Better Together With Barb Roose

If we pay attention to what’s happening in our world today, we may toss our hands up in the air and question whether or not anything that we do actually matters. Journalist Dianne Derby thought that she had all of the answers to a successful life but she was never satisfied. Everything changed when she met 100-year old World War II veteran, Jim Downing, at a luncheon. He asked her one question: “Would you like to meet the most fulfilled person you will ever know?”    Join Barb on this new episode of The Better Together Podcast as Dianne shares from her new book Two Hundred Tuesdays, and the life-changing conversations that she had with Jim. If you are longing for a life of significance and sweet satisfaction in Christ, you won’t want to miss this conversation!    RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE Two Hundred Tuesdays by Dianne Derby Connect with Dianne on Facebook!   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST An award-winning journalist, Dianne Derby is a longtime television anchor who is currently coanchor for the KOAA News5 weekday

Where is God in the middle of our suffering? How can we come to grips with the goodness of God when so much in life just doesn't seem to make sense? Join Barb on this new episode of The Better Together Podcast as she speaks with special guest Alexandra V. Hoover. From poverty to abuse to abandonment, Alexandra knows what it looks like to walk through suffering that she just couldn't come to grips with as a young Latina. It was not until she took the time to look back and trace the hand of God in her life that she was able to begin receiving the healing that she desperately needed. And now she wants to help you do the same. This is a powerful conversation that will speak to your heart and remind you of the goodness of God in your past and in your present.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE Eyes Up: How to Trust God’s Heart by Tracing His Hand  alexandravhoover.com Instagram: @alexandravhoover   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Alexandra V. Hoover is a wife, mother of three, daughter, sought-out speaker, and writer. She’s pa

Sometimes, you and the girls have got to get away! God gave us friendships to nurture our hearts, minds and souls in a special way that family may not be able to do. Getaways give us an opportunity to see our lives from a fresh perspective. So, when we combine girlfriends and getaways we give God room to show up in a significant way!   Join Barb and travel expert, Wendy Anderson Schulz, for a fun and practical conversation about getaways, girlfriends, Jesus, and Italy!   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE https://wendyandersonschulz.com/ Instagram: @wendyandersonschulz   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Wendy Anderson Schulz is the founder of Adventures Together, which leads modern pilgrimages for Christian women to France or Italy. She is also a writer and speaker who is passionate about encouraging women in their faith walk. Wendy is married to her college sweetheart Pete, and has two daughters.

God doesn’t hate divorced people! However, if you’ve gone through divorce, you may have been left with the impression that He does. On today’s Better Together podcast, Barb talks with with best-selling author Tracie Miles about her new divorce recovery resource, Living Unbroken Divorce Recovery Workbook. Six and half years ago, Tracie went through a divorce after experiencing the devastation of infidelity, addiction and finally abandonment. As a Christian woman, she knows what it’s like to experience the shame, hopelessness and fear. However, in today’s conversation, Tracie shares her story of how God healed her, how she learned how to trust Him again and as a result, Tracie learned how to love life again and experience God in new life-giving ways.    If you or someone that you know has going through a divorce and need to know that hope and healing is possible, this is the episode for you!   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE Living Unbroken: A Divorce Recovery Workbook https://traciemiles.com/ Tracie's Facebook Pag

Connecting with God doesn't have to be rigid or just about following a bunch of rules. Today's conversation is about relaxing our minds and minds and positioning ourselves to see where God is at work and receive what He speaks to us.   Join Barb and her longtime friend and editor, Sally Sharpe, as they discuss how we can be open and honest about our spiritual needs and the amazing truth that we are loved, seen, heard, and known by God.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE https://www.sallysharpe.net/   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Sally Sharpe is a certified spiritual director who companions others on the spiritual journey, providing a safe where they can share their stories, explore their relationship with God, and attend to their souls. With a long career in Christian publishing, she has acquired and edited Christian living books and devotionals as well as developed and managed a line of in-depth Bible studies called Abingdon Women. In addition to offering spiritual direction, Sally enjoys leading workshops and retreat

It can be easy to just read the Bible as one big storybook without realizing it is filled with diversity and genres that can help us understand it in a much deeper way.  Join Barb and author Kristie Anyabwile for an insightful conversation as she shares about her book, Literarily: How Understanding Bible Genres Transforms Bible Study, and shows us how we can all understand God's Word better! RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE https://kristieanyabwile.com/ Literarily: How Understanding Bible Genres Transforms Bible Study Connect with Kristie on Instagram! ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Kristie is the author of Literarily: How Understanding Bible Genres Transforms Bible Study (Spring 2022), and editor of His Testimonies, My Heritage: Women of Color on the Word of God. She is a Bible teacher at Anacostia River Church, and an instructor for several ministries that equip women to study and teach the Bible, such as The Charles Simeon Trust and Bible Equipping. Kristie is also a founding member of The Pelican Project, a women’s t

Few groups in America feel the sting of negative stereotypes more than young, African Americans. Whether it’s assuming that every young, black woman aspires to be in a rap video, or that every young black male is a gang banger or a drug dealer, those stereotypes undermine the truth that we are surrounded by countless numbers of young, gifted and black souls.  Join Barb and award-winning author and therapist, Sheila Wise Rowe, for an eye-opening, powerful yet tender conversation about the celebration as well as the lament that young, African Americans grapple with each day. If your heart’s desire has been to see people through the eyes and heart of God, this is a conversation that you don’t want to miss. RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE sheilawiserowe.com Young, Gifted, and Black Young, Gifted, and Black by Nina Simone (song) ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Sheila Wise Rowe is a truth-teller who writes passionately about matters of faith and emotional healing. She advocates for the dignity, rights, and healing of abuse sur

From the top of our head to the tips of our toes, every woman wants to know that she is beautiful. Author, Dorena Williamson, dreams of teaching brown-skinned little girls that they are beautiful in a world that doesn’t always tell them that.  In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, you’re invited into a precious and tender conversation about the battle for beauty as a black woman, and how we can teach young girls, especially black girls, God’s beautiful truth about them. We’re also going to spill the tea on the secrets of black hair! RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE dorenawilliamson.com The Celebration Place Crowned with Glory ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Dorena Williamson loves the power of a good story and writes children’s books that adults need too. She is the author of ColorFull, ThoughtFull, and GraceFull, and forthcoming books include A Celebration Place (IVPKids) and Crowned with Glory (WaterBrook Multnomah). She and her husband Dr. Chris Williamson planted multiethnic Strong Tower Bible Church in 1995

Everything on social media screams that we are not good enough. We are not young enough, skinny enough, popular enough, or wealthy enough. But it’s all lies! You are God’s beloved daughter and made in His magnificent image.    On this episode of The Better Together Podcast, Barb’s guest, Aubrey Sampson, talks about her new book “Known” and how we can let go of the false labels that leave us feeling ashamed. Aubrey shows us how to let go of self-doubt and embrace God’s best!   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE http://www.aubreysampson.com/ Known    ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST   Aubrey Sampson serves on the teaching and preaching team at Renewal Church in West Chicago, which she co-planted with her husband, Kevin. Aubrey writes regularly for Christine Caine’s Propel Women and has contributed to Proverbs 31, Ann Voskamp’s A Holy Experience, Christianity Today, and more. She also speaks at churches and events around the country. Aubrey has her master’s degree in Evangelism and Leadership from Wheaton College and is the co-

Perhaps you or someone that you know can relate to sitting in church on Sunday wracked with guilt and shame over what happened a few hours earlier on Saturday night. What’s the next step if you realize that you want to experience God’s forgiveness and grace because the path that you’re on is breaking your heart and ruining your life?   Join Barb and her guest, Erin Kui for a conversation about finding freedom from temptation, sexual sin and the meaningless pursuit of the next party. Erin will tell us about the two praying women in her life, the small group at her church that cared, not condemned her and how God led her to new life in Christ.   This is the perfect episode for anyone who feels like they are too far gone to deserve God’s favor. It’s not true!   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE Fun and Holy One Transforming Love by Erin Kiu   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST   Erin Kiu is passionate about helping women have a transforming relationship with Jesus while attracting their future husbands along the way. After exper

