Eighth & Grace with Brandy Dawson
Ever feel like life just gets hard and MESSY sometimes? Because, girl - ME TOO. Welcome to the Eighth & Grace Podcast. I’m Brandy. Daily, I delicatly juggle and balance being a mama, wife, nanna B, seminary student, writer, Bible teacher, coffee re-heater, and recovering overthinker. Also, going on 16-years of being a Nurse Practitioner. So when I say I’ve seen messy, I reallyyyy mean it. But, the physical body can sometimes be a lot easier to treat than the emotional and spiritual aspects of our body. You see the pain, most of the time, you can fix the pain. Our faith and emotions aren’t quite so obvious. After walking alongside women through the high and hard seasons of life, I wanted to create a grace space for messy faith - so we can all know we aren’t alone and be singing GIRL ME TOO collectively. WE are in this TOGETHER. Life is hard. AND you're covered in grace. Life is complicated. AND you can still hope again. Both can be true and I want to stand with you as I remind us that God is still good. Even when this world is broken. Eighth & Grace is a hub for broken vessels so we will be covering everything from the mundane moments of everyday life and self exploration to clinging to our faith and holding onto the thread of Jesus garment. Girl, you’ve got a place here. And I’m so honored to be part of your journey. Let's grow together. I’m Brandy and this is the Eighth & Grace Podcast. https://www.brandyadawson.com/
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What About This? Snow Predictions, Soup Season, and Slowing Down
01/30/2026
What About This? Snow Predictions, Soup Season, and Slowing Down
I love a good self-aware moment:)if you do too, and a whole ramble-- this one's for you. Snow predictions, family group chats, soup season, and a cozy conversation about caring for ourselves in a loud world. In this episode, we talk nervous system care, gentle morning rhythms, faith that doesn't rush healing, and how to move out of survival mode with more joy, grace, and steadiness- one ordinary day at at time. Also, maybe you'll be able to tell me how many times I said ramble. If you want to connect: Podcast colabs and speaking engagement: Blog + Website: Instagram- Let's keep the chat going: Substack for the wildly hopefuls:
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Health Without Hustle + Staying Awake in Our Soft Girl Era| Episode 38
01/28/2026
Health Without Hustle + Staying Awake in Our Soft Girl Era| Episode 38
What if I am vulnerable enough to share a real-life stewardship story: RO, nervous system system regulation, and letting Jesus carry what was never ours to hold- would you want to hear it? if so, and you're craving a real-life... let's chat! This is a real-life, real-body episode,-grounded, non-performative, and not trend-chasing. We're talking health without hustle, care without shame, staying wide awake, and letting God carry what we cannot..... Gentle January is coming to a close and the world still feels loud, its being the world. In this solo episode, we talk about stewarding a healthier journey, staying awake without hardening, holding justice and mercy together, and moving into Febuary with tenderness, conviction, and hope. This isn't a debate or teaching- it's a reflective conversation about faithfulness, nervous systems, joy, and what it means to mother a movement across generations without losing softness.(Insert our Soft Girl Era:) I'm sharing my RO journey, not because the numbers are impressive and not because a shot is magic, but because I am learning slow, integrated stewardship: hormones, nourishment, nervous system care, boundaries, and Jesus at the center help me be the best me I can be- and I am still learning more. I'm also naming something tender in the air right now: the pressure to respond to everything, all the time-until our hearts harden or our nervous systems collapse. A reminder that even here, even now, He is with us- and there is still freedom, peace, and wildly hopfeul expectation. To connect with Brandy: Podcast collaboration and speaking inquiries: Website, Blog+ Newsletter info: Substack for the wildly hopefuls + radically expectant: Instagram(please feel free to DM me to keep the chat going:) *All resource guides can be found on Substack, Blog, +Newsletter
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Devotion or Depletion: Let's Talk About That
01/23/2026
Devotion or Depletion: Let's Talk About That
You love Jesus but you're tired, let's talk about that. Many of us walk through life existing because we're so tired. Faithful women are living exhausted- not because their faith is weak, but because their bodies have been carrying too much for too long. In this episode, we talk about the difference between devotion and depetion, why spiritual burnout often shoes up in the nervous system, and how anxiety isn't a faith problem. Scripture shows us about rest, regulation, and living faithful- without being in survival mode. If you love Jesus, still showing up, and quietly worn out in your bones, you want to listen in to this. We'll talk about working without urgency, resting without guilt, and finding a softer, steadier rhythm that doesn't require quitting your real life. This one's for you. To connect with Brandy: for podcast collaboration and speaking engagements- Website, Blog+ Newsletter: Social Media- Follow along and DM me to chat:) Substack-
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Soft Girl Era: Soft and Stong. Brave and Steady| Episode 37
01/13/2026
Soft Girl Era: Soft and Stong. Brave and Steady| Episode 37
What if consistency isnt loud, but it's quiet and faithful and wildy underated. What if gentle doesn't mean uncimmited, it just means we stopped bullying ourselves into obedience? Today, we're going to talk about it, because God designed our bodies with wisdom. In this episode of eighth & GRACE, Brandy slows down and clarifies what our "Soft Girl Era" actually is and what it is not. We talk honestly about burnout, overstimulation, anxiety, and why so many Christian women feel exhausted while doing "all the right things." This one feels peersonal. A little tender. And honestly, maybe even a little more spicy. Grounded in Scripture, real statistics, gentle humor, and deep compassion, this episode reframes consistency as faithfulness-not hustle-and discipline as devotion, not punishment. Soft. Strong. Brave. Steady. To connect with Brandy for podcast collaboration and speaking engagements: Website + Blog: Instagram- follow along and DM me to Substack: Link to Gentle January Resourses
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New Year. New Rhythm. New You-Right?
