Echos of Impact

Ep. 104: Love That Gets Its Hands Dirty with Janet McMahon

Some conversations stay with you long after the recording ends. This is one of them. Janet McMahon joins us to talk about what it actually looks like to love your neighbor — not from a distance, not just with a program, but up close, with your hands dirty and your heart wide open. Janet is the Kansas City Metro Area Director for CarePortal. Prior to her work with CarePortal, she served as one of the pastors of Restore Community Church, a church she and her husband founded in 2008. Restore is a CarePortal church that has met the needs of over 1,700 children in the past 10 years. With a background in social work, child welfare, mental health, and vocational ministry, Janet brings both wisdom and tenderness to this conversation. She has spent her life showing up for families in crisis — and she has a lot to say about what that actually requires of us. This episode is for anyone who has ever wanted to do more but didn't know where to start. It's for anyone who has burned out trying to be everything for everyone. And it's for anyone who believes the church is meant to be more than a Sunday morning experience — and is ready to live that out. What We Cover: * Janet's journey from social worker to pastor to CarePortal director * What CarePortal is and how it connects local churches to real, vetted needs of children and families in crisis * Why getting up close to need is often what changes your heart * How serving can become a form of discipleship * The moment Janet walked into a home and a mama said, "This is what depression looks like" * How to show up for someone without trying to be their savior * Setting goals and boundaries so you can keep serving without burning out * What silence, solitude, and sitting at the feet of Jesus has to do with staying grounded in this work * The boy with duct tape on his glasses — and why one small act of kindness can matter more than we realize Key Quotes: "Once you cross that line, you can't unsee what you now know about your own community… and it's going to wreck you in the most beautiful way." — Janet McMahon "You are not going to be anybody's case manager today. You're not going to be anybody's social worker today. You are going to be a friend." — Janet McMahon Connect with Janet McMahon: CarePortal: https://careportal.org [https://careportal.org] Restore Community Church: https://restorecc.org [https://restorecc.org] Instagram: @janet.mcmahon Join the Conversation: Did this episode move you? We'd love to hear what landed for you. Come find us on Instagram or share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ [https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/] Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact [https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact] Enjoying Echos of Impact? If this conversation meant something to you, would you take a second to follow the show and leave a review? It helps more people find us — and that matters more than you know. Thank you for being here. 🤍

Ep. 103: Forgiveness Without Pretending with Chrissy Taylor

"Sometimes forgiveness starts with, "God, help me want to." In this deeply honest episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with Chrissy Taylor, a dear friend, pastor's wife, former school counselor, and adoptive mama to twins, to talk about forgiveness, grief, father wounds, miscarriage, and what it looks like to bring our whole heart before God. Chrissy shares how her relationship with God shifted when she began to understand Him not just as Creator, but as a good Father who truly loved her. From learning to forgive herself, to walking through an eight-year journey of forgiving her dad, Chrissy reminds us that forgiveness doesn't mean pretending everything is okay. It doesn't erase grief, remove boundaries, or force a relationship back to what it was. Together, Briana, Cherise, and Chrissy explore the kind of forgiveness that is honest, slow, and deeply rooted in obedience — the kind that lets God meet us in the middle of our pain instead of asking us to clean ourselves up first. Chrissy also shares vulnerably about losing two babies through miscarriage and how God met her in her anger, grief, and heartbreak with gentleness instead of shame. What We Cover: Chrissy's journey from knowing about God to truly experiencing Him as a loving Father How God first led Chrissy to forgive herself and release the shame she had been carrying Why forgiveness does not mean saying "it's okay" when something was deeply hurtful The slow, eight-year process of forgiving her dad before reconciliation ever came How forgiveness can coexist with grief, boundaries, sadness, and unmet expectations What it looked like for Chrissy to be brutally honest with God after miscarriage Why staying in conversation with God matters, even when we are angry, confused, or hurting How Scripture became personal for Chrissy as she learned to read God's Word as a daughter deeply loved by Him Key Quotes: "Forgiveness doesn't mean it was okay." "God, help me to want to." "I didn't stop talking to Him. It wasn't pretty, but I didn't stop talking to Him." "Nothing was going to change except I was going to cut out the one source of hope and comfort that I had." "Even if it doesn't look the way you dreamed it would, there is a joy and a true love that God gives when you forgive." Connect with Chrissy Taylor: Chrissy does not have public links to share at this time, but we are so grateful for the way she opened her heart and shared her story with us. Join the Conversation: Have you ever felt like forgiveness meant you had to pretend you weren't hurt? We'd love to hear what this episode stirred in you. Come share your thoughts with us on Instagram or inside our Facebook community. Follow us on Instagram: Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ [https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/] Join our Facebook Group: Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact [https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact] Final Notes: If this episode encouraged you, don't forget to follow Echos of Impact and leave a review. Your support helps us continue sharing honest, faith-filled stories like Chrissy's. Until next week, friends! 💛

