Ministry Wives Podcast

Latest Episodes:

“I Know I Shouldn’t Struggle with Doubt, But…” with Courtney Reissig Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

If you’re a ministry wife, pastor’s wife, or woman in church leadership, you may feel like doubt is something you’re supposed to outgrow or at least keep quiet. In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with author and Bible teacher Courtney Reissig for an honest conversation about faith and doubt in ministry. Together, they address the quiet tension many Christian women carry: I know I shouldn’t struggle with doubt… but I do.

This episode explores how to navigate spiritual doubt while serving in ministry, why doubt is not a disqualifier for leadership, and how Jesus meets our questions with both truth and compassion. If you’ve ever felt embarrassed by your struggles, wrestled with uncertainty in your faith, or wondered how to lead while still processing your own questions, this conversation offers steady reassurance: Jesus is not fragile in the face of your doubt. He is trustworthy, present, and nearer than you know.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why doubt can feel especially threatening for women in ministry leadership
How Jesus responds to spiritual doubt with both truth and tenderness
How Scripture gives language to our honest prayers
What wise, healthy vulnerability looks like for ministry wives
Practical ways to support others wrestling with fear, suffering, and faith

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

CONNECT
Connect with Courtney
Instagram // Substack

Connect with Amy
Facebook // Instagram // Podcast

Connect with NAMB
Facebook // Instagram

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"I Know I Should Engage My Neighbors, But..." with Amy-Jo Girardier Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

We know we’re called to love our neighbors… but what happens when it feels awkward, inconvenient, or intimidating? In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with Amy-Jo Girardier—mom, women’s minister, author, and ministry wife—for an honest conversation about the tension behind the words, “I know I should engage my neighbors, but…”

Together, they talk about the real barriers that keep ministry wives from stepping into meaningful relationships: busy schedules, fear of rejection, uncertainty about what to say, and the pressure to “do it right.” Amy-Jo shares practical encouragement for living out your faith in everyday spaces and reminds listeners that loving your neighbor doesn’t require a perfect strategy—just your availability and obedience.

Their conversation highlights a simple but powerful initiative Amy-Jo started: a neighborhood prayer box. What began as a small step of faith became a bridge for connection, opening doors to deeper conversations and creating opportunities to pray for and serve others in tangible ways. If you’ve ever felt stuck between conviction and hesitation when it comes to community engagement, this episode will help you see that faithfulness often looks like small, intentional acts of love right where God has placed you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Amy-Jo Girardier:

Why engaging our neighbors can feel intimidating (even when we know we “should”)
Common barriers that keep ministry wives from building local relationships
How everyday faithfulness can open doors for gospel conversations
Why loving your neighbor begins with presence, not perfection
And more!

CONNECT

Connect with Amy-Jo

Instagram // Lifeway Bible Studies

*For info and pictures of her neighborhood prayer box, search #prayerboxgatewayvillage on Instagram.

Connect with Amy

Facebook // Instagram // Podcast

Connect with NAMB

Facebook // Instagram

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“I Know I Should Spend Time in the Word, But…” with Kelly Needham Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

For many ministry wives, time in the Word can quietly shift from a life-giving invitation into a heavy obligation. In the first episode of season eight, host Amy Petersen welcomes Kelly Needham—Bible teacher, author, and fellow ministry wife—for an honest conversation about Bible study, identity, and the pressure of our spiritual “shoulds.”

Kelly shares from her own faith journey and introduces her Bible study, See for Yourself: How to Study Your Bible with Confidence and Joy. Together, Amy and Kelly talk about how shame, comparison, and performance often creep into our relationship with Scripture—and how the gospel gently calls us back to grace.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, inconsistent, or discouraged when it comes to spending time in the Word, this episode will remind you that God’s delight in you is not earned by your quiet time. The Bible was never meant to be a checklist—it’s an invitation to know Jesus, no matter your season of life.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Kelly Needham:

Why the Bible was never meant to be a spiritual “should”
How shame and comparison impact our approach to Scripture
Why identity in Christ matters more than spiritual productivity
How to approach Bible study with curiosity, flexibility, and grace
And more!

Resources & Links Mentioned:

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Keeping Your Devotional Life Fresh with Gayle Rogers Foster Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Ministry life often pulls us in many directions—serving others, leading faithfully, and juggling family responsibilities. But what about our own walk with Jesus? How do we keep our devotional life fresh and alive when ministry itself can leave us weary?

In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with Gayle Rogers Foster—daughter of the late Adrian Rogers and author of In His Footsteps: A 90-Day Devotional to Enjoy Jesus Daily. Gayle shares her personal story of growing up in a ministry family, navigating seasons of busyness, and learning the joy of abiding with Christ.

With wisdom, honesty, and humor, Gayle encourages ministry wives to embrace margin, surrender what we cling to, and resist the temptation to simply “power through.” She reminds us that keeping our devotional lives vibrant isn’t about doing more—it’s about living with open hands, listening to the Spirit, and making space for God’s voice in the everyday.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Gayle Rogers Foster:

Why ministry wives can struggle with spending time with God while serving Him
How Gayle’s upbringing shaped her faith and the lessons she’s carried into adulthood
The story behind her devotional In His Footsteps and how God called her to write it
How to release what you’re holding onto and walk in daily surrender
Practical ways to keep your quiet time fresh in every season of life

Whether you feel spiritually “stuck” or simply need encouragement to keep going, this conversation will refresh your soul and remind you that God meets us in the quiet places.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

CONNECT

Connect with Gayle
Facebook // Instagram // Website

Connect with Amy
Facebook // Instagram // Podcast

Connect with NAMB
Facebook // Instagram

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When Joy Feels Risky: A Biblical and Neuroscience Perspective with Nicole Zasowski Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Joy doesn’t always feel easy—it often feels vulnerable, even risky. In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, Amy Petersen sits down with author and therapist Nicole Zasowski to talk about her new Bible study Daring Joy: What Six Women in the Bible Teach Us About the Power of Celebration When It Feels Risky, Complicated, and Even Impossible.

Nicole shares how her own seasons of loss, transition, and disappointment led her to a deeper understanding of joy—not as a reward for when life goes well, but as a practice we can step into, even in life’s hardest seasons.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Nicole Zasowski:

Why joy can seem like one of our most vulnerable emotions
The difference between gratitude and thanksgiving (and why speaking it aloud doubles your joy!)
Simple practices that retrain your brain toward joy
What six women of Scripture—Eve, Sarah, Miriam, Mary, Elizabeth, and Mary Magdalene—teach us about daring joy in the middle of uncertainty
And more!

Resources & Links Mentioned:

CONNECT
Connect with Nicole
Instagram // Website

Connect with Amy
Facebook // Instagram // Podcast

Connect with NAMB
Facebook // Instagram

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How to Walk with Jesus in Seasons of Pain with Vaneetha Risner Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

Suffering is something every believer will face—but what do we do when it feels relentless, unfair, or overwhelming? In this powerful episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with author and speaker Vaneetha Risner to talk about walking with Jesus through seasons of deep pain.

Vaneetha’s story is marked by challenges: childhood polio, the heartbreaking loss of her infant son, a painful divorce, and the ongoing struggles of post-polio syndrome. Yet, through every valley, she has discovered the nearness of Christ—not through quick fixes or easy answers, but through honest lament and raw dependence on God.

Together, Amy and Vaneetha explore common misconceptions about suffering, the beauty of biblical lament, and how to come alongside others who are hurting with both truth and tenderness. If you’ve ever felt like your faith faltered under the weight of pain—or if you’ve walked with someone in the midst of grief—this conversation will remind you that your hope is not in an outcome, but in a Savior who draws near.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Vaneetha Risner:

Why there is no “quota” for suffering—and how to reframe hardship as a means of drawing closer to Christ
The false belief that obedience keeps us from pain, and what Scripture really teaches about suffering
How lament gives language to our grief and creates deeper intimacy with God
Practical ways to walk with others in their pain without minimizing or sermonizing
Why our ultimate hope is not found in changed circumstances, but in Jesus Himself

Resources & Links Mentioned:

Watching for the Morning: 90 Devotionals for When Hope is Hard to Find by Vaneetha Risner

CONNECT
Connect with Vaneetha
Facebook // Instagram // Website

Connect with Amy
Facebook // Instagram // Podcast

Connect with NAMB
Facebook // Instagram

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God’s Faithfulness in Every "Yes": Lynette Ezell on Ministry and Motherhood Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

When you put your “yes” on the table, you never know where God might lead. For Lynette Ezell, that yes has looked like navigating miscarriage, parenting biological children, adopting internationally, fostering locally, and supporting her grown daughters as they walk the same road. Through every season, God has proven faithful in both the joys and the struggles of ministry and motherhood.

In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, Amy Petersen sits down with Lynette Ezell—wife, mom of six, grandmother, and ministry leader. Together, they talk candidly about the highs and lows of adoption and foster care, what it means to parent through trauma, and how to keep saying yes to God even when the road is long and hard.

Whether you’re considering adoption, already walking that journey, or simply want to support foster and adoptive families in your church or community, this conversation will encourage and equip you to take the next step of experiencing God’s faithfulness.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Lynette Ezell:

How God shaped Lynette’s family story through both loss and adoption
What it means to keep your “yes” on the table—even when doors close
The reality of parenting kids from hard places and why trauma-informed care matters
Practical ways churches and ministry wives can support foster and adoptive families
Why your “yes” may look different than someone else’s, but God’s faithfulness remains the same

Resources & Links Mentioned:

CONNECT
Connect with Lynette
Instagram // Email

Connect with Amy
Facebook // Instagram // Podcast

Connect with NAMB
Facebook // Instagram

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Hopeful Sorrow: Lament, Faith, and the Journey towards Healing with Julie Busler Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Life in ministry brings both joy and heartache. But what do you do when the grief feels overwhelming? Can you still hold on to hope? In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with Julie Busler—author, speaker, and Bible teacher—for an honest conversation about grief, mental health, and the sustaining hope we have in Christ.

Julie shares her powerful story of walking through depression, trauma, and mental health struggles, and how God faithfully met her in the darkest valleys. Together, Amy and Julie talk about what it means to grieve with honesty, find strength in Scripture, and walk alongside others who are hurting.

If you’ve ever wrestled with how to reconcile sorrow and faith—or how to care for loved ones who are suffering—this conversation will remind you that grief does not erase hope. In Christ, both can coexist as we hold fast to the promise of eternity.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Julie Busler:

How grief and hope can coexist within the Christian life
Biblical encouragement for navigating depression and suffering
Why lament is a vital part of spiritual growth
Practical ways to support others in seasons of loss and pain
And more!

Resources & Links Mentioned:

CONNECT
Connect with Julie
Facebook // Instagram // Website

Connect with Amy
Facebook // Instagram // Podcast

Connect with NAMB
Facebook // Instagram

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Compassion-Driven Leadership: How to Cultivate a Heart for People with DeenDeen Vedoya Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

Life in ministry often means carrying the weight of people’s stories, navigating unexpected challenges, and learning to love well even when it’s costly. If you’ve ever wrestled with how to lead with both strength and tenderness, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with DeenDeen Vedoya—church planter’s wife, mom of three, and women’s ministry leader in Edmonton, Canada. DeenDeen shares her personal journey of church planting, discipleship, and discovering what it means to lead with a heart shaped by Christ’s compassion.

Together, Amy and DeenDeen talk honestly about grief, generosity, and the daily choice to lead people with empathy. You’ll hear practical wisdom on cultivating curiosity, listening well, and letting God’s love flow through you in both ministry and family life.

Whether you’re walking through conflict, caring for others in their suffering, or simply longing to reflect Christ more in your leadership, this conversation will remind you that compassion isn’t weakness—it’s Spirit-filled strength.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode with DeenDeen Vedoya:

The importance of compassion-driven leadership in ministry and motherhood
Practical ways to embrace curiosity, empathy, and generosity with others
How to grieve ministry losses without losing hope
Encouragement for releasing expectations and trusting in God’s provision
And more!

CONNECT
Connect with DeenDeen
Instagram // Email

Connect with Amy
Facebook // Instagram // Podcast

Connect with NAMB
Facebook // Instagram

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Calm in the Chaos: How to Raise Ministry Kids in a Chaotic World with Heather Oldham Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

Life in ministry can feel like constant chaos—balancing church responsibilities, family needs, and the everyday mess of raising kids. If you’ve ever felt the tension between ministry demands and motherhood, you’re not alone.

In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with Heather Oldham—ministry wife, mom of five, and church planter’s wife—to talk honestly about parenting kids in the whirlwind of ministry life. Heather shares her personal story of growing up in a pastor’s home, raising her own family in the church planting context, and learning to find calm in the chaos.

Together, Amy and Heather explore practical ways to model peace for your children, stay connected when correction is needed, and cultivate a home where ministry kids feel loved, secure, and part of the mission—not in competition with it.

Whether you’re in the trenches of raising littles, navigating the teen years, or simply craving encouragement in the messiness of ministry, this conversation will remind you: Calm isn’t the absence of chaos—it’s the presence of Christ’s peace.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Heather Oldham: