Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast

Carol Roper
  • 5.0 (55)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Bimonthly

Best 100 Christian Family Podcasts in the US. Welcome to Building Strong Homes, the podcast where faith meets family in the most practical and powerful ways. I'm your host, Carol Roper, wife, mom and former home designer who used to spend my days drafting floor plans and designing details, but now I help wives and moms design lives based on God's word. This podcast is for women who want more than survival mode. You want clarity. You want purpose. You want a home that stands strong—not just physically, but spiritually. Inside each episode, you'll find practical tools that include: *How to strengthen your marriage and motherhood through biblical truth *Candid conversations with men and women who've faced real challenges and found God's grace *Encouragement to stand firm, even when culture says otherwise *Actionable ways to bless your home and influence your community If you've ever wondered how your ordinary days could build something extraordinary, you're in the right place. Discover biblical blueprints for shaping a legacy that reflects God's design—one brick of faith at a time.

  1. Jul 14

    The Power of an Underdog Story: Faith, Grit, and Becoming Who You're Called to Be with Mary Marantz

    Mary Marantz knows how fear can hold us back. Even though she was able to leave the musty single-wide trailer of her childhood in West Virginia and make her way to Yale Law School, she always carried the fear that she would be found out. Even though she had worked hard and earned every grade and scholarship she received she thought others saw her as an imposter. So, she strove to be the best at everything she did, and she was. But the life of perfection has a way of draining the joy out of you. Mary finally realized that fear was holding her hostage to a life that didn't provide freedom and that he is a boring liar. In this episode she shares part of her fascinating story of growing up in rural West Virginia, which is the topic of her first book, Dirt, with a dad who was a proud eighth generation logger, a mom who cleaned houses and her amazing grandma Goldie. In her newest book, Underestimated, she shares how she overcame perfectionism, procrastination, people-pleasing and more. She understands the drive to prove others wrong and show everyone just how far you've come, while also doubting yourself at every turn. Mary has learned that we all must own the muddy parts of our stories so we can move forward in the purpose God has for us. Because, as Mary says, God does His best work in the muddy, messy, and broken if we'll only learn to dig in. Watch on YouTube The Power of an Underdog Story: Mary Marantz on Faith, Grit, and Becoming Who You're Called to Be with Mary Marantz  Find our more about The Flourish Retreat or Contact Carol with any questions

    The Power of an Underdog Story: Faith, Grit, and Becoming Who You're Called to Be with Mary Marantz

  2. Jul 7

    Why Your Story Matters — And Why the Flourish Retreat Could Be Your Turning Point with Carol Roper Bonus Episode

    If you've ever wondered whether your story really matters — or questioned how your past, your personality, and your experiences fit into God's calling for your life — this episode is for you. I'm sharing the behind‑the‑scenes story of how I stepped into women's ministry, the unexpected ways God used my past to shape my purpose, and why I believe so deeply in helping women discover their own calling. Many Christian women love God, love their families, and genuinely want to be obedient… but still feel unsure, unqualified, or unclear about what God is asking them to do next. If that's you, you're not alone — and your story is far more important than you think. In this episode, I'm also inviting you to the Flourish Retreat, a four‑day, set‑apart space designed to help you uncover your gifts, understand your wiring, connect your past to your purpose, and step confidently into the calling God has for you. If you've been craving clarity, direction, or community, Flourish may be the turning point you've been praying for. Your story matters. Your calling matters. And God is already weaving it together. Let's talk about how. Find our more about The Flourish Retreat Contact Carol with any questions Listen to my episode with Julie Bagwell Unsure What's Next? Start Here: Bonus Episode with Julie Bagwell Watch on YouTube Why Your Story Matters — And Why the Flourish Retreat Could Be Your Turning Point with Carol Roper Bonus Episode

    Why Your Story Matters — And Why the Flourish Retreat Could Be Your Turning Point with Carol Roper Bonus Episode

