Why did I decide to launch my own podcast?

It’s a question I could answer in four words:

God told me to.

But that would be a reeeaaalllyyy short story. So, let me elaborate.

A God Idea

In 2021, I felt God nudging me to do more with my story. Do more for Him. But the direction was unclear—and not because I didn’t have ideas. I had too many ideas and didn’t know where to start.

That fall, I took an online course offered by one of my favorite Christian authors, Jordan Lee Dooley. The title of the course—The Multipassionate Cure—sold me right away because it described me (multipassionate) and what I needed (a cure for what to do about it).

So, I took the course. I went through the exercises to see where my passions, skills, and desires aligned. I made a list of ideas and ranked them in terms of realistic timeline for completion. Of course, I am way oversimplifying the course, but you get the idea.

One of my ideas that popped up during the course was to start a podcast that shared stories of eating disorder recovery. Of all the things on my list, it felt very out of my comfort zone. Yet, I felt a nudge that I could do it. That it would be powerful and life-changing. I even felt that God was the one nudging me.

But, I didn’t do it.

Instead, I did other things on my list. I started a new Instagram account @hopeandthegirl. Then I agreed to speak at a women’s conference in my hometown. I even wrote and self-published a devotional book called Recover with God*. And the more other things I did, the less I believed I was meant to start a podcast.

Then came summer 2023. My friend, Season, invited me to attend a women’s conference in the Smoky Mountains. The Go-Getter Girl Getaway. It was not in my plan that year, but God told me to say yes. So, I did.

At the getaway, I met many other Christian women, each looking for guidance on next steps for their respective ministries and passions to serve God. We were challenged to come to the retreat with ideas to then receive peer feedback.

Can you guess what was back on my list?

Yup. The podcast.

Should I Start a Podcast?

This was a real question in my own mind. I mean, I was already sharing my story and spreading hope for recovery on my blog, on Instagram, in my book, at a conference… wasn’t that enough? Couldn’t I just continue doing more of that?

The simple answer was no.

God reminded me of a detail about my own eating disorder recovery to show me the power a podcast would have. That detail was this:

When I decided I wanted to recover, I was ashamed. I didn’t want anyone to find out, but I knew I needed help. God led me to a book, The Bulimia Help Method*, but I was afraid to buy the physical copy because I didn’t want anyone to see me reading it. So, I listened to the audio version on my lunch breaks at work and let people assume it was music. (This was in 2016, before podcasts were a big deal.)

That audio book was a major catalyst in my recovery. Yet, if I hadn’t been able to listen to it, I don’t know if I would have read it.

And I know there are others like me, who are ashamed and afraid to read a book or in any way signal they are struggling. If that’s you right now, I see you. My podcast is for you.

Not that I want you to feel ashamed. There is NO shame in wanting to recover! But if that is where you are at today, I want to meet you there.

And for those who aren’t feeling shame in seeking help to recover, I know that podcasts are often more convenient than reading, especially on the go.

Ultimately, God showed me the reasons why creating a resource in this format would reach so many more people. Maybe that’s you. (Keep reading to see if my podcast is for you.)

Saying Yes to God

But, back to the Go-Getter Girl Getaway.

After connecting with several podcasters at the retreat, I not only received confirmation from God that I needed to move forward, but I also received LOTS of helpful information and guidance on how to start a podcast. That was September 2023.

In October of that year, I chose a name for my podcast—Recover with God, after my devotional book—and decided to launch the podcast in February 2024. Why February?

1. It gave me time to find guests, schedule interviews, and learn the tech side of podcasting.
2. February is National Eating Disorder Awareness Month.

Once I agreed to start this podcast, God provided what I needed. He brought me guests, the right technology, patience as I learned, and more.

It should not surprise me that God is faithful. He has never failed me yet! But it still leaves me in awe, and I guess that’s a good thing, right?!

Whatever God is calling you to do, I promise you that if it’s truly His voice and His plan for you, you can’t screw it up. It’s amazing what God can do with even a small YES.

Where Can You Listen to My Podcast?

I’m so glad you asked!

My podcast, Recover with God, is now available wherever you listen to podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, and more. Click here for all the links.

Who sI My Podcast for?

Another great question.

My podcast is for anyone who struggles with an eating disorder, disordered eating, dieting, body image issues, compulsive exercise, or anything food or weight-related that has you feeling trapped in your own body. I want you to find freedom!

OR, if you know someone struggling with any of the above, but you don’t know how to help—this podcast is for you, too. I ask each guest for tips to help family and friends with a loved one who might need support.

In Season 1, my guests include Christian women who have recovered, Christian nutritionists and dietitians, and a friend of someone who struggled with an eating disorder.

Want to Learn More About My Podcast?

Here’s a link to my trailer for the podcast, so you can decide if it’s for you—or maybe a friend or family member.

If you decide the Recover with God Podcast is for you, I would be grateful if you click that follow button wherever you listen to podcasts. Ratings and reviews are appreciated, too, because they help other people find the podcast.

So, that’s my podcast story.

Thinking of starting your own podcast? Read this post where I share all the tools I used to start my podcast for FREE.

*Note: The links to my Recover with God devotional and The Bulimia Help Method are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, Amazon pays me a small commission.