God Hears Her Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Guest Bio: Storytelling is Melissa Harrison’s passion. She has been a TV news anchor and reporter for more than 20 years at television and radio stations around the country including at WNBC-TV in New York City, WFAA-TV, and CBS Radio in Dallas. While she is most passionate about telling other people’s stories, she never imagined that she would one day find herself on “the other side” of the headline until she received a phone call that changed her life forever. Melissa was 25 years old and hosting a dinner party when a detective called to tell her that her mom had been murdered. To make matters worse, she discovered that the crime was committed by someone she knew and loved dearly. In an instant, her world changed forever. After experiencing what it was like to have her personal life and deepest pain portrayed in the media, she is writing a book about her story in the hopes that it will encourage anyone who is experiencing pain and loss to know that they can make it through—and to serve as a reminder for journalists of the great privilege and responsibility they have when reporting on other people’s stories of tragedy and pain. She now uses her storytelling and leadership skills to connect people and resources to organizations that empower journalists and business leaders to make a positive impact on the world. One of her greatest passions is connecting and supporting women leaders by creating community and space for them to be fully seen and known. Through women’s events, executive cohorts, retreats, and conferences, she helps women leaders experience healing and renewed purpose through the transforming power of community. 

Show Summary: When was a time in your life where you felt distant from God? How did He bring you back to Him? Last week, we learned about a tragic event that happened in Melissa Harrison’s life. The tragedy caused her to doubt God’s presence as she felt like He wasn’t there for her and her mother. This week, Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy Adkins are back to learn about how God pursued Melissa to bring her back into a relationship with Him. Learn about how Melissa overcame her spiritual crisis with God in this conclusion for season 14 of God Hears Her.  

Notes and Quotes:  

“The thread of His presence [is present] even when we feel like He’s not there.” —Melissa Harrison 

“The Lord sees me. He has been with me all the days of my life. He knows.” —Melissa Harrison 

“We’ve got to stop pretending like we have it all together in this Christian community. We’ve got to be honest when we’re struggling and be able to do so in a safe way, but also in a way that we can really receive the help we need.” —Melissa Harrison  

“Who are you, not compared to one another? What is weakening or polluting what God has designed you to be? What’s in your life that doesn’t belong: is it a habit, a mindset, a relationship?” —Melissa Harrison 

“The biggest thing is just to know that you’re not alone. God sees you. None of your tears are lost. He is holding you right now—even if this is a time of frustration or if you’re feeling forgotten or overlooked, or just questioning: where is God in this moment?” —Melissa Harrison 

“Know that this is not the end of your story. It feels like it sometimes, and it can be terrifying to think that it may not get better or that there’s not going to be a new beginning or a way out, but this is not the end of your story. God is going to be able to use all that you’re going through.” —Melissa Harrison 

“God’s going to be able to use your story to really help someone else. Not only is it going to be redeemed for you, but you’re going to be a light for other people. On the other side is going to be a faith that is very rich, that you’re not going to want to give up.” —Melissa Harrison 

Verses:  

Romans 8:28 

Related Episodes: 

• Melissa Harrison 

Links:  

• Melissa’s Website: https://www.melissaharrison.net/ 

• Melissa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaharrisontv/ 

• 4Word’s Website: https://4wordwomen.org/ 

• God Hears Her website: https://go.odb.org/ghh191  

Guest Bio: Storytelling is Melissa Harrison’s passion. She has been a TV news anchor and reporter for over 20 years at television and radio stations around the country, including WNBC-TV in New York City, WFAA-TV, and CBS Radio in Dallas. While she is most passionate about telling other people’s stories, she never imagined that she would one day find herself on “the other side” of the headline until she received a shocking phone call. Melissa was 25 years old and hosting a dinner party when a detective called to tell her that her mom had been murdered. To make matters worse, she discovered that the crime had been committed by someone she knew and loved dearly. In an instant, her world changed forever. After experiencing what it was like to have her personal life and deepest hurt portrayed in the media, she is writing a book about her story in the hopes that it will encourage anyone who is experiencing pain and loss to know that they can make it through—and that it will serve as a reminder for journalists of the great privilege and responsibility they have reporting on other people’s stories of tragedy and pain. She now uses her storytelling and leadership skills to connect people and resources to organizations that empower journalists and business leaders to make a positive impact on the world. One of her greatest passions is connecting and supporting women leaders by creating community and space for them to be fully seen and known. Through women’s events, executive cohorts, retreats, and conferences, she helps women in leadership experience healing and renewed purpose through the transforming power of community. 

Show Summary: Have you ever received a phone call that forever altered the course of your life? Melissa Harrison was beginning her career as a journalist when she got a call that her mother had been murdered. In an instant, everything changed. Melissa withdrew from her faith and poured herself into her career. Join hosts Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy Adkins as they visit this time in Melissa’s life and walk through the earth-shattering news. You don’t want to miss part one of this God Hears Her conversation. 

Notes and Quotes:  

“When there was suffering, horrific suffering in my story, that was when I really started to question God’s goodness. Is He really omnipresent, and if so, where was He? How do I trust Him?” —Melissa Harrison 

“There were a lot of questions that I was very scared to ask. I didn’t really know how to process an anger with God or to process my questions to God. Am I allowed to question God? Is it okay to do so?" —Melissa Harrison 

“You love somebody so much and you wish you could save them from themselves and the mistakes that they’ve made.” —Melissa Harrison 

Verses:  

Jeremiah 29:11 

Romans 8:28 

Links:  

• Melissa’s Website: https://www.melissaharrison.net/ 

• Melissa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaharrisontv/ 

• 4Word’s Website: https://4wordwomen.org/ 

• God Hears Her website: https://go.odb.org/ghh191  

• Watch the episode on the God Hears Her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GodHearsHerODBM 

• Share Your Story: https://godhearsher.org/share-your-story/ 

Guest Bio: Jessica Herberger is a writer and Bible teacher who delights in connecting faith, history, and human flourishing. She is the author of Peace in the Dark, Life Surrendered, and Break Bread Together. Through her writing and speaking, Jessica encourages others to pursue a deeply formed spiritual life, grow in community, and love others well. Jessica and her husband, Josh, live in upstate New York with their three kids, where she can be found surrounded by books and music with her pup Winston always at her feet. 

Show Summary: When you read the gospels, how often do you stop to think about the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday? Holy Saturday, that often-overlooked day in between, was a day of silence as the disciples and followers of Jesus mourned His death. It was a day of deep grief and painful lament. Jessica Herberger has been in her own Holy Saturdays ever since the death of her mother. Her grief led her to honor Holy Saturday, and she is passionate about teaching people ways that they too can mark the day in between. Join hosts, Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy Adkins, as they learn about Holy Saturday and the ways we can honor it with guest, Jessica Herberger, during this God Hears Her conversation.  

Notes and Quotes:  

• “Holy Saturday is that time chronologically between the end of Good Friday and the beginning of Easter Sunday.” —Jessica Herberger   

• “I believe that there is not one single thing that happened between those days was accidental. I believe that every single thing that happened was God’s kindness and showing His church how to live, and that has to include this 24-hour period of where it feels like nothing is happening.” —Jessica Herberger   

• “[Holy Saturday] makes [the hope of Easter] Sunday all the more richer when we realize that there was this dark, unknown period too. We’re called to hold both.” —Jessica Herberger   

• “At its core, lament is relational. It is a means of demonstrating your personal relationship with a God who hears you, who wants to hear you cry about because you know where to go to cry out.” —Jessica Herberger   

• “As we know who Jesus is, we can then remember His character. Knowing God’s character is really one of the most essential things someone can do to maintain a spiritually healthy life, because it is the filter that we must put everything.” —Jessica Herberger   

Verses:  

• Luke 23:55-56 

Links:  

• Jessica’s Website: https://www.jessicaherberger.com/ 

• Jessica’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessherberger/ 

• God Hears Her website: https://godhearsher.org/ 

How do we follow God’s will for our lives? Some of us have dreams and goals that end up changing over time, or are completely changed by a God who then provides in unknown ways. Finding peace in these moments is hard! Teresa Swanstrom Anderson had a plan for her life when God stepped in and completely altered it! On this episode of God Hears Her, Teresa shares with hosts, Elisa Morgan and Eyn Eddy, how she embraced the unknown and the unexpected good plans of God.

