Some couples choose to be childless in our culture, but when this decision is not made by choice, it can be devastating.  Almost 5 million couples in the US experience infertility at some point in their marriage, and many more suffer miscarriages, or the loss of children.  Some singles who are moving beyond child-bearing years also mourn the idea that they will not get to experience biological parenthood.

Whether you or someone you know is navigating childlessness, this conversation with Chelsea Patterson Sobolik will be a ray of hope.  Receiving life-altering news at age 19,   Chelsea is no stranger to the deep pain that accompanies barrenness.  While her story may be different than yours, you will find the common threads of disappointment, struggle, grief, and sadness to be the same.

Krista also shares a personal story in this interview that became a defining moment in her life (caution: she cries more than she has in any other interview to date).

From her office on Capitol Hill, Chelsea provides some helpful resources for walking through childlessness, offers suggestions of what we can do to support foster care and adoption, and helps us know what NOT to say to a woman struggling with this issue.

Belle means beautiful in Latin, and that is exactly what Erin Weidemann is trying to help girls define.  Using women of the Bible, Erin has created a company whose mission is to teach girls about prayerfulness, patience, bravery, leadership, and loyalty.  The hope is that girls would not only learn about these women of faith, but would then adopt those traits and live them out in their daily lives.

Erin's enthusiasm is contagious, and her ideas brilliant.  She uses five women of the Bible (Hannah, Esther, Abigail, Ruth and Deborah), five traits, and five virtues to teach timeless character.  As a former teacher Erin incorporates language, visual elements and acronyms to help girls learn the practicals of traits like courage (see SHIELD acronym in the show notes). In fact it was her years of teaching that inspired her to consider how to teach her own daughter about the women of the Bible and Bible Belles was born.

Whether you are listening for your daughter or for yourself, you will walk away inspired to deepen your faith, character, and leadership. Because these women's stories and the virtues we learn from them span time, space and stage of life.

Sister, grab your teenage daughter and listen to this interview together. As the youngest guest to date on The Open Door Sisterhood Podcast, YouTube sensation Chelsea Crockett talks with host Krista Gilbert about everything from how she met her boyfriend (Twitter was involved), to how she started making YouTube videos, to what it's like living with over a million followers.

Beauty is at the center of Chelsea's message. She started her YouTube channel to share makeup tips with other girls and heard lots of questions with deeper undertones. This led to a book about beauty and what it means to pursue God's idea of beauty. A girl suddenly in the spotlight, Chelsea walks through both the inspirational and the practical in this sister interview.

For the woman who wants to better understand the teenage girl she loves to the one who just wants a good red lipstick tip, this episode will make you consider the influences in your life that shape your idea of beauty. You are loved sister. We know that you are made in God's image. His imprint is all over you. We hope this young woman, reminds you of that simple truth.

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by today's youth sports culture?  Do you wonder what to do when everyone else seems to have their children on club sports teams by age 8 or 10?  Have you ever considered whether or not to talk to a coach and how to best do that? Are you a coach who wants to make a difference in the lives of your players?  If so, this episode is just for you! 

Darcy McMurray has experience on all sides: she's been a player, a coach, a parent, and an child educator and advocate.  She deeply understands the psychology and benefit of team sports and how it can equip our children for life.  She also understands that it can be a harsh and unrelenting world to navigate.  Darcy argues that both aspects are beneficial in the long run in our kids' lives.  

We begin the interview covering positive coaching and team building strategies, then move into how to help our kids talk to their coach when there is a problem, and finish with parenting tips that help no matter what sport your child plays.

If you have a child in the world of sports, or if you are a coach, this is a must-listen!  

Alli Worthington has a mantra, “Show up. Be real. Love others. Don’t quit.” As a mom to five boys, wife, business coach, Director of Propel Women, an author and speaker, she was forced to face some fears when her husband became ill a few years ago. A woman who was juggling more than seems humanly possible was faced with the limitations of her very human reality.

As Alli faced her fears, she found there were some things she could do to manage them. She shares her wisdom with the sisterhood. Alli calls the things to avoid The Five Bad B’s: Busyness, Blame, Binge, Bury and Brood. But not to worry Alli also has the counterpart to what we should avoid: The Four Good A’s. These are Awareness, Avoid (the Bad B’s), Asking Jesus for help, and Attack the problem.

You won't be surprised that Alli is a seasoned business coach with a strategic approach to tackling problems. This conversation is the epitome of the sisterhood. Part practical and part inspirational, it's the perfect episode to help you get out of a winter rut.

It's our second annual Things We Love episode on The Open Door Sisterhood Podcast. In honor of Valentine's Day Alex and Krista want to give you some of their favorite things these days. From beauty products to books, cleaning hacks to podcasts, you'll see what's in their shopping carts and social media feeds.

This is a light-hearted episode that falls heavy on the practical end. But what do we truly love that we don't explicitly say on the show? YOU! We are grateful for God's provision to bring this community together and that you are interested in the part practical, part inspirational approach of the sisterhood. Let's continue the good work of encouraging each other in all areas of life so that we may walk through the doors God is opening.

If you liked this episode, but missed our first Things We Love episode, head over to Episode 45 to hear more things we love to have around. What are your favorites these days? Don't keep them to yourself, share in the comments below.

Maggie John enters Canada’s living rooms on a daily basis. As co-host of the country’s longest standing daytime talk show, 100 Huntley Street, she speaks words of hope to her audience that stretch from the Pacific to the Atlantic. As the first black host of the show, Maggie knows she is a trailblazer. But being in front of the camera is not what she originally set out to do. Her passion is story telling and so she was trained as a producer. In her current role she is able to pull out the details of guests’ stories from the interviewer’s chair.

In this interview, we hear how Maggie's taping days consist of hair, makeup and lots of wardrobe changes, but her ordinary is also trenched in the ordinary tasks of family life. From mental setbacks to her mother's Macaroni Pie recipe we cover it all. A great representation of the sisterhood, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

From fashion style to interviewing Lecrae, to books that have had a deep impact on her, we are sure Maggie will capture your heart as she did ours. We could have kept the conversation going for hours. Don’t miss this engaging conversation as we put her on the other end of the questions and interview the seasoned interviewer.

This fifth and final episode of The Healthy Way series is with our sister of heart, Kristen Kill. A homeschooling mom to five Kristen knows the distractions of a busy life. Finding moments to care for her soul can feel like an impossible task. Kristen shares how she finds those pauses and how we can to, no matter our schedules or number of little people at home.

Spiritual health is an important part of who we are as people. It's not a luxury, but a necessity if we are to flourish. Because God made us more than physical beings, He gave us each a soul. It doesn't cost us anything but time to come to Him in our daily routines, and we can be confident God meets us in these moments. Kristen's new book, Finding Selah, helps us to meet Jesus in the midst of the mundane and marvelous. Our souls can be rejuvenated by the one who made them.

Whether you are needing a little inspiration in your spiritual life or overcome with with grief and desperation, God will meet you. We pray this episode offers some practical help as you take that next step and do that hard thing to get healthy in your spiritual life.

You won't want to miss this inspiring and practical conversation about getting healthy in relationships with one of today's leading voices on marriage and relationships. Gary Thomas offers the sisterhood some ways in which we can assess the health of our relationships and how we can move forward with people who are difficult for us to love. We hear how humility (thinking less about yourself) and righteousness (living according to God's agenda) impact the overall health of all relationships.

As we delve into getting healthy in relationships, we naturally uncover some difficult topics.  From pornography to domestic violence Gary offers next steps a listener can take in her family life. From responding to unhealthy people in a healthy way to pursuing holiness over happiness we hear how relationships are often uncomfortable. From parenting kids through hard moments to recognizing the abundant life is the obedient life we are reminded that we often must take the long view when thinking about relationships. There is much wisdom packed into a single hour.

This interview goes down as one of our favorites to date. Part practical, part inspirational, it reminds us of the need for healthy relationships and how God directs us toward them. You will find, as so many have, that Gary's voice is one of gentle and unwavering truth. 

Rachel Cruze has a plan for financial health. That's no surprise given she's the daughter of financial counselor to many, Dave Ramsey. Rachel is now grown, with her own family, talking to her peers about all things money and budget. Like her dad, she has lots of principles to guide money decisions and practical tips to make them a reality. We are sure you will find Rachel approachable and fun as we talk through a topic that can carry lots of dread.

From setting financial goals with your spouse to teaching kids about money, this episode is full of ideas you can implement today. We talk how expectations and comparison can impact our spending, why we need an emergency fund, and how to start paying off debt. No matter your financial position or current tax bracket, Rachel's strategies and advice ring true.

The third portion of our new year series The Healthy Way, Rachel is the perfect voice to be speaking to the sisterhood about getting healthy with money in 2018. A topic that can often feel dry or intimidating, Rachel makes us feel empowered to make small changes that will have big impact in years to come. Whether making a monthly budget or having a conversation with your spouse about debt, this episode of the podcast cheers you on. You can move toward financial health this year. We are here to help you take that next step and do this hard thing!

Kara Hicks is passionate about feeding her family well. And she's just as passionate about helping you do the same. Known on Instagram by the handle @kara_thewholemomma, she offers other moms tips on making meals and snacks approachable and healthy through a whole food diet.

If Whole 30 sounds intimidating to you, don't worry Kara talks through doable steps and how it can be modified with families in mind. She's realistic about the challenges of a full Whole 30 diet, but offers ways to implement small steps if the idea of eating better sounds appealing. As with all of our guests on The Healthy Way series, Kara gives three easy next steps women can do if they are wanting to have a healthier diet but are overwhelmed at the prospect of changing everything.

From sugar content in yogurt, to a whole foods alternative to flavored coffee creamers, we cover it all. We even talk Diet Coke and deoderant. Whether looking for a food revamp in your new year, or simply wanting some encouragement to make a few small yet significant changes, this episode is perfect. It is a sister-to-sister, we can take this next step together, kind of conversation and we don't want you to miss it.

We are heading into a five-part series as we begin 2018. We are calling this January series The Healthy Way because we will be discussing healthy approaches in various areas of our lives. From fitness to finances to relationships, you won't want to miss the sisterhood walking through the doors the new year has for us in health.

We kick off our series with our friend and fitness coach, Tammy Strait. We begin our conversation, and series, talking goal setting. Why do we set goals? What do we get out of the process? And what happens when we don't achieve what we originally set out to do?

We move into more specifics around fitness. As Founder of COR44, Tammy understands the building blocks of fitness. We talk through efficiency, motivation and weight and cardio training. An approachable discussion at a time of year when many of us are evaluating our fitness and making a plan (or setting goals!) in this area.

Tammy is a trusted sister. As we talk through topics that can feel intimidating to many, you'll be encouraged to hear how she approaches goal setting in general, and around fitness specifically. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or simply wanting to move your body with more intention, you'll find this first episode of The Healthy Way series part part practical and part inspirational. Just as we like it in the sisterhood.

Kindness is a virtue we recognize immediately.  It warms the soul, refreshes the heart, and provides solace.  We love to be on the receiving end of kindness, but it is equally important to be on the giving end.  Today Kendra Roehl, Julie Fisk, and Kristin Demery and I discuss why practicing kindness is not only good for our children, but for our own hearts as well.  We get very practical on how we can incorporate this virtue into the life we are already living, with the people right in front of us.  

Whether you are hosting a big family gathering, serving at church, or simply spending time with your kids at home, Christmas is a perfect time to incorporate intentional acts of kindness into your life.  This episode will inspire and encourage as you round the corner toward December 25th.   

Although mom pressure is not a new concept, our generation of mothers seems to be suffering from it more than our mothers or grandmothers did.  We feel responsible for everything: do my kids go to the right schools? Are their friends good influences?  Is my food clean and organic enough to not cause cancer? Am I teaching my children enough about faith? Am I doing enough to build my child's self-concept? If they don't make this team will they ever be able to play again?  If we can think it up, we'll worry about it.

Jeannie Cunnion, author of Mom Set Free, is on the show today talking about how we can learn to recognize our tendencies and then set ourselves free from anxious thinking, mom-guilt, and the burden of having to do life perfectly for our families.  If you've ever been kept awake at night worrying about your children for any reason, this podcast is for you!

Jerusalem, her husband Nathan, and their two boys Wylie and Miles, live in rural Arkansas where they are attempting to live a slower version of modern life. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. From farm life to being outside, to exploring the liturgical calendar, we hear how Jerusalem lives her days.

A girlfriend's conversation about her crazy name (you won't believe the family history on this one!), how she started into blogging, what makes for a good scrambled egg, and how to slow down and enjoy today are all covered. We hear about Jerusalem's Advent wreath, Sabbath bags, and what makes for a good pair of scissors. Part practical, part inspirational, this conversation won't disappoint as we live full swing in the Advent season.

As we talk through what it means to practice faith in our everyday experiences, we pray this episode is an encouragement during a busy time of year. As you do your daily tasks, know that God is present. When we slow down we are able to notice his beauty. That is our prayer for you, a bit of slowing and noticing.

Serena Thompson is a part farm girl, part entrepreneur, part chef, part decorator.  You may know her as the trusted voice and CEO behind the nationally acclaimed Farm Chicks Vintage and Handmade Fair held in Spokane, Washington.  People are struck by her artistic talent, but just as equally touched by her childhood story of growing up without electricity or running water in the woods of Northern California, and how that has shaped her signature style.

If you are looking for direction on how to create a down home Christmas, look no further than Serena.  From foraging in the woods for evergreen boughs, to homemade pies, to porch decorating tips, to how to make a natural Christmas tree look beautiful, we talk about the elements that create a Farm Chicks' holiday.

Don't miss this insider peek into Serena's life during this special and meaningful time of year.  She is full of helpful tips and ideas, including the secret trick to a good fruit pie!

Kate Merrick's life on a small ranch in California where she home schools and surfs sounds idyllic from the outside. And yet tucked in her story is heart wrenching grief of losing her daughter, Daisy, to cancer. Her journey has led her from bitterness to joy in the midst of her reality.

In this conversation we hear about Kate's journey as a mother with a sick child, how she married into a surfing family, the church she is part of and it's global growth. A true sisterhood interview we cover the practical to the inspirational and back again. Kate is one you want to sit with (preferably on the beach) and cover all the topics. Her combination of intensity and abandon confirm the title of her new book, and Still She Laughs.

This is one Open Door Sisterhood Podcast episode you won't want to miss. This surfer girl turned pastor's wife is genuine and resilient, curious and lovely, wild and free. We welcome her to the sisterhood and we welcome you as well.

What is Advent? And how do we celebrate it? Co-hosts Krista and Alex dive into the purpose behind the season and how marking this sacred preparation time as a family can be significant. Whether warm fuzzy childhood feelings come when considering this time of year, or uncertainty about what exactly we're talking about, this episode is for you.

The themes of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace are big concepts and family Advent devotionals can feel overwhelming in an already busy time of year. The simple Advent wreath (or log) can offer a tangible reminder of these ideas and point to why they are significant during Christmas. Alex and Krista offer some other practical applications for families in how to incorporate these larger themes into the weeks ahead. Whether an internal transformation or an external demonstration, let the themes of Advent be a guide for how to spend this holiday season.

Don't let Advent pass you by this year. Make a plan for how to usher in Christmas with a preparation of the heart. We trust this episode will give you a little inspiration and practical help in that direction.

A true Open Door Sisterhood Podcast interview! Co-host Krista Gilbert interviews her partner in the sisterhood, Alexandra Kuykendall, about her new book Loving My Actual Christmas. They talk about the experiment Alex conducted last Christmas season because she wanted to have a less stressful and exhausting holiday. In the midst of her actual life she searched for more hope, love, joy and peace. What she found is that much of her newfound appreciation of the holiday stems from remembering the story that God so loved the world...he sent a baby.

This is the behind the scenes interview where we hear what Alex thinks about the experiment a year later. She shares the stories in the book that have stuck with her, what Christmas means to her now, and how she hopes to extend her celebration through the 12 Days of Christmas. This isn't about beautiful Christmas cards or Pinterest worthy meals. This is about remembering together that Jesus is the hope of the world and his arrival is worth preparing for and celebrating.

You won't want to miss this candid and intimate conversation between our podcast hosts as they talk about grief during the holidays, reconciling the difficult of the world with the hope of Christmas and taking the knowledge of God with us into their everyday Christmas experiences. Here at the sisterhood we want you to love your actual Christmas because God pursued us all when he stepped onto earth all those years ago.

We like to say we are part practical and part inspirational here at The Open Door Sisterhood. For that reason we are tackling the topic of Christmas in the same way. We want the whys and hows of the season to be covered. So we bring you the first of a three-part series on Christmas. Our focus now, before the holiday swoops in and takes over, is preparation. We know a good plan can help us all enjoy the season as we carry out the merrymaking.

Who better to talk holiday organization than Kathi Lipp? We knew she was the sisterhood's go-to woman on managing the Christmas chaos. You will love this fun conversation with one of our favorites as we cover food, budget, and all things in between. We also cover what to keep and what to let go of (hint: you choose) when going through a first Christmas without someone and how to support a friend during a grief filled holiday.

There's no question the plan helps ease the anxiety. Even if there are some hard parts to this Christmas season, it will feel more manageable, and therefore more enjoyable, if some intentional preparation has been implemented. A freedom inducing episode, you will leave with permission to plan a holiday season that includes elements your family enjoys and letting go of the extras. Stay tuned for the next two episodes as we cover more about the Christmas in front of us.

It's safe to say Jess Connolly is a dynamo. She's one of the cofounders of SheReadsTruth, one of the owners of Amen Paper Company, co-author of USA Today Best Seller Wild and Free, and the co-founder of The Influence Conference and Network. We caught up with her in her new office space in Charleston, SC and talked to her about how she manages life with four kids and a big to-do list.

Though her resume is impressive, we focused some of our conversation on her limitations. What she can do within her given work hours, or more importantly, what she can hand over to somebody else. From work projects, to home projects, Jess is a big fan of recruiting help and doing what's need to be a healthy woman. From weekly counseling sessions to workouts with her teammates, we hear how Jess maintains her own health in order to be most effective for the work God has given her.

Jess believes God wants women to move toward holiness. Living under the covering of grace and on mission flow out of that space. Her new book Dance, Stand, Run is for the woman who wants to serve God. This interview is as well. You will feel more able to tackle the day in front of you after hearing Jess' wisdom and practical tips for being a woman on holy ground.

We went on a quest. We wanted to know the world changers in your life. Who takes that next step? Does that hard thing? In order to walk through the doors God is opening. Who is a world changer for good right where she is? Well we got great nominations from you, our listeners, and we are featuring two of the women in this special episode of the podcast.

Meet April Farlow and Becky Jarvis, two women who have felt unique assignments from God. Though one stepped out in her community and one grew her family, they have many themes in common. They both are working toward orphan care. How that plays out in their lives is quite different. Neither one set out to be where she is today, but both surrendered their plans to God's. And in that step by step surrender they've found purpose and God's call to be world changers right where they are.

You will be inspired to walk through the doors God is opening by hearing these two stories. We are sure of it.

#Powertothesisterhood

It’s been a little over a year since we started The Open Door Sisterhood podcast, and today we celebrate 100 episodes! Yes, you read that right, 100! This episode is a look back by our co-hosts, Krista and Alex, at all who have walked through the doors of the sisterhood. We invite you to come in and hear some of the highlights!

All guests and episodes have been a place for growth for guests and listeners alike. At The Open Door Sisterhood we celebrate and encourage one another with our stories and expertise.Though impossible to pick favorites, Krista and Alex talk through some episodes have changed the way they think, live and ask questions. They share the new ideas they’ve taken away, which guests inspired and impacted them in unique ways, and who offered practical ideas and tips they’ve incorporated into their daily routines.

If you are new to The Open Door Sisterhood Podcast, this hour will point you toward specific episodes you won’t want to miss. If you’ve been listening for a while, you’ll be reminded of inspiring guests and engaging conversations. All is meant to remind us that God opens doors for us to walk through and sometimes we need the sisterhood cheering us on. #powertothesisterhood

Sometimes something happens and your life takes an unexpected turn. Candace Payne is a viral sensation whose video of trying on a Chewbacca Mask became the most-viewed Facebook Live video to date (170+ million views). As a result, she has been thrust into the spotlight, featured in more than 3,000 media outlets and has interviewed with major media such as “Good Morning America,” “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” The New York Times, PEOPLE and Cosmopolitan. All because the audience resonated with her unmasked joy that shined through her masked face.

Candace talks with Krista about her life, joy, laughter, overcoming obstacles and motherhood. We hear about Candace's use of humor in the midst of dark circumstances, what overcoming has looked like in her life and how her faith impacts her view of joy. This is a one of a kind conversation with a one of a kind woman that you won't want to miss.

Candace recently launched a video series with TLCme and her first book, Laugh It Up releases in the next few weeks. Candace lives in Texas with her husband, two children, and ornery pug. You won't regret taking a few minutes to learn about the woman behind the mask.