The Tried and Truth Podcast: Intentional Living, Growth & Mindset for a Well-Led Life

What do you do when doubt feels louder than faith? In a world that feels increasingly uncertain, where change is the only constant, how do we find something solid to hold onto?

In this episode, we sit down with Courtney Reissig—author, Bible teacher, high school educator, and mom of four boys—to talk about her book Someone to Believe In and why the Gospel of John matters more than ever. Courtney brings a unique perspective as both ...

What does it take to raise boys who grow into men of courage, character, and purpose in a world that breeds passivity and isolation? In this episode, J. Josh Smith shares practical wisdom from his new book The Man for the Day, revealing how to fight passivity, cultivate virtue, and help young men discover their God-given purpose—starting today.

Whether you’re raising sons or mentoring young men this conversation will challenge you ...

What do you do when your worst nightmare becomes reality? When Amber Smith's three-year-old son River drowned in a tragic accident, her world shattered in an instant. But on the bathroom floor—in her darkest moments of grief—she discovered a faith that would transform her pain into purpose.

In this raw and powerful conversation, Amber shares her journey from worldly happiness to deep spiritual transformation, revealing how she and ...

In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to stop spiraling in control, comparison, and “what if” thinking—and start gently rewiring your brain for real, lasting joy.

I’m so excited to welcome back Nicole Zasowski, marriage and family therapist and author, Nicole blends neuroscience, emotional health, and faith in a way that helps women release anxiety, perfectionism, and the pressure to hold everything together—so they can build...

What if the secret to more joy, presence, and meaning is actually… less? In this episode, we sit down with Cait Flanders, author, writer, and experimenter, who shares her radical journey of not buying anything for a year, opting out of defaults and drinking for a season and the surprising lessons she learned along the way.

In This Episode:

• [2:25] Why Cait decided to stop buying anything for a year—...

In this season wrap-up and “best of” episode of The Tried and Truth Podcast, we reflect on the most meaningful conversations from the past few months, lessons, and themes that shaped this season. From awareness and intentional living to vulnerability, community, dreams reborn and pursued, and anchored hope, this episode brings together the wisdom that stayed with us long after we listened.

This wrap-up episode is an invitation to p...

In today’s episode, Annica sits down with Caroline Shankle, author of The Lion and the Bear: A 100 Day Guide to Facing Your Giants, to talk about the real struggles girls face growing up—and how faith, perspective, and a safe place to land can change everything.

In this conversation you’ll hear Caroline share more on: 

• Writing a 100-day devotional while still processing her own heartbreak and insec...

What does it look like to hold onto hope even if it feels “hopeful-ish”? 

In this honest and encouraging conversation, Annica sits down with author Scarlet Hiltibidal to talk about her latest book, Hopeful-ish - the kind of hope that wrestles with grief, disappointment, weariness, and unanswered questions, yet still choose to cling to faith. 

Scarlet opens up about the personal story behind her book: a season marked by loss, famil...

What if it wasn't a massive overhaul you needed in an area of your life…but one tiny tweak instead?

In this honest and hope-filled conversation, Erin Port of Simple, Purposeful Living, and author of Tiny Tweaks, Happy Life: Simple Changes to Create Space for What Matters — shares how the smallest, simplest shifts helped her rebuild her life in a season of exhaustion and overwhelm and how they can help you, too. 

No quick fixes. No ...

Author, Kate Angelo joins us to share her powerful story of rising from childhood trauma and foster care to becoming a writer and eventually creating a voice of hope and healing in relationships. We talk about the power of storytelling that helped rewrite her own story.

Kate’s story is raw, redemptive, and deeply hopeful—and her wisdom around relationships, marriage, and healing is something every listener will walk away changed by...

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Is this God's voice I'm hearing… or just my own overthinking?” — welcome. You’re in good company.

In today’s episode of The Tried and Truth Podcast, we sit down with Rachael Groll — author of Knowing God's Voice and host of the Hearing Jesus podcast — to talk about what it really looks like to hear God’s voice in the middle of everyday chaos, fear, and distraction. She opens up about her ow...

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into a topic that most people have felt but few of us know how to actually navigate: offense. The kind that comes from unmet expectations, painful conversations, broken trust, or even wounds we thought we’d already healed from. My guest, Alexandra Hoover—author, pastor, and Bible teacher—joins us for a powerful conversation around her new book, You Can Let Go, and what it really looks like to r...

If the world feels loud right now, you’re not imagining it. We’re living in a culture that’s constantly pushing us to keep up, perform, react, and stay “on.” And in the middle of that pressure, it can be really easy to lose your sense of peace, identity, and direction.

In this conversation, I’m joined by author and Bible teacher Marian Jordan Ellis, and we’re talking about what it actually looks like to stay anchored when everythin...

What if the words we use with our kids become the soundtrack they carry into adulthood?

In this honest, hope-filled conversation, Amy Hughes—mom of nine and author of Words Like Honey—shares how the smallest phrases we say (or don't say) can shape our kids’ confidence, connection, and sense of belonging.

We talk about:

• Why awareness (not perfection) changes everything

• The power of repair after we miss it

• Simple ways to sp...

Sometimes the hardest seasons become the birthplace of our biggest dreams.

In this episode, we sit down with Kimmie Ellis, co-founder of La Palmilla Texas Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel oasis — recently recognized by National Geographic as a Top 10 Texas family-friendly hotel. 

Kimmie shares how she and her husband, Mitchell, walked through one of the most difficult chapters of their lives and turned that pain into purpose — a cont...

We spend so much of our time chasing big goals, big breakthroughs, and big answers—but what if some of the most meaningful moments in life are often small and actually measured in seconds?

In this episode, I share stories from my recent trip to Round Top, Texas, where wandering through antique barns, tents, and dinners became a powerful lesson in human connection and power of micro-moments. From a simple compliment to a curious que...

What if discipline wasn’t about control—but about shaping hearts?

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Ginger Hubbard—bestselling author, speaker, and co-host of the Parenting with Ginger Hubbard podcast—to unpack a heart-centered approach to parenting.

From tattling to tantrums to the teenage years, Ginger shares practical tools and timeless wisdom to help parents move beyond quick fixes and get to the root of their children...

Singer/songwriter, Eleanor Bryan, joins on the podcast. You’ll hear her story on chasing dreams, the power of vulnerability, and how community shapes her music. We’re chatting about what it looks like to hold onto your dreams with open hands through seasons of uncertainty and move at the pace you’re truly meant to—not the one the world sets for you.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why insecurity is o...

Ever wonder what it really looks like to love people well?

It’s not about having the perfect words… or waiting until you “have it all together.” Brett Rodgers’ story began with a few guys who simply invited him in—no strings attached. That love changed everything.

Decades later, Brett has spent his life leading and mentoring through Young Life and pioneering ministries across the globe. In this powerful conversation, he shares simp...