Podcasts about christian woman leadership podcast

Do you ever find yourself mixed up in the striving for more success? Trying desperately to climb that ladder in the name of bigger and better? Does our culture's ‘hustle culture' feel like it's trapping you whether you really want it to or not? In episode 122 of the podcast, you'll hear a conversation with my friend Erin Harrigan. She vulnerably shares how she felt trapped by the hustle culture we all seem to face, and how she managed to shake it in exchange for more depth and relationships in her business. Erin shares her 4 Keys to Overcome Hustle, how she overcame it herself, and shares some real practical tips for how you, too, have a hope for changing how you might currently be doing business. She's so passionate for women to know the truth of their identities as daughters of Christ, and how that plays into their roles as Christian women business owners. This is a replay of episode 182 from the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast. For the full show notes from the original conversation, head here! Connect With Erin: Website 4 Keys Guide The Hustle with H.E.A.R.T. Podcast Instagram Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Website Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Join the FB group Connect on Facebook Connect on Instagram

Have you ever felt God tugging you in a different direction than you're currently headed? Perhaps you have a big dream that feels scary compared to the path your life is currently taking. Maybe there's nothing wrong with the path you're on, but you still feel that pull towards something bigger? In episode 121 of the podcast, you'll hear a conversation with our friend Polly Payne. Polly shares all about taking that leap of faith in her career as she left a good, stable job in the tech world to pursue a huge dream and open her own paper company, Horacio Printing Company. Polly knows first hand what it feels like to leave security for the unknown, trusting God will bring to completion what He started within her. If you've ever felt that tug for something wildly unknown, but felt the Holy Spirit's hand in it, this episode is for you. You'll hear a real-life story of someone on the other side. Polly shares some practical tips, wisdom, and insight from her transition and pivot to starting and owning her own business and the success she's found within it. This is a replay of episode 182 from the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast. For the full show notes from the original conversation, head here! Connect With Polly: Horacio Printing Company Website Horacio Printing Academy Instagram Polly is the founder and CEO of Horacio Printing. Her love language includes luxurious paper and lots of white space. Originally from Fairhope, Alabama, Polly migrated to the big apple and became the Senior Sales director of an award winning Ad:Tech company. She left her career in advertising to redesign her life and pursue her God given purpose. She founded Horacio Printing which has now sold more than 40,000 Dream Planners around the world and raised more than $64,000 to fight human trafficking. Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Website Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Join the FB group Connect on Facebook Connect on Instagram  

A lot of mindset advice in the business world may sound good and even use spiritual language, but many times it is not aligned at all with Biblical truth. So how do you determine what a true Biblical mindset looks like vs. the false teaching of the world? And why does this even matter in your business?  In this episode, you'll hear a conversation with our guest Veronica Hoddenbagh. We explore what the term ‘Biblical mindset' means, why she's passionate about it, and how it's different from the spiritual-sounding affirmations and other approaches. In addition, Veronica helps us learn how to develop a Biblical mindset and how to deal with limiting beliefs. This conversation is sure to inspire you as Veronica shares her wisdom for Christian business owners with authenticity and passion. This is a replay of episode 154 from the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast. For the full show notes from the original conversation, head here! Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Website Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Join the FB group Connect on Facebook Connect on Instagram

Five years ago, we had a mission: we wanted to create a resource for Christian women leaders who are looking to grow in their leadership and hear from other women just like them. We never imagined this podcast would last this long or reach as many women as it has.  Holly and I are grateful to each and every listener, and in this episode, we are celebrating our five year milestone! In this conversation, we are sharing the top episodes from the past year, our favorite conversations, and we're getting personal with some lessons God is teaching us through our lives right now. Past Anniversary Episodes: 1 year Anniversary: Episode 57: One Year Anniversary - Top 5 Episodes & Our Favorite Conversations  2 year Anniversary: Episode 109: Lessons Learned from 2 Years Podcasting & Answering Your Questions 3 year Anniversary: Episode 162: All Things Podcasting with Holly and Esther [3 Year Podcast Celebration] 4 Year Anniversary: Episode 197: Celebrating 4 Years - Top Episodes & Fave Conversations of the Past Year   Top 5 Episodes from the past year: These are the top 5 most downloaded episodes from the past year. If you haven't taken a listen, be sure to check them out. Number 5:  199: How to Increase Focus & Decrease Stress as a Leader with Sonita Reese Number 4: 197: Celebrating 4 Years - Top Episodes & Fave Conversations of the Past Year Number 3: 198: When Your Voice Isn't Heard, Dealing with Toxic Leadership, and Stepping Out Without a Plan with Rachael Groll Number 2:  195: What Confident Leaders Look Like [Revisiting Leading with Confidence] Number 1:  196: Fulfilling Your God-Given Purpose: What's Money Got to Do With It? with Portia Jackson Esther's Favorite Conversations from the Past Year: Episode 205: Sharing the Truth in a Post-Christian Culture with Phylicia Masonheimer  Episode 203: Leading in Higher Education & Why We Must Prioritize Relationships with Heather Thompson Day   Holly's Favorite Conversations from the Past Year: Episode 216: Owning Your Voice and Using Your Gifts as a Female Leader with Jo Saxton How To Series How to Effectively Network & Build Relationships How to Get the Most Out of Live Events How Leaders Can Support Someone Through Crisis How to Deal with the Pressures of Leading as a Female Share with us in our Facebook Group what your favorite episodes from the last year have been! Leaders are Learners: What have you been learning lately? Podcasts Esther has been listening to: A Little Bit Culty Get Your Hopes Up - Christy Wright EntreLeadership Raw, Real, Redeemed Books Esther has read recently: All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lysa Terkeurst   Podcasts Holly has been listening to: Scamanda Counterclock Crime Junkie   Books Holly has read recently: Anne of Green Gables  Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Vuolo Still Here and Still Struggling to Serve by Gena McCown Life Updates, Lessons, and What's Working Well Right Now: Holly: Family and friends visiting; challenges with parenting; big changes for her son in recent weeks. God is teaching her patience through gardening. Esther: Husband transitioned out of ministry; recent move to Tennessee; taking a full-time job at Ramsey Solutions. God is teaching her about letting go through her move. Connect with us: Esther's website Esther's Instagram  

What sets Christian business owners apart from the rest? Should we follow the standard business advice out there, or should we be doing things differently? We know as Christians we are called to live lives set apart–that look different from the rest of the world. But what does that look like practically in our businesses? It can be hard to navigate the implications of that calling, so I'm here to shed some light on the topic and give you some practical tips to guide you as you craft a business as a faith-based entrepreneur. In episode 116 of the podcast, you'll hear a conversation that Holly & I had as we discuss 5 ways you can set yourself apart as a faith-based business entrepreneur. This is a replay of episode 40 from the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast. For the full show notes from the original conversation, head here! Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Website Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Join the FB group Connect on Facebook Connect on Instagram  

Have you ever struggled to lead effectively when either growing and/or managing a large team? Is it hard for you to delegate tasks to your team, because you'd rather have control over the bulk of the material you're responsible for? This episode starts season 10 of the Christian Woman Business Podcast. Thank you so much for being with me up to this point! Since I recently moved and have taken a full-time job (read about this on Instagram), I am not going to be creating new content for this show for the next few months. So, for the duration of season 10, I've selected some of the best business focused episodes from my other show, the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast, to share with you! In episode 115 of the podcast, you'll hear a conversation I shared with Simple Pin Media Owner and Founder Kate Ahl, who shares how she has grown her business substantially over the years while learning how to let go of control, and delegating tasks to her team. She shares tips on how to let go of that control, how to help your team members work in their strengths, and how to stay in your own lane rather than falling into the comparison trap. For the full link to these show notes, head here!   Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Website Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Join the FB group Connect on Facebook Connect on Instagram

Do you ever feel like you don't measure up to the other women around you? Perhaps you've decided to wait on pursuing a particular goal or dream until you reach a particular weight loss goal? Or maybe you've been struggling with shame about something that happened in the past, and you feel like that has disqualified you from leadership or ministry. If you resonate with any of this, or work with women in any capacity, this episode is for you. Today we're chatting with our guest Rachael Gilbert. Rachael was a guest on episode 14 way back in the beginning of the podcast, and she's back with us again today. I know you're going to benefit from this conversation, and we cover a lot of ground, including how your core beliefs are connected to your confidence, what body image and the Fruit of the Spirit have to do with each other, and “big T” vs. “little t” trauma. We also discuss whether trauma can or should disqualify us from leadership, and why it's so important to address the hurt in our hearts when it happens. For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode209 Connect with Rachael: Website Image Restored Book Instagram   Stay Connected: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Click here to find all the options where you can find the podcast. Join our Purposeful Leadership Facebook group! In the Facebook group, we can chat about what you need as a leader, what your challenges are, as well as celebrate the wins. This is a great community to learn and grow together. We want to get to know YOU. Other Ways to Connect with Esther and the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast:   Esther's Instagram Holly's Instagram Holly's Website Facebook Page  

Have you ever felt a nudge from God to pivot in your current calling but wonder where the clients are going to come from? Today's episode with special guest, Esther Littlefield, is so rich in wisdom and practical ways to continue to grow into who God's created you to be as an entrepreneur.  From VA to Business Coach to podcasting, Esther shares her journey of becoming a CEO and shares some of her best tips to overcome imposter syndrome, grow your business without striving, and take action even when you're afraid.  This conversation is a goodie! Pop in your earbuds and get ready to be encouraged and inspired by today's episode between Esther and I. If it speaks to you, we'd be so grateful if you share it with your entrepreneur friends and be sure to tag us.  Want to connect with Esther? Website: https://estherlittlefield.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/estherdlittlefield/ Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther Littlefield is a marketing strategist & business coach for Christian women who are ready to stop feeling scattered and confused about how to grow their business online. She's the host of the award-winning Christian Woman Leadership Podcast and the Christian Woman Business Podcast. She is passionate about helping clients elevate their marketing strategy, find clarity and focus, and create irresistible offers so that they can create a thriving business that allows them to live their ideal life. Esther resides in Maine with her husband Scott, daughter KJ, Golden Retriever Allie, cats Daisy & Zoe, and leopard gecko. Want to connect with Heather? hello@heathershriverburns.com

Hi friend, Esther here with a brief message for you. I want to thank you for being a listener of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast, and I want to let you know that for the moment, we are taking a break from the podcast. We hope to be back around the beginning of 2023, but I'm not sure 100% on when the new episodes will begin again. Whether you are new around here or if you've been here for a while, I want you to know what we  have 200+ past episodes of the podcast. So we encourage you to go ahead and take a listen to some of our previous episodes that you may have missed. A few of my favorites are: Relationship Series - starting with ep. 15 Goal Setting Series - starting with ep. 24 Friendship Series - starting with episode 63 Communication Series - starting with episode 72 Business Series - starting with ep. 89 Reflection Series - starting with ep. 128 Thanks again for being a listener of the podcast. Now before I go, I want to share with you a free gift that I'm not sure if I've told you about! It's 8 Clues to Finding Your Purpose and it will give you the questions to ask and space to consider the clues God might be giving you towards your unique purpose! Just go to estherlittlefield.com/purpose to grab it for free. Connect on Instagram Join our FB Group

When Esther started UpLift, a mastermind program for women, she created a faith-based program she wished she had when she was struggling and growing her business. Esther loves bringing women together and creating a space where they can truly connect and grow. In this episode, Esther shares her transformation from being the shyest girl you'd ever meet to a confident woman. She now leads others to not only grow their businesses but also thrive in the process.Esther's story shows perseverance in the wake of tragedy, stepping out and trying new things, and even poses a challenge for our social media strategy. Hint: do people even know what you offer? Tangible Takeaways:Open up to a supportive community and be vulnerable. You don't have to build your business alone.Even if you're shy, you can learn to speak with confidence!Do that scary thing you know you are capable of. Take that first step and see what happens.Planners: you have the freedom to be strategically spontaneous! If you want people to work with you, you have to talk about it. You have to put yourself out there so they actually know what you do! About Esther:Esther Littlefield is a marketing strategist & business coach for Christian women who are ready to stop feeling scattered and confused about how to grow their business online. She's the host of the award-winning Christian Woman Leadership Podcast and the Christian Woman Business Podcast.She is passionate about helping clients cut through the confusion, find clarity, and develop confidence in their marketing strategy so that they can focus on what will truly help them create a business (and life) they love.Esther resides in Maine with her husband Scott, daughter KJ, Golden Retriever Allie, cats Daisy & Zoe, and leopard gecko. Connect with Esther:Website: https://estherlittlefield.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estherlittlefield Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/estherdlittlefield/Podcasts: Christian Woman Business Podcast & Christian Woman Leadership Podcast About me:Karen Laos is a keynote speaker and leadership coach equipping women to stand out with unshakable confidence. She specializes in communication: executive presence and compelling messages. Karen champions female business leaders to own their value and find their voice so they can be seen and heard. She also works with teams to create cultures of trust and function at their best.Karen has coached leaders at Facebook, Google, Netflix, Uber, Sephora, Sony, Microsoft, Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Trip Advisor, Bacardi, Levi, and more. Karen's style is fun, encouraging and results-oriented. She immediately moves past the “fluff” and gets straight to the issue (just ask her clients). Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosconsultingFacebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Clubhouse: @karenlaosEpisodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

If you are a leader, it's likely at some point, you will be asked to or need to lead a meeting or facilitate a small group, or perhaps a project that includes several people and multiple meetings. So how can you lead effective meetings that your team will not hate being a part of? As a leader, it's vital that you develop certain character traits that will allow you to lead effectively. But it's also important to develop practical skills, and one of those is the skill of leading and facilitating meetings. It's inevitable that, as a leader, you'll be tasked with leading a meeting. So in today's episode, Holly and I are sharing some tips based on our experiences of leading meetings and small groups in a variety of settings. For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode188. Episode Sponsor: Confident Conversations Mini Course   Other Ways to Connect with Esther and the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast:   Esther's Instagram Holly's Instagram Holly's Website Facebook Page

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you know that the big talk in the podcasting world is about the Spotify / Joe Rogan controversy. Musicians and some podcasters are removing their content from the platform because of misinformation and racially inflammatory language on his hugely successful podcast. And the debate is now filtering down to independent podcasters and guests. With that in mind, this is less of our usual "How to…" episode and more of a "How do…" episode - as in, how do we choose guesting opportunities (and guests) that align with our values? And if we disagree, how do we do this in a respectful way that allows for a variety of opinions but isn't harmful to audiences? Walking through these matters with me is Esther Littlefield, a marketing strategist & business coach, and the host of the award-winning Christian Woman Leadership Podcast and Christian Woman Business Podcast. Esther is passionate about helping clients cut through the confusion and find clarity, so I thought she'd be the perfect person to join me on a deep dive through all of these issues! Topics covered include: Esther's work as a marketing strategist and business coach, and how podcasting has become a big part of her life and business Some background about the Joe Rogan controversy, and our feelings about his content and Spotify as a platform Esther's experiences of different perspectives and opinions on her faith-based podcasts - are disagreements and differences of opinion a bad thing? As guests - how to ensure that the opportunity is aligned with your goals and that you have a connection with the host For podcast hosts - would you censor if you 100% did not agree with a guest? When does censorship become Producing? Full show notes and resources: https://www.thepodwizegroup.com/spotify-joe-rogan-news-affect-business

The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast has been going strong for 3.5 years. So where are we now, and what are our plans for the future? Tune in to hear all the updates and some changes for the coming year. In this conversation, Holly & I are sharing some reflections on where we've come with this podcast over the past 3.5 years, including some behind the scenes stories & stats you may not have heard before. We take a stance on why we don't take stances on this podcast on many issues, and sharing what we feel you should do as a listener of our podcast (and others, too). Finally, we're letting you know what's to come in the future for this podcast. For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode184 This episode is brought to you by my upLIFT Mentormind. This is a program designed exclusively for Christian women who are building a business online and who are ready to thrive, streamline their marketing, and hit their financial goals.    The program is now open to join at any point, so to learn more, you can visit upliftmentormind.com and click “apply” - after that, I'll be in touch! You can also send me a DM on Instagram and let me know you're interested.   

In today's show I am interviewing my friend Jill McCormick as we talk about grace for the try-hard girl, especially when we sense we are in a season of change.   Anyone feel like a try-hard girl? You know, the one who loves Jesus and her people so she tries hard to get it all done, to not disappoint, to do everything well, to always be there, to help fix the problems and right the wrongs? That try-hard girl lives in me and I don't know about you but the idea of living in the freedom of God's grace is something I desperately need. And I believe you will find so many things you can personally relate to and take away from my conversation with Jill that will fill your soul with grace.   Some Things We Covered Who is the try-hard girl? Understanding how we can extend grace to ourselves. Accepting we are human beings, not productivity machines. Why it is so hard to admit that something needs to change? Ideas about how to create space to be with Jesus in the midst of the chaos. How false beliefs and a distortion of the truth of who God is and what He says has reinforced the "try-harder" within us. The biggest shift to be aware of as we become a little less of the try-hard girl.   Resources Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan Steffany Gretzinger's song, “Come out of Hiding” and Pete Scazzero's books, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality & Emotionally Healthy Leader.   About Jill McCormick Jill McCormick is the host of the Grace In Real Life podcast and the writer behind jillemccormick.com, spaces where she shares common-sense grace with the try-hard girl who wants her faith to intersect with her real and full life.  Jill lives in South Texas with her high-school-sweetheart-now-husband Ryan, their two daughters, and one Vizsla puppy. Most days you'll find her with a book about the Enneagram in her hand or a podcast playing in her earbuds.  She's been featured in RELEVANT magazine, Joyful Life magazine, ForEveryMom.com, and the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast. She's also a co-author of the book, Sister, Walk in Truth.  In her free time, she edits words for others through Emerald Editing + Copywriting, and is the Communications Director for her church. Connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email   Connect with Jen Facebook Instagram

Have you ever wanted to start a podcast? Maybe you have a podcast and you are looking for some insider tips. Maybe you listen to podcasts and wonder how they juggle the tensions they hold leading and influencing many. Terra speaks with Esther Littlefield, a business and leadership coach who has years of experience. She offers practical insights and helpful principles to help anyone navigate common pitfalls.   Esther is a marketing strategist and business coach for Christian women who are ready to stop feeling scattered and confused about how to grow their business online. She's the host of the award-winning Christian Woman Leadership Podcast and the Christian Woman Business Podcast.   She is passionate about helping women lead with confidence, shine online, and amplify their impact. She works with clients to help them cut through the confusion, find clarity, and develop confidence in their marketing strategy so that they can focus on what will truly help them create a business (and life) they love.   You can find Esther and all of her great resources at: Website: https://estherlittlefield.com/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/estherlittlefield IG: https://www.instagram.com/estherdlittlefield/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/elittlefield/ Mini-course to help someone start a podcast: http:// podcastinaweekend.com/

Have you ever wondered what it's like behind the scenes of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast? Today you'll get a glimpse of our thoughts about the podcast, our lives, and some deep thoughts we're wrestling with right now. We're wrapping up our celebration of 3 years of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast today by sharing a fun conversation Holly and I had about the podcast and more. We also streamed this conversation live into the Purposeful Leadership Facebook group, if you prefer to watch it.   Please note that our audio setup did not work as we had hoped, so the quality of this episode is not the best.   However we still wanted to share this chat with you as we discuss some of the highlights of the past year of podcasting as well as our vision for the future.   Questions we answer in this episode: If you could go back in time 3 years, what would you tell yourselves not to worry about? What is your favorite part of podcasting? What were your favorite conversations in our past year? What was your favorite interview as a host? How do you stay on a consistent schedule?  What podcasts have you been listening to lately? What is the most exciting thing that has happened for you in the past year?  What deep thoughts do you have right now? What's the vision for the podcast moving forward?   Podcast Sponsor: Podcast in a Weekend Mini-Course   Connect with Esther and Holly: The Christian Woman Business Podcast Esther's Website Holly's Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page   This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode162.

Is it possible to hear the voice of God? And how can you make tough decisions when you don't get a clear answer directly from God? We're continuing our celebration of 3 years of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with our next episode in our “Best of” series. Today's episode is the best of our third year of the podcast: Episode 117: Discerning the Voice of God and Making Spirit-Led Decisions with Jenny Randle. Jenny provides valuable insights on the Holy Spirit's role in our lives, a 7 question checklist for making decisions, and how to discern when the leaders you follow are unhealthy or harmful. If you missed it the first time, or if you just need a reminder of how to hear from God, take a listen today! For the full show notes, go to estherlittlefield.com/episode161.

How can leaders identify when they are nearing burnout or experiencing compassion fatigue? And how can churches more effectively support those leaders so that they can serve their congregations from a place of health and wholeness? We're continuing our celebration of 3 years of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with our next episode in our “Best of” series. Today's episode is the best of our second year of the podcast: Episode 81: Dealing with Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Mental Health as a Christian Leader with Laura Howe. Even if you heard this episode when it originally aired, I'm sure you'll benefit from taking a listen again. Or, if you missed it the first time, be sure to take a listen today. For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode160.

How can you develop healthy relationships with those you lead? And how does knowing your own wiring impact how you do this? To celebrate 3 years of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast, we are sharing a “Best of” series. Today's episode is the best of our first year of the podcast: Episode 17: How the Enneagram Can Help You Nurture Healthy Relationships with Beth McCord. In recent years, there has been some controversy related to the Enneagram and questions about whether Christians should utilize it. Therefore, in the intro for this ‘best of' episode, I'm sharing some thoughts about this and some resources for you to consider if you want more information.   Resources: Blog post: “Should Christians Use the Enneagram?” Podcast series from Your Enneagram Coach: #64: Thinking Theologically About the Enneagram #65: A Response to the History of the Enneagram #66: The Christian Approach to Using the Enneagram    A final note about this topic:  I want to encourage you to do your own research, prayer, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you discernment as to whether the Enneagram is a tool that you would want to utilize or not.  I am not here to tell you one way or another what you should believe or do in regards to this issue. I do not see it spelled out clearly in scripture, and thus I'm not going to tell you that my perspective is the only right one. (And check out episode 112 for guidance on sharing your personal convictions). For the show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode159.

