Do you ever compare yourself with others? Check out this conversation with author and podcast host Shannon Popkin.

In this episode, we have a podcast inception—yes, a podcast within a podcast. The hosts of the Freely Given podcast join me on the Mercycast. Katie Koplin, author of Encouragement for Motherhood, and Gretchen Ronnevik, author of Ragged, share their perspectives on being comfortable with being uncomfortable. We explore how the gospel meets us in our discomfort and talk about seasons in life and how, because of Christ, discomfort is not permanent or defining.

This week, rather than hearing a story, I want to pause and discuss the importance of sharing our stories and being vulnerable. Whether you believe it or not, everyone has a story that matters, and our stories have the power to impact others.

Julie Sunne, author of Sometimes I Forget, 60 Reminders of Hope for Your Hard Days, joins me to share her personal experiences of suffering, including miscarriages and caring for her daughter, and how these challenges have deepened her faith.

How do we heal? In this episode, I am joined by Jay Stringer, a licensed mental health counselor and author of the award-winning book Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing.

In this episode, I talk with Ginny Owens about her journey of starting over and finding light amid suffering. Ginny Owens has spent the past two decades sharing her heart with listeners and readers as a singer/songwriter, author, teacher, and advocate. Her new book, Singing In The Dark, shows how we can experience light in the middle of our suffering.

How do we know who to trust in life’s most harrowing moments? In this episode, I sit down with Anita Anello, a business owner and successful software executive, and we discuss the life experiences that taught her this lesson. Tune in!

In this episode, Raleigh Sadler interviews Anne Basham, founder of the Inter-Parliamentary Task Force on Human Trafficking, about the importance of influencing policy to address modern slavery. They discuss the dangers of well-meaning intentions in orphanages and the need for foster care as a better alternative.

"How do I walk through this in a way that it's used for something that has a greater purpose than maybe I would have chosen for myself?"

In this episode of the Mercycast, Raleigh Sadler talks with Valerie Althaus about living with chronic pain. Valerie shares her personal experience of living with chronic pain and how she has learned to manage it. She emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive community and engaging in hobbies that bring joy and distraction. Valerie also discusses the internal work of accepting and reframing pain, shifting from asking 'why' to asking 'how' to live with it. She encourages listeners to start where they are, acknowledge their pain, and find hope in the bigger picture of eternity.

What do we do when we can’t do what we want to do?

In this episode, Marilette Sanchez, a New Yorker as well as a field director with FamilyLife, shares her journey of navigating identity crises and finding purpose in her vocation in the midst of life's challenges.

Can you return the "gift" of singleness? Can you get store credit?

In this episode, Raleigh Sadler and Ryan Wekenman, drawing from their personal experiences, explore the challenges of singleness and the significance of finding community and embracing the present moment. They candidly discuss the well-meaning but often hurtful comments single people receive and the societal pressure to find a spouse. Ryan shares his journey of self-discovery and learning to invite God into his singleness. Raleigh reflects on the gift of singleness and the need to reframe our perspective on singleness as an opportunity for growth and connection with God and others. The conversation is a deep dive into viewing singleness in a different light and finding gratitude in every stage of life. It underscores the importance of embracing weaknesses, owning who you are, and not comparing yourself to others. They even share their unique experiences of being single pastors and the misconceptions surrounding singleness. The main takeaway is a call to celebrate where you are, whether married or single.

Are you familiar with the Enneagram?

There are lots of opinions on it. Sometimes, people say positive things, while others do not. In this episode, we are privileged to have Christa Harden, a relationship coach, podcast host, and author of the new book The Enneagram in Marriage: your Guide to Thriving Together in Your Unique Pairing, join us. Christa's journey with the Enneagram and how it revolutionized her marriage is truly inspiring. She also addresses criticisms of the Enneagram, highlighting its transformative power as a tool for self-reflection and understanding rather than a means of labeling or judging others. Together, we emphasize the importance of fostering healthy relationships and finding safe people to support our growth and healing as we navigate our unique journeys.