About Our Guest:

An unlikely mom of six children (two biological and four from Ethiopia), Teresa is a community builder, party and beauty lover, author, speaker, and huge “Bible nerd.” Obsessed with helping overwhelmed women learn to slow down with Scripture, Teresa teaches how to say yes to God, lead wherever you are, and create a life you love. She currently has four books published, including three best-selling Bible studies (three more are set to release in the next several years).

Notes and Quotes: 

• Just because you’re passionate about something, doesn’t mean that’s your calling. –Teresa 
• There has to be a time of preparation in our lives. How scary would it be to walk into our calling unprepared? –Teresa
• Sometimes we have to do the hard work in order to accomplish what God is calling us to. –Teresa 
• Sometimes what God has in mind for us doesn’t make sense [to us]. –Elisa 
• The enemy wants us to think that we missed God and His plan. –Eryn 
• If you make time with God, He will make time for you to do everything else. –Teresa

Links: 

• God Hears Her website: https://www.godhearsher.org/
• God Hears Her newsletter sign-up: https://www.godhearsher.org/signup
• Subscribe on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-hears-her-podcast/id1511046507?utm_source=applemusic&utm_medium=godhearsher&utm_campaign=podcast
• Give to support God Hears Her: https://donations.ourdailybread.org/int62.html 
• Elisa’s Instagram: elisa morgan author
• Eryn’s Instagram: eryneddy 
• Teresa’s Instagram: teresa.swanstrom.anderson 
• Teresa’s website: https://heyitsteresa.com

Listen as God Hears Her Podcast hosts Eryn Eddy and Elisa Morgan answer your questions! We’re beginning Season 6 with a special episode moderated by God Hears Her producer Jade Gustafson. From life lessons to friendship advice, join the well-rounded conversation with different perspectives from a range of ages. 

Notes and Quotes: 

• Talking with other women who are rooted in faith, and holding tight to a routine helps me get through the seasons of life. – Eryn 
• Peace is a person, and His name is Jesus. – Elisa 
• We have overexpectations for someone or a group of people to be our best friend who goes through life with us forever. – Elisa
• A body is a container that carries God’s Holy Spirit, no matter what your body looks like. – Elisa
• Grieve the expectations you had and didn’t receive, but then be grateful for the things you do have. – Eryn
• God speaks to each one of His children in a different way. – Eryn
• Our identity will always be in Christ, but how that works and looks changes as we get older and go through different seasons. – Elisa 

Verses: 

• “Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28
• “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33

Links: 

• God Hears Her website: https://www.godhearsher.org/
• Give to support God Hears Her: https://donations.ourdailybread.org/int62.html
• God Hears Her newsletter sign-up: https://www.godhearsher.org/signup
• Subscribe on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-hears-her-podcast/id1511046507?utm_source=applemusic&utm_medium=godhearsher&utm_campaign=podcast
• Elisa’s Instagram: elisamorganauthor
• Eryn’s Instagram: eryneddy

In today’s culture, fathers get a bad wrap. Either they don’t show up for their kids at all, or if they do, they are heavily criticized. On this episode of God Hears Her, hosts Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy talk to Dr. Meg Meeker about the significant role a father plays in our lives. Discover the qualities of a godly father, how to encourage the men in your life to be a strong father, and how to heal from a broken relationship with your own father.

About Our Guest:

Dr. Meg Meeker is a pediatric doctor and the founder of Parenting Great Kids. She is also the author of multiple books, including bestseller Strong Fathers Strong Daughters. She currently lives and works in Traverse City, Michigan with her husband, Walter.

Notes and Quotes: 

• “Assume your husband feels a little intimidated by your daughter.” —Dr. Meg Meeker 
• “Fathers bring something to the home that mothers don’t.” —Dr. Meg Meeker 
• “A mother’s love feels nonnegotiable, but a father’s love feels negotiable.” —Dr. Meg Meeker 
• “Single mothers try to play the role of mom and dad, but they should focus on just being the best mom.” —Dr. Meg Meeker  
• “God can fill any hole we have in our heart.” —Dr. Meg Meeker 
• “Never talk poorly about your husband to your children.” —Dr. Meg Meeker 
• “Dads, your child wants you. A dad doesn’t need a child, but a child needs a dad.” —Dr. Meg Meeker 
• “The truth is we’re all grieving (men and women), because all of our fathers messed up in some way, and that’s why we need Jesus.” —Dr. Meg Meeker
• “We all need perfect love, protection, and peace.” —Dr. Meg Meeker 