Podcast Summary: I sit down with Esther Littlefield and dive into how anyone can do their online business. She helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses without compromising their faith or values. Esther enables one to shine the light of Christ in your life, leadership, business, and marketing strategy that aligns with you. Listen in on how she started her career and built her marketing strategy business. Key Ideas: Esther's love for strategy, coaching and consulting. Ester podcast course (nation of the strategy and Shortcuts) Launching and building a course for your podcast. Podcast and marketing advice for your online business. About Ester: Esther Littlefield is a marketing strategist & business coach for Christian women who are ready to stop feeling scattered and confused about how to grow their business online. She's the host of the award-winning Christian Woman Leadership Podcast and the Christian Woman Business Podcast. She is passionate about helping clients cut through the confusion, find clarity, and develop confidence in their marketing strategy so that they can focus on what will truly help them create a business (and life) they love. Esther resides in Maine with her husband Scott, daughter KJ, Golden Retriever Allie, 2 cats, and 2 leopard geckos. Don't forget to visit Ester here: www.estherlittlefield.com/ She can also be found on Facebook and Instagram at @estherdlittlefield --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/susie-liberatore2/support

If you were to start over in business, what would you want your business to look like? Does it look anything like what you're currently doing? There are so many reasons we can end up in a business that we are simply not that passionate about, whether it's chasing financial goes or listening to others over God and what we know to be true. In this episode, I'm joined by Esther Littlefield who shares with us her story and practical things she did to navigate having created 2 different businesses that she didn't fully love. We talk about being willing to pivot, spending more time considering what you want your life to look like and questions you can ask yourself that will help align your God-given purpose and passion with the business you're creating.  Esther Littlefield is a marketing strategist & business coach for Christian women who are ready to stop feeling scattered and confused about how to grow their business online. She's the host of the award-winning Christian Woman Leadership Podcast and the Christian Woman Business Podcast. She is passionate about helping clients cut through the confusion, find clarity, and develop confidence in their marketing strategy so that they can focus on what will truly help them create a business (and life) they love. Esther resides in Maine with her husband Scott, daughter KJ, Golden Retriever Allie, 2 cats and 2 leopard geckos. Join my FREE social media marketing training >>> https://www.sweetteasocialmarketing.com/freetraining

Have you ever questioned yourself in your business, wondered if you should do what you're doing, or felt like clients or customers won't want what you have to offer?   Why am I talking about confidence and imposter syndrome? I believe they are closely related, and they are something that many of the women I talk with experience.   A lack of confidence can look like questioning what you're doing, wondering if you're on the right track, feeling like clients or customers wouldn't want what you have to offer, or struggling to share about your offer or your business with others.   With imposter syndrome, you might second guess whether you are qualified to do something, underestimate your abilities, and assume that others could do it better than you. Often it includes feeling like you're going to be "found out" -- like someone is going to figure out that you actually don't know what you're talking about.   Can you relate to any of this? I absolutely can! In this episode, I'm sharing 3 ways you can become more confident in your business and combat imposter syndrome. #1: Know Biblical Truth When we look at confidence from a Biblical perspective we can see this: Confidence is not about you, it's about the God who lives in you.    You see if you look at the definition of confidence you find that it has a lot to do with trust. And Scripture shows us that our trust should not be in ourselves and our own abilities but in God and His ability to work in us and through us and to provide what we need. I want to share a couple of scriptures that demonstrate this:   Psalm 33:20-22 - “Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”   2 Cor. 3:4-6 - "Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”   We can see that confidence is not based on our own abilities, but on God who gives us everything we need. God has given us abilities. He has given us gifts.    For more info and encouragement on this topic, check out episode 6 and episode 67 of my Christian Woman Leadership Podcast.   And if developing confidence is something you struggle with, then you may want to check out my  Confident Leader Catalyst. In that course, you will develop confidence based on God's truth, gain clarity about your purpose, and gain courage to step into your calling. #2: Understand the Truth About You Once you establish that your confidence comes from God, it's important to also look at the truth about yourself. This is not about being prideful, it's about being honest.   Many times I have second-guessed my own products and services, my rates, what I'm doing and whether I have a "right" to be offering what I am.   One time I was struggling with this and I had a conversation with a mindset coach. She asked me several questions that helped me to gain an accurate perspective of what was going on. Over the years, I've had other mentors and biz besties who have helped me to do the same.    So I want to do the same today with you... I want to help you gain an accurate perspective of your qualifications for what you are doing. Here's how:   List any and all experiences you have in the past that have prepared you for what you are doing today. Identify what you learned or took away from those experiences. List out anything you've invested in for your own personal or business development (courses, mentors, coaches, books). Note what you invested and reflect on what you learned or took away from each one. List out any practical skills you might have, and make special note those that are rare or unique. List out your natural and spiritual gifts. Reflect on how these help you in your business.  Think about the work you are doing now. When have you gotten results for yourself or others? List out any and all wins you've had in your own business or with clients or customers (free or paid).   After you've done this I hope you'll see that there's no need to be questioning your ability to do what you are doing!   But we still do it. So I find it really helpful to have a visible list of my own experiences and qualifications even just for my own reference so that i can confidently share what I'm doing with others.   Now maybe you are staying, "But Esther, I am offering something brand new! I have never done this before and I don't know if it actually makes sense for me to charge for it."   I will say this: I do think if you're putting yourself out there as a coach, consultant or expert that you should have some level of knowledge about that thing. But there is a first time for everything! Which brings us to #3. #3: Take Action When I first got started, someone reached out to me about building a website. I had built one for myself but never for someone else. I had no idea if I really had what it took to do the process for someone else.   I definitely underpriced, but I did the project and the client was happy with the results. So the next time, I bumped up the price and built a site for another person.    Over time, even though this was not a main service of mine, I got over questioning whether I was actually able to do a good job b/c I had taken action and done it.   More recently, when I felt God asking me to shift into doing more coaching and strategy for Christian women business owners, I had a massive mindset battle. I felt like I wasn't sure if I could actually do it. I felt like people might think I was being prideful or something crazy like this if I said I could help them grow their business online.   One day I was chatting with a friend through Voxer and she was having a business challenge. I offered her some encouragement and she came back to me and said, "You just coached me. You've been doing this for years and you just haven't been calling it that."   Now that we're several months into the year, and I've been offering this kind of support with clients and students, I can tell you that it feels amazing and God has affirmed that I'm on the right track! Through the feedback and responses I've had from clients, I know that what I'm offering is something that is needed.   And the same goes for you. What you have to offer is needed! And if you hold back because you are afraid of whether you have all the right qualifications you might never move forward! And others might be missing out on what you are offering.   I get it, it's tough to put yourself out there. It's tough to get visible and tell people you can help them withXYZ. But there are people who need your gifts, your experience, your insights! So, I challenge you to take action even if it's not perfect! As you do, the imposter syndrome stops having power over you.   And if you are really unsure about where you are at and you need an outside perspective, you can book a strategy session with me. We can chat about it and I can provide an objective viewpoint. Faith Focus: Our faith focus today is Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."   One of my business values is excellence because I want to serve my clients and students well so that it will reflect the beauty of who God is and bring Him glory.    Let's serve our clients with excellence and let's shine our light to those around us. As they see this light, they may ask us questions. They may be inspired to get to know more about God because of how we are living our lives and running our business. Or, if they already know God, they will hopefully be encouraged to glorify Him by seeing what we are up to.   This week as you do your work, as you serve your family, or as you interact with your community, remember that you have the opportunity to be a light to those around you. Shine a Light Segment: Today I want to shine a light on Christa Hutchins. Christa is a project manager and accountability coach serving Christian creatives and leaders. She is passionate about leading women to draw their strategic influences straight from scripture and apply it to their everyday tasks and decisions. She works one-on-one and through her Move Forward Mastermind.   She's also a friend, Podcast in a Weekend student, and client.   I want to shine a light on her today because she consistently builds up and encourages women. She's a master at collaborating and connecting people! She also recently launched her new podcast, Just One Simple Thing while working a full time job and continuing to serve her clients. She used Podcast in a Weekend to do so and she said "I never would have made it through a long complicated podcasting course."   I love what Christa is doing so be sure to head over to the Just One Simple Thing podcast and check her out! Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Website Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Join the FB group Connect on Facebook Connect on Instagram Connect on Clubhouse: @estherl

What is a hard conversation? Why do we avoid them? What are do’s and don’t’s in initiating a difficult conversation? Through Delete + Rest, an every-other-week series, we talk about mindsets we need to delete because they don’t serve us well then we reset our brains with the truth.  In this interview, Esther + I tackle a topic that is an ongoing struggle for try-hard girls: having a hard conversation.  Esther defines what a hard conversation is, shares four keys to discerning when to bring up a hard topic, and offers do’s and don’t’s as you navigate your next difficult conversation. She also gives you practical ways to initiate a hard conversation and what good can come out of a difficult dialogue. Key Quotes “If we can spend our time thinking and preparing our hearts and preparing what we want to say then we can have the hard conversation.” - Esther Littlefield “Having a hard conversation is a learning process.” - Esther Littlefield “If we’ve done our part, we have to let go of the response of the other person.” - Esther Littlefield “We can study. We can use biblical principles. And we can pray before having a hard conversation.” - Esther Littlefield “Being willing to hear the other person’s perspective is so important in having that hard conversation.” - Esther Littlefield “Part of having a hard conversation with God is processing what you’re feeling about the situation.” - Esther Littlefield “Having a hard conversation reflects the heart of Christ in the effort to have reconciliation and restoration of a relationship or situation.” - Esther Littlefield Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! Enneagram Eight   https://www.jillemccormick.com/episode-47-real-life-grace-for-the-enneagram-eight-with-celia-miller/  Esther’s Confident Conversation mini-course   https://go.estherlittlefield.com/confident-conversations  Brene Brown  https://brenebrown.com/  Natalie Gingrich   https://www.jillemccormick.com/episode-33-real-life-grace-for-the-enneagram-two-with-natalie-gingrich/  Previous Episodes Mentioned Episode #31: Real-life grace for the Enneagram One with Esther Littlefield Episode #51: Delete + Reset: Body Image, Weight, Jean Size, and Jesus with Jami Amerine    Episode #53: Delete + Reset: Race, Racism, and Your Role in Racial Reconciliation with Dr. Lucretia Berry Episode #55: Delete + Reset: Productivity, Exhaustion, and Balancing Your Passions with Christa Hutchins Episode #5: Delete + Reset: Slowing down, releasing expectations, and creating an unhurried heart with Jennifer Dukes Lee    About Esther Littlefield Esther is a writer & host of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast as well as the Christian Woman Business Podcast.  She is passionate about helping women embrace their gifts and lead with confidence. She also loves helping Christian business owners shine online and amplify their message. She lives in Maine with her husband Scott (a pastor), daughter KJ and their two cats, two leopard geckos, and one adorable puppy.  In her free time, you may find Esther enjoying a cup of coffee, exploring the great outdoors, or convincing her husband -- or a friend -- to take a road trip to see her favorite band, Switchfoot Here’s how to connect with  Esther Website Facebook page Facebook group Leadership podcast Business podcast Here’s how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Facebook group  Facebook page  Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email 

Jill McCormick is the host of the Grace In Real Life podcast and the writer behind jillemccormick.com, spaces where she shares common-sense grace with the try-hard girl who wants her faith to intersect with her real and full life.  Jill lives in South Texas with her high-school-sweetheart-now-husband Ryan, their two daughters, and one Vizsla (VEEZ-lah) puppy.   Most days you'll find her with a book about the Enneagram in her hand or a podcast playing in her earbuds.  She's been featured in RELEVANT magazine, Joyful Life magazine, ForEveryMom.com, and the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast. She's also a co-author of the book, Sister, Walk in Truth. In her free time, she edits words for others through Emerald Editing + Copywriting, and is the Communications Director for her church.  Connecting with Jillhttps://www.jillemccormick.com/podcast/ (GraceInRealLifePodcast.com) https://www.jillemccormick.com/ (Website) https://www.instagram.com/jillemccormick/ (Instagram) https://www.facebook.com/groups/768943113516327/ (Facebook group) https://www.facebook.com/jill.mccormick.129 (Facebook page) http://bit.ly/subscribingisawesome (Subscribe to Jill's weekly “the good + the grace” email) Thank you to @mayaisac for letting me use her song 'when i get there'. Follow me on @khalifaandjosiah email me khalifaandjosiah@gmail.com Support this podcast

Why are we talking about goals in mid-March? Isn’t talking about goals and goal-setting reserved for January and January only? It’s right about now, we question the goals we set, feel that we’ve failed miserably at goal-setting, and are ready to throw in the towel, even though we started the year really excited about our new plans.   In this episode, you’ll learn three mindsets that probably tripped you up at the very beginning of goal-setting, three lies that may be holding you back from achieving your goals, four truths to help you regroup, so you can get back on track, and three practical strategies to bounce back with grace. Key Quotes Crushing your goals has more to do with choosing to believe what God says about you.  When in doubt, choose who God says you are. What would it look like to tune out your negative voices to tune into your loving God? God is more interested in you conforming more and more into the image of His Son than He is about whether you’ve completed your checklist for the day.  Knowing God and loving God are the ultimate success. As a servant of Christ, your success isn’t determined by your ability to keep goals set on January 1.  Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! Curious Faith by Logan Wolfram   The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast    Five Resources to Help You Assess You    How to break free from destructive expectations  FREE 5-day Inner Critic Challenge   Prayer e-book    Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Facebook group  Facebook page  Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email 

What is the one thing you need in your business this year as a Christian woman business owner or content creator?  While much of what you're hearing this time of year is about setting goals, dreaming, and planning for your business, I want to share with you something that I believe will make a big difference for you. It's something that is absolutely necessary as a Christian business owner, and you won't hear it from many people: discernment. Discernment is necessary for us as believers because there is so much out there that sounds good, but may actually be harmful. For the video teaching I did about discernment, click here.   3 Ways to Practice Discernment in Your Business This Year: 1. Who you are following and taking advice from You don't have to only take business advice from Christians. But you need to be willing to discern when there are practices or recommendations that do not line up with your faith.   Ask yourself: Who are you listening to podcasts?  Who are you following on social? What types of things are they recommending? Does the majority of what they are saying or teaching line up with your values? Or is a significant portion going against your faith?   When it comes to biz advice, be picky.    2. Types of work or clients you take on   If you are a service provider or coach or consultant, it's very important to use discernment about the type of work or clients you take on. It's helpful to pre-decide about this, and one of the best ways to do this is to outline your values.   Consider: What are your guiding values in your business? Are these communicated on your social media, your website, etc?   Secondly, remember you don't have to say yes to clients. You can turn down work. It may be awkward or uncomfortable, but I promise it is better when you do it upfront rather than wait.   I learned the hard way on this.. I took on clients where it wasn't a good fit… I had a gut feeling, but I said yes anyway. Then I ended up feeling icky about some of the work I was doing. This is not a good place to be.   So I want you to get clear on your values; make sure they are communicated on your content; then practice discernment when meeting with potential clients, and be willing to say no when necessary.   3. Where to focus your own business efforts   Finally, you need discernment about where to focus your own business efforts. If you are anything like me, you may have lots of possibilities and skills you could use. Or lots of ideas about products and programs you could create.   But you need to ask God for wisdom and discernment about where to focus.    Because here's the truth that I know, but hate admitting: you cannot do all the things and do them all well. You can do a few things and do them well. And that means some things have to wait and some you have to completely stop doing.   Resources that God provides for us to grow in discernment: The good news is that God provides us with resources that will help us grow in this area. His word Holy Spirit Other people I've chatted about this topic on the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast, so here are those episodes if you want to dive deeper into this: Episode 62 with Tabitha Bigbee Episode 117 with Jenny Randle   Be sure to come join us inside the Christian Woman Business Community on Facebook to connect with women just like you!   Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.   Website Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast   Show notes for this episode can be found at https://christianwomanleadership.com/25

Do you want to start a podcast, but you're not sure if you can do it because of the costs? Maybe you don't know what to expect in terms of financial or time investment, but you truly want to make a podcast happen.   In this episode, I'm going to share with you about the 2 biggest costs of podcasting (time and money) and 8 creative solutions for dealing with these costs. It is possible to podcast with minimal time and minimal budget, and I'm going to share with you some specific ways to do so!   For the full show notes for this episode, go to christianwomanbusiness.com/22 The 2 Biggest Costs of Podcasting: Money Time 8 Creative Solutions for Podcasting with Minimal Time and Minimal Budget  Do a podcast that is less frequent than once a week. Do a podcast with minimal editing. Do a solo show rather than interviews. Do a simplified version of the full podcast workflow I shared. Learn to edit your own podcast. Batch record. Consider what you can let go of in order to make room for a podcast. Consider how to generate income via your podcast. Starting a Podcast with Budget and Time Limitations I hope this episode has helped you to first be aware of the reality of podcasting - it does cost both time and money. I don't sugarcoat things and I hate for people to jump into something without fully understanding what is involved. However, I believe there are creative ways to start a podcast even if you have limited time or money, and I hope this episode gave you some viable options to consider. If you are considering launching a podcast, I am working on a resource for you that will help you get your podcast launched easily even if you have minimal time! Go to podcastinaweekend.com and get on the waitlist now, or if you're listening or reading after this resource is ready, go ahead and grab it.   Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Website Christian Business Owners Shining Online Facebook Page LinkedIn Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast

Is podcasting the right content platform for you? If you're leaning towards starting a podcast but you're not quite sure if it's the right option, this episode is for you. I'm sharing 3 practical ways you can figure out if podcasting is a good option for you.   And even if you're already a podcaster, these tactics may still be helpful for you as you think about growing your podcast.   Get my free Podcast Workflow Checklist by texting PODCAST to (917) 905-8801, or click here to grab it. Links Mentioned: Episode 10: The Best Way to Grow Your Business Online   Podcasting Resources: Strategy and Systems for a Successful Podcast - Women's Business Workshop Episode 24 Behind the Scenes of The Ops Authority's Systems with Esther Littlefield - Ops Authority Podcast Episode 11 My podcasting blog posts Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.   Website Christian Business Owners Shining Online Facebook Page LinkedIn Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast

One of the biggest questions I hear from the women I work with is: “Should I start a blog, a podcast, or a YouTube channel?” And I understand because I had the same question at one point, too.   It's a big decision and there are many factors to figuring out what will be best for you and your business. In this episode, I'm going to share some of the pros and cons of each primary content channel. And then I'll share some key questions to consider to help you decide what is right for you.   Finally, I'll share a bit about my journey and how my strengths and my personality played a role in choosing my primary content platform.   Links Mentioned: Episode 3: The 3 Essentials to Growing Online Episode 13: Is Your Website Working for You? Episode 14: Five Reasons Your Email List is More Important than Social Media Episode 15: What You Need to Start and Build Your Email List Podcast Workflow Checklist   If you are in need of 1:1 feedback or strategic insight for your business, be sure to click here and find out how we can work together! I offer strategy sessions and may have other options coming soon. Connect with Me: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, your podcast app, or Podchaser.   Website Christian Business Owners Shining Online Facebook Page LinkedIn Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast

Have you ever struggled with feeling discouraged in your business? Wondered whether what you're doing really matters or if you're on the right path? If so, you're not alone. As a Christian business owner, you're not immune to the ups and downs of the business life. In this episode, I want to share with you a few of the strategies I use when I am feeling this way.  I hope these suggestions will help you whether you are currently discouraged or if you experience this in the future. 7 Strategies for Dealing with Discouragement: 1. Acknowledge How You Feel 2. Pray About It 3. Reevaluate Your Why 4. Assess Your Workload 5. Adjust Your Schedule 6. Reflect on the Positives 7. Get Support   Links Mentioned: Discerning the Voice of God Episode 7 Episode 8   If you are in need of 1:1 feedback or strategic insight for your business, be sure to click here and find out how we can work together! I offer strategy sessions and may have other options coming soon. Connect with Me: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, your podcast app, or Podchaser. Website Christian Business Owners Shining Online Facebook Page LinkedIn Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast

You know you need to start or work on building your email list, right? But how to do you actually do this? In this episode, I want to continue the series I've been doing talking about the essentials for building your business and audience online. So far we've talked about your website in Episode 13 and why email is more important than social media in Episode 14. Today I'm sharing the 3 things you need to have in order to start or build your email list. If you're already rocking your email list, you may not need this episode. However I hope you'll find a few tips that are still helpful no matter what! Links Mentioned: Blog post from Amy Lynn Andrews Confident Leader Manifesto Stages of Leadership Quiz Free Webinar: 3 Keys to Becoming a Confident Leader   If you are in need of 1:1 feedback or strategic insight for your business, be sure to click here and find out how we can work together! I offer strategy sessions and may have other options coming soon. Connect with Me: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, your podcast app, or Podchaser.   Website Christian Business Owners Shining Online Facebook Page LinkedIn Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast

We’re launching a series of interviews with women of each Enneagram type. But you may be wondering, “What does the Enneagram have to do with grace?” The Enneagram allows you to peel back all the behaviors, patterns, and coping mechanisms that conceal the real you. Knowing your Enneagram type allows you to recognize why you do what you do. Then you can exchange hurtful mindsets and behaviors for God-centered truth and courage. Change starts with knowledge, which invites you to bring your wounds, hurts, and fears to the feet of Christ and ask for His help.   You can only offer grace to what and who you know. So let’s know ourselves! To learn more about Enneagram Ones, go here.  In this interview, Esther and I break down: What it’s like to be an Enneagram One How to manage the tension between working with excellence and being obsessive-compulsive in the pursuit of perfection What it’s like to lead as a One The fallacy of being an “extra-special Christian” Why having fun and doing nothing is actually a spiritual practice of grace How to move away from legalism And ways to extend grace to the Ones in your life.  Key Quotes “There are times you just have to be done.” - Esther Littlefield “I’ve tried to differentiate between the effort I’ve put in and separating that from the results that come after the effort.” - Esther Littlefield “Give your effort to God and give God the results.” - Esther Littlefield “What’s amazing about grace and the gospel is that there isn’t anything I have to do. And at the same time, it feels too good to be true.” - Esther Littlefield “When you get to know God and get to know His Word, it’s easier to shift away from legalism.” - Esther Littlefield “When you think about yourself, make sure you’re speaking truth, resting in the love God has for you.” - Esther Littlefield About Esther Littlefield Esther is a writer and host of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast as well as the Christian Woman Business Podcast. She is passionate about helping women embrace their gifts and lead with confidence. She also loves helping Christian business owners shine online and amplify their message. Esther is a pastor’s wife and mom of one. She enjoys leading women’s Bible studies, missions trips, marriage retreats, and her business team. Esther resides in Maine with her husband Scott, daughter KJ and their two cats and two leopard geckos. In her free time, you may find Esther enjoying a cup of coffee, exploring the great outdoors, or convincing her husband or a friend to take a road trip to see her favorite band, Switchfoot. Mentioned in the Podcast The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast: 5 Principles for Sharing Your Personal Conviction as a Leader (without promoting legalism) Confident Leadership Catalyst  Inner Critic Challenge  Previous Episode Mentioned Episode 7: What the Enneagram is, what it isn’t, and why it’s important to your spiritual growth Here’s how to connect with Esther Website Facebook page Facebook group Leadership podcast Business podcast  Here’s how to connect GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Facebook group Facebook page Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email

So you have a website… but is it working for you? Is it accomplishing what you want it to in your business or brand?   In this episode, I want to share with you 4 things that your website should do if you want it to work for you. These tips will help you whether you've had a website for years or even if you don't yet have one and are getting ready to create one.   For the full show notes for this episode, go to christianwomanbusiness.com/13.   Connect with Me: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, your podcast app, or Podchaser. Website Christian Business Owners Shining Online Facebook Page LinkedIn Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast  

There's something about a full-circle moment!  This week on the podcast I'm excited for you to meet Esther Littlefield. Esther is a business owner, writer, podcaster, and a recovering perfectionist who loves personality profiles!  On this episode, she shares:   How the Enneagram has made a difference in her relationships and especially her marriage Her full-circle journey as a business owner and entrepreneur Her passion for helping women lead with confidence, shine online and amplify their message Through Esther's story, you'll see how her Enneagram Harmony Triad 1-4-7 helps her tap into all three centers of intelligence as she lives full-circle!   More about our Guest, Esther Littlefield:  Esther Littlefield is a writer & host of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast as well as the Christian Woman Business Podcast. She is passionate about helping women embrace their gifts and lead with confidence. She also loves helping Christian business owners shine online and amplify their message. Esther is a pastor's wife and mom of one. Esther enjoys leading women's Bible studies, missions trips, marriage retreats, and her business team. Esther resides in Maine with her husband Scott, daughter KJ and their 2 cats and 2 leopard geckos. In her free time, you may find Esther enjoying a cup of coffee, exploring the great outdoors, or convincing her husband or a friend to take a road trip to see her favorite band. Connect with Esther: https://estherlittlefield.com/ REALIFE Resources and News:  Stay tuned for some extraordinary updates to the Enneagram in Your REALIFE Podcast–we're getting ready to make a pivot and as a loyal follower, we want you to be the first to know! REALIFE Enneagram Profile Packets - For just a few more days until the end of July, REALIFE Enneagram Profile Packets are only $59 to celebrate my 59th birthday. Click here to learn more about a REALIFE Enneagram Profile Package and use the code BIRTHDAY59 to redeem your discount. You'll have the option to upgrade and work with a REALIFE Process Coach to walk through your profile results too!  Are you just getting started with discovering the FULL CIRCLE harmony of the Enneagram?  Visit therealifeprocess.com and download our FREE Typing Guide.   REALIFE Process Virtual Retreats - Are you ready to do some deeper work with the Enneagram and your Needs and Values? Consider attending our next Virtual REALIFE Retreat to begin building your own Modern Day Rule of Life through the REALIFE Process® framework. Click here to learn more about our next REALIFE Process Virtual Retreat on September 18th & 19th!   Connect with your host, Teresa McCloy on: Facebook- The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloy Instagram- teresa.mccloy LinkedIn- teresamccloycoach About Teresa McCloy: Teresa McCloy is the creator of the REALIFE Process®, an ACC Executive Coach, and an IEA Accredited Enneagram Professional who helps entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders discover and live out their best REALIFE! She has worked with clients from all over the world to help them bring clarity to their REALIFE and joy to their REALWORK!

What are some of the best and most unexpected things to come out of 2 years of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast?   In this episode, Holly and I are celebrating our two year anniversary by answering some of your questions about the podcast. We’ll share what we’ve learned, favorite guests, best things to come as a result, and much more. Plus, we share some of our reflections and let you know the top 5 episodes since we started! Key Points Discussed: Invitation to join our group [1:50] Bonus podcast for our supporters [4:00] Answering your questions [7:11] What has been the best thing that has happened for you during this 2 year journey? What are your family traditions or routines? Do you have any regrets from this journey? Or otherwise ways you would have done things differently had you the opportunity to do it again? What unexpected lessons have you learned (good or bad) from starting a podcast? And what's kept you going for 2 years without getting burned out? Which guest(s) moved you, surprised you, made you laugh, changed your thoughts on a topic, challenged you, etc.? Episode 103 with Dr. Shannon Polk Episode 59 with Hillary Morgan Ferrer Episode 90 with Valerie Woerner Episode 80 with Sharon Hodde Miller Episode 60 with Kadi Cole Episode 96 with Alisa Childers Bonus episode with Emily P. Freeman Our Top 5 Episodes in 2 years of the podcast [32:00] Episode 1: Our Leadership Journeys & What to Expect Episode 81: Dealing with Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Mental Health as a Christian Leader with Laura Howe Episode 80: How to Avoid the Trap of Niceness and Speak Boldly with Sharon Hodde Miller Episode 64: The Power of Community Through Devastating Seasons with Brandi Wilson  83: When God Shifts Your Path Into the Unknown with Tembi Secrist - A Leader’s Journey Around the World Part 1 Our total downloads for the podcast [36:20] Other reflection questions [37:21] What is a topic we haven’t covered that you’d like to cover this year? What has been something that has stuck with you that a listener has said to you? Holly & Esther’s updates [48:00] A recent listener review [52:30] Fun question of the week: What other podcasts do you listen to? [54:30] The Ops Authority The Christian Woman Business Podcast Grit with Jessica Stansberry Living Proof with Beth Moore Made for This with Jennie Allen The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe The Legacy Entrepreneur with Lindsey Johnson Go to Gal with Jaclyn Mellone My Biz Bestie The Next Right Thing Friending with Noelle P. Rhodes Grace in Real Life with Jill E. McCormick   Other links mentioned: Episode 57: One Year Anniversary Esther’s new business podcast Holly’s updated business endeavor: Prosper Collective Holly’s post about growing tomatoes and our gifts   Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Facebook Group Facebook Page This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode109.

Have you ever had a business idea, but you had no idea how to find the people who would be interested in what you want to offer? Unless you're already famous, all of us start from scratch when it comes to growing an audience. It's not rocket science, but it also takes time and strategy to find the people who you want to reach. In this episode of the Christian Woman Business Podcast, I'm sharing a strategy session that I did with my friend Shelley Madueme.  We're talking about: Shelley's business background How she landed on her new business idea Strategies to grow her audience from scratch The possibility of starting a podcast Naming things to attract her ideal audience Getting feedback The risk of setting out into something new   Grow Your Audience If you'd like to learn my signature system that I used to help grow my Christian Woman Leadership Podcast to over 100K downloads in 17 months, as well as grow my email list and my Facebook group. These strategies are transferable to growing not just a podcast audience but other audiences as well.   Click here to learn more about the masterclass. Resources or Links Mentioned: StrengthsFinder   Connect with Shelley: Website Free Chaos to Calm for Christian Moms workbook and email series   Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.   Website Christian Business Owners Shining Online Facebook Page LinkedIn Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Show notes for this episode can be found at https://christianwomanleadership.com/5

Can you relate to always want to do more, to try a new thing, to put one of your dozen ideas into action? As a high-achieving woman entrepreneur, my guess is yes. I'm like you. There's never a lack of ideas, only time to implement them. Wisdom comes in knowing what idea is the best for you - and your family - in this season. What can strategically move your business forward? What is lined up with God's will for your life? In this episode, I chat with Esther Littlefield, owner of Morningstar Media services, and the host of now two podcasts: the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast and the Christian Woman Business Podcast. We talk through knowing when it's right to start something new in your business, but coupled with the power of prayer in knowing what is right for you. About Esther: Esther Littlefield is a writer & host of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast as well as the Christian Woman Business Podcast. She is passionate about helping women embrace their gifts and lead with confidence. She also loves helping Christian business owners shine online and make an impact in this world. Esther is a pastor’s wife and mom of one. She enjoys leading women’s Bible studies, missions trips, marriage retreats, and her business team. Esther resides in Maine with her husband Scott, daughter KJ and their 2 cats and 2 leopard geckos. In her free time, you may find her enjoying a cup of coffee, exploring the great outdoors, or convincing her husband or a friend to take a road trip to see her favorite band. Want to learn more? Subscribe to the podcast and connect with me for even more support and training on your legacy brand message. Join The Legacy Entrepreneur community here for connection and discussion!

Everyone's telling you that you need an audience, but do you really? In this episode I'm going to break down who needs to build an audience online.   To do this, I want to help you figure out which overall “bucket” of online business you fall into. There are 3 overarching categories of businesses that I see online, and they each have their own unique pros and cons. They also each have a very different approach to building an audience (or not).   Note: these 3 are not the only types of online businesses, but they are the types most likely to be listening to this podcast.   After we discuss the 3 categories of businesses, we'll talk about whether they need to build an audience or not.   3 Types of Online Businesses Service Provider Provides a service in exchange for money. Can include website designer, graphic designer, copywriter, social media manager, podcast editor, etc. In these examples, someone is paying you for a service and receiving a tangible “product” in exchange.   As a service provider, you can earn an income quickly. You can also gradually increase your rates based on your expertise in what you are offering.   This is one of the fastest ways to generate an income online. Coaching/Consulting This may include a life coach, business coach or consulting, fitness/wellness coach, parenting coach, etc. In these examples, someone is paying you for your time and expertise, but they are not receiving a tangible product in exchange.   Side note about coaching/consulting: it's my take that coaches and consultants actually need to have an expertise in what they are coaching or consulting about.   I've seen some people say that you can be a coach just by calling yourself a coach. And while that is technically true, it's really important that you actually are able to provide value for your clients.   Often we simply don't realize what that value is and we DO have something we could coach someone on. But at the same time, if you are brand new to the online space and you need income immediately, I don't generally recommend diving into coaching first thing. Content Creator Provides a digital product in exchange for money. This can include digital courses, ebooks, audio content, etc.   A content creator or “info product” business can take longer to build up, but can end up being more profitable in the long run, since it requires less of your 1:1 time.   You can build a content based business quickly if you have money to invest in advertising to sell your digital products.  Which Type of Business Are You Building?   After hearing the descriptions of these 3 types of businesses, hopefully you can determine which one you fall into. You may recognize that you are trying to build more than one of them, which can be very difficult to do.   A big part of choosing which type of business you want to build right now comes down to your financial goals/needs.    It's much easier and faster to earn an income as a service provider vs. a content creator.    Coaching or consulting can bring in quick income, but it's slightly harder to sell because the buyer is not getting a tangible result like a new website. So who needs an audience? Service provider: You don't really need to build an audience right now; you need to build a referral network and focus on 1:1 connections   Coach or consultant: You need a slightly larger pool of prospects to draw from than the service providers, so you should start building an audience, but continue focusing on 1:1 relationships as well.   Content Creator: Yes! You do need to build an audience. You need a larger pool of people to sell your digital products to or to sell a book, so you have to build an audience.   Grow Your Audience   Now, if you fell into the category of needing to grow your audience, then I want to let you know about my “Grow Your Audience” masterclass. If you're listening in real time, this class is coming up on June 5th.    In this class I'm going to teach  you the specific strategies that I used to help grow my Christian Woman Leadership Podcast to over 100K downloads in 17 months. These strategies are transferable to growing not just a podcast audience but other audiences as well.   Click here to learn more about the masterclass. Resources or Links Mentioned: Episode 3: The 3 Essentials to Growing Online Quotes: “Coaches and consultants actually need to have an expertise in what they are coaching or consulting about.” Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.   Head over to my website to connect and get the details about the upcoming “Grow Your Audience” Masterclass on June 5th.   Website Christian Business Owners Shining Online Facebook Page LinkedIn Show notes for this episode can be found at https://christianwomanleadership.com/4

What do you need to do to grow your business online? There is so much conflicting information out there, and it can be difficult to figure out what you should actually invest your time and resources into.   In this episode, which originally aired as episode 89 of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast, I'm breaking down the 3 essentials you need to grow an audience or business online.   There is no one size-fits-all solution for you as a business owner. But there are some general guidelines that I can recommend and that's what I hope to do in this conversation.   One caveat: this episode is specifically for those who need to grow an audience online. If you are a service provider, you may not need to do all the things I talk about in this episode. For more on who needs to grow an audience, check out episode 4.   The 3 Essentials to Growing Your Business Online: Essential 1: A Website   Your website is your main hub - the thing that you own in the online world. It is the main place you want to send people to learn about you and what you do.    Some people want to build a business without a website, and I strongly caution against that. While I don't think you have to have a website right away, I do think it should be something you create within the first several months of your business.    So what does your website need to have? You can get some great tips about what your website needs to have from Storybrand.   Here are a few of my tips as well: Keep it simple and clear. Keep it about THEM (i.e. the person you're trying to reach). Use consistent colors and fonts (i.e. create a basic brand even if you can't do full branding right now).   “Start simple, get fancy later.” - Amy Porterfield   What you need to get started for a Wordpress site: A domain name - you can often buy this through your hosting service, or you can buy it independently through a domain service such as NameCheap. Typically costs $10-15/year. A hosting service, such as Siteground. Typically costs $5-20/month. A Wordpress theme. You can get plenty of free versions, or you can use something like Divi, which is what I use.   Other options: Squarespace or a free Wordpress.com site.   Essential 2: An Email List An email list is another element that you own. Just like your website, you have control over your website, unlike social media.   DO NOT be fooled by big numbers on FB or IG or any other platform… if those numbers are big, but they are not buyers and/or you don't have a way to communicate with them if that platform goes down or the algorithm changes or your account gets shut down, then those numbers mean nothing.   How do you start building your email list? Choose an email service provider. I recommend ConvertKit because of its features and abilities. There are other services such as Mailerlite or MailChimp. Create a lead magnet or “freebie” that will appeal to your ideal client or customer or student.  Send emails to your list on a regular basis.   If you need 1:1 support with this, you may reach out for a consultation where I can help you individually.   Essential 3: Content Let's define what I mean by content. Content is anything you put out as an idea or thought into the world. So that can be posting a blog post, sharing a podcast episode, or doing a video on YouTube, for example. BUT it also can be anything you post on social media.   As I shared earlier, I'm not a fan of building your business on social media. But I think that sometimes, if posting to your Facebook page is easier than posting a full blog post, then just do it!    Don't overcomplicate it. A warning about social media  The biggest trap I see happening with social media is that you're trying to be all the places. And I want to tell you right now: STOP.   It's much better to start by focusing on 1-2 social platforms, be consistent, learn what works… then over time, add in another platform if it makes sense.   My best investment I've invested in learning a lot about social media over the years, but the best investment I've made is in the Grow Your Audience course from Rachel Miller.    That course is closed right now, but you can grab this free resource from Rachel to help you with knowing what to post on Facebook: 23 Conversation Starters for Facebook Pages and Groups. This will help you with creating content that will get people talking on social, which is the whole point!   Save your content! One last thing about content: make sure you save your content somewhere. Especially if you decide to post on social for now instead of creating a blog or podcast or video channel… please please please make sure you copy and paste your posts (especially longer ones) into a safe place like Google Docs or Evernote. Resources or Links Mentioned: Episode 1: Introducing the Christian Woman Business Podcast Episode 2: The Shine Online Framework Episode 4: You Need an Audience (or Do You?) Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Episode 89 (original and full content of this episode) Quotes: “There is no one size-fits-all solution for you as a business owner.” “Not everyone needs to grow an audience online.”   Connect with Esther: Make sure to subscribe so that you don't miss the upcoming episodes!   Head over to my website to connect and get the details about the upcoming “Grow Your Audience” Masterclass on June 5th.   Website Christian Business Owners Shining Online Facebook Page LinkedIn Show notes for this episode can be found at https://christianwomanleadership.com/3

Introducing the Christian Woman Business Podcast, where you'll learn how to grow your audience and make an impact without compromising your faith or values.    If you are a Christian business owner or content creator who wants to make an impact and shine the light of Jesus, stick around.    I'm your host Esther Littlefield and I've spent over 5 years full-time in the online business space growing my own service-based business, serving dozens of clients along the way. In addition, I've grown my audience through my blog and my other podcast, the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast, which has over 100 episodes.    Ultimately, the goal of this podcast is to help you shine online by operating with integrity, doing excellent work, and making a Kingdom impact that points people to Jesus.   In this first episode, I chat about: The common challenges many Christian business owners face when growing their business online What my goals are for this podcast My business story  What to expect from the Christian Woman Business Podcast How to connect with me   Make sure to subscribe so that you don't miss the upcoming episodes!   Head over to my website to connect and get the details about the upcoming “Grow Your Audience” Masterclass on June 5th (details coming soon). Connect with Esther: Website Christian Business Owners Shining Online Facebook Page LinkedIn

It’s difficult to thrive when you feel inefficient and overwhelmed. That’s where systems come in. But what does a system look like? How can it help you grow and scale your business? In this episode, we’re going behind the scenes of my business. My right-hand operations superstar Esther Littlefield shares what systems we have in place, what steps make up those systems, and how systems can fail.  If you consistently perform the same tasks over and over, it’s time to get those tasks into a system. Let’s get started in systemizing your business so you can grow your business and increase your profits.    Esther’s Role within The Ops Authority Business Esther and I have worked together for several years, and she manages and implements many things in my business. She leads Morningstar Media Services, a business that focuses on launching and maintaining podcasts. However, she started as my VA. Esther is my person and is truly an extension of me.   All About Systems What a System Is A system is a group of things that are all working together to accomplish one particular outcome. A system involves multiple people, steps, and processes to get one objective accomplished. We’re not talking about tech tools here; we’re talking about step-by-step workflows, procedures, and processes.  Why You Need Business Systems In Order to Scale Your business started with a passion, and you were likely doing everything. Over time, you may start to feel tired, and you need systems for the repeatable tasks in your business. This also allows you to start delegating some of your processes and focusing on what you do best. Systems allow you to step out of the day-to-day operations and into a leadership role, where you can pursue your vision.   Why CEOs Delay Creating Systems The big drawback is that creating systems takes extra time on the front end. You also may think, “No one can take this over. I’ll always do this thing.” So you don’t create a system. CEOs also fear outsourcing. Handing tasks over to someone else takes trust.   Behind the Scenes of The Ops Authority’s Systems Esther and I chat about the systems that we have within my business. Here are some of the things we have systems for inside The Ops Authority: Content (blog, podcast, social media, sending weekly emails) Lead generation Growing my email list Launch Plans SOPs If your business has an online presence, your business is dependent on content and marketing. Help yourself by creating a system about the way you deliver content.  One of Our Systems: Blog Posts I have a writer, Abby from Write Solutions, who writes my blog posts. She gathers information, writes the content, then attaches the written blog post to our Trello card. Esther creates + uploads. Esther’s team creates the graphics and also uploads, formats, and schedules the post in WordPress. Esther’s team schedules the social media posts. Abby writes the corresponding email about the blog post and gets that content to Esther, who distributes it to my email list. This process seems like a few short steps, but it takes up considerable time. We use Trello, which tracks the entire workflow for every blog post. The blogpost card has a checklist for every phase. We also use Voxer to ask and answer questions and to communicate changes.  Remember that we can create systems, but sometimes people run late or miss a deadline. It’s very important to have a good project manager who you know and trust who can keep the system moving.    Weaknesses in the Process If one early step falls behind, the rest of the process is at risk for missing the pre-established deadlines. People also go on vacation or get sick. One person missing out on their work can cause a breakdown in the plan. The solution? Work ahead by batching the work you do.  Next, we talk about another system that we have in place inside The Ops Authority: this podcast! Esther’s team manages this process, so she shares   Esther’s Podcast Production System This is a high-level overview of the 7-8 phases of a podcast production process. This example is for someone who wants to make podcasting their primary content marketing arm of their business.   Create audio (scheduled, prepped, recorded, edited) Write copy (show notes, blog post or summary, social media) Create graphics Upload recording to the podcast host (example: Libsyn) Upload recording to WordPress Schedule and promote social media content Follow-up with guests (if you have an interview show) Optional: If you have an interview show, you may need an admin to handle a lot of the scheduling pre-interview and to deal with the communication with the guests. Each of these phases in the system have multiple steps within them. Most of Esther’s podcasts that she manages have 60-70 items on the Trello checklist for each episode.   How to Create Your System if You Don’t Have a Team Not everyone has a team, but you can still create a system for the repeatable processes in your business. Spend time writing down what you want your systems to look like.  Also, you can grab this free podcast workflow checklist Esther created for you if you need help getting your podcast process organized.  Start with a checklist of what is involved, and then save up so you can have people support you. You can do hard things, but doing repeatable tasks prevents you from leading your business and reaching your vision. Esther reminded us that if you don’t have someone to manage a process for you, you are the manager of that process. Keep in mind that you need to set aside time to manage whatever systems you have in place.   Another System: Launch Plans I have two programs I launch: A-Team Accelerator and the Director of Operations Certification Program. Instead of re-inventing the wheel every time, Esther and I have a repeatable launch plan process.  Esther sets up a Trello board outlining what is included in each launch. Then she makes a copy of that board for future launches. After a launch, Esther and I reflect on what worked and what didn’t. Esther has the Trello boards organized by what tasks must happen four weeks out, three weeks out, etc. Are You Ready to Scale Your Business? Join the waitlist for the A-Team program, which is perfect for female entrepreneurs who are ready to work with more ease and get systems in place in their own businesses.   Key Quotes from the Episode: “When you’re ready to have a true partner in business, they will feel like family.” - Natalie Gingrich “A ‘system’ in business has multiple steps, multiple people, multiple deadlines that come together to create the final outcome.” - Natalie Gingrich “When you start to see repeatable tasks in your business, that’s the perfect time to start putting systems in place.”  - Natalie Gingrich “For any process in your business, it’s important to take the time to sit down and document the process as you would like it to take place.” - Esther Littlefield “The theme for creating a system is that it’s repeatable and you’re going to outsource pieces of it.”  - Natalie Gingrich “We can dream of a complete book of SOPs but start with the tasks you repetitively do in your business and the processes that have multiple hands in them.” - Natalie Gingrich   Weekly Ops Activity Take a content process and make an itemized system. Bonus points if you put your new system into your favorite project management tool.    Previous Episodes Mentioned Episode 7: Behind the Scenes with Boss Mom with Dana Malstaff and Amy Lockrin Episode 8: Three Productivity Hacks You Haven’t Thought Of  Episode 9: How to Find the Right Project Management Tool with Cadri Cunningham   Connect with Esther Littlefield Website Facebook Instagram   Esther Littlefield is the founder and CEO of Morningstar Media Services. At Morningstar Media, she serves business owners with their content management and marketing, specializing in podcast management. In addition, Esther is also a writer at EstherLittlefield.com and host of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast. Never satisfied to do just ONE thing, she stays busy as a wife, mom, and entrepreneur. Esther uses her passion for details to help her clients reach their goals and shine online.  Esther combines her background as a social worker, network marketer, and blogger to help others achieve their goals in their business. As a task-oriented perfectionist, she’s able to break down all the little details to accomplish a project. Most importantly, her desire is to help others achieve their dreams, and she will work hard to help make that happen. Connect with Me: Website Private Facebook Community Facebook Page Instagram This episode was originally published on theopsauthority.com/podcast/11

Why is it important for you as a leader to know what you believe and why you believe it? What are some of the reasons that you need to have a solid faith foundation as a leader? Do you have answers when the questions come about your faith?   Holly and I are kicking off a new series on faith foundations and how this impacts our leadership. Today, we’re diving into why it’s important for us as leaders to know what we believe and why we believe it.   It’s not enough to have great leadership skills and strong relationships skills and even good self-care. If you don’t have a solid faith foundation and the ability to share why you believe what you do, then you may have trouble when you lead others.   3 Reasons You Need a Solid Faith Foundation as a Leader:   1. Teaching and leading is a weighty responsibility. As a leader, you teach with your actions and your words. Leaders carry the weight of responsibility.    The way you live your life sets an example for others whether you know it or not. So as a leader, you should be keenly aware of the way you live out your faith as well as what you teach others.   There is a humility that should come naturally when you recognize the weight of the leadership role. Leading others, and especially teaching them, requires a spirit of humility. Anytime a leader removes himself or herself from the authority of other believers, it’s a dangerous thing.    Being part of a local church is essential because this gives you a place to be under solid teaching and also to receive feedback and accountability when you need it.   Scriptures referenced: James 3:1: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”   1 Timothy 4:12-16: “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 2. You will be persecuted as a Christian and even more so as a  Christian leader. The Bible explicitly states that Christians will be persecuted and that the world hates us. So why do we expect people who are not Christians to like us and agree with us and our moral values? This isn’t going to happen because we have a different worldview than they do.   Scriptures referenced: 2 Timothy 3:12-17: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”   John 15:18-19: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” 3. You should be prepared to respond to questions.  You will be accused of things and will need to give a response. But there may also be times when you receive questions that are not antagonistic or accusatory. In both cases, you need to be prepared and have a solid faith foundation so that you can share with others why you have hope.   We know these truths from 1 Peter 3:13-17: There will be suffering. People should see that we have hope. We need to be able to defend the reason for our hope. We need to do so in a gentle and respectful way. Our behavior should be evidence of our faith.    Scriptures referenced: 1 Peter 3:13-17: “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.”   1 Kings 10:1, 3: “Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions…. And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her.”   3 Principles to Keep in Mind Throughout the Faith Foundations Series Over the coming few weeks, we will discuss having a solid faith foundation and understanding what you believe as a leader. Here are principles to keep in mind as you listen in:   You don’t have to have all the answers about everything (you’re not Solomon after all), but you should seek to have a solid foundation on the essentials.  Know why you believe what you believe. Don’t just take what you’ve learned for granted, but spend time digging into the reasons for your beliefs.  Develop discernment so that you can navigate our culture and your leadership role effectively.    Scriptures referenced: Hebrews 5:12-14 1 John 4:1-2 1 Kings 3:9   Conclusion: Through the Faith Foundations Series, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast dives into conversations about faith and leadership so you can be equipped to develop your solid faith foundation. We hope these episodes will both encourage and challenge you. And we look forward to having conversations inside our Facebook group about these topics. You can read my own statement of faith here.   Episode Sponsor: Audible Today’s show is brought to you by Audible. Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership. Just go to estherlittlefield.com/audible and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening.   How your free trial works: Choose a free audiobook and set up a trial 30-day membership! After 30 days, get one audiobook a month for $14.95/month Receive 30% off the price of additional audiobook purchases Cancel at any time. The books are yours to keep, even if you cancel   Go to estherlittlefield.com/audible to start your free trial. Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page   This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode58.

It’s hard to believe, but The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast celebrates its one year anniversary this month! Whether you’re new to the podcast or have listened since Episode 1, you’ll love this recap of the top five episodes plus our favorite episodes.    Holly and I break down the five most-listened to episodes plus what episodes have meant the most to us. We’d love to know what episode you love too, so please share it in the comments!    Thank you! Thank you! In the past year, we’ve had 50,000 downloads of our podcast, which is super exciting! Thank you to everyone who has made this happen. Thank you to all of our listeners and subscribers. We couldn’t have made it this far without you. We especially want to give a shout out to our members of our private Facebook community where we have a lot of discussions related to the podcast! We have enjoyed getting to know you so much.    Also, thank you to those who have shared the podcast, left ratings and reviews, and especially to each of our guests who has taken the time to share her story. It has been such a blessing to talk with each of you, and your contribution has enriched our conversation about leadership as a Christian woman.    Holly and I also want to thank our team which gets this podcast out each week. It’s truly a team effort and we could not do this on our own! The 5 Most Listened-To Episodes Episode 1: Our Leadership Journeys Episode 17: How the Enneagram Can Help You Nurture Healthy Relationships with Beth McCord {RELATIONSHIPS SERIES} Episode 45: Developing Confidence in Your Gifts & Managing Multiple Roles with Breshana Miller Episode 30: How Your Personality Impacts How You Set and Accomplish Goals  Episode 42: Leading in Women’s Ministry, Doing What You Love, and Building a Team with Sandy Flewelling and Holly Cain  Esther’s Favorite Episodes  Can every episode be my favorite? Yes! But here are the three episodes that really stood out to me:   Episode 3: Surviving Loss & Embracing Leadership with Abby Rike Rockenbaugh. I loved these words Abby spoke, “When I say ‘Oh, I’m not a leader,’ I’m calling God a liar. If the things I say to myself are not truthful, I need to go to the only place I can find the truth - God’s word.” Abby also reminded us that our confidence comes from God, and it’s not wrong to acknowledge our spiritual gifts He has given us.   Episode 17: How the Enneagram Can Help You Nurture Healthy Relationships with Beth McCord {RELATIONSHIPS SERIES}. Beth reminds us that we all have longings, but only God fulfills those longings. We need to capture lies and give them back to God.   Episode 43: Creativity, Calling, and Changing Culture with Jenny Randle. This truth from Jenny is sooooo good, “If you are a believer, you have a ministry, and it’s in the everyday minutes of your life, are you glorifying and enjoying God?” I also loved how Jenny reminded us of the importance of not diminishing our voice as women, and that we have the opportunity to impact culture with our gifts.   Holly’s Favorite Episodes Holly shared the three episodes that really resonated with her:   Episode 8: The Key to Becoming a Better Leader. Holly isn’t one for confrontation and loved the section of this episode where we talk about giving feedback.    Episode 11: From Dream Career to Purposeful Leadership with Jenni Catron {PURPOSE SERIES}. Jenni provides us with a leadership framework that applies in every setting. What does it mean to lead well? Relational Leadership (Heart), Spiritual Leadership (Soul), Strategic Leadership (Mind), and Visionary Leadership (Strength).   Episode 42: Leading in Women’s Ministry, Doing What You Love, and Building a Team with Sandy Flewelling and Holly Cain. When we follow our gifting and strengths, it frees others up to follow and work more deeply into their gifts and strengths. Leaders who support and encourage others to serve in their gifting and to lead in their spaces, frees each one up to grow well. There is no ceiling. There is no limit.   What Episode Do You Love?  Holly and I would love to know which episode has impacted and resonated with you. Please share which episode is your favorite in the comments, or share with us inside our Facebook group!   Episode Sponsor: Morningstar Media Services Morningstar Media Services is the agency that I own and run, and I help other business owners launch and manage their podcasts so that their message shines online. My group program, Podcast Propel, provides training and mentorship for those who want to launch a podcast that will help them connect with and grow their business. Go to morningstarmediaservices.com to learn more about our products and services.   Connect with Esther and Holly: Esther’s Website Holly’s Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page   This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode57.

Fear is a common feeling once you start chasing God-shaped dreams, but this fear is not from God. We have a very real enemy to seeks to steal, kill and destroy you and your dreams. Thankfully, we also have a good Father in heaven who loves and cherishes you, and He wants to empower courage in you, especially in the face of fear. In this episode, you'll learn four strategies to overcome the fear and anxiety you feel related to pursuing a God-shaped dream. You will learn how to create your own plan, like I did, to take steps forward, despite your fears. Hear why it's important to discern what is driving your fearful feelings and gain insight on trusting God to intervene on your behalf.    Fear is the struggle I hear about most frequently from listeners and guests on the show. If you feel fear about pursuing your dream, you are not alone. Don't let the enemy tell you that. It's a lie. Instead, listen to my story and decide, based on your own dream, what steps you can take next to stop fear from stealing your dream. This solo episode is tied directly to my last four solo episodes. Check out the show notes for the Bible verses I mentioned in this episode and the links to those episodes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/119.   MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:   The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast and my appearance on the show, with Esther Littlefield     GET MORE INVOLVED...BECOME A DEVOTED DREAMERS PATRON   Your monthly gift supports the podcast and make each episode possible! Click the red button to learn more about the benefits.    GET CONNECTED:   Find your tribe in the Devoted Dreamers Insiders Facebook Group where you can connect with other like-minded women in pursuit of their God-shaped dreams. Leave your review of the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher Subscribe on Apple Podcasts * Subscribe on Android  

Whatever your leadership role, this conversation with Esther Littlefield will teach you about fulfilling your God-given purpose despite the fear that threatens to cripple you or halt your dream altogether. Esther's example of leading a bible study when she didn't feel ready teaches us that you can use your gifts anywhere, whether in motherhood, a full-time job, or serving in your church or community. You don't have to wait. Just start small, be obedient, and let Him bring the results. When God calls you to something bigger than yourself, you might question whether you're the right person for the job. You might think someone else could do it better. Fear is normal—we all feel it to some extent—but fear is not from God. If fear is creeping up on you, the next step is to trust God's character, believe He is good, and know that He is for you and the dreams He's given you! Listen as Esther Littlefield explains what this has been for her and then, find the courage you need to take the next step, regardless of how ready you feel. Writer and host of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast, Esther Littlefield encourages and equips women to embrace their God-given gifts, skills, and passions in order to lead with confidence. Esther is also the founder of Morningstar Media Services, a podcast production agency, helping entrepreneurs launch and manage their podcast so that they can focus on what they love the most. Never satisfied to do just ONE thing, Esther is a busy wife, mom, leader, friend, and entrepreneur. She combines her background as a social worker, network marketer, and blogger to help others achieve their goals in their life and business. You'll find the show notes and all the ways to connect with Esther, here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/118

