The Messy Table with Jenn Jewell

10 Episodes
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By: Jenn Jewell

The Messy Table is an ordinary space for real women, imperfect stories, and Gospel-infused hope. Hosted by Jenn Jewell and partnered with Life.Church Sisters, this conversation-style podcast aims to meet and encourage women right where they are.

EP. 147 | Nona Jones [The Flip Side of Rejection]
03/05/2024

Have you ever felt the sting of rejection? And maybe it was more than mere feelings—you were legitimately abandoned, unwanted, dismissed, or devalued. But did you also know there’s a flip side to rejection?

Our fabulous guest for today’s episode at The Messy Table wears all the hats and does all the things. Nona Jones is a wife and mother, innovator and survivor, and a rare combination of preacher, business executive, author/speaker, and entrepreneur. But despite her personal success, she’s also known deep rejection—describing herself as a statistically improbable product of God’s grac...


EP. 146 | Jamie Landers [The One Who's Always Close]
02/06/2024

Isn’t it wild that—no matter what kind of messes we face, cause, or stumble into—we serve a God who’s always close?

Jamie Landers is a misplaced Texan living in Tulsa, as well as a wife and mother of four who loves to remind women who and whose they are—whether that’s in churches or strip clubs, through writing or speaking, from a stage or over a cup of coffee.

But there are parts of Jamie’s story that might not be as obvious at church on Sundays, at the grocery store on Tuesd...


EP. 145 | Michelle Meisner [Embrace the Traction]
01/09/2024

How do you keep moving forward when life isn’t going as planned? According to Michelle Meisner—a wife, boy mom, and long-time staff member at Life.Church who loves Crossfit and poetry; who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in her mid 20s—you must “embrace the traction.”

Michelle has faced some significant challenges in her adult life: an autoimmune disease, secondary infertility, a heartbreaking miscarriage (after a long road of trying), a last-minute failed adoption (with a nursery at home that was stocked and decorated with pink), a successful adoption (that is, by nature, still accompanie...


EP. 144 | Heather Miller [A Tragedy Redeemed]
12/05/2023

Ever since she was a little girl, Heather Miller dreamed of becoming a wife and a mother. But only three years into a thriving marriage, her plans were shattered by tragedy and—at 21 years old—she became a widow.

But even the darkest nights can be overwhelmed with light. Even Jesus came into the world when things were especially heavy. Even death cannot stop the miraculous work of God.

“A huge piece of me felt like it was ripped out, but I just continuously found myself seeking the Lord to get through even the smallest of mom...


EP. 143 | Lesley Graham [Nurturing Your Life]
11/07/2023

Could you use a dose of inspiration? Whether you’d love to renovate a space in your home, parent your children with fresh wisdom, or even set some life-giving boundaries so that everyone around you might thrive—it takes intention to cultivate a meaningful life.

So let us introduce you to the darling and creative Lesley Graham! Lesley is an expert on all things home, lifestyle, and renovation. She has an eye for cozy, a knack for restoring things, and a gift for seeing beauty in unexpected places. Her cute family and some of their design projects have...


EP. 142 | Tori Hope Petersen [Fostering Hope]
10/03/2023

Tori Hope Petersen bounced around twelve foster homes until she emancipated or “aged out” of the system at 18 years old. But even in the middle of a rollercoaster childhood, God met her in her mess.

Despite the odds being stacked against her, Tori became a 4x State Champion and All American in track and field, found a forever family when she wasn’t expecting it, and eventually landed the title of Mrs. Universe in 2021. Currently, Tori is a wife, biological + foster mama, bestselling author (see: Fostered) and speaker, and the founder of a nonprofit called the Beloved Initia...


EP. 141 | Brandi Wilson [Better Than New]
09/05/2023

Friends!!! Welcome back to The Messy Table! YAY!! And sorry for all the exclamation marks, but we’ve missed you, missed these conversations, missed these powerful stories, and are so thankful to be back in this intentional space.

Kicking off our fall episodes is the darling, strong, and faith-filled Brandi Wilson. Brandi is a boy mama, football mama, single mama of three who’s not only “classy until kickoff” but has raised boys to men, survived a heart-wrenching divorce, and is still Better Than Okay (yep, that’s the title of her new book!).

Brandi has plante...


EP. 140 | Elizabeth Woodson [From Beginning to Forever]
05/23/2023

God cares deeply about the details of our individual stories. But we can’t forget that we’re also a part of a bigger, overarching story. From beginning to forever, this is God’s story and it’s our story and it’s the greatest story on earth.

Here to share a piece of her personal journey, as well as some hard-earned wisdom, is the wonderful Elizabeth Woodson. Elizabeth is an author, Bible teacher, seminary grad, podcast host, and a trustworthy voice who is passionate about equipping believers to understand the rich theological truths of Scripture.

“God cr...


EP. 139 | Lindsay Johnson [A Mother's Strength]
05/09/2023

Mother’s Day week can bring all the feels—joy, sadness, gratefulness, longing, and other conflicting emotions. But our guest today at The Messy Table is no stranger to such tension.

Lindsay Johnson battled infertility for four years AND she’s experienced a surprise pregnancy. She’s known the delight of watching her kids grow AND the heartache of losing her precious baby girl. She’s felt the unconditional love of an amazing mother AND she’s carrying on the legacy of her mama’s relentless strength.

“The Lord will restore things—whether it’s here or in heaven.”...


EP. 138 | Amy Williams [The Shock of Her Life]
04/25/2023

Can you imagine taking a seemingly harmless DNA test (for fun!) only to discover that you’re not exactly who you thought you were? And there are strangers out there who share your genetic makeup?

Amy Williams was in her mid-40s when she received the shock of her life. But even when life gets wild, messy, and unpredictable, God is never surprised. In fact, He’s mysteriously able to work all things together for His people and His glory.

“When I remember who God is, I know everything else is going to be okay.”  Amy Willi...