The Prepare Podcast

Welcome back for part two of my conversation with Sarah Micula! You are going to love hearing her beautiful testimony of God's faithfulness and provision as she has walked with Him through every step along her journey, "We will keep doing what God has asked us to do until He tells us to stop." I hope you enjoy this episode.

Welcome back! Here to celebrate our 10 year anniversary and to kick off our new series "How Bible Study Changed My Life", I welcome Sarah Micula back to the podcast! Sarah began this podcast ministry ten years ago and she is here to take us down memory lane as we discuss her favorite episodes and those which had the most impact on her life. I hope you enjoy part one of my conversation with Sarah.

Welcome back to the Prepare Podcast! Happy New Year 2025! On this episode I will share with you some exciting news and tell you our new series coming up for this new year. Stay tuned!

Welcome back for Episode 90 in our series on Journeys of Faith. This episode was recorded a few months ago and features Sheena Marquis. Sheena was a special guest speaker and vocalist during the Abide Conference. Today, Sheena talks to us as a wife and mother who has been through the adoption process and testifies about God's goodness in her faith journey. I hope you enjoy this conversation with my friend Sheena.

Welcome back to the Prepare Podcast! Today's episode is a re-release in preparation for the ABIDE Conference. Listen as Captain Kelly Hanton shares her experience with the ConnectUp Prayer Ministry, which will be offered during ABIDE. Those who have been to a prayer session know as I do that it is LIFE CHANGING. Click the link below for more information about ConnectUp. ConnectUp Sign up for a session at ABIDE here.

Welcome back to the Prepare Podcast! We are continuing our series called “Journeys of Faith” featuring testimonies from women of faith. On this episode I welcome Major Michele Harms. Major Michele is a wife, mother, friend, and officer in the Salvation Army. She currently serves at Divisional Headquarters in the Midland Division as Women's Ministries Secretary along with a host of other things! Managing all of those "hats" of ministry along with caring for her family, Michele found herself empty with nothing left. Listen as she shares from her heart where she was and where she is now by the power of God's love and grace. I hope you enjoy this episode!  

Welcome back to the Prepare Podcast! We are starting a new series called "Journeys of Faith" featuring testimonies from women of faith. On this episode I welcome Hannah Nelson. Hannah weaves her story from being in a single-parent home to being adopted by her step-father to reconciliation with her biological father, all the while managing her mental health and her faith. She was a joy to interview and I hope you enjoy this episode!

Welcome back for episode 86 with Kellie Carden! We are back with another episode in our series on mental health! Today I welcome Kellie Carden. Kellie shares her mental health journey and how it has connected to her work with The Salvation Army and has strengthened her walk with the Lord. You will be so encouraged by her story. I hope you enjoy this conversation. *Trigger warning: In this episode we do discuss suicide and mental health.

We are back with another episode in our series on mental health! Today I welcome Vanessa Crabtree to the podcast. I'm so privileged to know Vanessa! You will be moved by her faith and strength as she tells her story of hope, surviving a car accident and her mental health journey. I hope you enjoy this episode!   Sign up to read Vanessa's Rehabilitation Story HERE Watch Vanessa's adaptive hike up Penny Howe Trail HERE Check out Crabtree Revival on Facebook and Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CrabtreeRevival

Welcome back for part two of my conversation with Major Pam Pinksen about gender equity. Thanks for helping us celebrate women this month! I hope you've enjoyed these episodes!

Happy Women's History Month! We are pausing our series on mental health to celebrate women and talk about Women's Equity. My guest on this episode is Major Pam Pinksen, Territorial Gender Equity Advocate for The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda Territory. Pam has a passion for people and for equity. You will hear her love for Jesus as she brings a biblical view point to this topic. I hope you enjoy part one of our conversation. Part two will be posted soon!

In our next episode in our series on Mental Health, I welcome Wendy Gorton-Hill to the podcast. Wendy is a wife and mother who has recently walked a painful road with her son's substance abuse. Substance use disorder is closely linked to mental illness and the pain and stress experienced by family members can leave them struggling with their own mental health. In this conversation, Wendy shares her powerful testimony of God's relentless pursuit of His children through the parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15, which is the basis of her book "Watching the Wayward - Psalms for Parents of Prodigals."  To purchase Wendy's book, visit our website: uscwomensministries.com. *TRIGGER WARNING* In this podcast we discuss substance abuse.

*TRIGGER WARNING* In this episode we do discuss suicide and self harm. This next episode in the our series on Mental Health features Captain Heather Montenegro and her daughter Hannah, and me, Heather Hanton and my daughter Taryn; 2 mothers and their daughters telling their stories and the importance of normalizing the conversation regarding mental health. We had a blast sharing with each other and I hope you, too, will enjoy listening to this episode.

Welcome to season 10 of our podcast and a new series on Mental Health Awareness. Take a trip back in time with me to 2015 as our former host Sarah Micula interviews Dr. Karen Hurula on this important topic. And stay tuned for new guests and more in this series of the Prepare Podcast.  If you or a loved one is struggling with anything mental health related, please reach out to someone. You can find support at NAMI.org or immediate help in times of crisis by dialing 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline.

Welcome back to the final episode in our series on grieving. On this episode I welcome Lt. Rachel Johnson and Jennifer Riley. Rachel and Jen are friends but their friendship did not come by easily. Listen as they share their story of God's redeeming power in broken relationships and how grief plays a role but it doesn't define the story! 

Continuing our series on grief and today I welcome back my best friend, Jill Snelson to the podcast! Our journey is unique, as is our friendship. On this episode you will hear our story and how we have walked through the grief of saying goodbye when I moved hundreds of miles away. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Welcome back! On today's episode in our series on grief we welcome Captain Kelly Hanton. Listen as Kelly shares how she worked through grief watching her son go through a traumatic experience, and how God redeemed them both through His grace and the power the Holy Spirit. 

On this episode we welcome Chatara Mabry! Listen as Chatara shares her testimony of God's amazing grace and Holy Spirit leading in her life, and the journey of sacrifice she has chosen to make along the way. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Chatara!

Continuing our series on grief, in this episode we welcome Evie Polsley to our podcast! Evie has an incredible story to share with us about the beautiful testimony of her dad, Major Randy Sjogren and the journey of lament through his loss, these 11 years ago. I hope you enjoy this episode.

New series for the Prepare Podcast! Come with me as we walk the journey through stories of grief and loss and healing! Our first guest of this series is Captain Catherine Mount: a wife, a mom, a pastor. Captain Catherine shares her path to healing from the sudden loss of her father at a young age. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Thanks for coming back for part two of my conversation with Katie Laidlaw! In this episode, you'll hear Katie talk about forgiveness, which is all part of her healing journey. I hope you enjoy this episode!

Episode 80 is up! I'm happy to welcome Katie Laidlaw to the Prepare Podcast! Katie is a young woman who has already lived a lot of life! In part one of this conversation, you will hear Katie share how she endured horrific trauma and how it affected her faith and her response to others, encouraging us to see and come along side those  who may be hurting. I hope you enjoy part one of this podcast!

Thanks for coming back for part two of my conversation with Lt. Samantha Tamayo! We pick it up right where we left off with the continuation of her redemption story! I hope you enjoy this episode.

Welcome back for Episode 78 of the Prepare Podcast!! Today we welcome Lt. Samantha Tamayo! Lt. Sam is an officer in The Salvation Army currently serving in Flint (Beecher), MI. You will love her story as her life unfolds 2 Corinthians 5:16, "...anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" 

Happy New Year from the Prepare Podcast! Today's episode features two of our special guest speakers, Captain Jessica Martinez and Major Melissa Viquez. The majority of this episode will be in Spanish! However, I encourage you to listen, even if Spanish is not your first language! I know you will still be blessed because you will hear in their voices their love for the Lord! I hope you enjoy this episode!!

Welcome back to the Prepare Podcast! We have an exciting episode to share! You will meet the special guest speakers for the Arise & Shine A New Day Virtual Women's Conference happening January 28-29, 2021! Get to know these godly women and hear a little of what they will be teaching on at the conference. Register for the conference here: https://uscwomensministries.com/arise-shine-a-new-day/

The Prepare Podcast welcomes Kelli Smith and Michelle Cowan from MOPS International! The Salvation Army and MOPS have joined forces and we couldn't be more proud to partner with and support such an amazing organization. Join us on this episode as we talk all things MOPS and find out how you can become a member!

Welcome back for part two of my conversation with Sonya Smith! Be encouraged as you hear her speak with hope and healing, telling us how God has re-written her story! I hope you enjoy this episode!

Today we welcome Sonya Smith to our Podcast! Sonya is currently the Program Director for The Salvation Army Shield of Hope in Chicago. You are going to love her story! October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Through her own personal experience, Sonya shares how God has led her to be an ally and advocate for victims of domestic violence.  Sonya will also be a guest speaker at the Arise & Shine A New Day Virtual Women's Conference, January 28-29, 2022! See our website for more info: https://uscwomensministries.com/ Enjoy this episode!

Welcome back for part two of my conversation with Major AmyJo Ferguson! You are going to love hearing her deep thoughts about "vessels for ignoble purposes!" You will also hear her heart as she shares her love for God and her love for people. I know you will enjoy it!

Today's episode features Major AmyJo Ferguson! Major AmyJo is the Corps Officer of The Salvation Army Grand Forks, ND. She is a wife, a mom, and a woman in full-time ministry leadership.  This episode will make your day! Listen as Major AmyJo shares how to make church more exciting and relevant! She is so much fun to talk to!!

We're back for part two of my conversation with Captain AJ, Major Mark, and, newly promoted Captain Dennis! In this episode we will continue the discussion of men doing women's ministries. But you will also hear these men share from their hearts their deep love and passion for this special ministry. And you will also laugh along with us as we have some fun with them! Enjoy!

Today's episode features three of our Salvation Army men in full-time ministry. We will discuss the various perspectives on men doing women's ministries! I know you'll enjoy their spirit in this fun conversation!

Here is part two of my conversation with Captain Melissa Sivels! Listen as Melissa shares from her heart the challenges her family has faced with racial justice. 

Today's episode of our Prepare Podcast (PART ONE) features Captain Melissa Sivels. Captain Melissa is a full-time working wife and mother of two. Listen as she shares with us her testimony of God's calling on her life and how she juggles her ministry and motherhood - both the victories and the struggles - and how we were created to be in community, sharing in the joys and challenges with one another. We hope you enjoy this episode! STAY TUNED FOR PART TWO OF THIS EPISODE!

Our guest on this episode is Major Paula Pyle. Major Paula and her husband Major Robert Pyle are currently serving as the Corps Officers of the Minneapolis Parkview Salvation Army. Sit back and listen as she shares her story of faith, her experience in leadership, and her passion for intercessory prayer!