Starting Place with Elizabeth Woodson
Starting Place is hosted by Elizabeth Woodson—author, Bible teacher, and seminary graduate—and is all about helping you grow. 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
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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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:
Main Topics:
- Faithfulness in motherhood req...
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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:
Main Topics:
- Wisdom acts with discernment in moments of tension
- Godly wisdom helps seek the best...
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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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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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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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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:
Main Takeaways:
- Community requires intentionality, courage, and the willingness to initiate.
- Disappoi...
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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:
Main Takeaways:
- How Courtney and Hunter’s friendship and mentoring relationship began
- The distinction betwee...
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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:
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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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:
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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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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March 26, 2025 • 26 mins
In this episode, we’re exploring one of the most pervasive ways we forget the gospel. Specifically, we forget the cost, which is surrender. We often sing about surrender, but if we're honest, we tend to surrender some rather than all. But abundant life only comes through surrendering our lives fully to Jesus.
Main Takeaways:
Main Takeaways:
- We are being formed. The culture is shaping us to prioritize ease and comfort, being driven by what feels ...
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March 19, 2025 • 25 mins
In this episode, we explore how insecurity and shame reveal our tendency to forget the gospel. Looking at the story of Mary Magdalene, we see how the power of Christ transforms our past, freeing us from shame and equipping us to walk boldly in our new identity. If you’ve ever struggled with feelings of unworthiness or fear that your past defines you, this episode will remind you of the truth: you are made new in Christ.
Main Takeawa...
Main Takeawa...
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March 12, 2025 • 30 mins
We explore how boredom in the mundane moments of life can lead to spiritual forgetfulness. When our daily routines feel repetitive, we may struggle to see their significance in God's greater plan. But what if every moment—no matter how ordinary—was an opportunity to dwell with God and live on mission? We’ll discuss how the gospel reframes our perspective, helping us embrace faithfulness in the small things.
Main Takeaways:
Main Takeaways:
- Boredo...
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March 5, 2025 • 24 mins
In this episode, we are featuring an interview Elizabeth did on the Culture Matters podcast with Adam Hawkins and Tymarcus Ragland, sharing about the heart behind her new study, Live Free. Elizabeth discusses how Paul's message remains relevant today, addressing the timeless challenges of being right with God and experiencing true freedom from sin.
Recommended Resources:
Learn more about Elizabeth’s new Galatians study, Live Free, at...
Recommended Resources:
Learn more about Elizabeth’s new Galatians study, Live Free, at...
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February 26, 2025 • 27 mins
In this episode, we explore how gospel forgetfulness can show up in our faith. While we often say we live by faith and not by sight, in reality, we can struggle to trust God when we lack control or certainty. We discuss the common reasons we resist stepping out in faith—our desire for control, fear of failure, and the cost of obedience. Using biblical examples like Abraham and Peter, we see both the challenges of walking in faith a...
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February 19, 2025 • 27 mins
In this episode, we explore how legalism and an abuse of grace can hinder our faithfulness to God. The gospel is not just for salvation—it shapes our daily lives. Learn how to recognize and overcome these tendencies.
Main Takeaways:
Main Takeaways:
- Legalism turns faith into a performance checklist, making us believe God’s favor depends on our actions.
- Abusing grace leads to complacency, excusing sin instead of growing in holiness.
- True faith balan...
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February 12, 2025 • 17 mins
Welcome back to Starting Place! Today, we’re kicking off a mini-series on why you still need the gospel—even if you've been a Christian for years.
It’s easy to become overly familiar with Christianity, knowing all the right things to say but forgetting the basics. The gospel isn’t just the starting point of our faith—it’s the foundation we always need.
Main Topics Covered:
✔️ What the gospel really is: not just about forgiveness, but ...
It’s easy to become overly familiar with Christianity, knowing all the right things to say but forgetting the basics. The gospel isn’t just the starting point of our faith—it’s the foundation we always need.
Main Topics Covered:
✔️ What the gospel really is: not just about forgiveness, but ...
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February 5, 2025 • 23 mins
We’re kicking off a new season of Starting Place! In this episode, I’m sharing life updates, including my new book coming in 2026, my upcoming Bible study on Galatians (Live Free), and starting a new doctoral program.
I’m also reflecting on the year ahead—big goals, little goals, and what holds us back. Fear, self-sufficiency, and sin can sabotage our faithfulness to God, but prayer realigns our hearts, reminds us of God’s power, an...
I’m also reflecting on the year ahead—big goals, little goals, and what holds us back. Fear, self-sufficiency, and sin can sabotage our faithfulness to God, but prayer realigns our hearts, reminds us of God’s power, an...
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December 25, 2024 • 33 mins
Elizabeth Woodson reviews the Old Testament story and jumps into the New Testament, seeing how the story of Jesus' birth brings us hope that God can use and even redeem the messy areas of our lives.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
Questions Covered in This Episode:
- What is the story of the Old Testament?
- What happens between the Old Testament and the New Testament?
- How does the book of Matthew begin?
- What are the three main sections of the New Testament?
- What are t...
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