Episodes

  • What the Church Needs to Know About Christianity Today’s New Leader | Nicole Massie Martin

    What the Church Needs to Know About Christianity Today’s New Leader | Nicole Massie Martin
    Jul 13 2026
    How is the new leader of Christianity Today bringing her full, authentic self to her new role? And how does her desire to lead with both confidence and humility challenge typical leadership scripts?In this episode of Hear Women, Tara Beth Leach sits down with Nicole Massie Martin—president and CEO of Christianity Today—to talk honestly about what it means to lead as a woman and as a woman of color in both corporate and ministry contexts. Through their candid conversation, Martin reflects on formative moments when mentors affirmed her calling and when discernment wasn’t a linear process—revealing why her deepest leadership value is a constant dependence on Christ.As Martin unpacks the realities of stepping into a high-profile Christian leadership role amid cultural tension, she shares why a “crucified” approach to leadership is exactly what the church needs right now. The discussion also highlights Martin’s vision for Christianity Today and her reflections on writing and releasing her book, Nailing It, amid a season of vocational discernment. If you’re craving a fresh vision for leadership that is adaptive, authentic, and joyful, this episode will empower you to serve those around you with your whole self and from a posture of radical dependence on Jesus. This episode highlights the following themes:How ethnicity and gender shape the leadership journey—and the gift of authenticityDeveloping a leadership ethic that is rooted in dependence, joy, and redemptive purposeWhy apprenticeship, access, and inclusion are non-negotiable for women to flourish in the church Links from this episode:Learn more about Nicole Massie MartinRead Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender by Nicole Massie MartinLearn more about Christianity TodayLearn more about Hunter GuyRead the transcript hereLearn more about Hear WomenLearn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth LeachRead Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-YoungRead Tell Her Story by Nijay GuptaRead Emboldened by Tara Beth LeachSPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.SPONSOR | Hear Women is sponsored by Northern Seminary, where thousands of women have been equipped to serve as pastors, practitioners, church planters, and ministry leaders across the globe. Explore your calling and visit seminary.edu to learn more.Credits:✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by ArtaxDisclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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    46 mins
  • What the Church Needs to Know About Women Advocating for Biblical Equality | Mimi Haddad

    What the Church Needs to Know About Women Advocating for Biblical Equality | Mimi Haddad
    Jun 29 2026
    What does it mean to shape the church with a vision for true equality?In this episode of Hear Women, Nijay Gupta hosts a spirited conversation with Mimi Haddad, president of CBE International (Christians for Biblical Equality), about her remarkable journey as a scholar, advocate, and “general in the gender wars.” Together, they reflect on the roots of gender roles in family and culture, break down the real meanings behind the terms “complementarian” and “egalitarian,” and discuss the importance of supporting the full expression of women’s gifts in the church.From stories of immigrant upbringing and mentorship to the global drive for women’s leadership, Haddad invites listeners to consider how translation, tradition, and opportunity all shape what’s possible for women—and what the church loses when half of its members are sidelined. If you’re searching for tools to advocate for women, wrestle with hard questions about the Bible, or foster mentorship in your context, this episode points to tried-and-true resources. In contrast to recent events in the Southern Baptist Convention that aim to restrict women’s roles in the church, this episode reminds leaders everywhere that a flourishing church is one in which everyone’s gifts are welcomed and empowered. Discover the joys of standing for biblical equality, the progress that has been made in the church on this issue, and what legacy you can help leave for the next generation of women in leadership.This episode highlights the following themes:How family upbringing and cultural background influence perspectives on gender rolesThe crucial role of mentoring and community for women in biblical scholarship and church leadershipThe impact of language and Bible translation on women’s visibility and empowerment within the churchLinks from this episode:Learn more about Mimi Haddad and CBE International (Christians for Biblical Equality)Read Discovering Biblical Equality, Third EditionRead Priscilla PapersLearn more about Rt. Rev. Dr. Emily OnyangoDiscover more about IBR (Institute of Biblical Research)Learn more about mentorship opportunities with Every Voice Kingdom DiversityRead the transcript hereLearn more about Hear WomenLearn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth LeachRead Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-YoungRead Tell Her Story by Nijay GuptaRead Emboldened by Tara Beth LeachSPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.SPONSOR | Hear Women is sponsored by Northern Seminary, where thousands of women have been equipped to serve as pastors, practitioners, church planters, and ministry leaders across the globe. Explore your calling and visit seminary.edu to learn more.Credits:✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by ArtaxDisclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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    33 mins
  • What the Church Needs to Know About the Unique Ways Women Lead | Shawna Songer Gaines

