripens the fruit that God ...

Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In this inspiring episode, host Doris Swift sits down with Robin Gerblick, an award-winning author, biblical life coach, and founder of the Exodus Women’s Retreat. Robin shares her powerful story of redemption, from a painful past marked by abortion and decades of wandering, to finding healing and purpose through Jesus. Together, Doris and Robin discuss the real, raw, and redeemed journey that led Robin to embrace forgiveness, launch a transformative women’s ministry, and write her book, Giving Up Grace: A Spiritual Rebranding of the Soul. Robin opens up about the challenges she faced, the grace she found after hitting rock bottom, and how God used her story to impact the lives of other women. Whether you’re struggling with regret, searching for healing, or just needing a reminder that it’s never too late to step into your calling, Robin’s testimony will encourage you to trust God’s timing and reclaim your joy. Plus, discover how Robin’s retreats empower women to encounter God in the wilderness and take the next steps toward spiritual wholeness. Tune in for an honest, hope-filled conversation about surrender, restoration, and stepping boldly where passion, compassion, and conviction intersect! Episode Highlights 00:00 “Surrendering Joy Stealers” 05:17 “Real, Raw, Redeemed Journey” 09:27 Regret Over Missed Adoption Choice 11:53 “Seeking Identity Before Faith” 15:31 “Giving Up Grace Explained” 17:54 “Believing Is Seeing: Trusting God” 22:52 Abortion’s Lasting Impact on Fertility 24:41 Volunteering at Crisis Pregnancy Centers 28:33 “Grace: Healing and Reflection” 31:43 Grace, Stories, and Comfort 36:51 “Faith-Driven Success and Leadership” 39:48 Post-Abortion Support and Encouragement 42:49 Forgiveness Journey and Healing Resources Connect with Robin! You can connect with Robin at robingerblick.com where you’ll find her book, social media links, the Exodus Women’s Retreat, and more! She’d love to hear from you and continue the conversation! What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/ Let’s Stay Connected! Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage! Love Fierce Calling? Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for fall/winter 2025 & 2026! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event… Thanks for Listening! I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. If you’re looking for a speaker for your next women’s conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift Let’s have a chat about your next event! Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned. Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you. I hope you’ll join me next time when I talk with another guest who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect … Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I’ll talk to you soon. With love and joy, Doris P.S. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for bite-sized wisdom and inspiration from Doris and our incredible guests! ???? Transcript Doris Swift [00:01:53]:What is threatening to steal your joy? What is it that feels so heavy right now that you could barely stand? God has a plan, and his plan is to surrender it. Surrender it to him. It might be a prodigal. It might be a relationship, a marriage, something with your job. So many things. We have so many amazing blessings, but there are so many things in our life that threaten to steal our joy. I’m Dora Swift, author of the award winning six week bible study, Surrender the Joy Stealers Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You, And it helps women rediscover the overflowing, ever present Jesus joy within that fills, empowers, and ripens the fruit that God produces in our lives. Using personal and biblical stories, I share how you can identify your joy stealers, surrender them to God, reawaken the joy within, and share the joy with others. Doris Swift [00:02:56]:You can do it on your own or with a group. Check it out, friends. Surrender the Joy Stealers. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. It’s available on all the online retailers. It’s time to take your joy back. Welcome back to the show. Today, I’m excited to introduce to you my friend, Robin Gerblick. Doris Swift [00:03:17]:She is an award winning author. She’s a biblical life coach, a certified personal trainer, and Pilates instructor. Hello. I’m impressed with that. I need more of that in my life. And I just love that she’s a lover of life and the living water. That’s amazing. And she has so many things going on, wonderful ministry work that she does. Doris Swift [00:03:40]:She has, a retreat, the Exodus Women’s Retreat, and we’re also gonna talk about her book, Giving Up Grace, a Spiritual Rebranding of the Soul. And you’re gonna wanna hear all about that. And I would love if you would share a little bit more about yourself, Robin. Welcome to the show. Robin Gerblick [00:04:01]:Thanks so much, Doris. I’ve been looking forward to this. We’ve we’ve had a few schedule changes, and I’m excited excited to be here. So thanks. Doris Swift [00:04:10]:Thank you. And, yeah. So you are married to your best friend, which I love, and, and you go between a couple of different states. We were talking earlier, Arizona and Idaho. Right. So those of you who are listening, I know I have some listeners in those states. So, Robin, I would love if you would share a little bit about your story, however the Lord leads you, and how you’re taking action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Robin Gerblick [00:04:39]:Yeah. That’s perfect. As we were talking about about earlier, I I just love that because that’s how how God uses us, and he calls us. And I love the scripture that you that you use, in your notes. It’s I’m gonna remind myself, but I think it’s the Ephesians three twenty. And I just love that because God is able to do so much more than we could ever possibly imagine and all the glory to him. But what I really love is it’s never too late to use your story. You know? God can always use it. Robin Gerblick [00:05:17]:And I I think for me, I always felt like I was late to the party. I’m a lot older than people think, and I just I just think it took me so long to well, it took me a really long time to find Jesus, number one, and then to find healing for my, my abortion journey that I had, my inability to have children because of that. It it just took so long that I I felt like like, god, are you ever gonna once I found Jesus, I’m like, are you ever gonna use me? It’s like it just seemed to go on forever. But, yeah, my story is is hard, and, I have these three words that describe it. So there it’s real, raw, and redeemed. And I know my life was just so upside down and hard when I was younger, but that started with an abortion when I was 19. And and I truly thought I was gonna marry that guy and have, you know, the family, the white picket fence, the station wago...

Welcome to another episode of Fierce Calling! Today, host Doris Swift sits down with the inspiring Stephanie Alton—literary agent, marketing expert, wife, and mom, who shares how profound moments happen when we listen to God. Stephanie encourages us with her remarkable journey, including unexpected steps and small beginnings that God used to lead her right where she’s meant to be. Through stories of divine timing, open doors, and the willingness to say “yes,” Stephanie offers practical advice, reminding us that every big dream starts with small, faithful steps. Whether you’re looking to step into your calling, start writing, or need encouragement in a difficult season, this conversation will remind you that God’s purpose unfolds in ways we never expect. So grab your coffee or tea, get comfortable, and get ready to be inspired by the story of how ordinary obedience can lead to extraordinary impact. Episode Highlights 00:00 “Surrender Your Joy Stealers” 05:18 “Divine Path to Literary Agent” 10:57 Embracing Opportunities in Publishing 12:15 “Journey to Becoming a Gatekeeper” 18:33 Undeniable Divine Intervention 20:31 Milestone Moments of Faith 23:05 Understanding Audiences and Unique Voices 29:16 “Building Your Writing Platform” 32:21 Steps Lead to Big Opportunities 35:46 “Know Your Audience’s Expectations” 40:50 Parenting Reflections and Growth 41:53 Cherishing Motherhood and Personal Timing 45:51 Join Our Book Pod Network 49:07 Blessings and Goodbye for Now Connect with Stephanie! You can connect with Stephanie through The Book Pod Review and Interview Network Facebook group, as she mentioned in the show! You can also find out more about her and which conferences she’ll be attending at theblythedanielagency.com, which is in the process of being updated soon. Stephanie Alton is a wife, mom, literary agent, and marketing expert. What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/ Let’s Stay Connected! Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage! Love Fierce Calling? Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for 2025 & 2026! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event… Thanks for Listening! I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. If you’re looking for a speaker for your next women’s conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift Let’s have a chat about your next event! Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned. Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you. I hope you’ll join me next time when I talk with another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect … Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I’ll talk to you soon. With love and joy, Doris P.S. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for bite-sized wisdom and inspiration from Doris and our incredible guests! ???? Transcript Doris [00:01:53]:What is threatening to steal your joy? What is it that feels so heavy right now that you could barely stand? God has a plan, and his plan is to surrender it. Surrender it to him. It might be a prodigal. It might be a relationship, a marriage, something with your job. So many things. We have so many amazing blessings, but there are so many things in our life that threaten to steal our joy. I’m Dora Swift, author of the award winning six week bible study, Surrender the Joy Stealers Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You, And it helps women rediscover the overflowing, ever present Jesus joy within that fills, empowers, and ripens the fruit that God produces in our lives. Using personal and biblical stories, I share how you can identify your joy stealers, surrender them to God, reawaken the joy within, and share the joy with others. Doris [00:02:56]:You can do it on your own or with a group. Check it out, friends. Surrender the Joy Stealers. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. It’s available on all the online retailers. It’s time to take your joy back. Welcome back to the show. Today, I’m excited to introduce to you my friend, Stephanie Alton. Doris [00:03:17]:She is an amazing literary agent and a marketing agent. She’s a mom, a wife, and a million other things that she does. She’s a a busy gal, and she is with the Blythe Daniel agency, which is my literary agency. So, of course, I love them so much. And we’ve connected over the years in a lot of different ways. I used to be a blogger in their blog, network and just kind of connected at conferences. And Stephanie has an amazing story that she wants to share with us. So welcome to this show today. Doris [00:03:53]:It’s so great to have you, Stephanie. Stephanie Alton [00:03:55]:Thanks for having me, Doris. I love getting to see you, and thank you so much for having me. Doris [00:04:00]:Thank you. I I appreciate you being on. And we actually tried this once before, but we kind of chatted all the way through, and Stephanie Alton [00:04:06]:we never actually recorded. Doris [00:04:07]:But that was fun, and I enjoyed it. And it was meant to be for that day. You know, sometimes we make plans. You know, God directs our steps, and that was what what was meant to happen that day. So this was meant to happen on this day. So I would love it. So I just you know, how he moves in our lives and everything. And and so I would just love if you would share a little bit about your story and how you’re taking action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Stephanie Alton [00:04:35]:Okay. Well, to touch back to what you were saying the last time we tried to connect, I think, a while ago, today, I was sitting there thinking I was like, oh, no. Not again. This time, it’s gonna be tech issues or something. And so I was thinking, there’s probably gotta be something really good that’s gonna come out of our conversation today. The last time we tried, we just went way off course and chatted all of our time away. And then this time, I’m like, I’m probably well into my appointment time, and I still cannot get in there. So, I’m just gonna believe that our time today is anointed and meant to be something important. Stephanie Alton [00:05:18]:But, I think the most relatable way that I could share that god has moved through my life is how I became a literary agent. And I think it even started when I felt the calling to become a writer. But I’ll I’ll I’ll fast forward through that part and then get to the good another good part because there’s two really divine interactions that I’ve had with writing specific, but this one led me to my job. And I had met Blythe, Blythe Daniel of the Blythe Daniel agency, at a writer’s conference and, pitched her my project. It was my first writer’s conference, and I made every single rookie mistake you can make. So if anyone’s thinking about writing, you’re you’re in good company, and I come with a humble heart. I have made all the mistakes. And I still make mistakes now, so, there’s that too. Stephanie Alt...

Welcome back to another uplifting episode of Fierce Calling! I’m your host, Doris Swift, and today we have a special guest joining us—Amanda Schaefer. Amanda is an inspiring author, speaker, and host of the popular podcast “A Cup of Gratitude.” In this episode, Amanda shares her incredible transformation journey through faith, joy, and gratitude. From encountering Jesus in her home in a powerful way, to using her podcast to spread the gospel during the pandemic, Amanda’s story highlights the power of choosing gratitude and finding joy even in difficult times. Amanda shares about the difficult seasons of two divorces, but don’t miss the praise story of what God did to redeem it all. We dive into her upcoming book, which is set to encourage readers to explore their own stories and discover God at work in every chapter of their lives. Join us for a heartfelt conversation filled with insight, encouragement, and the reminder that our past story is part of our grace story. Stay tuned for an episode that will inspire you to take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Episode Highlights 06:03 Gratitude and Opportunity Beyond Borders 10:56 Testimony: Sharing Stories of Faith 12:29 “Connecting Through Shared Stories” 16:11 “Discovering God’s Purpose in Stories” 19:48 Divine Guidance in Marriage Choices 24:37 Seeking God’s Guidance 26:40 “Journey of Faith and Renewal” 31:01 Journey to Healing and Faith 33:40 Amanda’s Inspiring Show Highlights Connect with Amanda! You can connect with Amanda at acupofgratitude.org where you’ll find her podcast, blog, and all her social media links! Amanda Schaefer is a podcast host, author, and speaker. She carries with her the goodness of looking through a lens of gratitude. The “A Cup of Gratitude” podcast is global, reaching over 112 countries and 3000 cities. As a speaker, Amanda teaches the Bible while challenging audiences to live the way God intends. She has a way of making scripture come alive through everyday examples. Amanda’s books include, “Crumbled, A Place for Broken People” and “Daily “Instaration.” She is a contributing author of “Life Changing Stories and the newly released books, “One Chance, One Dance, Don’t Miss the Moments in Your Life,” and “Courageous Voices Unlocked.” Her books are down to earth and packed with Biblical truth. Amanda has also written articles for “The Brave Women Series,” “The Uncommon Normal Gratitude Series,” “The Love Offering,” “The Warrior Women Series,” “Butterfly Living, “The Empty Nest Mom Series,” and “The Season Series.” She is under contract to write a new manuscript slated to be released in April 2025. Connect with Amanda at www.acupofgratitude.org or on Social media www.instagram.com/acupof_gratitude www.facebook.com/amanda.f.schaefer www.acupofgratitude.org https://youtube.com/@acupofgratitude?si=PF55x6T4ecrs7jdg What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/ Let’s Stay Connected! Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage! Love Fierce Calling? Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for 2025 & 2026! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event… Thanks for Listening! I hope this episode with Nancy encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. You’ll find links in the show notes to connect with Nancy and with me. If you’re looking for a speaker for your next women’s conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift Let’s have a chat about your 2025 event! Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned. Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you. I hope you’ll join me next time when I talk with another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect … Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I’ll talk to you soon. With love and joy, Doris P.S. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for bite-sized wisdom and inspiration from Doris and our incredible guests! ???? Check out my home page for free resources! Transcript Doris:What is threatening to steal your joy? What is it that feels so heavy right now that you could barely stand? God has a plan, and his plan is to surrender it. Surrender it to him. It might be a prodigal. It might be a relationship, a marriage, something with your job. So many things. We have so many amazing blessings, but there are so many things in our life that threaten to steal our joy. I’m Dora Swift, author of the award winning six week Bible study, surrender the joy stealers rediscover the Jesus joy in you and it helps women rediscover the overflowing ever present Jesus joy within that fills, empowers, and ripens the fruit that God produces in our lives. Using personal and biblical stories, I share how you can identify your joy stealers, surrender them to god reawaken the joy within and share the joy with others you can do it on your own or with a group if you’re looking for a bible study check it out friends Surrender the Joy Stealers. Doris:Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You. It’s available on all the online retailers. It’s time to take your joy back. Welcome back to the show. Today, I’m very excited to welcome my friend, Amanda Schafer. She is an author, a speaker, and she is host of a popular podcast called A Cup of Gratitude. And she encourages and invites us to see things through the lens of gratitude, which I love that. And we’re gonna talk a little bit more about that in the show. Doris:But, yeah, she’s amazing. So you listen to podcasts, so be sure to go check that out. And I’ll have the link in the show notes, of course. And we’re just happy to get into this conversation and excited to see where God’s gonna lead us. So welcome to the show, Amanda. So great to have you. Amanda Schaefer:Thank you. Thanks for having me. I’m excited to to talk with you. We have followed each other on social media for a really long time, so I’m gonna have to have you back on my podcast as well. I’m very glad to have this conversation with you. Doris:I’m looking forward to that as well. And, yeah, we love how God connects us. And so this episode is very special, and I just can’t wait to hear, like, how God is gonna lead you and to share. So I would love if you would share a little bit about your story and how you are taking action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect? Amanda Schaefer:Well, how am I not at this point? So I’m 60, and I only came to Christ twenty three years ago. So I had quite a lot of past and quite a lot of trauma that, I needed to work through, but I can’t believe what God is doing in my life right now a...

In this episode of Fierce Calling, Doris welcomes Tawana Lowery, founder of Miss Overcomer Global, a movement dedicated to helping women overcome through Christ and empowering them to become the key women of influence God created. Join us as Tawana delves into her incredible journey of overcoming life’s trials, from personal heartbreak and loss to the powerful epiphany that transformed her perspective on hardships. Discover how these experiences led her to develop a ministry that aids others in connecting with their courage, calling, and the power of prayer. Listen in as Tawana shares her wisdom on the importance of casting cares onto Christ, defeating the enemy’s lies, and embracing our unique calling. Whether you are seeking encouragement or looking for ways to enhance your spiritual journey, this episode is packed with insights that will encourage, inspire, and challenge you! Episode Highlights *Tawana’s personal overcomer story *The forming of Miss Overcomer Global *The power of prayer *Finding God’s faithfulness through hard seasons *God does work all things together for good *Prayer coach academy Connect with Tawana! You can connect with Tawana and find her coaching, speaking info, prayer coaching info, and more at www.MissOvercomer.com Learn more about the Power of Prayer Coaching with this Free Prayer Coach Readiness Quiz… ️ https://bit.ly/PrayerCoachQuiz Let Tawana help to make 2025 your MEGA year for: Mega Impact Mega Purpose Mega Empowerment Discover your Score now https://bit.ly/PrayerCoachQuiz Then book your Free 2025 Planning call with Tawana to discuss your results and your goals. Possibly you were Born for such an Opportunity as this! Tawana Lowery is a dynamic figure in the world of women’s leadership and personal growth. For more than 20 years, she has dedicated her career to Empowering women of Faith as a Leadership Coach, Best Selling Author, International Speaker, and YouTube Host. Connect with Doris! Connect with Doris at https://dorisswift.com/ For speaking engagements, visit her booking page at womenspeakers.com Join us for this heartening episode of Fierce Calling and be inspired to deepen your biblical study and walk with God. What Threatens to Steal Your Joy? Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/ Let’s Stay Connected! Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage! Love Fierce Calling? Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend! Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Now Booking for 2025 &amp; 2026! Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event… Thanks for Listening! I hope this episode with Nancy encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. You’ll find links in the show notes to connect with Nancy and with me. If you’re looking for a speaker for your next women’s conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift Let’s have a chat about your 2025 event! Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned. Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you. I hope you’ll join me next time when I talk with another woman who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect … Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I’ll talk to you soon. With love and joy, Doris P.S. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for bite-sized wisdom and inspiration from Doris and our incredible guests! ???? Check out my home page for amazing for free resources and encouragement! Transcript Doris [00:01:54]:Welcome back to the show. Today, I am excited to welcome my friend, Tawana Lowry. For more than twenty years, she’s been empowering women of faith as a leadership coach, keynote speaker, best selling author, and YouTube host, and prayer coach. She is the founder of Miss Overcomer Global, and she gets joy from helping women overcome setbacks and leap forward with joy and purpose. And I am so excited to get into this conversation with you today. Welcome to the show, Tawana. Tawana Lowery [00:02:28]:Thank you, Doris. I’m so happy to be here. Doris [00:02:30]:This has been an experience, kind of just meeting with you over time and getting to know your heart and how you love to help women to be the overcomers that God is calling them to be. And I know that you have dealt with a lot of struggles and hardships in your life, and I I know that what you share is gonna encourage, inspire, and challenge our listeners. So I would love if you would share a little bit about your story and also how you are taking action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Tawana Lowery [00:03:06]:Yeah. So, you know, we do overcome so that we can help others overcome. Right? Paul talked about that. We are encouraged so we can help others and encourage them. And so, really, when you think about having an overcomer story, it’s almost like it’s ordained to have that because, you know, how else would we have something powerful to offer others if we ourselves haven’t gone through something and come out of it. I like to say that my hardships were multiplied, but God used it all to give me a message, Doris, that multiplies hope. And so, it spans, you know, three decades of just one tragic hardship after another after another. But what stands out the most is I’ll never forget the day that I discovered that my twenty five year marriage had ended. Tawana Lowery [00:04:00]:And it was every woman’s worst nightmare, but it happened to me. You know, it’s amazing how a simple text message can turn your life upside down and wrong side out all at the same time. And that’s kind of my story. And it just kicked off this very, very painful set of circumstances. And if that horrible news wasn’t bad enough, realizing that my marriage was ending came just six months after my mother had suddenly passed away from a stroke. Well, a year later, I hate to say, a year later, my father suddenly died from heart failure. And a couple of days after his memorial, I was in my living room, and I was looking at the pictures on the credenza of family time together and kind of trying to just grasp a happy memory. And so, I was looking at a picture of my father and I and I went to sit it down around all the other beautiful pictures on my credenza. Tawana Lowery [00:05:10]:You know, those photo displays for women, that’s like our trophy case, right? It’s the vacations and the holidays. That’s our trophy case. Well, I had mine, but a lot of those trophies were tarnished. And so, I went to sit back on the credenza, and all of a sudden, I saw those pictures, and I just realized it it represented a life I was never gonna have, you know, a life I had dreamed about that turned out to just disappear. And and it was like sand just going through my fingers, and I couldn’t stop it. It it hurt me so bad, and it was such a hard punch to my emotions. I just dropped to my knees. I just felt nauseated with despair and pain. <p class="wp-bl...