“Faith is not an eraser for our past. Faith gives us the ability to go into our past to rewrite it with God.”

*Trigger warning: Mention of sexual assault

Bonnie Gray is an author, an inspirational speaker, and podcast host of Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast. Bonnie touches thousands of lives using storytelling, soul care, and prayer. I’m so excited to have Bonnie here to talk about her most recent book, Sweet Like Jasmine.

“The enemy loves to keep us in shame because then we won’t think strategically.”

Ben Stuart is the pastor of Passion City Church, Washington D.C, and author of Single, Dating, Engaged, Married and Rest & War: Rhythms of a Well-Fought Life. I am so grateful for Ben’s pastoral guidance and passion for leading people towards freedom.

“It’s not just the fact that God cares about Black people. He does, He cares about who we are. But He also cares about the rest of the world, too and He wants to create a family.”

I truly could’ve talked to today’s guest for hours and I’m so excited for you to hear this conversation. Esau McCaulley, PhD is an assistant professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. His book Reading While Black was released in 2020 and is such a beacon of hope – I highly recommend it!

“That is the facade of anxiety. It’s that it will tell you things that are not true or are partly true. But never the full truth.”

A lot of us need that reminder. My dear friend Gloria Umanah is back on The Happy Hour and not only am I excited to share this conversation with you, but I’m so thrilled for Gloria to share the wonderful project she is working on.

It’s been four years since the release of my first book If You Only Knew, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. Back in 2018, we did a mini-series where I interviewed several people and asked them about their “If you only knew…”. An “if you only knew” is something in your life that you feel people would think less of you if they knew about it.

I know it’s only January but this episode will probably go down as my favorite interview of 2022! Two of my favorite people, Dr. Russell Moore and Beth Moore (nope, they’re not related!) are here to bring you a WORD today.

When we can love people and not understand them, it allows so much freedom.”

Those words sum up this interview so well. Taylor Tippett is an Instagram friend and I’m so happy we finally got to chat in real life! Taylor is a flight attendant who is known nationally for leaving random notes on airplanes to make people’s day, which eventually inspired her book Words From The Window Seat.

“It’s healthy for me not to unlock that [phone] until I spend some time in the Word and in prayer.”

This episode came at the perfect time and I can’t wait for you to hear it. Justin Whitmel Earley is a lawyer, author and speaker who is passionate about habits and friendship. I was so intrigued by the title of his book Habits of the Household so I dove right in!

“The worst thing that could’ve possibly happened just happened, and [I’m] okay.”

My dear friend Morolake Akinosun is BACK! In December, we shared her Jamie Ivey Show interview that originally aired on YouTube in February of 2021, but today is her official Happy Hour debut! Morolake Akinosun is a professional track runner, Olympic Gold medalist, and most recently an Emmy Award winner for her work on Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man!

“It’s not about who we are – it’s about who Jesus is because when we discover His identity, that informs ours.

I think I learned the most “fun facts” in this interview than any one I’ve ever done! Pastor Levi Lusko is my guest today and I’m so excited to have him on the show. Levi has been in a pastoral role for 20 years now, and I was first introduced to him from his book Through The Eyes of a Lion.

HAPPY 2022! We want to start off the year a little differently. Back in 2019, we did a mini-series for our Patreon community on goals and dreams. They were such great conversations and still relevant today, so we want to share them with all of our listeners as we begin to plan and dream for this year and beyond.

HAPPY 2022! We want to start off the year a little differently. Back in 2019, we did a mini-series for our Patreon community on goals and dreams. They were such great conversations and still relevant today, so we want to share them with all of our listeners as we begin to plan and dream for this year and beyond.

“I’m not looking back to change something, I’m looking back to learn, to take notes, to be a kind friend to myself so that when I turn around and look forward, I can do it with more intention and more purpose.”

We are closing out 2021 with the one and only Emily P. Freeman! Emily is another Happy Hour veteran and this conversation is the perfect guide to looking back and moving forward.

“One of the unique things about Christmas is that you can bring your joy and your sorrow.” 

I’m so excited to have Dan Darling on the show today! Daniel Darling is a bestselling author of several books, ​​a columnist for World Magazine, and a contributor to USA Today.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about God in the last 20 years it’s that He makes beautiful things out of our messes and out of our ashes.”

Some of you are probably really familiar with my friend Holly Hayes. Her story is full of redemption and she is celebrating 20 years of sobriety, out of trafficking, and a new life in Christ.

Today’s guest is Mitchell Johnson, who works at The Austin Stone as a college director!

Mitchell was just 12-years-old when he was caught in the middle of one of the worst natural disasters in the U.S.: Hurricane Katrina.

“I have no aspirations to be in any title or role other than ‘student of Jesus’ and His way.”

What I love about my friend Kat Armstrong is how much she has overcome to be a faithful follower of Jesus. She is passionate about seeing women come to know the scriptures and show up to learn more about His holiness every day.

Motherhood and careers – we know how hard it can be to balance both and Lauren Petrowski is here to break down this journey for us. Lauren Petrowski is a former host of Good Day Austin and has 15 years of experience as a news anchor. She is now a digital content creator and covers topics from food, home, and fashion. 

“All of this obsession about trying to be thin, making myself small (both figuratively and literally) is not bringing the joy and fulfillment into my life that I want.”

Isabel Garza is a registered dietitian who is on a mission to help women nourish their bodies with confidence. I am so thankful for the work Isabel is doing and her passion to see women find freedom.

“Maybe the Giver of existence is the one who led you to this place. Maybe the dream needed to die because there is a deeper desire in you.”

Profound and brave words from the talented Scott Erickson, also known as @scottthepainter. I love this interview because it speaks to something so many of us have felt at some point in our lives: Realizing that the life you have is not the life you imagined for yourself.