The Best of Strong Women: Bringing Christ’s Love and Light to Women in Strip Clubs With Rachelle Star
Strong Women
We are taking a small break this July to gear up for season six of the Strong Women podcast. But during this break, we decided to re-air some episodes that we thought you would enjoy. Our guest today is Rachelle Starr, founder of Scarlet Hope. At 21, Rachelle felt God calling her to minister to women trapped working in strip clubs in her city of Louisville, KY. Today, she shares some of the stories she’s witnessed over 16 years of building relationships through good food and introducing these women to the God who sees and loves them. Scarlet Hope is now in many major cities around the...
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S5 47: How to Become a Reader of Good Books
Strong Women
Do you have a stack of books in your house making you feel guilty? Maybe you don’t remember the last time you read a good book, or maybe you’re itching to find your next good read. Well, today’s episode with Maggie is all about reading. We chat about what we’re reading, how to develop our “reading muscles,” why reading is good for our souls, and more. Also, tune in to hear what’s planned for Strong Women this summer! by G.K. Chesterton by Karen Kingsbury by Harriet Beecher Stowe by Jane Austen by Leo Tolstoy by Louisa May...
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S5 46: Love God and Do What You Want with Heidi White
Strong Women
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is really the parable of two brothers: one who’s ruled by unchecked desire, and the other who’s ruled by legalism and pride. I think a lot of us can resonate with both brothers. We feel torn between what we want to do and what we ought to do. But God designed these two things to be united within us! Using this parable as a framework, my friend Heidi White joins me again to talk about how we can not only do what’s right but also desire what’s right ... and find true freedom and joy as a result. by Heidi White by L.M. Montgomery by...
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Live from CCNC 2025: Is the Church Worth it? With Katie McCoy
Strong Women
If the Church is a “hospital for the sick,” then we should expect it to be full of people who are sinful, broken (just like we are), and different from us. This week, Katie McCoy and I talk about what our relationship with the Church has looked like throughout our lives, and why the Church is worth committing to, even in the face of church hurt. We discuss the trends we’re seeing in church traditions and demographics. We end the episode answering listener questions about when to leave a church, mentorship, being single in the church, and more. This episode and Q&A were recorded live...
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S5 44: Faithfully Stewarding God’s Gifts with Dana Wichterman
Strong Women
If everything belongs to God, how do we manage the things He’s given us in a way that honors Him and blesses others? How can we find out where He’s calling us invest our time, talents, and energy? Today’s guest, Dana Wichterman, joins me to answer these questions and encourage us to invest everything we have in the Kingdom of God. by Dana Wichterman and Bill Wichterman by Jen Wilkin by Jen Wilken by Randy Alcorn by Paul Bunyan The Strong Women Podcast is a product of the Colson Center, which equips...
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S5 43: Rising Kites: Turning a Down Syndrome Diagnosis into a Mission of Hope with Danielle Grandholm
Strong Women
When Danielle Grandholm’s daughter was diagnosed with Down syndrome, she and her husband found themselves without adequate support. This experience led them to start Rising Kites, a nonprofit dedicated to helping parents of children with Down syndrome. What began as an unexpected journey became a source of blessing as Danielle witnessed God’s providence and grace throughout the process, demonstrating how God can transform challenges into opportunities to serve others and experience His care. by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen, Pam Devito (Illustrator) by Kate...
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S5 42: Knowing Christ in Our Suffering
Strong Women
We will all face hard things. Will we be the sort of people who resist the challenges and become resentful and bitter? Or will we see suffering as an opportunity to be open to the Lord and trust him? Today, my friend Maggie and I both share how Christ is meeting us in the suffering of a broken engagement and a loved one’s Alzheimer's diagnosis. We also dive into the habits of faith that prepare us to suffer well and how God redeems our suffering to help us know Christ more intimately. by C. S. Lewis by Sean Curran On Strong...
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S5 41: Student Revival: God’s Word in Public Schools with Kori Pennypacker
Strong Women
Kori Pennypacker is the founder and CEO of Bible2School. Today she joins me to share her journey from navy wife to ministry leader, demonstrating how women can lead with biblical conviction while keeping Jesus at the center. I know you’ll be encouraged by her testimonies of children encountering Jesus and how the program is creating ripples of faith in schools across the country. Show Notes: by Kenward Jones by Horst Schulze On Strong Women, we celebrate God’s good design for women in every season of life. It’s all part of a...
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S5 40: Embracing the Beauty of Motherhood with Rachael Carman
Strong Women
In a culture that increasingly devalues children and mothering, Rachael Carman challenges us to rediscover the profound beauty and value of motherhood, including the moments that feel tiring or even mundane. The vulnerability, sacrifice, and invisible acts of motherhood aren’t just duties to endure but sacred opportunities to meet Jesus and become more like Him. Show Notes: by Sigrid Undset Hey, listeners! You’ve probably heard me talk about the Colson Fellows Program here on Strong Women. I'm excited to let you know that...
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S5 39: Forming Faith in the Next Generation with Billy Hutchinson
Strong Women
As moms or teachers or mentors, how do we help the young people in our lives grow deep roots of faith before they launch into the world? Today’s guest has some practical answers. As Educators Specialist here at the Colson Center, Billy Hutchinson is all about helping Christian educators form their students in the Christian worldview. But this episode isn’t just for educators! If you play any influential role in the life of a young person, you’ll find encouragement and help in this conversation. Show Notes: by John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkle by Sonia...
info_outlineIn a culture that increasingly devalues children and mothering, Rachael Carman challenges us to rediscover the profound beauty and value of motherhood, including the moments that feel tiring or even mundane. The vulnerability, sacrifice, and invisible acts of motherhood aren’t just duties to endure but sacred opportunities to meet Jesus and become more like Him.
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The Kristin Lavransdatter Trilogy by Sigrid Undset
Hey, listeners! You’ve probably heard me talk about the Colson Fellows Program here on Strong Women. I'm excited to let you know that the Colson Fellows team hosts one-hour, live, informational webinars that allow you to hear an overview of the program and get your questions answered. The webinars are hosted by the Vice President and Dean of the Colson Fellowship – my good friend, Michael Craven. If you enjoy the conversations we have on Strong Women and want to think more deeply about your place in God’s story of redemption, the Colson Fellows Program might be for you. Colson Fellows will take you on a deep dive study of Christian worldview through books, devotionals, meetings with likeminded peers, and more. If you’re interested, but have questions about the workload, cohort formats, or anything else, I encourage you to sign up for the next live, Colson Fellows informational webinar. You can find a full list of webinar dates and register today at colsonfellows.org/webinar.
The Strong Women Podcast is a product of the Colson Center which equips Christians to live out their faith with clarity, confidence, and courage in this cultural moment. Through commentaries, podcasts, videos, and more, we help Christians better understand what’s happening in the world, and champion what is true and good wherever God has called them. Learn more about the Colson Center here: https://www.colsoncenter.org/
Visit our website and sign up for our email list so that you can stay up to date on what we are doing here and also receive our monthly journal: https://www.colsoncenter.org/strong-women
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