Fierce Calling

When unexpected news pulled the rug out from under Katy Epling’s family, she experienced depression and feelings of uncertainty about her special needs child’s future.  On the day she grabbed that onesie to dress her son, she cried out to God that life wasn’t fair. It was at that moment she experienced a turning point, a pivotal moment when she heard the voice of God. What He said changed her life. What did that onesie say? What did God say? Hear how that unfolded and how Katy is taking action and walking in her Fierce Calling. Her story will inspire and encourage you. Listen in while I have a chat with Katy Epling. We’re talking all about purpose and calling. Katy Epling is a writer and speaker in northeast Ohio. The author of Finding Jesus: A Christmas Devotional, Katy loves to encourage women to root their identity in Christ. Since the day she found herself crying over a onesie, Katy has made it her mission to live on purpose, for a purpose—and to help everyone she encounters to do the same. Her writing has been featured on sites such as The Huffington Post, Today Parents, The Mighty, and Relevant Magazine. Katy and her husband Jon have three beautiful children, who provide her with never-ending material, both dramatic and comedic. When she isn’t writing or speaking, she can be found packing lunches, folding laundry, and making dinner. (And on rare occasions, sipping a chai latte with a friend.) You connect with Katy online at katyepling.com, on Facebook, and Instagram. I’d also love to connect with you so subscribe to this podcast then go to dorisswift.com and subscribe there to receive my inspirational posts straight to your inbox! Join the communities on the Walking Deeper with Doris Swift Facebook page and my Fierce Calling Podcast Facebook page. Fighting fear? God’s truth will help you replace fear with peace. Download these Fear Fighting Scripture Verses and fight back with truth! Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/doris-swift/message

Today I’m talking to friend and author Page Geske. Through disappointments, a life-altering accident, emotional abandonment, major illness, and loss, Page Geske persevered. Learn how she got through these unwanted transitions in her life and how she is bringing hope and inspiration to others through her story. Page Geske is the author of Milepost 95: From Wreckage to Redemption. She is passionate about encouraging and connecting people and inspiring them to navigate transitions triumphantly. She holds a degree in Public Relations from Virginia Tech. Page is mom to Andrew 29, David 23, and Champion 20. She enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, and long-distance road biking in beautiful South East Idaho. Connect with Page at pagesgeske.com  Grab a copy of Page’s book on her website or here: Milepost 95: From Wreckage to Redemption Connect with me at dorisswift.com and subscribe to receive my encouraging posts delivered straight to your inbox. Fighting fear?  These days are especially hard to navigate so download my free 2-page copy of Fear Fighting Scripture Verses Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and I’d love to hear from you! I just created a Fierce Calling Facebook page so we can chat there, too! Fierce Calling Podcast Facebook Page Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/doris-swift/message

What can God do through ordinary women? Amazing things for His glory. What do women like that have in common? They never give up, even in the face of rejection by the world and traveling a sometimes lonely road of faith. Listen in as I have a chat with Jamie Janosz and be encouraged by what God wants to do through you.  Want to win a copy of Jamie’s book, When Others Shuddered: Eight Women Who Refused to Give up?! Comment and share this episode on your favorite social media site for a chance to win.   Jamie Janosz is a wife, mother, writer, and is managing editor for Today in the Word a daily devotional published by Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. She studied theology and writing at Moody Bible Institute, Columbia College, and Illinois State University. In her off-hours, you will most likely find her poking through antique shops, adding to her collections of vintage home decor, furniture, clothing, and purses. Jamie and her husband, Milt, have been married 27 years. They live with their college-age daughter, Sabrina, on the Atlantic coast of Florida. ·  Managing Editor of Today in the Word ·  Author, When Others Shuddered: Eight Women Who Refused to Give Up – 2014 (MP) ·  Former Professor of Communications, Moody Bible Institute ·  Connect with Jamie on her blog: www.jamiejanosz.com I’d also love to connect with you so subscribe to this podcast, share your thoughts, and hop on over to my blog, dorisswift.com, to subscribe and grab some free gifts! Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/doris-swift/message