    What the Church Needs to Know About the Unique Ways Women Lead | Shawna Songer Gaines
    Jun 15 2026
    What does it mean to lean fully into embodied church leadership as a woman?In this episode of Hear Women, host Tara Beth Leach sits down with pastor, writer, and leader Shawna Songer Gaines for an honest exchange about the realities of women’s leadership, the power of self-attentiveness, and the deep links between the body, motherhood, and ministry.Through youth pastoring, chaplaincy, co-pastoring, and serving as a lead pastor, Gaines reveals how her journey has been marked by encouragement, transitions, setbacks, and the need to listen both to others and her own embodied self. The episode moves through vivid moments of ministry stress, early labor, and the formative power of motherhood, exploring how embodied self-awareness can transform our practice and experience of leadership. While offering wisdom for young leaders learning to find their voice, Gaines shares how she came to see pastoring through the fresh lens of midwifery, uncovering a more nurturing, humble, and relational model. Whether you’re a seasoned pastor, emerging leader, young mom, or someone hoping to create a more welcoming church, this conversation will equip you to more fully celebrate the gifts women bring to the church and reflect on what the church most needs to change about its approach to women in leadership.This episode highlights the following themes:The importance of self-awareness and embodiment in Christian leadershipHow motherhood and crisis reshape the way women leadWhy embracing newness strengthens the churchLinks from this episode:Learn more about Shawna Songer GainesRead Shawna Songer Gaines’ book, The Pastor as MidwifeDiscover more about Trevecca Community Church of the NazareneLearn more about Michaele LaVigne Learn more about Stephanie Lobdell Learn more about Gabby Rodriguez at Trinity Church of the NazareneRead the transcript hereLearn more about Hear WomenLearn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth LeachRead Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-YoungRead Tell Her Story by Nijay GuptaRead Emboldened by Tara Beth LeachSPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.Interested in ordering The Pastor as Midwife for your team or organization? Contact Rainer at rerani@ivpress.com for more information and exclusive group discounts. Or email specialmarkets@ivpress.com for bulk orders.SPONSOR | Hear Women is sponsored by Northern Seminary, where thousands of women have been equipped to serve as pastors, practitioners, church planters, and ministry leaders across the globe. Explore your calling and visit seminary.edu to learn more.Credits:✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by ArtaxDisclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.As an Amazon Affiliate, this channel earns commissions from qualifying purchases when you use the links above.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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    36 mins
  • What the Church Needs to Know About Women Who Take Risks of Faith in Business | Jessica Honegger

    What the Church Needs to Know About Women Who Take Risks of Faith in Business | Jessica Honegger
    Jun 1 2026
    What would our entrepreneurship look like if we were willing to step out in courage, creativity, and community?In this episode of Hear Women, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young sits down with Jessica Honegger, the founder of Noonday Collection and the author of Imperfect Courage, for an authentic conversation about risk, calling, and the powerful ripple effects of advocacy. From opening her home for a fundraising party to building the world’s largest fair trade jewelry brand, Honegger traces the steps of faith that shaped both her company and her family.Honegger opens up about the gifts and costs of leading as a woman, choosing courage over comfort, and the joy and challenges of raising children amid running a business. She also shares why cultivating an honest, encouraging, and committed community is essential to both sustaining a life of service for the long haul and to fight against comparison and envy as a businesswoman.Discover how Honegger’s business journey has been richly formative on a spiritual level, and why she believes that generous women investing in one another can transform whole communities.Listen now to discover a vision for how the church can better support and learn from women entrepreneurs.This episode highlights the following themes:Why faith and risk are inseparable for women entrepreneursThe role of vulnerability, community, and family in enduring leadershipHow the church can encourage women not just to start, but to grow and investLinks from this episode:Discover more about Jessica Honegger and Noonday CollectionRead Jessica Honegger’s book, Imperfect CourageRead Joanna Meyer’s book, Women, Work and CallingLearn more about Liz BohannonRead the transcript hereLearn more about Hear WomenLearn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth LeachRead Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-YoungRead Tell Her Story by Nijay GuptaRead Emboldened by Tara Beth LeachSPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.SPONSOR | Hear Women is sponsored by Northern Seminary, where thousands of women have been equipped to serve as pastors, practitioners, church planters, and ministry leaders across the globe. Explore your calling and visit seminary.edu to learn more.Credits:✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by ArtaxDisclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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    33 mins
  • What the Church Needs to Know About Single Mothering and Fostering | Jamie Lam

    What the Church Needs to Know About Single Mothering and Fostering | Jamie Lam
    May 18 2026
    How can the church truly support and uplift single mothers, as well as children and families navigating the foster system? What if our often limited understanding of family holds us back from doing so? This episode of Hear Women welcomes single mom, ministry leader, and foster/adoptive parent Jamie Lam for a disarmingly honest conversation with Tara Beth Leach about single motherhood and what it really means to cultivate family in the body of Christ. Through Lam’s story of fostering and adopting children, serving families in the fostering and adoption community, and mentoring young adults, she unveils how God’s call to love and welcome those in need empowers us to confront and break through our personal and cultural assumptions.This conversation explores Lam’s call to become a single foster and adoptive mom, as well as the challenges, joys, and surprises she has encountered as she continues to build her family. Her story of courage, hospitality, and openness to God’s leading shows us how the church can be a village that welcomes children, supports single parents, and reimagines what family can truly look like in God’s kingdom. Whether you are a single mom, considering foster care or adoption, longing to become a parent, or know someone on this journey, this episode calls all of us to see, celebrate, and support single mothers for the good of every child, family, and the whole church.This episode highlights the following themes:The courage and calling of single mothers in the churchReal challenges and gifts of fostering and adoption as a single womanThe importance of rethinking family beyond the nuclear moldLinks from this episode:Learn more about Jamie Lam and keep up with her through her ministry updatesCheck out Households of Faith by Emily Hunter McGowin for a fresh vision of family in the kingdom of GodDiscover more about Foster the CityRead the transcript hereLearn more about Hear WomenLearn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth LeachRead Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-YoungRead Tell Her Story by Nijay GuptaRead Emboldened by Tara Beth LeachSPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.SPONSOR | Hear Women is sponsored by Northern Seminary, where thousands of women have been equipped to serve as pastors, practitioners, church planters, and ministry leaders across the globe. Explore your calling and visit seminary.edu to learn more.Credits:✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by ArtaxDisclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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    28 mins
  • What the Church Needs to Know About Serving in Hard Places | Lina AbuJamra

    What the Church Needs to Know About Serving in Hard Places | Lina AbuJamra
    May 4 2026
    What does it really look like to follow Jesus when life brings deep pain, war and suffering persist, and the church itself causes harm? And how do we continue to serve others in need as we ourselves heal?In this episode of Hear Women, host Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young welcomes ER doctor, Bible teacher, and humanitarian Lina AbuJamra for an honest, hope-filled conversation about the power of service, leadership, and mercy amid suffering. From her childhood in war-torn Lebanon to her frontline work in emergency rooms and refugee aid, AbuJamra shares how both her family and faith have shaped her life of service and boldness—and why she refuses to shy away from hard places or difficult truths.Together, Gilmore-Young and AbuJamra dig into the deeper meaning of mercy, challenge common narratives about “successful” Christian living, and address the longstanding wounds many women carry from ministry and church life. Along the way, they offer honest wisdom and encouragement for women who feel sidelined, overlooked, or are still healing from their experiences in the church.This episode offers a vision of the church where real pain is acknowledged, tangible needs are met, and women experience healing by being seen and valued as whole persons.This episode highlights the following themes:The lifelong impact of serving othersMercy as stepping into another’s pain and spreading hopeWhat the church needs to change if women are to be seen, heard, and fully empoweredLinks from this episode:Learn more about Lina AbuJamra and Living With Power MinistriesCheck out Lina AbuJamra’s newest book, All Your LifeCheck out Thrive: The Single Life as God Intended and the rest of Lina AbuJamra’s booksCheck out Awaken Delight by Stephanie RousselleRead the transcript hereLearn more about Hear WomenLearn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth LeachRead Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-YoungRead Tell Her Story by Nijay GuptaRead Emboldened by Tara Beth LeachSPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.SPONSOR | Hear Women is sponsored by Northern Seminary, where thousands of women have been equipped to serve as pastors, practitioners, church planters, and ministry leaders across the globe. Explore your calling and visit seminary.edu to learn more.Credits:✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by ArtaxDisclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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    39 mins
  • What the Church Needs to Know About (Peri) Menopause | Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young & Tara Beth Leach

