Empowered To Lead

67. Did God Really Put Men in Charge?

What if the Bible never actually said what you were taught about women? Many Christian women have been told that Genesis establishes male authority, that Adam was created first, Eve was made to support him, and God’s design is for women to live under male leadership. But what if those ideas were not drawn out of the text… but read into it? In this episode, Jeannette goes back to the beginning, Genesis 1–3 to examine what Scripture actually says about women, men, authority, calling, and God’s original design. With warmth, clarity, and theological insight, she unpacks three common distortions often used to limit women’s leadership and shows why they do not hold up when we read the text carefully. You’ll learn why creation order does not establish male authority, what the Hebrew phrase ezer kenegdo really means, and why “he will rule over you” is a description of sin’s damage, not God’s design. If you’ve ever struggled to trust your calling, felt pressure to shrink your dreams, or wondered whether your leadership is fully affirmed by God, this conversation will help you return to the beginning and see yourself through the truth of Scripture: not secondary, not subordinate, but essential to God’s good creation. Learn m [https://www.jeannettecochran.com/]ore about Jeannette   [http://www.Jeannettecochran.com] Connect with Jeannette on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/jcochrancoach/] Connect with Jeannette on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jeannette.cochran/]

66. Can You Trust Your Heart? Biblical Discernment for Christian Women Leaders

Can you really trust your heart or is it “deceitful above all things” like you may have been taught? In this episode, Jeannette explores what the Bible actually says about the heart, discernment, and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding your decisions. If you’re a Christian woman leader who has ever struggled to trust your intuition, second-guessed your calling, or felt pressure to defer to external authority, this conversation will feel both grounding and freeing. Jeannette unpacks the context of Jeremiah 17:9 and examines how that verse has often been misapplied to silence women’s inner knowing and looks at what Scripture really teaches about Spirit-led wisdom. You’ll learn: * What biblical discernment actually means * Why many women in church leadership have been conditioned to distrust themselves * How patriarchal theology can shape decision-making patterns * What Jesus says about the Holy Spirit guiding you into all truth * How to rebuild trust in your inner discernment without abandoning wise counsel Leadership starts with leading yourself. And self-leadership requires learning how to quiet the noise, invite God into your inner world, and listen for His voice within. If you’re navigating a hard decision, questioning your direction, or longing for clarity about your calling, this episode will help you cultivate Spirit-led discernment with confidence and peace.   Find your primary energy drain. Take the Quiz Here. [https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/698a006e2ee81666770e0743] Free Resources and More [https://www.jeannettecochran.com/]

65. Stop Guessing: The Feedback Skill That Makes You a Better Leader Fast

If you’ve ever wondered what your team is really thinking or felt hesitant to ask because you don’t want to hear criticism, this episode is for you. Jeannette talks about why feedback matters, what’s at stake when leaders aren’t getting honest input, and why critical feedback can trigger shame or defensiveness (even for seasoned leaders).  If you’ve ever swung between shame (“Maybe I’m not cut out for this”) and blame (“They don’t understand what I’m carrying”), this episode will help you step off that exhausting pendulum. You’ll learn why feedback is a leadership growth accelerator, why getting honest feedback often decreases as your authority increases, and how to create a culture where truth-telling is safe and growth is normal. You’ll walk away with: * A simple, step-by-step practice to process feedback without spiraling * A powerful question to ask your team this week to surface real, actionable insight * A fresh invitation to lead with humility, courage, and clarity, without guessing   Learn more about Leadership 360 Feedback  [https://www.jeannettecochran.com/leadership360] Learn more about Jeannette [https://www.jeannettecochran.com/] Connect with Jeannette on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jeannette.cochran/] Connect with Jeannette on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeannettecochran/]

64. Surrendered Leadership in a Broken World, with Special Guest Hannah Munn

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and this episode is both eye-opening and hope-giving. In this conversation, Jeannette sits down with Hannah Munn of Love Justice International, a ministry doing something both bold and brilliantly strategic: preventing human trafficking before it happens. While most of us picture rescue after the fact, Love Justice trains local teams to watch transit corridors (bus stations, border crossings, airports) and step in when something doesn’t look right. Hannah shares what an “intercept” actually looks like (including a moment with a young girl standing alone with no phone, no money, and no way home), why prevention is the “rescue that never has to happen,” and the astonishing impact of their work; over 100,000 people protected from exploitation. But this episode isn’t only about the mission. It’s also about surrendered, Christ-centered leadership, the kind that says yes not just to a calling, but to everyday faithfulness. Hannah opens up about the spiritual practices that keep her steady in heavy work, and how you can partner in this life-saving work. Press play if you need a fresh vision of justice, courage, and what’s possible when women lead with obedience and love.   Learn More About Love Justice International [https://www.lovejustice.ngo/] Learn more about Jeannette   [https://www.jeannettecochran.com/] Connect with Jeannette on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/jcochrancoach/] Connect with Jeannette on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jeannette.cochran/]

63. The One Thing That Derails Most Goals (And What To Do About It)

A new year brings fresh energy, new goals… and that beautiful feeling that this time it’s going to stick. But here’s the truth most people don’t realize until it’s too late: motivation is a great start… and a terrible plan. Because there’s a predictable moment coming when the newness wears off, progress slows down, and your brain starts negotiating for comfort. And if you don’t plan for it now, it can quietly derail the very goals you’re excited about today. In this episode, Jeannette shares a vulnerable story about learning to preach with confidence, how anxiety, slow progress, and self-doubt nearly convinced her to quit… and why staying with the process changed everything. You’ll learn * Why the “messy middle” is normal and what it means when it shows up * The brain science behind why change feels clumsy and exhausting * The 4 stages of competence (and how to know which stage you’re in) * How to set a minimum commitment so you don’t quit before breakthrough If you’re pursuing a health goal, building a volunteer team, setting boundaries, using your voice more, or leading organizational change this episode will help you stay steady when it gets hard. Free Masterclass: 5 Myths that Shrink Women's Influence [https://www.jeannettecochran.com/5mythsmasterclass] Connect with Jeannette on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/jcochrancoach/] Connect with Jeannette on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jeannette.cochran/] Book Your Leadership Growth Session [https://www.jeannettecochran.com/freecoaching].