Verses: 

• Colossians 2:9–10

Links: 

• God Hears Her website: https://www.godhearsher.org/
• God Hears Her newsletter sign-up: https://www.godhearsher.org/signup
• Subscribe on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-hears-her-podcast/id1511046507?utm_source=applemusic&utm_medium=godhearsher&utm_campaign=podcast
• Elisa’s Instagram: elisa morgan author
• Eryn’s Instagram: eryneddy 
• Free Resource: https://odb.org/US/2018/06/09/the-perfect-father
• Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Dr. Meg Meeker

When you were a kid, how did you feel about your hometown? Did you stay in the same area? Or move around to different places? Growing up involved a lot of transitions and questions of identity for missionary kid Jennie Clevenger. Join Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy in a conversation with Jennie Clevenger as she shares about her past and how it has shaped her life now on this episode of God Hears Her.

About Our Guest:

Jennie Clevenger grew up in Guyana, South America as a missionary kid and is still involved in ministry there to this day. She currently works as a RN at a COVID-19 testing and vaccination center. Jennie’s hope is that her efforts there with her wonderful coworkers will encourage and support the community in any way possible. She is passionate about listening to —and sometimes even butting into—any discussion involving women in the church! She feels a sense of urgency to learn more, read more, and discuss more about the importance of lifting women up in their homes, communities, and the life of the church. She has been married to her husband, Ryan, for thirteen years and they have four beautiful girls. The three oldest are adopted from Guyana.

Notes and Quotes: 

• When our souls get seared that carries with us. —Elisa Morgan
• Adoption is not about saving the world, it’s about being a parent to a child who doesn’t have a parent to love them. —Jennie Clevenger
• I am called to care for people. —Jennie Clevenger
• You are in this world, not of it. —Jennie Clevenger
• God gives us the gift of community. —Jennie Clevenger
• It is strength to acknowledge you are struggling. —Jennie Clevenger

Verses: 

• John 12:25
• Genesis 1:27

Links: 

• God Hears Her website: https://www.godhearsher.org/
• God Hears Her newsletter sign-up: https://www.godhearsher.org/signup
• Subscribe on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-hears-her-podcast/id1511046507?utm_source=applemusic&utm_medium=godhearsher&utm_campaign=podcast
• Elisa’s Instagram: elisa morgan author
• Eryn’s Instagram: eryneddy

Imagine if you dealt with a debilitating migraine every day of your life and doctors didn’t have the right answers to help you heal. What would you do? How would you cope? Dr. Jerome Lubbe experienced this firsthand before becoming a functional neurologist and working to improve people’s well-being. The brain is a complex system, and sometimes the answers to our suffering aren’t easy to come by. On this episode of God Hears Her, hosts Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy talk to Dr. Jerome Lubbe about the brain and the pain a lot of us face.

About Our Guest:

Dr. Jerome is a functional neurologist who knows that healing is possible, even when it feels impossible, because of the brain’s ability to reorganize itself and create new connections. He specializes in complex and unresolved neurological cases because he knows what it’s like to have an undiagnosed issue as he suffered from migraines without any answers for years! His practice also explores how functional neurology, neuroplasticity, and tools like the Enneagram can improve our well-being. Dr. Jerome created and released the first-ever neuroscience based model of the Enneagram in his book, The Brain-Based Enneagram.

Notes and Quotes: 

• Is your pain more like Job’s, Paul’s, or Jesus’? —Dr. Jerome Lubbe
• Sometimes you have to ask yourself if your pain is something you have to die to. —Dr. Jerome Lubbe
• My body was made by a Creator who knows more than me. —Dr. Jerome Lubbe
• Sometimes we think silence is God’s absence. —Dr. Jerome Lubbe
• There is nothing more significant on earth than a deep breath. —Dr. Jerome Lubbe

Verses: 

• Ecclesiastes 3:1–8
• Luke 22:42
• John 17:21

Links: 

• God Hears Her website: https://www.godhearsher.org
• God Hears Her newsletter sign-up: https://www.godhearsher.org/signup
• Subscribe on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-hears-her-podcast/id1511046507?utm_source=applemusic&utm_medium=godhearsher&utm_campaign=podcast
• Elisa’s Instagram: elisa morgan author
• Eryn’s Instagram: eryneddy 
• Dr. Jerome Lubbe’s website: https://www.drjerome.com/
• Dr. Jerome Lubbe’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Based-Enneagram-You-are-number/dp/173329452X/ref=asc_df_173329452X/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=508251227705&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15529146134085583451&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9017520&hvtargid=pla-912777142742&psc=1

When you were growing up, did you have a childhood pet you adored? As an adult, have you faced the loss of pets throughout your life? No matter how old you get, losing a pet is always hard. Join Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy as they talk about their experiences with pets they have loved and have lost on this episode of God Hears Her. 

Notes and Quotes: 

• When your pet can’t do two of the three of their favorite things, you need to take notice of that. —Elisa
• Do our pets connect us with our Creator? —Elisa
• Pets witness our growth and change. —Eryn
• When we prioritize avoiding pain, we pay a deep price. —Elisa’s friend Dorothy Littell Greco (taken from Dorothy’s blog)
• It’s vulnerable to get attached to something you know will pass before you. —Eryn
• God hears even your smallest prayers. —Eryn
• Take the hole you feel in your heart as an opportunity to fast from it, and depend on God to fulfill it. —Elisa

Links: 

• God Hears Her website: https://www.godhearsher.org/
• God Hears Her newsletter sign-up: https://www.godhearsher.org/signup
• Subscribe on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-hears-her-podcast/id1511046507?utm_source=applemusic&utm_medium=godhearsher&utm_campaign=podcast
• Elisa’s Instagram: elisamorganauthor
• Eryn’s Instagram: eryneddy 
• Dorothy’s Blog Post: https://dorothylittellgreco.substack.com/p/on-losing-a-pet?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&s=r

Parenting is hard, especially in our culture today where kids can learn everything from their smartphones and grow up to believe they don’t need their parents. As a parent, you love your kids deeply. But how do you keep showing your love through the ups and downs of parenting?

On this episode of God Hears Her, Dr. Meg Meeker joins hosts Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy to share practical insights and tips about parenting while sharing her own experiences as a pediatrician and parent.

About Our Guest:

Meg Meeker, MD, is a pediatric physician and the founder of Parenting Great Kids, an online community filled with resources for parents and kids. She’s also the author of multiple books that have sold over 700,000 copies! She has spoken on television, podcasts, radio, and  many other speaking engagements. Her goal is to promote physical, emotional, and mental health to all kids. She currently lives and works in Traverse City, Michigan, with her husband, Walter.

Notes and Quotes: 

• “God equips you with everything you need when He puts you in a new, unknown situation.” —Dr. Meg Meeker
• “Kids want to feel more than just loved, they want to know that you want their company.” —Dr. Meg Meeker 
• “As women we so desperately want to do God’s will, but it’s a lot easier than we think.” —Dr. Meg Meeker
• “Let your children know you are with them in the tough stuff.” —Dr. Meg Meeker 
• “Kids are anxious and depressed because they are born into a world of screens and isolation.” —Dr. Meg Meeker 
• “Single parents need to remember to take the high road.” —Dr. Meg Meeker
• “A step parent’s job is not to discipline, it’s to win the child’s trust.” —Dr. Meg Meeker 
• “Listen more and say less.” —Dr. Meg Meeker
• “Anxiety and depression are treatable.” —Dr. Meg Meeker 

Verses: 

• Luke 10:27
• Hebrews 13:20–21

Links: 

• God Hears Her website: https://www.godhearsher.org/
• God Hears Her newsletter sign-up: https://www.godhearsher.org/signup
• Subscribe on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-hears-her-podcast/id1511046507?utm_source=applemusic&utm_medium=godhearsher&utm_campaign=podcast
• Dr. Meg Meeker’s Website: https://www.meekerparenting.com/meet-meg
• Elisa’s Instagram: elisa morgan author
• Eryn’s Instagram: eryneddy

Sensitivity Warning: Includes discussions about child anxiety, sexuality, and severe depression.