A Woman’s Heart with Lisa Granger

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

Karynthia Phillips: How to Make Time for God in a Busy Life

Life can feel like a constant rush—work, family, ministry, responsibilities, and endless to-do lists. But what happens when our schedules become so full that our time with God gets pushed aside?In this episode we talk with Karynthia Phillips about her book Press Pause: Making Time for God in an Overscheduled Life. Together they explore the power of intentional pauses and how stepping away from the noise of life can deepen our relationship with God. Karynthia shares how sacred pauses aren’t simply about rest—they are acts of trust. When we pause to spend time with God, we’re acknowledging that He is ultimately in control of our responsibilities and our future.Key TakeawaySacred pauses create space for God to speak, guide, and restore us. When we intentionally step away from our busyness to spend time with Him, we often return with greater clarity, renewed energy, and a deeper sense of purpose.Learn more about Karynthia Phillips and her book Press Pause: Making Time for God in an Overscheduled Life. www.karynthiaphillips.com Connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

Lori Melton: Following in the Footsteps of the Faithful

What if the key to spiritual growth isn’t striving harder—but walking alongside someone who has already walked faithfully with Jesus?On this episode we welcome author, spiritual director, and retreat leader Lori G. Melton to talk about her book Journey with a Giant. Lori introduces a powerful spiritual practice: learning from faithful Christian men and women throughout history in order to deepen our own walk with Christ. It’s not about idolizing them—it’s about observing how they pursued Christ. Their examples can help us cultivate spiritual maturity, strengthen relationships, and grow in love.In This Episode, We Discuss:• What it means to “Journey with a Giant”• Lori’s initial hesitation about the practice—and how she came to embrace it• Why the focus must always remain on Jesus, not the individual• The importance of silence, slowing down, and intentional reflection• The personal impact of walking with different giants, including learning to love and accept others more fully• Taking courageous next steps in the areas where God is calling youIf you’ve ever longed for deeper spiritual growth, richer faith practices, or a fresh way to connect with Jesus, this conversation will inspire and equip you.Lori G. Melton is an author, spiritual director, retreat leader, and member of Hope Writers. She is the host of the Sanctuary Stirrings Podcast and co-founder and director of The Sanctuary at Bear Creek Retreat Center in Allegan, Michigan. She and her husband are the parents of six children and grandparents to three.To learn more about Lori and her Spiritual Giant Quiz: https://www.lorigmelton.com/ To connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

Charlotte Guest: Thriving in the Empty Nest Years

What happens when the house grows quiet and the children are gone? For many parents, the empty nest years can feel uncertain—but they can also become one of the most meaningful and purpose-filled seasons of life.
On this episode of A Woman’s Heart, Charlotte Guest shares her heart for encouraging others to embrace their encore years with faith, courage,  and expectation. Charlotte opens up about her personal journey into writing and podcasting, reminding us that God is always calling us forward. Together, we talk about what it looks like to live life fully, stay spiritually equipped by putting on the full armor of God, and remain open to the new passions He places within us.
If you’re navigating the transition of an empty nest—or sensing God calling you into something new—this conversation will encourage you to move forward with confidence, purpose, and joy.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
How to embrace the empty nest years as a season of opportunity
Why God continues to invite us into new callings at every stage of life
The importance of putting on the full armor of God
About Charlotte Guest:
Having a passion for people and a desire to encourage others during the encore years, Charlotte Guest hosts the international podcast ministry Empty Nest Guests. She is an author and creator of four YouVersion Bible plans, including The Blessed Empty Nest. Charlotte and her husband are preparing to release an empty nest devotional and serve together as marriage mentors.
Charlotte lives in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area with her husband, Gordy. They enjoy time with their three adult children, their spouses, and four grandchildren. Charlotte is energized by sunshine, serving others, prayer, pet therapy, publishing, and helping people uncover their personal mission statement.
🔗 Learn more: https://charlotteguest.com
Resources mentioned: Empty Nest, Full Life by Jill Savage
Captivating by Stasi Eldredge
Jim Burns with HomeWord
Podcast interview with Joni Topper: Yes to God for a Surprisingly Joy-filled Way
To connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

Courtney Ellis: Finding Growth and Hope in Every Season

Change is one of the few guarantees in life—and yet it’s something we often resist, fear, or fight. In this encouraging episode of A Woman’s Heart, host Lisa Granger welcomes pastor, author, and podcaster Courtney Ellis to talk about her book Weathering Change and how we can learn to move through life’s transitions with greater peace and purpose.Together, Lisa and Courtney explore how to “weather” change through intentional preparation, curiosity instead of fear, adaptability in uncertain seasons, and resilience rooted in faith. They also acknowledge an often-overlooked truth: every change carries some element of grief. Naming that grief, honoring our limits, and leaning into community can help us navigate transitions with honesty and hope.Courtney Ellis is a pastor at Presbyterian Church of the Master in Mission Viejo, California. She is the author of six books, including Weathering Change and Looking Up: A Birder’s Guide to Hope Through Grief. Courtney also hosts The Thing with Feathers, a podcast about birds and hope. She lives in Orange County, California, with her husband and three children. courtneybellis.com To connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

Mary Demuth: Finding Genuine Freedom In God Through Surrender

Most people don’t like the word surrender. It feels like losing. Giving up. But what if surrender isn’t about loss at all?In this episode of A Woman’s Heart, I’m joined by author, speaker, and podcaster Mary DeMuth to talk about her newest book, The Freedom of Surrender, and the way letting go can actually lead to deeper freedom, healing, and peace.Mary shares why surrender feels so threatening, how control can quietly keep us stuck, and what it looks like to place our lives — including finances and past trauma — back into God’s hands. We also talk about the deeply personal artwork woven throughout her book and how God used creativity as part of Mary’s own healing journey.If you’ve ever struggled to release control, trust God with uncertainty, or wondered if surrender means failure, this conversation offers a gentle and hope-filled reframe.In this episode, we discuss:• Why the word surrender feels so uncomfortable for so many of us• How creativity and art played a role in Mary’s journey• How true freedom is often found on the other side of releaseMary DeMuth has written over fifty books, including The Most Overwhelmed Women of the Bible and 90-Day Bible Reading Challenge. Through her podcast Pray Every Day and her speaking events around the globe, Mary helps people heal from past trauma and live re-storied lives as followers of Jesus. Mary is married to Patrick and has three adult children.Connect with Mary DeMuth:• Website: MaryDeMuth.com • Book: The Freedom of Surrender (wherever books are sold)Connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

Joy Scott: How To Get Unstuck And Walk In Freedom

In this episode of A Woman’s Heart, we welcome author, speaker, and certified teacher Joy Scott, whose passion is helping women break free from the places that keep them stuck. Drawing from her book Flow, Joy shares how painful circumstances don’t have to define us—instead, they can become part of God’s greater purpose for our lives.Together, we explore what it means to live in spiritual “flow” and how emotional wounds, unforgiveness, and false beliefs can block the work God wants to do in and through us. Joy offers practical, faith-filled steps to help you move toward healing, freedom, and renewed purpose.If you’ve ever felt trapped by your past, unsure of your next step, or longing for deeper spiritual growth, this conversation will encourage you to trust God’s process and move forward with confidence.In this episode, you’ll discover:• How unforgiveness keeps us stuck—and why forgiveness brings freedom• The meaning behind FLOW: Filter your thoughts and emotions. Let God love you. Order your thoughts to the truth. Willingly repent.• How to recognize when your spiritual life feels “clogged” and how to restore healthy flowAbout Joy Scott:Joy Scott is an author, speaker, and certified teacher with a burning desire to influence those who feel stuck. By sharing her own story and the obstacles she has overcome, Joy encourages others to pursue healing, freedom, and purpose.Learn more about Joy and her ministry:https://www.joyscott.me/ Connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

