Up Until Now with Kristen Hallinan: Healing | Redemption | Hope

Cristina Baker on Praying through Your Desperation

Sometimes the most powerful prayers are the simplest ones whispered in desperation. In this inspiring episode, Kristen Hallinan sits down with Christina Baker to talk about her journey from addiction and brokenness to freedom and deep friendship with God. Christina shares how one life-changing encounter with God transformed everything—and how prayer became her lifeline. Drawing from her book *A Minute of Hope*, she offers encouragement for anyone longing to connect with God but unsure where to start. This conversation is a reminder that no matter how far you’ve gone, hope is always just a prayer away.   More about Cristina: Cristina Baker’s passion is to minister the Gospel and teach people about the power of prayer that is found in a relationship with Jesus. She’s an author, speaker, and author of A Minute of Hope. After a 10-year battle with drug addiction, Cristina had a radical encounter with the love and power of God and immediately answered the call on her life to minister the Gospel. Cristina and her husband are founders of Power of Hope Ministries, and they currently live in Nashville, Tennessee with their teenage son, and three dogs.   LINKS: Get Cristina's Book, God, A Minute of Hope:  HERE [https://www.amazon.com/Minute-Hope-Prayers-Steadfast-Challenges/dp/140025339X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2V1344XKAKI0B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qknAfIalac6r-Akn_WYazg2uiy7gxB8-I3ej_1uCCGg.b1INjdG28AMLrB0mG0RlLJUAPv_NzmCYBKVfMLU1STY&dib_tag=se&keywords=a+minute+of+hope+cristina+baker&qid=1752507383&sprefix=a+minute+of+h%2Caps%2C241&sr=8-1] Connect with Cristina on Instagram: HERE [https://www.instagram.com/itscristinabaker/] Follow Kristen on Instagram here: HERE [https://www.instagram.com/kristen.hallinan/] Find Kristen's book, Legacy Changer: HERE [https://amzn.to/3VUyKWQ]

Courtney Devich on The Truth About Anxiety and Motherhood

Motherhood can be beautiful—and incredibly overwhelming. In this honest and relatable episode, Kristen Hallinan talks with Courtney Devich about the silent struggles many moms face with anxiety and depression. Courtney shares her personal journey through postpartum anxiety, the battle to distinguish everyday worries from deeper mental health challenges, and the faith that carried her through it. Together, they break down the stigma, offer practical tools for managing anxiety, and highlight why it’s so important to model mental health awareness for our kids. If you’ve ever felt alone in your struggles, this conversation is a reminder that you're not broken—you’re human, and you're definitely not alone.   More about Courtney: Courtney Devich is a mama relying on Jesus and reheated coffee every day. Using humor, honesty, and relatability, she writes with a heart for the mom struggling with anxiety or depression. Her writing has appeared in Her View From Home, TODAY Parents, and For Every Mom, among others. Courtney is a former human resources professional, using her leadership skills to manage kids as a stay-at-home mom. You can find her in the Starbucks line at her local Target, binge-watching TV with her husband, or chasing after a kid (or two) at her home in Michigan. LINKS: Get Courtney's Book, God, Mama's got Anxiety:  HERE [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0800745043/?bestFormat=true&k=mama%27s%20got%20anxiety&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_de_k0_1_12&crid=2MIS5XBNB1RIY&sprefix=mamas%20got%20an] Connect with Courtney on Instagram: HERE [https://www.instagram.com/courtneydevichauthor/] Follow Kristen on Instagram here: HERE [https://www.instagram.com/kristen.hallinan/] Find Kristen's book, Legacy Changer: HERE [https://amzn.to/3VUyKWQ]

Niki Hardy on It's Okay to Ask: When Questioning Deepens Faith

Is it possible that your doubt isn’t a detour—but an invitation? In this deeply honest episode, Kristen Hallinan sits down with Nikki Hardy to explore the powerful intersection of faith and questioning. Drawing from her book *Can We Chat?*, Nikki shares how her battles with loss, cancer, and leadership in crisis opened the door to a more authentic, resilient relationship with God. They unpack how doubt and faith can coexist, and introduce the CHAT conversation guide—an approachable, practical tool for turning uncertainty into meaningful dialogue with God. If you’ve ever felt hesitant to bring your hard questions to Him, this episode will remind you: God is not afraid of your doubt—He welcomes it.   More about Niki: Niki Hardy is the author of Audi Award nominated, Breathe Again and One Minute Prayers for Women with Cancer. Her new book, God, Can We Chat? A Daringly Honest Guide to Growing Closer to God, One Doubt at a Time, hits the shelves March 2025 . Niki’s been featured in places like the Hallmark Channel, Life Today, Relevant Magazine, 100 Huntley St, and Premier Radio. Having left corporate life, been to seminary, moved continents, planted churches, started businesses and nonprofits, and navigated loss, cancer, church hurt and painful uncertainty, she firmly believes God loves a cheerful doubter. Niki lives in North Carolina with her husband and ridiculous Doodle, Charlie, who is the main reason their three grown kids come home.      LINKS: Get Niki's Book, God, Can We Chat?:  HERE [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0800746708/?bestFormat=true&k=god%20can%20we%20chat%20niki%20hardy&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_de_k2_1_11&crid=K7AYDMNU6BKD&sprefix=Niki%20Hardy%20] Connect with Niki on Instagram: HERE [https://www.instagram.com/niki.hardy/] Follow Kristen on Instagram here: HERE [https://www.instagram.com/kristen.hallinan/] Find Kristen's book, Legacy Changer: HERE [https://amzn.to/3VUyKWQ]

Kara Stout on Faith in The Face of Anxiety

When life feels heavy and emotions run deep, where do you turn? In this honest and hope-filled episode, Kristen Hallinan sits down with Kara Stout to talk about navigating anxiety, grief, and uncertainty through the lens of faith. Kara opens up about her journey through loss, health struggles, and infertility—and how each challenge became an invitation to trust God more deeply. Together, they explore the power of prayer, the beauty of surrender, and the lessons learned through parenting and pain. If you’ve ever wondered where God is in the middle of your mess, this conversation will remind you: He’s closer than you think.   More about Kara: Kara Stout is a writer, wife, and new adoptive mom living in Los Angeles, California. Kara writes devotionals for Her True Worth, a women’s online ministry. Kara has her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Arizona State University and her master’s degree in counseling from Loyola University Chicago. After walking through a personal medical crisis and the loss of both of her parents to cancer, her life radically changed, and her complete dependency on God for strength and peace became a non-negotiable. Her hope is to encourage women in their faith, pointing them to their Great Comforter and Greatest Companion.   LINKS: Get Kara's Book, An Untroubled Heart:  HERE [https://www.amazon.com/Untroubled-Heart-Calming-Anxiety-Finding/dp/0310465354/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HPB15KXYXASI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.B4TF85EcNrx1jMwm1H5Ogb-rbeEei66lYnCFxkxUdlI.iPwzcrWsMBa87BPJxRKqSm6r4Ng7MlRBRuRzcRbFTDo&dib_tag=se&keywords=kara+stout&qid=1749482782&sprefix=kara+stout%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-1] Connect with Kara on Instagram: HERE [https://www.instagram.com/sincerelybykara/] Follow Kristen on Instagram here: HERE [https://www.instagram.com/kristen.hallinan/] Find Kristen's book, Legacy Changer: HERE [https://amzn.to/3VUyKWQ]

Julia Ubbenga on Living Light: Faith, Family, and Minimalism

When life feels overwhelming, what if less really *is* more? In this refreshing episode, Kristen Hallinan sits down with Julia Ubbenga to explore how minimalism can transform not just your home—but your heart, mind, and family. Julia shares her powerful journey from consumerism to intentional living, offering practical tips to declutter your space and soul. They unpack common myths about minimalism, the surprising link between simplicity and happiness, and how faith plays a central role in letting go of what doesn’t serve you. If you're craving clarity, peace, and purpose, this conversation will inspire you to make room for what truly matters.   More about Julia: Julia Ubbenga is the creator of the popular blog Rich in What Matters and author of Declutter Your Heart and Your Home. Her online projects, which have attracted over fifty million views, help others let go of inner and outer clutter and reorder their lives around what matters most. Julia resides in Kansas City with her husband and their four children. LINKS: Get Julia's Book, Declutter Your Heart and Your Home:  HERE [https://www.amazon.com/Declutter-Your-Heart-Home-Minimalist/dp/0310368960/ref=sr_1_1?crid=15MG5EZ07W4UI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wnC3RxMv9-DJAaxz-HWblFowa_og_Eu3xXJMTo_KGFYxI67MXUAUUc00t2NevsTC.TK5qIgiMn3kl54wVux_5vzuY1WBmc8oG00SWsBZQ4qU&dib_tag=se&keywords=julia+ubbenga+books&qid=1749152854&sprefix=julia+ubbenga%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-1] Connect with Julia on Instagram: HERE [https://www.instagram.com/richinwhatmatters/] Follow Kristen on Instagram here: HERE [https://www.instagram.com/kristen.hallinan/] Find Kristen's book, Legacy Changer: HERE [https://amzn.to/3VUyKWQ]