In this episode of the Right Side Up we welcome our good friend and frequent collaborator Jo Saxton, to discuss the critical gaps in women’s empowerment in a wide variety of church roles. We explore the growing disillusionment many influential women feel within the church, the importance of allies, and the need for diverse voices in leadership. Our conversation highlights the impact of cultural norms on women's identities and the erasure of women's contributions to church history. We also touch on the prevalence of abuse and toxic culture within church settings and emphasize the importance of listening to women's stories. This is yet another call for hope and restoration for women in the church, especially encouraging leaders to recognize and celebrate the gifts and contributions of the women right in front of them. Show Notes Link to order the book: Need to Know: Empowering Female Leadership and Why It’s Essential for the Future of the Church keywords women empowerment, church leadership, identity, allies, church history, listening, cultural norms, abuse, restoration, hope takeaways * The empowerment of women is essential for the future of the church. * Allies play a crucial role in supporting women's leadership. * Understanding women's identity in scripture is vital for church leaders. * There is a significant disconnect between women and the church. * Listening to women's stories is key to understanding their experiences. * Raising women up in leadership requires intentionality and support. * Cultural norms often limit women's roles in the church. * The erasure of women in church history needs to be addressed. * Diverse voices in leadership enrich the church community. * Addressing abuse and toxic culture is necessary for healing and restoration. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and the Need for Women's Leadership 02:02 The Biblical Foundation for Women's Equality 08:16 Women Leaving the Church 14:30 Tools for Empowering Women 26:28 The Impact of Not Seeing Women as They Were Designed to Be 28:22 Addressing Abuse and Toxic Behaviors in Leadership 30:09 Redeeming Women's Identities and Restoring the Church 36:17 The Power of Listening to Women's Voices 39:52 Finding Hope in Embracing Our True Identities Get full access to Right Side Up: Danielle Strickland at daniellestrickland.substack.com/subscribe