Better Together With Barb Roose

Guarding our hearts against temptation is not just something we should strive for before the day we finally get to say "I do". Temptations to sin and compromise can continue into marriage, and as women we need to be aware and on guard. In today's conversation, Barb speaks with author Sarah Wells about two tough seasons in her marriage when she was tempted to stray away from keeping her vows, and how we can all resist our own temptations to sin whether physically, emotionally, or mentally.  Whether you are in a season of wrestling right now or not, this honest and vulnerable conversation can equip you to protect your heart and your marriage.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE sarahmariewells.com American Honey: A Field Guide to Resisting Temptation Connect with Sarah on IG! Connect with Sarah on FB!     ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST In addition to the memoir American Honey, Sarah M. Wells is the author of The Family Bible Devotional Volume 2: Stories from the Gospels to Help Kids and Parents Love God and Love Othe

When we are walking through seasons of loneliness, weariness, or feeling abandoned by those we love, it can feel like no matter how hard we try to manage the pain, things just aren't getting better. In today's episode, Barb speaks with author Ashley Morgan Jackson about her season of struggling with mental health and how God showed her that He was always present even when she felt invisible to everyone around her.  If you are feeling alone or unseen, this episode is for you.    RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE ashleymorganjackson.com Tired of Trying: How to Hold On to God When You're Frustrated, Fed Up, and Feeling Forgotten Connect with Ashley on IG! Connect with Ashley on FB!     ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Ashley Morgan Jackson is an author, speaker, and social media expert. She works full-time for Proverbs 31 Ministries and has ministered to her online community for ten years. She is passionate about women learning to let go of the lie that they have to perform for God’s love and instead realize they can re

Across the country we’re still wrestling with how to talk about race well. Where do we even begin the conversation on a topic that is so big and heavy? If you are a parent or grandparent, how do you respond to your children’s questions and how often should you talk about race in your home? Today, Barb is talking with Dr. Michelle Ami Reyes, co-author of the book The Race Wise Family, a 2023 recipient of the Christianity Today Book Award. During today’s conversation, you will learn a roadmap for how to talk about race in your home as well as many practical tips and fantastic resources to help you answer the hard questions for yourself as well as your kids and grandkids.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE michelleamireyes.com The Race-Wise Family: Ten Postures to Becoming Households of Healing and Hope Connect with Michelle on IG! Connect with Michelle on FB!     ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Dr. Michelle Ami Reyes is a race and culture coach, the course founder of Seasoned with Grace (a program that helps Christia

When our earthly fathers hurt, harm or abandon us, it can leave a deep wound that feels like it will never fully heal.  In today's episode, Barb chats with author Kia Stephens about her experience with an absent father in her life, and the beautiful hope and healing that all women can experience, even if their relationship with their father is never fully restored. We don't have to stay wounded forever, and that is GOOD news! Join us for this hopeful conversation and share it with a friend who needs it. Let's all get better together.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE kiastephens.com Overcoming Father Wounds: Exchanging Your Pain for God's Perfect Love Connect with Kia on IG! Connect with Kia on FB! hopeforhercampaign.com   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Kia Stephens is the founder of Entrusted Women, which she created to equip Christian women communicators of color. A contributing writer for iBelieve.com, Proverbs 31 Ministries, and Crosswalk, she is a recurring speaker at She Speaks, the Beloved Women’s Conferen

Are you feeling spiritually malnourished? Like no matter how hard you try to make it through life, you still feel empty, tired, overwhelmed or exhausted? In today's episode, Barb speaks with author Amy Seiffert about how we can experience life, fullness and satisfaction in Christ. In a world that is preoccupied with staying busy and checking a neverending to-do list, Amy challenges us to practice rest, remember the steadfast love and care of our God, and experience true peace and nourishment in Him. Take a deep breath, grab your favorite cup of tea or coffee, and join us for this encouraging and uplifting conversation.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE amyseiffert.com Starved: Why We Need a Spiritual Diet Change to Move Us from Tired, Anxious and Overwhelmed to Fulfilled, Whole, and Free Connect with Amy on IG! Connect with Amy on FB!   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Amy Seiffert is the author of Grace Looks Amazing on You and is on the teaching team at Brookside Church. She is an affiliate Cru staff member and a

Would you say that your thoughts are more positive or negative? Too often we underestimate the damage that negative thinking and toxic beliefs have on our faith. Barb’s guest author, speaker and music artist Denise Pass discusses how to overcome negative mindsets and position ourselves fully in God’s truth and how we can live that out. As one who has faced some of life’s greatest disappointments and heartaches, Denise offers powerful Scriptural insights and hope for you today.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE denisepass.com Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life Connect with Denise on IG! Connect with Denise on FB! Listen to Denise's Podcast!   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Biblical mindset coach, author, speaker, worship leader, songwriter, and podcaster, Denise Pass holds an MA in Biblical Exposition and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biblical Exposition at Liberty University. Denise is the author of Make Up Your Mind, Shame Off You, 31 Days of Hope Reinvented and creator of The Bible Tribe

Do you believe in Jesus, love God, but you don’t trust what you see happening in church? In the wake of scandals, abuse claims and questionable leadership, perhaps you’ve grown weary and found yourself wondering whether the church is redeemable and whether you should even stay. Today, Barb talks with author Kate Boyd about her new book An Untidy Faith and has an honest conversation that we believe will give voice to those of you who are desperately trying to hold on to your faith but you’re not sure what exactly your faith means anymore. Through her own journey of disentangling from toxic religion as well as her life-giving travels around the world to meet other believers, Kate talks about the questions that you’ve been afraid to ask and she casts a vision for how you may find freedom and joy in following Jesus again.    RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE kateboyd.co An Untidy Faith: Journeying Back to the Joy of Following Jesus Connect with Kate on IG! Connect with Kate on Twitter! Listen to Kate's Podcast!   ABOUT

When suffering, hurt and betrayal turns our world upside down, our emotions can easily turn from grief to anger. Why did this have to happen? Will things ever go back to the way they were before? This isn't fair.  In moments of deep pain it can be tempting to feel angry at God, but today's special guest, Brad Hambrick, teaches us what it looks like to be angry WITH God instead. To grieve with him as a friend and not an adversary. Join us for this gentle, gracious, healing conversation about how we can invite God into our pain, even when things just don't make sense.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE bradhambrick.com Angry with God: An Honest Journey through Suffering and Betrayal Connect with Brad on Facebook! Connect with Brad on IG!  Connect with Brad on Twitter!    ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Brad Hambrick, ThM, EdD, serves as the Pastor of Counseling at The Summit Church in Durham, NC. He also serves as Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a counc

Have you ever felt like your faith is failing? Like your suffering and pain is just too much to handle? Join us for today's conversation as Barb speaks with author and speaker, Michele Cushatt, about how we can develop a faith that will not fail. From divorce, to struggles with motherhood, to walking through three bouts of cancer, Michele is no stranger to suffering. Yet through it all, her faith has endured.  If you feel like you are at the end of your rope, you are not alone. There is hope, friend, even when it's hard to see it. May this conversation serve as a warm hug and a reminder that you are seen, known, and dearly loved.    RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE michelecushatt.com A Faith That Will Not Fail: 10 Practices to Build Up Your Faith When Your World Is Falling Apart Connect with Michele on FB! Connect with Michele on IG!   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST As an experienced communicator, Michele Cushatt speaks internationally to a wide variety of audiences and has published three previous books, includin

Who struggles with their body? Most of us do.  Our guest, Jennifer Taylor Wagner, today shares her journey as a chronic dieter. After a lifetime of struggle she lost 150 pounds and kept it off.  Instead of giving us meal plans, dieting tips, and rigid exercises, Jennifer teaches us how to make peace with food, to eat foods we love, and to nourish our bodies with foods we love. A recovering chronic dieter herself, Jennifer understands how hard it is to shift our mindset around food. As we embrace freedom in the foods we eat, we can walk toward our healthiest selves yet.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE jenniferwagner.co Your Good Body: Embracing a Body-Positive Mindset in a Perfection-Focused World Your Good Body Podcast Check out Jennifer's YouVersion Devotional Connect with Jennifer on IG!   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Jennifer Taylor Wagner is an author, podcast host, and educator who challenges women to renew their mindset concerning health and wellness. As the author of Your Good Body, and the host of You

Relationships are messy because we live in a messy, sinful world. Is it truly possible to love the people in our lives who hurt us, disagree with us, or just rub us the wrong way? Join us for today's conversation as Barb speaks with Becky Keife, general editor of Come Sit With Me: How to Delight in Differences, Love through Disagreements, and Live with Discomfort. After experiencing the divorce of her parents and the resulting tension she had to navigate for the majority of her life, Becky knows what it's like to be hurt by relationships. However she also has experienced God's redemption. Listen in as she speaks about learning how to listen well, stay curious, choose tenderness, and open our hearts to hope.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE beckykeife.com Come Sit With Me: How to Delight in Differences, Love through Disagreements, and Live with Discomfort  Connect with Becky on IG!   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Becky Keife is the Community and Editorial Manager for (in)courage. She’s also the author of several boo

Navigating conversations about race doesn't always have to feel like a minefield.    Join us for today's episode as we chat with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith and Lori Stanley Roeleveld, two unlikely co-authors who God brought together to write a book called Colorful Connections: 12 Questions About Race That Open Healthy Conversations. Together we will discover how to talk about race in a way that values the experiences of others, emphasizes listening over just getting a point across, and is filled with grace.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE colorfulconnectionsbook.com Purchase your copy of Colorful Connections! Connect with Dr. Saundra on IG! Connect with Lori on IG!   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUESTS Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a board-certified internal medicine physician, work-life integration researcher, speaker, and host of the I Choose My Best Life Podcast where she shares biblical ways to help you live fully, love boldly, and rest intentionally. Her previous books include Sacred Rest, Set Free to Live Free and Come

Come laugh with us today on The Better Together Podcast! I’m talking with my longtime friend and Aspire Women’s Event sister, comedian Sally Baucke. Today, we are talking about tiaras, tweezers, and how to find healing in our hearts when life hurts. Sally grew up in a home where she didn’t always feel seen and loved but she now stands on stages across the country to make audiences laugh and so they know how much God loves them. If you need a dose of laughter and love, you don’t want to miss my chat with Sally!   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE www.funnygalsal.com   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Sally Baucke (aka “Funny Gal Sal”) brings two decades of experience making audiences laugh hysterically while keeping it “Always Clean, Never Mean.” Funny Gal Sal artfully combines observational comedy and storytelling with a dose of refreshing hope (well, most of the time!). Funny Gal Sal is relatable to men and women alike because she has survived 38 years of marriage, motherhood and has experience as an RN to draw upon. She w

If your pastor called and asked if you would take in a Middle Eastern family who escaped from their homeland, what would you do? Chicago pastor, Joshua Sherif, escaped from his home in Egypt as a new believer to come to America. In this episode, Joshua and I talk about what it was like for him to leave his homeland, Islam, and encounter resistance in America. During our conversation, Josh tells us the 3 ways that believers need to stop hardening their hearts towards strangers and practical ways for us to love and disciple the immigrants and refugees that God puts in our path.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE The Stranger at Our Shore: How Immigrants and Refugees Strengthen the Church   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Joshua Sherif was born in Egypt to a Muslim family and immigrated to the United States, where he later came to faith in Jesus. Before transitioning to a new role, he planted and pastored in Albany Park, Chicago, IL, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the country for a decade. Joshua has enjoyed his ye

Calling all book lovers! If you are a fan of Christian fiction, then chances are, you’ve heard of best-selling author Tessa Afshar. Guess what?! I recently talked with Tessa and in this new episode, we’re discussing her new novel, The Hidden Prince, as well as Tessa’s fascinating background. She was born in the Middle East, survived boarding school in England and then moved to the United States and came to Christ in her 20s. During today’s conversation, you’ll find out about how Tessa writes novels to help you embrace God’s love and truth in powerful ways.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE tessaafshar.com   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Tessa Afshar’s book have been translated into 11 languages, and loved by fans around the world. Her novels have been on Publishers Weekly and CBA best-selling lists. Her book, The Way Home, God’s Invitation to New Beginnings, is the winner of the Christian Book Award in the Bible Study category. Afshar’s biblical and historical novels have won a number of awards including the Christy an

Sometimes it’s hard to determine whether we are hearing God’s voice or whether it’s our own thinking. It’s possible to learn how to hear God’s voice in your life!   In this new episode, Barb talks with the founder of Equipping Godly Women, Brittany Ann about the 6 tips to help you hear God’s voice loud and clear in your life. Brittany Ann leads a large online community committed to helping Christian women live all in for Jesus. She’s a wife, mom, and Bible teacher who loves to challenge and encourage women to grow in their faith.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE equippinggodlywomen.com Follow God's Will: Biblical Guidelines for Everyday Life   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Brittany Ann is an ECPA bestselling author, speaker, and founder of EquippingGodlyWomen.com, a popular Christian-living website dedicated to helping busy Christian moms find practical ways to go "all in" in faith and family. Brittany is the author of books including “Fall in Love with God’s Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women” and “Follow God’

It’s not over yet! If you are still breathing, then God has big dreams for you! Join me on this new episode where I’m talking with speaker, author, leader and someone that I’ve admired from afar for many years, Jo Saxton. She has powerful words and wisdom to share with you about owning your voice, living out your purpose and how to stop apologizing for your desire for more.    Jo is the founder of the Ezer Collective and dedicated to investing in women leaders around the world. She was born in Nigeria, raised in London and now lives in Minneapolis with her family. Jo's message will encourage and inspire you to go further than you ever could have imagined!    NOTE: There is a slight echo in the beginning of this episode due to tech issues, but it does not last more than 2 minutes or so!    RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE josaxton.com Jo's Upcoming Ezer Collective Events!   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Jo Saxton is a speaker, podcaster, author, guest TV host and leadership coach. She is the founder of the Ezer Collectiv

When it comes to the topic of race and racial healing, many of us have one of two responses: hide away from the uncomfortable conversation or become overzealous and use our words to cut and hurt others. In today's episode, our special guest, Dr. Lucretia Carter Berry, shows us a new approach that is characterized by understanding, growth, and grace.    In today's conversation we talk about accepting God's call to dive into the deep (and at times terrifying) waters, taking the time to learn, and rising up to teach and educate our families as well as others in our lives.    RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE brownicity.com Teaching for Justice and Belonging: A Journey for Educators and Parents Hues of You: An Activity Book for Learning About the Skin You Are In   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Lucretia Carter Berry, PhD is an author, educator, speaker, and the founder of Brownicity, an agency committed to making important, scholarly-informed, antiracism education accessible, and the director of its learning community. With t

Are you grieving and desperate for people to understand how you really feel?    After author Gwendolyn Burton’s 26-year old son died suddenly from an epileptic seizure, no one around her could say anything to help her feel better. She’s spent years working through the grieving process and has captured her journey and the lessons learned in her new book “You Don’t Know Just How I Feel”.    During our conversation, Gwendolyn explains why we should never tell a grieving person, “I know just how you feel.” Grief is so personal, but in this episode, Gwendolyn shares practical boundaries, grief self-care, how to handle social media as well as how to find hope after devastating loss.    RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE gwendolynoburton.com You Don't Know Just How I Feel   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST After three miscarriages and an adult son who passed away from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), Gwendolyn Burton is uniquely qualified to help others navigate their grief journey by discussing common challenges and mi

If you find that you take a long time to process, feel emotions strongly, or can be highly stimulated by external factors such as scent and taste, chances are that you may be an HSP (highly sensitive person)! Today on the show, we have the pleasure of hearing from Cheri Gregory, an HSP and the co-creator of Sensitive and Strong, a place where fellow HSPs can grow, encourage one another, and discover the beautiful way that God has made them to function.    Being an HSP is an incredible blessing! So whether you think you may be one yourself or know others in your life who exhibit these characteristics, this episode is for you!   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE sensitiveandstrong.com Take the HSP Quiz!   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Through Scripture and storytelling, Cheri Gregory delights in helping women draw closer to Jesus, the strength of every tender heart. She is the co-leader of Sensitive & Strong, the founder of Write Beside You coaching services, and coauthor of five books. Cheri speaks locally and interna