Wild Hope Rising: A Podcast for Women on Faith, Healing & Purpose

This week we are talking about something most women do not want to talk about—but almost every woman has felt: shame. It is the voice that says, “You are not enough,” “Who do you think you are?” or “You will always be a failure.” Shame does not tell us we made a mistake. It tells us we are the mistake. In this episode we talk about: • What shame is and how it differs from guilt • How shame shows up through perfectionism, people pleasing, hiding, and playing small • Why we can react defensively or spiral into negative self-talk • The difference between condemnation and conviction • How to spot shame, name it, and begin breaking free If you have ever felt like you are too much, not enough, or like you will never get it right, this conversation is for you. Because there is another sound available to us besides shame: the sound of chains falling, prison doors opening, and hope rising. Psalm 34:5 says, “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” 💥 Subscribe, review, and share with a friend who needs this conversation.    Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up. It’s time for Wild Hope.   Topics: shame, shame vs guilt, feeling not good enough, negative self-talk, perfectionism, people pleasing      

Topics: communication in relationships, listening skills, feeling heard, limiting beliefs, healthy relationships We’re huddled up with Laurie Dufresne, mindset and transformation coach, to talk about how we can show up differently in our relationships by learning to truly listen. Many of us want deeper, healthier connections, but don’t always realize how our assumptions, distractions, and limiting beliefs impact the way we hear others. In this conversation, Laurie helps us understand how to help others feel seen, heard, and valued—and how that shift can transform our relationships. We talk about: • Why listening is harder than we think • What gets in the way of making others feel heard • How limiting beliefs shape communication • Simple ways to become a more present, effective listener If you want stronger, more connected relationships, this episode will give you practical ways to start. Connect with Laurie Dufresne Website: lauriedufresnecoaching.com Course + Workbook: Breaking Free From Limiting Beliefs YouTube: Laurie Dufresne Coaching   💥 Subscribe, review, and invite others to listen     Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up. It’s time for Wild Hope.     SEO Keywords: communication in relationships, how to listen better, helping others feel heard, relationship communication skills, limiting beliefs, healthy relationships, Christian podcast for women, personal growth for women, Wild Hope Rising podcast      

Topics: female friendships, comparison between women, jealousy, gossip, insecurity, sacred sisterhood We’re huddled up with Natalie Runion, speaker, pastor, author, and creator of the Raised to Stay community. Natalie is known for tackling hard conversations with honesty and courage, including church hurt, leadership struggles, and the complex dynamics women often face in relationships with each other. In this episode we talk about her new book, I Don’t Even Like Women: And Other Lies That Get in the Way of Sacred Sisterhood. Let’s be honest. Many women deeply long for meaningful friendships, but insecurity, comparison, jealousy, and past hurt can make those relationships feel complicated and risky. Instead of pursuing connection, we often protect ourselves. In this conversation we peel back the layers behind that familiar phrase, “I don’t even like women,” and explore what is really underneath it. We talk about: Why female friendships can feel complicated Comparison, jealousy, and insecurity between women Practical ways to build real, supportive friendships Natalie also shares the story behind her well known “little black boxes” on Instagram and how they became a place where many women felt seen, understood, and defended during difficult seasons. If you’ve ever struggled with friendships with other women but still long for deep connection, this conversation will encourage you and challenge some of the narratives we’ve accepted about one another. Because beneath the tension, comparison, and misunderstandings, there is often a deeper longing: Belonging   Connect with Natalie Runion Instagram Raised to Stay Community Book: I Don’t Even Like Women: And Other Lies That Get in the Way of Sacred Sisterhood 💥 Subscribe, review, and invite others to listen in    Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up. It’s time for Wild Hope. SEO Keywords female friendships, why female friendships are hard, Natalie Runion interview, comparison between women, jealousy between women, Christian women friendships, sacred sisterhood, overcoming insecurity in friendships, women supporting women, Wild Hope Rising podcast, faith based encouragement for women  

Topics: Emotional rest, belonging, surrender as posture, and freedom from performance We are huddled up with Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith to talk about her book Being Fully Known The Joyful Satisfaction of Beholding, Becoming, and Belonging. Dr. Saundra is a board certified physician, international speaker, bestselling author, and founder of Restorasis. She blends biblical truth, science, and personal experience to help women move beyond performance and into emotional rest. In this conversation we explore what it means to be fully known by God and how that truth becomes an invitation into rest. We talk about: Why our culture conditions us to prove our worth through productivity • How surrender is a posture of trust • Why emptiness becomes an invitation to be filled • The barriers of fear, rejection, and self protection • What belonging looks like when we stop performing Dr. Saundra also shares insight on how emotional rest impacts physical health and daily life, and she invites women to take an honest look at where they need deeper rest. Take the Rest Quiz at restquiz.com to discover your rest needs and begin moving toward greater awareness and freedom. Connect with Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith Instagram Podcast: I Choose My Best Life Website 💥 Subscribe, review, and invite others to listen in    Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up. It’s time for Wild Hope.

Topics: Overcoming fear, self doubt, and the internal voices that hold you back Have you ever started moving toward something meaningful only to feel an internal pushback that stalls your progress? Maybe it shows up as fear. Self doubt. Comparison. Perfectionism. People pleasing. Or that quiet voice that tells you to stop before you start. In this episode, we name resistance for what it is. Resistance is not always a stop. Sometimes it is a signal. But it does not get to drive your decisions. We talk about the internal voices that try to hold you back and how to recognize them without letting them call the shots. Instead of freezing when fear shows up, you can learn to separate the voice from your identity and choose action anyway. In this conversation, we explore: Why fear and self doubt show up when you step into growth  How to identify the voices that sabotage progress The difference between discernment and destructive resistance Practical ways to talk back to the thoughts that hold you back The “Even Though” Method. (Psalm 23) When you learn to name the voice, you regain authority over your direction. Resistance may speak. But it does not decide. 💥 Subscribe, review, and invite others to listen in    Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up. It’s time for Wild Hope. SEO Keywords: Christian women podcast, overcoming fear, self doubt, how to stop self sabotage, feeling stuck, spiritual growth for women, breaking fear cycles, overcoming perfectionism, people pleasing recovery, moving forward in faith, emotional resilience for women, faith based encouragement

What does it actually look like to trust God- not just say we do? In this episode of the Fresh Sound, New Ground series, we’re confronting the tension many women live in: we say we trust God, yet we still try to control outcomes, fix people, carry what isn’t ours, and strive in our own strength. When control fails, we often swing to worry or helplessness. But real trust looks different. This conversation is an invitation to move beyond lip service faith and into lived trust, a posture of open-handed surrender where we stop trying to control and let God be God.  Because the truth is simple: Only God can do what only God can do. In this episode, we explore: The subtle ways control, worry, and striving reveal where trust is lacking How “lip service trust” shows up in everyday life The emotional and spiritual cost of trying to carry what belongs to God What open-handed trust actually looks like in real life A simple prayer posture: God help. God guide. God provide. The Fresh Sound From lip service → to lived trust 💥 Subscribe, review, and invite others to listen in    Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up. It’s time for Wild Hope.   Keywords Christian women podcast, trusting God, surrender control to God, faith over fear, spiritual growth for women, letting go and trusting God, Christian encouragement, open handed trust, God help God guide God provide, Wild Hope Rising podcast, 

In this week’s Hope Huddle, we talk about the gap many women live in between longing for change and actually participating in it. We say we want growth. We want forward movement in our health, relationships, faith, and everyday life. Yet often we remain stuck. Aware, but unmoving. Hoping, but not stepping. Through John 5 and the encounter at Bethesda, we explore the disruptive question Jesus asks, “Do you want to be made well?” This question reveals the difference between wanting change and participating in it. The man explains his situation, but does not move. Many of us do the same. We unpack the mindsets that quietly keep us stuck and camping in hard places instead of walking through them. In this episode, we talk about • The difference between longing for change and stepping into it • How victim thinking keeps us explaining instead of acting • Why comparison distracts us from stewarding our own progress • The illusion of pity and how it quietly stalls growth • The difference between complacency and true contentment • Why forward movement requires participation, not perfection Progress does not come from waiting until everything is right. It begins when we move with what we have. Faith often looks like action before clarity. Jesus invites transformation, but He does not force it. This episode is an invitation to stop waiting, stop explaining, and start participating. Pick up your mat. Take the step. Step into your own progress. 💥 Subscribe, review, and invite others to listen in    Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up. It’s time for Wild Hope.   Keywords: step into your own progress, Christian growth for women, how to stop feeling stuck, faith and action, personal responsibility and faith, overcoming victim mindset, comparison and jealousy, self pity and growth, complacency vs contentment, moving forward in faith, Christian personal growth podcast, John 5 lesson, spiritual growth for women  

In this week’s Hope Huddle, we talk about a struggle so many women quietly carry: saying yes out of pressure, obligation, or people-pleasing and slowly losing themselves in the process. When every yes is driven by expectation instead of discernment, the cost shows up as exhaustion, resentment, burnout, and disconnection from what actually matters. We explore why saying yes so often feels easier than saying no, and how busyness can become both a badge of honor and a form of avoidance. For many women, being needed, being productive, or being the strong one has quietly become part of their identity. But just because you can say yes does not mean you should. In this episode, we talk about • Why people-pleasing, performance, and fear drive so many of our yeses • The hidden cost of overcommitment on our physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational health • How to recognize when your yes is no longer aligned with your values or God’s invitation • What it actually looks like to grow your no and protect your yes without guilt • Why boundaries are not about withdrawal, but about honesty and stewardship We return to this anchor truth throughout the conversation:  Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Learning to grow your no is not about becoming unavailable. It is about becoming intentional, discerning, and faithful with what has actually been entrusted to you. This episode is for the woman who feels stretched thin, overwhelmed, or quietly resentful of commitments she once agreed to with good intentions. It is an invitation to stop living from pressure and start living from wisdom. Listener Resource- Become a No Pro We have included a worksheet in the show notes to help you begin growing your no, clarifying your yes, and discerning what needs to shift in this season. 💥 Subscribe, review, and invite others to listen in    Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up. It’s time for Wild Hope. Keywords: Christian podcast for women, learning to say no, people pleasing, boundaries, burnout, overwhelm, discernment, faith based podcast, protecting your yes, growing your no

This week I’m flying solo (Sunny Cain) and sharing my personal testimony about the mind—how our thoughts shape our lives and how they can slowly, subtly take control if left unchecked. Growing up in a cult taught me that the mind can be shaped and influenced in ways we don’t always notice. But I also learned the faithfulness of God and the power of His Word to protect, guide, and set us free. In this episode, we explore: How fear, worry, comparison, and old patterns can hijack your thinking The difference between a mind bound by lies and a mind built on truth How Scripture provides clarity, peace, and freedom Practical ways to actively choose what you think about before thoughts take hold If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What am I thinking?” or felt trapped by recurring thoughts, this episode will help you steward your thoughts, renew your mind, find peace, and live free. Connect with Wild Hope Rising: 💥 Subscribe, review, and invite others to listen in! | 🌐 Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope   Keywords: renewing your mind, take thoughts captive, mental clarity, break anxiety loops, control your thoughts, live free, faith and mind, guard your thoughts, Christian mental health, freedom from worry  

In this Hope Huddle, we dive into how women can move forward with clarity, courage, and hope, even when life feels overwhelming, obligations are piling up, and the pressure to “do it all” is real. We explore how responding to what God is revealing, rather than pushing through out of obligation or expectation, can help you make intentional, sustainable choices that honor your heart, bandwidth, and purpose. As we step into a new season, many women find themselves navigating the pressure, expectations, and “shoulds” that come with trying to move forward. Chasing resolutions, driven by obligation, fear, or people-pleasing, often leaves us exhausted, disconnected, or stuck in cycles of overwhelm. This episode invites you to pause, reflect, and let God guide your next steps, so your decisions are intentional, sustainable, and hope-filled. We also explore the different postures we navigate new seasons from: The Apathetic, who feel stuck or discouraged by past disappointments; The Ambitious, who try to push through with sheer willpower; and The Expectant, who learn to pause, reflect, and act with clarity and discernment. This conversation is a reminder that lasting change comes from wisdom, prayer, and reflection—not from pressure, proving, or self-reliance. If you’re wrestling with questions like: How do I move forward with clarity without burning out? How can I make choices that honor my time, emotional energy, and God-given purpose? How do I stop responding out of obligation and start responding to what God is revealing? …this series kickoff episode is full of encouragement, practical insight, and faith-filled guidance to help you move forward in your story with intention, courage, and hope. Connect & Keep the Hope Going! 💥 Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and invite others to listen in! Follow Wild Hope Rising    Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope

In this Hope Huddle,  Sunny Cain sits down with Dean Sikes, author, speaker, and advocate whose “You Matter” message has reached millions around the world. Dean shares the story behind the impressive life, the hidden pain, and the incredible way God chose to use the very thing he once worked hardest to hide. After carrying a secret for 22 years, Dean opens up about abuse, shame, and the journey toward healing, and how God has redeemed his story in a way he never could have imagined. At Wild Hope Rising, we often talk about wilderness seasons, the places where we feel limited, disconnected, or fenced in by parts of our story we don’t know how to face. Dean’s story is a powerful reminder that God does not waste our pain. In this conversation, we talk about how the place of deepest shame can become the place of greatest connection, and how what once felt like a barrier can become the very platform God uses to help others feel seen, heard, and deeply valued. What is most striking about Dean’s story is not just that he found healing, but that God continues to use the most painful part of his past to bring hope, belonging, and freedom to others. The place he once tried to outrun is now the place he ministers from. The story he once kept hidden is now the story helping people around the world believe that they matter. Connect with Dean Sikes & Keep the Hope Going! Dean’s You Matter Ministry Facebook | Instagram | YouTube 💥 Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and invite others to listen in! Follow Wild Hope Rising    Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope

We all go through seasons where life doesn’t look the way we planned—our health struggles, relationships fall apart, dreams feel out of reach, and faith can feel smaller than a mustard seed. In these moments, it feels as though our hope gets hijacked. In this Hope Huddle, we sat down with Jaime Jamgochian, who knows this experience personally. Jaime is a Dove-nominated singer, songwriter, worship leader, speaker for women’s events, and author of Sacred Surrender: The Practice of Waiting Well with God. In this Hope Huddle, she shares her journey through unexpected health challenges, the wilderness season of Lyme Disease that caused her to go from living the dream in her newly decorated condo surrounded by community- to moving cross country away from the life she loved in order to be cared for by her parents. She describes the wilderness as a place where everything felt backwards. A place where she learned that her plan B was God’s plan A, and Jaime encountered God and learned to surrender as Jesus loved her back to health If you’re wrestling with questions like: How do I trust God when the story I’m living isn’t the one I wanted? How do I find hope when life feels like it’s falling apart? How do I surrender when it feels like God is far away.  …this episode is full of encouragement, practical insight, and faith-filled guidance from someone who has walked the path herself. Connect with Jaime Jamgochian & Keep the Hope Going! Grab her book: Sacred Surrender: The Practice of Waiting Well with God on Amazon Follow Jaime: Website | Instagram To see her live in Northern Nevada - Sparks Concert 💥 Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and invite others to listen in!    Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope

In the final Rise from Ashes Hope Huddle, Sunny and Tammy pull up chairs around our table to wrestle with one of the hardest questions: Can any good come from the ashes? Drawing from Romans 8:28, we explore what it truly means for God to work all things together for good- and what it doesn’t mean. We talk honestly about seasons of deep grief, betrayal, loss, and pain, and why leaning into these realities (without spiritual bypassing) is essential for transformation. Together, we explore practical steps to process grief, identify lies and fears, and engage in honest conversations with God. Using the metaphor of the butterfly, we reflect on how cocoon-like seasons of suffering can break us down and reshape us into something new, ready to embrace the wide-open, spacious life God has for us. This episode is for every woman navigating life’s wilderness, seeking hope, and wanting to discover purpose and goodness—even in the midst of the hardest seasons. 💥 Subscribe, review, and invite others to listen in!   Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope Keywords: Rise from Ashes, Hope Huddle, Wild Hope Rising, from ashes to good, finding purpose, hope in hard seasons, Romans 8:28, faith through suffering, emotional health, spiritual growth, wide-open spacious life, honest conversations with God

In this week’s Rise from Ashes Hope Huddle, we welcome Cat Fuller, a devoted wilderness woman, nurse practitioner, mom, nana, and a listener around our table. Together, we dive into honest conversations with God- those moments where the “what if” questions start creeping in, especially during seasons of chronic illness and health challenges. Cat shares how bringing our doubts, fears, and questions before God doesn’t mean giving up; it means stepping into trust, even if the outcomes aren’t what we hope for. Listen in as she reflects on how music, prayer, and her special “Sitting Spot” have shaped her worship, hope, and perspective, and how living with health struggles has deepened her ability to hear God’s voice, see His faithfulness, and embrace each breath as a gift. This episode is for every woman navigating wilderness seasons, longing to rise from ashes, and ready to step into the wide-open spacious life God has for her. 💥 Subscribe, review, and invite others to listen in!   Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com

Ever wondered how your emotions and thoughts are connected to what your body feels? In this Hope Huddle conversation with counselor Amy Foraker, we explore how our bodies remember, how words can shape our stories, and how God brings healing even in the hidden places. In this week’s Rise from Ashes, we invited Amy Foraker back for another Hope Huddle. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in private practice as well as a clinical supervisor and staff therapist at Bayside Counseling Center in Granite Bay, CA. Her passion is walking alongside others as they navigate the wild complexities of being fully human yet made in the image of God. Have you ever been surprised by your own reactions or emotions? Amy had some fascinating insights about how our bodies are always listening and remembering, even long after we feel like our brains have “moved on.” Surprisingly, we all had stories that elicited strong reactions in us, around the color purple. Listen in as you hear how God has been redeeming those stories — and how we can use our emotions as clues for restorative work in our lives as we get curious and invite Him into our process. 💥 Subscribe, review, and invite others to listen in!   Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope.   Keywords: faith-based healing, emotional health, Christian counseling, Hope Huddle, Wild Hope Rising, living in Christ, emotional awareness, trauma healing, faith and therapy

In this week’s Rise from Ashes, we huddle up with our new friend Amy Foraker a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in private practice as well as a clinical supervisor and staff therapist at Bayside Counseling Center in Granite Bay, CA.  Her passion is walking alongside others as they navigate the wild complexities of being fully human yet made in the image of God. Amy humbly shares about her own wilderness experience and how God met her there & helped her reclaim who she was meant to be. In this episode, you will learn some insightful truths about how to spot and name when you are living “from the flesh” or “In Christ”.    💥 Subscribe, review, and invite others to listen in!   Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope. 

In this Hope Huddle we dive in to an honest conversation about the behaviors and beliefs that keep us bound to our wounds. When life breaks down, we often pick up lies, beliefs, roles, and coping mechanisms that feel like protection, but ultimately keep us stuck. But, what if forward movement was possible? What if freedom is FOR YOU?  You see friend, we believe that your “been through” can become the place of your breakthrough. When you sort through the rubble and do the brave work of naming the impact, you engage in a process that helps you reclaim your identity. This isn’t about self-help, but rather, it’s about partnering with God to experience supernatural healing as you rise and rebuild your life with Him. Subscribe, review, and invite others to listen in! Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope. 

In this week’s Rise from Ashes series, we huddle up with our dear friend Tori Hein- a down-to-earth Bible teacher, trauma-informed coach, and executive program director for Freedom Movement. Tori vulnerably shares about her own wilderness season which led her to a place where her drive to “do more for God” left her in an endless cycle of performance. This was her way of  avoiding the grief that lurked below the surface of her life. In our conversation Tori paints the picture of the transformation that is possible if women will courageously turn toward the rubble and take the invitation to grieve their stories.    What if freedom is found on the other side of grief? What if God could surprise you with goodness again? Buckle up- it’s time for Wild Hope.   Connect with Tori Hein Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/torimaehein Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torimaehein Blog: https://torimaehein.substack.com/   Subscribe, review, share, and tag us on social! Facebook  Instagram www.wildhoperising.com  

What if God could turn your pain into praise? In this week’s Hope Huddle, we’re kicking off our new series, Rise from Ashes. Together, we take the brave step of surveying the territory of our lives — looking honestly at the places that feel broken, the moments that left us heartbroken or stuck. It’s not easy work. Sometimes we’d rather deny our ashes, pretend we’ve moved past them, or fail to recognize how they still impact us today. But what if the pathway forward is back? What if praise could erupt from pain, beauty could rise from the ashes, and joy could break through our mourning? Join us for this honest conversation and be reminded that God meets us right there — in the wilderness, in the ruins — inviting us into a process where hope begins to rise once again. . 💥 Subscribe, review, share, and tag us on social! Facebook Instagram www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope.  

The Holy Spirit. More than a mystery or an afterthought, He’s the friend who walks with us—guiding, comforting, and strengthening us, especially in wilderness seasons. And yet, depending on your background or church experience, talking about the Holy Spirit can still bring hesitation—or even avoidance altogether. In this episode, we huddle up with bestselling author and Bible teacher Margaret Feinberg to talk all things “Holy Spirit.” Our conversation dives into her newest book, The God You Need to Know, and the life-changing invitation it holds—to experience the Holy Spirit’s power and presence in your everyday life. If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to be filled with the Spirit, or if He’s still moving today, this conversation will leave you encouraged, stretched, and hungry for more. Margaret has a beautiful way of making big truths approachable—she’s lighthearted, full of joy, creative, and deeply grounded in Scripture and research. Honestly, some of what she shared is still circling in our hearts and helping us see the Spirit in fresh ways. To Connect With Margaret Website: https://margaretfeinberg.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mafeinberg/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/margaretfeinberg/ To Purchase Her New Book, The God You Need to Know:  Subscribe, review, and share the love! Tag WILD HOPE RISING when you listen & let us know how Margaret’s insight impacted you  Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com This interview was originally aired on Pilgrim Radio’s His People and is shared here with permission.  

Have you ever been through a season where you’ve prayed for healing, for a relationship to be restored, for that long-awaited opportunity. You’ve done everything “right,” and still, the answer is silence or an unmistakable no? In this Hope Huddle episode, Tammy and Sunny sat down with author and speaker, Rhonda Velez.  Rhonda spent many years striving, working hard, praying hard and believing that her effort and faith would bring the outcome she desired. But when what she was praying for didn’t turn out the way she hoped- when God said no- it marked the beginning of a painful but beautiful transformation.   In today’s conversation she invites us to see God’s no through a different lens- as redirection, not rejection, as protection, not punishment, as a divine invitation into something better- even if we can’t see it yet.  Her new devotional, When God Say No, Eat Cake helps encourage us to find comfort in God despite the setbacks we experience.  Follow Rhonda on Instagram Listen to her podcast - Qualified for More Pick up her book- When God Says No, Eat Cake 💥 Subscribe, review, and share the love! Tag WILD HOPE RISING when you listen & let us know how Rhonda's insight impacted you.  Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope.   

Our culture is relentless in the messages it sends women about their bodies—what to fix, what to change, and how to make them look younger.  In this episode, Sunny huddles up with author and Bible teacher Lisa Whittle who says, "bodies not viewed through the lens of their Creator will constantly cry out to be changed." Our conversation centers around Lisa's new Bible study Body and Soul.  This is a woman who has gone first and she invites us into a countercultural, biblical perspective that helps us see our bodies as God designed them—bringing freedom, dignity, and hope. Lisa is the host of the popular Jesus Over Everything podcast and has a deep love for God and His people. Whether you’re a woman feeling the pressure of cultural expectations or someone longing for a bigger vision of what it means to live fully in Christ, this conversation will encourage and inspire you. Follow Lisa Whittle on Instagram for more inspiration 💥 Subscribe, review, and share the love! Tag WILD HOPE RISING when you listen & let us know how Lisa’s insight impacted you  Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope.  This interview originally aired on His People and is shared here with permission from Pilgrim Radio.  

When life goes silent, how do you find the words to pray, process, and move forward? We all face wilderness seasons—those times that feel dry, disorienting, and full of obstacles. They can be triggered by grief, life transitions, or resistance from inside or out, and they often leave us feeling stuck, disconnected, or without a clear way forward. For today’s guest, Kirsten Wilson, the wilderness was a place without words. Kirsten is a college instructor, Enneagram coach, and church ministry leader who loves helping people step inside God’s story and discover something new about their own. In this Hope Huddle episode, she vulnerably shares about her own eight-year wilderness season and even guides Tammy through a live story-coaching exercise right from the gospels. This conversation is part story, part spiritual practice, and full of practical tools you can take into your own wilderness season. If you’ve ever felt speechless, stuck, or far from God, this episode will help you find words, find connection, and find hope again. Resources & Connect with Kirsten: STEP INTO THE STORY TOOL Instagram Facebook Email: [email protected] https://buymeacoffee.com/kirstenwilson    💥 Subscribe, review, and share the love! Tag @WildHopeRising when you listen and let us know how Kirsten’s story impacted you.  wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope.

All of us carry a story. But not all of us know how to name it — let alone face it with kindness, curiosity, and hope. And yet, the truth is: our stories shape everything — our relationships, how we see God, and how we show up in the world. In this episode- Sunny had the honor of huddling up with Adam Young — a trauma therapist, theologian, and the voice behind The Place We Find Ourselves podcast. His new book Make Sense of Your Story is more than a resource. It’s a gentle guide toward healing, connection with God, and discovering who you really are. This conversation might just be the invitation your soul has been waiting for. Follow Adam Young on instagram for more hope-filled encouragement 💥 Subscribe, review, and share the love! Tag WILD HOPE RISING when you listen & let us know how Adam Young’s insight impacted you  Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope.  This interview originally aired on the His People podcast and was used with permission from Pilgrim Radio and Adam Young.  

SEASON TWO KICKOFF!  In this episode, we return to a topic we keep coming back to time and time again; the unforced rhythms of grace. Rooted in Matthew 11:28–30, we share how we’re learning to walk freely and lightly as we work with Jesus in everyday life. We get honest about the pull to strive and prove—and how grace offers a better way. Here are a few guiding principles helping us embrace this rhythm: Done is better than perfect  Prayer over strategy  Divine purpose over ambition  Led by devotion, not demand  Stretched over stressed  This conversation is an invitation to slow down, be present, and remember: you weren’t made to carry it all. You were made to walk with the One who carries you.

As women, we’re well-versed in the power through — pushing past indicators and warning signs, juggling roles, and striving to do “all the things” and “all the things, well.” But what if the real power is found in the pause? In this episode, we’re making a wilderness course correction and exploring the purposeful pause — the kind that doesn’t just recharge you but recalibrates your heart, realigns your soul, and reconnects you with God’s presence in the chaos as well as fueling your life for all he has created you for. And, this episode goes beyond naps and vacations!  We talk about what it looks like to pause with intention: to pray, to prep, to problem-solve, to practice what we see Jesus modeling. This is what it looks like to align to our original design & be propelled by purpose, walking in spiritual power.  From media breaks, to taking a nap, grounding & mindfulness meditations,  to moments of wrestling with God. We’re unpacking the power found in BEING PRESENT and we’ll help you get practical with this one! Plus, you’ll hear all about Wild Hope Rising’s upcoming four week podcast pause and how you can stay in touch. Let’s be intentional. Let’s chase waterfalls stepping out of the rivers and streams of the “power thru” that we are used to!  Together, let’s see hope rise as we step into the wide open spacious life we were created for.  To keep up with us over the pause-  Follow us on social media, email us at [email protected], or shoot us a text or voicemail at 775-391-4243. Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope. 

What if your beliefs are all that is holding you back, keeping you playing small, and leading to the overwhelming feeling of being STUCK? In this Hope Huddle episode, Tammy & Sunny huddled up with mindset and transformation coach, Laurie Dufresne to talk all things “limiting beliefs.”  We discuss marrying action to truth, blaming the enemy (gulp), and other excuses that may be halting your journey.  In Laurie’s own wilderness season, she found a passion, a dream, a bigger mission to serve women, to help them shift mindsets, master emotional reactions and take back control in areas of life where they’ve felt stuck the longest. And today, she graciously huddled up to bring the Wild Hope community a taste of freedom in this area.   Whether you’re struggling with your health, your confidence, your relationships, or your purpose, Laurie reminds us;  you don’t have to stay where you are. You can break free!   This episode will inspire you and have you eager to take hope-fueled action to rise and step into the wide open spacious life.  You can get Laurie’s  “Breaking Free” Journal and her introductory masterclass for FREE! Plus, get on the waitlist for her new digital course and workbook. Ladies, do us a favor- thank her for investing in our community by following her on social media and sharing this episode!  https://www.lauriedufresnecoaching.com/   💥 Subscribe, review, and share the love! Tag us when you listen & let us know what’s shifting in you: Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope.       

**Sensitive Topic Warning. May not want to listen at work or with kiddos running around. ** There are moments when staying silent isn’t an option—and this is one of them. In this raw and deeply honest episode which is outside the norm of our episodes, Sunny throws open the doors on a conversation the church has too often avoided. Abuse. Injustice. Wounds hidden under the rug of religion. This isn’t just a conversation about broken systems—it’s a call to every one of us to rise up, disrupt the comfortable, and be the change.   With holy outrage, personal experience with sexual & spiritual abuse, and tender conviction, Sunny challenges us to stop hiding behind spiritual clichés and Hobby Lobby signs  and start asking the real question: Are we bearing the image of God well in how we show up for the hurting? This episode isn’t about pointing fingers. It’s about staring down the places where compromise and silence have left people suffering alone and with a picture of Jesus that doesn’t accurately reflect his Heart.—and choosing something better. A revival that starts not in the world, the church, but in our own surrendered hearts.  This is a call to courage. A call to repentance. A call to change. Because healing the house of God starts with us. For those of you swimming in the waters of healing from abuse- we ask you to prayerfully consider connecting with a counselor - we were not designed to swim in these waters alone.    💥 Subscribe, review, and share the love! Tag us when you listen & let us know what’s shifting in you: Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope.   

