Brett & Emily, leaders of the organization, Jesus Said Love, talk openly about their experiences working with those impacted by the commercial sex industry.
Brett & Emily visit with illustrator, artist and writer, LaTonya Jackson and discuss all things art, culture and her new book.
Happy International Women's Day! Today we can think of no better way to celebrate the remarkable resilience and impact women have made on history than by bringing to center the voice of Elise and her survivor wisdom! Elise's journey speaks to what so many survivors of trafficking face: the recognition of their exploitation and trafficking months, perhaps YEARS after they've left. She also speaks to the generous love and forgiveness that she has found not only for herself, but for those who have harmed her. THIS is miraculous and divine, a work done by the Spirit but in corporation with her very human heart.After graduating ACCESS, Elise navigated jobs, school and now finds herself in seminary for Biblical Counseling! She also serves as an victim advocate for our partner organization, UnBound. What a remarkable rise to self actualization.This is what International Women's Day is all about!All the LOVE! Em
Oof. This week has been a doozy around the Mills family home. We lost our beloved Bear, a big mini Aussie, who saw us through so much life and heartache (you have probably even heard him on the podcast barking a time or two, saving us from mailmen). Bear had surgery after an obstruction from eating underwear (yep, anyone else have a dog who does this?) and could not recover. It was excruciating to witness Bear's suffering post op and eventually his death. Mornings have been hard and teary as my sidekick is gone. Our little Bruce (1 year) is left behind and has struggled to eat and find his own way without his big bother to lead.Everyone of us would say we have survived some sort of heartache, but how many of us are bold enough to name it trauma? I get it. The word “trauma” has become trivialized in some ways. We know more about it today, there's more education than ever before on the topic of trauma and often when this happens we become desensitized to it. The truth is, there are all sorts of traumas, little “t” traumas (microagressions, moments of fear and panic, stitches in the knee) and big “T” traumas (fires, death, divorce, natural disasters, physcial, sexual, emotional, spiritual abuse). Funny thing is, sometimes our body doesn't always know the difference if we've not acknowledged our heartache. This week, Cathy Loerzel of the Allender Center, guides us through the topic of her new book with Dr. Dan Allender, Redeeming Heartache, how past suffering reveals your true calling.This book explores the archetypes of Orphan, Stranger and Widow and their transformed roles of Priest, Prophet, and King/Queen. Brett and I have gone through this book with our small group and it's been a beautiful journey of sharing stories, insight, and witnessing one another's pain but also potential. For me, the journey of grieving my own myriad of unique traumas has provided a more integrated connection to my work at Jesus Said Love and Lovely - it's also exposed my failures and shortcomings. Cathy encourages us to look at our stories of heartache with faith, hope and love wrapped up in the kindness of God. Want to get a FREE copy of the book? Share this post on instagram, tag @jesussaidlove as well as another friend, and you'll be entered to win! Winners will be announced by Friday ¾ via instagram. All the LOVE!Emily and Brett
I think there are stories we hear and wonder, “How would I survive that?” Loosing a child, surviving a natural disaster, loosing everything to a fire, and of course - cancer. Brett & I go way back with Chris and Julie to old college days. You'll even hear Chris reference a song he remembers me singing at our large group Bible Study. We didn't know each other, but knew of each other. Our lanes in ministry intersected here and there like kids bumping elbows between classes at school. I kept up with them through Instagram and knew they had left their church position and headed to LA for a new start, then…like a freight train hitting a stalled car on the track, Julie was hit with stage four breast cancer. She has beat it now, twice. And in the midst of loosing their church family in Oklahoma they found themselves wading through the swamp of cancer searching for healing. What they found was a new understanding of family. A miracle in the wasteland. Chris and Julie now host a podcast and are writing a book called “Finding Family”. I think you're going to be inspired and also challenged to accept what feels totally unacceptable so that a new way of living emerges. Cheers to all of us finding family in the most unexpected places.