Heather O'Brien: Transform Your Heart With The Simple Act Of Putting God First

In this episode of A Woman’s Heart, we sit down with Heather O’Brien for a powerful conversation about spiritual growth, healing, repentance, and staying moldable in God’s hands.Heather shares how our hearts can either stay soft and teachable—or become hardened over time—and why daily habits rooted in faith matter more than we realize. Together, we talk about what it truly means to put God first, how seasons of life require different rhythms, and why understanding sin is essential to real repentance and freedom.This episode is an invitation to examine what’s filling your heart, what no longer belongs there, and how God uses your passion to serve others.Key Takeaways from the Conversation:• Why Bible, worship, prayer, and community are foundational—not optional.• How being full of God leaves no room for what doesn’t belong.• Why habits must change with each season you walk through.About Heather O’Brien:Heather O’Brien is a prophetic healing coach, minister, author, and speaker who helps Christians heal with God by learning how to hear His voice. She is the author of No Fear Allowed and the host of the top-ranked podcast Heal with God. Heather believes that with God’s help, it is possible to forgive the unforgivable and experience deep healing from trauma. https://heatherobrien.net/ To connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

Joni Topper: Yes To God For A Surprisingly Joy-filled Way

In this encouraging episode of A Woman’s Heart, we welcome author, speaker, and storyteller Joni Topper, also known as the GloryTeller. Joni joins us to share insights from her book, The Power of a Well-Placed Yes: God’s Abundant Faithfulness in a Small Church, and reminds us that every yes matters in the Kingdom of God.Through heartfelt stories and lived wisdom, she shows how God honors faithfulness in small, unseen moments in ways we could never imagine. This conversation is filled with hope, encouragement, and practical reminders that faithfulness to small tasks truly matters—and that God’s goodness is always at work, even when we can’t yet see it.In this episode, you’ll hear about:• Why every “yes” to God matters, no matter how small it feels• The joy that comes from leaving the results in God’s hands• Why faithfulness to small tasks is deeply importantJoni Topper, also known as the GloryTeller, radiates the glory of God by sharing everyday moments in compelling storyteller fashion. A Granna, author, worship leader, speaker, and cofounder of Uprooted Women, a Spirit-filled one-day women’s event, Joni is passionate about “being” the Church. She and her pastor husband, Ernest, have faithfully served in the same church for over thirty years. Learn more at www.jonitopper.com .Connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com

Alexandra Hoover: Breaking Free from Offense to Live Abundantly

What if the very thing weighing down your heart is something you were never meant to carry?In this powerful episode of A Woman’s Heart, we’re joined by author and speaker Alexandra Hoover to talk about her book, You Can Let Go, and the freedom that comes when we release offense instead of holding onto it.Together, we explore how easily offense can take root and how carrying it impacts our relationships, our emotional health, and our spiritual lives. Alexandra gently helps us understand the difference between experiencing hurt and carrying offense, reminding us that healing doesn’t require denial, but intentional release.We also unpack what it truly means to set healthy boundaries without building walls that isolate us, and how learning to “live loved” changes the way we navigate conflict, disappointment, and connection.In this episode, we discuss:• The difference between acknowledging hurt and holding onto offense• Healthy boundaries vs. emotional walls that isolate• What it means to “live loved” instead of guardedAlexandra Hoover is a compassionate writer, sought-after speaker, and the author of Eyes Up, Without Wavering, and You Can Let Go. A proud Latina, Alexandra serves her local church and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Women and Theology at Northern Seminary. As a wife and mother of three, she treasures balancing family life with ministry and finds joy in serving and encouraging others to live anchored and free.🔗 Learn more at AlexandraVHoover.com 📲 Connect on social media: @AlexandraVHooverConnect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com