Hey guys, welcome back to another episode of The Anchored by the Sword Podcast. Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I really wanted to continue having these important conversations surrounding faith and mental health—because the truth is, so many people are silently struggling while feeling like they have to pretend they’re fine.

And you guys already know… this topic is deeply personal to me.

Today, I’m joined by Pastor Steve Larson, whose book The Four Keys to Mental Health: Feel Better, Think Clearly, and Enjoy Life Again came out earlier this year, and this conversation was such an encouraging and practical one.

Steve shares his own journey of walking through depression and anxiety while planting and pastoring a church. After walking through a painful season of church division, he found himself emotionally exhausted and struggling mentally in ways he never had before. And I think what impacted me most is that instead of hiding it, he began learning, growing, and eventually helping others walk through their own mental health journeys too.

In this episode, we talk about:

✨ Why the church needs to become a safer place to talk about mental health
✨ The difference between faith and pretending everything is fine
✨ Why mental health struggles are not a sign of spiritual failure
✨ How God can heal through miracles, medicine, counseling, community—or all of the above

✨ And the four key areas that impact our mental health:

• Physical
• Mental
• Spiritual
• Relational
• 
  

One thing Steve said that really stood out to me was this:

👉 “If you have a body, you have physical health. If you have a brain, you have mental health.”

And honestly… that’s such an important reminder.

Mental health isn’t just “for certain people.”
It affects all of us in different ways.

We also talk about:

• The stigma surrounding medication in Christian spaces
• Learning to let go of the illusion of control
• Why vulnerability matters
• And how even giants of the faith like Elijah, David, and Jeremiah wrestled deeply emotionally

And I loved this reminder:
You are not weak because you need help.
You are human.

If you are struggling right now, please hear me:
It is OK to not be OK.
Just don’t stay there alone.

There are people who want to walk beside you. Reach out to someone or dial 988 today.

Bio:

Steve Larson serves as lead pastor of Community Celebration Church in Kasson, MN. Steve is married to Tammy, and they live in Rochester, MN. They have two children: Dalton and Miracle.

In 2002, he went through a severe season of depression and burnout. As a result, he was given a forced sabbatical from the ministry. During that time, he began to collect tools that would help him experience better mental health and spiritual well-being. He was asked to teach those tools to others in his association of churches. He has been teaching those tools for nearly twenty years to pastors in the Minnesota district Assemblies of God. He has also taught them at conferences, recovery centers, and other groups.

Anchor Verses:

Luke 2: 52

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Zechariah 4:6

Connect with Steve:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1bbf5iwtGF/?mibextid=wwXIfr

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ccc.kasson

Community Celebration Church YouTube: https://youtube.com/@communitycelebrationchurch

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Hey guys, welcome back to another episode of The Anchored by the Sword Podcast. I am so excited about today’s conversation—because this one truly felt like a God-ordained connection.

Today, I’m sitting down with Kim Oswalt, and you guys… her story is such a beautiful reminder that when God calls you into something, He doesn’t leave you to figure it out alone.

We talk about what it looks like to:

• Say “yes” to God—even when you feel unqualified
• Walk through fear (especially the fear of failure)
• Step into obedience before you feel ready
• And discover that you were actually made for more all along

Kim shares her journey of coming to faith as a teenager, walking through years of growth, and then—years later—feeling God nudge her to write a book… even though she had never written anything before.

And I love this part—because I know so many of us can relate:

👉 The fear wasn’t about writing
👉 The fear was about failing

But the moment she named it, God met her there… and everything started to shift.

Since then, she has released three books:

• The Abundant Life
• The Battle for Our Minds
• Abiding with God

And in this episode, we dive deep into:

✨ What it really means to abide with God
✨ The lies we believe that hold us back
✨ Why we keep God at arms length (even when we love Him)
✨ And how spending time with Him actually transforms us from the inside out

One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation:
We become like who or what we spend time with.

So what would happen… if we truly spent time with Jesus daily—not just on Sundays, not just when things get hard—but in the everyday moments?

This episode is such an encouragement if you’ve been:

• Feeling stuck
• Feeling afraid to take the next step
• Or sensing God is calling you into something more

Friend, this is your reminder:
Your obedience matters more than your perfection.

Tune in now and let this conversation encourage you to take that next step with God.

Bio:

Kim Oswalt is a wife, mother, women’s ministry leader, and three-time published author with a heart devoted to serving the Lord. She lives in the beautiful state of Utah where she finds refreshment in God’s creation—whether that’s running (three half-marathons and counting), hiking with family and friends, or simply soaking in the stillness of nature. When she’s not outdoors, Kim enjoys reading, writing, and relaxing at home, snuggling with her puppies.

She and her husband, Steve, have been married for twenty-three years and are raising their teenage daughter, who keeps them on their toes and fills their lives with joy. Kim’s background as both a military child and former military spouse has given her a deep appreciation for life’s many seasons and the faithfulness of God through them all.

Kim leads a women’s Bible study and enjoys hosting events that draw women together in Christ-centered community. She’s passionate about encouraging others to walk closely with God, believing that while each of our journeys is unique, every path we walk is divinely woven and never crosses another by accident. Through her ministry, writing, and relationships, Kim continues to point others toward deeper faith and lasting friendship rooted in the love of Jesus.

Anchor Verse:

Jeremiah 29:13

Connect with Kim:

Website: Kimoswalt.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/17VBTnNyCy/?mibextid=wwXIfr

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kimoswalt_author

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Welcome back to another episode of The Anchored by the Sword Podcast. I’m really excited—and honestly, really expectant—about today’s conversation.

If you’ve been around this podcast for any length of time or you’ve read Anchored in Freedom, then you already know… mental health is something that is deeply personal to me. It’s something I’ve walked through, something my family has walked through, and something I am incredibly passionate about bringing into the light.

And I truly believe there is no better time to have this conversation than right now, as we walk through Mental Health Awareness Month.

Today, I’m sitting down with Erin Kerry, author of Live Beyond Your Label: A Holistic Approach to Breaking Old Patterns and Rediscovering a Healthier You in Mind, Body, and Spirit.

And you guys… this conversation is real.

We talk about:

• What it looks like to be diagnosed with mental illness at a young age
• How labels can both help… and hinder
• The tension between faith and mental health (and why “just pray more” isn’t the answer)
• Walking through trauma without shame
• The importance of boundaries (yes—even as Christian women)
• And how our physical health—what we eat, how we move, how we rest—actually impacts our mental and emotional well-being

Erin shares her story of being diagnosed with depression and bipolar disorder, the struggles that followed, and the healing journey God led her through—not overnight, but through intentional steps, support, and truth.

We also talk about something that I think is so important:

👉 You are not your diagnosis.
👉 You are not your struggle.
👉 And you are not disqualified because of your mental health.

As believers, our identity is rooted in Christ—not in the labels we’ve been given.

This episode is for you if:

• You’ve ever felt defined by your mental health
• You’ve wrestled with shame, anxiety, depression, or trauma
• You’ve felt unseen—even in the church
• Or you’re just trying to figure out how faith and mental health actually work together

And I just want to say this clearly:
You are not alone in this.
And there is hope.

Let’s keep having these conversations—not just this month, but always.

Bio:

Erin Kerry is a health coach and mental health advocate. She encourages people to live beyond their labels, sparking hope and wholeness each week through her podcast, Sparking Wholeness.

Erin knows how suffering from a chronic illness can infiltrate every area of life. By the age of 18, she was given the labels PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder. Today, she is living

symptom-free. She empowers people to be their own health advocates so they don’t have to be limited by a label or diagnosis. She and her husband, Richard, live in Tyler, Texas, with their three kids: Isabel, Roman, and Rhett.

Anchor Verses:

Zephaniah 3:17

Romans 8:1

Hebrews 4:16

Connect with Erin:

Website: https://erinbkerry.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sparkingwholeness/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/sparkingwholeness

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

I am so excited for today’s episode of the Anchored by the Sword Podcast because this is Part 3 and the FINAL episode in our 3-part series all about Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries—and I truly could not think of a better way to wrap this series up.

Today, I’m sitting down with Riley Beeson—who plays Esther in the series. And you guys… her heart, her joy, and her faith are just something special.

I first met Riley on set while filming Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries (yes, as an extra!), and getting to watch her not only act, but also learn every single part of the filmmaking process was so inspiring. She wasn’t just there to perform—she was there to grow, to learn, and to fully step into what God is calling her to.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How Riley got started in acting and discovered her passion
• Working alongside her mom (who also stars in the series!)
• Her brand new book Letters to Heaven—written at just 16 years old
• How God carried her through the writing process (with no writer’s block!)
• Why learning behind the camera matters just as much as being in front of it
• Her desire to one day direct, film, and continue creating meaningful stories
• Staying grounded in faith at a young age in today’s world

One of my favorite moments from this episode is when Riley shares this powerful truth:

“Rejection is God’s protection.”

And honestly… that will preach.

We also talk about what it looked like filming in Sugarcreek Ohio, the unforgettable moments on set, and how this project has impacted so many people already.

And you can see that joy all over her life. It’s contagious.

Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries is now available on UP Faith & Family and airing on UpTV—so if you haven’t watched it yet, now is your time!

This series has been so special to me—not just because I got to be part of it, but because of the people, the stories, and the way God is using it to reach hearts.

Thank you for being part of this journey through all three episodes.

Enjoy today’s episode!

Bio:

Riley Beeson is an American actress recognized for her standout performance as Esther Miller in Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries. She began her career with My Florida Home, followed by impactful roles in the independent films Hope and Migrants, where she demonstrated a strong emotional range and on-screen presence. Riley expanded her portfolio with the dark comedy horror short Totally Normal Day as a Parent, further highlighting her versatility across genres. Known for her professionalism, dedication, and ability to bring authenticity to every role, Riley continues to establish herself as a promising talent in the film and television industry.

Anchor Verse:

Proverbs 17:22

Connect with Riley:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/riley._.beeson/

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Hey guys, welcome back to the Anchored by the Sword Podcast!

I am so excited for today’s episode because this is Part 2 of our 3-part series all about the brand new TV series, Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries—and you guys, this one is so special.

Today, I’m sitting down with Denise Gossett, who plays Naomi in the series—and not only that, her real-life daughter plays Esther. How incredible is that?!

And if you’ve been following along, you already alongside this cast and crew and build real relationships on set was something I’ll never forget.

In this episode, Denise shares her story—from being a young girl who knew she wanted to act, to stepping into a full career in film and television… and ultimately trusting God in one of the biggest leaps of her life.

We talk about:

• ​Her journey into acting (and how “being naïve” actually helped her step into her calling)
• ​Working alongside her daughter in the series as a real-life mother/daughter duo
• ​What it looked like to leave LA, trust God, and still see Him provide more than expected
• ​The struggle of control vs. surrender—and why worry and faith can’t coexist
• ​How she stays anchored (including her love for opening the Bible and letting God speak in the moment)
• ​🎬 Behind-the-scenes stories from filming in the beautiful Sugarcreek Ohio area
• ​😂 Funny on-set moments (including Amish outfits… and SUVs 👀)

We also dive into the heart behind the series itself—how it’s like Little House on the Prairie meets Nancy Drew, with faith woven in gently and beautifully. It’s the kind of storytelling that brings families together and reminds us of the simplicity and peace we often miss.

And honestly… this conversation hit home in so many ways.If you’ve ever struggled with control, worry, or wondering if you can really trust God with the unknown—this episode is for you.

📺 The series is coming to UPTV this week and the 2nd episode will be on UP Faith and Family—so make sure you watch the movie first and then dive into the episodes!

Don’t forget—this is Part 2 of the series, and Part 3 is coming next!

Enjoy today’s episode!

Bio:

Denise Gossett is an actress known for her roles with Tom Hiddleston in the movie "I Saw the Light", the Mel Gibson feature film "Get The Gringo" and the Morris Chestnut movie "When the Bough Breaks". She also guested on TV shows "The Office", "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and most recently in "Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries.” She recently shot a Hallmark Christmas movie "A Christmas Drawn Together" and a Lifetime movie "The Secret of Sara".

Anchor Verses:

Philippians 4:13

Matthew 17:20

Connect with Denise:

IMDB: http://www.imdb.me/denisegossett

FB: https://www.facebook.com/denise.gossett

IG: https://www.instagram.com/denisegossett1/

Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries IG: https://www.instagram.com/sugarcreekamishmysteries/

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Hey friends,

This week’s reshare is a really personal one.

This isn’t just another conversation…

This is one of those episodes where I opened up and shared part of my story — alongside my friend, Grace Klein — about something that so many women walk through quietly:

Infertility.

In this episode, we talk about:

• ​ The reality of walking through infertility and unanswered prayers
• ​ The emotions that come with it — grief, confusion, frustration, and hope all at the same time
• ​ What it looks like to trust God when the timeline doesn’t make sense
• ​ Wrestling with expectations vs. surrender
• ​ How God meets us in the middle of the waiting — not just in the outcome

This conversation is honest. It’s tender. And it’s filled with the kind of hope that only comes from God.

Because infertility isn’t just a physical journey…

It’s a heart journey.

And if you’ve ever:

• ​ wondered why your prayer hasn’t been answered yet
• ​ felt forgotten in your waiting
• ​ or struggled to trust God with something so deeply personal

You are not alone.

One of the biggest reminders from this episode is this:

-God is still good — even in the waiting

-Your story is not overlooked

-And He is still working, even when you can’t see it yet

Friend, whether you’re walking through infertility, waiting on something you’ve been praying for, or carrying silent grief…

This episode is for you.

Take a listen (or a re-listen) and let this be a reminder:

God is near, even here.

Anchor Verses:

Exodus 1: 8-21

Luke 2: 36-38

Connect with Gina:

Website: https://www.anchoredbythesword.org

Amazon Book Link: https://a.co/d/0atOF1ZX

IG: https://www.instagram.com/anchoredbytheswordpodcast

FB: https://www.facebook.com/gina.fox.2010

LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/anchoredbythesword

Connect with Grace:

Website: https://www.gracewabukeklein.com

IG: https://instagram.com/gracewabukeklein

Order Flourish: Flourish: Finding Purpose in the Unknown and Unexpected Seasons of Life

Episode 131: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anchoredbythesword/episodes/Grace-Wabuke-Kleins-Freedom-Story-e27ag88

***We love hearing from our listeners! Sharing your thoughts through reviews is a fantastic way to be a part of our podcast family and contribute to the conversation. If you've enjoyed our podcast, leaving a review is quick and easy! Just head to Apple podcasts or wherever you are tuning in and share your thoughts. Your feedback makes a big difference!***

Hey guys, welcome to this episode of the Anchored by the Sword Podcast!

I am so excited about today’s episode because we are kicking off something really special—this is Part 1 of a 3-part series all about the brand new television series, Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries! And you guys… this one is extra close to my heart because I actually got to be involved in it, and I loved every second of it.

This beautiful new series is coming to UP Faith & Family, with premiere dates starting April 16 and continuing April 21—and trust me, you are going to want to tune in.

In today’s episode, I sit down with the producer, Chevonne O’Shaughnessy, to talk about all things Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries—from how she got started in the film industry to the powerful moment that completely shifted her focus toward creating faith-filled, family-friendly content.

We dive into:

•Her journey from producing action films to faith-based storytelling

•A personal story involving her daughter that changed everything

•The heart behind creating movies families can watch together

•Why the Sugarcreek, Ohio area is so special (and why it feels like peace the moment you arrive)

•How the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries books started as first a movie and now a TV series

•Staying grounded in faith when things feel uncertain (including a wild behind-the-scenes moment where the entire series almost didn’t happen!)

• Practical wisdom for anyone pursuing creative dreams—especially in media

We also talk about the first movie, Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, which pulled from the first two books in the series—and how it has stayed in the Top 10 on UP Faith & Family for months. 🙌

This conversation is such a reminder that:

Sometimes God is writing a bigger story behind the scenes—even when things feel uncertain, delayed, or completely out of our control.

And if you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start—this episode is going to encourage you to just get up and take that next step.

✨ This is just the beginning, friends—make sure you come back for Parts 2 and 3 of this series!

🎧 Enjoy today’s episode!

Bio:

Chevonne O’Shaughnessy is more than a filmmaker — she’s on a mission to uplift hearts, strengthen families, and bring back good old-fashioned moral values (with a side of popcorn). A three-time founder, brand builder, and producer, she’s spent decades creating stories that inspire, entertain, and remind audiences that goodness still sells.

Chevonne began on Universal Studios’ backlot in Orlando, producing six to eight movies a year as an independent distributor. Later, at PM Entertainment, she helped sell 12 action films annually for nearly a decade — 108 movies total — to networks like SYFY, HBO, and USA.

A born trailblazer, she went on to found three companies dedicated to clean, uplifting entertainment, distributing more than 500 feature films worldwide and selling to Hallmark, UPTV, and other major networks.

Today, Chevonne leads American Cinema Inspires, producing family-friendly films and the hit series Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries. She also runs ACI On The Go, a YouTube channel with over one million subscribers and 325 million views worldwide.

A mentor and advocate for women in film, Chevonne continues to prove that when you mix values with vision (and a dash of caffeine), you can inspire millions.

Connect with Chevonne:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/chevonneinspires/

American Cinema Inspires: https://americancinemainspires.com/

Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries IG: https://www.instagram.com/sugarcreekamishmysteries/

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Hey friends,

On today’s episode of the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I’m joined by Ben Espinoza, pastor, author, husband, and dad, to talk about his brand new book:

📖 Good News About Self-Care: How Nurturing Your Soul, Your Self, and Your Sanity Honors God

And let’s be honest… “self-care” is one of those phrases that gets thrown around a lot.

For some people it means bubble baths, manicures, and getting away for the weekend.

And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with those things, this conversation goes so much deeper.

Ben shares his own story of hitting a wall during the pandemic while juggling a major job transition, family responsibilities, stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, and the weight of everything happening in the world at the time. What started as physical symptoms eventually led him to realize something important:

He didn’t really know how to care for himself in a healthy, God-honoring way.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How stress can show up physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually

• Why so many of us have learned how to achieve, but not how to steward ourselves

• What self-care looks like from a Biblical perspective

• Why caring for yourself is not selfish

• The importance of Sabbath, solitude, rest, play, and healthy relationships

• Why God has given us tools like therapy, counseling, community, and medication when needed

• How putting God first realigns everything else

• Why true self-care starts with our relationship with the Lord

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is this:

If we are made in the image of God, then caring for ourselves well is part of honoring the God who made us.

Ben does such a great job reminding us that biblical self-care is not just about escaping life for a minute. It’s about learning how to live in a healthy rhythm with God, with ourselves, with other people, and with the world around us.

We also talk about how easy it is to get caught in hustle mode, productivity mode, and survival mode—and how quickly everything feels off when God is no longer at the center.

This is such an important conversation, especially for those of us who are used to taking care of everyone else while quietly running ourselves into the ground.

Friend, rest is not weakness.
Healing is not failure.
And taking care of yourself is not selfish when it is done God’s way.

Bio:

Benjamin D. Espinoza is passionate about developing the next generation of leaders for the church and society. He currently serves as lead pastor of Avon Wesleyan Church in Avon, New York and previously served in a number of executive-level roles at Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, New York. An ordained Wesleyan minister, Ben regularly consults with leaders and organizations in the areas of diversity and belonging, organizational structure, and management.

Espinoza is married to Hannah, who is much smarter than he, and they are the proud parents of two small but energetic boys.

Anchor Verse:

Acts 20:24

Connect with Ben:

Website: https://benespinoza.com

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Benjamin D. Espinoza: books, biography, latest update

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***