A Woman’s Heart with Lisa Granger

Sue Donaldson: The Gift of Community One Invitation at a Time

On this episode of A Woman’s Heart, Lisa sits down with speaker, author, and podcaster Sue Donaldson to talk about her latest book, Never Alone, and the life-changing power of hospitality.
From casual “wine nights” to mentoring young adults and creating spaces where both Christians and non-Christians feel seen and loved, Sue explains how hospitality is far more than entertaining—it’s a reflection of God’s character and an opportunity to point people toward Jesus.
The conversation dives into faith, community, trusting God through difficult seasons, and how opening our homes can become a form of personal growth and sanctification. Through heartfelt stories and practical wisdom, Sue encourages listeners to stop striving for perfection and instead focus on making people feel welcomed, valued, and connected.
Key Takeaways
Hospitality is about serving and connecting with people, not impressing them.
Small acts of welcome can create deep relationships and open doors for faith-filled conversations.
God uses hospitality to transform both the guest and the host.
About Sue Donaldson
Speaker, author, and podcaster Sue Donaldson lives in San Luis Obispo with her husband, Mark. A former high school English teacher, Sue also taught in Brazil with Wycliffe Bible Translators. She and Mark have raised three daughters, and Sue has spent the last 20 years speaking, writing, and encouraging others to connect people to one another, to God, and to His Word. She blogs and hosts the podcast WELCOME HEART: Living a Legacy Life. Learn more at Welcome Heart.
To listen to Sue’s previous conversation: Leaving a Beautiful Legacy
Connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

Melissa Rymer: Victim to Warrior—Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

What does it take to break free from narcissistic abuse—and rebuild your life with faith and purpose? Melissa Rymer shares her powerful journey of escaping an abusive marriage and turning her pain into purpose—now helping others recognize the signs of narcissistic abuse and begin their own healing process.
They unpack key red flags, including the critical warning sign of when words and actions don’t align, and how narcissistic relationships slowly erode self-worth. Melissa offers practical, faith-centered tools for recovery, from journaling for clarity to breaking emotional ties and reconnecting with your true identity.
Key Takeaways:
Recognize the red flags of narcissistic abuse—especially misaligned words and actions
Use journaling and self-reflection to regain clarity and rebuild your identity
Lean on faith and community to move from surviving to thriving
Melissa Rymer is a certified narcissistic abuse recovery and divorce coach, author, and co-founder of the Victim to Warrior Method. A survivor herself, she empowers others to break free from toxic relationships and reclaim their strength, clarity, and purpose. She’s the author of nine books, including Victim to Warrior, and co-hosts the Warrior Talk! podcast with her husband, John, sharing real conversations on healing and empowerment.
Resources Mentioned:
Victim to Warrior: The Ultimate Guide for Narcissistic Abuse Recovery by Melissa Rymer
Victim to Warrior Method (quiz, support, community, and coaching)
Learn more and access resources:
https://victimtowarriormethod.com/heart/
Connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

Lady Jen Du Plessis: Breaking Free from Hustle to Harmony

In this powerful episode of A Woman’s Heart, Lisa sits down with Lady Jen Du Plessis—speaker, author, and business leader—to talk about transformation, identity, and living a life led by inspiration rather than pressure.
Lady Jen shares the story behind her childhood nickname, “Jenny Who Ain’t Got a Penny,” and how that early identity shaped her drive and work ethic. Lady Jen opens up about her struggle with workaholism and the pivotal moment that changed everything—realizing she was missing meaningful family time while consumed with business. That wake-up call led her to develop her life-changing philosophy: shifting from hustle to harmony.
Together, Lisa and Lady explore:
Breaking free from hustle culture without sacrificing success
Why clarity often comes after taking action, not before
Learning to trust your intuition when God is calling you forward
Lady Jen Du Plessis is a globally recognized business scaling expert, media personality, and host of three top-ranked podcasts, including Mortgage Lending Mastery. With over 40 years in finance and $400M+ in revenue generated, she’s known for her 5-Step Hustle to HarmonEY system, helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses while reclaiming their time. A bestselling author and international speaker, she equips leaders to elevate their influence and impact through media and relationships.
🔗 Learn more about Lady Jen and her work: www.ladyjenduplessis.com 
To connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch: Healing Power of Your Story to overcome

