Hope Unabridged
A podcast that seeks to find hope in the midst of our unedited stories
Episode 70: Rebuilding Relational Resilience When You Want to Quit with Heather & Seth Day
February 8, 2023 • Kasey Brennan & Angie Elkins, Heather Day, Seth Day
On this episode of Hope Unabridged, Kasey & Angie discuss relational resilience and how to cultivate relationships instead of canceling them. Heather Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University and is passionate about supporting women. Seth Day has been a pastor and campus chaplain who has experienced deep trauma and hurt. Learn more about how their experiences give their latest book, I'll See You Tomorrow: Building Relational Resilience When You Want to Quit, a deeper level of depth and emotion.
Episode 69: Rebuilding Beautiful
January 25, 2023 • Kasey Brennan & Angie Elkins, Kayla Stoeklein
On this episode of Hope Unabridged, Kasey & Angie discuss what it looks like to rebuild after a deep grief with author, speaker, and mental health advocate, Kayla Stoeklein. Since losing her pastor-husband to suicide in August 2018, Kayla Stoecklein has been passionate about bringing hope to those who wonder if life will ever hold beauty again. In Rebuilding Beautiful, Kayla shares the hard-won truths she has embraced in these years of grief and new beginnings God made her to be in Christ.
Episode 68: The Clutter Fix with Shannon Acheson
January 11, 2023 • Shannon Acheson, Kasey Brennan & Angie Elkins
On this episode of Hope Unabridged, Kasey & Angie discuss what our clutter personalities are and how we can rid our homes and lives of excess clutter in this new year. Shannon is a self-taught designer, decorator, and author of Home Made Lovely. She is an “all things home” coach, believes home is the most important place on earth, and has been featured in magazines, online, and on television, including http://oprah.com
Episode 67: Behind Closed Doors with Jessica Peck
December 28, 2022 • Jessica Peck
On this episode of Hope Unabridged, Kasey & Angie discuss what goes on in terms of navigating life’s toughest issues with teens with Jessica Peck. Jessica has a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (DPN) and is a Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). She has spent thousands of hours advising and encouraging parents after talking to their teens behind closed doors. In the privacy of her exam room, she has treated teens with mental illnesses, responded to suicide attempts, treated self-harm wounds as well as the emotional trauma of cyberbullying, sexting, pornography addictions and numerous other issues.
Episode 66: Embracing a Life of Courage, Creativity, & Radical Imagination with Blaine Hogan
December 14, 2022 • Blaine Hogan
On this episode of Hope Unabridged, Kasey & Angie discuss embracing a life of courage, creativity, and radical imagination with writer, film & creative director, and actor, Blaine Hogan. Blaine is the former creative director for Willow Creek Community Church, and is currently a full-time filmmaker living in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, Margaret, and their three daughters. He holds a Master's degree in Theology and Culture from the Seattle School of Psychology and has appeared in many stage productions and television shows.
Episode 65: Bringing Up Kids with Bekah McNeel
November 30, 2022 • Bekah Mcneel
On this episode of Hope Unabridged, Kasey & Angie discuss how to bring up kids when the church lets you down with journalist, wife, and mother of two, Bekah McNeel. Bekah’s work has appeared in Christianity Today, Sojourners, Relevant, The Texas Tribune, and elsewhere. This is an important conversation amongst many parents today, and Bekah will break down some of these fears and talk about finding hope in the middle of it.
Episode 64: Part of My World with Jodi Benson
November 16, 2022 • Jodi Benson
On this episode of Hope Unabridged, you’ll hear from the voice of Ariel, the “Little Mermaid” herself, Jodi Benson! Hosts Kasey Brennan & Angie Elkins engage in a wonderful conversation on what she has learned about love, faith, and finding her voice. Join in and get a glimpse behind the curtain at the making of one of the most celebrated animated movies of all time!
Episode 63: The Superpower of Mindset With Jon Acuff
October 31, 2022 • Jon Acuff
On this episode of Hope Unabridged, Kasey & Angie sit down with bestselling author & leadership speaker, Jon Acuff and his two daughters, L.E. & McRae. In this thoughtful conversation, they discuss how to tap into the superpower of mindset and overthinking, and how curiosity always beats criticism. This is a conversation you will not want to miss!