What is your definition of healthy leadership as a woman in ministry?Have you ever felt like the health of your leadership role is impacted by the health of your marriage? You might be wondering what leadership and marriage have to do with the focus of our ministry at More to Be, and that is completely understandable. While we know that everyone in our tribe is not in leadership role nor married, a good bit of y'all come our way looking for resources to share with the ministries you lead while also seeking out spiritual nourishment and biblical encouragement for yourself.So on this episode of the More to Be Podcast, I invited my good friend, Esther Littlefield to share her story and passion for Christian women in leadership and healthy Christian marriages with us. As a pastor's wife and ministry leader, Esther knows the pressure quite well. Her own experiences inspired her creation of a marriage course at EstherLittlefield.com as well as the creation of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast.While we kick off the episode talking about our mastermind group (suggestions below for starting your own), we quickly transition into the story of Esther's life and faith. Our conversation naturally flows into the tension found between being a natural leader and cultivating a healthy marriage. Esther's wisdom, as well as insights into Scripture, will surely bless you. No matter where you are in your life today, you'll be encouraged to press on in the hope of Christ and see God use your gifts and talents according to His purposes. Scripture FocusPhilippians 1:6Notable Links & MentionsGrab the R.A.W. Scripture Study Method and join us in the More to Be Tribe Facebook Group.Use the More to Be Podcast Reflection Guide to turn this episode into your own personal Bible study.Get to know Esther Littlefield at EstherLittlefield.comListen to the Relationship Series on the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast.Mastermind Structure:Bi-Monthly MeetingsEveryone shares a win.One person on the hot seat.Everyone shares a goal.Everyone shares a resource.Share & BlessListen on iTunes, Stitcher, and SpotifyIf you've been blessed by this podcast, then hope you'll show your support by share it with your friends and family! We would also be so grateful for you to rate and review our podcast wherever you listen.Show Your Support by Joining the Sisterhood CircleWe invite you to become a More to Be Sisterhood Circle Member as a way of supporting this podcast. With your membership support, you'll gain access to our signature courses and resources for FREE plus receive advance notification of new resources, trainings, and special sales.To get access to over $100 worth of bonuses, become a Sisterhood Circle Member by clicking here and upon check-out, enter coupon code “Podcast” to save an additional $20! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What sets Christian business owners apart from the rest? Should we follow the standard business advice out there, or should we be doing things differently? In this conversation, Holly and I dive into the topic of business again. In episode 38, you heard Holly interview me as I shared about my business journey. But today, we are digging into some key principles that we believe set us apart as Christian women in business. Whether you have a business of your own, work in a business environment, or have considered working from home or starting a business, this episode is sure to give you some points to consider! And if you are someone who would like to earn some extra income from home, join me for my free workshop to help you understand your options. It's taking place April 9th, 2019 at 12:30pm Eastern. Sign up here for the free workshop:5 Ways to Earn Income From Home. Ministry or Business? Before we discuss the key principles, we want to tackle one question that we received in our private Facebook group: How do I know if I have a ministry or a business? Holly and I each share our perspectives on this, and we note that we all have a ministry, regardless of what kind of work we do. We are all called to bring glory to God in whatever we do, and we’re also called to make disciples. However, if we are purely discussing ministry vs. business in an organizational sense, we identify a ministry as typically being a non-profit organization whereas a business would be for-profit. In this conversation, we are primarily focusing on business in the traditional sense, where a product or service is being offered in exchange for money. 5 Key Business Principles as a Christian Business Owner: 1. Our focus is a Kingdom focus instead of an earthly one. Colossians 3:2 - “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Having a Kingdom focus will affect the way we view work itself, the way we view our money, and the way we treat others. In episode 3, Abby Rike Rockenbaugh shared that in Christian leadership, we might do things differently than what the typical business advice might be.   2. We steward our money and recognize that it belongs to God. When we view our business finances in this way it really gives us a good perspective on how we handle things.  We are working in God's business and we are handling God’s money so what we do with it matters. Deal with your money mindset. Take your finances seriously. It’s not wrong to make money.   Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.'" The issue is not earning money but rather having a love of money. It comes down to trusting God to provide what you need. At the same time, you need to be willing to work when necessary without being obsessed with money or wealth. Listen to the How They Blog episode about making money as a blogger or online. Listen to episode 35 with Melissa Whaley. Visit Holly's website to learn more about her bookkeeping services. Download Holly's FREE Guide: Best Practices for Handling Money as a Christian Business Owner   3. We treat our clients and customers as people made in God’s image, not just as a means to an end. We believe that if you are a Christian business owner, then every person you interact with should be treated with dignity and respect, because they are made in God’s image. This means that even if they hold different values than you do, or even if they are rude or unkind, we still have the choice to treat them with kindness. Also means that we don’t see our clients or customers just as dollar signs or stats on a page… but rather real people. Honesty, respect, and integrity should mark us as Christian business owners. It’s also important to remember that we never really know what others are going through. We are able to meet people’s needs and minister to them even in the business world by showing them love. Your business does not have to be faith-based to be effective or to be a ministry.   4. With our marketing, we are strategic but not sleazy. There’s a lot of things you can do in marketing that are legal and even praised in the business world…. But they can sometimes become sleazy. It’s possible to promote a product or service without being dishonest. It’s also vital not to be desperate in our marketing attempts. It’s not wrong to sell or to use marketing tools in your efforts, and it’s important to recognize that not everyone will love what you do or buy your product or service.   5. We operate out of our core values. What are core values? They are how we make our decisions. We all have them, but we’re not all intentional about identifying them. Getting clear on your core values will help you make clear decisions. Our core values should be connected to our faith in some way. When we follow other business mentors or leaders, we need to discern whether what they are teaching line up with our core values and/or line up with Biblical principles. It’s easy to get “FOMO” and feel worried about missing out on business or leads if you don’t know what your core values are. Other Episodes Mentioned: Episode 3: Surviving Loss & Embracing Leadership with Abby Rike Rockenbaugh Episode 35: Healing from Ministry Hurts with Melissa Whaley Episode 36: Ditching Balance for Surrender Episode 38: From Social Worker to Business Owner   Connect with Esther, Holly, and the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast:   Esther’s Instagram Holly’s Instagram Podcast Instagram Facebook Page   Episode Sponsor: Confident Leader Club   Today’s show is brought to you by the Confident Leader Club. If you’re a Christian woman leading in ministry or business, and you have a desire for deeper community with other leaders, accountability towards reaching your goals, access to ALL the downloads I’ve created, monthly bonus content including workshops and trainings on specific topics, and much more, I want to invite you to check it out. Visit confidentleaderclub.com to learn more. Key Quotes: “The love of money can affect rich, middle class, and poor. When our obsession becomes money, that is when it’s a wrong perspective and a wrong attitude.” “If I were to only serve Christian business owners, I’m actually losing an opportunity to minister to people who might not otherwise get to know God.” This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode40.

In this episode I talk about my own frazzled history as a mom that led me to desperately seek and understand the concept of balance. I also share a list (I love lists) of things balance is NOT, some faulty balance metaphors (balance beam, anyone?), and a great definition of balance that will work for you, no matter who you are.  LINKS  Becoming a Woman of Freedom, Cynthia Heald (affiliate link) The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast, EP 34 Kristina Kuzmic "Screw Balance" video, on Facebook For The Love, Jen Hatmaker (affiliate link) Finding Your Balance is available on Amazon for $14.99 My blog: thescooponbalance.com Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest (But, honestly, I'm not on social media much because: balance!)  

Esther Littlefield is the writer at EstherLittlefield.com and host of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast where she encourages and equips women to embrace their God-given gifts, skills, and passions in order to lead with confidence. She is also the founder of Morningstar Media Services, an content management agency which helps entrepreneurs increase their visibility and shine online. Never satisfied to do just ONE thing, Esther stays busy as a wife, mom, leader, friend, and entrepreneur. Esther combines her background as a social worker, network marketer, and blogger to help others achieve their goals in their life and business. When she’s not running her agency, writing, or dreaming up a new idea, you can find Esther heading out for a hike with her family, sipping a cup of coffee, or enjoying the occasional Netflix binge. Her 5 top tips:Assess yourself and assess your personality. To work out what type of business to pursue. What are your passions and what do you love and can do long term. What kind of life do you want? Make sure you set up your boundaries from the start, how you want to work with your clients and how you want your life to look. Build relationships with people. 95% of services based businesses are built on through relationships that are built. This will turn over new clients and have a ripple effect. You can do this on Skype or Zoom and be helpful. Just start. Take action. Learn from even the smallest projects even if they don’t work out. Find a business mentor or someone you can learn from whose doing something similar to what you want to do. Her Bible verse for this season: Philippians 1:6 New International Version (NIV)6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.Esther LittlefieldWhere to find EstherHER WEBSITEHER FACEBOOKHER INSTAGRAMHER PODCAST See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this special bonus episode, you’ll hear a conversation that I was able to be a part of with Carey Nieuwhof. I have been part of the book launch team for Carey’s new book, “Didn’t See it Coming”*. As part of the launch team, I had the opportunity to be on a podcast episode to discuss the book and ask Carey questions. In this conversation, you’ll hear us ask Carey questions about the topics in his book and more. We chat about cynicism, dealing with overwhelm in ministry, feeling alone in leadership, creating a healthy culture within churches, and much more. While this is not a typical Christian Woman Leadership Podcast episode where I am interviewing a guest, I am excited to share it with you to cap off our Purpose Series. Many of the issues Carey dives into in this discussion relate to how we as leaders can walk in our purpose, stay healthy, and avoid potential unexpected dangers. Check out Carey’s resources and his blog and podcast here. For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode13. Connect with Esther and the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast: Website Instagram Facebook Group Facebook Page *Affiliate link: If you make a purchase through the link provided, I will receive compensation for referring you at no extra cost to you.  Episode Sponsor: Morningstar Media Services This episode originally aired on The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast Episode 216.  Join the conversation in the Purposeful Leadership Facebook Group by going to estherlittlefield.com/group.

In this episode, I chat with Esther Littleifield, pastor's wife, mom, business owner and host of the new podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast. 

Today on the Working Christian Mom Podcast, I chat with my friend and fellow multi-passionate entrepreneur Esther Littlefield. Esther is a pastor's wife, a mama and the host of The Christian Women Leadership Podcast where she women in leadership to lead well and with confidence. Esther never expected to become a pastor’s wife and in our conversation, she shares about her journey to finding safe people to confide in, what it’s like to be a Working Christian Mom pastor’s wife and how she got over the guilt about not being a stay at home mom. Two Big Takeaways from my conversation with Esther: We all need to find safe people to confide in. Esther and I both believe that we need close relationships with trusted friends. When Esther was experiencing marriage troubles, she couldn’t confide in just anyone at her church. She found safe people who she knew would keep her trust. We all need these people in our lives. And when someone trusts us with their hurts and worries, we need to hold sacred space with that instead of gossiping. If you’re seeking something and don’t see it out there, perhaps you’re being called to create it. Both Esther and I created spaces for women online through our podcasts because we were craving the community we were looking for. Esther also created a Bible Study at her church because she didn’t see what she was looking for. Often times, we have the tendency to stay on the sidelines, wait and wish someone else would just hurry up and create something for us. But often times, that stirring in  your heart is the Lord prompting YOU to start!   Links Mentioned [affiliate links] Create Your Laptop Life Tick Remover UMass Amherst Tick Service About Our Guest: Esther Littlefield is the writer at EstherLittlefield.com and host of The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast, where she encourages and equips women to embrace their God-given gifts, skills, and passions in order to lead with confidence. She is also the founder and CEO of Morningstar Media Services, a digital marketing agency which helps female entrepreneurs run and grow their businesses. Never satisfied to do just ONE thing, Esther stays busy as a pastor's wife, mom, leader, friend, and entrepreneur. Esther combines her background as a social worker, network marketer, and blogger to help others achieve their goals in their life and business. When she’s not running her agency, writing, or dreaming up a new idea, you can find Esther heading out for a hike with her family, sipping a cup of coffee, or enjoying the occasional Netflix binge. Connect with Esther: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest

In our first episode of The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast, Holly and I share why we are starting the podcast, a bit about our own leadership journeys, and what to expect from this podcast. Why We Started the Podcast: There are lots of podcasts about leadership for Christians, but most are by men and/or are specific to pastors. There are also plenty of podcasts for Christian women, but I didn’t find many related to leadership. Also, I have found a number of podcasts for entrepreneurs, even some for Christian women business owners, but these are specific to business and don’t often cover ministry or church life. I saw the need for a podcast for Christian women in leadership that would address leading in ministry, business, or other areas of your life. That’s how The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast was born. I asked Holly to join me on this project because she and I have worked together in leadership roles, and I knew that she would bring a great perspective to the podcast. Plus, we have a lot of fun together! Our Leadership Journeys: Holly and I both share how we discovered that we are leaders, as well as some of the impactful moments and people in our journeys. Holly’s leadership journey began in her younger years when she fell into various leadership roles. She later had some experiences in college that gave her the opportunity to lead, but church is where she truly began to understand her ability to lead and influence. Down the road, she was able to take on a leadership role in her job as well. My leadership journey started as a child as well, but it didn’t occur to me that I was a leader until a few years ago. I was called “bossy” as a child, and I often was put into leadership positions and given opportunities throughout high school and college. As an adult, I began leading alongside my husband in our church when he became the youth pastor and later executive pastor. I also started a women’s small group and my own business. We also discuss how leaders often have a message to share, and we each share a bit our own messages. What to Expect from The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast: We want to bring you the content that will be most helpful to you in your leadership journey. You will likely be encouraged and challenged by the coming episodes. Here’s an idea of what type of episodes you’ll hear: Interviews with Christian women in leadership - some you may have heard of and some you probably have not. Holly & I chatting about topics related to leadership, providing you with resources and encouragement as you grow as a leader. Some solo episodes where I share a training or topic with you. How You Can Connect With Us: Join our Purposeful Leadership Facebook group! In the Facebook group, we can chat about what you need as a leader, what your challenges are, as well as celebrate the wins. This is a great community to learn and grow together. We want to get to know YOU. This episode was first published at EstherLittlefield.com.

If you are a multi-passionate woman who leads in multiple ways, this show is for you. We hope to inspire you to embrace your God-given gifts, skills, and passions in order to lead with confidence! The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast is hosted by Esther Littlefield, a pastor's wife and entrepreneur. Esther is joined by her co-host, Holly Cain, a women's ministry leader, writer, and speaker. It's their goal to provide you with encouragement, tools, and resources to help you live out your unique calling as a leader.  The podcast will officially launch in summer 2018. To learn more, visit https://estherlittlefield.com/podcast/.