Have you ever experienced church hurt or struggled to share your story? In this episode of A Woman’s Heart, Lisa Granger talks with Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch—Founder and CEO of Altered Stories Ministry, host of the Altered Stories Show podcast, and author of The Story Within You: The Healing Power of Your Story.
Mischelle shares her personal journey of healing from church hurt, abuse, and the pain of being a childhood cult survivor. Through prayer, forgiveness, and trusting God’s leading, she found freedom and purpose—and now helps other women share their God stories.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:✨ The power of sharing your testimony✨ Forgiveness and letting go of unforgiveness✨ How God can use your story for His glory
Mischelle is a speaker and ministry leader passionate about helping women embrace the healing power of their stories. She’s a wife, mother to her adult daughter, Gigi, and dog mom living in Missouri.
Learn more about Mischelle and Altered Stories Ministry: https://alteredstories.org/
Connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

Carol McCracken: Addiction to Redemption, Second Chance at a Better Life

What does it look like when God rewrites your story? In this episode of A Woman’s Heart, Lisa sits down with Carol McCracken—speaker, author, Bible teacher, and podcaster—to talk about redemption, second chances, and the faithfulness of God through life’s hardest seasons.
Carol shares her deeply personal journey from what she once considered a “boring” life to navigating overwhelming challenges, including raising a child with special needs, struggling with alcohol addiction, and walking through divorce. But her story doesn’t end there.
Through the support of community and the life-changing impact of AA, Carol found healing and freedom. In a beautiful display of God’s redemption, she and her ex-husband reconciled and remarried—something they both believe was divinely orchestrated.
This conversation is a reminder that no season is wasted. God can use every struggle to shape our purpose and draw us closer to Him.
Key Takeaways:
God does not waste our pain—He redeems it
Isolation can deepen struggles, but community brings healing
God equips you for the calling He places on your life
About Carol McCracken
Carol Ogle McCracken is a podcaster, speaker, Bible teacher, and author who brings the written Word of God to life, inspiring women to pursue a personal and vibrant relationship with Him. Through her authentic storytelling—including her journey through alcoholism—Carol shares Biblical truths with real-life application and humor, helping women connect to their God-given purpose.
🌐 Learn more: https://www.carolmccracken.com/
Connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

Cherie Nettles: Faith, Miracles, and the Astonishing Power of Story

What if your story—no matter how ordinary it seems—holds the power to impact someone’s eternity?
In this inspiring episode of A Woman’s Heart, Lisa sits down with Christian comedian and storyteller Cherie Nettles to talk about faith, healing, and the life-changing power of sharing your story.
Cherie opens up about her incredible journey, including a 24-year battle with rheumatoid arthritis and a shocking ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2002—when doctors gave her just 90 days to live. Yet today, more than two decades later, she is cancer-free without treatment, boldly declaring the goodness and power of God.
Cherie Nettles is a Southern born and raised knee-slapping, belly-laughing people magnet. She is a comedienne, humorist storyteller, Certified Laughter Leader, Bible teacher, motivational speaker and writer. Cherie is a hilarious overcomer. From overcoming an abusive childhood, being diagnosed in her teens with a crippling disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and being a 22-year Ovarian cancer survivor, she learned quickly that sorrow brings sickness while joy brings healing. 
💛 In this episode, you’ll learn:
How Cherie responded to a life-altering cancer diagnosis
Why your personal story is one of the most powerful ways to share your faith
How God can use humor and storytelling to bring healing and hope
Cherie reminds us that while people may debate theology, they cannot deny a transformed life. Your story matters—and it might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
🔗 Connect with Cherie Nettles: https://www.cherienettles.net/
🎧 Listen & Share:
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs hope today.You can find more episodes at lisagranger.com and wherever you listen to podcasts.

Deena Adams: Opportunities for Faith & Redemption in the Storms of Life

In this heartfelt episode of A Woman’s Heart, Lisa sits down with author Deena Adams to talk about her powerful debut novel, Stronger Than the Storm—a story rooted in real-life experiences and deep faith.The book explores themes of family, forgiveness, identity, and redemption. Deena opens up about the personal journeys that inspired the story, including her daughter’s prodigal path and her own emotional experience of discovering her biological father.This conversation is a powerful reminder of the healing that comes through honesty, vulnerability, and trusting God in the midst of life’s storms. Deena also encourages listeners to step into their God-given passions, reminding us that it’s never too late to use your story to help others find hope and healing.As a Jesus girl for over thirty years, and a pastor’s wife for most of those, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life. This belief fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true-life stories. She is a Certified Mental Health Coach, a multi-award-winning author, an active ACFW member, and a six-year ACFW Virginia board member.Key Takeaways• God can bring redemption from even the most painful situations • Freedom comes when we release the opinions of others • It’s never too late to pursue what God has placed on your heart Learn more about Deena, her book, Stronger Than the Storm, and her ministry by visiting her website and connecting with her on social media. https://deenaadams.com/ If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs hope today.Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review A Woman’s Heart so more women can be inspired and uplifted. www.lisagranger.com

Lisa Granger: How to SOAR: Surrender, Obey, Act, and Trust God with the Results

What if your “word of the year” became more than just inspiration…what if it became a process for transformation?
In this solo episode of A Woman’s Heart, I’m sharing the story behind my 2026 word: SOAR. What started as a simple, inspiring word turned into something much deeper—an acronym that reflects a daily, intentional walk with God: Surrender. Obedience. Action. Results.
This wasn’t a flashy, instant decision. It was a slow burn—filled with overthinking, prayer, and God patiently nudging me toward clarity. And in a moment (yes, even in the shower!), God revealed that SOAR wasn’t just about rising higher… it was about how to get there.
In this episode, we talk about:
What it really means to surrender (and why it’s not as scary as it sounds)
The difference between obedience and just “doing the right thing”
Why action is where faith becomes real
How to trust God with the results, even when they don’t look like what you expected
If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re going in circles, this episode will encourage you to take the next step—no matter how small—and trust God with the process.
Reflection Questions:
What is God asking you to surrender?
Where might He be calling you to greater obedience?
What action have you been putting off?
Are you trusting Him with the results?
Shows on Surrender:
Mary DeMuth: Finding Genuine Freedom in God Through Surrender
Natasha Lynn Daniels: The Unexpected Beauty and Peace Found in Surrender
Shows on Obedience:
Joni Topper: Yes to God for a Surprisingly Joy-Filled Way
Jen Hand: Step Out in Faith, Say Yes to God
Shows on Action:
Lisa Granger: Are You Willing to do What it Takes to Live a New Life
Karen Ehman: Reclaim a Life of Priorities and Passions
Let’s Connect:If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend and let me know your word of the year!Visit: lisagranger.com

Crickett Keeth: How to Live for Eternal Significance

What does it really mean to live a life that matters?
In this episode of A Woman’s Heart I sit down with Bible teacher and author Crickett Keeth to talk about her latest Bible study, Living Out a Life That Matters: A Study of 2 Timothy. Together, we explore how the apostle Paul’s final words challenge us to live with purpose, faithfulness, and eternal perspective.
Crickett shares her heart for writing Bible studies that help women go deeper into God’s Word and why she is so passionate about encouraging others to live intentionally for what truly lasts. This conversation is both practical and inspiring as we talk about the power of our words, the call to remain vigilant and diligent in our faith, and how everyday faithfulness can leave a lasting legacy.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make a difference that goes beyond this life, this episode will encourage you to step into your God-given purpose.
In this episode, we talk about:
Her passion for helping women engage deeply with Scripture
The importance of faithfulness, vigilance, and diligence
Being intentional with our words and influence
About Crickett Keeth:Crickett Keeth is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and the author of several women’s Bible studies, including On Bended Knee, Before the Throne, and Living Out a Life That Matters. She has served in women’s ministry for decades with Cru and large churches in Dallas and Memphis, where she also served as a Women’s Ministry Director. Today, she teaches at her church in Memphis and equips women’s ministry leaders around the world. Crickett is a sought-after speaker for conferences and retreats.
Find free resources to encourage your walk with God at: www.crickettkeeth.com
To connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

Jerry Howard: Useful Lessons from March Madness on Faith and Teamwork

It’s March Madness season, and we’re revisiting a powerful conversation with Jerry Howard that connects the excitement of basketball and sports with the deeper meaning of faith and community.
In this replay, Jerry shares how the principles we see on the court—teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and unity—mirror what it means to live as part of the Body of Christ. Just like a winning team relies on each player fulfilling their role, we are each called to contribute uniquely within our relationships, our churches, and our walk with Jesus.
Jerry Howard is the founder of the iNTREPID iMPACT Team, a comprehensive leadership coaching and business consulting agency. His speaking and coaching engagements span faith, leadership, healthcare and business management. Jerry’s primary mission is to rekindle faith in leadership. He is married and lives in Virginia.
Whether you're a sports fan or not, this conversation offers meaningful insight into how God uses everyday experiences—even basketball—to teach us about unity, purpose, and spiritual growth.
🎧 Tune in and be reminded: we’re all part of something bigger—and together, we can run the race set before us.
Connect with Jerry at https://jerryhowardinternational.com/
Check out his book Faith Driven Leadership.
Connect with Lisa at www.lisagranger.com