Are there pressing questions on your mind about your sexuality as a single Christian woman but you don't know where to have that open and honest conversation? On this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Barb talks with author and podcast host, Kat Harris, who has a passion for coming alongside women and helping them understand God's good design for sex while also saying goodbye to sexual shame.  In this conversation we talk about ALL.THE.THINGS. and don't shy away from questions like, "What is sex?", "Is it okay to masturbate?", and, "Is anyone else still waiting for marriage?" Prepare for a power-packed, vulnerable and grace-filled conversation.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE Kat's Website Sexless In The City The Refined Collective Podcast Instagram: @therefinedwoman   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Kat Harris is the host of The Refined Collective Podcast, and Co-Founder of the online publication The Refined Woman. Her first book Sexless in the City will hit bookstores April 2021. She has also been a full-time

On this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Barb talks with a woman who spent a lot of her life feeling guilty and now teaches other women how to walk in God’s victory and grace. Amy Martinez is a former radio show host, speaker, and author who is devoted to helping women with heart-shattered lives to become whole again in Christ. Barb and Amy discuss the overwhelming guilt that we can feel after making mistakes and how we can trust God’s Holy Spirit to transform our mess if we are movable and teachable. If you’ve felt haunted by the mistakes of your past, this episode is for you. RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE AmyElaine.com ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Amy Elaine is an inspirational speaker, former radio show host, and gifted teacher. Her ministry is devoted to helping women with heart-shattered lives become whole again in Christ. She loves to tell the story of how Jesus made her a broken girl made whole through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Married to the love of her life, David, Amy Elaine is a mo

There are times in life when it all falls apart and we wonder if we’ll ever be right again. Barb’s guest today declares that we can believe that God is the God of second chances! Barb’s guest, best-selling author Kathleen Y’Barbo, was sure that her career was over after divorce in 2003. Instead, Kathleen realized that God was there when she was certain that He wasn’t, and He was working out a plan for her that she never could have imagined. Seventeen years later, Kathleen is the traditionally published author of more than 100 books that have sold two million copies in the US and abroad. In this episode, Barb and Kathleen talk about second chances, learning how to wait on God, and her newest book, The Yes Dare. This is a conversation you won't want to miss!   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE kathleenybarbo.com The Yes Dare   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Publishers Weekly Bestselling author Kathleen Y’Barbo is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee and bestselling author of more than one hundred books with over two mil

Are you a people pleaser? Today’s conversation is so good and so needed! Join Barb and her friend best-selling author Karen Ehman for a much needed, soul-freeing conversation about her new book, “When Making Others Happy Is Making You Miserable”. Karen will tell you how to break the pattern of people pleasing and confidently live your life in a way that pleases God while still loving others. Oh, and you’ve got to hear Karen’s 7 “stop it” statements for people pleasers!   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE www.karenehman.com When Making Others Happy Is Making You Miserable   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Karen Ehman is a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker, a New York Times bestselling author, and a writer for Encouragement for Today, an online devotional that reaches over 4 million people daily. She has written seventeen books including Keep It Shut, Pressing Pause, and Keep Showing Up. Karen’s passion is to help women to live their priorities as they reflect the gospel to a watching world. Married to her college sweetheart, T

Why do Christian women report sexual satisfaction rates 47 points lower than their husbands? What if Christian women experience lower sexual satisfaction because of how we teach about sex in sermons and popular marriage books? These provocative questions are answered by Sheila Gregoire, author of the new research based book, The Great Sex Rescue: The Lies You’ve Been Taught and How To Recover What God Intended. Sheila and Barb dive into an honest, controversial, yet absolutely necessary conversation about marriage and everything that Christian women are taught about sex. Sheila teaches us that great sex is the fulfillment of a longing for intimacy rather than just one-sided pleasure. In our conversation, she is going to equip us to see sex as God intended: personal, pleasurable, pure, prioritized, pressure-free, and passionate.    RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE To Love, Honor, and Vacuum The Great Sex Rescue   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Sheila Wray Gregoire is the face behind ToLoveHonorandVacuum.com, the largest s

Marriage is a good thing! God is still raising up the next generation of husbands and wives who are passionate about godly marriage.    If you are a parent of young adults, you don’t want to miss this episode as Barb talks with Malachi and Courtney Green about hope for marriage and the lessons that they are teaching about God-honoring marriage to the next generation. Malachi and Courtney are passionate about growing together as a couple as well as growing God’s kingdom. In this episode, they are sharing with Barb and Tabitha important lessons that you can share with the young adults in your life.    RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE Malachi and Courtney's YouTube Channel As You Wait Academy   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUESTS Malachi and Courtney Green are the Pastors of Heart of God Ministry although online many know them as The Greens. Their mission is to normalize Christ and never dilute his power. Their ministry focus is to train, and disciple Christians in all aspects of life. They also share a strong passion for Chris

It takes a lot of courage to go on an overseas mission trip. Barb has served on 10 trips to Central America over the past 15 years. Without a doubt, saying yes to an overseas mission trip can change your life and revolutionize your faith. However, it’s important to show up with humility vs. expecting that another culture will look like our country.    Join Barb for an important conversation with speaker and missionologist, Mekdes Haddis. She is the author of the upcoming book, Just Missions, to help missionaries and ministry leaders engage in healthy conversation and discuss the harmful effects of western missions. Mekdes answers the 5 crucial questions that you need to ask before your next overseas mission trip. Ultimately, she equips us to show up and to show love in a way that honors God and respects others.    RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE Mekdes' Website: mekdeshaddis.com   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Mekdes was born and raised in Ethiopia and moved to the United States in 2003 to pursue her studies. She has h

Do you ever feel like, you know you should love God’s Word, but you struggle with opening up your Bible and believing what it says?   In this episode, Barb speaks with author Tricia Lott Williford as she shares her story of loss, heartache, and learning to trust God and His words, even in the painful parts of her life. Whatever hurt or heartache you are walking through right now, you are not alone. Let's draw near to God together!   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE Tricia's Website: tricialottwilliford.com "This Book Is For You" by Tricia Lott Williford   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Tricia writes, blogs, co-hosts the "Let's Talk Soon" podcast with her brother Rob, and speaks about faith in the face of loss / and hope when the miracle isn't yours. With raw transparency, honest grief, laughable joy, and a captivating voice, she shares the hard pieces of her story—and the redemption God offers in the midst of it. Tricia is the author of Just. You. Wait.; You Can Do This; And Life Comes Back; and Let's Pretend We're Norma

"My God is the author of resurrection." -Laney Houser From the outside, everyone assumed that Laney Houser was a superwoman and had it all. She was a pastor's wife, had two Masters' degrees and owned a successful counseling practice.  However, behind the successful and shiny veneer of ministry and career success, Laney didn't want people to know that she was crumbling from the inside out. For years, she didn't want to admit it to herself. Finally, the toll of living in an abusive marriage, excessive overworking and a chronic health condition pushed Laney over the edge into a complete mental health breakdown. In this episode of the Better Together podcast, I talk with Laney about her decision to let go of everything in her life and check in for in-patient treatment to recover from her breakdown. It's a story that Laney is proud of because she explains that letting go of the life that was killing her opened the door for God to resurrect a new life filled with new purpose, passion and most of all, healing. Now,

“Being strong isn’t about perfection and it’s not about having it all together. It’s about having the tools to shift and turn it around when we’re feeling overwhelmed, distracted and looking for a pathway out.” -Susan Seay   How do you define a "strong woman"? This is one of those phrases that represents what we want to be, but often we never quite feel strong, especially when our lives are filled with struggle. Strong isn't having it all together and strong isn't perfection. In my experience, I've learned that strength is often something that I can't always see in myself, but I can make decisions that will make me strong - whether I feel it or not. On today's Better Together podcast, my friend Susan Seay shares the three decisions that can start making today that will infuse your life with strength. Best of all, today's conversation is deep and 'fo real! As a wife and homeschool mother of 7, Susan talks about tough family challenges that their family has navigated such as parenting, marriage struggles and wo