Do you have a dream? Have you ever said, “One day I would love to….” without believing it could ever come to be? Is there a dream on your heart but you think maybe it’s too late?  Laura Thomas knows all about having a dream and waiting on God’s timing. She shares how she is living out her fierce calling and God-given dream and how it all began. Listen in while I have a chat with Laura. Her story will inspire you to live out your dream, too.  Laura Thomas is a published Christian author and writes heartwarming encouragement for your soul—especially in her romantic suspense, teen fiction, marriage, and children’s books. She’s a chocoholic mom of three and is married to her high school sweetheart. Originally from the UK, they felt led to move to Kelowna, British Columbia twenty-five years ago and now live as audacious empty-nesters.  You can connect with Laura and find all of her social media links and books via her website at laurathomasauthor.com I’d also love to stay connected so subscribe to this podcast, then hop on over and subscribe to my blog at dorisswift.com. Send me a message via my contact page and share your thoughts. When you subscribe you’ll receive my inspirational posts straight to your inbox.  Wondering about your calling?  Download my free ebook, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling to inspire you to take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. That is your fierce calling, friend. Let me know what you think; I’d love to hear from you!    Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/doris-swift/message

In this episode, The Busy Mom’s Guide to Connecting with God, I’m talking with my friend Tara Cole. I’ve known Tara for many years and I love her heart and passion for helping families grow closer to God and each other. Tara shares fantastic and fresh ideas on how to connect with God throughout your day.   Find out what her mom did that made a huge difference in her life growing up. Hear why she is so passionate about helping others connect with God and share their God stories. I know the busy mom’s guide to connecting with God will encourage you! Connect with Us! Tara Cole is a wife and busy mom to three active boys. Her passion is helping moms and their kids deepen their relationships with God. Her works include Abide: 40 Ways to Focus on Jesus Daily and Sacred Pathways for Kids with Christie Thomas. You can find more of her writing at taralcole.com. Here’s the Abide playlist Tara mentioned during the show: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4z7ogXXUcYoCDj6W18xr72 Tara recommended the Blue Letter Bible app for in-depth Bible study. Just grabbed mine! Grab her book on Amazon Abide: 40 Ways to Focus on Jesus Daily To subscribe to Tara’s Abide 5-Day Challenge, go here: https://www.subscribepage.com/Abide5Challenge Have God stories to tell? Share them with Tara here: https://forms.gle/fnGLAat4ZW5FGZ9Y9 –  Let’s continue the conversation in the Fierce Calling Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/500311840678177/ Connect with me, Doris Swift at https://dorisswift.com/

In today’s episode, God Never Wastes Our Pain: Hope for Your Journey, I’m talking with my friend Dr. Michelle Bengtson. Dr. Michelle knows pain and despair firsthand and combines her professional expertise and personal experience with her faith to help others be all God created them to be. Dr. Michelle Bengtson is an international speaker, and the author of the bestselling, award-winning Hope Prevails: Insights From A Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression and the award-winning companion Hope Prevails Bible Study and Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises. She has been a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist for more than twenty years.  Using sound practical tools, she affirms worth and encourages faith. Dr. Bengtson offers hope as a key to unlock joy and relief—even in the middle of the storm. She and her husband of thirty-two years have two teenage sons and reside in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.  Let’s Connect For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Michelle at http://www.DrMichelleBengtson.com  Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Michelle-Bengtson/e/B01IYBJANO?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1580865239&sr=8-1 She is also a popular podcast show host of “Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson” You’ll find the link below. To order Hope Prevails: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/ Connect on Social Media Blog: https://drmichellebengtson.com/category/blog/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrMBengtson (@DrMBengtson) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/DrMichelleBengtson/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmichellebengtson/ Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/Drbhopeprevails/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleBengtson Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-hope-filled-perspective-dr-michelle-bengtson-podcast/id1468018011 or https://apple.co/2madPRo 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/16633-breaking-anxietys-grip-by-michelle-bengtson Here is the link to the pdf of encouraging scriptures Dr. Michelle mentioned in the podcast:  https://drmichellebengtson.com/scriptures-combat-worry-fear-anxiety/ I’d also love to connect with you, so subscribe to this podcast then hop on over to my blog at dorisswift.com and subscribe there too! 

In today’s episode, Healed & Free: Holy Spirit Empowerment for Your Calling, I’m talking with Bridgett Blood. Bridgett currently serves as Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Shawnee Alliance Church in Lima, Ohio. She shares of a powerful encounter that brought extraordinary healing on an ordinary day. It changed her life and flipped everything she believed about Jesus. He became so real to her and now she can never go back to church as usual. What is it like when the Holy Spirit shows up in a powerful, life-changing way? What does it look like to go from knowing about Jesus to experiencing a vibrant, passionate, intimate relationship with Him? What is it like to be a friend of God? Her conviction and calling is to equip others to walk in the full power of the Holy Spirit, and to encourage others to passionately pursue God’s presence. That’s where true freedom is found.   Bridgett is also passionate about equipping others to hear God’s voice and live in intimate friendship with the Holy Spirit. She leads various workshops equipping people to pray with power and have a healthy soul. You’ll often find her drinking coffee, listening to a podcast, crying through a Hallmark movie, or talking about changing her hair color…again. You can connect with Bridgett by visiting www.bridgettblood.com, following her on Instagram @bridgettblood, or you can listen to her host the weekly podcast, Tuesday Talks with Shawnee Alliance Church. The link is on her website. Connect with me at dorisswift.com and while you’re there, grab my free Goodbye, Regret Bible Study and Prayer Journal. 

Welcome to episode 14 of the Fierce Calling Podcast. This podcast is about a community of women who are taking action where their passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. They are answering God’s call on their lives, rising above difficult circumstances, and using their gifts to impact the world for Christ. We serve an awesome God, yet life can take an unexpected turn and what do we do with that? Today I welcome my friend, Mary White. Mary has been in ministry for over 20 years and is passionate about helping others go deep in the word and gain insight into the cultural and geographical aspects of biblical text. But her direction and calling didn’t always look as it does today. After tragedy struck, God called Mary in a new direction and she shares all about her fierce calling, and how she was able to move forward on a new adventure with God.   I hope Mary’s story will spark a new desire in you to take that next step, explore a new opportunity, and walk in your fierce calling.  Mary is pursuing a Masters in Biblical History and Geography at Jerusalem University College. She’s a Bible teacher, speaker, and Licensed Official Worker with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. You can connect with Mary via her email [email protected] I would love to connect with you as well, so check out my blog at dorisswift.com and download my free Goodbye, Regret Bible Study and Prayer Journal. Because who has time for regret when we have a Fierce Calling to walk in? Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/doris-swift/message

Do you or someone you know struggle with food guilt, weight obsession, and yo-yo dieting? In today’s episode, my friend Johnna Myers shares her story of an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise and how she got free. Now she shares this message of freedom with everyone she meets and we are blessed to be among them. Johnna is an energetic, full-of-life communicator who loves to share the transforming rescue of Jesus. In addition to being a police wife and stay-at-home-mom to two teenage girls, she leads women and children at Harvest Church, meets friends for dark coffee and deep conversation, and is really good at making life awkward. She is a faith speaker, Bible teacher, and life preacher who loves helping women know truth, find hope, and live in freedom. Her trademark laugh is big, and her hugs are even bigger! Connect with Johnna at johnnamyers.com, Facebook & Instagram Connect with Doris at dorisswift.com and Facebook. Grab your free sheet of Fear Fighting Scripture Verses

Relationships can be messy, amen? In today’s episode, hear from Licensed Professional Counselor and Mental Health Service Provider, Judy Herman. Judy’s story includes a devastating divorce, a dark season in her second marriage due to her husband’s Bi-Polar Disorder, and a heartbreaking experience at age 16. Through it all, God led her on a path to freedom, wholeness, and the rediscovery of her authentic self. Through all her experiences and training, she is helping others find their way back to their authentic selves. Judy is offering Fierce Calling listeners a special bonus! Buy a copy of her book at your favorite retailer, then go to this special link to claim an additional copy for free, signed personally by Judy. Buy one get one free! One to keep and one to give to someone who needs to hear Judy’s message of hope, healing, and restoration. Grab your copy of Beyond Messy Relationships: Divine Invitations to Your Authentic Self on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart.com, or wherever books are sold. Connect with Judy at judycounselor.com, Facebook. and Instagram. Judy K. Herman, LPC-MHSP is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Service Provider and a National Certified Counselor in Chattanooga, TN. She is the author of Beyond Messy Relationships: Divine Invitations to Your Authentic Self, and speaks at conferences and retreats. Judy graduated from Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee, then earned two Master’s degrees, one from Richmont University in Chattanooga, TN and the other from Liberty University. Specializing in relationships, she helps her clients move beyond conflict in their crucial relationships so they can live a life of vibrant authenticity. She and her husband Joe met through ballroom dancing and enjoy spending time with grandchildren.  They currently reside in the Greater Chattanooga area. Connect with Doris at dorisswift.com and grab her free ebook: Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling: Walking Boldly in God’s Plans for Your Life Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/doris-swift/message

Today I welcome my friend Donna Jensen. Donna is the Executive Director of Grace House Pregnancy Center. She shares her story of the difficult decision she made years ago to have an abortion and how God is now using her to minister to women who also made that choice. After her abortion, her life began to spiral downward, but we serve a God who heals and forgives and brings hope and restoration. Grace House offers hope and life-affirming options for those facing a crisis pregnancy.  Hear about the healing, support, and restoration going on at Grace House and how this ministry got its name. It may seem obvious, but it’s not what you think. Donna is passionate about sharing the value & source of life as well as sharing God’s plan of salvation & biblical truth with others. She and husband, Rod, have been married since 1982 & have 2 grown sons, and 2 teenage granddaughters. She seeks daily to submit to God’s authority, wisdom, and to carry out His heart’s desires for Grace House.

What is it like to rescue children from going into the system?  Listen in as I have a chat with Frances Chaisson. We’re talking about her ministry work at the Rescue Station, health & wellness, and her beautiful adoption story. Frances is passionate about sharing the love of Jesus and bringing hope and encouragement to a world that desperately needs it.  Frances was born and raised in Puerto Rico but has called Florida her home for over 20 years. Frances and her husband Jeff recently became parents of their adopted 16-year-old daughter Renee. Together, Frances and Jeff lead Salty Family Services, a ministry dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect in their community.  When she is not pouring into ministry work, you can find her hanging out with her family, breaking a sweat at the gym, cooking or working on her writing. Frances is a member of Hope*Writers and her desire is that God will use her new blog to encourage others to pursue God and answer His call to GO courageously where He leads them. As a certified wellness coach, she enjoys helping others develop a healthy and active lifestyle. She loves dark chocolate, Starbucks cold brew coffee, and early mornings. Connect with her and follow her blog at franceschaisson.com and https://www.instagram.com/franceschaisson/ and via email: [email protected] I’d love to connect with you as well. Hop on over to my blog at dorisswift.com. I have free gifts for you there. Grab my free list of Fear Fighting Scripture verses! I also want to give you my free ebook, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling. Need a speaker for your next women’s event? Check out my speaking page at dorisswift.com/speaking Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/doris-swift/message

Have you ever experienced a spiritual wilderness? In this episode, I’m talking with Corella Roberts. Her Fierce Calling thus far includes a difficult season in bush Alaska and adventures in Thailand. Hear what she learned during her spiritual wilderness, what her family is currently praying and waiting for, and how God is using her in a land that is less than 1% Christian. Plus she’s writing a book and we get to hear the details. Listen in! To connect with Corella visit corellaroberts.com on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/corella.roberts/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/corellaroberts/ Born and raised in northern Idaho, Corella’s love for books and writing developed at an early age. After high school, she ventured off to St. Paul, MN where she earned a degree from the University of Northwestern and first heard the call to be a missionary teacher. She married her high school sweetheart, Troy Roberts, and they moved to teach in a village of about fifty people in bush Alaska. After seven years, during which time they almost gave up on missions entirely, God saw fit to rekindle their desire to teach in unreached parts of the world. That’s when they moved to Chiang Rai, Thailand. They have two spunky children who love sloths and hamsters, they eat cheap Thai food to their hearts’ content, and they support the amazing community of missionaries there through teaching and organizing community events. Recently, God has invited Corella to return to her passion for writing, and she is working on a book about the literal and spiritual wilderness she experienced in Alaska, and the surprise of finding God’s fingerprints all over that part of her story. Connect with Doris at dorisswift.com

What would life be like if you could hear God’s whispers of love to you? He longs to have those conversations with you. As you connect with God, you find out more about your own heart.  You can discover new ways to pray and listen that allow two-way conversations with Him. In this episode, I’m talking with Nancy Booth. Nancy is an author and Certified Spiritual Director who walks alongside you as you seek to hear more of what God has for your daily living and purposes. She is wife to Jim and Grandma to her four precious grandchildren. They show her how to be fully present and experience joy in the moment. She would love to connect with you over zoom, discovering what your hopes and dreams are for hearing more of God.  She can help you explore different ways to pray, like breathe prayer, imaginative prayer, and scriptural prayer. You can have more of God in your life living free, peaceful and calm.  Connect with Nancy at www.mysacredmoments.com or [email protected] for spiritual direction and a weekly encouraging blog.  Website: www.mysacredmoments.com Facebook: My Sacred Moments https://www.facebook.com/NancyBBooth/ Connect with Doris at dorisswift.com or [email protected] Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/doris-swift/message

In this episode, You are Loved, I’m talking with author, speaker, and coach Danielle Bernock. Danielle didn’t always believe God loved her. Losses, traumas, and lies sent her running from God. So what happens when a girl is taught that what the Bible means about dying to self is that our true self is not worthy of God’s love? Instead of it being told dying to self meant taking up our cross and following Christ in our born again new self, a lie was planted and she believed that her self was worthless and not worthy of God’s love. Danielle had to overcome lies of Christian legalism and through God’s love, she found freedom. Danielle wants you to know you matter. You matter to God and you matter to her. Listen in while I have a chat with Danielle Bernock. Danielle Bernock is an author, speaker, and coach who helps people embrace their value, heal their soul through the power of love, and take ownership of their life, to become wholehearted thrivers, who are living a good and satisfying life, making a difference in the world. Connect with her and find her books at daniellebernock.com. Other ways to connect with Danielle: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn Connect with me at dorisswift.com and grab your free, downloadable Fear Fighting Scripture Verses.

What if your breakthrough was one shift in perspective away? In this episode,  A Shift in Perspective, I’m talking with my friend Abby McDonald. She shares her passion for women finding their identity in Christ instead of the noise of the world. We talk about hard times, good times, and how God is in it all. Sometimes all it takes is a shift in perspective. Abby McDonald is the author of Shift: Changing Our Focus to See the Presence of God. She is also a blogger, speaker, wife, and mom whose work has been featured on Proverbs 31 Ministries, (in)Courage, For Every Mom, Crosswalk, and more. Grab a copy of her book at shiftbook.org   Abby McDonald is passionate about empowering women to grow in faith and hope, even when life is messy. She earned a BA in English from the University of South Carolina and teaches writing workshops both online and at conferences each year. Abby lives with her husband and three children in western Maryland. You can connect with her at www.abbymcdonald.org, on Instagram @abbymcd7, and Facebook.

