Episode 2 Kat Armstrong: God is in life’s gardens and deserts

“No one wants to be in a desert. Bad things happen there,” says Kat Armstrong, the author of The Storyline Project Bible study series. But when she drilled down into the Bible’s desert stories, she found that God provides in the wilderness. Kat talks with Karen Stiller about changing her expectations of God, running up against sexism and resentment, and what it means to flourish. In this lively and challenging conversation, Kat, a Bible study author, preacher and teacher walks us through her own journey of coming to grips with the often untold and misunderstood power of women in the Bible narrative. 

Kat’s latest studies are called Deserts and Gardens and explore the storyline of both kinds of places that are also symbols in the Bible. Along with her confession that she once thought of Esther as a “Disney princess,” Kat helps us see nuances we might be missing. We also dip our toes into the hot sands of the deserts in the Bible and what they mean for we who still wander. 

A post-conversation note from Kat: “Curiosity might be the key we’re missing in our spiritual lives. In this conversation on Good Books Big Questions, I share why approaching Scripture as a literary masterpiece can transform the way we encounter God’s Word. I hope you’ll listen in.” 

After the talk with Karen: “Wow. This is a woman who has been through some stuff to reach this place of being a very impactful Bible teacher. And no, she doesn’t just write for women. I laughed. And shed a tear or two. This is a good one.” 

Find Kat’s books at NavPress.

Visit Kat’s website and reach out to her with thoughts and questions about her work and this conversation.

Visit The Storyline’s site.

Books Kat mentions Vindicating the Vixens: Revisiting Sexualized, Vilified, and Marginalized Women of the Bible, edited by Sandra Glahn. 

Email Good Books Big Questions at [e-mail] and give us your feedback.

Who is Kat Armstrong? Kat Armstrong is a dynamic Bible teacher, innovative ministry leader, and author passionate about helping curious Christians engage with Scripture. Born in Houston, Texas, she studied at Dallas Theological Seminary and is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at Houston Theological Seminary under Drs. Scot McKnight and Lynn Cohick. Her academic training, paired with her clear communication style, has made her a sought-after keynote speaker for churches, conferences, and nonprofits nationwide. She also hosts Holy Curiosity, a podcast produced by The Center for Women in Leadership.

She is the author of No More Holding Back and The In-Between Place, and creator of the eight-volume Storyline Project Bible study series. Kat has contributed to The Message Bible: Women’s Devotional and written for outlets like Christianity Today, Proverbs 31, and Peer Magazine. Her next book, Easy to Follow: Trading Toxic Leadership for the Way of Jesus (NavPress, October 2025), co-authored with Lyle Wells, offers a transformative vision for Christian leaders rooted in integrity and grace.

Kat currently serves as Senior Director of Marketing and Content Development at Integrus Leadership and previously co-founded the Polished Network, growing it from one local gathering to a nationwide nonprofit for women in the workplace. She has also served on the board of Pillar Seminary, as an ambassador for Seminary Now, and as a member of the Evangelical Theological Society. Kat lives in Dallas with her husband Aaron, senior lead pastor at Christ Fellowship McKinney, and their son Caleb.

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The views and opinions expressed in this recording do not necessarily reflect the positions of NavPress or The Navigators.