Love covers. When God gave us his Son Jesus, who gave his life to pay for our sins, He covered us. It’s the opposite of exposing and shaming. Sadly, it seems to be the opposite of what people often do. And yet this is what God has called us to do for others, in small ways and big ones. Join me for a special conversation with my wonderful husband Pastor Gary Coiro as we talk about the difference between cancel culture and cover culture. “Above all, love each other deeply because love...

Passion City Church has birthed some special artists and music that have been a light to my path. I’m so grateful for them. One of my favorites is Kristian Stanfill. He’s a gifted worship leader, singer/song-writer and he‘s been a part of my regular playlist for years now. But Kristian has been in a personal battle, that until November of last year, was a private one. How do you heal from a personal addiction to alcohol, when you’re a public worship leader? Kristian joins me for an...

Stacey Loveless has a passion to help people and she’s convinced of the healing power of God’s love to restore lives. She knows because she’s been there. On this special episode of the podcast, I am honored to introduce you to my friend Stacey Loveless who is the Director of Love Wins House, a place for women struggling with addiction to find community, hope, and healing. Stacey is on the front lines of this battle that is raging in our country and she shares her wisdom with us. If...

Pat Linnell is a man on a mission... Equipping people to do intentional acts of kindness that implicate Jesus as the source. He’s been at this for a few years and Grace Bomb-the Movement is spreading worldwide. If you’ve ever wondered how to share your faith in Christ in a tangible way, or you feel slightly intimidated by talking to your neighbors, Grace Bomb is designed to help you build those connections in a way that’s fun and fruitful. I LOVE this concept, I love Pat and his passion for...

The one and only Lauren Daigle joins me on the podcast! Lauren is such a lover of people. Even the title song of her latest record, Kaleidoscope Jesus, is about how beautifully God has made people, with different colors and cultures and she loves to see how God reveals Himself through all of his creation. The question Lauren loves to pray every day is... Jesus, would you show me something special in someone today? Would you help me to see people through your eyes? Join me for this...

When Sandy Hartranft’s youngest son Ben was 3 years old, she walked into the dining room and could hardly believe what she saw. Ben had climbed up on the table and was literally swinging from the chandelier! With incredible humor, faith, and wisdom, Sandy shares her story of discovering her son had autism. How this amazing family has navigated the force of energy that is Ben, is inspiring. Ben is now a young man with hopes and dreams and an irresistible joy, and he’s even become a public...

Christy Nockels is one of my favorite singers ever. Period. I fell in love with her voice from her days with Watermark, the popular duo with her husband Nathan. It was in the late 90's/early 2000’s and I was just beginning to really get into Christian music. Christy had this elegant and humble way of inviting me into a sacred space. She never over-sang. She just seemed to know what to do with every song she sang. To connect you to God seemed to be her agenda and for me, it just clicked. That...

Does a white man have a voice in the conversation around racial reconciliation? How can I be a bridge-builder if I don’t live near people who look different from me? What is God calling ME to do to help bring unity and healing to our world? 20 years ago, Dr. David Anderson introduced the world to the concept of “Gracism-the Art of Inclusion.” Because how we talk about race has changed since 2007, the revised and expanded “Gracism”, has just been released. A mentee of Dr. Anderson, my...

...And I hope that failure comes your way And shows you there's a limit to your own strength. Til you can't help but offer other people grace, Yeah, I hope that failure comes That's what I wish for you What I hope you find May it all come true Knowing sometimes good things come from suffering Yeah, sometimes good things can come from suffering..." Jason Gray's lyrics for a song he wrote for his kids may make you flinch at first - but he knows the treasures God can bring through our...

If you saw the movie "Jesus Revolution" chronicling the life stories of Greg Laurie and Chuck Smith, you'll be fascinated to hear how Kathy Gilbert's story intersects. Growing up in a conservative Catholic family in Maryland in the late 60's, Kathy was searching for answers to life's deepest questions. She thought the hippies had the answers and she left home to join a commune. Traveling across the country as a teenager, Kathy hitchhiked, experimented with drugs, and stayed at different...

Helen Smallbone is the mother of 7 kids, some of who have become quite famous. Rebecca St. James, her oldest, and Luke and Joel of For King and Country have experienced and are experiencing success in the spotlight. But Helen Smallbone is a mom who has more fear of success than failure. Join me for a conversation with a very wise woman who has navigated an unconventional life of faith with her extraordinary family. From times when the family didn’t know how they’d have a roof over their...

Tasha Layton is passionate about using her voice to give others hope. She knows what it’s like to struggle with depression and she has a heart for those who have experienced trauma and brokenness. In this special episode of Your Day Brighter, Tasha shares some of her spiritual practices that keep her mind and spirit healthy, and she tells an incredible story of following the nudge of the Holy Spirit and the life that was forever changed because of it. I love her music but I love her...

I host the morning show on BRIGHT-FM and I get to play so much great music. But this song “Build a Boat” by Colton Dixon, is the one I get the most emails and texts about. It has struck a deep chord with our listeners and with me personally. The wonderfully gracious and humble Colton Dixon joins me on the podcast this week! We talk about life, being a dad to twin girls, and his music career that God directed in a new way, after a heartbreaking season of disappointment. There are those...

Meet my friend Eric Buarque. Eric never thought about acting as something he’d want to do until people started mistaking him for a very famous actor. And he wondered, is there something to this connection? Could I leverage how I look to break into the movie business? Thirteen films and twenty commercials later, Eric had a long, wonderful run in the industry with the most unique role: Bruce Willis’s body double. He shares his fascinating story of what he calls God’s favor... For years,...

Meet Nicole Sherry. She’s only 1 of 2 women in the entire history of major league baseball who has had the title and responsibility of being the Head Groundskeeper. Nicole didn’t set out to be a trailblazer but that’s what she is. With the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards for 20 years, Nicole knows every inch of that beautiful field and she knows what it takes to keep it thriving. I’m a lifelong Orioles fan and now I have a newfound respect for the knowledge of science and detailed work...

Ever had a panic attack? Jeremy Camp knows what it’s like. His new song “Anxious Heart” starts like this: Locked up and I'm so in my head Heart starts racing and I can't slow it down Hands shaking and l'm losing my breath Paralyzed with a mind spinning out My strength has grown weak No words left to speak I fell to my knees Cause I know what I need. It happened on a trip to Israel when Jeremy felt those feelings. He felt like he was dying. What was going on? He had a lot of...

Andrew Ripp is not an overnight sensation. He’s been at this songwriting thing for years now, achieving success in 2005 by co-writing the hit “Shine On” for Ryan Cabrera, and collaborating/ writing for Cory Asbury, The Wait and Ben Rector, The Judds, and others. But success came at a cost. A personal battle with addiction cost Andrew almost everything that mattered to him. But God... Andrew gave his life to Jesus and his story is just getting started. Celebrating 15 years of sobriety,...

She had a greatest hits album at 21 years old! Rachael Lampa is 38 years old now and after taking a break from a flourishing career years ago, she’s making music again that speaks to our souls. “Perfectly Loved” came from things she shared in her life group about what God was teaching her through her work at a prison ministry. I can’t wait for you to hear this warm and inspiring conversation with my new friend, Rachael Lampa. We talk about life, music, being a mom, and how God often directs...

Princess adores her husband of 31 years, Phillip. And she has gone from fighting with him to fighting for him. I love this lady and her authenticity. Join me for a refreshingly candid conversation about marriage and how to see yours from God’s point of view. Princess is a marriage coach and mentor and she’s on a mission to save marriages. She shares her personal journey of discovering it wasn’t all his fault after all. With the wisdom that comes from making mistakes, Princess’s new book,...

Esther Brant has been a dedicated nurse for over 30 years and she just glows from the inside! A woman of tremendous faith and joy, with a giggle that bubbles up so easily and often, you’d never guess how much loss she’s suffered or how humble her beginnings were. When a crippling disease devastated multiple members of her family, Esther grieved and discovered God had a purpose for her amid her family’s suffering. She knew she had to help. She knew God was calling her to be a nurse. Growing...

For every parent, there will come moments where you wonder...do I have what it takes to raise these little humans? You might even feel like you have no idea what you’re doing. And then... they start growing up and facing life challenges and your heart could just burst from everything you want for them. You’re in good company! Join me for a conversation with my very wise and winsome friend, Todd Gaddy. He knows that feeling so well as a father to two lovely young ladies and he’s written a...

Have you ever said these words.. “One day, I’d like to write a book.” And you’ve been saying those words for years. Or how about this one- “I am sure I have a book in me!” Or, “I really want to write a book but I don’t have time”, etc... Think of all the many stories that can only be told by you because you’re the one who lived it, or the one who has the idea. Yet so many of these stories will never see the light of day because we do NOTHING about it. Well, it’s time. Welcome to...

Every December, I’ve made it a regular practice to go back through my journals and prayerfully consider what God has been teaching me in this past year. I want to learn from my life; my mistakes and wins, my fears, and the state of my relationships. I want to keep growing and never stop. You too? Join me for a rich conversation with one of my besties- culture coach and artist, Nikki Lerner. Nikki is a journal-er and lifelong learner too. We had so much fun processing with one another some...

Joy was leaking from my life. Maybe you can relate? Last week in episode 14, I define what biblical joy really is and identify some of the joy-stealers we’ve all been battling. But here in episode 15, I’m excited to share with you some very practical ways to get it back! The Lord has been teaching me so much from the Word and from how He shows up in my life. I am so hopeful for us. While we can’t make ourselves feel anything, there are things we can do to posture ourselves to receive the...