In today’s episode, Victory Over Trauma and Dysfunction, I’m talking with Rhonda Marie Stalb. She is no stranger to trauma and dysfunction. After a horrifically traumatic event, Rhonda was compelled to step into her passion, compassion, and conviction to help others walk in freedom. “When I was 19, I married my first husband. I was starving for love and connection with someone. So, I put my heart in the hands of the first one who was willing to take it. Big mistake! The relationship was unhealthy and extremely dysfunctional right from the start… Check out these ways to connect with Rhonda: https://rhondamariestalblmft.com/ https://www.facebook.com/rhondamariestalbmft/ https://www.instagram.com/rhondamariestalblmft/ Connect with Doris here and get a free downloadable resource, Fear Fighting Scripture verses, when you join her email list. All free! You’ll receive great resources and encouragement about once a month straight to your inbox!

Kathy Burrus never intended to be an author. That changed the day after her daughter Leisha died. In the back of Leisha’s journal, Kathy found Chapter One of a book her daughter had begun. Leisha started by telling the love story of her parents and ended the chapter with “…and then I was born, Leisha D. Burrus”. At that moment, Kathy knew she was meant to finish the book. Her first book, Lovely Traces of Hope,  tells their story: Kathy’s, Leisha’s, their family’s. But it is really the story of how God showed up with hope and was Kathy’s guide through the tunnel of grief to find life again. Her second book, EnVision YOU: UnStuck and Confident (which just came out in Sept of 2019), is for the woman who wants to make her difference but feels stuck.  It might be grief, but Kathy talks about a myriad of other ways we might be stuck.  How would you feel to be free of the stuck places and making your remarkable difference? Kathy is a lover of stories, and more importantly, of the people who live those stories. She chose to become a certified professional life coach to take this a step further and help women hear, through their own stories, who they are and how they are making a difference in their world. She loves to help them intentionally design hope as they engage their life, empower their love in marriage, and even embrace their loss. Drawing from her experience as a life coach and from years in ministry as a worship leader and as the wife of a pastor, Kathy has found her author’s voice. In her writing, she shares a message of hope and healing to women that is authentically transparent. Kathy and her husband Rennie, have been married for over 40 years and make their home surrounded by the cornfields of Columbus Grove, Ohio. Connect with her at https://www.kathyburrus.com/ and Facebook 

Does Bible study intimidate you? Well, friend, you’re not alone. Join me as I chat with Eva Kubasiak and learn about her unique way of studying the Bible. Her Fierce Calling is teaching and breaking down the barriers to Bible study. She loves helping others learn and love God’s word. She wants to help you meet God on the pages of the Bible. Go from intimidated to confident in your approach to scripture with her course, The Word in Color.  You can connect with Eva here: https://www.evakubasiak.com/ https://www.instagram.com/evakubasiak/ https://www.facebook.com/evakubasiak/ You can also connect with me on my website and grab my Fear Fighting Bible Verses at https://dorisswift.com/ Check out this Spiritual Gifts Assessment I referenced in the podcast.

In today’s episode, Simply Called, I’m talking with my friend Michelle Spanos. Through a significant trial, Michelle continues to trust God and her message of joy and hope will inspire you.  She share’s her discovery of being simply called and how you can apply this truth to your life, too. Michelle is a wife, mom, grandma, and a child of God with a Fierce Calling.  You can connect with Michelle on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mspanos/ and her blog: http://thusfarwithgod.blogspot.com/ 

In this first episode, You Have a Fierce Calling, it’s just me and you. We’re talking about why you have a fierce calling. We’re talking about lies, comparison, and my story of a teen pregnancy.  I share my personal stories and encourage you to step out of your doubt and into the divinely designed call on your life.  I hope this first episode will encourage and inspire you. I also hope you’ll stick around with Fierce Calling. Subscribe so you won’t miss an episode! I also invite you to join my email list. I’ll send you great resources and encouragement straight to your inbox monthly. You can join for free by grabbing my free ebook, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling. My free gift to you! Be blessed and remember, every woman of God has a Fierce Calling and that means you, friend. Blessings of Peace & Joy, Doris