01/09/2026
New Year. New Rhythm. New You-Right?
If the new year already feels loud, demanding, or like it's asking you to hurry up-this episode is for you. In today's conversation, Brandy Dawson introduces the Gentle January Rhythm- where we're choosing a different beginning. One rooted in presence instead of performance and pressure, steadiness instead of striving, grace instead of performance, and softness that still holds courage and strength. Becase a new year doesn't have to mean a new you, to have a new rhythm. This episode sets the tone for what's coming this season on eighth & GRACE; walking through life together, honest conversations about faith and formation, gente rhythms, and Friday favorite finds woven into everday discipleship. Whether you're craving rest, recalibration, or simply a soft place to exhale, you're welcome here. You can connect with Brandy for podcast collaboration and speaking engagements: Website, Blog+ Wekkly Newsletter: Substack: You will find links to today's favorite finds on Substack + The weekly newsletter:)
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When You're Called to Build, but You're Also Exhausted with Dusty Hegge| Episode 36
12/23/2025
When You're Called to Build, but You're Also Exhausted with Dusty Hegge| Episode 36
What does it look like to build what God has given you without burning out? In this episode of eighth & GRACE, Brandy sits down with Dusty Hegge for a grounded, honest conversation about faith, work, and the tension so many women feel between calling and exhaustion. Dusty has spent years helping Christian authors, creatives, and leaders build sustainable businesses rooted in discipleship - not hustle, striving, or performance. Together, they talk about faithful work, ADHD, rhythms that support real life, wintring seasons, balancing female entrepreneurship + staying at home while working moms, burnout, and learning to trust God with the process. This episode is for the woman who loves Jesus, feels called to build something meaningful, and tired of feeling she's behind doing it wrong. There's no pressure here. No hustle theology. Just permission to build slowly, rest honestly, and trust God with outcomes. If youre navigating faith, work, and fatigue, all at once.... this conversation will help you exhale. To further connect with Dusty: Connect with Brandy for podcast collaboration and speaking engagements: Website, blog, newsletter: Substack:
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What About This? Christmas Cheer + Anxiety: There's a Seat for You at the Table
12/12/2025
What About This? Christmas Cheer + Anxiety: There's a Seat for You at the Table
What if the holidays don't need you to be more festive- just more present? In this Christmas edition of What About This? Brandy Dawson sits with the reality many of us feel but don't always name, the joy and anxiety of this season. The full rooms and the empty chairs. The laughter and the ache. The pressure to hold it all together while your nervous system is already tired. This episode weaves together theology, breath prayers, and practical nervous system regulation for women balancing holiday stress and expectation. You'll find grounding practices you can actually use- at the table, in the bathroom, in the car or in the middle of an awkward moment. If your feeling both festive and fragile, there's a seat for you here. Christmas can feel both joyful and overwhelming this year and if you're nodding yes....you're not alone. This holiday episode is for the woman navigating anxiety, grief, family tension, and the ache in-between. Complete with breath prayers, nervous system support, grace filled encouragement, and Brandy's Holiday Report/2025 Gift Giving Guide. Connect with Brandy for podcast collaboration or speaking engaement requests: Website, blog+Newsletter: Instagram: Substack: Holiday Gift Guide will be linked on Substack, Website, Instagram:)
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Tinsel, Tears, and Wildly Loved| Episode 35
12/10/2025
Tinsel, Tears, and Wildly Loved| Episode 35
What if the most holy moments of Christmas happen in the ordinary, even the painful places? In this tender + hilarious holiday episode, Brandy Dawson shares real-life hope for weary hearts, simple joy-filled traditions that won't break the bank, inexpensive gift ideas,(for the pups too;) and a needed reminder that Jesus sits high but comes low so you are never alone there. It's a "When Low is Holy- Deck the Halls Edition" kind of Christmas- complete with a breath prayer, communion moment, and two free soul-care guides to help you breathe lighter again this season. Tinsel may be thin.....but LOVE is still holding everything together, including you. The twinkling lights on the viral Christmas trees may feel like they're judging you for not having your life life together, don't worry- No one really does. And if you are living on caffeine, prayer, and maybe one thread of tinsel.... this episode is your reminder that Jesus came for the ones with tired hearts and messy houses too. You're doing better than you think (and you're still wildly loved.) Because trying to make holiday magic while holding back tears is.... A LOT. So..... yeah. If this December looks a little unhinged? Same, friend. Same. We're all in this together. And He is with us in the tangled lights, the tears you wipe in the aisle at Target, the words under your breath in the Wal-Mart parking lot, and the hope you're clinging to. Joy is abundant in this place too! Now, Let's Chat~ To connect with Brandy for podcast collaboration or speaking engagements: Website + Blog ( Also to get free guides): Follow along on instagram + Chat in Dm's: Substack Newsletter and convos for the wildly hopefuls:
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What About This? The Story I Didn't Plan to Share
11/21/2025
What About This? The Story I Didn't Plan to Share
In today's What About This? episode, Brandy shares something personal and unexpected- the chat from an interview she originally recorded for Her Story with her.BIBLE. What she planned to say and what actually came out in that studio at Cru in Orlando were to very different things... and that's exactly why she's sharing it here too. Inside this personal conversation, you'll hear pieces of Brandy's journey she hasn't shared on this podcast before- tender parts of her story that rose to the surface without warning, the kind of truth that slips out when God knows someone listening needs it. She opens up about broken places, growing up with less than those around her, what is was like growing up with a teenage mom, and her daughters that followed in those footsteps. This episode is real- it's honest. And it's told from wilderness seasons where unexpected healing is the holy ways God rebuilds a daughter from the inside out. If anything, she hopes you'll hear that no one is too lost, too late, or too wounded for resurrection. And if your life hasn't unfolded the way you imagined, planned, or dreamed of when you were a little girl- the same God who found Brandy...will find you too. Right here. Right where you are. This, this is redemptive grace. To connect with Brandy for podcast collaboration or to request her to speak at your engagement: Website, blog,+ newsletter: Instagram- follow along and chat in DM's: Substack:
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What Happens When A Woman Reads The Word with Jenny Steinbach|Episode 34
11/13/2025
What Happens When A Woman Reads The Word with Jenny Steinbach|Episode 34
There's a reason a woman's voice is helping listeners fall in love with the Bible again... and you won't believe how it started. In this episode Brandy sits down with Jenny Steinbach, producer of her.BIBLE- a free NLT audio Bible read by multi-ethnic women to explore the healing power of scripture spoken in women's voices. Together, Brandy and Jenny talk about the origin story behind her.BIBLE and why a woman's voice can be life-giving for survivors of spiritual or relational harm and how hearing scripture forms our hearts in powerful ways. Get ready to hear tender impact stories of moms listening to a chapter a night with their children, women reconnecting with scripture after trauma, and how listening has helped many women struggling with anxiety. Where to listen: Free IOS + Andrid apps, herbible.org Connect with Brandy for podcast collaborations and speaking engagements: Website + Blog: Instagram:
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Healing From Life's Deepest Hurts: When God Brings Joy Out of Trauma with Kimberly Haar| Episode 33
10/28/2025
Healing From Life's Deepest Hurts: When God Brings Joy Out of Trauma with Kimberly Haar| Episode 33
What happens when your life shatters and God asks you to trust Him anyway? In this sacred and unfiltered conversation, licensed counselor and trauma survivor Kimberly Haar shares hw God met her in the aftermath of unthinkable pain- after surviving domestic violence, assault, and loss, and transformed her story into a testimony of redemption, freedom, and joy. This episode holds space for those walking through grief, trauma, or the long road to spiritual restoration. Moving from why me to what now, pairing therapy with theology, and finding faith when everything seems to be falling apart. You'll leave reminded that healing is possible, hope is real, and no story is too far gone for redemption. *Before listening, please note: this episode contains sensitive discussion of domestic violence and trauma. I you need to pause, breathe, or take breaks-you are safe to do so. Healing happens gently. Connect with Kimberly + Order her book Healing From Life's Deepest Hurts: https://www.kimberlyhaar.com Connect with Brandy for podcast collaboration and speaking engagements: Website, Blog, Newsletter: https://www.brandyadawson.com Instagram: Substack:
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Rediscovering the Bible Stories You Thought You Knew: When Stones Still Speak with Amanda Hope Haley| Episode 32
10/22/2025
Rediscovering the Bible Stories You Thought You Knew: When Stones Still Speak with Amanda Hope Haley| Episode 32
What if the Bible stories we've always known- like Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, Jonah and the whale- looked completely different when seen through ancient eyes? In this thought-provoking and refreshingly honest episode of eighth & GRACE, host Brandy A. Dawson sits down with Harvard-trained archaeologist and Theologian Amanda Hope Haley, known as the Red-Haired Archaeologist, to dig beneath centuries of interpretation, art, and assumption. Together they explore how archaeology, context, and culture can illuminate the scriptures rather than threaten them and why asking hard questions can actually strenghten our faith. It's a conversation that's a little bit spicy and whole lot sacred. One that might stretch your theology, challange your comfort zones, and deepen your awe for the God who still speaks through ancient stoes. Whether you're a Bible nerd like me, a curious skeptic, or a believer craving something deeper, this episode will inspire you to see God's Word in it's origional world and rediscover it's wonder today. Connect with Amanda: redhairedarchaeologist.com Connect with Brandy for podcast collaborations or speaking engagements: Email: Instagram: Substack:
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A Freedom Anthem: Naming the Lies and Living the Truth with Erica Ligenza Gwynn| Episode 31
10/14/2025
A Freedom Anthem: Naming the Lies and Living the Truth with Erica Ligenza Gwynn| Episode 31
What if the phrases we repeat in the name of "self empowerment" are quietly keeping us in bondage? In this episode of eighth & GRACE, Brandy A. Dawson- sits down with author and THRIVE podcast host Erica Ligenza Gwynn to talk about her new book, That's Just Not True. Together they dismantle the catchy cultural "truths' we've been rehearsing- I am enough, my feelings are my truth, if I'm not hustling I'm lazy and rebuild on the unshakable foundation of Scripture. From Erica's 73-day NICU story to her quiet rebellion against hustle culture. this conversation invites you to trade striving for surrende, pressure for peace, and self-help slogans for gospel freedom. You'll learn her five-step swap practice, how to diagnose lies in the wild of your week, and how to rehearse God's truth until it becomes your reflex. If you're weary of spiritual burnout and ready for a faith that breathes again, this one's your anthem for true freedom. Connect with Erica + order That's Just Not True by October 21 to claim your pre-order bonus and get the first chapter- "The anthem we've been desperately waiting for,"- Mary Marantz Connect with Brandy + collaboration for podcast or speaking engaements: Website + Blog- stay up to date: Follow along on Instagram: Substack:
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How to Have Sacred No's and Spirit-Led Yeses: Finding Peace in the Chaos | Episode 30
09/17/2025
How to Have Sacred No's and Spirit-Led Yeses: Finding Peace in the Chaos | Episode 30
What if the ache you're carrying isn't a problem to fix but a place where God is alreading holding you? These days can feel heavy- grief and joy sharing the same room, peace and chaos swirling like sisters who can't dcide where to sit. In this solo episode of eighth & GRACE, Brandy invites you to pause in the hustle breathe deep in the presence of God and find hope in the tension. With warmth, love, and a prophetic kind of comfort, she speaks to the frustration and weariness of waiting, reminding you that you are held - right in the middle of the mess and the mystery. Discover how to release busyness, set holy boundaries, and choose rest over reputation. Brandy reflects on Mary and Martha, the enemy's attempts to stir fear and division, and the deep truth that peace is a fruit of the Spirit - striving and exhaustion are not. Let's live out the gospel with hope and courage, Go! To connect with Brandy for collaboration or request her to speak at your next engagement or gathering- church or social: Website + blog: Follow along with her on Instagram: Join the wildly hopefuls on her her Substack:
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What About This? The Harder Wait
09/12/2025
What About This? The Harder Wait
What if preparation isn't just about time waiting, it's about being willing to be known? Sometimes God invites us past the lobby of simple waiting into a deeper kind of trust, one that requires us to be seen. In this soul-steadying episode of What About This? Brandy A. Dawson names the tension we all feel- holding joy while holding grief in a hurting world. scrolling past violence we can't unsee, and wondering if God has gone silent. Using the picture of a doctor's office waiting room and exam room, Brandy invites you to let God search your heart (Psalm 139:23-24), embrace holy exposure, and discover that true healing begins with His seing. A tender call to lament, to listen, and to trust that the pasue is the proof He is preparing you for something BIGGER than you asked. Connect with Brandy for collaboration: Website: instagram: Substack:
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Overwhelmed, But in the Best Way: The Tension of Both/And| Episode 29
09/09/2025
Overwhelmed, But in the Best Way: The Tension of Both/And| Episode 29
When life feels like it is "too much"- too good, too heavy, too fast - Jesus meets us in the both/and, even in the ache that lingers underneath. In this tender and timely episode of eighth & GRACE, Brandy Dawson leans into the real and raw tensio of carrying both joy and grief and the ache that lives between them. You'll hear: Why new seasons (kid's first days of school, gradations, college drop -offs, empty nesting) often stir hidden grief The ache underneath milestones- loss, longing, infertility, singleness, shifting friendships, stretched marriages What women are most hungry for right now: sacred rest, friendship in transition, body + soul belonging, trusting God with unfinished stories. A prophetic reminder: you don't have to choose. Joy and grief can occupy the same hill. Sorrow and celebration care share the same garden. Take a deep breath as she offers a breath prayer and gentle permission to be fully human: overwhelmed, but in the best way. Connect with Brandy to collaborate for a podcast episode or to invite her to speak at your coference or gathering: Follow along on Instagram: Join the wildy hopeful + expectant community on Substack: website + blog:
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What About This? New Rhythms, Old Letters, Pumkin Spice, and Fall Trends
09/05/2025
What About This? New Rhythms, Old Letters, Pumkin Spice, and Fall Trends
Back -to-school is in full swing, and Brandy shares a voice memo style catch-up: a bittersweet Tennessee "home -home" trip, a new seminary semester (hello, Apostle Paul), conference worship, Emmy turning 24, and prepping for Dan the Man's 50th (yes... Em spilled the tea!) Plus: fake fall pumpkin everything. Then Brandy turns holy gossip girl, (is that even a thing?) don't worry it's just gossip about what is rumored to be on trend for fall 2025. She is delivering what's coming down the runway so you don't have to scroll: listen in to hear the color pallete -brown as the foundational neutral- saturated accents of eggplant, burnt orange, fern, and cobalt/ with snakeskin footwear, hobo belted totes, doctor and vanity bags and her most favorite update: cozy hair colors like cider- lights, chestnut brunette, smoky espresso, and maple-syrup brown - with swinging bobs and shaggy layers in the mix. If you're building new rhythms and craving a gentle nudge, this episode is a reminder that progress is made in small, surrenderd steps and that God is with you in every one. Connect with Brandy to collaborate on podcast episodes or to have her speak at your next conference or event: Website + Blog updates: Instagram: Substack:
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The Dawson Kids Unedited: A Family Conversation and What They Really Have to Say| Episode 28
08/26/2025
The Dawson Kids Unedited: A Family Conversation and What They Really Have to Say| Episode 28
Update*** If you're hearing double on this episode, scroll up to download and click to remove download and then re-download this episode. What happens when you sit down with your adult children, press record, and ask them about life- unscripted, unedited, snd unfiltered. Three kids. Three different seasons. One honest conversation about growing up and raising kids in today's world. In this powerful and personal episode of eighth & GRACE, Brandy sits down with her three children- Kora(25), Emma(24), Ayden(18)- to talk about what it's like finding your place in today's world. Kora is an MRI tech and mom of two, balancing long shifts with the demands of raising a 7-year-old and toddler. Emma is a stay-at-home mom of three and a full-time online college student. Ayden, the youngest, just graduated high school and is navigating life as an extrovert stepping into adulthood. We talked about motherhood, body image, friendships, anxiety, and faith in the middle of an overwhelming world. Their answers aren't polished or perfect- they're real. And I think you'll hear pieces of your own story tucked inside theirs. A family conversation that resonates across generations, reminding us that grace covers us in the middle of life, right where we are. Connect with Brandy for podcast collaboration or for speaking engagments: Website, Blog, + Newsletter: Subscribe to Brandy A Dawson Substack - Musings of Grace: Social Media:
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When Healing Looks Like Family: A Conversation with Rebekah Etyang+ Lauren Johnson| Episode 27
08/19/2025
When Healing Looks Like Family: A Conversation with Rebekah Etyang+ Lauren Johnson| Episode 27
From Nashville Tennessee to the red dirt roads of Uganda, discover how HEAL Minisitres preserve families, restores dignity, and births a movement of hope- where restoration takes root. In this episode of eighth & GRACE, host Brandy Dawson sits down with Lauren Johnson (Choose Joy, Give Grace/ Choose Joy Nursing, board member of HEAL Ministires) and Rebekah Etyang ( Executive Director of HEAL Ministries, Uganda) to share the powerful story of The James Place in Jinja, Uganda. HEAL Minisitries is a Christ-centered nonprofit preserving families and empowering abandoned women and children through childcare, Bible Studies, artisan and business training, and Farming God's Way. Lauren shares her firsthand experience walking through the red clay soil of Uganda- meetng the women, hearing children's laughter, and witnessing transformation at the James Place. Then, hear as Rebekah shares her journey from Nashville to Uganda, the ministry's milestone aquiring 4 acres for permanent home, and the stories of hope that keep her anchored in vision and faith. You'll hear: How HEAL Ministires focuses on restoration over rescue Why preserving families transforms entire communities How faith shapes Leadership in Uganda's unique cultural context The vision for HEAL's next chapeter and how you can be a part of it If you're passionate about global missions, womens empowerment, faith-driven leadership, or community development, this episode will stir your heart and leave you believing again in the power of home, hope, and the heart of God. Connect with HEAL on Instagram @healministries HEAL's website: heal-ministries.org Connect with Brandy for podcast collaborations or to have her speak at your conference or gathering: or website: Instagram: Substack:
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What About This? A Tennessee Trip: Three Hummingbirds, Two Butterflies, And One County Fair!
08/15/2025
What About This? A Tennessee Trip: Three Hummingbirds, Two Butterflies, And One County Fair!
What About This? Five days in Tennessee, back to my roots and remembering how much I love a small town life! This fun trip started in Nashville with a heart stirring conversation for Heal Minisitries- a Chrisitan missions ministry in Uganda that's changing lives by living out the gospel message. Then it was on to Franklin for their benefit gala, where I left praying that someone listening to this chat might also find their "yes" to missions without ever walking the red dirt roads. And there are several reccomendations from the square in Lebanon that includes a rooftop, an acai bowl, and a grown up grilled cheese to a smash burger in Watertown. A nostalgic trip to the Wilson County State Fair ( including more food recs:) poolside therapy at my parent's house where God kept showing up in the everyday moments like butterflies on my toes and hummingbirds bringing joy in the summer heat. This episode is for anyone that needs a reminder that sometimes healing looks like coming, and that grace is found in mountaintop moments, but it's right here in the ordinary, too. Grace upon grace, right where you are.
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When Life Feels Heavy: The Momma B Advice I'd Give You If I Wasn't Afraid of Hurting Your Feelings| Episode 26
08/12/2025
When Life Feels Heavy: The Momma B Advice I'd Give You If I Wasn't Afraid of Hurting Your Feelings| Episode 26
When life feels heavy, you don't need more cliches, you need truth told in tenderness. In this raw and unfiltered, grace -filled solo epsode of eighth & GRACE, Brandy A. Dawson sits down at the table to give some of her momma B advice. Hard but holyb reminders your soul might need right now. She shares seven thngs she'd tell you if she wasn't afraid of hurting your feelings. And it's not cringe- we promise. Truths about waiting seasons, letting go, breaking free from replaying old hurts, and trusting God with what only He can resurrect. From the kitchen table to the pages of Scripture, Brandy weaves real talk and biblical stories to remind you that Jesus stills sees, restores, and calls you Dsughter. If you're overcaffeinated, overthinking, over scheduled, and longing for permission to stop carrying it all alone- this episode is your invitation to breathe. What You'll Hear in this Episode: Seven truths that bring clarity, conviction, and comfort in heavy seasons. How to recognize replaying hurt instead of processing it How you can stop waiting for life to get easier and start asking Him to strengthen you in it If this resonates with you, press play. Meet her here at the taqble. To connect with Brandy for podcast collaborations or speaking engagements: Website to learn more about her ministry: Follow along on Instagram: Subscribe to Musings of Grace on Substack:
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What About This? Anxiety, Peace, And the God Who Holds You in the Wilderness
08/08/2025
What About This? Anxiety, Peace, And the God Who Holds You in the Wilderness
Can you love Jesus and still feel anxious? Can you walk through a wilderness season and still believe in peace, here too? In this prophetic and grace-filled episode, Brandy A. Dawson, weaves together two powerful teachings on mental health and wilderness worship. With Isaiah 26:3 and 1 Peter 5:7 as anchors, she speaks tenderly to the woman who feels overwhelmed by anxious thoughts, tired from holding it all together, or hidden in a season that doesn't make sense. Rooted in scripture, neuroscience, and raw personal reflection, this episode explores: The truth about anxiety, faith, and your nervous system... (Spoiler alert- you can have faith and experience anxiety) Why sleep and rest are sacred tools used in healing What it means to have a mind "stayed on Him" How your hallelujah in the wilderness echoes in the throne room The sacred act of casting your cares on a God who doesn't flinch This episode is part Scripture, part science, All Spirit. And, it's for the woman still standing- by grace alone. Who's ready to hurl it? Connect with Brandy for podcast collaboration or speaking engagements through her website: or through email: Follow along on Instagram: Subscribe to Substack for wild hope+ expectancy through musings of grace.
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He Called Our Body Good: That Truth Still Stands with Lisa Whittle|Episode 25
08/05/2025
He Called Our Body Good: That Truth Still Stands with Lisa Whittle|Episode 25
In a world that constantly tells women to shrink, fix, or hide their bodies, what if God's Word says something entirely different? In this powerful episode of eighth & GRACE, Brandy sits down with best-selling author, Bible teacher, and Jesus Over Everything podcast host Lisa Whittle to talk about her brand-new Lifeway Women Bible study, Body and Soul: A Biblical Look at the Whole Person God Created You to Be. Together, they explore what Scripture truly says about our bodies, from Genesis creation to Gospel ressurection and how reclaiming a whole body theology can set women free from cycles of shame, striving, and self-hate. This conversation is deeply tender, theologically rich, and prophetically needed for every woman who has ever looked in the mirror and felt like her body was a problem to solve instead of a temple to honor. Whether you've struggled with body image, chronic illness, aging, or simply feeling like your body doesn't belong - this episode is a healing invitation to reframe your story through the eyes of your Creator. A God Who doesn't make mistakes. We talk about rediscovering what it means to live as a whole person- spiritually, pysically, and emotionally, diet culture, trauma, reclaiming what God never called broken, and living from the truth of Imago Dei. Order Lisa's new study: Connect with Brandy for podcast collaboration or speaking engagements: Website + Blog Subscribe to Substack: Instagram:
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Real Grace, Real Talk: Learning to Love Your Life- Even When You Don't Like It with Rachel Awtrey | Episode 24
07/30/2025
Real Grace, Real Talk: Learning to Love Your Life- Even When You Don't Like It with Rachel Awtrey | Episode 24
Is it possible to love your life, even when you don't always like it? In this candid and faith - filled episode, Brandy sits down with Rachel Awtrey- host of Real Talk podcast and author of Love Your Life (Even When You Don't Like It All the Time)- to explore how to hold joy and struggle in the same hands. Together, they talk about: What it looks like to embrace honest, unfiltered faith How to create meaningful rhythms in your everyday life Why your messy middle matters Simple ways to practice celebration and hospitatlity The courage it takes to feel seen when life feels ordinary If you've ever wondered if your story is enough or if your longing for practical encouragement to find joy where you are, this conversation will feel like a deep breath for your soul. To connect with Rachel: website Podcast: Real Talk with Rachel Awtrey Instagram: @rachel.awtrey To collaborate with Brandy on podcast or request her for speaking engagement: Website: Instagram:
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What About This? Moments You Don't Feel Ready- But Say Yes Anyway
07/25/2025
What About This? Moments You Don't Feel Ready- But Say Yes Anyway
What if obedience feels more like overflow than performance? On this week's What About This? Brandy Dawson invites you behind the scenes as she prepares to speak at the Open Cup Collective Women's Conference in Florida. Just days after Denver and Charlotte she's catching her breath, repacking her bags, and sitting poolside at a quite Airbnb- processing what it means to be entrusted to speak when you feel both undone and expectant. This episode is for every woman who's ever wrestled with obedience. Who's been entrusted weith something holy- while still healing. Who's said yes even when her hands were shaking and before she was ready. Brandy shares honest refolections on calling, spiritual trust, and how God meets us in the quiet before we are asked to pour out again. We talk about: The sacred tensio between being poured into and poured out How Moses, Esther, and Mary wern't impressive- they were available Why you don't have to or need to hustle for holiness A blessing for the undone woman who said yes anyway Plus: what I packed in my carry on and the quiet poolside moment where God met me before the conference wven begins Spoiler alert: He already went before me. And He's already gone before you, too. An Altar Moment (for you) If you're holding something heavy today- a calling, a dream, a microphone, a story...... May you feel the nearness of the God who entrusted you with it. He's not asking you to be impressive. He's asking you to be present. And He will fill what you offer. So bring your notes. Bring your tears. Bring your yes. Even from the in -between. Even from the Airbnb. And thank you- For being a part of this grace - drenched journey. For every review, every DM, every story you tell me about how God met you in the ordinary. Because He is who He says He is. Even here. Even now. Subscribe: Instagram: Website: brandyadawson.com
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Lavender Lattes, Lasting Joy, and Girl Talk Rooted in Delight with Elle Cardel| Episode 23
07/22/2025
Lavender Lattes, Lasting Joy, and Girl Talk Rooted in Delight with Elle Cardel| Episode 23
What if Joy wasn't just a feeling to chase- but a place to dwell? What if delight isn't something we find when life finally gets easier, but something we discover when we anchor ourselves in the ONE Who sustains us through the mess? Is joy still possible when life feels anything but delightful? Can you really believe God delights in you.... even on the days you don't feel delightful and aren't sure if you're even ready to? In this soul - steadying, grace - drenched episode, Brandy Dawson sits down with Elle Cardel - Bible teacher, mama, and author of She Delights, to talk about the kind of joy that doesn't evaporate when life gets hard. The kind that shows up in grief, lingers in overwhelm, and suprises you on an ordinary Tuesday. Together they explore: What it really means to be delighted in by God, even in the messy middle How to cultivate joy that holds steady when life doesn't Why delight is more than a fleeting emotion - it's a spiritual practice How Scripture roots us deeper than striving ever could Elle shares her journey through motherhood, ministry, and her daughter's diagnosis offering a tender invitation to trade hustle for holy rest - and to believe that God's delight in you is not conditional..... it's constant . If your soul could use a breath of fresh grace, this conversation is for you. Grab Elle's book: She Delights Connect: daughterofdelight.com Instagram: @daughterofdelight To connect with Brandy for speaking engaement or podcast collaboration: Website+ blog: Follow me on Substack: Instagram:
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Choosing Joy While Holding Grief with Lauren Johnson| Episode 22
07/16/2025
Choosing Joy While Holding Grief with Lauren Johnson| Episode 22
Ever wondered how to keep trusting God when life breaks your heart? In this honest, tender, and hope - filled episode of eighth & GRACE, Brandy sits down with Lauren Johnson- nurse, entrepreneur, and the heart behind Choose Joy Give Grace- to share her story of motherhood, loss, and building a life and business rooted in faith, even in the middle of grief. We talk about what it looks like to carry both sorrow and joy while letting God use it all. Lauren is the founder of Choose Joy Nursing, Choose Joy Concierge- companies that have supported thousands of women through overnight newborn care, in -home baby classes, sleep coaching, luxury post- surgical recovery, and beautiful journals that speak life in the hardest seasons. She opens up about her loss of her beautiful daughter Lily Ann, navigating the ache of grieving while holding space for joy that doesn't wait for life to be perfecr. If you're standing at the edge of something new or trying to find God in the middle of your pain- this episode will remind you that you are not alone. Listen as we talk about: Leaving safe to walk in calling Balancing motherhood, faith, and entrepreneurship Building a business that meets real need with compassion staying grounded when life feels overwhelming Encouragement for dreamers in every season Grab your coffee or lace up your shoes- this is a conversation you'll want to carry with you. Connect with Lauren: Instagram @choosejoygivegrace Connect with Brandy for speaking inquiries and podcast collaboration: website + blog: Instagram:
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What About This? Apparently She Ate That- But I'm Not Even Hungry: On Faith, Culture, and Staying Real
07/11/2025
What About This? Apparently She Ate That- But I'm Not Even Hungry: On Faith, Culture, and Staying Real
Have you ever felt like you need to be fluent in culture to fit in? What if you don't feel trendy, aesthetic, or "main character" enough to belong? In this refreshing episode of What About This? Brandy gets honest about faith, culture, and the pressure to perform. Listen as we explore: Why you don't have to be culturally fluent to be spiritually relevant How to embrace authenticity over algorithms The freedom of living uncurated and rooted in Christ Simple summer rhythms to stay grounded in what matters most Whether you're a Christian woman navigating social media, a mom feeling out of place, or someone craving deeper purpose beyond the trends, this conversation will remind you: you don't have to be relavant to be who you have been called to be. Tune in for encouragement, laughter, and practical wisdom to help you live a faithful unfiltered life. Listen now to rediscover the joy of ordinary faithfulness in an extraoridinary God. Connect with Brandy: instagram.com/brandyadawson.
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When You Don't Have the Words: Faith, Grief, and Trusting God Anyway| Episode 21
07/08/2025
When You Don't Have the Words: Faith, Grief, and Trusting God Anyway| Episode 21
In this raw and honest mini solo episode of eighth & GRACE, Brandy shares a tender reflection on trusting God in the middke of tragedy and unanswered questions. As the nation mourns precious lives lost in Texas, she offers encouragement for women grappling with grief, exhaustion, and the ache of not knowing why. Brandy chats about: Pretending helps no one The power of honest faith when life is not tiday and just hard Jesus modeled grief and compassion without performance How prayer- as simple as it may feel moves heaven and earth Whether you're folding laundry, driving to work, or wiping away tears, this short conversation will remind you that you don't have to fake it to be loved by God. Listen now to discover: Why faith does'nt require all the answers To stop performing and start trusting A blessing over weary hearts longing for hope. Connect with Brandy: If you would like to inquire about Brandy speaking or being a guest on the podcast- Website + blog: brandyadawson.com Instagram @brandyadawson Substack- Brandy A Dawson- Musings of Grace
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Mothering a Movement: Vivian Mabuni on Surrender, Identity, and the God Who Sees| Episode 20
07/02/2025
Mothering a Movement: Vivian Mabuni on Surrender, Identity, and the God Who Sees| Episode 20
What does it look like to mother a movement, not jut family? To lead with open hands and awilling heart in a world that often sidelines women's voices? In this powerful episode of eighth & GRACE, Brandy sits down with Vivian Mabuni- international speaker, Bible teacher, author of Open Hands, Willing Heart, and host of the God Hears Her podcast. With decades of ministry experience and a deep commitment to cultural leadership, Vivian shares how surrender, suffering, and identity have shaped her calling to raise up the next generation of women leaders. Together, they explore: Women in ministry and the thrology of being seen The power of cultural identity in spiritual formation How to disciple and empower the next generation Practical encouragement for weary women called to lead What it means to midwife movments with faithm not perfection Whether you're navigating your own hidden season or longing to create community where every woman feels seen + known, this conversation is for you. Listen now to discover: How Vivian's experience as an Asian American leader shaped her ministry The importance of generational discipleship Wisdom for overcoming the whispre of unworthiness Encouragement to keep showing up with open hands Grab your coffee and join us for this tender, empowering conversation about faith, surrender, and legacy. To connect with Vivian: instagram.com/vivmabuni To connect with Brandy for speaking engagement, podcast collaboration, or any request: Instagram: Website:
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