Ep. 102: Motherhood Without Regret: Trusting God with Your Children

What if your success as a mom was never measured by how your kids turn out? In this Mother's Day week episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with Rhonda Stoppe, Christian humorist, popular speaker, bestselling author of seven books, and host of the award-winning podcast Old Ladies Know Stuff. With 40 years of experience helping women build no-regret lives, Rhonda brings wisdom, humor, and biblical encouragement to a conversation about motherhood, faith, and trusting God with the next generation. Rhonda is also a regular contributor for Crosswalk and Focus on the Family, a pastor's wife, mother of four, and grandmother of 15. Her newest book, Moms of the Bible: Life-Changing Lessons from the Fearless, Flawed, and Faithful, explores what today's mothers can learn from the women in Scripture — not perfect women, but real women whose stories reveal faith, failure, surrender, courage, and the faithfulness of God. In this conversation, Rhonda shares the heart behind Moms of the Bible and why these stories matter so deeply for moms today. From Jochebed placing Moses in the basket, to Rebekah trying to control God's promise, to Esther's influence as a stepmom, to the painful warning found in Herodias' bitterness, Rhonda helps us see Scripture through the lens of motherhood in a fresh and powerful way. Together, Briana, Cherise, and Rhonda talk about releasing control, trusting God with our children's stories, breaking unhealthy patterns, resisting people-pleasing, and remembering that motherhood is not about perfection — it's about faithfulness. Rhonda also shares personal stories from her own motherhood journey, including walking through her son's epilepsy, learning to surrender the future she imagined for him, and watching God use that very season to shape him into the worship pastor he is today. This episode is for the mom who has whispered, I'll be a better mom tomorrow. For the mom who wonders if she is doing enough. For the mom who is learning to let go. And for the mom who needs to be reminded that God has always used fearless, flawed, and faithful women to impact generations. What We Cover: * The heart behind Rhonda's newest book, Moms of the Bible * Why the stories of biblical mothers still matter for moms today * What Jochebed teaches us about trusting God when we have to let go * How Rebekah's story reveals the danger of trying to control God's promises * Why Esther's influence matters deeply for stepmoms and blended families * What Herodias' story teaches about bitterness and generational pain * How motherhood can reveal our struggle with fear, control, and people-pleasing * Why a mom's success is not measured by how perfectly her children turn out * How God can use our hardest trials to shape our children's faith * Breaking unhealthy generational patterns through the wisdom of Christ * Encouragement for moms who feel like they are living in survival mode * Remembering that the "mundane" moments of motherhood are still deeply valuable Key Quotes: "Success does not lie in how well your kids turn out. Your success is found in how well you loved and followed Christ." "Your trial's not always about you. Your trial validates your testimony to your watching children." "People pleasing isn't pleasing. Don't raise your kids for what people think of you." "You are God's appointed person in history to influence this generation." "In the seemingly mundane-ness of motherhood, please don't lose sight of the valuable investment you will make in your children, your grandchildren, and future generations." Connect with Rhonda Stoppe: Visit Rhonda's Website: https://www.rhondastoppe.com/ [https://www.rhondastoppe.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Learn more about Moms of the Bible: https://www.rhondastoppe.com/moms-of-the-bible-book/ [https://www.rhondastoppe.com/moms-of-the-bible-book/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Explore Rhonda's free resources: https://www.rhondastoppe.com/free-resources/ [https://www.rhondastoppe.com/free-resources/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Listen to Rhonda's podcast, Old Ladies Know Stuff: https://www.rhondastoppe.com/old-ladies-know-stuff/ [https://www.rhondastoppe.com/old-ladies-know-stuff/] Follow Rhonda on Instagram: @rhondastoppe Join the Conversation: For the moms listening — what part of motherhood has required you to trust God in a deeper way? Maybe it's releasing control. Maybe it's breaking patterns you grew up with. Maybe it's watching your child walk through something painful. Maybe it's learning that God never asked you to be a perfect mom — just a faithful one. Come share your thoughts with us on Instagram or inside our Facebook community. We'd love to hear what this episode stirred in you. Follow us on Instagram: Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ [https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/] Join our Facebook Group: Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact [https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact] Final Notes: If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow and leave a review. Your support helps us continue sharing faith-filled conversations and stories like Rhonda's. And to every mom listening this week — we hope this episode reminds you that you are not alone. God has always worked through imperfect mothers, ordinary moments, painful seasons, and surrendered hearts. Your motherhood matters, even in the moments that feel unseen. Until next week, friends! 💛