  3. Jul 2

    Unsure What's Next? Start Here: Bonus Episode with Julie Bagwell Ep. 171

    If you've been feeling stuck, restless, or unsure what God is asking of you in this season, the Flourish Retreat might be the turning point you've been praying for. This 3‑day Christian women's retreat on Kiawah Island is designed to help you find clarity, purpose, and direction through powerful teaching, personalized coaching, and deeply meaningful community. In this episode, Julie Bagwell shares what she'll be teaching at the retreat — including discovering your God‑given wiring, understanding your strengths through a full DISC assessment, and learning how to step confidently into your next chapter. She also reveals the exclusive early‑bird bonuses available only through August 10, including additional coaching support, bonus sessions, and special pricing. If you're craving spiritual clarity, longing for direction, or ready to reconnect with the woman God created you to be, this conversation will make you curious about everything Flourish offers — and why so many women are already saying "yes" to this life‑changing weekend. Watch on YouTube Unsure What's Next? Start Here: Bonus Episode with Julie Bagwell What if one weekend could breathe life back into the parts of you that feel worn thin? This October, I'm hosting The Flourish Retreat in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina — and I want you to come with me. If you're a wife or mom who's been pouring out for everyone else, this is your invitation to step away, exhale, and let God pour back into you. Find out more at the link. The next two women to sign up for the retreat can use the code FIRST100 to receive an additional $100 off of registration, on top of the $200 early bird savings available through July 10. If you have any questions about the retreat reach out to me here Take the quiz, "What Type of Home Are You Building?", because so many women feel the tension in their home but can't quite name what's causing it. This quiz does that for you. It pinpoints the patterns shaping your home and gives you a clear next step toward the kind of home you want to build. If you've been feeling stuck, this will help you get unstuck.

    Unsure What's Next? Start Here: Bonus Episode with Julie Bagwell Ep. 171

  4. Jun 30

    From Queer to Christ: A Candid Conversation on Identity, Scripture and What This Story Means for the Church with George Carneal Ep. 170

    Please be aware that this content is not suitable for young children. George Carneal grew up in the '70s, raised by a Southern Baptist minister in the ultra-conservative Bible Belt where his world revolved around the church, country fried chicken and trying to fit in with other boys. As disco music pulsated through the speakers in his bedroom, he plotted his escape from the misery and boredom of Southern suburbia before landing in Los Angeles; a city of glitz and hedonism. Much like Alice as she traveled through the looking glass, this is George's journey through a queer culture fantasyland filled with drag queens, drugs and dangerous situations before discovering healing, joy and peace in Christ. In this episode, George, author of the book From Queer to Christ, shares his painful journey through a secular world at odds with homosexuality, in addition to a religious world that is hostile to homosexuals. He is hopeful that sharing his story through the eyes and mind of a confused child dealing with a same-sex attraction will give some insight into the pain and difficulty of navigating those two worlds. After 25 years of living as a gay man God brought him out of that lifestyle and into His glorious truth. His story will help parents of children of all ages understand how best to influence them for God, as well as teens and adults who are struggling with the LGBTQ agenda in their own lives. George says that he wrote the book for three reasons: To give Christians insight into what it's like for someone dealing with same-sex attraction and their struggle with faith To give hope to parents who have children in the LGBTQ lifestyle To give LGBTQ individuals who are struggling with this lifestyle to understand that there's a different narrative and that they are being lied to and expose those lies and find peace and give them hope George has been out of that lifestyle for almost 17 years now and has a passion to help others learn the truth. Through his testimony he wants others to know that deliverance from bondage is possible and there is hope in Christ. Resources Scripture references: My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. – John 10:27 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:7 George's book, From Queer to Christ and website GeorgeCarneal.com Have questions? Email George at GeorgeCarneal@ProtonMail.com Watch on YouTube From Queer to Christ with George Carneal Sign up for The Flourish Retreat. The next three ladies to sign up get an additional $100 savings with the code FIRST100 on top of the $200 early bird discount through July 10.

