Faith Conversations Podcast
The Faith Conversations Podcast brings people of faith to the table for honest, authentic conversations about personal faith journeys and what it is like to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus. Each episode highlights powerful testimonies, explores God’s character, and shares personal stories from the Christian experience — offering encouragement, hope, and advice for those who are curious, questioning, or struggling with their faith. Conversations cover topics such as finding peace, overcoming loneliness, facing health diagnoses, battling anxiety, healing from grief, strengthening relationships, surrendering control, and trusting God through uncertainty and life’s toughest challenges. Whether you’re seeking...
Beauty from Ashes: Amber Waldrop's Journey from Brokenness to Joy
Amber Waldrop's joy is unmistakable. But behind that joy is a story of deep pain, destructive choices, grace, and redemption.
Amber grew up in an Air Force family that was always involved in church. In second grade, she first recognized her need for a Savior, and she spent the years that followed trying to live as she thought a Christian should. But when suffering came - including a painful violation of trust by someone she should have been able to trust - Amber carried the hurt alone. For years, she tried to fix what was broken on...
God's Gentle Pursuit: Uyen Dang's Journey from Believing in God to Knowing Him
Uyen Dang believed in God from childhood. She experienced the love of Jesus through the church that welcomed her Vietnamese refugee family to South Carolina, accepted God into her heart after her father's death, and later recognized her need for Jesus as Savior. But it would take years - and heartbreak - for Uyen to understand just how personal a relationship with God could be.
In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Uyen shares the story of what she now calls "God's gentle pursuit." From losing her father at nine years old and wrestling with resentment...
Getting Right with God After 9/11: Karen Baker's Story of Faith at the Pentagon
Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, Karen Baker shares how surviving the attack on the Pentagon became the catalyst that led her to a saving faith in Jesus.
Karen had been seeking God since childhood, but for years she thought following Him required choosing the right denomination, understanding religious rules, or fitting into a formal structure. Then 9/11 changed everything.
Karen was working inside the Pentagon on September 11, only one corridor away from where American Airlines Flight 77 struck the building. In the aftermath, her work in media relations brought her alongside people grieving unimaginable loss. She watched as...
When Life Knocks You Down: Lauyren Lewton’s Story of God’s Faithfulness
What happens when life knocks you down and you realize you can’t get back up on your own?
In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera talks with Lauyren Lewton about a faith journey that moved from seeing Christianity as a list of rules to discovering a life-changing relationship with Jesus.
Lauyren found herself at her lowest point in life as a mom when she lost her marriage and her job in the same season. With no clear way out and a growing realization that she was not in control, she turned to...
What Should I Do? When I Don't Know the Right Thing to Do
How do you make a wise decision when you genuinely don't know what the right thing to do is?
In the final episode of the What Should I Do? series, Jessica Cabrera shares a personal story about planning a much-needed vacation during a season of financial uncertainty—and discovering that God cares about even the ordinary decisions we face.
As Jessica and her husband prayed for wisdom, unexpected obstacles, disappointing news, and surprising generosity revealed something profound: God's guidance isn't always dramatic, but it is often deeply personal.
If you've ever prayed, "Lord, I...
What Should I Do? When Two Good Things Compete
How do you choose when both opportunities are good—but one calls you to seek God's kingdom first?
In the second episode of the What Should I Do? series, Jessica Cabrera shares the unexpected story of two opportunities that collided at the exact same moment: a unique career opportunity and a ministry opportunity she had spent years praying God would provide.
Neither opportunity was wrong. Both were meaningful.
But through prayer, Scripture, and honest reflection, Jessica realized God wasn't simply asking her to choose between two good opportunities—He was inviting her to exam...
What Should I Do? When I Want to Control the Outcome
What do you do when two good opportunities compete—but choosing one requires trusting God?
In the first episode of the What Should I Do? series, Jessica Cabrera shares a deeply personal story about a decision involving her son's future that unexpectedly became a test of her own faith.
When an exclusive football showcase conflicted with a long-awaited Young Life camp, Jessica found herself wrestling with a question many of us face: Do I really trust God to accomplish His purposes, or do I believe I need to control the outcome?
Through the st...
Restore. Rebuild. Rise: Kristen Stockton’s Journey (Replay)
If you would like to connect with Kristen, CLICK HERE and she will send you a welcome email with a link to take her free assessment and you’ll get access to a 10% discount on her new book “When Strength Isn’t Enough”.
What happens when shame keeps you from drawing near to God—and how do you find your way back?
In this replay of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Kristen Stockton, who shares her journey from striving and self-reliance to experiencing God’s restoring grace and love.
After facing emotional, f...
Spirit-Led Journey – Marissa Eyon (Replay)
In this replay from May 2025, Marissa shares how the Holy Spirit ignited a craving to level up her relationship with God and inspired the unscripted path her life has taken. Through illuminating encounters and tangible affirmations, Marissa’s journey testifies what happens when faith leads the way.
If you would like to know more about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life, you may read John 14:16-27.
Do you want a relationship with God too?
If you have never made the choice to accept God's offer – a gift, not by works – to be r...
Is This All There Is? How God Redefined the Good Life for Matt Rampey (Replay)
What happens when the version of the “good life” you’re chasing leaves you empty?
In this replay of Faith Conversations from January, Matt Rampey shares his honest journey from chasing pleasure, popularity, and freedom on his own terms to discovering the true freedom found in Jesus Christ. Matt's life was shaped by partying, unhealthy addictions, and a relentless pursuit of approval—until everything came crashing down.
After losing his girlfriend, his best friend, and having a hidden addiction exposed, Matt hit rock bottom and began asking the deeper questions: Who am I? What am I chasin...
Wrestling with Religion: Katie Hagan on Authentic Faith in a Hypocritical World (Replay)
In this replay of the Faith Conversations Podcast from October 2025, Katie Hagan opens up about growing up in church, wrestling with how much religious hypocrisy is out there, and learning what it truly means to walk in a personal, surrendered relationship with God. From her early baptism to adult struggles with doubt, Christian culture, and social justice, Katie shares a candid and compelling story of how faith in Jesus has shaped her identity and values.
What does the Bible say?
Micah 6:8 – What the Lord actually requires of us.
James 1:27 – What the Bible says relig...
Summer 2026 Quick Update
In this special summer update, Jessica Cabrera shares why Faith Conversations Podcast is taking a short recording break, what listeners can expect over the coming weeks, and how God continues to work through every season of life. Learn why four unforgettable replay episodes can strengthen your faith, hear about exclusive guest update reels, and get a preview of three new solo episodes exploring the question, 'What should I do?' This encouraging update reminds listeners that remembering God's faithfulness can anchor us during seasons of uncertainty and deepen our relationship with Jesus.
Related Bible Verses (NASB)<...
Pursued by Grace: Rosana Berquist’s Journey from Religion to Relationship
What happens when you know about God but have never experienced a relationship with Him? In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Rosana Berquist, who shares her powerful journey from religious tradition to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Raised in a large Catholic family in Peru, Rosana learned moral values and religious practices but did not understand the Gospel or her need for a Savior. After moving to the United States, God used Christian friendships, personal heartbreak, and a life-changing encounter with His presence to reveal her sin, His grace, and the power of forgiveness...
From Rebellion to Relationship: Michelle Dillard’s Story of God’s Grace
What happens when you stop running from God and begin searching for Him with your whole heart? In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Michelle Dillard, Women's Ministry Director at Burke Community Church. Michelle shares how a childhood prayer, seasons of rebellion, her father's stroke, the 2008 housing crash, and ultimately God's grace drew her into a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Through Scripture, confession, and the work of the Holy Spirit, Michelle discovered peace, joy, and purpose. Today she leads women toward Christ and reminds us that when we seek God with all our hearts, we...
When God Writes a Different Story: Tiffany Royce on Trusting God's Plan
How do you trust God when life unfolds differently than you imagined?
In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Tiffany Royce, who shares how God faithfully guided her from simply believing in Him to experiencing a personal relationship with Him.
As Tiffany grew in her faith, God's Word and the Holy Spirit became a compass that directed her life. Through seasons of disappointment, unanswered prayers, infertility, and waiting, Tiffany learned that God's plans are often different than our own—but always good.
God eventually grew Tiffany's family through adoption, br...
From Despair to Purpose: How Jesus Transformed Michelle Burton’s Life
How can Jesus transform a life marked by loss, addiction, trauma, and despair?
In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Michelle Burton, massage therapist at NOVA Body Mechanics, who shares her remarkable journey from a childhood filled with loss, instability, abuse, and addiction to a life transformed by the love, truth, and purpose found in Jesus Christ.
After losing her mother at just three years old and growing up in a home marked by chaos and brokenness, Michelle spent years searching for meaning and belonging. Although she encountered Christianity at various...
Hope in the Hard Places: Marcella Oakley’s Story of Faith, Love, and Perspective
How do you find hope when life feels dark?
In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Marcella Oakley, a former detective, hostage negotiator, wife, mother, and friend of Rachel Noonan from the first episode of Faith Conversations.
Marcella shares how her grandmother helped her understand the importance of a personal relationship with God, how God carried her through her daughter's diagnosis with Cystic Fibrosis, and how she witnessed God's love through the loss of her mother. Marcella also shares a unique perspective on the existence of good and evil in the...
More Than Going to Church: How Baby Steps of Faith Changed Jan Smith’s Life.
In this heartfelt episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews her mother, Jan Smith, about her journey from growing up in church, to drifting away from God, and ultimately rediscovering a personal relationship with Jesus.
Jan shares how, even during seasons when she was not living for God, she could still see His protection and guidance in her life.
A life-changing Walk to Emmaus retreat helped open her eyes to the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus, and over time, Jan grew in faith through mentorship, prayer, and daily friendship with God.<...
A Changed Perspective: How Walking with God Transforms the Way We See Life
How does a relationship with God change the way we see life?
In this solo episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera reflects on the powerful perspective shifts revealed through the stories shared over the past year of the podcast.
Time and time again, people who encountered God experienced transformation—not just in their circumstances, but in how they viewed life itself.
This episode explores how walking with God changes us from fear to peace, anxiety to trust, emptiness to purpose, and spiritual blindness to clarity.
Drawing from stories shared by...
More Than Survival: Finding Purpose Through Faith in God
What does it really mean to live your best life?
In this solo episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera explores what it means to move beyond merely surviving and begin living the abundant life God designed us for.
Our culture tells us to seek comfort, control, and self-satisfaction—but God calls us to something greater: a life of faith, surrender, and purpose. Jessica shares how true fulfillment comes not from living life on our own terms, but from living in alignment with the One who created us.
Drawing from Hebrews 11—the “faith...
Is God Really in Control? Understanding the Providence of God
Is God really in control of what’s happening in your life?
In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera revisits Pastor Marty Baker’s story and reflects on the providence of God—the truth that God is actively involved in His creation, guiding all events to accomplish His purpose.
Through personal testimony and reflection, Jessica shares how God has orchestrated the details of her life in ways that could only be intentional.
This episode is an invitation to look back on your life and recognize how God has been at work—a...
God is still good—even when life is hard.
What do you do when life feels overwhelming—and your faith feels weak?
In this deeply personal solo episode, Jessica Cabrera shares a vulnerable look behind the scenes of the past year of podcasting. While powerful testimonies have been shared, she opens up about the difficult personal challenges she has faced.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, this episode explores where we find true mental strength when life feels chaotic. Jessica reflects on how fixing our eyes on Jesus changes our perspective, even when circumstances don’t change.
This episode is an enco...
God Wants to Reach YOU!
Does God really want a relationship with you—personally?
In this short bonus episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera shares a powerful reminder: God is actively seeking you.
Behind every episode are volunteers who are passionate about sharing stories of God’s goodness so others can come to know Him. Their mission reflects God’s heart—to seek and save the lost and invite every person into a relationship with Him.
This episode highlights God’s deep love and desire for all people to know Him. He sees your pain, your questions...
The Power of Teaching Kids About God
How does teaching children about God impact their future?
In this short bonus episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera reflects on a powerful truth revealed through a year of testimonies: teaching children about God has a lasting, life-shaping impact.
From early childhood exposure to Scripture to witnessing faith lived out daily, these foundational experiences often become the roots of lifelong faith. Jessica shares how hearing adult testimonies has made it clear that what children learn about God today can influence their relationship with Him for years to come.
This episode highlights...
Spiritual Experiences Are Memorable
Why do spiritual experiences stay with us so vividly?
In this short bonus episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera reflects on a powerful pattern she observed across many testimonies—people remember their encounters with God in remarkable detail.
Scripture reveals that the Holy Spirit brings these moments to our memory and allows us to see beyond the physical world into the spiritual reality God is revealing.
This episode explores how spiritual experiences create clarity, deepen faith, and give us a glimpse of the eternal life God has prepared.
If yo...
There’s No “Right” Way to Find God
Is there a right way to find God?
In this short bonus episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera shares a powerful truth revealed through countless testimonies: while every person’s path to God looks different, the One who saves is always the same—Jesus.
Every story has a turning point—a moment where the need for God becomes clear. But the miracle isn’t how we come to God; it’s that God made a way for us to come to Him through Jesus.
This episode reminds listeners that salvation is not based...
Our Stories Are Different, But God Is the Same
What can we learn from hearing so many different stories of faith?
In this short bonus episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera reflects on a powerful truth revealed through a year of conversations: while people’s stories are vastly different, God remains the same.
Through testimonies from diverse backgrounds, one thing has remained consistent—God’s character. He is faithful, steady, and unchanging.
This episode highlights how observing God’s work in different lives has deepened Jessica’s awe and anchored her faith.
If you are searching for stability in an unce...
How the Podcast Changed My Life: Jessica Reflects on One Year of Faith Conversations
What if listening to other people’s faith stories could actually change your own?
In this special anniversary episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica reflects on how a year of hearing real, behind-the-scenes testimonies has transformed the way she sees God.
Through story after story of rescue, restoration, and redemption, something unexpected happened—doubt was replaced with confidence, faith became more personal, and the reality of God’s presence became undeniable.
This episode isn’t just a look back.
It’s an invitation.
An invitation to consider what happens when you p...
Hallelujah in the Heartbreak: Nicole Townson on Finding Joy
How do you find joy in the middle of heartbreak—and is it really possible to praise God through it?
In this episode, Nicole Townson shares her journey from knowing about God to walking in a personal relationship with Him. After moving from Japan to Ohio during a season of loss, Nicole experienced both heartbreak and renewal as God led her family into a deeper faith.
Nicole now lives with a joy and peace that only God can give and shares how God is present in both the hallelujahs and the heartbreak.
Restore. Rebuild. Rise: Kristen Stockton’s Journey
If you would like to connect with Kristen, CLICK HERE and she will send you a welcome email with a link to take her free assessment and you’ll get access to a 10% discount on her new book “When Strength Isn’t Enough”.
What happens when shame keeps you from drawing near to God—and how do you find your way back?
In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Kristen Stockton, who shares her journey from striving and self-reliance to experiencing God’s restoring grace and love.
After facing emotional, f...
Finding My Identity in Christ: Katie Simpson’s Story of Surrender, Loss, and Trusting God
In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Katie Simpson, who shares her journey of surrender, loss, and discovering her identity in Christ.
Although Katie grew up knowing about Jesus, she spent years searching for fulfillment apart from a fully surrendered faith. Through friendships, a powerful moment of obedience, and seasons of miscarriage and transition, she learned to trust God even when life didn’t go as planned.
Her story is a reminder that our identity is not found in our roles or circumstances, but in who we are as children of Go...
If You Seek Him, You Will Find Him: Beth Flecker’s Story of God’s Sovereignty and Faithfulness
In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Beth Flecker, who shares her powerful story of faith, surrender, and discovering God’s sovereignty through life’s highs and lows.
Raised in a Christian home, Beth had an early understanding of faith but believed she needed to fix her life before fully committing to Jesus. At the age of 12, she learned that salvation is not about perfection, but about accepting Christ as Savior.
Through college and early adulthood, Beth’s faith remained present but not fully surrendered. Looking back, she now sees how God wa...
When Doing the Right Thing Wasn’t Enough: Tia Nelson’s Journey to Authentic Faith
What happens when faith feels more like doing the right things than truly knowing God?
