The Alli Worthington Show

Latest Episodes:

How (Not) to Read the Bible with Dan Kimball Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

I started this podcast to create a safe space for exploring our faith, our beliefs and new ideas. Well, friends, this conversation with Dan Kimball delivers and I can’t wait for you to hear it!

Dan is an author who focuses on encouraging us to think creatively about breaking the negative stereotypes both the church and Christians face. And our conversation today is inspired by his new book, How (Not) to Read the Bible: Making Sense of the Anti-women, Anti-science, Pro-violence, Pro-slavery and Other Crazy-Sounding Parts of Scripture.

During our time together, we talk about the dangers of using Scripture out of context and what we can do when someone uses the Bible against us to discredit our beliefs. Dan also gives us a helpful lens to use when reconciling challenging parts of the Bible, especially violence and slavery, with our faith.

And don’t worry, we wrap up the episode with some fun talking about why Scripture is anti-shrimp, how to get a donkey into a bathtub, and if there are really unicorns hiding out in the Bible.

In this episode, Dan and I talk about:

The truth of God’s character and how we can learn from everything in the Bible, including themes of violence
How information is our strongest defense when it comes to safeguarding our faith, especially for younger generations
Seeing the Bible as a library instead of a science manual and how we can use it to inform our modern-day questions, but not necessarily answer them.

Favorite quotes:

1. Most Christians are not prepared to address the not-so-nice sounding bible verses. We just have to be prepared.

2. We have to know how to read our bible, the good verses and the crazy sounding verses.
3. Never read a bible verse by itself.

4. The bible was written to other people. But it was written for us so we can understand who God is.

5. We have turned the bible into a science manual trying to get our modern day questions and that wasn’t its intent.

Links to great things we discussed:

1. Dan Kimball
2. How (Not) to Read the Bible: Making Sense of the Anti-women, Anti-science, Pro-violence, Pro-slavery and Other Crazy-Sounding Parts of Scripture
3. The Fat Man
4. The Chosen
5. Greenland

6. Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy With God
7. Skull Socks

8. Max Richter Sleep Album

9. Standing Strong

Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)

xo,

Alli

Taking Action In The In-Between Place with Kat Armstrong Feb 15, 2021

Show notes

So many of us are finding ourselves in a place of uncertainty about what happens next. We know that we need to move forward, but how do we do it? And how do we bring our friend Jesus along to help us through whatever despair we might encounter?

Kat Armstrong is joining me on the show today to help us take action, even if things feel a bit unstable. Kat is a Bible teacher, author, and fellow curly-haired girl is passionate about encouraging women to be all in for Jesus. And I just know you’re going to love what she has to say!

We talk about her latest book The In-Between Place: Where Jesus Changes Your Story along with the places and times in our life we personally feel or have felt stuck. Plus, she shares some practical tips and advice about making peace with the past, finding hope in the present and stepping into the future.

Listen in for our conversion that covers:

1. How the presence of Jesus changes everything, even in our difficult in-between places

2. The way God uses our deepest needs to bring about meaningful moments in our faith

3. The importance of being brave enough to ask hard questions and accept hard truths despite how we feel

4. How we can use imaginative prayer when our challenges prevent our forward momentum

Favorite quotes:

1. Jesus has good things planned for us, but where we are right now is difficult, that’s our in-between space.

2. Crappy places can be redeemed.

3. Some of the things I am grieving, that I am facing, I can’t put a pretty bow on some of this. I know I can get through this. My soul is not despairing. I have hope in Jesus.

4. If we keep our eyes on Christ, he will take us through the messy middle. He is in it with us.

In this episode I answer this question:

1. I keep bumping against struggles in my business. How do I know if it's time to stop?(42:02)

Great things we discussed:

1. Kat Armstrong

2. @KatArmstrong1 on Instagram

3. The In Between Space

4. Imaginative Prayer

5. Make Room

6. Little Women

7. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership

8. Standing Strong

Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)

xo,

Alli

www.alliworthington.com/katarmstrong2/

Finding Your Gifts with John Bevere Feb 08, 2021

Show notes

Hi friend! I’ve got fan favorite John Bevere on the show today. John is a best-selling author, international speaker, and follower of Christ, and I always walk away from our conversations feeling inspired and motivated in both my work and my relationship with God.

In John’s latest book X: Multiple You God-Given Potential, he helps us think differently about what we are called to do and consider why God called us to do it.

And in today’s conversation, he shares real-life experiences and practical applications with us so we can identify our unique gifts and make a greater impact in the world for God (and not just in the moments that we deem sacred).

In this episode, we chat about:

The concept of spiritual gifts and how they don’t show up for everyone at the same time
Shifting our mindset when we are called to do something that doesn’t feel like a natural fit
The way God engages with our frustrations and why he does so
How to find our roles, both inside and outside of the church.

Favorite quotes:

1. Every single human being whether you are a stay at home mom, your an ER nurse, or your a hairstylist, every single person has a call of God on their life to build the kingdom of God.
2. We don’t shine by what we say, we shine by how we excel with our supernatural gifts on our life.
3. I think a big aspect of building the kingdom is completely missed because we limit it down to church on Sunday, the pastor on the platform.

4. We will never ever be truly satisfied until we take what is uniquely in us and we multiply it for the benefit of others.

Great things we discussed:

1. John Bevere
2. X: Multiply Your God-Given Potential

3. The Blessing
4. Hacksaw Ridge
5. The Pursuit Of God
6. Instant Pot

7. WandaVision

8. Valentines Day Gift Guide

9. Called Creatives

10. Standing Strong

Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)

xo,

Alli

www.alliworthimgton.com/johnbevere

Learning to Rest with Christy Nockels Feb 01, 2021

Show notes

If God asked you to take a step back from something you truly loved to rest more fully in His love, could you do it?

This thought-provoking, and maybe even challenging, question is where we pick up the podcast this week. And I’m joined by author, worship leader, and mother of three Christy Nockels, who knows first hand what it means to transform the soul by learning to rest.

She shares the full story in her new book The Life You Long For: Learning to Live from a Heart of Rest (available February 16), but I’m delighted to have her on the show today to share what she’s learned throughout the years as she embraced the sacrifices the Lord asked her to make.

Some of my favorite highlights from our conversation include:

How the challenges of 2020 ultimately forced us to rest and reevaluate the meaningful things in our lives, including our relationship with God and family
What caused Christy to completely change how she interacts with those around her
Why we should look for opportunities to lead ourselves back into the heart of rest (and how to identify them!)

Favorite quotes:

1. There’s a hustle that actually holds us back. Our hustling ends up preventing the supernatural work of God in our lives.
2. He called me home to take care of my kids so I can be his kid again.
3. So often I think He leads through our desires.

4. If you just hit the bullseye, God will take care of all the outer rings of your life and God will show you his glory.

In this episode I answer these questions:

1. What’s a simple change I can make in my conversations that will help me seem more confident? (39:03)

2. Why does God not answer some prayers? (40:30)

3. Do I need to create a business plan for my new business? (43:02)

Great things we discussed:

1. Christy Nockles
2. The Life You Long For

3. Heart Of Worship
4. Iron Man
5. Abiding In Christ
6. The Ruthless Elimination Of Hurry

7. Kieh's Epidermal Re-texturizing Micro Dermabrasion

8. Knives Out

9. Soul

10. Standing Strong

Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)

xo,

Alli

www.alliworthington.com/christynockels/

Surviving the Storms with Ruth Schwenk Jan 25, 2021

Show notes

Hi friends! We’ve been through a lot over the past year, as people, as communities, as a nation and world. And although there is comfort to be found in suffering through hardships together, what happens to our souls when we’re left suffering privately or by ourselves?

My good friend Ruth Schwenk is joining me on the show today to help us figure that out. Ruth is an author of many wonderful books about parenting, the founder of TheBetterMom.com, and the co-founder of FortheFamily.org.

But what I’m really excited about is her most recent book she co-wrote with her husband Patrick. It’s called In a Boat in the Middle of a Lake: Trusting the God Who Meets Us in Our Storm.

She talks about this new book along with an update on her husband’s health, which inspired the idea of writing about God meeting you in the roughest waters and in the darkest storms.

We also chat about some practical tips on how to take care of yourself right now, even if you’re sitting in the middle of one of those dark, stormy lakes.

Stick around for the whole episode to hear:

Ruth sharing some of the ways God has used suffering and trials to change and teach His people.
How suffering can be a form of education and how God protects us through unanswered prayers.
When it’s okay to take a step back from giving of your time and resources (and who you should surround yourself with and why!)

Favorite quotes:

1. When we’re put in the middle of a storm our faith is tested. It exposes what we really believe about God. And honestly that’s where God really grows us and helps us learn because we have no other choice but to cling to him in that.
2. The biggest thing he does in our suffering is helps us to turn to him and deeper and grow our faith.

3. It’s ok to sit in your pain. It’s not comfortable. Who wants to sit in their pain? But it’s the day after day, step after step looking towards him that he used to change us.

4. I think in dryness and in burnout, he’s using that to purify our faith and to deepen our faith. He wants us to keep seeking him. Eventually if we keep seeking him day after day we discover that he was there all along waiting for us.

In this episode I answer this question:

1. How should I handle fasting as someone who has a tendency to have an eating disorder? (41:32)

Great things we discussed:

1. Ruth Schwenk
2. In A Boat InThe Middle Of The Lake

3. Hillsong Young and Free
4. When Calls The Heart
5. The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter
6. Davines Minu Shampoo

7. Nakee Butter

8. Standing Strong

Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)

xo,

Alli

https://alliworthington.com/ruthschwenk2/

The Science and Scripture Behind Joy with Shaunti Feldhahn Jan 18, 2021

Show notes

When the calendar flipped to 2021, a lot of us felt relief. We made it through a challenging year, and, finally, it seemed like there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Well, friends, while things are getting better, nothing’s magically changed yet. It can be hard to find joy when it all feels the same.

That’s why I’ve asked my dear friend, Shaunti Feldhahn, to join me on the show today. Shaunti is my favorite social research, and I’m forever wowed by her ability to combine scripture with good, factual data.

She takes us on a journey through what science and scripture say about finding joy, recognizing when we need to trust God (spoiler: always), and how to find joy and happiness regardless of what’s going on around us.

In this episode, she helps us:

Identify practical ways to look for joy in the everyday
Discover what research and scripture say about a joyful life
Create boundaries on negative thinking
Reaffirm that we need to trust God and his purpose for our lives, especially in times of uncertainty

Favorite quotes:

1. We're actually challenged by the fact that God says that joy is supposed to be the characteristic of the Christian, regardless of whether it's dark and cold or beautiful outside.
2. It's really astounding how God has created us. When we focus on the things that are worthy of gratitude, that emotion, that joy is one of the things that wells up inside us.

3. There is an interesting principle, about looking back, and remembering all the ways that God has been so faithful to us each time we've had a freak-out before and going ‘Oh yeah. Right.’

4. God never, ever promises us that there is going to be this constant overflowing of time, or provision, or energy. It's always that we have enough for that day, that moment, as long as we follow the shepherd.

Great things we discussed:

1. Shaunti Feldhahn

2. Find Joy: A Devotional Journey to Unshakable Wonder in an Uncertain World

3. Understanding Green Pastures

4. Francine Rivers: Mark of the Lion Series

5. Lord of The Rings

6. Gulu bags

7. Soul

8. Standing Strong

Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)

xo,

Alli

www.alliworthington.com/shauntifeldhahn2021

Giving up guilt with Valorie Burton Jan 11, 2021

Show notes

Have you ever noticed women tend to feel guilty more often than men? Whether it’s taking a day off or saying no to our children, there’s a lingering little voice inside us that second-guesses the decision we’ve made.

Well, friends, Valorie Burton is here to help us give up the guilt! Valorie is a talented writer, but more than that, she’s dedicated her career to researching how women can lead happier lives, be more successful, and, finally, let go of the never-ending guilt that threatens to hold us back.

In today’s episode, Valorie and I talk about the concept of false guilt and why it’s so important for women to understand their true callings from God. She also shares some practical strategies that we can implement right now to help us break free from the draining and sneaky cycles of guilt.

Stick around for the whole episode because we discuss:

What false guilt looks life in our everyday lives and how to spot it before it starts
How to identify spiritual guilt and what to do about it
Why conversations about guilt are essential in our relationships
How parents can reconcile guilt brought on by the pandemic

Favorite quotes:

1. The thing about guilt is that if we allow it to take control, that’s when it becomes a problem because guilt is a message.
2. Oftentimes we need to notice when our guilt is triggered but also label your guilt.

3. We have to push through those feelings of guilt and be honest with ourselves. Because God will break those clouds open and that sunshine starts to come in.

4. It’s important to notice that your joy is missing. Notice what guilt is doing to dampen your joy and be willing to accept what is.

Great things we discussed:

1. Valorie Burton
2. Let Go of The Guilt

3.Curious George
4. Secrets of Six-Figure Women
5. Towel Warmer
6. Successful Women’s Academy

7. Greyhound

8. Standing Strong

Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)

xo,

Alli

www.alliworthington.com/valorieburton2

Showing up for your life with Hannah Brencher Jan 04, 2021

Show notes

Happy New Year, friend!

Joining me today on the show is mental health advocate, viral TED speaker, and author Hannah Brencher. Hannah is a dear friend of mine, and I’m thrilled to kick off the new year by sharing our conversation with you!

She shares with us the story of God leading her to show up for her life and how that inspired her latest book, Fighting Forward. In Fighting Forward Hannah cheers us on and encourages us to battle the lies we tell ourselves that hold us back from living out the life God wants for us.

We also talk about:

Taking back our stories from fear and how to practice courage and strength regularly
Partnering with God to make changes for the better, not just for the sake of the calendar
Digging deeper to look for God in new ways when we’re experiencing pain and loss

I sincerely hope you walk away from this conversation with Hannah feeling empowered to fight for God’s calling in your life this year.

Favorite quotes:

1. A lot of times I feel, in the monotonous and the mundane, when we're getting to the edge we want to quit. That's when the breakthrough actually happens, you're actually closer than you think.

2. If I can look at the things that I'm doing as if all of this is progress, none of this is for naught, then I can't quit before I start to see the evidence of the actual moving and shaking of what God is doing.

3. The devil can't do much when you make the decision. Regardless, I am still going to keep showing up and that is not going to change the outcome of how I'm going to be here.

4. There are a lot of us sitting right now, waiting on something. And I think what's really important to know is that just because we've gone through these things, doesn't mean that you won't grieve, doesn't mean that you won't mourn. But at the same time, we cannot believe the lie that life is on pause because we are in this waiting or because we are suffering. Life is still very much happening all around us.

Great things we discussed:

1. Hannah Brencher Website

2. Fighting Forward: Your Nitty-Gritty Guide to Beating the Lies That Hold You Back

3.Hannah’s previous episode

4. The Queen’s Gambit
5. Crime Junkie
6. Bringing Up Bebe
7. Egg Cooker
8. Keurig

9. You Hold It All Together

10. Standing Strong

Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)

xo,

Alli

www.alliworthington.com/hannahbrencher2

Rejection, FOMO, and Living Loved from Fierce Faith Dec 28, 2020

Show notes

Friends, we made it to the end of 2020! Can you believe it?! At times, I didn’t think we’d get here, but here we are. And for some of us, we’ve been holding on to this expectation that if we just make it to the end of the year, things will get better. Our problems will go away. We’ll know how to better cope with suffering. The overwhelming amount of pain and trauma we’ve experienced will finally be in the past.

That expectation is lovely in theory, but really, it’s unnamed fear.

I don’t want you to head into the next week, the next month or the next year holding on to unnamed fears. When we do this, we’re saying we’d rather sit on the sidelines. That’s why I wanted to read Chapter 4 of my book Fierce Faith on the show today.

In “What If They Don’t Like Me?,” I share my own personal stories of rejection, and more importantly, how fear of rejection impacted my life. It’s not something we talk about often, fear of rejection, but it lingers in everything we do. Whether or not we post that picture of our accomplishment on Instagram. If we tell our partner about our new business idea. How we share something personal with a new friend.

I hope this chapter gives you a starting place to embrace 2021 with hope and confidence.

We break down:

1. How rejection causes us to overgeneralize and view the world from a place of hurt

2. The way Jesus dealt with rejection from his friends, disciples, and including his outcry to His own father.

3. What practical tools we can use to develop a battle plan for overcoming our fear of rejection and live a joy-filled life.

Links to great things:

1. Fierce Faith

2. Standing Strong

Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)

xo,

Alli

www.alliworthington.com/fiercefaith3

Prayer and why we can ask God for what we need Dec 21, 2020

Show notes

It’s almost Christmas, friends! On the show today, we’re going to dive into Chapter 10 from my latest book, Standing Strong.

I believe this chapter, which is titled Ask For It: I’m Relearning How Prayer Really Works, is especially relevant today as we look towards 2021 and what next year may bring. This chapter specifically talks about how God told me to walk away from a job I cared about and provided financial security for my family. I also share how God revealed to me that he truly wants to partner with us in our journey and how an intentional walk with him is really the adventure of a lifetime.

And it all starts with prayer. Prayer is powerful, of course we know that. But our prayers also have the power to change God’s mind. He is always listening because he cares about us and he knows what matters to us. Inviting him along with us through prayer helps us better understand his plan for our life even when we’re resisting because we think we have it all figured out.

As we approach the end of 2020, I challenge you to begin asking for what you need in full faith that God will give you what is best for you.

As always, at the end of today’s episode, I share how to make it a habit to invite God into your work, your life and your relationships. I hope it makes a difference in your attitude towards prayer.

With the holidays quickly approaching, I am including you all in my prayers this week. Merry Christmas!

Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :)

xo,

Alli

www.alliworthington.com/standingstrong2

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected