Live Like It's True {Bible Podcast}
Know the story, share the story, live the story. In each episode, Shannon Popkin and her guest talk through one of the most interesting or astonishing stories (narratives) of the Bible, and how to live like it's true. Shannon is the author of six books, and speaks regularly for Christian women's retreats, conferences, and events. Shannon lives with her family in West Michigan. Learn more at www.shannonpopkin.com.
Episodes
What if the people most certain they see Jesus are the ones missing Him entirely?
In this episode of the Live Like It's True podcast, Glenna Marshall and I dive into John 9, exploring the healing of the man born blind and the danger of rule-driven faith. Together, we unpack spiritual blindness, church power dynamics, and the freedom found in humility and grace.
Free Resource from Live Like it's True
Resources: Ch...
Judgy people distance themselves and look down on others. But the surprise in the Bible is what actually makes someone righteous. In this episode of Live Like It's True, Felicity Carswell and I talk about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector from Luke 18 and share some of our own stories of being confronted with self-reliance.
The truth is, none of us are righteous. We all need mercy. And when we receive it—when we go home justif...
At one point, Bill was so angry with his mom that he decided to go, "no contact." But here's the story of what stopped him and what happened when he and Pam chose to love (not cancel) parents who would have been considered "toxic" by many.
Listen as Bill and Pam share a beautiful multi-generational story of redemption, love, and hope.
Links to all three parts of this Episode:
You’ve heard of boundaries and canceling relationships because “I have to do what’s best for me.” But are these boundaries—or walls? Bill and Pam Farrel show us a new, cancel-free way to do boundaries as they tell the story of pursuing relationship with Pam’s alcoholic father and Bill’s very controlling mom.
In a world of people going "no contact" and burning bridges between generations, Bill and Pam Farrel invite us to pu...
Going "no contact" is a trend today—the idea that adult kids must cut ties with their parents for the sake of healing and self-care. But how does that line up with Jesus’ command to "not judge" and "be merciful" (Luke 6:36)?
In this episode, relationship experts Bill and Pam Farrel share biblical wisdom and real-life insight on how to honestly evaluate your parents without canceling them, how to navigat...
Have you lost hope? Have you resigned yourself to an UNhappy ending? There's a shift we see in this story of Ruth—and our own—when a baby is born to "outsiders."
Join me for the second part of a conversation with Katy Morgan from the Good Book Company on the Live Like It's True Podcast.
Guest: Katy Morgan
Get your Free Resource: Pray the Promises
Do you long to belong? Do you still feel like the "outsider"? I'm talking with Katy Morgan, author of "The Outsider" about the beautiful story of a girl named Ruth—an outsider, who is brought to the very center of the story. How is this possible? It starts with her meeting a "kinsman redeemer" named Boaz.
Free Resource: Pray the Promises
Ever been judged by church people? Jesus has, too. Today, my friend and pastor’s wife, Libby VanSolkema, is back to talk about how Jesus responded when legalism crept into the synagogue—the first-century version of church life.
We’ll explore what judgment does to us—and how compassion restores us to the heart of God. Join us on Live Like It’s True.
We titled part one of the conversation: The Truth About Pharisee-Types & How to Br...
Have you been secretly judging some other mom, your sister, a neighbor or friend? Are you stuck in a constant rule-keeping mindset? Are you a judgy Pharisee-type who'd like to break free?
My friend and pastor's wife Libby VanSolkema describes herself as a "Recovering Pharisee" and I can relate. In our conversation about Luke 6, we're exploring Jesus’ surprising response to the Pharisees after the disciples...
Do you assume that your mother-in-law / daughter-in-law relationship is doomed to fail? Are you avoiding her and pulling away?
In this conversation, Stacey Reaoch joins me to explore the complex relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
Sharing thoughts from her book, Making Room for Her, Stacey and I talk about some breakthrough practices from the Bible to create connection and cultivate love.
Guest: Stacy...
Is your relationship with your mother-in-law or daughter-in-law difficult? Is she doing it all wrong? Are you fiercely tempted to judge?
In this episode, Stacey Reaoch joins me for a heartfelt conversation about how expectations and backgrounds can threaten the tender relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
Get some biblical wisdom on mending difficult relationships and cultivating peace.
Guest: Stacy Reao...
Are there certain people who disgust you? Are there those you have a hard time showing compassion to? What if God lavishes those loathsome people with His mercy?
That's what happened to Jonah. Listen in on part two of my conversation with Erika VanHaitsma and learn from a prophet who was disgusted by God's mercy and blind to his own need for grace.
Guest: Erika VanHaitsma
Why did Jonah run from God’s call—and what does that reveal about our own hearts?
In this episode of Live Like It’s True, Erika Van Haitsma joins me to unpack the irony and intensity of Jonah’s story, exposing his deep resentment toward the Ninevites and resistance to God’s mercy. Together, we explore how this familiar narrative challenges us to confront our own grudges and ask whether we truly want God to be gracious—to everyone.
She thought the pain would end with her choice, but instead it lingered. And while she tried to push it aside, there came a time where she could do so no longer.
In this episode, Tammy De Armas opens up about her journey through abortion, the shame that followed, and the slow road to healing. Listen in and discover how mercy transforms even our most broken stories.
Guest: Tammy De Armas
Bible Passage: Various
She just wanted it to go away. She didn't want to be judged as one of "those" kind of girls. Yet in the parking lot of the abortion clinic, Tammy thought, "What have I done?" The new judgment and condemnation she felt didn't go away.
In this episode, Tammy De Armas shares her personal journey through unplanned pregnancy, abortion, and the lasting impact on her life. Listen in and explore the weight of...
Beth's one foster daughter was more work than her other eight kids combined. She had tried everything... but she hadn't tried this. Hear about Beth's breakthrough that began with trading judgy criticism for curiosity and compassion.
In this conversation, Beth Guckenberger reminds us that the gospel frees us to see people through God’s eyes, which shifts our hearts and our relationships and opens the door for influence...
What stories have you heard about God? Would you be shocked to know that He rescued one woman who was a prostitute from a city He was about to destroy? In this episode, Lisa Appelo and I explore Rahab’s bold faith, God’s stunning mercy, and the hope it offers to anyone with a broken past. Her story reminds us that no one is too far gone for God’s grace.
Guest: Lisa Appelo
Bible Passage: Rahab Hides the Spies - Joshua 2:...
Do you feel "disqualified" from receiving God's mercy? Are you stuck in shame over your past, or particular sins? Or is there someone else you think of as disqualified?
Lisa Appelo joins me for a conversation about Rahab, the prostitute, and the surprise of God's mercy when she chose to side with Him. This story shows that none of us is too far gone for God to redeem.
Guest: Lisa Appelo
Have you been trying to influence the people around you by steamrolling over them? If you try to control and micromanage, they’ll resist your influence, not embrace it. But if your faith is in God, and you’re receiving wisdom from Him, you’ll become a faith-building asset to those you have influence over.
I have Katie M. Reid, author of a new study, “God, What Do I Do?” with me today. We’re talking about the story of Deborah—a woman...
How do we talk with our kids about salvation without overwhelming them or avoiding the hard stuff?
In today’s conversation, I’m joined by Champ Thornton, author of 10 Questions About Salvation. We're talking about how to help kids understand faith, repentance, judgment, and mercy in a way that’s both truthful and tender.
Champ shares from his own experience and gives practical encouragement for having those deep, meaningful conv...
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