Starting Place with Elizabeth Woodson

Starting Place with Elizabeth Woodson

Starting Place is a discipleship podcast hosted by Elizabeth Woodson, an author, Bible teacher, and seminary graduate who loves to help believers to grow spiritually. Through practical teaching and honest conversations with pastors, theologians, and everyday disciplemakers, we explore what Christians believe and how those beliefs shape a faithful, spiritually vibrant life. If you’re ready to grow deeper in your faith, this is the place to start, one meaningful conversation at a time.

Episodes

A Fun Announcement!

October 22, 2025 • 5 mins
In this episode, Elizabeth shares an exciting announcement about a new collection of conversations she’s recorded with her friend Yana Jenay Conner. Together, they are going to dive into conversations about the chaos and disconnection shaping our world today. Covering topics like friendship, forgiveness, and the culture, they will explore how a theology of shalom transforms helps us experience God’s peace in everyday life.

Follow Sh...
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Real Life Discipleship: Consumeristic Christianity with Oghosa Iyamu

October 15, 2025 • 46 mins
In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Oghosa Iyamu to talk about a current trend that is making discipleship difficult – Consumeristic Christianity. They discuss how attraction-driven ministry shapes our discipleship, why it can stunt our spiritual growth, and how sound theology and community can help believers engage God’s vision for the local church, discipleship, and mission more deeply. 

Main Takeaways
  • Consumeristic Chris...
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Real Life Discipleship: Overwhelm with Ruth Chou Simons

October 8, 2025 • 36 mins
In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Ruth Chou Simons to talk about what it means to live unhurried in a world that constantly demands more. Together they wrestle with the pressures women face to produce and perform, how the gospel offers true rest, and why God’s creation points us back to His faithful care. Ruth also shares how art, creativity, and slowing down have shaped her own walk with Jesus.

Main Takeaways:
  • Small dail...
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Real Life Discipleship: Disappointment

October 1, 2025 • 27 mins
Disappointment is one of those universal experiences, we all face moments where life doesn’t turn out the way we hoped. In this episode of Starting Place, Elizabeth unpacks how Christians can navigate disappointment without getting stuck in bitterness or despair. From unmet expectations in relationships or career, to deep struggles in ministry, we learn how lament gives us language to bring our grief and anger honestly before God.

M...
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Real Life Discipleship: Identity with Hosanna Wong

September 24, 2025 • 33 mins
In this episode, Elizabeth talks with spoken word poet and author Hosanna Wong about identity, self-worth, and freedom from shame. Hosanna shares her journey of battling insecurity and learning to believe God’s truth over cultural lies. Together they explore how the church can address shame with compassion and how discipleship often happens through simple, everyday conversations that point us back to God’s grace.

Main Takeaways
  • G...
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Real Life Discipleship: Belonging with Kyle Worley

September 17, 2025 • 34 mins
So many of us carry misplaced ideas about God—that He doesn’t really love us, care for us, or that He’s constantly disappointed. But what if the truth is far more beautiful? In this episode of Starting Place, Elizabeth is joined by Kyle Worley—pastor, author, and cofounder of Training the Church—to explore the deep theological truth that we have a true home with God through union with Christ.

Elizabeth and Kyle discuss:
  • What it m...
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Real Life Discipleship: Faith & Public Witness with Justin Giboney

September 10, 2025 • 35 mins
How should Christians engage civically in a way that reflects their faith, brings hope, and points people to Jesus? In this conversation, Elizabeth talks with Justin Giboney about why our public witness matters more than ever. Together, they explore how believers can navigate current poltical tensions without losing sight of their primary identity in Christ.

Drawing from the lessons of the civil rights movement and Justin’s work wit...
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Real Life Discipleship: Anxiety with Blair Linne

September 3, 2025 • 41 mins
In this episode, Elizabeth Woodson sits down with author and speaker Blair Linne to talk about what it means to wrestle with anxiety from a faith-filled perspective. Blair opens up about her own journey, the misconceptions she’s encountered within the church, and the hope Scripture offers for those who struggle. Together, they explore how both spiritual and practical support can help us move toward healing.
Topics Discussed
  • The m...
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Real Life Discipleship - Season 6 Teaser

August 27, 2025 • 12 mins
We’re back! In this season opener, Elizabeth shares a personal update on what God has been teaching her in a season of rest, family time, and new projects—including a Names of God study. She reflects on the importance of slowing down and being intentional with what matters, rooting yourself in the voice of God more than the voice of other people. 
Season 6 will focus on Real Life Discipleship, exploring how the gospel meets us in ev...
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Church Mothers: Becoming A Church Mother with Yana Jenay

June 18, 2025 • 40 mins
In this final episode of the Church Mother series, Elizabeth and Yana explore the story of Dorcas from Acts 9, emphasizing her impact on her community through acts of service and faithfulness. The conversation highlights the journey of transformation that occurs in both the disciple and the one being discipled, and the joy found in serving others. They end by encouraging listeners to take the first step in discipleship and to remem...
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Church Mothers: Parenting with Susan Seay

June 11, 2025 • 45 mins
Elizabeth talks with Susan Seay about the real challenges of motherhood today—from social media pressure to unrealistic expectations. Susan shares wisdom from raising seven kids, reminding moms to depend on God daily, pursue authentic community, and embrace grace over perfection. She also introduces her new devotional designed to help moms connect with God in the middle of a busy life.

Main Topics: 
  • Faithfulness in motherhood req...
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Church Mothers: Abigail’s Wisdom

June 4, 2025 • 24 mins
What does it look like to live wisely when you’re surrounded by foolishness, anger, or drama you didn’t create? In this episode, we turn to Abigail—a woman whose wisdom calmed a crisis and redirected the futures of two powerful men. Her story in 1 Samuel 25 shows us how godly wisdom protects, preserves, and points us back to the Lord.

Main Topics: 
  • Wisdom acts with discernment in moments of tension
  • Godly wisdom helps seek the best...
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Church Mothers: Marriage & Dating with Melody Fabien

May 28, 2025 • 46 mins
In this episode, Melody Fabien shares her powerful love story and the spiritual journey that led her and her husband CD into marriage ministry. She offers wisdom on what makes marriages last—emphasizing communication, vulnerability, and the reality of spiritual warfare. Melody also speaks to dating couples about red flags, non-negotiables, and the importance of personal growth, accountability, and community. Whether you’re single, ...
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Church Mothers: Leadership with Missie Branch

May 21, 2025 • 38 mins
In this episode, Missie Branch joins Elizabeth to share about her journey from working in a flower shop to serving as assistant dean of students for women at a seminary. They explore what true leadership looks like, highlighting the role of mentorship, community, and faithfulness in small things. They also discuss the challenges leaders face, the importance of trusting God, and how every experience shapes us to serve and empower ot...
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Church Mothers: Resilience with Cheryl Luke

May 14, 2025 • 39 mins
In this episode, I talk with Cheryl Luke about what it looks like to walk with God through seasons of deep pain. Cheryl opens up about her journey during 2020—a year that tested her faith and relationships—and how she stayed anchored to truth. We talk about spiritual formation, navigating hurt in community, and learning how to stay with God when life gets hard. This conversation is rich, honest, and full of wisdom for anyone trying...
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Church Mothers: Community with Jill Barlow

May 7, 2025 • 33 mins
In this episode, Elizabeth talks with Jill Barlow about how intentionality builds meaningful relationships and how community shapes spiritual growth. Jill shares honest reflections on starting over, facing disappointment, and finding hope when connection feels hard—reminding us that community can be a place of deep transformation.
Main Takeaways:
  • Community requires intentionality, courage, and the willingness to initiate.
  • Disappoi...
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Church Mothers: Discipleship with Courtney Doctor & Hunter Beless

April 30, 2025 • 45 mins
In this episode, Elizabeth talks with Bible teachers and ministry leaders Courtney Doctor and Hunter Beless about what long-term discipleship looks like in real life. From friendship and mentoring to challenges and biblical wisdom, this conversation is full of insight for anyone wanting to stay faithful in making disciples.

Main Takeaways:
  • How Courtney and Hunter’s friendship and mentoring relationship began
  • The distinction betwee...
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Church Mothers: Hannah's Contentment

April 16, 2025 • 28 mins
In this episode, we continue our Church Mothers series by reflecting on the life of Hannah, a woman who teaches us how to wait well, stay rooted in prayer, and trust God in seasons of longing.
Main Takeaways:
  • Hannah didn’t run from her pain—she took it to the Lord.
  • Every believer will face a season of waiting. The question is not if you will wait, but how well you will wait.
  • Human solutions may offer temporary comfort, but only God...
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Church Mothers: Huldah's Courage

April 9, 2025 • 28 mins
In today’s episode, we continue our Church Mothers series by learning from a bold and often overlooked woman in Scripture: Huldah. Though her story is short, her courage, clarity, and closeness to God offer deep wisdom for anyone trying to walk in faith—especially when it’s costly.
Main Takeaways:
  • Faithfulness requires courage: Huldah didn’t hesitate to speak God’s truth, even when it wasn’t popular or safe.
  • Intimacy with God brin...
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Church Mothers: Leaving A Spiritual Legacy

April 2, 2025 • 18 mins
In this episode of Starting Place, we’re kicking off a new series inspired by a conversation about the need for church mothers—women who intentionally invest in the next generation of believers. We explore what it means to leave a spiritual legacy, looking at the lives of Lois and Eunice, the mother and grandmother of Timothy, and how their sincere faith influenced his own. This conversation challenges us to consider how we are sha...
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