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Goodbye Guilt & Shame

Goodbye Guilt & Shame

By: Ashley Vanderpool & Jess Layne
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Welcome to Goodbye Guilt & Shame, the podcast that offers a beacon of hope for those navigating the complex emotions of guilt and shame. Each week, hosts Jess and Ashley engage in powerful, interview-style conversations with individuals who have triumphed over their past traumas. Through authentic stories of healing and resilience, we provide listeners with the tools and resources necessary to embark on their own journeys toward emotional freedom. Our mission is to foster a safe and supportive community where everyone—from youth to elders—can find inspiration and guidance. Join us as we explore meaningful testimonies, share practical resources—including support groups, books, and Bible studies—and empower each other to break free from negative life cycles. Tune in every Wednesday for real stories of hope and healing, and discover how today can—and will—be better than yesterday. Together, we can move toward a brighter future.Copyright 2026 Ashley Vanderpool & Jess Layne Christianity Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • No More Whispering: Abortion and Church Culture — A Church That Shows Up

    No More Whispering: Abortion and Church Culture — A Church That Shows Up
    Jun 24 2026
    About the Series

    No More Whispering: Abortion and Church Culture is a special mini-series from Goodbye Guilt & Shame exploring how churches can move beyond silence and become places of truth, compassion, healing, and hope for those impacted by abortion, unexpected pregnancy, and reproductive loss.

    Connect With Us

    Restored Nation

    • Website: Restored Nation
    • Email: ask@restorednation.org

    If today's episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this conversation with a pastor, ministry leader, or church member who wants to help create a healthier culture of life in their church community.

    "Church culture isn't just what we believe. It's what people experience when they need us most."

    Episode 7: A Church That Shows Up

    What does it actually look like when a church moves beyond simply being "pro-life" and intentionally creates a culture where women, families, and children are supported, valued, and loved?

    In this episode, Jess Layne and Autumn Smith sit down with Pastor Rich Blum and Women's Ministry Director Pam Plotner from Bethel Community Church, a church that has spent years cultivating a culture of life through practical ministry, discipleship, and community support.

    Pastor Rich shares the deeply personal story that first drew him into pro-life ministry and explains why church leaders cannot afford to remain silent on issues of life, abortion, healing, and restoration. He discusses how leadership shapes church culture and why churches must become places where people feel safe enough to ask for help before a crisis decision is made.

    Later, Pam shares the story behind bringing the national ministry Embrace Grace to Bethel Community Church. She explains how the ministry walks alongside women experiencing unexpected pregnancies through practical care, biblical community, discipleship, and ongoing support long after a baby is born.

    Together, these conversations offer a powerful picture of what happens when churches intentionally choose compassion, courage, and action.

    Resources Mentioned
    • Restored Nation
    • Embrace Grace
    • Pathways Women's Clinic
    • Bethel Community Church
    • Care Net & LifeWay Research on Church Culture and Abortion
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    56 mins
  • No More Whispering: Abortion & Church Culture - From Fear, to Knowledge, to Hope

    No More Whispering: Abortion & Church Culture - From Fear, to Knowledge, to Hope
    Jun 10 2026

    In this episode of Goodbye Guilt and Shame, hosts Jess Layne and Autumn Smith welcome special guest Ashley Vanderpool, Registered Nurse with Infinite Worth and former co-host of the podcast.

    Throughout this mini-series, we've talked about abortion and church culture from many angles—sanctity of life, the gray space surrounding abortion decisions, the influence of fathers and families, and the role churches play in creating safe places for difficult conversations.

    Today, we move even closer to the front lines.

    Ashley serves as a nurse with Infinite Worth, a 24/7 nurse chat ministry that partners with hundreds of pregnancy resource centers across the country. Through text-based conversations, Ashley and her fellow nurses connect with women and families in moments of fear, uncertainty, and crisis—often before they have spoken to anyone else about their pregnancy.

    In this conversation, Ashley provides a rare glimpse into what women are actually experiencing in real time. She shares what she hears every day from women facing unexpected pregnancies, the fears that drive many abortion decisions, the questions people are asking, and what churches need to understand if they truly want to create cultures where people feel safe seeking help.

    One of the most powerful statements Ashley shares is that her goal is helping women move from fear, to knowledge, to hope.

    Whether you are a pastor, ministry leader, volunteer, parent, or simply someone who wants to love people well, this episode offers valuable insight into the reality many women face long before anyone else knows their story.

    Key Quote

    "They're not waking up saying, 'I think I'll have an abortion today.' They're scared, often uneducated, and they need to be loved, given good information, and provided a safe place to process what they're facing." — Ashley Vanderpool

    Research Referenced
    • 3 in 10 women who have had an abortion report having experienced more than one abortion.
    • Approximately 51% of women agree that churches do not have a ministry prepared to discuss options during an unexpected pregnancy.
    • About 52% of churchgoers who have had an abortion report that no one at church knows about their abortion experience.
    • 4 in 10 women report that the father of the baby was the most influential person in their pregnancy decision.

    Source: Care Net and Lifeway Research

    Featured OrganizationInfinite Worth

    Infinite Worth provides a 24/7 nurse chat ministry that connects women facing unexpected pregnancies with licensed nurses who offer compassionate support, education, referrals, and pregnancy resource center connections. Their mission is to reach women in the moment they need help most and connect them with life-affirming care and local support. They currently partner with hundreds of pregnancy centers across the United States and provide around-the-clock nurse support through text-based communication.

    Learn more:

    https://www.infiniteworth.org

    Connect With Us

    If abortion is part of your story, please know that you are not disqualified from belonging.

    There is hope.

    There is healing.

    And you do not have to walk alone.

    For information about post-abortion healing and support:

    RestoredNation.org
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • No More Whispering: Abortion and Church Culture — The Recipe for Restoration

    No More Whispering: Abortion and Church Culture — The Recipe for Restoration
    May 27 2026
    Goodbye Guilt and ShameSeason 2 | Mini Series 2 | Episode 5No More Whispering: Abortion and Church Culture — The Recipe for RestorationHosts: Jess Layne & Autumn SmithEpisode DescriptionIn this final episode of No More Whispering, Jess and Autumn bring together the conversations from the entire series and ask an important question: What does a healthy, life-giving church culture actually look like?This conversation moves beyond ideas and into action—exploring the ingredients that create safe spaces where people feel seen, supported, and valued. Jess and Autumn discuss practical ways churches can show up for individuals and families navigating unexpected pregnancy, abortion recovery, miscarriage, grief, and single parenting.This episode also highlights trusted organizations and resources available for healing and support because no one should have to walk through these experiences alone.Resources MentionedAbortion Recovery & HealingSupport After AbortionConnects women and men impacted by abortion with healing resources and support groups. Offers both faith-based and secular options.Deeper StillFree confidential healing retreats for women and men impacted by abortion. Jess and Dan personally shared their experience attending one of these retreats.An Even PlaceOnline faith-based support groups designed to help women process grief, shame, and healing after abortion.Pregnancy Loss & Grief SupportRestored Nation — In His ArmsPrivate healing sessions for individuals and couples processing:MiscarriageInfant lossPregnancy griefI Am SeenProvides care boxes and grief resources for families experiencing miscarriage and infant loss.Single Parent SupportRestored Nation — Strong MomsA support community for single mothers designed to provide:CommunityEncouragementPrayerPractical supportResources for daily lifeBooks & Additional ResourcesUnmasked — by Jim AndersonTopics include:God's design for sexualityRelationshipsMasculinity and femininityHealing and restorationCreating healthy church cultureSexuality UnmaskedAdditional recommended book:The Heart of a WomanConnect With UsQuestions? Need support? Want help finding resources in your area?Email: ask@restorednation.orgFollow and connect with Goodbye Guilt and Shame on social media."A culture of life is more than a belief. It's the way we show up for people."Until next time, we're Jess Layne and Autumn Smith reminding you that today can and will be better than yesterday.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
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