    What the Church Needs to Know About (Peri) Menopause | Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young & Tara Beth Leach
    Apr 20 2026
    Why is the church still reluctant to discuss a topic that half its community will experience?In this episode of Hear Women, hosts Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young and Tara Beth Leach take the microphone together for an honest, personal conversation about perimenopause and menopause: the symptoms, the grief, and the questions women are quietly carrying. From night sweats and sleepless nights to the deeper question of what it even means to be a woman on the other side of fertility, Dorina and Tara Beth share what they've experienced and what they're still learning.Together, they also bring Scripture into the conversation, from Mary's posture of curiosity to Anna's devoted witness in the temple, and they ask what it would look like for women to embrace what this unique season truly holds. They also name the ways the church's emphasis on the nuclear family can send unintended messages to women who are single, childless, or post-menopausal—and what some helpful correctives might look like.More than anything, this episode is an invitation to ask not "what's wrong with me?" but "what's happening in me?" and to find community, laughter, and grace in a season that too often goes unnamed.Whether you're in the thick of perimenopause/menopause/postmenopause or supporting someone who is, or if you are just ready to have a conversation the church rarely starts—this episode is for you.This episode highlights the following themes:The real, physical, and emotional weight of menopause—and why women are finally talking about itWhat Scripture says about women, aging, and worth beyond reproductionHow the church can create space for women in midlife to be seen, supported, and still leadLinks from this episode:Read Weathering Change by Courtney EllisLearn more about The ‘Pause Life from Dr. Mary Claire HaverLearn more about Dawn JacksonCheck of the Our Time to Rise in Midlife podcastRead the transcript hereLearn more about Hear WomenLearn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth LeachRead Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-YoungRead Tell Her Story by Nijay GuptaRead Emboldened by Tara Beth LeachSPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.SPONSOR | Hear Women is sponsored by Northern Seminary, where thousands of women have been equipped to serve as pastors, practitioners, church planters, and ministry leaders across the globe. Explore your calling and visit seminary.edu to learn more.Credits:✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by ArtaxDisclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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    36 mins
  • What the Church Needs to Know About the Burdens of Women in Leadership | Tammy Dunahoo

    What the Church Needs to Know About the Burdens of Women in Leadership | Tammy Dunahoo
    Apr 6 2026

    What roadblocks—and outright opposition—do women face when they pursue their call to leadership?

    In this episode of Hear Women, host Tara Beth Leach sits down with seasoned leader Tammy Dunahoo to talk about the wisdom she’s gleaned from her four decades of ministry, the unique burden of being “the first,” and the identity struggles women face in male-shaped systems. By sharing both the joys and pains of her leadership journey, Dunahoo explores the tension between capability and calling, the wounds and weariness that come with tempered resistance, and the healing found in befriending both grief and gratitude. Through it all, Dunahoo’s deep-rooted confidence, resilience, and wisdom shine as she describes what it means to stand firm in her identity as called by God, to invest in the next generation of women leaders through mentorship, and to prioritize family amid significant leadership responsibilities.

    With precision and a pastoral approach, Leach and Dunahoo name cultural and theological roadblocks that are still present for women in the church and call us all to come to the table together with honesty, rich scholarship, and true mutuality.

    Listen in for hard-won wisdom, practical encouragement, and a vision for the church where women serve, lead, and heal—and where we can all flourish together.

    This episode highlights the following themes:

    • The subtle and overt roadblocks women encounter while exploring their calling to leadership
    • The transformative power of mentorship and encouragement for women discerning vocation
    • The tension between capability, calling, and the struggle to claim the title “leader”

    Links from this episode:

    • Learn more about Tammy Dunahoo
    • Read Penny Preaches by Amy Dixon and Rob Dixon
    • Learn more about Rev. Ashley Matthews
    • Read the transcript here
    • Learn more about Hear Women
    • Learn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth Leach
    • Read Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
    • Read Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta
    • Read Emboldened by Tara Beth Leach


    SPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

    SPONSOR | Hear Women is sponsored by Northern Seminary, where thousands of women have been equipped to serve as pastors, practitioners, church planters, and ministry leaders across the globe. Explore your calling and visit seminary.edu to learn more.

    Credits:

    ✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton

    ✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose

    ✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

    ✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

    ✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

    ✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by Artax

    Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.



    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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    35 mins