The Paula Faris 'Faith & Calling' Podcast

This week Paula is one-on-one with Platinum-selling recording artist and songwriter, Tauren Wells for a conversation all about the wonders of music, marriage and fatherhood. There’s a pretty big chance you know and love Tauren’s music… because his songs, like “Hills and Valleys” and “Until Grace,” have over 1 BILLION global streams to date – and counting! One might assume this celebrated artist must have muscled his way to the top, but Tauren’s story is one of true success found on the other side of total surrender. 

In this conversation, the two Michiganders discuss Tauren’s early exposure to music in the wake of his parents’ divorce, thanks to a church choir and the ongoing encouragement of his youth pastor. Hear how music would continue to show up in every season of his early life, leading him to eventually start a band. While his love of singing and writing music never waned, Tauren tells Paula how he was led to step away from the band and made peace with seeing music as simply a hobby… and that was the moment everything changed. If you’re in a season of whiteknucking your dreams, you’ve come to the right place for wisdom, perspective and a little relief. Get ready to leave this one on a high note!

Follow Tauren on instagram @TaurenWells 

Check out Tauren’s new album, Joy In The Morning 

Find out Tauren’s upcoming tour dates and locations

Listen to Tauren’s podcast, The High Note

BIG NEWS! Paula has a new book coming out in March 2023. Preorder “You Don't Have to Carry It All: Ditch the Mom Guilt and Find a Better Way Forward” 

Subscribe to Paula’s newsletter where Paula shares biweekly facts, favorites and fun… and giveaways! 

Learn everything about Paula’s company CARRY Media and sign up for CARRY ALL, THE essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!   

Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media 

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook 

Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: Access More | Spotify | Apple 

Paula Faris is brought to you in part by Open Doors. Download the FREE app at OpenDoorsUSA.org/Paula

It’s fall, ya’ll! If you're looking to turn a new leaf or leave some old ways behind in this new season, this fresh episode is for you. Mama to a 7-year-old, NYT bestselling author and FOX & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt joins Paula to talk about all things faith, calling and lifting up others along the way. 

Ainsley’s faith journey kicked off in the most unexpected of places (hint: where beer pong and flip cup are a given). Hear how prioritizing a higher calling helped her stop burning the candle at both ends and fight back against the paralyzing worry of always wondering what everyone else was thinking about her. Ainsley tells Paula how her long career in broadcasting might not have happened if it wasn’t for a fateful conversation with a churchlady. She also shares how after years of just saying yes and keeping a positive attitude she got a game-changing job offer (let alone, while on maternity leave!). Ainsley also shares with Paula the personal story behind her latest children’s book, “I’m So Glad You Were Born” and the important and timely message that translates to all ages. This episode will leave you saying, “I’m So Glad I Listened In!”

Follow Ainsley on instagram @AEarhardt 

Visit Ainsley’s website to check out all of her books, including her new release, “I’m So Glad You Were Born” 

BIG NEWS! Paula has a new book coming out in March 2023. Preorder “You Don't Have to Carry It All: Ditch the Mom Guilt and Find a Better Way Forward” 

Subscribe to Paula’s newsletter where Paula shares biweekly facts, favorites and fun… and giveaways! 

Learn everything about Paula’s company CARRY Media and sign up for CARRY ALL, THE essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!   

Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media 

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook 

Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: Access More | Spotify | Apple

Paula Faris is brought to you in part by Open Doors. Download the FREE app at OpenDoorsUSA.org/Paula.

Meet Paula’s newest best friend - and soon to be yours, too! Gifted writer, speaker and host of “Lisa Harper’s Back Porch Theology” podcast, Lisa herself, is here. Buckle up for a hilarious and heartfelt conversation that will leave you wanting more from these two AccessMore podcast sisters who enjoy pushing the envelope in the name of fun. 

 Lisa is a mix of all things awesome. She has her masters in theological studies, rides a motorcycle and is a single mama to her darling daughter, Missy. But as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, the role of “mom” was something Lisa says she ran scared from for a long time. She let the pain and shame from her past and the misguided comments of others prevent her from believing she should become a parent. Hear how Lisa learned to process through the confusion of grief to find contentment, the miraculous way Missy came into her life and why she says we need to hold our calling loosely. If you’ve ever abandoned your dreams, let someone's comments weigh on you for too long or find yourself wanting to race ahead to the ending of an unknown season, let this episode encourage you to slow your roll, remember that God’s timing can always be trusted and as Lisa puts it, He is “absolutely madly” for you.

Follow Lisa on instagram @LisaDHarper 

Listen to Lisa’s podcast: Lisa Harper’s Back Porch Theology 

Visit Lisa’s website to learn about her upcoming speaking events and check out her books

BIG NEWS! Paula has a new book coming out in March 2023. Preorder “You Don't Have to Carry It All: Ditch the Mom Guilt and Find a Better Way Forward”

Subscribe to Paula’s newsletter where Paula shares biweekly facts, favorites and fun… and giveaways! 

Learn everything about Paula’s company CARRY Media and sign up for CARRY ALL, THE essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!  

Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media  

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook 

Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: Access More | Spotify | Apple 

Calling all gymnastics fans! Paula is sitting down with one of the greatest of all time, Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson, alongside her beloved husband, NFL Pro Andrew East. Years after respectively going for the gold and signing contracts across the NFL, the dynamic (and so much fun) power couple is opening up about navigating a brand new season of parenting, business and life. 

Shawn and Andrew take Paula back to the early days of their relationship and the rocky blind date that left Shawn unsure there would ever be a second. Ten years, two kids, and one massive online following later, the duo has now found a shared calling in using all their muscle and might to champion families through family-centric storytelling. In this conversation you’ll find out how both pro athletes were able to figure out “what’s next” after doing one thing for so long, hear why their faith is the fuel to their partnership and learn why they say giving themselves permission to fail was the key to keep going and growing. Two words for this episode: Solid Gold! 

Learn more about Shawn and Andrew’s media company, Family Made 

Follow Shawn on instagram @ShawnJohnson

Follow Andrew on instagram @AndrewEast

Subscribe to Paula’s newsletter where Paula shares biweekly facts, favorites and fun… and giveaways! 

Learn everything about Paula’s company CARRY Media and sign up for CARRY ALL, THE essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!   

Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: Access More | Spotify | Apple 

Paula Faris is brought to you in part by Open Doors. Download the FREE app at OpenDoorsUSA.org/Paula

Paula jumps back into a brand new season of “Faith & Calling” with a powerful conversation from a raw and rugged place where the unrelenting pain of loss intersects with the unending goodness of God. Her guest this week, TobyMac – the seven-time GRAMMY winner, contemporary Christian singer, rapper, songwriter and former DC Talk member, knows these crossroads of heartache intimately. He’s spent the last several years privately grieving the tragic loss of his 21-year-old son, Truett, in 2019. 

In this episode TobyMac opens up about the deep anguish that’s changed him forever and the deeper experience of God’s goodness that’s been keeping him afloat. Hear how he poured this powerful testimony into his new album, “Life After Death”, which includes major collaborations with the likes of Sheryl Crow – a surprising friendship born, as he tells Paula, from outside the music industry. TobyMac and Paula also discuss what he’s clinging to as time marches on, his advice for other parents struggling with the loss of a child and his hope-filled belief on why we all go through the painful places at one time or another in this life. 

Stream/Download TobyMac’s latest album, Life After Death

Follow TobyMac on instagram @tobymac 

See TobyMac’s upcoming tour dates

Don’t miss Paula’s biweekly newsletter to get a personal message from her every two weeks.

Learn everything about Paula’s company CARRY Media™ and sign up for CARRY™ ALL, THE essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!   

Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media 

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Order Paula’s Book - “Called Out: Why I Traded Two Dream Jobs for a Life of True Calling” 

Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: Access More | Spotify | Apple 

Paula Faris is brought to you in part by Open Doors. Download the FREE app at OpenDoorsUSA.org/Paula.

Imagine having the world sing your praises, celebrate your talent and anticipate your next big thing – all while deep inside down knowing just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you’re being called to it. That’s the real life tension this week’s guest found themself in. Their unique journey from singer/songwriter to speaker/teacher comes with a powerful reminder that life is full of surprises. 

Paula sits down in this episode with Tara Leigh Cobble, speaker, author and the host of a daily podcast called The Bible Recap - which just happens to be one of the most successful podcasts in its category, with over 150M downloads (NBD!). Paula and Tara Leigh discuss the bravery behind letting one door close to honor the stirring for something behind another. Hear the humble beginnings of her globally popular podcast, why she says most of us are reading the Bible all wrong and how she’s helping people jump back into the Scriptures AND actually love reading them too… in just 8 minutes a day!

Find all of Tara Leigh’s work at TaraLeighCobble.com

Learn more about The Bible Recap.com

Follow Tara Leigh on instagram @taraleighcobble

***Win an autographed copy of The Bible Recap - deluxe edition and stay up to date on what’s going on in Paula’s life by signing up for Paula’s personal newsletter at PaulaFarisOfficial.com 

New! Summer is in full swing… save your summer! Make it work for you and your kids. Check out Carry Media’s FREE downloadable guide to help you lessen your load… “Savor Your Summer”

Learn everything about Paula’s company CARRY Media™ and sign up for CARRY™ ALL, the essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday! 

Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media  

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Order Paula’s Book - “Called Out: Why I Traded Two Dream Jobs for a Life of True Calling”

Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: Access More | Spotify | Apple 

Ever felt called to something BIG and go for it, only to discover that “sure thing” didn’t quite work out – like, at all? This week’s guest has been there, done that and came out on the other side of “utter failure” only to discover something truly powerful: the wreckage of our lives holds great purpose. 

Jo Saxton is a speaker, author, podcast host, leadership coach – and a beloved contributor for CARRY Media. She’s dedicated her career to growing leadership teams around the world and empowering others to find their purpose – both in their leadership and their personal lives. Paula and Jo discuss how failure has shaped Jo’s current calling and career, why she says our calling is different than a blueprint, and the B word: Burnout. This episode will coach you up on why so many of us have it and how the answer to fixing it lies in lowering our expectations. 

Find all of Jo’s work at JoSaxton.com

Learn more about Jo’s leadership intensive, Ezer Collective  

Learn more about Jo’s Leadership Coaching Community 

New! Summer has arrived… save your summer! Make it work for you and your kids. Check out Carry Media’s FREE downloadable guide to help you lessen your load… “Savor Your Summer” 

Learn more about Paula’s company CARRY Media and sign up for CARRY ALL, an essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!   

Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook 

Sign up for Paula’s new and improved newsletter to get a message from her every two weeks.   

Order Paula’s Book - “Called Out: Why I Traded Two Dream Jobs for a Life of True Calling” 

Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: Access More | Spotify | Apple  

This week’s episode comes with an extra heaping of heart and humor because Paula is sitting down with her “soul sister from another mister” – celebrated author and speaker Jeannie Cunnion. Jeannie is also a wife, mother to five boys and former social worker.

Jeannie traces her journey from adoption social worker – a job she absolutely LOVED – to something that she says made NO sense at all – becoming a writer. Learn how she heard the call, found alignment and stepped into the middle of an “only God” story. As Jeannie tells Paula, “I couldn’t have forced this to happen on my best day.” Paula and Jeannie also discuss how important it is to have people who can carry you – and your family – through different seasons of life. They open up about what that’s looked like for their own friendship, including how they’ve been able to say hard things, trust each other’s wisdom and love each other well. These two also have a shared affinity for Waffle House and old time Pentecostal church songs… so you best believe there will be some singing on the episode!

NEW! Summer has arrived… save your summer! Make it work for you and your kids. Check out Carry Media’s FREE downloadable guide to help you lessen your load… “Savor Your Summer”

Order Jeannie’s latest book, “Don’t Miss Out: Daring to Believe Life Is Better with the Holy Spirit” 

Check out Jeannie’s other books:

“Parenting the Wholehearted Child: Captivating Your Child's Heart with God's Extravagant Grace”   

“Mom Set Free: Find Relief from the Pressure to Get It All Right” 

Follow Jeannie on Instagram 

Learn more about Paula’s company CARRY Media and sign up for CARRY ALL, an essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!   

Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Sign up for Paula’s new and improved newsletter to get a message from her every two weeks.   

Order Paula’s Book - “Called Out: Why I Traded Two Dream Jobs for a Life of True Calling” 

Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: Access More | Spotify | Apple 

Have you ever had big plans for your life only to find out that God had other ones? This week’s guest knows that space of confusion-turned-calling well and what it’s like to have a holy nudge that just. won’t. quit! Bianca Juarez Olthoff is a popular speaker, teacher, preacher, church-planter and author. She’s also a wife, proud stepmom and a brand new member of the Access More family (Yay!), with her podcast, We’re Going There. 

This week Paula sits down with Bianca for a candid conversation about how she overcame the odds of childhood illiteracy, ignored the labels of growing up in the LA ghetto, and exchanged her best laid plans for God’s ultimate call on her life, which also included becoming a stepmom (You don’t want to miss what she’s learned from the Bible about being a stepparent. It’s so good!). 

If you’re looking to step outside the expectations of others, find fulfillment despite things not going your way, or just feel rooted in the midst of a chaotic season of life… this episode and the wisdom Bianca is dropping marks the spot! 

Follow Bianca on Instagram 

Listen to Bianca’s podcast, We’re Going There 

Learn more about Bianca’s ministry, In the Name of Love 

New! Check out Carry Media’s “Savor Your Summer” workbook

Learn more about Paula’s company CARRY Media and sign up for CARRY ALL, an essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!   

Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media    

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook 

Sign up for Paula’s new and improved newsletter to get a message from her every two weeks. 

Order Paula’s Book - “Called Out: Why I Traded Two Dream Jobs for a Life of True Calling” 

Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: Access More | Spotify | Apple 

Sometimes finding your calling and healing your wounds are two sides of the same coin. This week Paula sits down with actor Zachary Levi for a conversation at the intersection of calling and courage. 

You know Zachary from his recent roles playing onscreen champions like Kurt Warner in “American Underdog” and the DC superhero, “Shazam!” At just 4-years-old, he was bit by the acting bug when he knew he loved making people laugh. But underneath that instinctual desire to preform, Zachary would go on to struggle with unresolved childhood trauma – a path of pain would lead him to rock bottom and land him in a treatment center. 

Zachary opens up about his journey through depression to purpose – and his debut book, “Radical Love: Learning to Accept Yourself and Others.” Hear how self-acceptance helped him drown out the voices in his head that told him he’d never be enough. Find out what he calls his deepest desire and why it led him to write the book. And don’t miss the most beautiful story about how a special angel helped him find his faith again. 

Check out Zachary’s book, “Radical Love: Learning to Accept Yourself and Others” 

Follow Zachary on Instagram 

Learn more about Paula’s new company CARRY Media and sign up for CARRY ALL, an essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!  

Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media 

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook 

Sign up for Paula’s new and improved newsletter to get a message from her every two weeks. 

Order Paula’s Book - “Called Out: Why I Traded Two Dream Jobs for a Life of True Calling”

Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: Access More | Spotify | Apple 

Does this season of life have you craving freedom from your past? If you’ve been longing to find the way back to your calling with greater faith, meaning or service, this week’s episode might be the perfect place to start. Paula sits down with Scott Harrison, the founder of Charity: Water for an intimate conversation about his experience as a modern-day prodigal son. 

By the world’s standards, Scott had it all as one of the top nightclub promoters in NYC. But then – amidst an endless cycle of drugs, booze and models – he tells Paula how experiencing “numbness,” both spiritually and physically, brought him back to what he was craving most - a life marked by purpose and kindness. Paula and Scott discuss outrunning your past, forgiving yourself and best practices for making big pivots in pursuit of your calling. Also, hear all about his ongoing mission to bring clean water to underserved communities around the world – and how streaming services like Spotify are inspiring him to disrupt the future of charitable giving. 

Learn more about Charity: Water  

Check out Scott’s book, “Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World”

Follow Charity: Water on Instagram 

Follow Scott on Instagram 

Learn more about Paula’s new company CARRY Media and sign up for CARRY™ ALL, an essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!   

Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media 

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook 

Sign up for Paula’s new and improved newsletter to get a message from her every two weeks. 

Order Paula’s Book - “Called Out: Why I Traded Two Dream Jobs for a Life of True Calling”

Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: Access More | Spotify | Apple 

What happens if at first glance your convictions don’t align – at all – with the industry you’ve been called to? If you’re this week’s guest, you boldly stand firm, follow God’s lead and find out it’s not only possible to survive, but thrive… all while keeping the Sabbath! This week Paula is talking to award-winning film and TV producer, New York Times best-selling author and someone Oprah calls “a different kind of spiritual teacher for our times” – DeVon Franklin. 

With over two successful decades in Hollywood under his belt and plenty of “God nods” along the way, hear what DeVon calls his biggest ongoing struggle and how he combats it daily. He opens up to Paula about the early loss of his dad. Hear why it led him to find belonging in the industry and how he’s learned to embrace acceptance in the absence of reconciliation. And, with the release of his dynamic new Audible book, “It Takes A Woman”, DeVon tells Paula why he felt called to pay tribute to the spiritual leaders in his life – his beloved mom and aunts – and how their "village of love" shaped him into the man he is today.

Check out DeVon’s new Audible book: "It Takes A Woman"

Follow DeVon on Instagram 

Learn more about DeVon’s latest work at devonfranklin.com

Learn more about Paula’s new company CARRY Media and sign up for CARRY ALL, an essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!    

Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media 

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook 

Sign up for Paula’s new and improved newsletter to get a message from her every two weeks. 

Order Paula’s Book - “Called Out: Why I Traded Two Dream Jobs for a Life of True Calling”

Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: Access More | Spotify | Apple 

If you’re in a season of chaos, change or loss, this week’s episode is a must-listen. Shauna Niequist is here and she’s offering up a spark of hope and an extra dose of courage for anyone needing a reminder that even when everything seems lost – peace and goodness are still possible. And who of us couldn’t use that reminder right now? 

Shauna is the New York Times bestselling author of Cold Tangerines, Bittersweet, Bread & Wine, Savor and Present Over Perfect. Her trademark writing is honest, gentle and loving, and her latest book, “I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet”, is no exception. 

In this episode Paula and Shauna unpack the heart of the book, which was written during a season of major upheaval for Shauna. They discuss what happened when four years ago Shauna’s life in suburban Chicago was flipped upside down, leading her family of four to move to New York City. In making a midlife move and leaving behind the life she had always imagined, Shauna recalls being forced to learn how to “stop romanticizing what was and start embracing what is.” Hear why they made the move, why she says she now realizes it was actually long overdue and how she opened herself up to discover new ways of living when the old ways stopped working.

Shauna says one of the hardest changes she was faced with in moving was leaving the church she had always been a part of. She opens up to Paula about the painful process that involved forgiving and apologizing and offers up her empathy and wisdom for those in strained situations who are lacking closure but continue to seek it. Hear why she says “it’s ok to not understand it all at once” and how she learned to embrace “the long road back to healing.”

Paula and Shauna also discuss how change is simply unavoidable, the importance of taking care of your health in each season and why, through it all, there’s power and magic in simply saying, “I don’t know… I guess I haven’t learned that yet.”

Check out Shauna’s new book: “I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet”

Follow Shauna on Instagram

Learn more about Paula’s new company CARRY Media and sign up for CARRY ALL, an essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!   

Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook 

Sign up for Paula’s new and improved newsletter to get a message from her every two weeks. 

Order Paula’s Book - “Called Out: Why I Traded Two Dream Jobs for a Life of True Calling”

Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: AccessMore | Spotify | Apple 

Calling all entrepreneurs! This episode has your name written all over it. Paula’s friend and Carry Media advisor, Liz Forkin Bohannon, is here for a straight-talk, wide-ranging and laugh-out-loud conversation about the twists and turns along the road to entrepreneurship. 

In addition to being a sought-after speaker and mom of three, Liz is the cofounder and CEO of Sseko Designs, a socially-conscious fashion brand that provides educational and economic opportunities for women across the globe. But get this - Liz started this brand with zero experience in fashion or entrepreneurism. In fact, in just the season before birthing her business she was a journalist reporting on poverty and conflict in Uganda. Hear how the core tenets of she learned in journalism – staying curious, asking great questions and following the lead – led Liz to the winding and unexpected path of building a business. 

Liz traces her journey from journalist to farmer to social entrepreneur and shares with Paula how “learning fast, failing fast and pivoting” helped her make her way through the dark, early days when there was little success, support or celebration for the company she was building. Liz also tells Paula why she’s a firm believer that we aren’t meant to take ourselves too seriously (Sseko means “laughter” in Lugandan)... a totally refreshing reminder, no matter what stage of business building you’re in. 

