Everything Made Beautiful with Shannon Scott

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EMB EP51 | Beauty From Ashes with Ashley Opliger Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Today's conversation is one I've been looking forward to having... a conversation about profound loss, tangible hope, and the ministry of presence in the darkest moments.

My guest is Ashley Opliger, author of Cradled in Hope: Trusting Jesus to Heal Your Heart as He Holds Your Baby in Heaven and founder of Bridget's Cradles, a ministry that has now placed over 30,000 cradles in 1,600 hospitals across all 50 states.

Ashley's story is marked by deep loss, but what struck me most in our conversation wasn't just what she's walked through, but how she's chosen to steward her story. She's not interested in being defined by her trials, but by how God has used them for His glory and for the good of others. We talk about the loneliness of pregnancy and infant loss, why the ministry of presence matters more than perfect words, and how to avoid the dreaded "at least" statements that so often hurt rather than help. Ashley shares about the sacred work of sitting in grief without rushing to fix it, and how she's had to wrestle with letting God's character (not her circumstances) shape her view of who He is.

This conversation is for anyone who has experienced pregnancy or infant loss, anyone who loves someone walking through that grief, or anyone who needs to hear that it's okay to bring all the hard, honest emotions to God, even the ugly ones.

Takeaways

Ashley Opliger's journey is marked by profound loss and grief.
Her book 'Cradled in Hope' offers guidance for grieving mothers.
Community support is crucial for those experiencing grief.
Grief can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
It's important to be honest with God about feelings of doubt and anger.
The ministry of presence is vital in supporting grieving families.
Avoid using 'at least' statements when comforting someone in grief.
Listening and offering scripture can be more helpful than trying to fix the situation.
Suffering is a part of the Christian journey and can lead to growth.
Hope in heaven provides comfort amidst the pain of loss.

Chapters

00:00 | Journey Through Grief and Loss

09:15 | Cradled in Hope: The Book's Purpose

15:04 | Bridget's Cradles: A Ministry Born from Loss

21:07 | Supporting Grieving Families: Practical Guidance

27:17 | Wrestling with God: Finding Hope in Suffering

30:57 | Anchoring in Faith Amidst Trials

31:45 | Understanding Suffering and God's Sovereignty

33:06 | Bringing Honest Emotions to God

35:22 | Finding Hope in Grief

37:37 | Navigating Unhelpful Comments in Grief

42:44 | The Ministry of Bridget's Cradles

44:25 | Designing a Perfect Beautiful Day

Ashley's Website: https://ashleyopliger.com/
Ashley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyopliger
Bridget's Cradles Website: https://bridgetscradles.com/
Cradled In Hope Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cradledinhope/
Cradled In Hope Book: https://www.amazon.com/Cradled-Hope-Heaven-Miscarriage-Stillbirth/dp/0764244345?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Cradled In Hope Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cradled-in-hope-podcast-for-grieving-moms-biblical/id1572324745

EMB EP50 | When Everything Is On Fire: A Call to Reject the Reduction of Humanity Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

I almost didn't record this episode. I've been sitting with these thoughts for weeks, wrestling with whether to speak, when to speak, and how to speak about the cultural moment we're in.

I've been thinking a lot about September 11th lately, about who we were in those days and how we were. Republicans and Democrats wept together. Strangers helped strangers. We saw each other as Americans first, humans first. For all the horror of that day, there was something unexpectedly beautiful about how it stripped away our superficial divisions and revealed our shared humanity.

What a stark contrast to where we find ourselves now.

In this episode, I'm wading into some deep waters about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the response from our culture, and the heartbreaking disunity I've witnessed even among believers. I share why I've drastically limited my social media intake and why I believe we were never intended to bear the weight of the world on our shoulders. I talk about the sacred rhythm of listening first, pondering deeply, and responding with compassion and intention.

I also get vulnerable about my own convictions... why I'm choosing to be a hope-bringer rather than adding fuel to the flames, and what it means practically to guard our gates, embrace the power of the pause, and look for the image of God even in those who make our blood boil.

Everything is on fire, but we don't have to add fuel to the flames. We can choose to carry water instead of matches.

This one's personal, friends. And I'm grateful you're here for the journey.

Chapters

00:00 | Introduction: A Call to Reflect

03:34 | The Weight of Words: Navigating Anger and Grief

06:45 | The Impact of Digital Overload on Compassion

09:38 | The Importance of Silence and Listening

12:41 | Shared Humanity in Times of Crisis

15:10 | Rejecting Dehumanization: Embracing the Imago Dei

18:06 | Practical Steps to Foster Hope

22:21 | Navigating Cultural Moments with Wisdom

25:14 | Personal Reflections on Recent Events

29:16 | Choosing Hope in a Divided World

Shannon's Website: shannonsuzannescott.com
Shannon's Instagram: instagram.com/shannonsscott

EMB E49 | Staying Together On Purpose with Carl & Heather Cartee Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

Today I sit down with Carl and Heather Cartee, married 26 years and hosts of their own marriage podcast, for our first deep dive into marriage on Everything Made Beautiful. This conversation is for every couple - whether you're thriving, struggling, or somewhere in between.

Carl and Heather get real about the biggest challenge they see in marriages today: the epidemic of busyness that leaves couples drifting apart without even realizing it. They share the crucial distinction between marriage as contract versus covenant, and why understanding that difference can transform how you approach conflict and commitment.

This conversation tackles practical tools for reconnecting when you feel like roommates, including their wisdom to "act your way into a feeling instead of feeling your way into an action" and "be interested, not interesting" when drawing out your spouse. We dive into why regular maintenance matters more than crisis intervention and how their own seasons of struggle led them to normalize therapy and community support.

With four teenage boys at home, they offer insight into how their marriage has evolved through different seasons and why the things that initially drew them together also became sources of conflict. They share vulnerable stories about learning to use words as tools for connection rather than weapons, and how God has refined their strengths without diminishing what makes them unique.

Whether your marriage needs a tune-up or major repair, this conversation offers hope, practical steps, and the reminder that if you're not intentionally working on your marriage, you're naturally drifting apart. Their message is clear: don't ever be discouraged - God is fighting for your marriage.

Carl + Heather's Website: https://www.carlandheather.com/
Carl + Heather's Podcast: https://www.carlandheather.com/podcast
Carl on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlcartee/
Heather on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather.cartee/

EMB EP48 | Return to Jesus: An Invitation to Abide with Jen Thompson Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

I sit down with author Jen Thompson to discuss her book "Return to Jesus: An Invitation to Abide with Him in Every Beautiful, Stressful or Tedious Moment." This conversation is for every woman who feels overcommitted before her feet hit the floor in the morning.

Jen opens up about what prompted her to write the book... that post-pandemic season when life went from zero to 100 mph and she desperately wanted to carry the lessons of stillness into the chaos. We dive into what it really means to abide with Jesus throughout ordinary, overwhelming, and mundane moments rather than compartmentalizing our faith into just the "holy" parts of life.

The heart of our conversation tackles the plague of overcommitment that so many women face. Jen shares practical wisdom about taking your calendar before the Lord, learning to say no without explanation, and why scheduling "no plans days" might be the most counter-cultural thing you can do. We explore why our worth often gets tangled up in our productivity and how saying yes to everything might be robbing someone else of their opportunity to serve. Jen vulnerably shares about her own struggle with shame and how Jesus meets us exactly where we are - no cleaning up required. We discuss why the voices telling us to get ourselves together before coming to God sound nothing like how our Father actually speaks to us.

Whether you're drowning in expectations, numb with busyness, or simply trying to figure out how to meet with Jesus in your current season of life, this conversation offers hope, practical tools, and the reminder that you are seen, loved, and held by God in every moment.

Chapters

00:00 | Introduction and the Cost of Writing

02:59 | The Heart Behind 'Return to Jesus'

06:02 | Abiding in Busy Seasons of Life

12:33 | Navigating Overcommitment and Saying No

18:44 | Meeting Jesus in Ordinary Moments

22:07 | The Impact of Shame on Our Relationship with God

26:39 | Disrupting Patterns for an Eternal Perspective

27:23 | Disrupting the Mundane: Finding Spiritual Rhythms

30:40 | Seasons of Restoration: God’s Work in Our Lives

37:03 | Recognizing and Embracing Life's Seasons

40:47 | An Invitation to Grace: You Are Seen and Loved

44:01 | Designing Your Perfect Day: A Reflection on Joy

Jen's Website: http://www.jenthompsonauthor.com
Jen's Blog: http://www.trulyyoursjen.com
Jen's Facebook: facebook.com/trulyyoursjen
Jen's Instagram: instagram.com/trulyyoursjen
Jen's Podcast: https://jenthompsonauthor.com/the-podcast
Jen's Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/747877/return-to-jesus-by-jen-thompson/

EMB EP47 | Transition as an Invitation: Finding God in the In-Between with Tony Calabrese Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

I sit down with Pastor Tony Calabrese, lead pastor at The Gathering in Spring Hill, Tennessee, for a conversation that ranges from his admittedly bougie coffee habits to the deep spiritual work that happens in seasons of transition.

Tony shares how his passion for prayer was shaped by watching his single mom depend on God through difficult circumstances, and why he believes prayer begins with understanding God as Father rather than taskmaster. We dive into his journey of saying yes to his biggest no - church planting - and how God often calls us out of our comfort zones to step into His purposes.

The heart of our conversation centers on transition as spiritual invitation. Tony offers profound insight for anyone feeling stuck between what was and what's to come, explaining why God's perceived absence in difficult seasons might actually be the prime condition for His breakthrough. We explore how the greatest demonstration of God's power at the resurrection was actually what was missing from the tomb, not what was there.

Tony also shares about The Gathering, the church he recently planted after a previous church planting season ended during COVID. He describes this new venture as the most freeing and joy-filled season of his 19-year ministry. Whether you're in a season of transition, struggling with prayer, or simply need encouragement to trust God in the unknown, this conversation offers hope and practical wisdom for following Jesus through every season of life.

Chapters

00:00 | Introduction and First Impressions

04:42 | Transitioning Through Life's Seasons

05:11 | The Coffee Journey

09:12 | The Power of Prayer

14:27 | Personal Stories of Prayer

19:13 | Saying Yes to Our Biggest No

23:07 | Encouragement for Prayer

29:02 | Navigating Transitions

30:14 | Navigating Transitions: The Spiritual Journey

37:01 | The Power of Dependence in Transition

41:29 | God's Silence: A Test of Faith

47:34 | The Gathering: A New Church Community

54:45 | Designing a Beautiful Day: Simple Joys

Tony's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tony_calabrese_
The Gathering Website: https://www.thegatheringchurch.co/
Tony on QAVA: https://qava.tv/teachers/tony-calabrese/

EMB EP46 | Empty Nest, Full Hearts with Maggie, Jack, & Ali Scott Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

We're back! I brought all three of my kids onto the podcast for an unplanned family conversation about the whirlwind of changes hitting the Scott family all at once. Maggie's thriving in Orlando at Disney World, Jack just moved to Chattanooga for new opportunities, and Ali surprised us all by getting accepted to a ministry internship in Norwich, England after feeling God's call during a school trip.

With all three kids officially launched, Jeff and I made the decision to sell our Franklin house and pursue financial freedom for the first time in our marriage. I'll be honest... having the house on the market feels invasive, and my kids definitely called me out for my magic eraser obsessions during showings.

We dive into the realities of adulting (spoiler: everything is expensive), how faith becomes your own when you leave home, and why people don't grieve change itself but rather what they're losing. The Scott family will be scattered across the globe now, but we trust God with wherever He's leading us next. This episode is raw, real, and full of the chaos you'd expect from an organic family conversation - including dog interruptions and sibling roasting.

Chapters

00:00 | Introduction to Change

03:35 | Navigating Life Transitions

05:45 | Allie's Move to England

08:51 | Jack's Journey to Chattanooga

11:05 | Maggie's Experience of Adulthood

14:01 | Challenges of Independence

16:50 | Embracing New Opportunities

18:30 | Reflections on Family Dynamics

29:17 | Finding Personal Space and Adjusting to Change

31:34 | The Decision to Sell the Family Home

33:23 | Navigating the Emotional Toll of Selling

37:02 | Reflections on Family Dynamics and Memories

40:31 | Embracing Change and New Beginnings

50:49 | Personal Growth and Faith Journeys

56:30 | Trusting God Through Transitions

EMB EP45 | The God You Need To Know with Margaret Feinberg Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

In this deeply encouraging episode, I sit down with my dear friend Margaret Feinberg to discuss her powerful new book, "The God You Need To Know," which explores the Holy Spirit throughout the Old Testament—a perspective many of us have never considered.

Margaret vulnerably shares about the grueling journey of writing this book, including mysterious physical symptoms that only appeared when she sat down to write, countless setbacks, and what she calls "spiritual static" that seemed to oppose this message at every turn. But the result is a revolutionary look at how the Holy Spirit has been actively working since Genesis 1:2, not just appearing for the first time at Pentecost.

We dive into why so many believers feel disconnected from the Holy Spirit—often seeing Him as ethereal, less relatable than Jesus, or reserved for "special" Christians. Margaret unpacks beautiful imagery from scripture like the Spirit "hovering" over the deep, using the same Hebrew word that describes an eagle brooding over its young, providing warmth, protection, and provision in our uncertainty.

This conversation is filled with practical wisdom for recognizing the Spirit's work in everyday moments—from simple breath prayers to keeping a daily journal with one question for Holy Spirit. Margaret shares incredible stories of God's surprise and delight in ordinary circumstances, like buying a purse that perfectly matched a grieving friend's Easter dress, reminding us that the Spirit-led life is accessible to all of us.

Whether you've felt the Holy Spirit is silent in your life, wondered how to access the power that raised Christ from the dead, or simply want to live with more intentional awareness of God's presence, this episode offers hope and practical steps for experiencing the fullness of who God is—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This isn't about becoming super-spiritual; it's about recognizing how the God who created you is already uniquely working in your life.

Margaret's Website: https://margaretfeinberg.com/
Margaret's Book: https://www.margaretfeinbergstore.com/collections/all/products/the-god-you-need-to-know-experience-the-holy-spirits-power-and-presence-today-book
Margaret's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mafeinberg/
Margaret's Other Resources: https://www.margaretfeinbergstore.com/collections/all

EMB EP44 | Surprise Guest! with Jordan Hester Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

In this delightful episode, I sit down with my daughters Ali and Maggie for another surprise guest reveal featuring our beloved friend Jordan Hester—complete with confetti and celebration, as always! Jordan is a professional home organizer in the Sarasota area and a certified leadership coach who has become like family to us.

We dive into Jordan's journey from six and a half years in church ministry to finding his calling in home organization, where he combines his gifts of hospitality and encouragement to help people during some of life's most overwhelming transitions. Jordan shares candidly about navigating a "desert season" in ministry, losing his father in 2020, and how grief shifted his perspective on work, life, and heaven.

This conversation covers the art of biblical community during hard seasons, what it takes to be a great leader, and how Jordan has cultivated his remarkable ministry of presence—including why he always carries confetti and never misses an opportunity to celebrate others. We also explore how he's learned to ask for help and find his own sources of encouragement while pouring into so many others.

Whether you're in ministry, going through a difficult transition, or simply need encouragement about finding purpose in unexpected places, Jordan's story is a beautiful reminder that God uses every season—even the desert ones—to shape us for His purposes. Plus, you'll want to grab some confetti after listening to this one!

EMB EP43 | The Sacred Space of Subtraction Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I share about one of the loneliest and weirdest seasons I've walked through in recent years—the strange territory of being nobody where you used to be somebody. It's been over a year since I stepped away from church staff, and I'm only now finding words for this peculiar experience.

When you transition away from ministry leadership, you don't just leave a job—you lose your immediate answer to who you are and what you do. You enter an awkward no man's land where you're still supposed to show up every week because it's "church family," but your role and relationships have fundamentally changed in ways nobody really prepared you for.

I talk honestly about the identity earthquake that happens when your name is no longer attached to a spiritual job description, the grief of going from essential to optional, and why learning to be a normal person is harder than it looks. I also share about the unexpected freedom I've discovered in functional obscurity and why I now pray for this gift for all my ministry friends.

This episode is for anyone navigating the awkward dance of staying put when everything has changed, for those wondering if they've made a terrible mistake or discovered a beautiful freedom, and for ministry leaders who need to know they're not crazy for feeling what they're feeling during transition seasons.

Sometimes the most profound spiritual formation happens not through addition but through subtraction—and sometimes God reveals who we are not by giving us more responsibility but by taking away what we thought defined us.

EMB EP42 | Seen In Every Season with Christy Nockels Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

In this tender episode of Everything Made Beautiful, I sit down with my dear friend and beloved worship leader Christy Nockels to talk about transitions, lullabies, and the sacred art of letting go. Christy has just released her second lullaby album, "King Who Never Sleeps: Anthems for Rest," and our youngest daughters have just graduated high school—flying the nest together just like they started preschool together 14 years ago.

This conversation is for anyone navigating the bittersweet beauty of seasons ending and new ones beginning. You are seen in every season! We dive deep into why lullabies aren't just for babies (trust me on this), the unexpected emotions of empty nesting, and how to cultivate identity beyond the daily rhythms of motherhood. Christy shares the story behind her newest songs, including one called "Fly The Nest (Carry You)" that she wrote specifically for this season of releasing our children into the world.

Whether you're a young mom wondering who you'll be when the daily parenting season ends, or you're already walking through the tender transition of kids growing up, this episode offers hope, wisdom, and the reminder that God has beautiful things ahead in every season. Plus, Christy sings a lullaby over all of us at the end—and it's absolutely perfect.

If you've ever needed permission to have a good cry over the passage of time, or if you're looking for encouragement that your faithfulness in the hidden seasons will bear fruit, this conversation is for you.

Christy's Website: https://www.christynockels.com/
Christy's New Record: https://cnock.lnk.to/kingwhoneversleeps
Christy's Book: https://tinyurl.com/9x97y42x
Christy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christynockels/

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