Discovering the Dad Who Raised Her Wasn't Her Biological Father with Megan Phillips
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Release Date: 03/21/2023
Giddy Up, Eunice: Because Women Need Each Other with Sophie Hudson Ep. 168 Summer Throwback
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Today we’re kicking off our Summer Throwback Series — a little every‑other‑week tradition where I’m pulling some of the most loved episodes from the archives, dusting them off and letting them bring encouragement to you again. And I knew exactly which one needed to go first. My conversation with Sophie Hudson, based on her book Giddy Up, Eunice, is one of those episodes that feels like a deep breath and a belly laugh all at once. If you’ve read any of her books, you already know Sophie has this uncanny way of reminding us that women need each other — not in a Pinterest‑perfect,...
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Is Comfort Killing Your Calling? One Brave Step Could Open the Door to Your Dream with Carol Roper Ep. 167
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
In this deeply personal episode, I share the story of how my writing journey began—during a season when the empty nest was approaching, purpose felt uncertain, and God whispered a new calling into my heart. Fourteen years ago, I took a trembling step of faith and attended my first writers conference alone. What followed was a rollercoaster of fear, embarrassment, and a moment so humiliating I nearly packed my bags and drove home. But God intervened through two women—Celeste and LaTan—who showed up at the exact moments I needed courage, belonging, and a reminder that I wasn’t alone....
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How a Single Mom Paid Off $64,000: Creative Debt Hacks from a Financial Coach with Tiffany Miliander Ep. 166
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
If you’re walking a difficult journey through what may feel like insurmountable debt right now and see no way out, my guest today will give you hope. Tiffany Miliander was a single mom who was left with $64,000 in debt when she divorced. But she was determined not to let that debt linger and paid all of it off in four short years. Debt can feel like a mountain you never asked to climb, but Tiffany stood exactly where you might be standing—and refused to stay there. She didn’t wait for perfect circumstances. She didn’t wait to feel ready. She took one creative step, then another, and...
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A Wake Up Call for Wives: Don't Let Fear Steal Your Yes with Carol Roper Ep. 165
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Have you ever looked back and realized comfort kept you from saying yes to something that mattered? In this episode, I’m sharing how a moment from Taylor Sheridan’s new series The Madison stopped me in my tracks and reminded me what it really means to love well — especially in marriage. This isn’t a review of the show, and I’m not endorsing all its content. But there’s a powerful theme woven through the story that every Christian wife needs to hear. Spoiler alert: I’ll be talking about the premise of the series, so listen with that in mind. If fear, comfort, or “maybe...
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Finding Hope in the Unknown: Tommy Jennings Fight with Cancer Ep. 163
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
When you’re facing a diagnosis, a fear, or a season of waiting, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the unknown. In today’s episode, Tommy Jennings shares a powerful testimony of courage, peace, and unshakable faith as he battles Hodgkin’s Lymphoma — a fight he’s been in for six years. Tommy’s story is raw, honest, and deeply hope‑filled. After exhausting every treatment option, he now lives in the tension of uncertainty — yet his confidence in Jesus has only grown stronger. His words, “Either way it goes, I win,” will challenge and inspire you to trust God in your own...
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I Almost Walked Away: How Questioning God Led to a Stronger Belief Ep. 163
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Have you ever doubted your faith? Wondered if God isn’t real? I dealt with this issue a couple of decades ago and wondered how I could go on doing “all the things” while struggling with doubt. Today I want to share a fascinating story about how an elephant can be similar to testing our faith. To see photos of the bridge, watch on YouTube Sign up for my monthly newsletter
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A Blueprint for Raising Gender-Confident Kids: What Parents Need to Know with Dr. Jeff Myers EP. 162
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Between school messaging, social media trends, and cultural pressure, it can feel like the world is speaking louder to our kids than we are. But you have more influence than you think — and today’s conversation will help you use it wisely. If you’re a Christian parent feeling overwhelmed by the rise in gender confusion, you’re not alone. Everywhere you turn—schools, social media, even kids’ friend groups—messages about gender identity and transgender ideology are shaping how teens think about themselves. But what if you could understand what’s really happening and learn how to...
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Ep. 161: Rediscovering the Front Porch: Why It Still Builds Family and Community with Carol Roper
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Whether you call it a veranda, piazza, stoop or porch, these appendages to our homes can have a positive impact on our family and community. It doesn’t have to be fancy or huge to be a welcoming respite away from the chores, homework and television. Make it as comfortable as you can and invite the kids and hubby outside for a change of scenery and a bit of togetherness. And include the neighbors of you’re feeling up to having company. Let’s bring back the front porch. This is the tenth and final episode in the Blueprints for Building Your Spiritual Dream Home series. If you’ve missed...
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Ep. 160: Your Scars Tell Your Story with Carol Roper
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
What scars do you carry? Maybe you’ve had a c-section (or 3) and don’t want to wear a bathing suit anymore (among other reasons). Maybe you’ve been injured in an accident and try to disguise the evidence. Or maybe you’ve suffered from cancer and now have an ugly scar as a reminder of your survival. Whatever the reason, it’s natural for us to want to cover unsightly scars from public view. When I was in my mid-twenties and almost put my eye out from accidentally shoving my face into a large splinter, I didn’t realize the permanent damage that could have been done until the ER sent...
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Ep. 159: Oaks of Righteousness: Raising Families with Deep Roots with Carol Roper
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Home isn’t just a place—it’s a story. When my husband and I set out to build our forever home on his family’s farm, we weren’t just choosing land; we were choosing legacy. Every step across those pastures reminded us that roots matter—both the ones in the soil and the ones in our hearts. And as we stood beneath a solitary oak, we realized this journey was about more than a house. It was about building on a foundation that time can’t shake. This is the eighth episode in the Blueprints for Building Your Spiritual Dream Home series. If you’ve missed any of the previous episodes, I...
info_outlineWhen Megan Phillips was 35 years old, she found out that her father was not her biological dad. This news left her reeling, thinking that her whole life had been a lie. But after the initial shock, she decided she wanted to find her biological father and set about looking for him with only two pieces of information: a fake name and a fake home state (neither of which she knew was fake). But God intervened and she miraculously found her biological dad and was amazed by the wonderful grace of God in her life. Megan's mom told her about her real father in a fit of anger before going to get help for her alcohol abuse. But Megan shares that "in the process of Mom breaking, she shattered me. But I don't know that I'd have it any other way." As I listened to Megan's story the verse from Genesis 50:20 kept coming to mind. What the enemy meant for evil God used for good.
Listen how Megan not only found her biological father, but also two half-brothers and her dad's wife. Megan says that "my life would not be the same today if my (adoptive) dad had not stepped in and raised me as his own." Isn't that the story of the gospel? I know you'll enjoy hearing Megan's story of healing and hope.