This one was for the MAMA'S!!! I said it on the show and I'll say it again: I feel like this was a book I both needed and one I could have written. My journey in motherhood was not necessarily untraditional, but it was uncommon. I both worked and stayed home, we danced to a nonconformist rhythm. As my children were born, I was also birthing the ministry of Jesus Said Love, leading worship around the country and the world, and writing/recording music with Brett. Hattie and Lucy (our older girls) were often on the road with us, sleeping in small college dorm rooms for summer camps, getting to know different nannies, and being nursed at truck stops and airports along the way. When Gus came along we didn't travel as much but our ministry to women in the sex industry grew and our time leading worship locally became routine. Weeknight band rehearsals and home visits to women from the clubs, Friday night club outreaches and Sunday soundchecks for Brett and I at 7am meant all three kids were backstage in pj's where a hearty breakfast of donuts, juice boxes and peppermints abounded. Along my road I would have several Southern women say, “I love that your calling is to ministry to women in the sex industry, mine is to be a mom.” My mouth would swallow the shame and my gut would regurgitate it as rage: My calling to women did not nullify my calling as a mom. Where did this asinine hogwash come from in the church? Motherhood and ministry are not antithetical, but rather a beautiful paradox that we live within.I do hope this conversation gives you beautiful freedom and a deep breath as a mom. Cheers to rewilding motherhood!
Brett and Emily visit with Carlos regarding his amazing work in Puerto Rico.Visit The Happy Givers.
Season 4 is here and we're headed in new directions! Join us for this intro episode and hear about the new places we hope to go. New for this season is the JSL Podcast subscription. Become a subscriber and get special perks and video versions of the podcast episodes! This first episode is available to all listeners…head to JesusSaidLovePodcast.com and subscribe today!
Dr. Holly Oxhandler is the Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development and an Associate Professor at Baylor University's Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. Holly studies religion/spirituality, health and mental health, and is especially interested in whether and how mental and behavioral health therapists discuss their client's religious/spiritual beliefs in treatment. She developed and validated the Religious/Spiritually Integrated Practice Assessment Scale in addition to other instruments to measure the integration of clients' religion/spirituality in mental health treatment, has written for numerous academic journals, and her research has been featured in the Washington Post, Consumer Affairs, Religion News Service, Business Standard, Baptist News Global, and more. She also co-hosts the weekly podcast, CXMH: Christianity & Mental Health.Holly lives in Waco, TX with her husband, Cory, and the couple has two children, Callie and Oliver. She loves to read, paint, meditate, learn about others' stories over a cup of coffee, and most of all, spend time with her loved ones.
Today's episode is very close to our hearts…it's about jobs. Jobs that matter. Jobs that bring life and purpose. However, if funding doesn't come in, these jobs are at risk for being cut. Join us for a real candid discussion about the importance of survivor jobs at Jesus Said Love.Donate Today
As a pastor, life coach, author and CEO, Karrie Garcia inspires change in others by boldly sharing her journey to freedom. With more than 10,000 hours of experience under her belt, Karrie has been speaking formally since the age of 19. Her audiences range from church small groups to crowds of thousands. People are drawn to Karrie by her charisma, humor, and ability to share God's word in ways that reach everyone from the non-believer to the Bible scholar. However, it's Karrie's authentic, raw, and fearless approach to addressing challenging, and sometimes uncomfortable, topics that truly makes those who hear from her feel known, loved, and accepted. She is not afraid to wade through deep waters and wants to bring those who are hurting along, so they too can experience the freedom that leads to flourishing.Find Karrie Here
Brett & Emily visit with Dr. Reyes and discuss all things multiculturalism and its impacts on the church.Visit here for more info on Michelle Reyes
Ashley is a speaker and writer, whose work and life has been featured in various magazines and digital outlets, including Darling, OprahMag.com, Relevant, and Grit and Virtue. She is the author of Rise of the Truth Teller: Own Your Story, Tell it Like it is, and Live with Holy Gumption, and the forthcoming Love is the Resistance: Learn to Disagree, Resolve the Conflicts You've Been Avoiding and Create Real Change. Her YouVersion devotional, Finding God in the Hard Places, has been completed by over 250,000 people. Ashley is the co-host, alongside Tiffany Bluhm, of the hilarious and helpful podcast — Why Tho.
Brett & Emily dive into a very vulnerable and personal talk on their own walk through grief and transition in 2021.
Brett & Emily have a candid conversation with Laila Mickelwait, founder of Justice Defense Fund and the global movement #TraffickingHub, which aims to hold Pornhub accountable for enabling and profiting from the sex trafficking and criminal sex exploitation of countless victims.TRIGGER WARNING: This episode covers the world of Pornhub in candid conversation.
On June 29, 2021, our dear friend Angela finished her time here on Earth. She was both an ACCESS graduate and fierce supporter of the work of JSL. One of her final wishes was to share her story in hopes that it might help others battling addiction and exploitation. We aired this interview back in season 1, but wanted to replay it in it's entirety. The first half is Angela on the way to rehab. The second half is her heading home from rehab.
Brett & Emily visit with Rondell Trevino, founder of The Immigration Coalition. They discuss current issues surrounding immigration and the border crisis as well as TIC work in bringing clean water to people along the border.
Dawn Wible, founder of Talk More Tech Less, joins the podcast to talk about the issues around digital wellness. talkmoretechless.com
Dr. Soo Battle is a board-certified, licensed pediatrician who works part-time in a pediatric practice in Waco, Texas. Raised in Austin, Texas, she graduated from Westlake High School and then The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor’s degree in the Plan II Liberal Arts Honors Program. She earned her Medical Doctorate from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 2000. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Texas Pediatric Society and the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. Dr. Battle is Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.A recognized and well-respected child advocate in Central Texas, Dr. Battle has made it her mission to educate children and parents about the issue of child sexual abuse. Her to-the-point, humorous, and age-appropriate way of engaging children of all ages has made her a sought-after speaker in Central Texas. Because of her popular classes, she is affectionately known around town as “Dr. Soo” or “the private parts doctor” to local attendees of her sessions. As a mother of two and as a medical professional, she has the unique benefit of knowing how to interact with both children and parents in a nonthreatening, warm, and caring manner while offering her medical and professional expertise at the same time.CAMP CAREFUL INFO
Becca Stevens, founder of Thistle Farms in Nashville, TN, sits down with Brett & Emily for a very personal conversation on the power of love.
Brett & Emily visit with faith and culture writer, Jonathan Merritt, and discuss his new book, Learning to Speak God from Scratch.More about Jonathan can be found here.
Brett & Emily visit with faith and culture writer, Jonathan Merritt, and discuss his new book, Learning to Speak God from Scratch. More about Jonathan can be found here. Jonathan's website
https://www.meghantschanz.com
Christy is an author, teacher and psychotherapist. A mother of 4, fierce dreamer and passionate about advocating for women.Christy received her Bachelors degree in Communication at Texas A&M in 2002 and then her Masters in Counseling at Reformed Theological Seminary in 2007. She published the book Unearth in 2008, and A Brave Lament in 2018. She is certified in Medical Family Therapy and Trauma and Abuse. She earned her doctorate at Seattle Pacific University and is researching Shame and Sexuality in Women.
Brett & Emily sit-down with author and speaker, Tiffany Bluhm, and talk all things adoption and power dynamics and abuse in systems we find ourselves in.
Brett & Emily sit down with author, professor and dean, Beth Allison Barr and discuss all things women and the Bible.
Brett & Emily sit down with author and pastor, Osheta Moore and discuss race and the church.
Brett and Emily sit down with Dallas-based founder of Abolitionist Collective, Abigail Eernisse, and discuss issues of racial equity and human trafficking.
Brett & Emily begin a Black History Month series called Racial Equity and... To kick things off, we sit down with Kerry Burkley who works with abused and exploited children.
Brett & Emily sit down with thought leader, advocate, consultant and human trafficking survivor, Rebecca Bender. They discuss the current court case involving human trafficking victim, Zephi Trevino. Zephi is charged with capital murder. However, the details of her case, including the testimony of her trafficker, show that Zephi did not pull the trigger, but her trafficker admittedly did. Because of Texas law, she is still being charged with capital murder.
Brett & Emily sit down with therapist and artist, Heather Stringer, and discuss the importance of rituals. Heather visited Waco and created a ritual experience for Emily and it was an absolute highlight of 2020.
Brett & Emily are joined by Aaron & Amanda Konzelman aka The Union Revival and chat it up about Christmas traditions and sing some of their favorite Christmas songs.
On week two of Advent, Brett & Emily visit with Scott The Painter to discuss his new book, Honest Advent. Scott Erickson is a touring painter, performance speaker, and creative curate who mixes autobiography, mythology, and aesthetics to create art and moments that speak to our deepest experiences.Using his passion and commitment to craft, Scott has been a working artist for over a decade, and has had his work appear on CNN, National Geographic, and various magazines, newspaper outlets, and book covers. As a speaker, Scott brings his training as an educator and his experience as a visual communicator to all of his presentations. His goal is to bring something for his “A.D.D. brothers and sisters out there”… making sure every speech is thoughtful, entertaining, wondrous, and filled with visual elements and live creating. He is the writer and performer of two one man shows. Wrestling with his own professional burnout and clinical depression, “We Are Not Troubled Guests” is a performance story-telling piece in which he navigates the surprising gift of an existential crisis. His current show, “SAY YES: A Liturgy of Not Giving Up On Yourself”, juxtaposes story-teaching, participation, humor, and image curation as Scott walks us through the very personal and universal conversation about the death of a dream and the overwhelming voice of Giving Up in our lives. He is the co-author of Prayer: Forty Days of Practice and May It Be So, the author of Honest Advent, a Spiritual Director to brave women and men, and a professional dishwasher for his food blogging wife.Scott lives in Austin, TX and is most loved by his wife Holly and his children Anders, Elsa, and Jones.Find Scott on Instagram @scottthepainer
Brett & Emily begin a new series called ADVENT. Today, they sit down with Waco pastor, Josh Carney, and talk about the first week of Advent, Hope. Josh and his family pastor University Baptist Church in Waco and has a unique way in helping us understand the Advent season.Find Josh and his sermons at UBC Waco.
RefitRev.com
RefitRev.com
Brett & Emily visit with NYC-based therapist and author, Jay Stringer on the issues of sex and abuse of power. Jay is the author of Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness reveals our Healing.
Brett & Emily continue the series on abuse with a conversation on emotional abuse with therapist Bonnie Martin. Bonnie brings years of clinical experience working with victims and survivors of abuse and human trafficking.
Brett & Emily visit with VASA director Jessica Macias on the issues of substance misuse and substance abuse disorder.
Brett & Emily continue their conversation with Dan & Becky Allender of The Allender Center in Seattle.
Brett & Emily visit with The Allender Center founders, Dan & Becky Allender. The mission of The Allender Center is to foster redemption and healing in individuals, couples, and communities by helping them tell their stories with awareness and integrity while training leaders and professionals to engage the stories of others with courage, artistry, and care.
Brett & Emily visit with life coach, Laurie Proctor and discuss the issues surrounding verbal abuse.
Brett & Emily visit with Aussie-born Bronwen for an honest look at surviving narcissism in marriage.
Brett & Emily sit down with professor, therapist, and pastor, Chuck DeGroat and talk all things narcissism.
Brett and Emily kick off a new series called Abuse with a discussion on neglect with psychotherapist Kathleen Geiger.
Brett & Emily introduce a new series on abuse. The next several episodes, joined by experts in the field, we will deep dive into several types of abuse including sexual, physical, mental and spiritual.
Brett & Emily sit down with Jimmy Dorrell, founder of Mission Waco. Jimmy is a leader in the Christian Community Development space and has spent decades working with the poor in Waco and around the world.
Brett & Emily sit down with Justin Rosalino to discuss his new book, Idiot, Sojourning Soul.
Brett and Emily sit down with author Kristen Howerton to discuss parenting in the midst of COVID and her new book "Rage Against the Minivan".
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