A Woman’s Heart with Lisa Granger

Linda Hanstra: Genuine Hope And Joy In The Empty Nest

What if the empty nest season didn’t have to feel empty at all? Author and speaker Linda Hanstra joins me on A Woman’s Heart to share wisdom from her new book, Empty-Nest Joyride: Hope, Love and Purpose on the Road to Contentment. Using the metaphor of biking and parenting, Linda helps us see this stage of life as a chance to embrace joy, strengthen relationships, and step into God’s calling with fresh perspective.In this conversation, we talk about:• Why the “empty nest” can actually become a “mighty nest.”• The importance of keeping your relationship with your spouse strong before and after the kids leave.• How struggles can shape your skills and deepen your dependence on God.• Why parenting doesn’t end when kids move out—it simply shifts.• Practical encouragement for finding joy, trying new things, and trusting God with this season.You’ll be inspired by Linda’s reminder that the best adventures often come after the kids launch.Memorable Quotes from the Episode:• “It’s important to have more than just the kids to focus on.”• “Even after they leave home you don’t stop parenting.”• “Sometimes it’s through those struggles that you gain new skills or you find your strength in God.”• “If you sense God’s calling for something, go for it. Just try it.”Meet Linda Hanstra:Linda Hanstra is a semi-retired speech-language pathologist who writes about what brings joy to her empty nest—her faith, family, cycling, traveling, grandparenting, and more. She is the author of Lent through the Little Things and her new release, Empty-Nest Joyride: Hope, Love, and Purpose on the Road to Contentment. Linda and her husband, Tom, live in southwest Michigan and spend summers “Up North” in Minnesota—their home away from home. With four adult children, a daughter-in-law, a soon-to-be son-in-law, and two adorable grandchildren, Linda is cruising along on her own “empty-nest joyride!”Connect with Linda:• Website: www.lindahanstra.com • Free Resource – 52 Date Night Ideas: lindahanstra.com/date • Book: Empty Nest Joyride 

One Genuine Encounter With Jesus Could Change Everything

What if one encounter with Jesus could change everything? In this solo episode of A Woman’s Heart, Lisa takes us through the powerful story of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). While many think of healing in terms of the physical—blind eyes opened, the lame walking, the dead raised—this encounter shows us that Jesus also brings emotional, relational, and spiritual healing.
Together, we’ll explore:
Who the Samaritan woman really was and why her story is so significant.
How Jesus broke cultural, social, and religious barriers to meet her where she was.
What “living water” means and how it brings wholeness and abundance to our lives.
Why Jesus chose her—a woman, an outcast, and brokenhearted—as the first evangelist.
What this story reveals about Jesus’ love for us and His desire to heal us in ways we may not expect.
Whether you’ve felt excluded, rejected, or broken, the story of the woman at the well reminds us that Jesus sees us, loves us, and offers living water that restores and heals.
👉 Listen in for encouragement, fresh perspective, and an invitation to encounter Jesus for yourself.
For more healing stories, visit lisagranger.com  or find past episodes wherever you listen to podcasts.

Jenny Randle: Practical Power In Gift Of Holy Spirit

Have you ever wondered where Holy Spirit fits into everyday life? Without Holy Spirit, we can miss out on the power, wisdom and peace that is available to us as believers. In this episode we welcome author and speaker Jenny Randle for a heartfelt conversation about Holy Spirit’s role in our everyday lives. Jenny shares the inspiration behind her latest book, The Promised Presence, and why she felt called to study and write about Holy Spirit in such a personal way.We talk about:• What it means to truly invite the Holy Spirit into every area of your life—as if He were a houseguest in every room.• How to find healing and wholeness even when our stories don’t end the way we hoped.• Why embracing the presence of God is not about performance, but about surrender and relationship.• How to trust God's presence in the tension, the waiting, and even in the pain.Whether you’re longing for deeper spiritual intimacy or wrestling with disappointment, this episode will encourage you to experience God’s promised presence in a fresh and real way.Jenny Randle went from a career in the heart of Hollywood to an author and ordained minister with the Holy Spirit Ministry Center. Her search for meaning in the everyday moments of life has led her to write her newest book, The Promised Presence. In it, readers discover the transformative, supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, even in life’s brokenness, to find restoration and purpose in a world that feels out of control.• Website: www.jennyrandle.com Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/@AWomansHeartwithLisaGranger 

Flashback Favorite | Grace Fox: God's Purpose Is Ultimate Hope In Crisis

Does the world seem rather chaotic these days? Have you faced a crisis that leaves you hanging on to your last thread of hope? Left unchecked, thoughts of hopelessness can spiral into despair, leaving us isolated, drained, and ready to give up. We may even start to believe the lie that our suffering has no purpose.In this Flashback Favorites conversation, I revisit my interview with Grace Fox, author of Finding Hope in Crisis. Grace shares the story behind her book and the personal seasons of pain that shaped her message of encouragement. She opens up about the times she felt ready to give up, and how God met her in those deep, dark places with His sustaining strength.Grace Fox is the award-winning author of fifteen books and a member of the “First 5” writing team (Proverbs 31 Ministries). She’s a popular media guest and sought-after Bible teacher at international women’s events. Grace and her husband co-direct International Messengers Canada, a missionary sending agency with 300 staff serving in more than twenty-five countries. Career missionaries for more than thirty years, they live aboard a sailboat in Vancouver, British Columbia. Married over 40 years, they celebrate three grown kids and thirteen grandchildren.For more on Grace and her books: https://www.gracefox.com/

Summer Reading Series | Tamera Alexander: Amazing Gift of God's Faithfulness in Every Season

Summer Reading Series with Tamera Alexander, A Millions little Choices. In this final episode of our Summer Reading Series this year, I’m joined by best-selling author Tamera Alexander for a heartfelt conversation about the choices that define us and relationships. We dive into the themes woven through her novel A Million Little Choices—friendships with women, the ups and downs of marriage, the power of forgiveness, and the ways God’s faithfulness is present through every season of life. Tamera shares the inspiration behind her book, why even the smallest decisions can have a lasting impact, and how relationships—whether with a spouse, a close friend, or God Himself—are worth nurturing with intentionality. Whether you’re a fiction lover, a believer seeking encouragement, or someone reflecting on the choices you’ve made, this conversation will inspire you to walk forward with hope and purpose. USA Today bestselling novelist Tamera Alexander is one of today's most popular writers of inspirational historical romance and contemporary women's fiction. While being Gram Tam is her current favorite role, she’ll never turn down a stroll through an old cemetery or browsing through antique shops. Tamera and her husband live in Nashville, Tennessee. She views her writing as a way to grow closer to the Lord Jesus Christ—and her desire is that those who read her novels will take steps closer to Him as well. Connect with Tamera: https://tameraalexander.com/ For Summer Reading list: https://www.lisagranger.com/summer-reading

Flashback Favorites | Shannon Popkin: Stop Measuring Up And Live Comparison Free

In this Flashback Favorites episode of A Woman’s Heart, we revisit a conversation with author and speaker Shannon Popkin, centered on her book Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World.If you’ve ever struggled with comparing yourself to others—whether it’s your appearance, success, spiritual life, or even your relationships—this episode will resonate deeply. Shannon shares how comparison quietly creeps into our thoughts and relationships, and how Jesus offers a better way: live by “pouring out” instead of “measuring up”.Shannon Popkin is a wife and mom, author, speaker and podcaster. Her passion is to invite people to open their Bible, drink deeply of the Story, and live like it’s true. She and her husband enjoy having their three adult children close by while two adorable Shih Tzu’s still live with them.Key quote from Shannon:“Jesus invites us to pour ourselves out—not to measure ourselves against each other. That’s where true freedom is found.”To connect with Shannon: https://www.shannonpopkin.com/comparison-girl/ For the freebies that were mentioned go to: https://www.subscribepage.com/comparisongirl_2

Flashback Favorites|Erica Wiggenhorn-Leaning In To God To Breakthrough Imposter Syndrome

In this Flashback Favorites episode, we revisit one of my favorite conversations with author and Bible teacher Erica Wiggenhorn, centered around her powerful book Letting God Be Enough: Why Striving Keeps You Stuck and How Surrender Sets You Free.We talk about the deep struggles so many of us face—fear, insecurity, imposter syndrome, and that constant feeling of not being enough. Erica draws wisdom from the life of Moses, who dealt with many of the same doubts. And yet, God used him powerfully—not because Moses was perfect, but because he was willing to surrender.💬 “The reality is that we often face situations in life where by ourselves we are not enough. We need a big God.”💬 “Our lack is not something we need to worry over, instead it is something we can rejoice over.”💬 “All of our flaws are an opportunity for God to step in and do His greatest work.”A national speaker with Aspire Women’s Events, Erica Wiggenhorn also speaks at women’s retreats, large conferences or her own kitchen table. Erica longs to bring Scriptural Truth and see lives transformed. Erica also serves on the Proverbs 31 Ministries writing team. An award-winning author with Moody Publishers, she wants people to discover delight in God’s Word as they become equipped with tools to read it with confidence. You can also find her almost every day on Instagram where she shares Phoenix life with her best friend Jonathan, and their four children– two of which are human and the others furry and adorable.📚 Learn more about Erica and her book:Letting God Be Enough – Available wherever books are soldhttps://ericawiggenhorn.com/home/ .

Flashback Favorites | Robyn Dykstra: Growing Your Faith Through the Power of Story

In this powerful Flashback Favorites episode of A Woman’s Heart, we revisit a conversation with author and speaker Robyn Dykstra, diving into the heart behind her devotional book Growing Your Faith. Robyn shares how her personal journey with God has deepened her trust, how storytelling unlocks healing and connection, and why it’s vital to speak out about what God has done.Robyn Dykstra is a dynamic speaker, author and coach. Being widowed twice within 4 years gives her a unique voice to speak on the faithfulness of God, the power of prayer, and finding joy in difficult circumstances. Amazingly enough, she married again and Dave has been holding up remarkably well for over 19 years. Her favorite pastimes are reading, baking, and watching videos (as long as she controls the remote). You can find out more about Robyn at https://robyndykstra.com/ With warmth and wisdom, Robyn reminds us that our faith isn’t meant to be managed alone—and that there’s beauty on the other side of hardship when we’re willing to walk through it with God.✨ “It’s so good to be on the other side of it, you just can’t stop sharing it.”We talk about:• Why storytelling is a powerful tool for spiritual growth• The lies we often believe—and how to replace them with truth• How to cling to faith in hard seasons• Why “decorating the pit” won’t heal your heart• What it means to say, “I hate the situation, but I love and trust You, God”🔁 Whether you’ve read her devotional or are just discovering Robyn’s voice, this episode is packed with encouragement for women navigating faith, healing, and everyday life.🌟 Quotes to Remember“I believe in the power of story.”“It’s very important for us not to be deceived into thinking that we can manage this life on our own.”“It’s okay to say I hate the situation but I love and trust You [God].”📚 Listen now and grow your faith—one story at a time.💻 Find our Flashback Favorites at: www.LisaGranger.com

Laura Frantz: Challenge and Reward of Following God’s Call

Summer Reading Series with Laura Frantz, The Indigo HeiressHave you ever felt like God has given you a gift—but you’re not sure how to use it, or if you're even the right person for the job? When we struggle with God it can feel like a wilderness season, but when we surrender, we can experience reward that only God can provide. We welcome beloved historical fiction author Laura Frantz to share her journey from private writer to published writer. Laura opens up about how God called her to write—and how she’s learned to partner with Him, even when it’s uncomfortable.We dive into her latest novel, The Indigo Heiress, a rich and immersive story set in colonial Virginia and 18th-century Glasgow. Laura reveals the historical research behind the book, the spiritual themes woven throughout, and how her characters often remind us that we can’t always see someone’s full story at first glance.This episode is a beautiful reminder that God has gifted each of us uniquely, but it's up to us to step forward in faith, trusting Him with the process—and the outcome.Laura Frantz is a Christy Award winner and the ECPA bestselling author of numerous historical novels. When not reading and writing, she loves to garden, cook, take long walks, and travel. She is the proud mom of an American soldier and a career firefighter. Though she will always call Kentucky home, she and her husband live in Washington State. Learn more at LauraFrantz.net .Connect with Lisa: www.lisagranger.com For complete Summer Reading List: https://www.lisagranger.com/summer-reading

Lynette Eason: Daring to Live Your Faith In Every Chapter

Summer Reading Series with Lynette Eason, Serial Burn and Final Approach. Known for her gripping plots and faith-filled characters, Lynette Eason opens up about why she writes romantic suspense and how her stories are designed to do more than entertain—they equip readers to live out their faith in the middle of real-life challenges.We talk about what it means to live with purpose, the importance of pursuing the passion God has planted in you, and the deep peace that follows when you're walking in His plan. Lynette’s characters face danger, tension, and high-stakes drama, but they also reflect how everyday believers can cling to their faith through it all.If you’ve ever wondered how fiction can fuel your spiritual walk—or if you just love a page-turner with purpose—this conversation will inspire and encourage you.🎯 You’ll hear about:• Why Lynette writes romantic suspense with a faith-forward message• How she weaves spiritual truth into high-stakes fiction• Her encouragement to follow God’s calling with courage and peace• The heart behind her newest book and how it fits in your summer reading listAbout Lynette:Lynette Eason is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of over sixty books. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award and the inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master’s degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband. They have two adult children. Learn more at www.LynetteEason.com .📚 Don’t forget to grab your Summer Reading Guide at LisaGranger.com and discover more uplifting stories that speak to your heart.Where to get the books: https://bakerbookhouse.com/ Other romantic suspense author mentioned Lynn Blackburn https://www.lisagranger.com/shownotes/lynn-blackburn-trusting-god-with-every-twist-in-life