The Sister Circle Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#567 – Michelle Smith – Healing After Abandonment Jan 03, 2026

Show notes

What does healing look like when life doesn’t turn out the way you planned? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Michelle Smith to talk about forgiveness, abandonment, boundaries, and trusting God after deep disappointment. Michelle shares her journey through adoption, divorce, single parenting, and learning how to forgive — not once, but over a lifetime.

This conversation is honest, tender, and filled with hope for anyone walking through unresolved pain. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep trusting God when other people’s choices changed your life, this episode will meet you right where you are.

Highlights from Today’s Episode

Choosing forgiveness as an ongoing decision
Learning to trust God after abandonment and betrayal
Setting boundaries without closing your heart

Related Resources

Connect with Michelle Smith on her website.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

The post #567 – Michelle Smith – Healing After Abandonment first appeared on Chrystal Evans Hurst.

#566 – Crystal Aikin – Purpose Beyond the Platform Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

What do you do when God moves in ways you didn’t expect? In this episode, I sit down with singer and Sunday Best winner Crystal Aikin to talk about calling, healing, and learning to trust God when the assignment keeps changing. Crystal shares her journey from nursing to music, from public success to private healing, and from striving to stillness. We talk honestly about singleness, unmet expectations, buried pain, and the kind of faith that’s built when God takes you off the path you thought you’d be on. This conversation is for anyone learning how to wait well and trust God deeply.

Highlights from Today’s Episode

Allowing God to heal what you’ve learned to push past
Trusting God when expectations go unmet
Learning to wait without striving or forcing outcomes

Related Resources

Connect with Crystal on Instagram or YouTube

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

The post #566 – Crystal Aikin – Purpose Beyond the Platform first appeared on Chrystal Evans Hurst.

#565 – Anne Beiler – How God Turns Pain Into Purpose Jan 01, 2026

Show notes

Often during our darkest moments, it’s difficult to see God’s hands on our lives. But when we can look back and see how He carried us through other tough times, it becomes clear that there can be purpose even in our pain.

In this episode, I sit down with Anne Beiler, the founder of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. Even after selling her company in 2025, she continues to inspire people with her story of redemption and resilience. My conversation with Anne is a reminder that even when life is hard, because life can be so hard, God is still good.

Highlights from Today’s Episode

Hearing from the Holy Spirit
Moving mountains in marriage
Choosing to live again

Related Resources

Connect with Anne Beiler on Instagram or Facebook.
Keep up with Anne on her website.
Grab a copy of Anne’s latest books, including “Come to the Table Cookbook,” “Overcome and Lead,” and more from her online shop.
Check out Anne’s Stories x 8 small group experience
Listen to the Overcome with Auntie Anne podcast.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

The post #565 – Anne Beiler – How God Turns Pain Into Purpose first appeared on Chrystal Evans Hurst.

#564 – Ruthann Cannings – How to Walk in Spiritual Authority Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

What does it really mean to walk in spiritual authority? In this episode, I sit down with my Aunt Ruth — pastor, counselor, and teacher — to talk about identity, intimacy with God, and living with confidence rooted in Christ. We explore why authority isn’t about performance or perfect prayers, but about knowing who you are as a daughter of God. This conversation touches on unanswered prayers, singleness, disappointment, and learning to trust God even when life doesn’t unfold the way you expected. If you’re longing to walk boldly in your faith without striving, this episode will encourage and ground you.

Highlights from Today’s Episode

Defining spiritual authority
Navigating disappointment
Choosing contentment

Related Resources

Connect with Ruthann Cannings on her website.
For more encouragement, listen to episode #324-How to Leave a Legacy.
Grab my devotional, 100 Days to Discovering the Gift of You.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

The post #564 – Ruthann Cannings – How to Walk in Spiritual Authority first appeared on Chrystal Evans Hurst.

#563 – Megan Fate Marshman – Learning to Slow Down with God Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

What does it look like to slow down and walk with a God who isn’t worried — even when life feels overwhelming?

In this episode, I sit down with author and speaker Megan Fate Marshman for an honest conversation about grief, drive, faith, and learning to let go of self-reliance. Megan shares how loss reshaped her understanding of trust, why autonomy can quietly replace intimacy with God, and how slowing down isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom.

This episode is for anyone who feels tired of trying harder and is ready to learn what it means to walk with God instead.

Highlights from Today’s Episode

Learning to slow down
Growing in spiritual health
Practicing honesty with God
Choosing community over fear

Related Resources

Grab a copy of Megan Fate Marshman’s book: Relaxed: Walking with the One Who Is Not Worried About a Thing
Connect with Megan Fate Marshman on Instagram, X, Facebook, or her website.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

The post #563 – Megan Fate Marshman – Learning to Slow Down with God first appeared on Chrystal Evans Hurst.

#562 – Here’s Where I’ll be in 2026 Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

I’m entering this next season with a simple focus: alignment over overload.

In this episode, I share why I’m choosing a slower, steadier pace and how making room for overflow starts with living in step with God—not doing more. I also talk about what’s ahead for the podcast, the Inner Circle, and upcoming opportunities, along with a free tool to help you reset your rhythm anytime you need it.

Highlights from Today’s Episode

Choosing alignment over overload
Redefining overflow as a fruit of obedience
Embracing a slower, steadier pace with God
Creating margin for rest, clarity, and trust
Shifting from hustle to sustainable formation

Related Resources

Join the Inner Circle: thesistercircle.com/innercircle
Learn more about The Communicator’s Cohort: thesistercircle.com/cohort
Free 5-Day Rhythm Reset: thesistercircle.com/rhythm
Get your copy of The Full Circle Planner: thesistercircle.com/shop

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

The post #562 – Here’s Where I’ll be in 2026 first appeared on Chrystal Evans Hurst.

#561 – When the Year Didn’t Go As Planned Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

Has this year left you feeling defeated? If you’re ready to give up after giving it all you had, this episode will give you the push needed to get up and fight another day.

In this teaching, I share my practical advice for starting over, even when it feels like things never work out. The truth is, you have no idea how close you are to winning the fight while you’re in it. Sometimes you just need a reminder that you have what it takes to try again.

Highlights from Today’s Episode

Looking for the silver lining
Learning how to fail forward
Leaning into the beauty of this season

Related Resources

Need more encouragement for starting again? Watch this podcast episode to learn How to Regain Motivation.
Tired of drifting away from your goals? Check out this podcast episode on Finding Your Way Back.
Reset for the year ahead with the Write It Down guide and the free Dream Builders Workshop.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

The post #561 – When the Year Didn’t Go As Planned first appeared on Chrystal Evans Hurst.

#560 – How to Plan Without Striving Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

Are you making the most of your life? Maybe you have good goals, but the pressure to achieve has caused you to sacrifice your peace and fold under the pressure.

In this episode, I share important principles for partnering with God and releasing the pressure attached to productivity. There’s more waiting for you on the other side of surrender. If you’re tired of trying to make things happen on your own, this one’s for you.

Highlights from Today’s Episode

Building healthy habits
Aligning with God
Planning with purpose

Related Resources

Ready to live beyond the limits of your to-do list? Listen to my chat with Kendra Adachi on A New Approach to Productivity.
Check out this conversation with Jennifer Dukes Lee on The Balancing Act: God and Goals.
Prepare your heart and mind for the year ahead with the Write It Down guide and the free Dream Builders Workshop.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

The post #560 – How to Plan Without Striving first appeared on Chrystal Evans Hurst.

#559 – Therapy and Theology with Jerry Flowers Jr. Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with Pastor Jerry Flowers Jr. to talk about the life-changing connection between therapy, theology, and healing. Jerry shares the story behind Therapy Thursday, why trauma often blocks us from hearing biblical truth, and how renewing your mind requires both Scripture and practical strategy. We discuss emotional awareness, grief, community, relational autopsies, and how Jesus modeled healthy boundaries long before we had the language for them.

If you’ve ever wondered why you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unable to move forward—this conversation will help you understand what’s happening in your heart and how to begin healing.

Highlights from Today’s Episode

Learning to renew your mind
Identifying relational patterns
Reframing community and boundaries

Related Resources

Connect with Jerry Flowers Jr. on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or his Website.
Grab a copy of Jerry’s book: Heart Rehab

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

The post #559 – Therapy and Theology with Jerry Flowers Jr. first appeared on Chrystal Evans Hurst.

#558 – When God Multiplies the Little Things Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

Do you feel like what you have to offer isn’t enough? If you wish you had more to do more in your life, then this episode will encourage you to shift your perspective and focus on stewarding the small things well.

In this episode, I discuss the power of using what you have to cultivate seeds right where you are. This message will encourage you to embrace small beginnings and make room for God to multiply every seed you faithfully sow.

Highlights from Today’s Episode

Participating in God’s plan
Building capacity through consistency
Implementing rhythms and routines

Related Resources

Check out this podcast episode to hear more about The Importance of Small Great Things.
Listen to this podcast episode to learn How to Build Habits That Last.
Read more about “doing what you can with what you have” in chapter 14 of my book She’s Still There.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

The post #558 – When God Multiplies the Little Things first appeared on Chrystal Evans Hurst.