    From Queer to Christ: A Candid Conversation on Identity, Scripture and What This Story Means for the Church with George Carneal Ep. 170

  5. Jun 16

    No One is Too Far Gone for God to Use with Glen and Kelly Daigle Ep. 169 Summer Throwback

    Some stories don't just inspire you — they reroute your whole calling. This summer, I'm bringing back one of the episodes that changed everything for me. If you listened to Fear Is a Liar back in June, you remember the couple whose testimony stopped me from shutting this podcast down altogether. When I was ready to pack up the mic and call it quits, their story reminded me why Building Strong Homes exists in the first place — so real people can share real God stories that strengthen all of us. Today we're revisiting Glen and Kelly Daigle's journey — a story that proves God can take the darkest diagnoses, the deepest depressions, and the most tangled pasts and build something stronger, steadier, and more joy‑filled than we ever imagined. You wouldn't think a breast cancer diagnosis would lead a couple into a marriage that was more joyful than they could have ever imagined, but that's what happened with Glen and Kelly Daigle. They had both been married before they met and were ready for a fresh start, having each gone through difficulties with drugs and alcohol. Glen had recently finished a self-admitted time in rehab for alcohol addiction and Kelly was looking for a man who'd been married, didn't have children and loved the Lord. Since Glen met all three requirements they dated and eventually married. But everything wasn't all rainbows and hearts. Glen spiraled into such a deep depression Kelly says many days she prayed she wouldn't come home to find that her husband had committed suicide. After Glen found help from counseling their lives were okay, but still not great. Neither of them had a strong relationship with God, they just did the bare minimum. Until Kelly's breast cancer diagnosis. Something changed in both of them as they realized the only thing they had to hold on to was Jesus, and they weren't letting Him go. There are so many ways that God showed up in each of their journeys that there's no denying the Hound of Heaven was pursuing them from the very beginning. If you feel like you've messed up so badly that there's no promise of hope in your life anymore, this episode is for you. Song that made such an impact on Glen: At This Point in My Life by Tracy Chapman Episode mention in this podcast Fear is a Liar Watch on YouTube No One is Too Far Gone for God to Use with Glen and Kelly Daigle Take the quiz, "What Type of Home Are You Building?", because so many women feel the tension in their home but can't quite name what's causing it. This quiz does that for you. It pinpoints the patterns shaping your home and gives you a clear next step toward the kind of home you want to build. If you've been feeling stuck, this will help you get unstuck. What if one weekend could breathe life back into the parts of you that feel worn thin? This October, I'm hosting The Flourish Retreat in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina — and I want you to come with me. If you're a wife or mom who's been pouring out for everyone else, this is your invitation to step away, exhale, and let God pour back into you. Find out more at the link.

    No One is Too Far Gone for God to Use with Glen and Kelly Daigle Ep. 169 Summer Throwback

  6. Jun 2

    Giddy Up, Eunice: Because Women Need Each Other with Sophie Hudson Ep. 168 Summer Throwback

    Today we're kicking off our Summer Throwback Series — a little every‑other‑week tradition where I'm pulling some of the most loved episodes from the archives, dusting them off and letting them bring encouragement to you again. And I knew exactly which one needed to go first. My conversation with Sophie Hudson, based on her book Giddy Up, Eunice, is one of those episodes that feels like a deep breath and a belly laugh all at once. If you've read any of her books, you already know Sophie has this uncanny way of reminding us that women need each other — not in a Pinterest‑perfect, "let's all match our coffee mugs" kind of way, but in the real, everyday, "I see you, I'm with you, and you don't have to walk this alone" kind of way. This conversation is one of my all‑time favorites because it's honest, it's hilarious, and it's full of the kind of wisdom that stays with you. And honestly? It's the perfect way to start a summer where so many of us are craving connection, encouragement, and a reminder that God weaves women together on purpose. So, grab your iced tea, settle in, and let's revisit this gem with Sophie Hudson — and her beautiful reminder that we need the Marys, the Elizabeths, and the Eunices in our lives more than ever. Watch on YouTube Giddy Up, Eunice: Because Women Need Each Other with Sophie Hudson Sign up for The Flourish Retreat waitlist to find out when doors open, early-bird pricing and special bonuses

    Giddy Up, Eunice: Because Women Need Each Other with Sophie Hudson Ep. 168 Summer Throwback

  7. May 19

    Is Comfort Killing Your Calling? One Brave Step Could Open the Door to Your Dream with Carol Roper Ep. 167

    In this deeply personal episode, I share the story of how my writing journey began—during a season when the empty nest was approaching, purpose felt uncertain, and God whispered a new calling into my heart. Fourteen years ago, I took a trembling step of faith and attended my first writers conference alone. What followed was a rollercoaster of fear, embarrassment, and a moment so humiliating I nearly packed my bags and drove home. But God intervened through two women—Celeste and LaTan—who showed up at the exact moments I needed courage, belonging, and a reminder that I wasn't alone. That one decision not to quit changed the trajectory of my life. In this episode, I share: • how God used a friend's unexpected encouragement to confirm my calling  • the embarrassing moment that almost ended my writing journey  • the divine appointments that kept me from giving up  • the surprising ways God has opened doors over the years  • why stepping out of what's familiar is essential to stepping into your calling  • how obedience—even when you're scared—leads to blessing, purpose, and impact From winning writing awards to being published in Guideposts and Chicken Soup for the Soul, to flying alone to retreats and building a thriving podcast ministry, I reflect on all I would have missed if I had let fear win. This episode is for the woman who feels a dream stirring but isn't sure she's capable… the woman in a transition season wondering what's next… the woman who needs a reminder that God meets us in the places that stretch us. If God is nudging you toward something new, this story will remind you: Your calling won't grow where fear keeps you standing still. Say yes—and watch what God does. Watch on YouTube Is Comfort Killing Your Calling? One Brave Step Could Open the Door to Your Dream with Carol Roper If you're standing on the edge of a new season and longing for clarity, courage, and connection, join The Flourish Retreat waitlist. Your next step might begin here.

    Is Comfort Killing Your Calling? One Brave Step Could Open the Door to Your Dream with Carol Roper Ep. 167

  8. May 5

    How a Single Mom Paid Off $64,000: Creative Debt Hacks from a Financial Coach with Tiffany Miliander Ep. 166

    If you're walking a difficult journey through what may feel like insurmountable debt right now and see no way out, my guest today will give you hope. Tiffany Miliander was a single mom who was left with $64,000 in debt when she divorced. But she was determined not to let that debt linger and paid all of it off in four short years. Debt can feel like a mountain you never asked to climb, but Tiffany stood exactly where you might be standing—and refused to stay there. She didn't wait for perfect circumstances. She didn't wait to feel ready. She took one creative step, then another, and those steps added up to freedom. And that same freedom is possible for you. If you're tired of feeling weighed down by bills, shame, or the fear that things will never change, let this episode be your turning point. Tiffany explains how you don't have to overhaul your whole life overnight. Just choose one small, doable action this week. One shift. One idea. One brave yes. Because financial freedom isn't just about money—it's about peace, confidence, and the kind of stability that blesses your whole home. To learn more about Tiffany go to Blessed Beyond the Stress Watch on YouTube: How a Single Mom Paid Off $64,000: Creative Debt Hacks from a Financial Coach with Tiffany Miliander Ep. 166

    How a Single Mom Paid Off $64,000: Creative Debt Hacks from a Financial Coach with Tiffany Miliander Ep. 166
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5
out of 5
55 Ratings

About

Best 100 Christian Family Podcasts in the US. Welcome to Building Strong Homes, the podcast where faith meets family in the most practical and powerful ways. I'm your host, Carol Roper, wife, mom and former home designer who used to spend my days drafting floor plans and designing details, but now I help wives and moms design lives based on God's word. This podcast is for women who want more than survival mode. You want clarity. You want purpose. You want a home that stands strong—not just physically, but spiritually. Inside each episode, you'll find practical tools that include: *How to strengthen your marriage and motherhood through biblical truth *Candid conversations with men and women who've faced real challenges and found God's grace *Encouragement to stand firm, even when culture says otherwise *Actionable ways to bless your home and influence your community If you've ever wondered how your ordinary days could build something extraordinary, you're in the right place. Discover biblical blueprints for shaping a legacy that reflects God's design—one brick of faith at a time.

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