If you’re an entrepreneur or even just dream of being one, you know firsthand that fear is often the most loyal companion. Liz opens up to Paula about her ongoing battle with anxiety as a creative thinker who is “always building in the future.” Find out how she leans into her fear by giving herself permission to fail and why she’s so passionate about “owning your average.”

Shop Sseko Designs 

Host a Sseko Designs trunk show 

Check out Liz’s book: “Beginner’s Pluck: Build Your Life of Purpose and Impact” 

Follow Liz on Instagram 

Learn more about Paula’s new company CARRY Media and sign up for CARRY ALL, an essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!   

Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook 

Sign up for Paula’s new and improved newsletter to get a message from her every two weeks.

Order Paula’s Book - “Called Out: Why I Traded Two Dream Jobs for a Life of True Calling”

Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: Access More | Spotify | Apple 

In this busy life, it helps when you can find a way to catch your breath amidst the chaos. It helps even more when you have a friend who knows what you’re going through and has your back. This week, that friend is Kristen Watson, who – along with her husband, a first-round NFL draft pick and Super Bowl Champion, Benjamin Watson – are back on the podcast! The Watsons join Paula for an encouraging conversation on the eve of Kirsten’s debut book, “Sis, Take a Breath: Encouragement for the Woman Who’s Trying to Live and Love Well (but Secretly Just Wants to Take a Nap)”. It’s all about navigating the stress and fears of life, one simple breath at a time. 

This real, honest book was a labor of love that required Kirsten to reach for her faith out of a place of deep fear and doubt. She tells Paula about the lies she’s heard for years that kept her thinking “never in a million years” would she be called to use her words and become an author one day. Kirsten shares how she found the courage to battle the voices in her head, steward her platform and bring this beautiful book into fruition.

 If you’re in the thick of it all and feeling weary, you will feel seen by this conversation and encouraged by Kirsten, who recalls just a few short years ago struggling to understand how “singing ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ all day” as a mom to seven was fulfilling her big career aspirations. Now looking back, hear Kirsten share how God was quietly transferring her gifts into supporting the day-in-and-day-out of her family and preparing her for the assignments yet to come. 

The Watsons also catch Paula up on their AccessMore podcast, “Why or Why Not with the Watsons,” where they continue to keep it real! You will love their unofficial “Like Policy.” Find out how they continue learning about, challenging, and celebrating each other amidst launching a book and potty training their adorable twin boys.

Click here find out more about The Watsons.

Check out Kirsten's new book “Sis, Take a Breath: Encouragement for the Woman Who’s Trying to Live and Love Well (but Secretly Just Wants to Take a Nap) "

Follow Kirsten on Instagram 

Follow Benjamin on Instagram 

Learn more about Paula’s new company CARRY Media and sign up for CARRY ALL, an essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!  

Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media 

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook 

Sign up for Paula’s new and improved newsletter to get a message from her every two weeks. 

Order Paula’s Book - “Called Out: Why I Traded Two Dream Jobs for a Life of True Calling”

Subscribe & Listen to more episodes of the Podcast: <a href="https://www.accessmore.com/pd/The-Paula-Faris-Podcast"...

Imagine being parents to six kids - all boys, ages 8 to 20 - and ALL the laundry, cleaning and cooking that goes with it. Now imagine those six boys doing the majority of it all - ALL on their own! Sounds too good to be true, right? But that’s the everyday reality of Paula’s special guests this week, who also are extremely gifted in leading, encouraging and following the call on their lives. Ruth Chou Simons and Troy Simons are joining Paula this week for a personal conversation about what it looks like to be a family who is on mission together, both in the peaks and valleys of life – and honoring one another along the way. 

Ruth is an entrepreneur, speaker and bestselling author of Beholding and Becoming (https://ruthchousimons.com/beholding-becoming/) and GraceLaced (https://ruthchousimons.com/gracelaced-book/) . She shares her journey of God’s grace intersecting her daily life with word and paintbrush through an online shop at GraceLaced.com (https://gracelaced.com/) and her Instagram community of more than a hundred thousand. Her work has blossomed into a wildly successful space, making her the breadwinner for their family, while Troy takes the lead on things at home with their boys. However, just a few short seasons ago, those roles were reversed with Ruth juggling pregnancy, nursing and raising their young boys, while Troy worked as a full-time pastor and headmaster at a school he co-founded.  

The Simons open up to Paula about what it was like when Troy was called to back away from his work at the school and how they chose to pivot and make the most of what they’d already been given through Ruth’s artistic giftings that she had been quietly honing in the odd hours of the night. Hear how they’re currently navigating the crossroads of their untraditional callings, the shifting spotlight in their family and getting their boys involved each step of the way. For the moms and dads out there – hear why they say encouraging your kids to realize “the excitement of growing up” is the game changer when it comes to growing their responsibilities. 

Ruth and Troy offer up their life experiences with grace and generosity in this conversation. If you’re feeling like it’s taking a while to feel at home in the role God has for you, let this episode serve as your personal reminder that you’re not alone and encourage you to find what’s still in front of you to be grateful for today. 

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It’s undeniable the major toll a global pandemic, racial unrest and political upheaval has taken on us all. Now imagine if it was your job to show up every day and report on these stories to the country – and add in that your partner also works in the same industry. That’s the weighty reality of Paula’s guests this week, and they are diving into a don’t-miss conversation about the elusive work/life balance in our chaotic world and the steadying effect of listening for God’s calling along the way. 

Craig Melvin and Lindsay Czarniak fell in love while working at the same news station in Washington DC. Today Lindsay is a broadcaster for FOX Sports and previously anchored ESPN’s SportsCenter, SportsNation and NASCAR Now. Craig is the current news anchor on NBC’s TODAY Show, a co-host of the 3rd Hour TODAY and contributing anchor for NBC’s Dateline. Up until last month he was also the host of Craig Melvin Reports. Craig and Lindsay open up to Paula about what led Craig to pump the brakes at MSNBC and walk away from his daily show after ten years. He shares what helped him know it was time to go and what he’s learned from his therapist about indirect stress and what it does in our lives – an applicable word for anyone navigating a big decision or seeking more peace. 

Craig and Lindsay have been married for over a decade and along with their deep faith connection, they share two beautiful children. They discuss with Paula the pull they experience as working parents between wanting to provide and wanting to be there for their kids. Hear what they say they had to come to terms with to make peace with their limits and better prioritize their relationships. They also open up about what it looks like to be in the same competitive business with the one you love. Hear how they have managed to avoid rivalry and what helps them cheer each other on through thick and thin. 

This duo’s connection is adorable, and while they still struggle to get their stories straight about their first meeting (as you’ll hear and LOL), they are clear on the fact that their faith is central to what keeps them grounded and grateful. Whether you’re looking to take your next professional step, scale back and take a pause or untangle the stress in your life, let this vulnerable conversation remind you that what you do isn’t who you are and empower you to listen for and follow the peace in your spirit. 

Follow Lindsay on Instagram 

Follow Craig on Instagram 

Check Craig’s book, “Pops: Learning to Be a Son and a Father” 

Learn more about Paula’s new company CARRY Media and sign up for CARRY ALL, an essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday! 

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This week Paula is excited to bring you a bonus edition of “Faith & Calling” featuring two titans of the entertainment industry who beyond their shared calling also happen to be men of deep faith.

Mark Wahlburg and Mel Gibson join Paula for a spirited conversation about their latest project, exclusively in theaters this Easter. “Father Stu” is the real-life story of a bad boy boxer who finds renewed purpose in the calling to become a priest, with Gibson and Wahlberg starring as father and son. Hear why Wahlberg was so moved by the story that he broke the cardinal rule of filmmaking by financing the film with his own money. Find out why this passion project is also paving the way for a new genre of movies. It’s honest, funny and ultimately uplifting – but it’s also gritty and R-rated, intentionally not preaching to the choir like a stereotypical faith-based film and the guys tell Paula why.

Moving to life beyond the screen, both Wahlberg and Gibson share with Paula what their deep faith means to them today – and what each feels called to in this season ahead. And another bonus this week: not only is this a special and extraordinary bonus episode, but for the very first time an episode of “Faith & Calling” is being released in video form too on AccessMore https://www.accessmore.com/pd/The-Paula-Faris-Faith--Calling-Podcast-VIDEO | and Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-paula-faris-faith-calling-podcast-video/id1618348885

Watch the trailer and find tickets to Father Stu here: https://www.fatherstumovie.com/

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This episode of “Faith & Calling” is coming in hot, as in hot topics! They’re everywhere these days, splintering even the deepest and longest of relationships. But Paula’s guests this week have managed to stay united (even thriving!) in marriage while being divided on politics, parenting and the vaccine. Sounds impossible, right? So what’s their big secret? 

Social media influencer (shout out to the #Instafamilia!), social justice advocate, speaker, and best-selling author Carlos Whittaker and his incredible wife Heather sit down with Paula for a straight-shooting conversation that will leave you encouraged and inspired by what happens when we stop standing on issues and start walking with each other!

The Whittakers have been married for 21 years and together share three teenage children. While they’ve worked in ministry for much of their marriage, they’ve built much of their solid foundation on the backs of trials, crisis and even personal betrayal, including Carlos’ early struggle with porn. After a lot of therapy and inner healing, he uncovered what was at the core of his addiction to artificial intimacy. He shares with Paula a powerful analogy for anyone looking to destroy the roots of a deep-seated habit and embrace true freedom on the other side. 

On the flip side, that season of dishonesty brought Heather face to face with navigating forgiveness. Despite wanting to throw in the towel on their marriage, she tells Paula about the powerful image God gave her of what was actually going on, which led her to pull back and focus on the bigger problem. Hear what she learned in the process about her own deep-seated habits – and her warning for others who may be wishing for a different kind of life than the one they find themself in. 

The Whittakers are the real deal and this episode is packed with real joy and wisdom from two imperfect people who know, trust, and rely on God like their life, marriage and parenting depends on it. If you could use some hope, let this conversation with Heather and Carlos - the self-described “hope dealer” - encourage you to let the Spirit move! 

Follow Carlos on Instagram 

Follow Healther on Instagram 

Check Carlos’ books, podcasat and latest work at CarlosWhittaker.com 

Learn more about Paula’s new company CARRY Media™ and sign up for CARRY™ ALL, an essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!   

 Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media

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"Have you ever been in a season of confusion, doubt or pain and felt like God didn’t hold up His end of the bargain? Paula’s guest this week knows that space of heartbreak intimately. 

Grammy Award-winning music artist, season 5 “American Idol” finalist, and fellow AccessMore podcaster https://www.accessmore.com/pd/Out-of-the-Dark-with-Mandisa--Laura-Williams Mandisa joins Paula for an honest and raw conversation about wrestling with God, navigating depression and fighting through the shadows to find God’s light. 

We all know and love Mandisa’s hit song, “Overcomer,” that reached number one on the Billboard Christian Top 20. This song was written about one of her best friends and back-up singers, Kisha, who was battling breast cancer while pregnant. The anthem was personal to Mandisa, as she recalls praying with full confidence that Kisha would beat her illness. 

So when Kisha passed, ultimately unable to overcome, Mandisa’s anger towards God was overwhelming. She recalls entering into a season of deep darkness that had her questioning everything. Was God hearing her? How could this happen? Did He even exist? 

Mandisa shares with Paula how this dark place would lead her to withdraw, wrestle with God and fall into a deep depression, locking herself inside her house for nearly three years.  

But even in the darkness, she would discover that God was at work, calling her into the light. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety or love someone who is, don’t miss the two lifelines that Mandisa says helped her step out of the dark – which also happens to be the title of her new book, available now - Out of the Dark. 

Mandisa also talks with Paula about the early years of pursuing her calling. Find out how she kept singing in the midst of ordinary jobs, like typing in Sunday school orders at a publishing company, and in the midst of extraordinary fears, like facing Simon Cowell on national TV. Yet another reminder that nothing is wasted when it comes to our faith and calling! 

This personal conversation covers deep topics and is a mix of heart and heavy, so a special note for those with young ears around. 

Pick up Mandisa’s new book, Out of the Dark. 

Follow Mandisa on Instagram  

Learn more about Paula’s new company CARRY Media™ and sign up for CARRY™ ALL, an essential weekly newsletter for the working mom that drops every Sunday!   

 Follow along with CARRY Media on social media: @carry_media  

Connect with Paula & share what you are feeling called to in this season of your life: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook  

Sign up for Paula’s new and improved newsletter to get a message from her every two weeks.  

Order Paula’s Book - “Called Out: Why I Traded Two Dream Jobs for a Life of True Calling”

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