In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera talks with Tia Nelson about growing up with faith, questioning whether religious activity was enough, and eventually discovering a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Raised in small-town South Carolina, Tia was introduced to faith early through conversations with her grandfather and chose to be baptized at six years old. But as she grew older, she began to wrestle with whether faith was meant to be more than following rules and staying...
The Resurrection of My Faith: Whitney Howell’s Journey Back to God
In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Whitney Howell shares the deeply personal story of how God restored and revived her faith. Through seasons of searching, uncertainty, and spiritual questions, Whitney experienced what she describes as the 'resurrection' of her faith—a renewed relationship with God that transformed the direction of her life.
Looking back, Whitney can see how God was patiently pursuing her even when she didn’t recognize it at the time. Through people, circumstances, and moments of reflection, the Lord was guiding her heart and drawing her back into a relationship with Him.
Don’t Give Up: Deb White on How God Redeems Pain and Restores What’s Broken
In this episode of Faith Conversations, host Jessica Cabrera interviews Deborah White about growing up without a Christian foundation, wrestling with performance-based faith, and discovering the life-changing truth that God’s love cannot be earned.
After losing her father at age ten, Deborah struggled with grief and identity. Though she attended church and repeatedly rededicated her life, she believed she had to perform to earn Christ’s love. It took years for her to truly understand that Jesus could not love her any more than He already did.
During a difficult season in her marriage, a pa...
Pursued by a Personal God: Dana Hutson’s Journey of Faith
In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera interviews Dana Hutson about discovering the deeply personal love of God. Raised attending church only on Christmas and Easter, Dana later encountered Christ through a Bible study that freed her from the guilt and shame of her past. But her story doesn’t stop there. Through Scripture coming alive on a beach, unexpected confirmation through Proverbs, and courageous obedience in leaving her job without a clear next step, Dana experienced a God who actively pursues His children and meets them exactly where they are. This episode highlights God’s inti...
How Do You Respond to God?
What do you do when God speaks—but what He asks feels uncomfortable, vulnerable, or even frightening?
In this honest and deeply personal solo episode, Jessica Cabrera builds on last week’s conversation about how God communicates and turns the focus to a more challenging question: How do we respond to God’s voice?
Drawing from Acts 8 and 9, Jessica reflects on the dramatic conversion of the Apostle Paul and the courageous obedience of Ananias. When God asked Ananias to go to Saul—a man known for persecuting Christians—it didn’t make sense. It was risky. It wa...
How Does God Communicate With Us? 6 Biblical Ways God Speaks Today
Is God speaking to us today? And if so—how does God communicate?
In this solo episode of Faith Conversations, Jessica Cabrera explores a powerful truth: God is expressive. He is not silent, distant, or detached. He communicates clearly, personally, and purposefully.
From the Trinity to creation, from Scripture to Jesus Christ, from the Holy Spirit to the Church—God has made Himself known in unmistakable ways. If you’ve ever wondered how to hear from God or questioned whether He is speaking at all, this episode offers biblical clarity and encouragement.
This episod...
Where Are the Answers to Life? Pastor Marty Baker’s Faith Journey
Where do you turn when you’re searching for the answers to life?
In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Pastor Marty Baker, Senior Pastor of Burke Community Church, shares his remarkable testimony and lifelong conviction that the answers to life are found in the Word of God.
Growing up in a Christian home, Marty recalls the moment as a child when he truly understood his need for Jesus—sparked by a conversation with his mom about an image of Christ knocking at the door of the heart. After choosing to open that door, Past...
Who Was the Light for You? Lydia Van Zandt’s Story of Being Rescued and Called to Shine
What happens when God pursues you—even when you don’t yet know Him?
In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Lydia Van Zandt, Director of Kids Ministry at Burke Community Church, shares her powerful testimony of being rescued by God and discovering the freedom, peace, and purpose she had been searching for in all the wrong places.
Growing up without a Christian foundation and moving frequently as a child, Lydia found herself seeking belonging and fulfillment through unhealthy relationships and behaviors. Everything changed when two friends from school invited her to youth group—her fi...
