Holding Grief & Hope Together

Holding Grief & Hope Together

Holding Grief & Hope Together with: Jen Donaldson In this deeply tender episode of the Rooted Podcast, Crystal sits down with Jen Donaldson to talk about the unimaginable reality of grieving the loss of a child while continuing to live and find hope in this life.  Jen shares how loss profoundly impacted every part of her life, yet through the pain, God began bringing beauty from ashes. Rather than ignoring grief or rushing past it, Jen beautifully embraces the reality of sorrow while courageously taking steps forward in healing and purpose. Through her journey, Jen felt called into a new season — pursuing a career in nursing to help care for other families. She also founded The Blakelyn Foundation, a non-profit that helps families facing medical and funeral expenses while also providing meaningful keepsake memorabilia to honor and remember their babies. This conversation is honest, hope-filled, and a reminder that even in our deepest heartbreak, God is still near, still working, and still bringing beauty from ashes. “...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes...” — Isaiah 61:3 You can find out more about The Blakelyn Foundation here: https://www.blakelynfoundation.org/ https://www.therootedministry.com

The Motherhood Journey | Letting God Lead

In this episode, Reyn actually hosts me and asks me questions about faith and motherhood. It’s such a sweet and honest conversation to have with my girl. What I keep realizing in this journey is that so much of motherhood is really about me learning to let God parent me through the unknown. Learning to let Him lead me, correct me, and shape me while I’m trying to do the same for my girls. Stay tuned until the end to hear an exciting announcement. https://www.therootedministry.com

“What Do You Want?” | The Invitation to More

In this episode, we’re looking at John 1, where Jesus asks a simple question: “What do you want?” Before the disciples were fully committed… before they understood who He really was… they were just curious. They followed at a distance, wondering if there might be more. And Jesus turned to them with a question that still meets us today. No matter where we are on the journey with Him, He is inviting us to spend time, getting to know Him more. He meets their curiosity by saying, “Come and see.” That curiosity led to time spent with Him, and ultimately, their lives would never look the same. That’s what He wants for us too. We don’t have to have it all figured out to be on the journey with Him. We just have to keep pursuing Him and commit to the journey. In this episode, we talk about: * Committing to a lifelong journey with Him * Falling in love with Him so deeply that we desire what pleases Him, as He shapes and fulfills the longings of our hearts You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin.  You just have to be willing to respond. Because Jesus is still asking…  “What do you want?” And He’s still inviting you:  Come and see. https://www.therootedministry.com

Partnership over Perfection

What does it look like to build something with the Lord — not just for Him? In this episode, I’m joined by Ashleigh Brophy, Founder and Creative Director of Preserve Magazine, and we talk about the joy of partnering with God to create and release something into the world. There is a deep joy that comes when you say “yes” to what He’s placed in your hands — and then watch Him breathe on it. But we also get honest. God invites us all to build with Him, but somewhere along the way, comparison can quietly creep in and distort our thinking. It can steal joy. It can make us question what once felt clear. And if we aren’t intentional about taking our thoughts captive, we can find ourselves building from insecurity instead of identity. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s partnership. It's about trusting His timing. It’s about creating from a place of confidence in who God says you are. Because what you build matters, but who you become in the process matters more. https://www.therootedministry.com

Let’s Talk, Ladies! Communication That Builds, Not Breaks

In this episode, Crystal sits down with her cousin, Troy Reynolds, to bring a male perspective to the conversation around how we communicate, as women. Together, they explore real and practical ways women can support their husbands through everyday conversations — especially during moments of tension or misunderstanding. Troy, who leads a ministry for men, shares insights on what really matters to guys and how small shifts in our words, tone, and timing can make a big difference. This isn’t about “fixing” our husbands or holding back our voices — it’s about learning how to communicate in ways that build up, encourage, and strengthen your marriage from the inside out. Crystal also shares some lessons she’s recently learned about how we talk and connect, and with Troy’s perspective, this conversation is both insightful and fun. If you’ve ever wondered how to communicate in a way that supports, partners with, and encourages your husband, you won’t want to miss this episode! https://www.therootedministry.com