The Curious Shift from Overwhelm to Overflow-  BONUS EPISODE COMPANION- Rise & Step: The Overflow Toolkit Ever feel overwhelmed, like you’re drowning in demands, expectations, and emotions—and just trying to stay afloat?  In this soul-stirring episode, we get real about the weight so many women are silently carrying. From busyness and burnout to the emotional and spiritual toll of doing ALL THE THINGS. Sunny Cain names what so many of us feel—but don’t always say out loud: overwhelm is real, and it’s costing us more than we realize. But what if it doesn’t have to be this way? And what if God has been showing us the way since the opening lines of scripture? Today we introduce a powerful reframe—the curious shift from overwhelm to overflow—plus our OVERFLOW TOOLKIT (FREE Download) to walk you through what it looks like in your mind, body, emotions, soul, and behavior. With compassion and clarity, Sunny offers reflective questions and gentle truth to help you establish order, find margin, and redirect your current choices to align with what matters most to you right now.  All of this so that you can move forward into the spacious life you were created for.  Let’s make the shift—from chaos to clarity, from pressure to peace, from overwhelm to overflow. Because wild hope begins right where you are. 💥 Subscribe, review, and share the love! Tag us when you listen & let us know what’s shifting in you: Facebook | Instagram 🌐 www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope.

“You complete me.” Nope. Not today, Jerry. In this raw and real episode of Wild Hope Rising, Sunny and Tammy tackle one of the sneakiest hope duds out there: the belief that another person can be your source of completion, healing, or identity. From the highs of listener wins to the gut-wrenching grief of unmet expectations, they hold space for it all — marriage tension, friendship disappointment, church hurt, and the deep ache of dreams that didn’t come to pass. And yet, right there in the middle of the mess, they invite you to do something radical: let misplaced hope die so true hope can rise. This conversation is honest, a little firey, and completely drenched in grace. It's for the woman who’s given too much power to people. For the one grieving what never became. For the one ready to release control and finally breathe. Because real hope? It’s not found in perfect people or flawless circumstances. It’s found in a wildly faithful God who actually can complete you — and already has. So let’s put the dud to death. Let’s stop waiting for others to fix what only God can fill. Let’s rise. Let’s go there, ladies. It’s time to breathe deep, get real, and walk wildly free. 💥 Subscribe, share, and tag us on social! Facebook Instagram www.wildhoperising.com Buckle Up — It’s Time for Wild Hope.

Hope Dud #4 The Pressure for Perfect  Ever feel like you’re falling behind on some invisible checklist? Like if your life doesn’t look polished, filtered, and all-together, then somehow you’re not enough? In this real and relatable episode, Sunny Cain opens up about the pressure for perfection that so many of us carry — from family milestones and life transitions to the messy middle moments (like a hilariously chaotic trip to the bank). With vulnerability and a little humor, she shares how the weight of trying to "get it all right" can actually keep us from walking in the freedom we were made for. This one is a permission slip to breathe. To lay down the masks. To choose purpose over performance. To remember that perfection was never the goal — presence is. Sunny invites you to trade the curated version of life for the real, rooted one. Because wild hope doesn’t grow in perfection. It grows in the cracks, in the honest places, in the life that’s fully lived. Let’s go there, ladies. It's time to live wildly free and full of purpose. 💥 Subscribe, review, share, and tag us on social! Facebook Instagram www.wildhoperising.com Buckle up — it’s time for Wild Hope.

Hope Dud #3 – Hope Isn’t Numb: Rethinking What Healing Feels Like Is it possible that our pursuit of healing can actually drain our hope? In this real and raw episode, Sunny Cain continues in the "Hope Dud” series- those sneaky false anchors we cling to when walking through wilderness seasons.  She unpacks the lie that healing means you won’t still feel the weight of your past—and invites listeners to define healing from a new paradigm- one where both the ache and the hope can co-exist. Sunny shares from her own story—childhood wounds, physical struggles, emotional burnout—and asks the hard questions: What if healing isn’t a checklist? What if freedom looks different than we thought? If you’ve ever felt like your journey toward healing is wearing you out more than lifting you up, this one’s for you. Let’s ditch the performance and step into the kind of healing that actually brings hope. Let’s go there, ladies. It's time to breathe deep, get real, and walk wildly free. 💥 Subscribe, share, and tag us on social! Facebook Instagram wildhoperising.com   Buckle Up! It’s Time for Wild Hope  

Let's chat today about how we are sometimes driven by thoughts in our subconscious, which we may be entirely unaware of.  These thoughts form actions driven by internal messages lurking under the surface in our hearts;  “If I can keep everyone happy, manage their mood, please others…” “if I gain their acceptance or approval…” “If I can earn my seat at table…into the circle…to the promotion….” “Then, I will be worthy. And if I feel worthy, I will finally have hope.” This is a HOPE DUD driven by the BOO (the Big Opinions of Others) aka people pleasing and it falls flat and robs us of peace. It is exhausting, soul sucking, and hope draining. Let’s stop buying the lie that our performance and what people think of us determine our self worth! Listen in is as Sunny shares how this showed up in her life and left her hustling for belonging- you might just be able to relate to this.  We’re in this together ladies! Let’s lean in and identify areas we are hustling for what we already have!  Then together, we can dare to choose to believe what God says about us has been true all along. Subscribe today, leave a review, share with a friend, & let us hear from you on social media! Facebook Instagram wildhoperising.com Buckle Up! It’s Time for Wild Hope

We are launching a brand new series called HOPE DUDS today! Our goal is to help women in wilderness seasons identify the many different ways, we attempt to manufacture our own hope. These leave us exhausted, disillusioned, and sitting in disappointment.  In this episode- we’re going there! -do you turn to the faucet instead of the fountain? -do you settle for a drip when you could have an endless supply? -do you attempt to manufacture your own hope? -do you operate in false self, aka “the flesh” or as the Greek say, “the sarx?” Sunny opens up on her hesitation to reveal the first DUD because it is the one she wrestled with the most in her wilderness season…..  Our conversation centers around Self Help Culture. -the exploitation of hope -powered by adrenaline -the brutal tyranny of our inner critic- self help is in bed with the bully in your head. - Plus- a shift that leads to an invitation to the wide open spacious life where you can finally be WILDLY YOU.  Friend, let’s confront this HOPE DUD together and discover the beauty of the wilderness. Let's access the hope we have been saved for and leave the rest behind. Subscribe today, share with a friend, & join us by following along on social media!  Facebook Instagram wildhoperising.com

Today Sunny and Tammy gather around the table for real talk around the messages we as women are constantly hearing, internalizing, and carrying with us.  On one hand we are told to love ourselves, embrace our imperfections, but on the other we are told our problems can be solved by simply fixing our shortcomings. “Love yourself?” Or, “Fix yourself?” Hmmm, which is it?  This “confidence culture”  has caused an exhausting ping pong match in our heads, and ladies- it’s not serving us well!  We tackle this battle head-on in our conversation. Today we talk about so much goodness!   The impact of what we HEAR on what we DO. The songs culture is singing The internal messages women have on repeat. the familiar insecurities we each carried into the conversation- this was a vulnerable moment. And PIRATES, and harbors, and haunting songs.   All of this led us to asking God, “what do you want women to hear?” And individually, “what do I need to hear?” Friends- it’s time for a fresh sound to arise from the women of the earth!  Can you imagine seeing an entire crew of women proclaiming freedom through transformed lives?!  Listen in as we cast vision!   Subscribe today, share with a friend, & join us by following along on social media. Facebook Instagram wildhoperising.com Buckle up friend! It’s time for Wild Hope!  

Have you ever played it safe when it comes to “getting your hopes up” because you don’t want to be disappointed again? Yep, me too!  Friend, we are talking about hope today, and let me tell you- over the past several years I have  longed for hope, ached for hope,  tried to talk myself into hoping again. worked to manufacture my own hope.  I ignored hope, was afraid to hope.   And yet somehow- hope has been close,  a companion in my story. Here’s what we dive into today:  My own seven year wilderness season and how hope has been both a companion and a challenge.   Is it hope? Or, toxic positivity? Gulp!   The honest truth- that we like a hope rooted in probabilities….and have often choked out a hope filled with possibilities.   I share one of my favorite Bible stories about a father who hopes against all odds-  listen friend, I love this one so much, I tattooed it on my body!   Hope is Wild.   If you’ve ever struggled to access hope because your season has been long and hard- this episode is for you.   ….. Subscribe today & share with your friends  to join us on this transformative adventure.   Connect with Tammy & Sunny Facebook Instagram wildhoperising.com Buckle up friend! It’s time for Wild Hope!

Have you ever walked through a season that left you feeling stuck, unable to move forward? Has that season triggered your insecurity as you look around you and see other people “living their best life?” These seasons leave us desperate to press the fast forward button as we tell God to “get us out of here!” Am I right? But, what if there is more than meets the eye to this season?  It’s what I am talking about on the podcast today. Our conversation today is all about….. My camping trip from hell- seriously you won’t believe my luck!   Wilderness seasons trigger amnesia- causing us to forget or get disconnected from who we really are-. Gulp!   You won’t believe what I learned about the butterfly- this is going to help you with perspective- it sure did for me!   I invite you to join me- let’s discover who we are and what we are made of! Right here, in the midst of our wilderness seasons- hope is rising! ………….. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more, to join us on this transformative adventure.   Connect with Tammy & Sunny   Facebook Instagram wildhoperising.com   Buckle up friend! It’s time for Wild Hope!

Have you ever felt like you were too late, “behind”, or disconnected from vision and purpose? Then friend, you are going to find yourself at home here at Wild Hope Rising. Tammy and I have designed this community to help empower you as they navigate the challenging or “wilderness “seasons in your life. We sat down today to share how this crazy dream got started, how vision sparked, and hope started rising. We dive into so much goodness today.  The familiar feelings of being fenced in, held back, and disconnected, as well as the journey to discover true identities and unique purposes.    We pull back the curtain for an authentic conversation on our own challenging seasons.   We’re not experts, we’re guides- and what that means as we all move forward together.   You’re right on time!  Seriously, and we bring encouragement for taking purposeful steps forward while we build a supportive community together! ………. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Youtube and more to join us on this transformative adventure. Connect with Tammy & Sunny Facebook Instagram wildhoperising.com   Buckle up friend! It’s time for Wild Hope!

Welcome to our brand new community! Buckle up friends! It's time for wild hope!