Together We Rise Podcast

Welcome to the Together We Rise podcast! This is a place where every woman has a seat at the table – and where we affirm, equip, and amplify women's voices globally.In this episode, hosts Cheryl Nembhard and Aubrey Sampson engage with leadership coach Kim Thomas, discussing her journey and insights on transforming the workplace into a sacred space. Kim emphasizes the importance of viewing work as a calling rather than just a job, and shares practical steps for integrating faith into the workplace. The conversation also addresses challenges faced by women in male-dominated environments and the significance of discernment in navigating toxic workplaces. Ultimately, the episode encourages listeners to partner with God in their work for a more fulfilling and sacred work experience.Kim ThomasKim Thomas is a leadership coach, consultant, and founder of The Sacred Cubicle, known for her people-first leadership style and proven record of building and leading high-performing and caring teams. She has over 30 years of experience in the corporate world leading IT teams around the country serving healthcare organizations. Guided by her faith, Kim empowers others to thrive through executive and career coaching.Kim is also the author of "The Sacred Cubicle: How Workplace Renewal Begins with You," a book that invites readers to discover how to turn their work into a reflection of God's goodness. WSC Women to Watch: Danielle ZapchenkDanielle Zapchenk is the host of The Parable Podcast, which showcases everyday stories and lessons God shows us. Danielle brings 16 years of ministry leadership, communication, and Bible teaching. Your story matters, and Danielle equips you to fully know that: daniellezapchenk.com. 

Welcome to the Together We Rise podcast! This is a place where every woman has a seat at the table – and where we affirm, equip, and amplify women's voices globally.In this episode, host Aubrey Sampson speaks with grief educator Natasha Smith about her personal journey with grief, the importance of creating safe spaces for sharing pain, and the unique experiences of Black women in grief. Natasha shares insights on self-care, the theological implications of suffering, and the significance of authentic allyship. The conversation also touches on practical advice for aspiring writers and podcasters, emphasizing the importance of starting somewhere and embracing one's calling.Natasha Smith is an engineer turned certified grief educator, speaker, and podcast host. She shares from a place of 30-plus years of lived grief experience, research, and biblical study. Her work has appeared in Guideposts, Propel Women, Influence Magazine, HerBible, and elsewhere. You can find her books, “Can You Just Sit With Me: Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life” and “Black Woman Grief: A Guide to Hope and Wholeness”, wherever books are sold. She and her husband, Clinton, have four children and live outside of Raleigh, NC. Connect with her at imnatashasmith.com.WSC Women to Watch: Danisha KeatingDr. Danisha Keating is a research psychologist specializing in trauma-informed care and best practices for supporting foster youth in higher education. Her work focuses on improving college access and success, particularly at the community college level, and she has trained foster parents, youth, and educators nationwide.A former foster youth who became legal guardian of three siblings at 24, her personal journey fuels her professional mission. With over a decade in higher education leadership, she is also the author of “Faith through the Desert”, “From Foster to PhD: Letters from a Suitcase”, and “Taking My Voice Back: Healing What Broke Me”.

Welcome to the Together We Rise podcast! This is a place where every woman has a seat at the table – and where we affirm, equip, and amplify women's voices globally.In this episode, hosts Cheryl Nembhard and Aubrey Sampson welcome Bette Dickinson, a prophetic artist, author, and speaker known for her unique approach to spiritual life through visual parables. The conversation delves into Betty's journey of discovering her calling, which involves creating art that resonates with spiritual truths. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the health of the vine rather than just focusing on the fruit, a lesson she learned from her experiences with a local vine dresser. This perspective challenges the productivity-obsessed culture that often leads to burnout and neglect of spiritual well-being. The discussion touches on the significance of dormancy in spiritual growth, the necessity of rest, and the importance of surrendering control to God. Bette DickinsonBette Dickinson is a prophetic artist, author, and speaker who creates what she calls “visual parables of the spiritual life,” inviting people into deeper encounters with God through beauty and wonder.She is the author of The Art of Vinemaking and Making Room in Advent, which blend biblical insight with original illustrations and contemplative practices. Through her ministry, Awakening the Soul, Bette creates multi-sensory resources and retreat experiences that help people walk through seasons of life, death, and resurrection while rediscovering the sacred rhythm of abiding in Christ. Find out more at bettedickinson.com.WSC Women to Watch: Kristi BramlettKristi Bramlett has spent years cultivating a multifaceted career as a professional actress, college professor, communications coach, Certified Movement Analyst, and author of The Speaker’s Trifecta. With over 30 years of experience helping communicators speak with authenticity and presence, her work centers on guiding speakers to communicate with their whole self, mind, body, and soul. Find out more at kristibramlett.com. 

Welcome to the Together We Rise podcast! This is a place where every woman has a seat at the table – and where we affirm, equip, and amplify women's voices globally.This week, we are having a special conversation with our hosts Cheryl Nembhard and Aubrey Sampson about what it means to avoid burnout by protecting our gifts, soul, mind, and well-being, and moving away from a “do whatever it takes” mentality. They discuss how to recognize flags of potential burnout and how to take next steps away from it by starting to name it honestly and trusting God with the better version of work He has for us.Cheryl NembhardCheryl Nembhard is a dynamic speaker, podcaster, TV host, and justice advocate. She has spent years serving at-risk youth, former gang members, sexual assault victims, and teen mothers. She’s been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Women to Watch, recognized by CBC as one of 150 women improving the country, and is a Harry Jerome Award winner for social advocacy.Cheryl is a 10-season co-host of See, Hear, Love and host of On The Path with Cheryl Nembhard, airing on YES TV, audio platforms, and now streaming across the U.S. She serves as Executive Director of the Women Speakers Collective, empowering women’s voices worldwide.Aubrey SampsonAubrey (M.A. Evangelism and Leadership) co-planted and co-pastors Renewal Church in Chicagoland. She speaks nationally, hosts the Together We Rise and What We Find in the Dark podcasts, coaches women in ministry through Propel Women Cohorts and co-leads the Chicagoland Women's Church Planting Collective. Passionate about helping hurting people encounter God in their pain, Aubrey lives in Chicagoland with her husband, Kevin, and their three hilarious sons.She is the author of multiple books, including What We Find in the Dark (NavPress, 2025), Big Feelings Days (NavPress, 2023), Known, The Louder Song (NavPress, 2019), and Overcomer (Zondervan, 2015).New boost