Episode 62: Scared to Life With Ryan George
October 19, 2022 • Ryan George
If you long for a life of adventure, you will not want to miss this episode as Kasey & Angie sit down with adrenaline junkie, Ryan George. Ryan is a certified wingwalker, a bungee jumping enthusiast, and a via ferrata connoisseur who has traveled to all seven continents and both polar circles. If that isn’t enough, he’s also surfed in the Arctic, raced four different kinds of race cars, and paraglided in seven countries. As a spiritual leader, he co-leads Dude Group, a spiritual adventure community. His book, Scared to Life: Tales of a Good God Who Reveals His Heart When Ours Is Racing, is a must-read, and you can purchase it on his website, http://godinoddplaces.com. Hope Unabridged is hosted by: Kasey Brennan (@thejoyfulwild) and Angie Elkins (@angiebrownelkins) Music by: Robert Elkins #hopeunabridged #goodlife45 #ryangeorge #scaredtolife #godinoddplaces
Episode 61: A Church Worth Fighting For With Nancy Beach & Samantha Beach Kiley
October 5, 2022 • Nancy Beach, Samantha Beach Kiley
On this episode of Hope Unabridged, Kasey & Angie have an honest dialogue about the future of the church with Nancy Beach & Samantha Beach Kiley. Nancy serves as a leadership coach with the Slingshot Group, helping church leaders and teams flourish in life and ministry. Samantha is a writer and performer working at the intersection of art and faith. Listen and learn more about their unique philosophy on the creation and growth of the Church in today’s society.
Episode 60: What Will They Think? With Grace Valentine
September 19, 2022 • Grace Valentine
On this episode of Hope Unabridged, Kasey & Angie discuss how we can let go and overcome what other people think of us with author, blogger, & speaker, Grace Valentine. Her newest book, What Will They Think? Nine Women in the Bible Who Can Help You Live Your Life Boldly, is available now. Join the conversation and learn how to turn your focus on God instead of bending to peer pressure and people-pleasing. Hope Unabridged is hosted by: Kasey Brennan (@thejoyfulwild) and Angie Elkins (@angiebrownelkins) Music by: Robert Elkins
Episode 59: More Than My Scars With Kechi Okwuchi - Part 2
September 5, 2022 • Kechi Okwuchi
Hear an inspiring story of love and acceptance on today’s episode of Hope Unabridged, as Kasey and Angie sit down with Nigerian-American singer and motivational speaker, Kechi Okwuchi. The first thing you will notice when you meet Kechi is her scars. One of just two survivors of a devastating plane crash that killed more than 100 people, 16-year-old Kechi was left with third-degree burns over 65 percent of her body. Through it all, Christ has been the key to her perseverance. Her story is not one of just surviving impossible odds, but also thriving in a world that is too often caught up with how we look on the outside rather than seeing that our true value is within. Kechi’s memoir ‘More Than My Scars’ released on March 29th of this year, and her self-titled debut album is currently streaming on all digital music platforms. Hope Unabridged is hosted by: Kasey Brennan (@thejoyfulwild) and Angie Elkins (@angiebrownelkins) Music by: Robert Elkins
Episode 58: More Than My Scars With Kechi Okwuchi - Part 1
August 22, 2022 • Kechi Okwuchi
Hear an inspiring story of love and acceptance on this episode of Hope Unabridged, as Kasey and Angie sit down with Nigerian-American singer and motivational speaker, Kechi Okwuchi. The first thing you will notice when you meet Kechi is her scars. One of just two survivors of a devastating plane crash that killed more than 100 people, 16-year-old Kechi was left with third-degree burns over 65 percent of her body. Through it all, Christ has been the key to her perseverance. Her story is not one of just surviving impossible odds, but also thriving in a world that is too often caught up with how we look on the outside rather than seeing that our true value is within. Kechi’s memoir ‘More Than My Scars’ released on March 29th of this year, and her self-titled debut album is currently streaming on all digital music platforms. Hope Unabridged is hosted by: Kasey Brennan (@thejoyfulwild) and Angie Elkins (@angiebrownelkins) Music by: Robert Elkins
Episode 57: An Invitation to Wholeness With Amy Julia Becker
August 12, 2022 • Amy Julia Becker
In this life, things don’t always pan out as we’d like them to. We endure difficult relationships, community tragedies, mental anguish, and even physical pain. For anyone struggling with pain or loss, our latest episode will provide you with some much needed hope. Watch as Kasey and Angie speak with award-winning writer & speaker, Amy Julia Becker. Julia will provide us with her own life story, along with fresh insights on how to heal your whole self, and the invitation that Jesus offers to each one of us to be made well. Her latest book, To Be Made Well, delves further into this topic, providing you with ways to find personal, spiritual, and social healing. Hope Unabridged is hosted by: Kasey Brennan (@thejoyfulwild) and Angie Elkins (@angiebrownelkins) Music by: Robert Elkins
Episode 56: Stubborn Obedience With Holly Knight
July 27, 2022 • Holly Knight
On this episode of Hope Unabridged, Kasey and Angie speak with author and worship leader Holly Knight on what stubborn obedience looks like. Holly felt God's calling to serve the Christian community early in her life. At the age of 19, she married Bradley Knight and gave birth to 3 beautiful girls, and in 2012, they added two more children to their family through adoption from the country of Uganda. Join the conversation as the ladies discuss everything from adoption to moving through our fears. You will not want to miss it!