Unexpected with Hannah Love

“The deepest thing is having a life partner.”In this episode, Shay and I sat down for something a little different — a rapid fire Q&A (that turned into a heartfelt conversation, of course).We talk about the funny, the messy, and the meaningful — from who takes longer to get ready, to what marriage has really taught us about love, faith, and vulnerability.In this episode, you’ll hear us talk about:• Our love story (and how we knew)• What freedom in marriage really means• Strength through vulnerability• Building a marriage rooted in faith and grace• The beauty of growing together — not apartScriptures we’re reminded of:• Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 – “Two are better than one…”• Ephesians 5:25 – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church…”I hope this one reminds you that love — real, lasting love — takes faith, friendship, and a lot of grace.Hannah’s Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unexpected.hannahlove/Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/hannah.billingsley/Website: https://unexpectedwithhannahlove.com/Shay’s Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaymooney/Website: https://www.danandshay.com/

Friends, this episode is such a special one for me—I get to sit down with my husband, Shay Mooney, and share some of the most unexpected moments that have shaped our lives.We talk about:• The power of words spoken over us and how they shape identity (Proverbs 18:21)• Pivotal life decisions that seemed small at the time but changed everything• The importance of speaking life over our children, our marriage, and our community• Finding God’s faithfulness even in seasons of uncertaintyShay and I both share personal stories—his journey from small-town Arkansas to music, and mine from Miss Arkansas to meeting him. Looking back, we see God’s hand orchestrating every step, even the detours.One of my favorite reminders from this episode comes from 1 Timothy 1:18—Paul tells Timothy to “remember the words spoken over you and use them as a weapon.” Words matter. What we say to each other and to our children can change the course of a life.I hope this conversation encourages you to look at your own story and see God’s fingerprints in the unexpected.Hannah’s Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unexpected.hannahlove/Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/hannah.billingsley/Website: https://unexpectedwithhannahlove.com/#FaithJourney #ChristianPodcast #UnexpectedPodcast

Welcome back to Unexpected with Hannah Love!Today I’m joined by my sweet friend, Meshali Mitchell — photographer, author, and powerful voice for healing and restoration.💛 Meshali shares her personal journey through brokenness, how pain demanded to be felt in her life, and how God began a slow, beautiful restoration work — not just in her home, but in her heart. We talk about the importance of surrender, confronting the tapes playing in our minds, and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us into true healing.This conversation is full of honesty, hope, and encouragement for anyone walking through hard seasons. Remember: nothing is too broken for God’s hands to restore.Scriptures Mentioned: • 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (Taking thoughts captive) • Matthew 6:26 (Consider the sparrows) • Romans 8:28 (All things work together for good)📖 Meshali’s New Book: Restored: A Modern-Day Parable of Hope and HealingGet your copy here: https://www.meshali.co/Guest Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meshali/Hannah’s Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unexpected.hannahlove/Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/hannah.billingsley/Website: https://unexpectedwithhannahlove.com/⸻

I’m getting real about postpartum — the beautiful, messy, and often overwhelming side of new motherhood. I’ll share my own experience, from the emotional rollercoaster to the physical recovery (hello, C-section life) and what it was really like navigating life as now a mom of 4!I know firsthand how isolating postpartum can feel, and my hope is that by opening up, you’ll feel a little less alone and a lot more understood. We’ll talk about giving yourself grace, leaning on your people, and finding the strength you didn’t know you had. So, if you’re in the thick of it, preparing for it, or just curious about what postpartum is really like, this one’s for you. Let’s have an honest conversation — because you’re not alone.

Finally got the chance to sit down and answer some of the questions you left for us!

Boy, pregnancy really has a way of working muscles you don’t love working. I mean that in every way… physically AND spiritually. Don’t get me wrong, everything about pregnancy is miraculous…it is a gift and a privilege. BUT, it is also a lot of work. The thing about that work is most of it is unseen or unnoticed. The first trimester is just waiting… feeling horribly sick and more tired than words can describe. Honestly, it can be a frustrating time! Nobody knows you’re expecting yet. Even if they do know, it doesn’t appear evident. But day in and day out, you’re reminded. Your body is changing and preparing and the ONLY ONE who feels it is YOU. Isn’t that the way it is, though? Before we birth something new? There is always a process God takes us through. You’ll never meet a speaker who just walked onto stage one day in front of an audience of thousands. Not without years in the trenches of preparation. You’ll never meet a singer who wakes up to fame one day without putting in the years of behind the scenes work, songwriting and performing. You’ll never meet a famous athlete, an incredible author, a gifted chef, an acclaimed artist, an incredible parent, or a successful business owner who just made it without going through the preparation. And the thing about all of it is, once again, the world doesn’t see that part. Rather, the person living it is the one. They feel every failure, endure every “no”, defeat, or setback… and they are the ones with the choice to keep going or give up. Anyway, the real kicker, and the original connection I had never made (until our pastor pointed it out), was the REASON. The reason behind the wait. He went on to explain that during that time, culturally, Rome began conquering all. With this came the expansion of the roman kingdom and roman roads. Really, these roads were the catalyst for world-change: in communication, in transportation, in economy and culture and kingdom growth! These roads are still in existence. They were so well-constructed… and that work was done by nameless and countless people over the course of hundreds of years. No, we don’t know their names. No, we don’t know the amount of hours and sweat and backbreaking work that went into this preparation… but because of the efforts..because of this time of laborous preparation the whole world would be affected. Including, the new Testament church and the spread of the Gospel all over the world. The great commissioning. When you put it in these terms, its kind of mind blowing. God orchestrated it in such a way that one man would conquer a vast portion of the known world, and that man would construct and orchestrate one of the most world-changing infrastructures ever known. Now, I’m certain Alexander the Great wasn’t doing this to spread the gospel. BUT, God did know. Just as He knew he could use man to bring out His divine plan: part of which was to prepare the way for the coming One. The Messiah. The man who changed the history of the world beyond it… And THAT is where the new testament begins. 400 years later. Yes, its easy for me to say as a heavily pregnant woman. The womb is the sacred space for waiting. In darkness. Protected. Alive and growing. And trust me when I say, its hard, too. Hard not to know what the future will hold. The details feel blurred. How will delivery go? Who will this child be and what, even, will they look like. There is expectation but also the unknown. But can I tell you this? Nothing is unknown to God. He knows the promise at the other end. He knows the purpose in the wait, even if we cant see it yet. This instant gratification world we live in makes it even harder, I suspect, to wait with patience.

We are back with part 2! Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development as major motion pictures. Karen recently opened her own film company called Karen Kingsbury Productions. The company’s first theatrical movie, Someone Like You, is considered one of the most anticipated movies of the year. For more information visit SomeoneLikeYou.movie. Also, the first three seasons of Karen’s Baxter Family books are now an original series called The Baxters on Prime Video. Karen and her husband, Donald, live in Tennessee near their children and grandchildren.

Kate Battistelli is a speaker, author, podcaster, and former actress in the Broadway Theatre world. She loves equipping women to walk into their destinies and take their own personal God Dares. A natural encourager to believe that God has a divine purpose for everyone…planned before the foundation of the world. Check out her amazing podcast Mom To Mom!