Morning Cup of Faith

Our world is in need of a hope coach. “I like to say I'm from a long line of hope dealers,” shares extraordinary Author and Hope Coach April Osteen Simons (“Better Than Ever”). April hails from a powerful family of encouragers who inspire millions daily through television, books and social media. April is the youngest of six children in the awe-inspiring Osteen family, which includes her brother, pastor and author Joel Osteen from the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. April shares, “Growing up Osteen with my mother and father, Pastor John Osteen, was a wonderful life. We traveled a lot, I slept in pews, and when we weren't in church, my brother Joel and I played church at home. Life wasn't perfect, but I saw that God was real. I grew up seeing miracles. You can't talk me out of a miracle for the life of me."   April accepted Christ into her heart at the tender age of seven. April admits, “I wanted to do it earlier, but I was too shy.” April's new book “Better Than Ever” is all about getting your happy back, keeping your sanity and enjoying everyday living. April reflects, “I travel, speak and share hope, and I inspire with the word of God. I have this desire to give daily hope to people that life can be better."   April is the proud mother of five beautiful children. In her uplifbook and podcast “Better Than Ever” she explores family mindsets and circumstances and positive, hope-filled practical insight and humor on becoming a better you in every area of your life. April beams, “If you're having a bad day, just do a do-over! A wise woman builds her house. A foolish one tears it down."  April imparts life-changing advice about praying life into parenting during the challenging teenage years. April insists, “So many people say that the teenage years are going to be terrible. I started declaring that the teenage years are going to be great with no rebellion. God holds us accountable to be Mama Bear and protect our children. I rarely let my kids sleep over at someone else's home, and prayer is everything."   April reveals that it was a surprise to everyone, even Joel, when God put him on the fast track with his worldwide ministry. April states, “My brother Joel is still one of my greatest supporters. When I was growing up he was my softball coach and we played on the elevators when my father was in a meeting. Joel is very honored to do what he does; he doesn't ever take it for granted. Our goal as a family is to cheer people on to their destiny.” What's in April's cup today? “Expectation,” April laughs. “My mother taught me to wake up every morning and expect God to move. I shoot for the stars and I expect to see God every day.”

The emotional hangover of the past couple of challenging years is real. This uplifting episode is all about radical self-care, motherhood, parenting, postpartum depression, faith, emotional reset, we cover it all! Our dear friend Tanya Newbould's first foundation is her faith and she lives in the spirit. She's an actress, an outspoken PPD advocate and survivor and a Life Transformation Strategist who founded Spiritually Inspired Coaching (www.tanya newbould.com). She helps women recover from the trauma and exhaustion of the past two challenging years and she travels across the country speaking out because she knows that by sharing her PPD survivor story and educating moms, she's saving lives.    Tanya shares, “We all come here to learn and grow; that is God's purpose for us. When something bad happens to us we automatically think,”Oh my God, I'm such a mess,' but your mess is your message."   Tanya found herself hysterically sobbing on the kitchen floor four months after the birth of her beautiful daughter which led to her to co-producing the award-winning documentary “When the Bough Breaks “ about the realities of PPD executive produced and narrated by actress Brooke Shields (Amazon Prime, iTunes). Tanya discusses the myths of PPD and how you can help support someone through their motherhood journey. "One in five women will experience postpartum depression after giving birth, which also affects the husband and the baby.” Tanya explains. “You will be okay. Your child will be okay. I want people to know that there's always help out there, and like the Bible says, this too will pass.”   Tanya is a safe place to share your story and seek support. One of Tanya's favorite life verses is Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Tanya adds, “I want people to know that if they're feeling lost or afraid to turn to the Lord. God is with you.” Reach out to her if you are a new mother or if the pandemic has left you needing an emotional reset and you need help overcoming overwhelm or developing self-compassion. Tanya's ability to share knowledge and to let others know “you are truly not alone” is her passion. Tanya beams, “My goal is to help empower others to thrive, not just survive.”

Since military conflict began last Thursday, "Morning Cup of Faith" has been praying for the peace and protection of Ukraine. This episode is about the power of prayer and the 8,000 promises God has for us in the Bible. In this moving and deeply personal episode, Brenda Epperson-Moore bares her heart as she shares her “Book of Promises,"  a journal she's kept for over a decade with scriptures that she speaks aloud daily over her life which breathes new strength in her spirit. She reveals intimate details about her family and prayer life and her favorite scriptures that she stands on every day: Isaiah 54:17, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Isaiah 61:1, and Shelley Anderson Myers' favorite Jeremiah 29:11.   Brenda shares, “My ‘Book of Promises' was inspired by God and and His blessings, and all of the things He's done in my life, and the things I want to see come to pass. I started this book when my young family was coming together and I was very grateful, but I was in ‘mom-mode' wondering, what's next? I've always had this burning desire and understanding that God has planted these seeds inside of me and I'm supposed to reach out and encourage people; that is such a huge part of my heart. I was frustrated because I wasn't in faith. I opened up my Bible and I started writing down scriptures that resonated with where I was at, and I started speaking them over my life daily."   It's important to chronicle all of the miraculous things God has done for us over the years because if we don't take a moment of gratitude, we tend to forget our answered prayers when we're enjoying a time of prosperity and rest. Brenda reflects, “Prayers never die. They stay alive and active, and they're sharper than any double-edged sword. If we really understood the power and the principle behind prayer, we would pray with fervency and more often. I often refer back to my breakthrough moments in my ‘Book of Promises' when life throws me a curveball. Looking back on those scriptures remind me of God's faithfulness.”   What scriptures would you include in your “Book of Promises?” We encourage you to start writing down scriptures that speak to you in a book or your Bible. God's word never returns void. Though the crisis in Ukraine is staggering, let's not underestimate the power of prayer and the greatness of God.

It has been said that no one starts a faith podcast without a great story. Experience the powerful faith warrior journeys of longtime friends and hosts actress-singer-author Brenda Epperson-Moore and Huff Post Guest Writer Shelley Anderson Myers and hear how the “Morning Cup of Faith” podcast was born. Shelley reflects, “God put our feet to the fire, literally, but He always shows you things for a reason.”    “Morning Cup of Faith” started as a Bible study around Brenda's kitchen table with Shelley and a few friends. Shelley didn't realize that her faith warrior journey was about to begin when the 2018 Woolsey Fire burned down 24 houses on her street. Her house suffered extensive damage, but it was thankfully was spared. When her family moved back into her house, she felt a darkness that she had never experienced. Shelley reveals, “I encountered an evil presence in my bedroom in the middle of the night. I called Brenda immediately and she helped me turn around the darkness in my house. The enemy is always on the prowl looking for opportunities to take us out. I got very aggressive with the Word, writing down spiritual warfare scriptures and placing them under my children's mattresses and all around the house. I played Christian radio stations all day. I learned how important it is to pray against spiritual warfare daily. I don't want anything in my house that doesn't come from God.”   Brenda chronicles her faith warrior journey in her inspirational book “Rise Up: Move Out of the Darkness and into the Light.” She overcame the death of her father at a young age, a sexual assault and being bullied as a size 16 overweight and out of control youth. She was raised by a single mom who sometimes didn't know where their next meal was coming from. Brenda reveals, “When my father died when I was six years old, I raised my fist to the sky and I said, ‘I hate you, God.” I believe that is the moment that the enemy came into my heart and put an eight year stronghold over my life. That's why I'm passionate about helping people break strongholds in their lives that are holding them back."   When lockdown occurred in 2020, Brenda and Shelley both felt a powerful calling on their hearts to use their media backgrounds to reach out and encourage people with a podcast. Shelley shares, “After all Brenda and I had experienced together, God nudged us to start this podcast and to step out in obedience and faith. Learning how to put on the full armor of God and to get to that strength and joy is not an overnight process.”    How has God been nudging you to step out in obedience and faith?

Did you know that resilience is not serving you? That's right; you heard us!   Phenomenal Warrior Women Coach Liz Svatek explains, "So many people are carrying residual heaviness from 2021. Exhaustion, resentment, bad marriages, fear, weight gain. It's okay to not be okay. No one is ok. The reason I say, ‘resilience is b.s.' is because we just can't bounce back. We need to feel it to heal it."   Liz believes women aren't born warriors; we become them. She runs Mastermind Groups, she's a Warrior Woman Coach, and she hosts the popular podcast, “Conversations with Warrior Women” where she interviews trailblazing women leaping for greatness! (www.lizsvatek.com) Liz shares, “I tell my clients, 'Don't believe a thought that you think.' Our thoughts are choices. We can reprogram and rewire our brain. It's called neuroplasticity.”   We use our subconscious mind 95% of the time and our conscious mind only 5% of the time, which means we're all sleepwalking. In this episode Liz will show you how to tap into “radical personal responsibility.” Liz started her podcast “Conversations with Warrior Women” to build a community to help her with her daughter who is dealing with ulcerative colitis and her son with learning challenges who just started a new school. Liz emphasizes, “Fear is a blueprint, an indication of exactly what you need to be doing. You gotta get out of the ‘how.' The how is none of your business. That's where God comes in. We all have our own divine downloads.” Put yourself back on the to do list again in the new year and join Liz's Mastermind Class. One of Liz's life scriptures is 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but the power of love.” Liz laughs, “I help women break up with fear. He's a bad boyfriend."

Anyone else forget how to flirt in the pandemic? February is the month of love and we dig below the surface with Dating Coach, Author (“Sexless in the City”) and podcaster Kat Harris (“The Refined Woman”). Kat is all about real talk and straight wisdom about singleness, sex and desire. We talk about life, love, online dating, heartache and how being single in today's dating culture as a woman of faith can be a real STRUGGLEFEST. Kat shares, “Valentines Day is coming and that can be very triggering. Some people think it's a marketing scam or Singles Awareness Day, but I've always loved Valentine's Day. I don't think the timing has ever worked out that I've had a boyfriend on Valentine's Day, but I love love! Sure, I want to be in a relationship right now, but so much of life is about how we choose to show up. What better day to look at what's possible? Instead of saying as a single person, ‘I'm 36, another Valentine's Day bites the dust, another year my ovaries are in overdrive,' I can choose to look at all of the love all around me and believe if God can do that for them, He can do that for me." On March 29, 2020, just after the world began to lockdown the popular dating app Tinder broke its record for the most activity in a single day, with more than 3 billion swipes. Online dating is on the rise and Kat talks about her 3 Month Online Dating Challenge, her go-to dating apps and her best advice to be successful with online dating. Kat also shares about her recent break up with complete transparency and vulnerability, and how going through the heartache that her clients experience ultimately made her a better dating coach. Kat reveals, “My biggest breakthrough was realizing that I was honest in my relationship, but I wasn't vulnerable. There's a big difference. My only regret was that I didn't love more fully. This break up cracked my heart open. I'm lonely right now. Sometimes I need other people to believe for me. But like scripture says, hope doesn't put me to shame. Love is always worth the risk.

This is one of our favorite raw and unfiltered conversations! Uninhibited Pat Smith is all things God and family. She's a speaker, author (“Second Chances”), entrepreneur, minister and mother of four. She was the first African American woman to win the Miss Virgina title. She's also the ex-wife of former Dallas Cowboys running back Hall of Fame Emmitt Smith, and her son, E.J., is a running back at Stanford. With warmth and insight, Pat shares the truth she has learned on her journey from heartbreak to hope. “My word for 2022 is freedom,” declares Pat. Newly single and spending time alone for the first time in this new season of her life, Pat shares, “To live an authentic life you have to know who you are. Aside from everyone else. Aside from being Emmitt's wife or EJ's mother. You have to know who you are, and our identity is in God. It's been a faith journey. A walk with God, being alone. Who am I today? What do I like? What do I not like? What do I want to do? What kind of music do I like?” Pat laughs. "I forgot, ya'll, that I like to dance!” Pat is spirit led as she reboots and starts a new decade of her freedom journey. “I've always tried to control everything in my life which set me up for a lot of disappointment,” Pat admits. "At first the pandemic felt like a time out, like I was being punished. We all have seasons where we shut down, whether it's from Covid, heart disease, anxiety. I now realize they were not seasons where I was being punished; they were seasons where God was saying, 'I can do some more work in you.' When I came out of those seasons where I was no longer doing things according to my own plan, God would propel me further.” In 2022 Pat finds herself asking God, “Where do you want me? What do you want me to do? Whatever road and journey I'm on right now is where I need to be. The worst situations in my life, the experiences I thought would take me out like physical abuse or divorce, are the ones that God has used the most.” Pat is the founder of Treasure You, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting women in financial, emotional or spiritual need. Pat continues, “If you're feeling like you can't go on, just give it one more day. If I had given up back then I wouldn't be talking to you here now.” What's in Pat's cup today? “Confirmation and freedom,” Pat gushes. “Go where the love flows!"

Has the pandemic and lockdown been kind to your mind and body? Are you one of the many people going to your January physical and hearing about extra pounds and maybe a new health issue or two? Author and podcast host Kelley Tyan (“Addicted to the Climb”) is a master transformation coach for women in faith, fitness, and mindset. Kelly shares, “Isolation has not been good for our mental health or fitness. I tell my clients to make an “awareness list” of everything you're consuming: food, TV, music, books. Whatever you're consuming is going to pour out of you. I've learned during the pandemic in the isolation to consume more of God. I want to be happier and healthier. Consuming more of God has helped me transform my mindset." Kelley has been blessed to be featured on ABC, Natural Muscle Magazine, Oxygen, and many other local publications for her work of empowering and inspiring women to live healthy and fit lives. She is a 4X national bikini champion, breast cancer survivor and the proud wife and mother of her two children. Kelley's passion to transform one women's life a day has been ongoing from the start. She believes that having a strong faith can can lead to a strong mind and body. Kelley admits, "I was struggling today. I'm very habitual with my workouts. I created that lifestyle, but there are days that I lack motivation. I have my favorite Bible verse on the wall of my home gym: “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” (Phillipians 4:13) I read that verse and I know He'll help me just do thirty minutes.” Kelley also knows that success lies in numbers and being part of a strong community can be the key. She's continuously committed to empowering women through her accountability coaching programs and you can also join the Bible Study she hosts on Monday evenings through her Facebook Group “Faith, Fuel and Fitness." You just might see Brenda and Shelley in there! Connect with Kelley today at www.kelleytyan.com and keep climbing! Kelley reveals, "My greatest advice is to never stop climbing because every climb you take will make you stronger for the next one."

Did you know that there's a podcast called “A Slob Comes Clean?” Dana K. White is the one to turn to this new year if you need to make sense out of all of the chaos around you. Dana is a blogger, podcaster, speaker, and (much to her own surprise) a decluttering expert. In an attempt to get her home under control, Dana started blogging as “Nony” (short for anonymous) at A Slob Comes Clean. Dana soon realized she was not alone in her housekeeping struggles and in her feelings of shame. Today, Dana shares realistic home management strategies with her signature humor and a message of hope for the hopelessly messy through her blog, weekly podcasts, and videos. Dana lives with her husband and three kids just outside of Dallas, Texas. Her first best-selling book “Decluttering at the Speed of Life” was a huge success and her new book, “Organizing for the Rest of us, is kind of like Cliff Notes for her first book. We just love Dana because she's the first home organizer we've come across that brings God into it, and that's the only thing that is going to help our “deslobification process." Shelley admits, “True confession. It's January 14th, and I still have my Christmas tree up!” Brenda laughs, “And my husband is a saver with a stack of magazines from 2020.” Dana reveals, “My faith is the number one most important thing in my life. I felt like as a woman who loved God that I should have my house under control, but most organizing advice was like a foreign language to me. That's not how my brain works. I learned that God wasn't disappointed in me because I had clothes on the floor. He created me exactly the way he wanted me to be, and He wanted to use my shame and weakness about my cleaning issues to help other people. I had to find my own organizing methods that worked for me, and stop feeling like a failure. That's why my book is called “Organizing for the Rest of Us." This inspiring episode is filled with mind-shifts and organizing hacks that will get you on your way to decluttering: Dana's 5 minute pick up, run your dishwasher every day, and declutter your visible spaces first, like your entry way, so you can feel the results and be inspired to keep going. Dana shares, “When people read my book they realize they can start small and not get overwhelmed like I used to be.” Brenda adds, “God will declutter everything in our lives if we just say"yes."

This episode is one of the most important conversations we've ever had. We're talking about burnout. Many of us started January with the hope of a new and brighter 2022, and our tanks are already on empty. Our psyches were not developed to handle this continual baseline of anxiety: a third year of a global pandemic, raging politics and an uncertain future. Our uplifting guest, author and coach Alli Worthington, is all about life, faith, and business. Alli admits, “This is the season where the rubber hit the road." If you don't know Alli Worthington yet, you're going to fall hard. She's a best-selling author, podcaster and business coach who lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and five sons in a loud, messy testosterone-filled house with the only golden retriever who refuses to retrieve. Alli was shocked to discover that she was slowly burning herself out over the past couple of challenging years. Alli shares, “I make my living helping others. I was battling my son's illness and dealing with a world that had just turned upside down. 2021 was a wake up call; I realized I needed to get back in counseling and invest in myself. A good coach always has a coach. The Lord gently told me, ‘you need to invest more in yourself.' This doesn't come naturally to women because we give, give, give. We can only give well when we're okay. Sometimes we have a season where we have to make sure we're okay." Alli believed she would be a lifelong entrepreneur and business coach and then God moved her into writing books and sharing her story. Alli explains, "My calling is to help women live well, whether that's in faith, family or business. The message of my book “Standing Strong: A Woman's Guide to Overcoming Adversity & Living With Confidence" is that every woman has a calling, whether it's in your home, neighborhood, or your zip code. We aren't where we are, surrounded by the people we're surrounded by, by accident. God has important work for us to do." Alli's word for 2022 is “lead.” Alli reveals, “I'm not playing small. I'm not holding myself back when the Lord tells me to have a conversation or to try something new to expand my territory. My verse for the new year is 'Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just in fact as you are doing.' (1 Thessalonians 5:11) I want to obey.” You're going to be so nourished, refreshed and encouraged by this phenomenal woman!

Are you still trying to get your mind around January 2022? All of the bold January vision-casting and goal-setting looks a little different this year after pandemic fatigue and the shakeout of 2021. Shelley admits, “The last 18 months have truly taught me that I'm not in control of anything. I'm focusing on being more spirit led in 2022. Following the Holy Spirit and being submissive to His will. Sometimes He'll give you direct commands. God never mumbles!” Brenda laughs, “He never mumbles, but we've become so busy that we don't hear Him. We miss Him. I don't want to miss God." One of the hardest ways to live life is to try to plan our own course without bringing God into it. Brenda shares, “Last night I was reading Habakkuk 2:2, 'Write down the vision and make it plain' and writing down some goals. We can make our plans, but the outcome is in God's hands. We have to be pliable to the work of the Holy Spirit and be obedient to His voice when we hear it." Shelley's word for 2022 is “risk.” Shelley proclaims, “This year I'm all about risky faith. No one ever did anything for God's kingdom without taking a great risk. Even faith is a risk because we have to believe what we can't see. God is able to do superabundantly more than we ask or think. Ephesians 3:20, the ultimate master planner verse, gets me thinking about those big spirit led God dreams. What's in your cup today, Brenda?" Brenda reveals, “I've got “strength" in my cup. Strength to love the unlovely. Strength to love those who are hard to love. Strength to do the things God wants me to do.” Create space for faith renewal. Clean your spaces, your house, your car, your room, your mind, and your heart. New things are coming from God in 2022! We hope you hear a divine “yes” this season!

It's time to start celebrating Christmas! Today's guest was so wildly popular in November, we just had to invite her back and get her take on preparing for Christmas. JL Gerhardt (“Look to Love”) is an author, Bible teacher and pilgrim. Since we met JL, she's been in England, Croatia, Belfast, Northern Ireland, and she's heading to South Africa. JL talks about how it can feel scary to pray for the coming of Christ during Advent, the four week period of preparation in anticipation of the nativity of Jesus at Christmas. JL explains, “There's the safe prayer to pray during Advent, 'God, make my life here and now better, brighter, full of your good gifts.' But the gutsy prayer is, 'Come Lord.' Sometimes God comes with discipline. Judgement. A challenge. Or an invitation for you to join Him in his work. Sometimes Advent can be an adventure!" JL gives us practical ways to prepare for Christmas and questions we can ask ourselves to know if we're truly ready for Christ to come this season. JL reflects, "We have to make room for Jesus to come into our heart and get rid of some of our clutter. I don't want Him to knock on my door and there's "no room at the Inn.” I'm going to take these twenty-five days and pray for Him to come into twenty-five spaces in my life where I want Him to show up. 'God, come for me at work. Into my church, into my city.' Maybe there are some bad attitudes or habits I need to clear, small addictions I fill my time with. Relationships that aren't good for me. Maybe it's just clutter! 'Advent' and ‘adventure' are the same word. Something is about to happen.” Believe in the unexpected!

Have you experienced trauma - the loss of a loved one, divorce or an accident - and you're trying to find peace and hope again? PTSD affects all ages and walks of life. Dr. Tiffany Tajiri is the author of a new life-changing book “Peace After Combat: Healing the Spiritual and Psychological Wounds of War.” Dr. Tiffany has a heart for people and she helps veterans and their families find hope and healing from trauma, PTSD and the emotional wounds of war and rediscover God's goodness, grace and purpose for their lives. We want to be clear: this episode is for anyone who has gone through a tragic experience, or if you're trying to help a family member of a friend. Brenda shares, “Talking about how science and faith work together to heal deep trauma is a real passion of mine. Yes, you heard me, science and faith! I have experienced brain trauma in my family and this episode is very personal for me.” Shelley reveals, “We call Dr. Tiffany a prophetic doctor. She's completely beautiful, inside and out. I talked about my experience with PTSD for the first time after the Woolsey Fire hit my neighborhood in 2018. I had never experienced a panic attack before until I was trapped in that six hour evacuation with the fire above us on the hill, and I was very surprised how it affected me afterwards. If I feel trapped in rush hour traffic, or in a crowded plane, that feeling of not being able to get out, my blood pressure just skyrockets. After talking to Dr. Tiffany I understand more about how I can rewrite my story, and I can also see where God was during the fire and all of the things He did to bring me to safety. I experienced tremendous healing just talking to her.” You're going to learn so much about how the brain processes trauma and practical steps to heal both spiritually and psychologically in this episode. Dr. Tiffany explains, “I help people see that God was not the author of their pain and suffering. Absolutely not! You didn't go through this alone. There's bad people out there; God does not control us. When my patients recognize that God was not the author of their painful event and they can start to see where He was in their story, they can start to see that He is on their side. They feel that protective element again. They start to understand that there's beauty for ashes.”

Brenda and Shelley bring in the holidays with a “Holiday Joy Mashup” of some of their favorite episodes of their popular fall Nehemiah 8:10 Joy Series. Brenda gushes, “We want to say ‘Happy Holidays' and give you a few words of encouragement before Thanksgiving. We're so grateful for you, faithful listeners! We want to help you find that joy, that light, that zest for life again." Shelley adds, "We've all been through a tough season these last 18 months. I don't know anyone who is saying, ‘You know what? I'm doing fabulous!' Where are we going to find that new start and fresh strength?” Brenda explains, "Joy is our birthright, it comes from God. Nehemiah 8:10 “the joy of the Lord” does give us strength. Guess what? It also strengthens the people around us too. Shelley and I strengthen each other with joy, right Shelley? Shelley laughs, “Daily! I always knew that joy felt good, but I didn't realize the POWER there is in that verse. When we plug into God, we know He's going to work good in all things. God always has bigger dreams for us than we have for ourselves.” Inspiring author, Bible teacher and pilgrim JL Gerhardt (“Look to Love” Episode 60) adds, “It's what God brings. When you're close to God, joy is close." What are some blocks to God's joy? Well-loved author podcaster Heather MacFadyen and “ recovering angry mom to four boys” (“Don't Mom Alone” Episode 62) reveals, “My word for this year is 'strength.' When I was doing my inner healing prayer journey I didn't realize there was a spirit of weakness oppressing me. When we asked the spirit why it was there, it replied, ‘I was never asked to leave.' I said ‘go!' It was hiding the gifts that God gave me because of a spirit of weakness." Brenda states, “It think of the verse Zechariah 4:6 'Not by might, nor by power. but by my Spirit.' If He's in you, than joy is in you. Joy is a trait of our Heavenly Father. We're not joyful because of our circumstances; joy is something bubbling up inside of us because of who God is.” Dynamic author, podcaster and coach Trish Blackwell's (“Straighten Your Crown” Episode 55) favorite life verse is Isaiah 55:12. “You will live in peace and joy and peace and the mountains and hills will burst into song and the trees in the field will clap their hands. I feel like I am in the 'Sound of Music!' That is my daily premise: I will live in joy and peace. I was little girl who struggled with insecurity, anorexia and anxiety, the opposite of peace. I was all about performance. I think, joy and peace? That's me!" Tune into Morning Cup of Faith's Holiday Joy Mashup" and raise your joy meter. Happy Thanksgiving!

November is National Gratitude Month! If the only prayer we ever said was thank you, that would be enough. In this moving and deeply personal episode, Brenda bares her heart as she shares intimate details about her family and prayer life. Her "Book of Promises” is a journal she's kept for over a decade with scriptures that she speaks aloud daily over her her life which breathe new strength into her spirit. Brenda shares, “My ‘Book of Promises' was inspired by God and His blessings, and all of the things He's done in my life, and things I want to see come to pass. I started this book when my young family was coming together and I was very grateful, but I was in ‘Mom-mode' wondering, what's next? I've always had this burning desire and understanding that God has planted these seeds inside of me and I'm supposed to reach out and encourage people; that is such a huge part of my heart. I was frustrated because I wasn't in faith. I opened up my Bible, and I started writing down scriptures that resonated with where I was at, and I started speaking them aloud over my life daily." It's important to chronicle all of the miraculous things God has done for us over the years because if we don't take a moment of gratitude, we tend to forget our answered prayers when we're enjoying a time of prosperity and rest. Brenda reflects, “Prayers never die. They stay alive and active, and they're sharper than any double-edged sword. If we really understood the power and principle behind prayer, we would pray with fervency and more often. I often refer back to my breakthrough moments in my “Book of Promises” when life throws me a curveball. Looking back on those scriptures remind me of God's faithfulness." As you head into the Thanksgiving holiday, what are you grateful for? What scriptures would you include in your "Book of Promises?" God's word never returns void.

The time change is coming, it's getting darker earlier and we're all transitioning out of a rocky 18 months of the pandemic. Many of us are running on empty. Where are we going to get this new fresh strength from? Take a moment to reflect on the last year. What's going on in your life? Where are you going? What areas of your life need to be restored? The answer can be found in one of our favorite verses Nehemiah 8:10 “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” God is always waiting for us with a fresh start and a new strength. Brenda shares, “I didn't realize when I was a little girl that our joy came from God. I write about #ijoy in my book “Rise Up.” It means “I AM JESUS ON YOU.” When God is close, joy is near. It's a beautiful aroma, like a favorite fragrance we wear." Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king who built the protective wall around the defenseless Jerusalem in just 52 days. At the start of the book of Nehemiah, Israel was in a dark period after returning from 70 years of exile in Babylon, isolated from God. Nehemiah did what he could do in the natural world to rebuild his city. In the supernatural, God brought the people, supplies and finances for Nehemiah to complete the wall. God too will restore what was lost in our lives, block by block, if we bring Him into our dreams. What are some of your blocks to His abundant joy? How do you know you're in bondage? Brenda laughs, “Check your joy monitor.” Shelley explains, “One of our recent guests, Heather MacFadyen (“Don't Mom Alone”) talked about how a spirit of weakness was over her and when she asked the spirit why it was there, it said, ‘I was never asked to leave.' Her story had such a big impact on me because I have been fighting a similar stronghold for the past couple of years. It's daily work. The first step in breaking a stronghold is realizing you have one.” Whatever brokenness we have in our lives, Nehemiah's story gives us hope. Brenda adds, “Joy is our birthright. The word ‘joy' appears 88 times in the Hebrew Bible. Having joy is the fruit of the spirit.” What's one area that needs to be rebuilt in your life?

Have we got a 2020 story for you! At the height of his successful career as a Disney executive, Dave Hollis found himself unhappy and unfulfilled. He had climbed the ladder to someone else's idea of success, because he didn't have his own. Attending his wife's inaugural “Rise” event (author and podcaster Rachel Hollis “Girl, Wash Your Face") Dave saw the potential to put his creativity and skills to use to build her brand into a company. It wasn't until the events of 2020 - leaving that company and watching his high profile marriage dissolve before his very eyes as the world came to a screeching halt - that Dave came to understand that he wasn't living his life or chasing his dream; he was chasing hers. Dave, a strong man of faith and a father of four, talks about his new life-changing book “Built for Courage” and how to navigate “choppy waters,” how to reframe failure and make it work for you, and why we're built for courage. Dave reveals, “I've come to appreciate that failure is just information. It's you trying something new, when you're not good enough yet to do the thing you're trying, so you can learn from not doing it well and do it better." You''ll fall in love with Dave's warmth, honesty, vulnerability and playful sense of humor. Dave will challenge you to find the places you've become too comfortable. Four years ago Dave got a tattoo on his arm with the famous quote: “A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not what ships were built for.” Dave encourages us, “Have the courage to step into the ship, leave the safe harbor, untie that rope and feel that sensation of being unmoored. It's jarring, but walking towards fear is the only way to cultivate courage. You were built for this!"

“Don't Mom Alone” is a vision to do motherhood with your people! Popular podcaster and author Heather MacFadyen's new book “Don't Mom Alone: Growing the Relationships You Need to Be the Mom You Want to Be” shows you that being a good mom isn't about doing everything right to create a set of trophy children, though every mom has felt the pressure to do just that and to do it all on her own. This "recovering angry mom to four young boys” is based in Dallas, Texas and her award-winning podcast has over 13 million downloads from all around the world. Heather confesses, “I walked with God my entire life, but motherhood brings another layer of faith. I was needing my kids to behave a certain way so other people would approve of me. I had to learn to ask God, ‘Who is my identity in you? Who did you make me to be?' That process for me was like a bloodbath!” Heather is very transparent about the hard and painful lessons she's learned through her parenting. Heather admits, “My book isn't about having it all together; it's about being on the Titanic and avoiding the icebergs ahead. I was a self-proclaimed do-it-yourselfer. I was holding the full brunt of the responsibility and I didn't let other people in.” Heather reveals that after the birth of her fourth son she had a panic attack and that's when she hit rock bottom and reached out to her community. Heather states, “I help struggling moms see that they are refined instead of broken." Everyone can identify with Heather's universal message about surrendering your battles to God and remembering our identity in Christ, no matter what your struggle is: marriage, addiction, health, or the loss of a loved one. Through prayer with friends, God healed the wrong identities Heather was holding onto and he secured her belief in who He said she was. Fear lost a hold on her. Heather shares, "Our hope isn't found in a successful child; it is found in a faithful God. Motherhood is hard! We are not meant to go it alone." Heather will show you how you can be empowered by God, supported by others, and connected with your children.

We're three months away from 2022! This is a time to get focused, realign our priorities and to get into agreement with God's word. You might still be thinking, “What is my purpose? What is God's will in my life?” Brenda and Shelley go unplugged with one of their favorite verses, the great commission at the end of Matthew 28, “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” This is a powerful verse to meditate on as you ponder your God-given purpose and dreams. God has placed something in your heart, a seed that maybe hasn't burst yet, but when it bears fruit it will be so ripe and savory that others will be blessed by what God has planted inside of you. Brenda shares, “The true power of our life on earth is something we might know until we get to heaven, but it's there. How do we tap into it? We need to tap into the power of God.” Shelley adds, If we can stay in the center of God's will, the storm might be all around us, but we'll remain in perfect peace.” Brenda chimes in, “Read God's word. Speak God's word. Believe God's word, and watch God work. He will turn what little you have into so much more. Jesus commanded Peter and the fisherman to cast their nets (Luke 5) after not catching any fish all night, and they caught so many fish that their nets burst and both boats were sinking. I want boat-sinking blessings in my life and for all of us!” This passionate episode will encourage and ignite you and activate the Holy Spirit's power inside of you.

Jennifer Gerhardt, or JL as some people call her ( “JL makes me sound tough!” she laughs) is a best-selling author, Bible teacher, storyteller and all around pilgrim ( jlgerhardt.com). Her Instagram says, “I write about God and talk about God. Never like a jerk.” She's constantly wandering around the globe with her husband and homeschooling her two young daughters while chasing God-given dreams. This November JL is releasing her highly anticipated 7th book “Look to Love: A Better Way to Read the Bible," a book about how to read the Bible and fall in love with God - personal stories that will make you laugh, cry and THINK. It's a personal take on Bible reading and how that changes everything. We talk about how (and why) to fall in love with God, and why you shouldn't feel any shame if you don't yet. JL shares, “I'm a Bible teacher; I travel around the world talking to women about their faith and how they are doing. ‘Tired' is the word that comes up. They're so exhausted from all of the expectations, and they're running on an empty tank. When I read scripture, it seems to me that the thing that should be electrifying us all is our love for God. God's love dwelling inside of us manifesting as our love for Him is what enables us to accomplish awesome things.” JL and her pastor husband, Justin, are always on the edge with God following the spirit. Their family has been traveling to England and Ireland, and the next exciting stops are Croatia and Israel. JL admits, “Our new lifestyle took a leap of faith, but God's way is always so much better.” What is this Bible teacher's favorite scripture? JL gushes, “My absolute favorite verse is Psalm 27. David the shepherd's love for God and the way he pursues Him through gazing is the centerpiece of my new book ‘Look to Love.' David writes, 'The one thing I ask from the Lord, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in his temple.” JL's entertaining stories will inspire you to “gaze upon the beauty of the Lord” like David and she'll give you a fresh approach and a heartfelt way to read the Bible.

Fall forward into something new, get more clarity with God, and fall out of some bad habits! Fall is a time to pause, transition, and to take care of that deepest part of ourselves. What are your goals? Are they the same? Different? Do you need to let go of something? This is a time to be still (Psalm 46) and reconnect with our heavenly father and hear what He is calling us to do. Brenda and Shelley talk about their morning routines and their new fall reset. Brenda shares her Book of Promises, personal scriptures that she meditates on and speaks aloud every morning. Brenda laughs, “Do you know there are over 3,000 promises in the Bible?” Shelley sets her alarm ten minutes early every morning and prays before she gets out of bed. Shelley shares, “Praying for ten minutes for what you need, your intentions, and thanking God every morning before you get out of bed is a game changer. Last week I was feeling very desperate about a few situations and I prayed in bed with my palms held wide open in total surrender, ‘Ask, and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.' Works every time!" God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. Don't think you're ready to move forward yet, or feeling like you might not have the right stuff? Don't let fear and doubt undermine you. God put that ambition on your heart for a reason. We already have everything we need to accomplish that goal. David used a small stone to slay Goliath. Moses stuttered, but God called him to lead his people out of Egypt. Moses balked, “I am not eloquent. I have a heavy tongue, so I think you have asked the wrong man.” God always has bigger and better than we have now. If you need a belief boost, join us for our new fall series Nehemiah 8:10 “they joy of the Lord is your strength” for a fresh start and new strength. Brenda adds, “Little is much when God is in it and he can use you beyond your wildest imagination!”

It has been said that no one starts a faith podcast without a great story. Experience the personal faith warrior journeys of longtime friends and hosts actress-singer-author Brenda Epperson-Moore and Huff Post Guest Writer Shelley Anderson Myers and hear how the “Morning Cup of Faith” podcast was born. Shelley reflects, “God put our feet to the fire, literally, but He always shows you things for a reason.” Learn about Brenda and Shelley's transformation out of darkness and into the light and how the two friends arrived at their new fall series Nehemiah 8:10 “the joy of the Lord is your strength." Brenda chronicles her life story in her new inspirational book “Rise Up: Move Out of the Darkness and into the Light.” She overcame the death of her father at a young age, a sexual assault and being bullied as a size 16 overweight and out of control youth. She was raised by a single mom who sometimes didn't know where their next meal was coming from. Brenda reveals, “When my father died when I was six years old, I raised my fist to the sky and I said, ‘I hate you, God.” I believe that is the moment that the enemy came into my heart and put an eight year stronghold over my life." “Morning Cup of Faith” started as a Bible study around Brenda's kitchen table with Shelley and a few friends. Shelley didn't realize that her faith warrior journey was about to begin when the 2018 Woolsey Fire burned down 24 houses on her street. Her house suffered extensive damage, but it was thankfully was spared. When her family moved back into her house, she felt a darkness that she had never experienced. Shelley states, “When I realized what was going on, I called Brenda immediately and she helped me turn around the energy in my house. The enemy is always on the prowl looking for opportunities to take us out. I got very aggressive with the Word, writing down spiritual warfare scriptures and placing them under my children's mattresses and all around the house. I played Christian radio stations all day. I learned how important it is to pray against spiritual warfare daily. I don't want anything in my house that doesn't come from God." When lockdown occurred in 2020, Brenda and Shelley both felt a powerful calling on their hearts to use their media backgrounds to reach out and encourage people with a podcast. Shelley shares, “After all Brenda and I had experienced together, God nudged us to start this podcast and to step out in obedience and faith. Learning how to put on the full armor of God and to get to that strength and joy is not an overnight process.” Brenda adds, “We're receiving such a great response from our new fall Nehemiah 8:10 joy series. People need a fresh strength, a new start. We don't have joy because of our circumstances or because of what is in front of us. Joy is the fragrance of our Father in heaven when we accept Him into our heart. Joy is our birthright. Joy is part of what gives us the strength to move through difficult times if we keep our eyes fixed on Him.” How has God been nudging you to step out in faith?

Brenda and Shelley's new fall series Nehemiah 8:10 “the joy of the Lord is our strength” kicks into high gear with Brenda sharing about her newfound joy singing in the church choir. Brenda, a Tri-Star recording artist, reflects, “Singing with the church ensemble just cracked me wide open. I needed that so much; singing and being able to express that part of me is such a big part of who I am.” Shelley chimes in, “When Brenda sings it changes the energy in the room. She brought down the house with Bethel City's “Raise A Hallelujah.” (check out footage of Brenda singing in the church choir on Instagram @morningcupoffaithpodcast or our Facebook page). Brenda and Shelley welcome awe-inspiring author and International Human Rights Attorney, Virginia Prodan, author of the best-selling gripping memoir “Saving My Assassin” (virginiaprodanbooks.com). Virginia believes, “You are as bold as a lion; you just don't know it yet." This mighty faith warrior is under five feet tall and she weighs eighty-two pounds, but she's a strong woman of faith who stands up for justice even in the face of deadly opposition. She's been featured in the international media—from working with the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate boldly standing up for the educational rights of Pakistani girls to denouncing one of the most powerful and brutal communist dictators when she was a young attorney. Virginia dared to defend Christians in communist Romania while fearlessly declaring Christ—even to the 6 foot tall assassin who was ordered to kill her. Virginia had found the truth of God in the Bible which was at the time the most forbidden book in the land. Virginia even ended up bringing her assassin to Christ, and he contributed a chapter to her book and ended up naming his granddaughter “Virginia.” Virginia, a sought after international speaker, shares, “I want people to be encouraged. God was not asleep during my trials. He allowed those things to happen in my life to create what he wanted me to be, a lawyer who defends Christians. God can transform your worst situation to your best message." This episode is an unbelievable David vs. Goliath story about freedom, forgiveness and a joy that is based on God's love instead of our circumstances. Virginia knows the true meaning of Nehemiah “the joy of the Lord is our strength.” Virgina smiles, “In darkness the light shines very bright.” You'll be so inspired by Virginia's unshakable confidence and courage. Virginia states, “Freedom is precious. I mentor others so they can stand up to their giants. Your test becomes your testimony."

Brenda and Shelley's fall series Nehemiah 8:10 continues with passionate author, speaker and coach Britt Gusmus, an expert in personal growth for men in leadership and relationships. He's a devoted family man and the author of “The Oak Tree Source: Becoming A Man of Strength, Substance and Spirituality Today” which will be released on September 15th. Britt shares, “I was jogging one day while I was writing my book and I called out to God, ‘What should my title be?'' I suddenly remembered a woman from my church who had prophesied over me, ‘You will be strong and sturdy like an oak tree.' I included Isaiah 61:3 in my book, “You will grow in righteous oaks for the splendor of God.” Britt's universal message is for everyone: we can all create substance and strength in our lives if we're bold enough to understand and step into our purpose. Britt shares, “I moved from the dark night of my soul into the hero's journey. We're never a finished product in God's eyes; we're always on the potter's wheel. That's how we create substance, the essential parts of our life. The other things that distract us from God and His will for us have to be burned away.” Britt laughs, " I passed through the refiners fire and believe me, there was a lot that had to be burned away! Luckily, God gave me some revelations along that way.” Britt offers a fascinating look into male spirituality and the male point of view. He was a star quarterback and a home run hitter drafted to the Houston Astros who was making a good living in business and sales when God nudged him to step into His purpose for him: to become a teacher and a football coach and to start his men's ministry. Britt admits, “It was an internal struggle because I knew there would be a pay cut and I would have to go back to school to get my Master's Degree. But my new life in Him is so fulfilling and satisfying and His revelations continue to work through me, helping men to become a source of strength and substance." Britt is a powerful Nehemiah kind of a guy that will light a fire in your belly; this human dynamo really brings it! He's very vulnerable and authentic, and he's not afraid to talk about his ups and downs. As Britt gained his sobriety, he leaned on Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Britt explains, “That is the true statement of my life. I kept that verse in my pocket for three years." Be sure to follow Britt on Instagram @brittgusmus711 for his weekly video blogs for “Fired Up Fridays” and “Sunday Encouragement” and experience Britt's contagious spirit and kinetic energy!

We kick off our fall series Nehemiah 8:10 “The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength” with effervescent author, coach and podcaster Trish Blackwell who talks about her new book “How to Straighten Your Crown: Rediscovering that You are Seen, You Matter and the King Delights in You” coming out September 10th. Trish shares, “You are loved. You are seen. You are a child of the King. And that changes everything." Trish is a wife, mom, runner, snowboarder, Ironman Triathlete, and a Jesus Follower. She's passionate about showing women how to walk with worthiness like a confident daughter of the King. You'll learn how to live more joyfully as royalty as a daughter of God and awaken to Trish's concept of “delight” and how it gets us to the crown. Trish explains, “In my head, I knew I was a daughter of God, but I didn't know it in my heart. I knew that He loved me, but delight? Now that's a generous word. The depth of intimacy that God wants from us is incredible. There are sisters who are sleeping. They need boldness so they can remember that they're not too far gone to have lost their deep connection as His child." Trish hosts “The Confidence Podcast” that helps women get freedom from self-doubt, achieve more and ooze confidence. Learning to have God as our foundation for self-confidence can be as basic as retraining our mind and taking our thoughts captive, daily. Trish challenges us to take our most pervasive thought and ask, “what is the thought I'm thinking? Is it the truth? Would God want me to think this? Just as we have physical, oral and spiritual hygiene, we also need “confidence hygiene." Trish's favorite life verse is Isaiah 55:12. Trish laughs, “I look at it as a premise. ‘You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace. The mountains and the hills will burst into song before you and the trees in the field will clap their hands.' I feel like I'm in the 'Sound of Music. For a little girl who lived with insecurity, anorexia, anxiety, this is now my daily verse. Joy and peace? That's me!”

September is coming, and Brenda and Shelley announce their new fall podcast series which will be built around one of their favorite Bible verses: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) Brenda and Shelley go “unplugged" and Brenda catches us up with her new inspiring book “Rise Up” and her exciting summer book tour. "Rise Up” is a book about joy, a deep inner joy one can never achieve without God's grace and mercy. By the time you reach the end of her book, you will be able to identify what's holding you back, and move forward to reach solutions in your life. You'll build your faith, breaking chains and the negative ideas you have about yourself will no longer have a stronghold over your life. Brenda reflects, “Some people say ‘I feel guilty for being joyful with so much devastation going on in the world.' Joy comes from a knowing, a stirring in your soul that understands that weeping may endure for the night, but joy always comes in the morning knowing that He will work good through all things.” (Romans 8:28) From a childhood touched by tragedy, Brenda rose from the ashes to become a world changer. Brenda overcame the death of her father at a young age, a sexual assault and being bullied as a size 16 overweight and out of control youth. She was raised by a single mom who sometimes didn't know where their next meal was coming from. Brenda shares, “We don't have joy because of our circumstances or because of what is in front of us. Joy is the fragrance of our Father in heaven when we accept Him into our heart. Joy is our birthright. Joy is part of what gives us the strength to move through difficult times if we keep our eyes fixed on Him. In “Rise Up” I talk about #ijoy which means “I Am Jesus On You." Brenda thanks Shelley for helping her to finish “Rise Up" last summer. Brenda recalls, “I was crying when I called Shelley, ‘I can't finish this. I can't do it.' Shelley was so sweet and she kindly said, ‘'Let me help you.' I'll never forget her for that. It takes a village." Brenda closes with a prayer in “Rise Up” on page 98 about healing and joy. Brenda prays, “Saturate us in your love, Heavenly Father. Help each of us discover your purpose in our lives by laying down our dreams and desires and aligning our hearts with your will and your word. Your perfect plan will unfold every time we say “yes.” Everytime we walk away from the wrong, you will lead us into what is right. Tear down idols in our lives that slow us down or cause us to become stagnant, and allow the rich flowing healing waters of your love and peace overtake us with healing and joy." By the time you finish this episode you'll be doing a “joy wave!”

Have you ever wondered why faith and coffee go together? Brenda and Shelley catch us up with their latest travels as they continue their "Summer Series" of their most popular and downloaded episodes with globally-minded and engaging “coffee expert,” professor, PhD and connoisseur Dr. Lori Unruh Snyder. Dr. Lori explains why coffee and faith are intertwined and she shares about the rich history of the coffee bean. An Associate Professor at NC State (Crop and Soil Science Department) Dr. Lori has traveled to premium coffee farms in Peru, Jamaica, Colombia, Honduras and Costa Rica, and she's sampled all of the best coffee beans on the planet! Dr. Lori believes, “the soul of coffee is centered in the faith of the coffee grower” and she shares an ancient story about a goat herder who found “red berries" for the monks in the monastery and they noticed their prayer time was extended that night. Dr. Lori reflects, "All of the coffee farms I have traveled to internationally have small tabernacles on the side of the mountain with Virgin Mary where the coffee farmers stop to pray. All of our meetings start with a cup of coffee and a prayer. I've spent more time praying on coffee farms than I have anywhere else in the world." Dr. Lori, who enjoys her organic black coffee “farm to cup,” discusses the importance of sustainable impact coffee farming and the groundbreaking work of her friend, Tony Salas, founder of Shared-X (www.shared-x.com). She turns Brenda and Shelley onto their new favorite specialty organic roaster, One Village Coffee (onevillagecoffee.com) We're hooked on the heavenly Medium Roast, chocolate, hazelnut and berry blend! One Village Coffee is responsibly sourced and grown, a socially and environmentally conscious Founding B Corporation (great coffee, great mission!) Dr. Lori helps us channel our inner barista with all of the latest coffee hacks and trending recipes such as the Matcha Latte and the Ginger Coffee Twist. We talk French Press, Chemex, Pour-over (good-bye clunky Mr. Coffee Maker!) and trending alternative milks (oat milk barista blend foams the best). You won't want to miss this feel-good #faith and #coffee episode!

Brenda and Shelley catch up with the legendary soul-stirring gospel and R&B singer CeCe Winans at her home in Tennessee. This vocal powerhouse has won twelve Grammy Awards, twenty-three GMA Dove Awards and she's performed everywhere from Oprah to the White House. CeCe has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and she has 3.5 million record sales to date. One of ten children, CeCe's love of gospel music started in the church and many of her top hits were recorded with her brother, Bebe Winans. She sang her first solo in the church at the tender age of eight. The Winans' house rule was only gospel music was played in the house. CeCe explains, “I was in church all of the time. It was my foundation." CeCe's highly anticipated new album “Believe For It” is full of anointed worship music. CeCe shares, “I know people have gone through a lot. People are hurting, people are broken-hearted. Some have lost their loved ones and their jobs. I want to challenge them to still believe, to release their faith for the impossible, and not to give up because the God we serve is faithful. The Bible says (Mark 11:24) when we pray, if we believe what we're asking for, then it is ours." In this episode CeCe reflects on what Black History Month means to her. CeCe states, “It's a time to celebrate, a time to reflect on all of the great things that people who went before me paved the way for me to be where I am today.” She also talks about her twenty-nine year friendship with the late great Whitney Houston and their smash duet “Count on Me” from the multi-platinum “Waiting to Exhale” soundtrack CeCe was the godmother of Whitney's daughter, the beautiful Bobbi Kristina. CeCe's still suffering from this devastating loss, even today. “My heart is still aching because we lost a jewel. We were sisters. We were friends. People don't realize how amazing Whitney was. She knew she could count on me, and I could count on her.” CeCe also discloses what hurts her the most about losing Whitney too soon. CeCe discusses her TV Show on TBN “Better Together” (real life, real conversations with powerhouse pastors and leaders) and what's next for this iconic voice. “What's in my cup today?” CeCe laughs. “Gratefulness. I am so grateful for what He's already done, and so grateful for what He's going to do."

The uplifting and faith-filled Tobi Tobin is a Los Angeles based luxury lifestyle expert whose work has graced the cover of Architectural Digest and earned her the AIA award. Tobi designs environments for some of the most powerful and influential people in Hollywood such as Reese Witherspoon and Leonard DiCaprio as well as abroad. Tobi injects fifteen years of experience into the public eye by launching her Tobi Tobin Luxury Collection that consists of organic candles, chocolates and fragrances (Malibu store tobitobin.com) Tobi fell in love with European living during her early travels as a model and her beautiful fragrances tell the story of her exotic travels around the world. Tobi explains, “I need organic all natural products and fragrances that are not synthesized. My story and how my products and lifestyle brand developed is because of the products that I needed in my life. I was dissatisfied with the products that were out there and I dove into creating products I could use for myself. I thought just by pure passion that if I needed it, somebody else needs it and wants it the same way. I continue to make decisions for my brand based on what feels good to me, what I want, and probably what everybody else wants too.” Tobi is an intuitive entrepreneur who checks in with her spirit daily to make her life and business decisions. Tobi constantly asks herself, “What am I doing for my friends? My family? My customers? It all starts with listening. Some of the best advice I ever received was to ask yourself ‘is this going to hurt me or heal me?' when you make decisions. ‘Is where I'm living hurting or healing me? Is the relationship I'm in hurting or healing me?' If you continue to ask yourself this question, it will completely transform your life." Tobi is the ultimate overcomer, full of resilience and fatih. She reflects, “Everything starts with my Christian faith. I'm not going anywhere without it. I need somebody to save me, a friend and a Savior."

Extraordinary Author and Hope Coach April Osteen Simons hails from a powerful family of encouragers who inspire millions daily through television, books and social media. April is the youngest of six children in the awe-inspiring Osteen family, which includes her brother, pastor and author Joel Osteen from the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. April shares, “Growing up Osteen with my mother and father, Pastor John Osteen, was a wonderful life. We traveled a lot, I slept in pews, and when we weren't in church, my brother Joel and I played church at home. Life wasn't perfect, but I saw that God was real. I grew up seeing miracles. You can't talk me out of a miracle for the life of me." April accepted Christ into her heart at the tender age of seven. April admits, “I wanted to do it earlier, but I was too shy.” April's new book “Better Than Ever” is all about getting your happy back, keeping your sanity and enjoying everyday living. April is the proud mother of five beautiful children, and she explores family mindsets and circumstances and positive, hope-filled practical insight and humor on becoming a better you in every area of your life. April beams, “I come from a long line of hope dealers. I have this desire to give daily hope to people that life can be better. If you're having a bad day, just do a do-over! A wise woman builds her house. A foolish one tears it down." April imparts life-changing advice about praying life into parenting during the challenging teenage years. April insists, “So many people say that the teenage years are going to be terrible. I started declaring that the teenage years are going to be great with no rebellion. God holds us accountable to be Mama Bear and protect our children. I rarely let my kids sleep over at someone else's home, and prayer is everything." April reveals that it was a surprise to everyone, even Joel, when God put him on the fast track with his worldwide ministry. April states, “My brother Joel is still one of my greatest supporters. When I was growing up he was my softball coach and we played on the elevators when my father was in a meeting. Joel is very honored to do what he does; he doesn't ever take it for granted. Our goal as a family is to cheer people on to their destiny.” What's in April's cup today? “Expectation,” April laughs. “My mother taught me to wake up every morning and expect God to move. I shoot for the stars and I expect to see God every day.”

Humorous and down-to-earth Author and DJ Cara Whitney "Fields of Grace: Sharing Faith From the Horse Farm" grew up on a cattle farm in Northern Wisconsin. After spending a decade as a radio personality in markets that included Las Vegas, she found herself in search of that simpler life everyone talks about. She soon discovered that there is no such thing as a simple life, but instead your best lived life is one that includes a relationship with Jesus Christ. Cara reflects, “I wasn't always a believer, but I got saved. My relationship with the Lord changed my life, and I want others to know that they can have that peace too. They are forgiven; they don't have to live in fear. I wrote things about my faith on social media and someone approached me about writing a book and incorporating horses.” Cara lives with her husband, Dan (“Larry the Cable Guy”) and two kids on a horse farm in Nebraska. Cara advises, “Marry a man who lives for Jesus. They're the best kind." Cara shares charming yet powerful stories about how ordinary people can share their faith in extraordinary ways. Cara explains, “We don't have saving power. We just make the introduction.” She passes on lessons from her amazing horses, cows and racally dogs such as how caring for baby calves teaches us the value of letting go and what a floppy eared dog can teach us about loving our neighbor. Cara laughs, “God has a sense of humor. We see it in all of the critters!”

Our “Summer Series” continues with passionate and hope-filled film producer Cindy Bond, a pioneer of inspiring faith family films who co-founded Mission Pictures International. Cindy knew the minute she heard MercyMe's beloved, chart-topping song “I Can Only Imagine” that she'd be turning band leader Bart Millard's true life story which charts the difficult relationship between Millard and his abusive father (played by Dennis Quaid) who found God after a cancer diagnosis and became a better man into a major motion picture. Cindy reflects, “I've had a calling on my life to impact the world through media with biblical world view stories. I've had to persevere through my struggles and stay tenacious, stay faithful and hopeful. There are a lot of rocks and bumps along the way, but I know that with any obstacles the world has for me, nothing is impossible with God." Her highly anticipated upcoming film “Redeeming Love,” which was also executive produced by actress Roma Downey, is based on Francine Rivers' best-selling novel set in 1850 during the California Gold Rush and based on the Bible's Book of Hosea. The movie revolves around Angel (played by Abigail Cowen) a prostitute who's endured a difficult life of betrayal and rejection, and Michael Hosea, the man who loves her. , Cindy shares her favorite life scriptures, her love of horses and show jumping competition, and how she chooses daily to live on faith and hope. Cindy shares, “Life is choices. We have to choose to be either above our circumstances, or below them. Life is difficult. I get up every morning and I choose to live over my circumstances, no matter what they are. I'm a hopeful person. I've always lived on hope."

Victoria Rowell, Actress-Producer-Director: "I'm Inspired by the Moment” Award-winning Actress, Producer and Director Victoria Rowell 13 NAACP catches up with longtime friend Brenda Epperson-Moore and these two high-spirited and faith-filled women reminiscence about their days working together on CBS “Young and the Restless” and currently on UMC's “The Rich and The Ruthless” which was just picked up by BET Plus. These two fast friends have stayed connected for decades through their marriages, the birth of their children, and philanthropic causes. Victoria shares, “Brenda and I were meant to become friends. I don't believe in accidents; that is divine order.” Victoria is a champion for diversity issues and she shares why she's “inspired by the moment” and how iconic Congressman John Lewis told her to keep pushing for justice, and make a way out of no way.” Victoria was raised with an “extremely grounded and sturdy faith” and she believes “making the most of what you have turns into more.” Victoria reflects, “During this uncertain time, some people feel ‘I'm lost. I'm in the desert.' When you're in the desert you're finding yourself. You're building a faith muscle.”

Have you ever wondered about your life purpose or destiny and felt like there was something more for you to accomplish, bigger things you were meant to do? For our “Summer Series” of our most popular and downloaded episodes, we revisit powerfully positive and humorous prophetic speaker and author, Doug Addison from InLight Connection (dougaddison.com) with fresh commentary and new insights. Brenda and Shelley marvel about how Doug intuitively spoke over their lives last August and the new developments that have come to pass, and how Doug was ahead of the curve in 2020, predicting that “the Lord is moving in new ways. He forced us all onto the Internet." Doug explains how discovering your destiny is like a connect-the-dots drawing. As a leading expert and a cutting-edge prophetic leader, Doug has studied, interpreted and instructed on many dreams and visions, bringing deep insight to countless people worldwide. Doug shares with us the key recurring dreams to look out for such as flying in your dreams or seeing babies or numbers and how to hear the spirit in our daily lives. Doug explains, “Many people don't know their own destiny. There are key dreams to watch out for that will talk about your destiny. For example, being chased by something evil in your dreams shows you that you have a high calling and something to fulfill in your life, something that the enemy doesn't want you to see.” Doug has a gift to see and discern in the spirit and he is best known for his prophetic words that he releases daily. He shows us how God speaks to us in an unlimited ways in our everyday lives through our dreams, every day conversations, nature, or a beautiful piece of music. Doug has a charismatic personality, a strong faith in God, an endearing nature and a quick wit, and he reminds us that God meets us right where we are. Doug reflects, “Prosperity to me is having the freedom to do what God calls you to do."

Exuberant exceptionally talented Actress-Producer Rachel Boston (Hallmark Channel, CBS “Seal Team,” Lifetime “Witches of East End") kicks off “Morning Cup of Faith” Summer Series as Brenda and Shelley revisit some of our most popular and most downloaded episodes with fresh commentary and new insights. This episode finds Rachel last August in an Airstream at her childhood home in the mountains of Tennessee waiting for film production to resume. You can actually hear the birds sweetly chirping in Rachel's backyard! We learn about Rachel's new love, private celebrity chef Tolya Ashe, and how they enjoy cooking together. Rachel is presently in Vancouver shooting new exciting Hallmark Christmas movies for Christmas 2021. In this episode Rachel reflects on her early Southern roots growing up in the church, her time at NYU, and how Psalm 23 inspired her during these uncertain times. Rachel reveals why she's had the “most deep profound conversations” this past year and why she's glad to see an end to the “negative discard culture that was brewing.” Rachel shares, “I'm seeing a new level of humanity after this universal experience we all shared last year. It's okay to say, ‘I'm having a tough time right now.' That vulnerability is going to unite us and make us stronger.” Rachel Boston has the power and magic to light up a small city!

Kat Harris (therefinedwomen.com) is the author of the new best-selling book “Sexless in the City: A Sometimes Sassy, Sometimes Painful, Always Honest Look at Dating, Desire and Sex” (sexlessinthecitybook.com) She's an adventurer, a dreamer, and a powerhouse woman of faith. This woman is fearless! Kat’s also an editorial photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. She’s an educator, podcaster and a Beyonce lover and Ranch Dressing aficionado. Kat is a well known Christian relationship coach who refers to herself as a “Hard Question Asker.” Her new book “Sexless in New York City” talks about how to embrace your sexuality (even when you’re not having sex!) She’s a 30-something single virgin woman living in New York City trying to navigate hook up culture, ghosting, sliding into DM’s and swiping right and left. Kat’s decided to wait until marriage to have sex, and as she will tell you, “that's freaking hard!” Kat grew up in the purity culture in the South, and she felt caught between the purity culture’s rules and popular culture’s “do what feels good” message. Kat explains, “When I first moved to New York I dated more in the first year than I had in a decade. I began to wonder, is not having sex still a thing or is it some antiquated Christian norm that is no longer relevant? Even though I was a Bible major in college, I honestly couldn’t tell you if the Bible actually said don’t have sex until marriage. I went on a five year journey doing intense research, Bible study and scientific research, and I discovered that God has beautiful vision for sex and intimacy, and unfortunately in Christian culture it has been hidden behind a list of do’s and don’ts." Kat has her convictions and she has never shied away from doing things her way. The first time she talked about some of these sensitive topics a few years ago on Jamie Ivey's “Happy Hour” podcast, she heard from hundreds of women all around the world, so she knew she struck a nerve. Dating in today’s world as single Christian women can be complicated. What does the Bible really say about sex? Why do so many women feel shame about their bodies, and how do we break out of that? Kat is a popular Christian dating coach, and she’s going to answer all of our hard questions!

Can you rock a body roll or a booty shake? Meet Stacey Beaman, full-figured fitness enthusiast and co-founder of Plyojam. an innovative workout that combines edgy dance moves with short explosive plyometric exercises for a fun, sexy, sweaty time…for both non-dancers and dancers alike! Stacey has been featured in Prevention Magazine and Huffpost, and she was the first full-figured trainer highlighted on @popsugarfitness. Her workouts have over 2 millions views! Stacey admits, “I wanted to become a Plyojam dance instructor to pay it forward, and I’m a damn good dancer!" Stacey joined Plyojam on the dance floor as a student. After completing forty classes in eight weeks and losing twenty-four pounds she became involved in the business side of the brand. She has an entrepreneurial spirit and a zest for helping others, and she's a fierce advocate of body positivity. Stacey shares, “I spent all of my 20’s and half of my 30’s never wearing a tank top. I didn’t think I had tank top worthy arms. Now when I see these fitness ads ’10 days to tank top worthy arms’ I’m like, excuse me? Everyone’s arms are tank top worthy! I have a strong fierce feeling of not living in the mindset ‘I’ll do this when I’m this size or weight.’ That’s such a waste of our precious God-given life." Stacey's goal is to spread the word that all bodies are worthy of movement, sweat and strength. Stacey reflects, “Students in my Plyojam dance come up to me and say, ‘I can’t tell you what it means to dance with someone like you. I recognize myself in you.’ It’s so powerful.” Stacey looks to her faith to inspire her on her fitness journey (she has lost 70 lbs) Stacey loves dancing, boxing, dirty martinis and comedy shows. We adore this unapologetically curvaceous woman leading the Plyojam workouts and crushing it!

Get ready to meet world changer, poet, writer and celebrated spoken word performer, Aija Mayrock who was just highlighted by Katie Couric for Mental Health Awareness Month. Aija is the young author of two best selling books: “The Survival Guide to Bullying” to help girls like herself which was published by Scholastic when she was 19. This young role model has a new debut book of poems called “Dear Girl,” an empowering, lyrical journey exploring truth, silence, wounds, healing and the resilience we all share. It’s a journey from girlhood to womanhood through poetry, a love letter to the sisterhood. “Dear Girl, you ask me what I wish for you. I simply say- never allow anyone to clip your wings, You were not born an ember, you were born the flame." As Forbes says of the 25-year-old phenom, “with hundreds of thousands of social media followers, Aija uses writing and performing to connect, educate and advocate." Aija was a tomboyish creative child who had a lisp and a stutter. From the ages of 8-16 Aija was bullied at school and then when she went home she was tortured online. Kids would push her into lockers and tell her that she was disgusting, fat, and that she should kill herself. Aija put pen to paper and her raw and visceral writing became a life-changing outlet. Aija shares, “As a teenager I learned about stories of young people all around the world taking their lives because of bullying. I began to write about my own experiences so I could help other people. I never envisioned the big impact my book and poetry would have. I was hoping to help one or two young people to show them suicide is not the answer; you can get through this if you learn to advocate for yourself and find help. It's been very gratifying to receive messages from young people all around the world telling me that my poetry helps them understand and feel heard. Vulnerability breeds vulnerability.” Aija has performed her original poetry at Madison Square Garden and the UN. Her charisma and power are electrifying! Aija has a social media platform of over a half of a million followers and she shares new poetry and work every week which garners millions of views, inspiring women all around the world to embrace their voice and step into their power. Hear Aija perform her poem “Wounds like Crown Jewels” and find out what’s next for this exciting young artist.

Brenda and Shelley celebrate their 40th Episode and their inspiring journey of faith and friendship by sharing their very first pilot episode with their dear friend, exuberant Kym Douglas TV Host (“The Ellen Show,” “Home and Family”) best-selling author, and lifestyle and beauty expert. Kym discusses her start in 2nd City Improv Group and her comedic journey to become who Ellen Degeneres describes as her “certifiably crazy, freaky dearest friend.” Kym shares about her fifteen years of antics and life lessons sharing the stage with Ellen, the Queen of Comedy and her predictions for “quarantine fashion.” Kym’s faith deepened when she found herself battling breast cancer. Kym reveals, “There were days that were so bad, but I knew I had two choices: to fight, or to soldier on. One day the Lord revealed himself to me on an old oak tree stump in my backyard. I felt His presence so real going through me saying, “I’m going to be there with you every step of the way.” Kym reflects that being home with family in 2020 was one of the most meaningful times in her life. “What’s in my cup today?” Kym laughs. “I’m thriving in my cup. I’m not a cancer survivor; I’m a cancer thriver. I’m not getting through Covid, I’m thriving. From now on when someone asks me how I’m doing, I’m going to say I’m thriving. There’s power in that word."

Brenda and Shelley highlight mothers with a special Mother’s Day episode that will touch your heart, encourage you, and make you think. Warm and gracious Southerner Trudy Cathy White, the only daughter of legendary Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, speaks about legacy, faith, intentionality and motherhood. Like her father, Trudy is a beloved leader, communicator and entrepreneur, as well as a best selling author. She’s an ambassador for the family business that is now the fastest-growing restaurant chain in the country founded on biblical principles, and she was also the youngest operator of a Chick-fil-A store at the age of nineteen. Trudy is now on a mission to keep her father’s dreams alive. Trudy speaks about leaving a legacy and what that looks like practically, how faith has shaped her life in both business and her personal life, and how she wants to be an “intentional mother snd grandmother.” In Trudy’s new book “A Quiet Strength” she details the life of her colorful mother, Jeannette M. Cathy, the true heart and soul of the Truett family. Trudy shares, “My mother had a habit of standing at the door as we were heading to school and saying, 'Remember who you are and whose you are.' Those were powerful words! I always felt motherhood was a special calling from the Lord. No one else can play that role for my children. I don’t think there is any greater reward or joy than investing in the lives of my children." Trudy is fueled by her passion to be “intentional” with her influence and she just launched a new inspiring podcast called “Along the Way,” a heartwarming collection of true stories and life lessons from her personal life. Trudy states, “For me, intentionality means clarity about priorities to determine what really matters to you. You need to understand your purpose in life because that will bring clarity to your priorities and you will focus your time on what matters most to you. One of the practical ways I’m intentional about my time is I’ll sit with my calendar and block off time I want to be intentional with my husband, children or grandchildren. I put all of those things in my calendar first.” Trudy is full of unshakeable faith and wisdom that comes from a life well-lived. The founder of two Gospel-centered ministries Impact 360 Institute and Lifeshape, Trudy adds, “The legacy you leave is the life you’re living now. You don’t leave a legacy, you live a legacy.”

“Morning Cup of Faith” honors “Mental Health Awareness Month” with our life-affirming guest, Carla Arges, a mental health advocate, entrepreneur, author, mom and wife (carlaargeswellness.com). Carla resides in Ontario, Canada and she refers to herself as a “Bipolar and BPD Warrior saved by grace." She's the creator and founder of “Affirming Truths" (Who You Say I Am) a social media platform to help women gain confidence in who they are so they can walk more boldly in the purpose God has declared over their life. She was an overweight, overwhelmed mom, wife and Christian woman battling a mood disorder and a painful past of homelessness, addiction, teenage pregnancy and a suicide attempt. Carla reflects, “I spent a lot of my life running, running from my past, my feelings and hurt, running to a box of cookies or a bottle of wine instead of running into the arms of Jesus. I now sit with God even in the hard stuff, and that is the change. In the past when I was numbing out my feelings I was also numbing out God. He was waiting for me with arms wide open. It didn’t matter what I had done or how I had lived. God was calling me home.” Carla discovered she had an undiagnosed bipolar and borderline personality disorder, which is a common diagnosis for children who grew up with trauma. Carla reveals, “I grew up in a tough environment with a lot of turmoil with a mother who had an undiagnosed mental illness. I felt I was not worthy or lovable, like I had to earn my value. I didn’t want to accept my diagnosis, but I wanted to provide a safe environment for my son. I decided to be a change agent and to break patterns. There’s so much freedom facing what you think you cannot face.” Through Carla's journey to wellness, success (she’s celebrating fifteen years of marriage) and a new identity in Christ, she discovered a passion for helping women transform their lives one thought, one meal, one movement at a time. Carla inspires women to go from broken to brave and from victim to victor by sharing her own bumpy road to freedom. Carla adds, “What inspires me is to see a woman realize her worth, given to her by God, and to see her step out in boldness to do what God is calling her to do."

Brenda announces her new life-changing book “Rise Up: Uncover the Darkness and Move Into the Light” will be available on Amazon com on Friday, April 30th. Please purchase her book and stay tuned for our virtual “Rise Up” workshop (dates and information TBA, please contact us at morningcupoffaith@gmail.com) In this episode Brenda and Shelley talk about Brenda’s superpower to ignite people to move forward with their lives and break strongholds and negative patterns that are holding them back. When questioned about where her gifts of heightened intuition and clarity come from, Brenda reveals, “It’s all God. I’ve always been attracted to power: powerful cars, powerful people, animals, planes. Why not plug into the ultimate power, the power of God? When we plug into Him and pursue Him, He shows us things we don’t know. The power of God and the Holy Spirit reveals all things." Our guest this week is brilliant, best-selling author Elizabeth Passarella who is full of irreverent humor and deep wit in her debut memoir, “Good Apple: Tales of a Southerner Evangelical in New York" which was selected as one of Good Morning America’s reads for the new year. Her book is a laugh out loud collection of touching profound essays, a New York coming of age story that mixes religion with parenthood, political beliefs and closet space, elevator scares and screaming matches with her much loved husband on a New York street corner. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee Elizabeth grew up in an evangelical church and she humorously turns the tables on stereotypes about Southerners, New Yorkers and Christians, because none of us are as simple as some of our labels suggest. Her main message is our identity is rooted in being a child of God, not in any label. Elizabeth shares, “God loves the weak, the suffering, the marginalized, the addicts, the screw ups. It doesn’t matter how polished I was on the outside; I was still screwed up on the inside. We’re all screw ups; that’s all of us.” Her first chapter “The Virgin Surprise” discusses dating in New York as a 20-something virgin and how she “sobbed at her Youth Group because she wouldn’t get to have sex before the rapture.” Elizabeth writes, “the precise events of end times are hard for us lay people to decipher because the book of Revelation seems to have been written by a disciple on mushrooms.” You won’t want to miss this hysterical Southerner evangelical in New York and hear her inspirational message!

Author life coach Julianne Kirkland is an overcomer strategist and host of the new inspiring podcast “Next Level Faith” which will help you arise as a "kingdom entrepreneur" and refocus your life to joy, peace, clarity, and purpose. What is a kingdom entrepreneur? Someone who seeks first the “Kingdom of God.” (Matthew 6:33) Julianne will tell you, she didn’t set out to be an overcomer strategist. She's also the mother of six (which includes a set of quadruplets!) and a natural comedienne (check out her hysterical videos on Instagram @juliannekirkland). Julianne shares, “I help women understand the call that God has put on their life. If you’re not aligning with that, you’ll always be coming up against resistance. There is a different kind of anointing and strength that comes through when you’re walking in faith." Julianne was in a five year season of adversity when she felt God was calling her to write her best-selling book “The Water Walker: A Mother’s Resilient Journey of Manifesting God’s Strength to Overcome Life’s Obstacles.” She was surrounded by chaos and strife: she was carrying quadruplets in a high risk pregnancy and the doctor was telling her she might have reduce to improve her chances for a healthy pregnancy (all four babies came out okay), her alcoholic brother was living with them, and her father was suffering from early onset Alzheimer's. Just one of those battles could bring someone down. Julianne didn’t know it at the time, but God was showing her how to arise as a kingdom entrepreneur, and she would be helping other women do the same thing. As a kingdom entrepreneur, Julianne had to learn to shift her money mindset. Julianne admits, "There’s all of these outdated beliefs out there that it’s taboo to make money or to invest in yourself. That’s not the case at all! Money is a resource; it’s a provision from God. Truly understanding the truth of what it means to bring down God’s Kingdom and leaning into that was huge. I had to be very intentional and make “I declare” statements and use scripture to overcome negative beliefs. Guess what, there is no poverty in heaven! God wants us to have wealth and abundance, especially when we’re aligning with his will." Move from uncertainty to clarity and enjoy a few laughs with the indomitable Julianne Kirkland.

Edie Hand’s legacy is her “Women of True Grit” series (www.ediehand.com), inspiring stories of women sharing their stories and passion from the trials they face to their triumphs. Edie’s books speak about building your pearls of life and having the grit to do hard things. Growing up in Alabama Edie's early life was shaped by the tragic loss of her three young brothers and she battled cancer three times. Edie is a successful author, speaker, business woman, a doting mother and the cousin of the legendary Elvis Presley. Edie shares, "God gave me the wisdom of my grandmother’s 'pearls of hope.' White pearls are for starting over, yellow pearls are for overcoming the stains of our lives, pink pearls are for fun, silver pearls are for wisdom and black pearls, like the ones I experienced with the loss of my brothers, symbolize that we have to come through darkness to get to beautiful places. God gave me great compassion for my fellow man. That is why I have such a heart for others. Purple pearls are for passion and perseverance. Gold pearls are for the test of time." Edie learned first-hand from her iconic cousin Elvis Presley about paying life forward through charities in one’s community. Edie reflects, “I think I learned the most from Elvis about the spirit of giving. Elvis gave a yacht to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and I thought, “Wow, I want to be able to make a difference like that.” Edie founded the Edie Hand Foundation after the loss of her three young brothers and her battles with cancer and she continues to raise funds for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Edie’s colorful stories and her pearls of wisdom are life lessons on how to turn hard things into beautiful situations. Brenda and Shelley cried during the first ten minutes of Edie's interview: her poignant life story as an overcomer and her faith journey are so deeply touching. You’ll fall in love with Edie’s tender heart and her Southern charm and by the end of this episode you’ll have clarity on which color of pearls you should be wearing. “What’s in my cup today?” Edie laughs. “Honey, my cup is black and strong.” Brenda Epperson-Moore (co-host of "Morning Cup of Faith”) announces the May release of her new uplifting book “Rise Up: Uncover the Darkness and Move Into the Light.” Brenda reveals, “God took me from being a size 16, out of control and angry youth, a victim of sexual assault, rage and the onset of diabetes who grew up with a single mom who sometimes did not know where our next meal was coming from to the joyous person who I am today: married to the love of my life, raising three beautiful daughters, and enjoying a successful career as an actress and singer." Brenda believes that by the time you finish her book you’ll be able to identify what’s holding you back so you can move forward into a new life of joy. Look out for an upcoming Facebook “Live” “Rise Up” workshop with Brenda and Shelley coming soon!

What is your super power? This new episode with real life “Wonder Woman," model, actress, singer and beauty mogul Gwendolyn Osborne is about emotional and physical strength. You might remember her for the twelve years she was a model on “The Price is Right.” Gwen had a breakout role in the blockbuster sequel “Wonder Woman 1984” and then a startling Covid diagnosis redirected her life and inspired her new podcast. Gwen shares, “I was sick in bed facing death. One of my lungs was half-filled with fluid. I had to believe that my God was going to let me live. Questions are running through my head. ‘What is the last conversation I had with my children? What am I leaving behind? What is my legacy, my purpose?’ I had to believe this was not the end.” Gwen's spirit was reignited on the set of "Wonder Woman 1984.” Her new podcast “Tea With Gwen" is about the Wonder Women of the World and learning how they maintain and sustain in today’s busy world, healthy from the inside out: how you eat, sleep and exercise your mind, body and spirit. Gwen recalls, "I’m watching all of these incredible women on the set and I was inspired to reached out to Wonder Women of the world like Holly Robinson Peete and Pat Smith. We all need to share this information, this superpower inside of ourselves. We all need that uplift in each other.” Gwen is a goddess of beauty with the most gorgeous smile and figure. She was born to a Jamaican mother and a British father, and she grew up in the city of Bath in Somerset, England. In 2018, Gwen divorced NBA basketball player Kenny Smith and they have a son, Malloy and a daughter, London together. Gwen was also a single mother at the age of 18 with a daughter named Monique. She handles her motherhood journey and balancing act with beauty and grace, which is a part of what your new podcast is about. Gwen has also ventured into the beauty industry as the creator of Lomolique, an anti-aging facial oil (lomoliqueskin.com) If you have ever felt silenced or overpowered, or you have wondered what your superpower or purpose is, Gwen will help you unlock your potential. Gwen admits, "You get a lot of power from your pain. That’s something I continue to do, find power through the pain and keep moving through it. I feel like I’ve been silenced for the last twelve years and I’ve been on mute with my husband and my career. That’s what Covid brought me; I am going to be heard.” This warrior amazon is breaking out in 2021! What keeps this Wonder Woman going? Gwen confides, “Faith is something you have to believe in during those quiet moments when it’s just you. You have to have faith that your path has been created for you, and there’s only one you, and you are special and brilliant. God will always be there for you.”

When Covid hit, author-speaker Marie Zoutomou-Quintanilla's work abruptly stopped and she prayed, “Lord, use me.” KKLA 99.5 was set to interview her for her motivational book “You’re Being Tested, Do Not Worry,” and they asked her instead, “Hey, do you want to have your own radio show?” As a Stage Three cancer survivor Marie had experience as a speaker for the American Cancer Society, but absolutely no radio experience. She walked in faith not by sight, knowing that God was calling her to promote her positive message: "Never doubt the true potential you have in the life that God has given you. You are strong, capable, intelligent, beautiful, and most importantly, not alone." Born in West Africa, Marie is powerhouse who will empower you to not take “no” for an answer and to be tenacious in prayer and hope. She survived life-threatening cancer and some difficult challenges and she shares how faith will help anyone get past life’s trials. Marie reflects, “I was fighting cancer, and I lost my job and my home. I thought, ‘Wow, what else can happen to me?’ I was tested to the limit and I had a good cry. I prayed, “I promise you, Lord. If you let me live, I’ll tell the world about you.” Marie believes we’ve been given the test we’re fighting through for a reason. Marie is a dynamic motivational speaker that desires to inspire others to accomplish extraordinary things. Marie believes we should all go ahead and ask God for big things. Marie affirms, “During life’s challenges keep your faith and trust. If you don’t believe, how do you expect God to give you what you’re asking for?”

Have you ever wondered why faith and coffee go together? Brenda and Shelley talk to globally-minded and engaging “coffee expert,” professor, PhD and connoisseur Dr. Lori Unruh Snyder about why coffee and faith are intertwined and the rich history of the coffee bean. An Associate Professor at UC State (Crop and Soil Science Department) Dr. Lori has traveled to coffee farms in Peru, Jamaica, Columbia, Honduras and Costa Rica, and she’s sampled all of the best coffee beans on the planet. Dr. Lori believes, “the soul of coffee is centered in the faith of the coffee grower” and shares an ancient story about an ancient goat herder who found “red berries" for the monks in the monastery and they noticed their prayer time was extended that night. Dr. Lori reflects, "All of the coffee farms I have traveled to internationally have small tabernacles on the side of the mountain with Virgin Mary where the coffee farmers stop to pray. All of our meetings start with a cup of coffee and a prayer. I’ve spent more time praying on the coffee farms than I have anywhere else in the world." Dr. Lori who enjoys her coffee black “farm to cup” discusses the importance of sustainable impact coffee farming and the groundbreaking work of her friend, Tony Salas, founder of Shared-X (www.shared-x.com). She turns Brenda and Shelley onto their new favorite specialty organic roaster, One Village Coffee (onevillagecoffee.com) We’re hooked on the heavenly Medium Roast, chocolate, hazelnut and berry blend! One Village Coffee is responsibly sourced and grown, a socially and environmentally conscious Founding B Corporation (great coffee, great mission!) Dr. Lori helps us channel our inner barista with all of the latest coffee hacks and trending recipes, and we talk French Press, Chemex, Pour-over (good-bye clunky Mr. Coffee Maker!) and trending alternative milks (oat milk barista blend foams the best). Brenda and Shelley will jumpstart your prayer life with a new daily ten minute challenge #levelupprayerlife; one of the steps include caffeine! Commit this scripture to memory 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come” and step back and watch your life transform. You won’t want to miss this feel-good #faith and #coffee episode!

Designer Elizabeth Lamont is a warm-hearted energetic "highly functioning creative," passionate about design, nature and travel. Famous for her coastal living style, Elizabeth has made a name for herself designing multi-million dollar homes in Malibu for clients like Maria Shriver and Whoopie Goldberg. Elizabeth started her world-renowned store Room at the Beach over 20 years ago on Montana Avenue in Brentwood, California. It was a huge success and she now has stores in Malibu and the Pacific Palisades (elizabethlamont.com) Elizabeth explains, “I'm a forward thinker. I constantly read books and magazines, and pore over Instagram. I try to think about what’s the next trend and how are people living their lives. I want to know what you want." Elizabeth shares her cutting-edge design philosophy and her simple “house refresh hacks” to transform our homes for spring. She supports and champions women-owned businesses at her world famous store Room at the Beach with celebrity book signings and design, cooking and floral arranging classes. Elizabeth shares her story of faith and resilience during her divorce, raising two young children and the death of her parents when she had to start over. Elizabeth reveals, “I was really alone and I was very frightened. I was determined that I wasn’t going to go down, and with the strength of God and the support of my friends I built my business back up again. I was raised Catholic and I still say 'The Lord’s Prayer' and the 'Hail Mary' every day." Elizabeth's incredible “faith crew” includes close friend journalist and author Maria Shriver and actress, producer and author Roma Downey. Elizabeth gushes, “Maria is so inspirational on every level. Many of us have been knocked down by life and our faith and friendship helped us pick ourselves up and start over again. You have to make the time to be a girlfriend.” What is the secret to her power circle's success? Elizabeth reflects, "Their attention to detail and strong work ethic is awe-inspiring.” With the focus on home, Elizabeth’s days are full. Elizabeth laughs, “What’s in my cup today? Black English tea, honey and lots of faith."

Brenda and Shelley take a deep dive into the world of college football with high energy ground-breaking sportscaster and motivational speaker, Rachel Baribeau. After seventeen years of her successful sportscasting career Rachel recognized there was a problem when the game she loved was becoming unrecognizable with negative news stories dominating the game. In 2016 Rachel penned a revealing personal essay “College Football is Breaking My Heart” for Gridiron Now and pivoted from her successful sportscasting career to helping college athletes with her new movement “Changing the Narrative,” a nonprofit which promotes mental health and inspires people to build a positive legacy for others. Sportscasting can be a tough business for women, but Rachel Baribeau is changing the game and taking back the headlines for good. Rachel’s middle name is “Joy,” and for a good reason. Rachel will empower you to find the best version of yourself and lift your spirit. She challenges all of us to become "Kings and Queens of our every day lives,” and Rachel jokes that she herself is a “Queen under construction.” Rachel’s personal experience of domestic violence was triggered when she saw a coach give one of his players a lenient punishment after being caught on camera striking a woman. Rachel explains, “God made me a 'do-something girl.' When I see a problem, when I see someone hurting or something wrong, I run to trouble instead of running away from trouble.” Rachel challenges college athletes, "Who are you off of the field? Does being a King or Queen in your everyday life require you to be perfect? No, but you know right from wrong, and once you know, you go right your wrongs. You serve, you give, you lead. Some athletes tell me, ‘I’m not a leader, I’m not a big rah-rah person.’ I tell them you are a leader because you have to lead yourself. You’re a leader of one!” Rachel shares about the devastating conversation she had with a college athlete who weeped and told her he was angry and in trouble on his team because no one knew that his mother had suffered a sexual assault in their housing complex, and he was so angry because there were people who were in earshot who could have helped his mother, but no one stepped forward. Rachel reflects, “I told the player that we had to tell his coach because his coach could help him. The coach later told me "I’m so glad you shared this with me because I was about to kick him off the team.” Rachel’s “Changing the Narrative” movement has saved and changed countless lives and reached forty schools, law enforcement, border patrol, and churches. Rachel smiles, “This work brings me so much joy, more than seventeen years of being on camera ever could."

Brenda and Shelley catch up with the legendary soul-stirring gospel and R&B singer CeCe Winans at her home in Tennessee. This vocal powerhouse has won twelve Grammy Awards, twenty-three GMA Dove Awards and she’s performed everywhere from Oprah to the White House. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and she has 3.5 million record sales to date. One of ten children, CeCe’s love of gospel music started in the church and many of her top hits were recorded with her brother, Bebe Winans. She sang her first solo in the church at the tender age of eight. The Winans' house rule was only gospel music was played in the house. CeCe explains, “I was in church all of the time. It was my foundation." CeCe’s highly anticipated new single “Believe for It” will be released in March. CeCe shares, “I know people have gone through a lot. People are hurting, people are broken-hearted. Some have lost their loved ones and their jobs. I want to challenge them to still believe, to release their faith for the impossible, and not to give up because the God we serve is faithful." On February 21st CeCe performed a special livestream concert “An Evening of Thanksgiving” with Carrie Underwood, Tauren Wells and her brother, Marvin Winans for Compassion Live (compassionlive.com) This inspiring concert of joy and encouragement can still be enjoyed until March 7th (tickets are $19.95, and you can also sponsor a child through Compassion International). In the month of February, CeCe reflects on what Black History Month means to her. CeCe states, “It’s a time to celebrate, a time to reflect on all of the great things that people who went before me paved the way for me to be where I am today.” She also shares about her twenty-nine year friendship with the late great Whitney Houston and their smash duet “Count on Me” from the multi-platinum “Waiting to Exhale” soundtrack CeCe was the godmother of Whitney’s daughter, the beautiful Bobbi Kristina. She’s still suffering from this devastating loss, even today. “My heart is still aching because we lost a jewel. We were sisters. We were friends. People don’t realize how amazing Whitney was. She knew she could count on me, and I could count on her." CeCe also discusses her TV Show on TBN “Better Together” (real life, real conversations with powerhouse pastors and leaders) and what’s next for this iconic voice. “What’s in my cup today?” CeCe laughs. “Gratefulness. I am so grateful for what He’s already done, and so grateful for what He’s going to do."

The warm and inquisitive Zibby Owens, host of the award-winning literary podcast “Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books” launches her new celebrated book “Moms Don’t Have Time To: A Quarantine Anthology," a collection of profound, honest, touching and often hilarious essays by some of the best-selling authors working today, which, of course, include Zibby. Dubbed the “Oprah of Books in New York,” Zibby is one of the world’s leading book influencers and the busy mother of four children. We’re all struggling to juggle everything on our plate in 2021, and Zibby’s quarantine anthology gives us insight into everything that moms don’t have time to do from working out, eating, to having sex, to even breathing. Original essays by the preeminent authors of our time include Alli Frank, “How David Sedaris is Helping Me Get By,” Liz Astorf “Moms Don’t Have Time to Cry,” Gretchen Rubin, “Read More Books,” Chris Bohjalian, “The Short Stories I Found in the Sweater Box,” Claire Gibson, “How To Have Sex with a Germaphobe,” and Rachel Levy Lesser, “Breaking Up with My Kids." If you think this book is just about moms, think again. Zibby shares, “So many of the essays are just about life. All of the things we don’t have time to do make life worth living at the end of the day.” All proceeds from her anthology benefit the Susan Felice Owens Program for Covid-19 Vaccine Research at Mount Sinai Health System. In July, Zibby tragically lost her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law to Covid-19 within six weeks of each other. Zibby reflects, “All of us are going through really tough times right now. I feel more comfortable sharing it, especially in my writing. I’ve never been one to hide. I’ve suffered a ton of loss in my life starting at age twenty-five when I lost my college roommate to 9/11. I take great comfort in the people, even strangers, who have appeared to try to help me. Sometimes it’s not even the people that you know best; it’s the woman on Instagram in Spain who says the right thing and checks in on me daily. I’ve tried to be that person for other people.” We talk to the big-hearted Zibby about everything from authors, books, publishing, how to deal with grief after losing someone to Covid, to finding love and life after divorce, parenting, and faith. Zibby explains the origin of her award-winning literary podcast: "I’ve been a writer and a big reader my whole life. I have four children. I had been writing parenting essays and my husband said, ‘You really should collect all of those essays and make them into a book.’ And I said, ‘Moms don’t have time to read books!’ A friend suggested I start a podcast. I thought, 'What’s a podcast?' I went home and I tried to find the podcast button and I did some research. I knew two authors, so I thought, I’ll just interview them, and I’ve been interviewing authors non-stop for the last three years. It combines everything I love to do." Zibby Owens will get you reading in 2021; she recommends all of the top books! To attend Zibby’s virtual book launch + fundraiser for “Moms Don’t Have Time To: A Quarantine Anthology” February 16th at 7P (EST) buy tickets at zibbyowens.com.