Ep. 101 When Everything Feels Like It Falls on You with Briana & Cherise

What happens when the weight you're carrying was never meant to be yours in the first place? In this honest and deeply relatable episode of Echos of Impact, Briana Gray and Cherise Thompson sit down for one of their monthly catch-up conversations to talk about the invisible weight so many women carry every single day. From moving, grief, parenting, overthinking, and major life transitions, Briana and Cherise open up about what it feels like when everything suddenly falls on you. Together, they unpack the pressure women often feel to hold everything together for everyone around them — and the difference between the burdens God asks us to carry and the ones we were never meant to hold in the first place. Cherise shares the emotional weight of preparing to sell their home and move their family, describing the experience as feeling like "transition" during labor — where there's no turning back and you simply have to keep going. Briana reflects on navigating grief, stepping into her first public speaking engagement, and learning what it looks like to surrender control instead of trying to fix everything herself. This episode is a reminder that we were never meant to carry the entire weight of the world on our shoulders. Honest, grounding, and faith-filled, this conversation will encourage anyone walking through a season that feels heavy. What We Cover: * Cherise's family transition and preparing to move * Briana's experience with grief and loss * The emotional weight women carry in everyday life * Overthinking, responsibility, and trying to control outcomes * Why "helper" and "fixer" roles can become overwhelming * Learning to surrender instead of carrying everything alone * Practical ways to hand worries and burdens over to God * What true peace actually looks like in hard seasons Key Quotes: "I think a lot of us carry more than we were ever meant to." "I'll wake up at 3 a.m. and be like, 'I should be worried about this.' When in reality, I can't control the outcome of it." "What we're doing is we're trying to take God's job." "Peace doesn't always mean the situation changes. Sometimes it means we feel more grounded even when it doesn't." Join the Conversation: Have you ever been in a season where it all felt like it was on you? We'd love to hear from you. Follow us on Instagram: Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ [https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/] Join our Facebook Group: Echos of Impact Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact [https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact] Final Notes: If this episode encouraged you, don't forget to follow, share, and leave a review. Your support helps us continue creating honest, faith-filled conversations that remind women they're not alone in what they carry. Until next week, friends 💛

Ep. 100: Who Am I Without My Kids? Navigating the Empty Nest with Purpose with Kate Battistelli

No one really prepares you for the moment your kids don't need you the same way anymore. In this inspiring episode of Echos of Impact, Briana sits down with Kate Battistelli, bestselling author, speaker, and mentor to women in every season, to talk about identity, purpose, and what it looks like to follow God when life changes in ways we didn't expect. Kate shares her incredible journey—from Broadway performer to walking away from a thriving career in obedience to God—and how those pivotal moments shaped the way she sees purpose today. As a mom who poured everything into raising her daughter, she opens up about the unexpected emotions of the empty nest season and the question so many women quietly carry: Who am I without this role that once defined me? Together, Briana and Kate explore what it means to trust God not just in the big, life-altering decisions, but in the quiet transitions that can feel just as overwhelming. This conversation is honest, encouraging, and full of reminders that God is never finished with your story—and that He always has more for you. What We Cover: Kate's journey from Broadway to ministry and motherhood The moment God asked her to lay down her career in obedience The emotional reality of the empty nest season Why "mom" was never meant to be your only identity The importance of generational mentorship and doing life together How to navigate adult relationships with your children The power of prayer—especially when you feel like it's all you can do Why obedience to God always has both a cost and a reward Key Quotes: "Obedience is always going to have a cost… but it always has a reward." "God has more for you—no matter what season you're in." "Your only weapon is prayer." Connect with Kate Battistelli: Website: https://katebattistelli.com [https://katebattistelli.com]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katebattistelli/ [https://www.instagram.com/katebattistelli/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateBattistelli/ [https://www.facebook.com/KateBattistelli/] X (Twitter): https://x.com/katebattistelli [https://x.com/katebattistelli] Grab Her Book: The After Party of the Empty Nest https://katebattistelli.com/the-after-party-of-the-empty-nest/ [https://katebattistelli.com/the-after-party-of-the-empty-nest/] Join the Conversation: Who are you becoming in this season of your life? If you've ever wrestled with identity, purpose, or what comes next—we'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or in our Facebook group! Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ [https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/] Life Coaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewomanssuccesscode/ [https://www.instagram.com/thewomanssuccesscode/] Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact [https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact] Final Notes: If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow and leave a review. Your support helps us continue to share meaningful conversations like Kate's. Until next week, friends! 💛