I love today’s inspiring episode with Rebecca Contreras, author of “Lost Girl.” Rebecca’s life story is a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and determination. From growing up in challenging circumstances to becoming an advisor to President George W. Bush, and then a successful entrepreneur, Rebecca’s journey is both compelling and motivational. Tune in to hear how she overcame addiction, trauma, and poverty to achieve remarkable success and give back to her community.

Bio:

Rebecca is a successful entrepreneur and business leader whose company AvantGarde LLC—now over 120 strong—is built upon Godly principles that help both her clients and employees thrive.

Born into poverty to a drug-addicted mother and raised in a religious but totalitarian household, Rebecca’s first experiences with religion often left her with feelings of doubt and disdain. At age 19, Rebecca dropped out of high school and succumbed to substance-abuse and a generational cycle of destruction.

A fresh experience at a local church led her to surrender completely to God, adopting a position of humility, and entering into an active and intentional relationship with Him.

With God as her light, and surrounded by spiritual mentors, Rebecca dealt with the issues and mistakes of her past and embraced transformation in all areas of her life. God filled the trenches dug by rejection and she accepted God’s grace, forgiveness, and the promise of Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Rebecca’s remarkable transformation disproves the lie that anything other than God can be our source of hope and provision. God’s promises came to pass in both her personal and professional life. God rescued her from being a lost girl, brought her to advise a sitting U.S. president, and helped her found and lead a thriving company. God also gave her a loving family with whom she can grow in her faith.

Anchor Verses:

Psalm 139

2 Timothy 1:7

Jeremiah 29:11

Connect with Rebecca:

Website: https://www.rebeccacontreras.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaanncontreras/

Linktree:https://linktr.ee/rebeccacontreras

***We love hearing from our listeners! Sharing your thoughts through reviews is a fantastic way to be a part of our podcast family and contribute to the conversation. If you've enjoyed our podcast, leaving a review is quick and easy! Just head to Apple podcasts or wherever you are tuning in and share your thoughts. Your feedback makes a big difference!***

In today's episode, we dive deep with Julie Plagens, author of "Marriage Interrupted" and "Estranged," as she shares her remarkable journey of overcoming family estrangement and healing from Crohn's disease. Julie's story is one of finding faith, setting boundaries, and learning the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. From growing up in a family that shifted from extreme partying to extreme legalism, to walking away from her family for seven years, Julie's path is filled with lessons on navigating family dynamics, mental health, and spiritual growth.

Bio:

Julie Plagens is a wife, mom, teacher, author, and blogger. Before she married, she taught speech, drama, and English in the Richardson Independent School District. After marriage, Julie homeschooled her two children for a short stint and quickly realized that a school setting was probably better for everyone involved! Julie has volunteered regularly in South Texas doing VBS, construction, and door-to-door witnessing. Now that her children are grown, she works for her husband, writes, and speaks about her books, Marriage Interrupted and Estranged. Julie and her husband have been married for 30 years and live in Texas with their very crazy, 6-pound Shih-Tzu.

Anchor Verse:

Zephaniah 3:17

Connect with Julie:

Website: Momremade.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/julieaplagens/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/julieaplagens

Email: momremade@gmail.com

Books on Amazon: Marriage Interrupted: How to Deal with Unexpected Conflict as a Couple and Stay in Love Estranged: Finding Hope When Your Family Falls Apart, Creating Family Memories

***We love hearing from our listeners! Sharing your thoughts through reviews is a fantastic way to be a part of our podcast family and contribute to the conversation. If you've enjoyed our podcast, leaving a review is quick and easy! Just head to Apple podcasts or wherever you are tuning in and share your thoughts. Your feedback makes a big difference!***

Today is not only the beginning of season 14, but it is also episode 200!!! In today's episode, I have a great conversation with my new friend, Lindsay Roberts, author of “Discover Your True Strength,” to explore her incredible journey of faith, healing, and discovering one’s true worth in God. Lindsay shares deeply personal stories, from being told she couldn’t have children to experiencing miraculous healings, and how she overcame stage 4 thyroid cancer. She emphasizes the importance of relying on God’s strength and how true empowerment comes from Him. Lindsay also talks about her inspiration from working closely with her father-in-law, Oral Roberts, and the profound lessons she learned about faith, strength, and the unique worth of women in God’s kingdom.

We pray this episode encourages you to seek God and His strength first to discover what you are truly worth and how your strength is in and through Him!

Bio:

Lindsay Roberts is a minister, writer, editor, sought-after speaker, wife, mother, and lifelong student of the Bible. She is the host of the inspirational women’s television program Make Your Day Count and the Entirely Unconventional podcast. Lindsay also cohosts, with her husband, Richard,The Place for Miracles, a half-hour interactive broadcast that reaches millions of households worldwide. She is editor and publisher for Oral Roberts Ministries publications, which includes her Make Your Day Count online magazine, and she is the author of numerous books, including Discover Your True Worth. Lindsay and Richard have three daughters and live in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Anchor Verse:

Philippians 4:13

Isaiah 27:5

Connect with Lindsay:

LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/lindsayrobertsofficial

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lindsayrobertsofficial

FB: https://www.facebook.com/lindsayrobertsofficial

***We love hearing from our listeners! Sharing your thoughts through reviews is a fantastic way to be a part of our podcast family and contribute to the conversation. If you've enjoyed our podcast, leaving a review is quick and easy! Just head to Apple podcasts or wherever you are tuning in and share your thoughts. Your feedback makes a big difference!***