Hear Women

Latest Episodes:

What the Church Needs to Know About the Gaps in Christian Publishing | Deborah Sáenz Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

Who gets to determine the stories, wisdom, and perspectives that shape the church? And what responsibility do readers have as they make their choices of what Christian books to read?

In this episode of Hear Women, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young welcomes Deborah Sáenz, Acquisitions and Development Editor at NavPress, to pull back the curtains on Christian publishing and the vital question of whose voices are heard. With her experience in both marketing and editorial roles, Sáenz reveals the hidden decisions that influence which authors and perspectives end up on bookstore shelves, and why so many stories remain untold.

Together, Gilmore-Young and Sáenz discuss the evolution and continuing challenges to diversity within the publishing world, reflecting on shifting industry landscapes, the problem of representation among staff and authors, and the systemic hurdles that keep many writers on the margins. You’ll hear practical advice for aspiring BIPOC authors facing discouragement, insights into how the industry can create more opportunity for underrepresented writers, and a call for church communities to read stories that showcase a wide variety of life experiences and backgrounds.

This conversation challenges listeners to consider their role in elevating needed voices and why the future of Christian formation depends on it.

This episode highlights the following themes:

How publishing professionals shape which stories reach the church and which are left out
Why representation among editors, marketers, and decision-makers matters for diversity
Why the church benefits from reading beyond its comfort zone

Links from this episode:

Learn more about Deborah Sáenz
Read Christ in the Abyss by Jean Neely
Learn more about the Every Voice Now initiative at IVP
Read the transcript here
Learn more about Hear Women
Learn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth Leach
Read Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
Read Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta
Read Emboldened by Tara Beth Leach

SPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

SPONSOR | Hear Women is sponsored by Northern Seminary, where thousands of women have been equipped to serve as pastors, practitioners, church planters, and ministry leaders across the globe. Explore your calling and visit seminary.edu to learn more.

Credits:

✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton

✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by Artax

Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

As an Amazon Affiliate, this channel earns commissions from qualifying purchases when you use the links above.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What the Church Needs to Know About the History of White Evangelical Women | Kristin Du Mez Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

How have you been shaped by the influence of White evangelical women through history, maybe without even realizing it? And what has it cost these women to live such influential lives?

In this episode of Hear Women, Nijay Gupta welcomes Kristin Du Mez, Professor of History at Calvin University. As the bestselling author of Jesus and John Wayne and her newest release, Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made, Du Mez brings her expertise in history, gender, and evangelical culture to a conversation about the complex and often hidden world of Christian women in America.

Together, they follow Du Mez’s Midwest upbringing, her transformative time studying in Germany, and then to her discovery of overlooked women such as Katharine Bushnell and evangelical icons such as Elisabeth Elliot and Amy Grant. She uncovers how women shaped and survived American evangelicalism—through music, fiction, celebrity, and community—and how the pressures and expectations they experienced bolstered their ministries or capsized them. Gupta and Du Mez reflect on power, nostalgia, control, suffering, and hope, while considering the lives of influential evangelical women of the past and present.

You'll discover ways that White Christian women had profound influence on American evangelicalism, both positively and negatively, and emerge with a three-dimensional understanding of women's impact on American Christianity.

This episode highlights the following themes:

How White Christian women’s experiences are shaped by both subtle and public forces
Why nostalgia can hide pain, and why history matters for making sense of evangelical culture
What happened to women who break silence and refuse conformity, such as Jen Hatmaker and Rachel Held Evans

Links from this episode:

Learn more about Kristin Du Mezand read Live Laugh Love
Check out Katharine Bushnell’s book God’s Word to Women
Read the transcript here
Learn more about Hear Women
Learn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth Leach
Read Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
Read Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta
Read Emboldened by Tara Beth Leach

SPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

Credits:

✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton

✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by Artax

As an Amazon Affiliate, this channel earns commissions from qualifying purchases when you use the links above.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Why the Church Needs Women’s Voices in 2026 | Mid-Season Reflections Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

Since Hear Women’s launch in March, we’ve heard from an array of guests who are inspiring entire communities to thrive, even amid our ever-changing and unpredictable cultural moment.

In this special mid-season episode, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Tara Beth Leach, and Nijay Gupta gather for an honest check-in, reflecting on life, ministry, and the remarkable guests who’ve been on the show so far. They look back on standout moments, sharing how guests’ stories are sparking change, courage, and holy imagination in the church.

From discussing the Southern Baptist Convention’s recent vote on women pastors to politically motivated attempts to box women in, the hosts also process how current events continue to reveal why truly hearing women is essential. Rather than adding to online debates, they focus on what the church can learn by listening to and highlighting women’s giftings, grit, and unique leadership.

Tune in to join in celebrating women’s stories and what you can expect from the rest of this season of Hear Women.

This episode highlights the following themes:

Why real, vulnerable conversations with women matter for the health and future of the church
The impact of elevating women’s stories
How to cultivate empathy, biblical literacy, and curiosity as we reflect on women’s gifts and leadership

Links from this episode:

Read the transcript here
Learn more about Hear Women
Learn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth Leach
Read Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
Read Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta
Read Emboldened by Tara Beth Leach

SPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

Credits:

✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton

✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by Artax

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What the Church Needs to Know About Forgotten Women in Church History | Jennifer Powell McNutt Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

What do Mary Magdalene, Julian of Norwich, and other women in church history teach us about what it means to faithfully follow Jesus today?

In this episode of Hear Women, Nijay Gupta welcomes the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt, Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Wheaton College, Litfin Divinity School. As program director of the M.A. degrees in Theology and History of Christianity, and a Wheaton faculty member since 2008, Dr. McNutt has dedicated her career to uncovering overlooked voices in church history.

Their conversation traces Dr. McNutt’s early call to ministry, how her parents’ trailblazing roles and realism shaped her, and what it’s like to forge a path as a woman in academia. They talk honestly about what holds the church back from honoring the full scope of women’s contributions, past and present, and yet how their witness is an essential piece of church history. Dr. McNutt also shares fascinating stories of women such as Macrina the Younger and Teresa of Ávila, explaining how their faith, intellect, and leadership ultimately reveal Christ to us.

Listen in for wisdom that breaks stereotypes, inspires faithfulness, and calls us to remember the women the church too often forgets.

This episode highlights the following themes:

Why many key women have been written out of the church’s story
What it’s like to pursue ministry and an academic career as a woman
How church history is richer, more complex, and more hopeful if we listen to women’s voices

Links from this episode:

Learn more about Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt
Check out all of Dr. McNutt’s books
Read Paula Gooder’s book, Phoebe
Read Women in the Reformation by Kirstie Stjerna
Learn more about Jeanne d'Albret
Learn more about Lynn Cohick
Read the transcript here
Learn more about Hear Women
Learn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth Leach
Read Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
Read Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta
Read Emboldened by Tara Beth Leach

SPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

FOLLOW THE CALL | Visit truett.seminary.baylor.edu to register for the inaugural Follow the Call: A Conference for Women in Ministry, hosted by Baylor University’s Truett Seminary.

Credits:

✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton

✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by Artax

As an Amazon Affiliate, this channel earns commissions from qualifying purchases when you use the links above.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What the Church Needs to Know About a Woman’s Highest Calling | Sandra Glahn Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

What is a woman’s highest calling in God’s eyes? And how does the church sometimes miscommunicate about what this calling truly is?

In this heartfelt episode of Hear Women, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young sits down with Sandra Glahn—author, seminary professor, and scholar—to uncover what it means to be a Christian woman when your life doesn’t fit the often expected script of marriage and motherhood.

Together, they open up about the unspoken struggles of infertility, the pain of failed adoptions, and the silent grief that many women carry. Glahn shares how church culture, outdated scholarship, and unseen suffering can leave women feeling adrift and unsure of their God-given purpose. Their discussion challenges the church to embrace lament, support all forms of grief, and recognize that a woman’s highest call is not limited to motherhood.

If you’re curious about a woman's place and purpose in Scripture, the church, and the academy, tune in to learn from Glahn’s expert biblical insights, clarifying wisdom, and comforting pastoral heart.

This episode highlights the following themes:

Why a woman’s worth isn’t tied to motherhood
The importance of lament and honest grief in the Christian life
How Christian culture shapes a woman’s sense of purpose—and how to rethink those messages

Links from this episode:

Learn more about Sandra Glahn
Preorder Sandra Glahn’s book, A Woman’s Place Is in the Story
Read Sandra Glahn’s book, Nobody’s Mother
Check out Julie Fowler’s book, Treasures in the Waiting
Read the transcript here
Learn more about Hear Women
Learn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth Leach
Read Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
Read Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta
Read Emboldened by Tara Beth Leach

SPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

FOLLOW THE CALL | Visit truett.seminary.baylor.edu to register for the inaugural Follow the Call: A Conference for Women in Ministry, hosted by Baylor University’s Truett Seminary.

Credits:

✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton

✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by Artax

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What the Church Needs to Know About Being a Christian Influencer | Jackie Horbrook Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

When social media feels like a noisy crowd of hot takes, how can Christians use their influence for good? What are the unique ways that the church can bring the radical hope of Christ to a context that can be toxic, addictive, and damaging?

In this episode of Hear Women, Nijay Gupta welcomes Jackie Horbrook—author, entrepreneur, and founder of Black Christian Influencers—to share her journey from growing up as a pastor’s daughter in Chicago to becoming an online “kingdom solutionist.” Through her wisdom and warmth, Horbrook describes how presence, intentionality, and vulnerability on social media can be an effective form of ministry.

Horbrook challenges limiting narratives about influence, spotlights the necessity of discernment, and shares what churches and individuals often overlook when it comes to listening to God’s call—both online and offline. The conversation reveals concrete ways that Horbrook is cultivating a community for Black women that is understanding, safe, and inspiring while also helping all Christians understand better how to use their God-given influence for his kingdom-building purposes.

Tune in for thoughtful reflections on calling, the pitfalls and potential of different social platforms, and how even a small act online can make a kingdom difference.

This episode highlights the following themes:

Why every Christian, regardless of follower count, can be a force for good
The pitfalls of digital comparison and the value of consistent, authentic engagement
How to discern calling and build healthy boundaries online

Links from this episode:

Learn more about Jackie Horbrook and Black Christian Influencers
Read How to Be a Christian Influencer by Jackie Horbrook
Learn more about Teri Ijeoma
Read the transcript here
Learn more about Hear Women
Learn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth Leach
Read Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
Read Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta
Read Emboldened by Tara Beth Leach

SPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

Credits:

✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton

✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by Artax

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What the Church Needs to Know About Christianity Today’s New Leader | Nicole Massie Martin Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

How is the new leader of Christianity Today bringing her full, authentic self to her new role? And how does her desire to lead with both confidence and humility challenge typical leadership scripts?

In this episode of Hear Women, Tara Beth Leach sits down with Nicole Massie Martin—president and CEO of Christianity Today—to talk honestly about what it means to lead as a woman and as a woman of color in both corporate and ministry contexts. Through their candid conversation, Martin reflects on formative moments when mentors affirmed her calling and when discernment wasn’t a linear process—revealing why her deepest leadership value is a constant dependence on Christ.

As Martin unpacks the realities of stepping into a high-profile Christian leadership role amid cultural tension, she shares why a “crucified” approach to leadership is exactly what the church needs right now. The discussion also highlights Martin’s vision for Christianity Today and her reflections on writing and releasing her book, Nailing It, amid a season of vocational discernment.

If you’re craving a fresh vision for leadership that is adaptive, authentic, and joyful, this episode will empower you to serve those around you with your whole self and from a posture of radical dependence on Jesus.

This episode highlights the following themes:

How ethnicity and gender shape the leadership journey—and the gift of authenticity
Developing a leadership ethic that is rooted in dependence, joy, and redemptive purpose
Why apprenticeship, access, and inclusion are non-negotiable for women to flourish in the church

Links from this episode:

Learn more about Nicole Massie Martin
Read Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender by Nicole Massie Martin
Learn more about Christianity Today
Learn more about Hunter Guy
Read the transcript here
Learn more about Hear Women
Learn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth Leach
Read Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
Read Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta
Read Emboldened by Tara Beth Leach

SPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

Credits:

✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton

✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by Artax

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What the Church Needs to Know About Women Advocating for Biblical Equality | Mimi Haddad Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

What does it mean to shape the church with a vision for true equality?

In this episode of Hear Women, Nijay Gupta hosts a spirited conversation with Mimi Haddad, president of CBE International (Christians for Biblical Equality), about her remarkable journey as a scholar, advocate, and “general in the gender wars.” Together, they reflect on the roots of gender roles in family and culture, break down the real meanings behind the terms “complementarian” and “egalitarian,” and discuss the importance of supporting the full expression of women’s gifts in the church.

From stories of immigrant upbringing and mentorship to the global drive for women’s leadership, Haddad invites listeners to consider how translation, tradition, and opportunity all shape what’s possible for women—and what the church loses when half of its members are sidelined.

If you’re searching for tools to advocate for women, wrestle with hard questions about the Bible, or foster mentorship in your context, this episode points to tried-and-true resources. In contrast to recent events in the Southern Baptist Convention that aim to restrict women’s roles in the church, this episode reminds leaders everywhere that a flourishing church is one in which everyone’s gifts are welcomed and empowered.

Discover the joys of standing for biblical equality, the progress that has been made in the church on this issue, and what legacy you can help leave for the next generation of women in leadership.

This episode highlights the following themes:

How family upbringing and cultural background influence perspectives on gender roles
The crucial role of mentoring and community for women in biblical scholarship and church leadership
The impact of language and Bible translation on women’s visibility and empowerment within the church

Links from this episode:

Learn more about Mimi Haddad and CBE International (Christians for Biblical Equality)
Read Discovering Biblical Equality, Third Edition
Read Priscilla Papers
Learn more about Rt. Rev. Dr. Emily Onyango
Discover more about IBR (Institute of Biblical Research)
Learn more about mentorship opportunities with Every Voice Kingdom Diversity
Read the transcript here
Learn more about Hear Women
Learn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth Leach
Read Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
Read Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta
Read Emboldened by Tara Beth Leach

SPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

Credits:

✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton

✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by Artax

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What the Church Needs to Know About the Unique Ways Women Lead | Shawna Songer Gaines Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

What does it mean to lean fully into embodied church leadership as a woman?

In this episode of Hear Women, host Tara Beth Leach sits down with pastor, writer, and leader Shawna Songer Gaines for an honest exchange about the realities of women’s leadership, the power of self-attentiveness, and the deep links between the body, motherhood, and ministry.

Through youth pastoring, chaplaincy, co-pastoring, and serving as a lead pastor, Gaines reveals how her journey has been marked by encouragement, transitions, setbacks, and the need to listen both to others and her own embodied self. The episode moves through vivid moments of ministry stress, early labor, and the formative power of motherhood, exploring how embodied self-awareness can transform our practice and experience of leadership. While offering wisdom for young leaders learning to find their voice, Gaines shares how she came to see pastoring through the fresh lens of midwifery, uncovering a more nurturing, humble, and relational model.

Whether you’re a seasoned pastor, emerging leader, young mom, or someone hoping to create a more welcoming church, this conversation will equip you to more fully celebrate the gifts women bring to the church and reflect on what the church most needs to change about its approach to women in leadership.

This episode highlights the following themes:

The importance of self-awareness and embodiment in Christian leadership
How motherhood and crisis reshape the way women lead
Why embracing newness strengthens the church

Links from this episode:

Learn more about Shawna Songer Gaines
Read Shawna Songer Gaines’ book, The Pastor as Midwife
Discover more about Trevecca Community Church of the Nazarene
Learn more about Michaele LaVigne
Learn more about Stephanie Lobdell
Learn more about Gabby Rodriguez at Trinity Church of the Nazarene
Read the transcript here
Learn more about Hear Women
Learn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth Leach
Read Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
Read Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta
Read Emboldened by Tara Beth Leach

SPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

Interested in ordering The Pastor as Midwife for your team or organization? Contact Rainer at rerani@ivpress.com for more information and exclusive group discounts. Or email specialmarkets@ivpress.com for bulk orders.

Credits:

✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton

✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by Artax

As an Amazon Affiliate, this channel earns commissions from qualifying purchases when you use the links above.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What the Church Needs to Know About Women Who Take Risks of Faith in Business | Jessica Honegger Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

What would our entrepreneurship look like if we were willing to step out in courage, creativity, and community?

In this episode of Hear Women, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young sits down with Jessica Honegger, the founder of Noonday Collection and the author of Imperfect Courage, for an authentic conversation about risk, calling, and the powerful ripple effects of advocacy. From opening her home for a fundraising party to building the world’s largest fair trade jewelry brand, Honegger traces the steps of faith that shaped both her company and her family.

Honegger opens up about the gifts and costs of leading as a woman, choosing courage over comfort, and the joy and challenges of raising children amid running a business. She also shares why cultivating an honest, encouraging, and committed community is essential to both sustaining a life of service for the long haul and to fight against comparison and envy as a businesswoman.

Discover how Honegger’s business journey has been richly formative on a spiritual level, and why she believes that generous women investing in one another can transform whole communities.

Listen now to discover a vision for how the church can better support and learn from women entrepreneurs.

This episode highlights the following themes: