A Cup of Gratitude

Latest Episodes:

Season 10 - Episode 20 - Finding Gratitude When the "Hart" Speaks Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Today I speak with Janet Hart Leonard, who is an award-winning newspaper columnist, author, and speaker. She speaks to women who think that God has written only a one-hit wonder for their lives. In her unique and quirky way, she shows them through scripture that He is writing a Greatest Hits Album for them throughout their lives. (Look at Naomi in the book of Ruth.) Janet is a cheerleader, without the cartwheels, who brings the scriptures to life with her wit, whimsy, and way with words, encouraging others to find joy in the midst of difficult circumstances. She’s been there and still is finding her way through the times when life isn’t fair. She has learned to dance in the rain as well as the mud, all the while enjoying a cup of coffee with sweet cream and inviting others to join her. She is the author of When the Hart Speaks and is currently writing Book #2, Vintage Wisdom. Things I Wish I Knew before I Got Old. Book #3 will be a fiction book about a hairdresser in the hills of Kentucky in 1989. Audrey Grace holds a lot of secrets, including what happened to the missing preacher...who isn’t a good man. Stay tuned.

Contact her: janethartleonard@gmail.com

www.janethartleoanrd.com

Her column, From the Hart, is published every Monday in The Hamilton County Reporter. She is a popular speaker at the Taylor University Professional Writers’ Conference, women’s retreats, and church events. She will make you laugh, cry, and most of all... give you thoughts upon which to ponder.

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Season 10 - Episode 19 - Finding Gratitude in Seasons of Change Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

This week, I speak with Jac Filer, a lifelong resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who presently lives with his family and dog. Since 2020, he has been enjoying a second career as a writer. Jac’s books include the Advent devotional Preparing for Jesus, the Biblical novel Coin and Dagger, and his new memoir, The Widower and the Washer. We look at his childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in his life. You won’t want to miss this encouraging episode!

Links:

Website: https://jacfiler.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacfilerauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacfilerauthor/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/26377965.Jac_Filer

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Season 10 - Episode 18 - Finding Gratitude and Joy in All Circumstances Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

This week I speak with Dr. Jerry L. Woodbridge who is a Christian author and educator specializing in grief support and education. After experiencing the sudden loss of her husband, she guided her own children through grief, inspiring her to write books that offer hope and healing. Her works include Trading My Sorrows: For the Joy of the Lord, which explores widowhood and faith-based healing. Joy Overcame Sorrow, a children’s book on grief and resilience and Joy’s Journal, which provides guided questions, thoughtful prompts, and space to write, as you explore Joy’s story while making sense of your own emotions. As a dedicated 40-year educator, Jerry has impacted countless lives, teaching students from K-9th grade and mentoring doctoral candidates in higher education. She currently serves as an assistant professor in the School of Education at Liberty University, where she is known for her caring, supportive, and inspirational teaching style. We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won’t want to miss this encouraging episode!

Facebook: jerry.woodbridge.7 Instagram: jerrywoodbridge7 Website: https://www.drjerrylwoodbridge.com

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Season 10 - Episode 17 - Finding Gratitude Beyond the Surface Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

This week I speak with Sarah Krizek who is the author of Beyond the Surface, published in August 2024. She was born and raised in the Hudson Valley, New York. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Mount Saint Mary College. When she is not writing or reading, Sarah enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and their two children. We look at her childhood up to the present to fond the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won’t want to miss this amazing episode!

www.sarahkrizek.com

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Season 10 - Episode 16 - Finding Gratitude in Every Kingdom Connection Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

This week I speak with Sandee Macgregor who was educated and trained as a teacher, an inspired writer, and the award-winning creator and founder of a popular website www.sandeemacgregor.com. She is the author of two top-selling devotionals, A Mother-Daughter Devotional and Shared Journal Experience for Psalm 119 and A Devotional for Mothers and Sons: Walking in Wisdom Through Proverbs, which both encourage and enable the building of a deeper spiritual bond between a mother and her daughter(s) and her son(s). Her first award-winning children’s illustrated book, titled Can I Take It to Heaven?, is targeted at younger children and encourages conversations about heaven. Lucy’s Adoption Song is her second children’s book for ages 5-8, based on the story of a family that adopted two children internationally. Her podcast, Conversations and Connections, is a platform where faith stories are celebrated and listeners are invited to explore the goodness of God in their lives, making it a relatable and engaging experience. Sandee is a faithful follower of Christ, a wife to Duncan for 29 years, and a mother to five children. We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won’t want to miss this encouraging episode!

Links

YouTube

www.sandeemacgregor.com

www.castlequaybooks.com

IG sandee.macgregor

FB sandeemacgregor

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Season 10 - Episode 15 - Finding Gratitude in the Everyday Quandaries Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

This week I speak with Mama, editor, and writer Elise Tegegne who has published articles at Risen Motherhood, Christian Parenting, and (in)courage,among others. Her first book In Praise of Houseflies: Meditations on the Gifts in Everyday Quandaries is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Calla Press, In addition to serving as the Director of Communications for missions organization Synergie Francophone, she also writes a monthly blog, which inspires readers to cultivate eyes for the divine in their own daily difficulties. After teaching at a mission school for four years in Ethiopia, she now lives stateside with her husband and energetic four-year-old. Read more of her words at elisetegegne.com or reach out on Instagram @elisetegegne. We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won’t want to miss this encouraging episode!

*Theme music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Season 10 - Episode 14 - Finding Gratitude in the Weaving Threads of God's Story Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

This week I speak with Kate Battistelli who is a bestselling author, speaker, and co-host of the Mom to Mom Podcast. She’s written The After Party of the Empty Nest, The After Party Devotional Companion, The God Dare, and Growing Great Kids, and her words appear in the (In)courage Bible for Women, Guideposts, and more. Once a Broadway actress starring opposite Yul Brynner in The King and I, Kate traded the stage for her first big “God Dare”—a life of homeschooling, home business, and ministry. She lives in Franklin, TN, close to her daughter Francesca and seven beautiful grandchildren. We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won’t want to miss this inspiring episode!

KateBattistelli.com

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Season 10 - Episode 13 - Finding Gratitude in Total Wellness of Faith Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

This week I speak with Theresa Rowe who is a nationally certified fitness professional, author, speaker, and the founder of Shaped by Faith, a ministry dedicated to whole-person wellness—spirit, mind, and body—while shaping bodies and hearts for God's purposes. With over 35 years of experience, she has impacted countless lives globally through her faith-based fitness programs, heart-centered workouts, and inspiring testimony of transformation. Her TV show, Shaped by Faith with Theresa Rowe, airs on 15 networks, reaching nearly 800 million viewers worldwide. She also hosts a globally recognized radio show and podcast, and her writing is featured in newspapers and online platforms, including Inspiration Ministries. Guideposts published her book Shaped by Faith, and she has produced several faith-based fitness DVDs. Her upcoming devotional, Shaped by Faith: A Devotional for Strengthening Your Spirit, Mind & Body, continues her mission of helping people break free from limitations and embrace their identity in Christ. Theresa’s powerful testimony—including overcoming health challenges, adoption, healing, and single motherhood—is a testament to God’s faithfulness. Through every platform, she inspires others to trust God fully, strengthen their spirit, mind, and body, and boldly walk in the life He has called them to live. We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won't want to miss this encouraging episode!

https://www.shapedbyfaith.com/?fbclid=IwVERDUAM-mYRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHqUT9kK1lZIZdXh4tQzFSQLTbcASDOO8GLT2-8wtT17CEPdZHDYQVbGtfW0o_aem_9trmDSiKn4g1Nv0C9E1pBg

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Season 10 - Episode 12 - Finding Gratitude in the Whisper and the Roar Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

This week, I speak with Marissa Busby, a follower of Jesus, whose main mission is to know God and make Him known through living, teaching, speaking, and writing. She is a wife and mother of three, one of whom she adopted when she was 21 and her daughter was 16. Her upcoming book, A Call to Love, tells the journey of discovering the heart of God for herself through the adoption of her daughter. She is also a CrossFit coach who loves to show people that they can do hard things, like follow Jesus and lift barbells! We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won’t want to miss this inspiring episode!
www.marissabusby.com

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Season 10 - Episode 11 Finding Gratitude in Every Circumstance Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

This week I speak with Ron Keres who is a husband to his best friend Jen, dad to three goofy boys and one sweet little girl, and the author of the popular Finn the Frog Collection and Scariest Silliest Stories series. After serving as missionaries for 10 years with his family, Ron is now settled in Geneva, IL, and spends his days writing interactive and laugh-out-loud picture books that families love to read together. When he’s not chasing kids or cracking jokes, you’ll find him working out, fishing, or hunting down the best local eats. He’s currently working on several new books and can’t wait to share what’s next. We look at his childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in his life. You won’t want to miss this inspiring episode!

ronkeres.com/shop

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

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