Cries Of Redemption

Janelle Starkey

Cries of Redemption is a faith-based podcast dedicated to breaking the silence around trauma, abuse, and deep emotional pain. Hosted by Janelle Starkey, a survivor and advocate, this podcast invites you into raw, honest conversations about healing, redemption, and the power of speaking truth. Each episode blends personal storytelling, biblical encouragement, and practical steps toward healing for those who feel forgotten, unloved, or broken. Whether you’ve walked through trauma or are supporting someone who has, you are welcome here. There is still hope. There is still healing. And you are deeply and unconditionally loved.

  1. Aug 30

    Jessie Hodges : I'm Still Here...

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when the people you should have been able to trust become the source of your deepest wounds? In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Cries of Redemption, I sit down with Jessie as she shares a story she has carried for decades. From childhood sexual abuse and rape to domestic violence, trauma, suicidal thoughts, and experiences she says were blocked from her memory for years, Jessie opens up about some of the darkest chapters of her life. But this isn't simply a story about what happened to her. It is a story about survival. Jessie shares how she eventually began confronting the things she had buried, how God revealed parts of her past she didn't even remember, and how her relationship with Him began to change everything. She talks honestly about forgiveness—not because what happened to her was okay, but because she realized that holding onto the pain was allowing the people who hurt her to continue controlling her life. And through it all, one message keeps coming back: She is still here. Jessie shares what it meant to learn how to live again, trust God again, forgive, and embrace the gift of life after everything she had endured. Her story is raw. Her story is painful. Her story is honest. But above all, her story is a testimony of God's faithfulness. 🎧 Want to reach out? I’d love to hear from you. 🎙 Speak Your Heart I want to hear your testimony, your questions, or anything you’ve been holding in. This space is safe, and I’m listening. 💚 You can contact me by: Email: 💌 prayer@criesofredemption.com for prayer requests 📝 mystory@criesofredemption.com if you’d like to share your testimony 📩 contact@criesofredemption.com for all other messages Social Media: 📱 Twitter (X) @shoutredemption, and Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube — just search Cries of Redemption And of course, you can find Cries of Redemption on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major streaming platforms. This podcast reflects my own experiences and beliefs. It is not affiliated with my place of work, my church, or any other institution. All content is shared with the intention of inspiring hope, healing, and faith-based reflection. Mental Health & Crisis Resources to Include: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (U.S.) – Dial 988RAINN (Sexual Assault Hotline) – 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or www.rainn.orgCrisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 (Free 24/7 support)The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support) – Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678Find a Therapist: www.psychologytoday.comSupport the show

    Jessie Hodges : I'm Still Here...
  2. Aug 22

    The Most Offensive Word Today: Sin - Drugs and Alcohol

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Most Offensive Word Today: Sin, I take a deeper look at drugs, alcohol, addiction, and the choices we make when we're hurting. I share some of my own experiences, talk about what Scripture says about our bodies and our choices, and explain why this conversation isn't about judging people who struggle—it’s about recognizing that there is hope, healing, and freedom through Christ. If you're struggling, please don't give up. Your story isn't over yet. 🎧 Want to reach out? I’d love to hear from you. 🎙 Speak Your Heart I want to hear your testimony, your questions, or anything you’ve been holding in. This space is safe, and I’m listening. 💚 You can contact me by: Email: 💌 prayer@criesofredemption.com for prayer requests 📝 mystory@criesofredemption.com if you’d like to share your testimony 📩 contact@criesofredemption.com for all other messages Social Media: 📱 Twitter (X) @shoutredemption, and Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube — just search Cries of Redemption And of course, you can find Cries of Redemption on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major streaming platforms. This podcast reflects my own experiences and beliefs. It is not affiliated with my place of work, my church, or any other institution. All content is shared with the intention of inspiring hope, healing, and faith-based reflection. Mental Health & Crisis Resources to Include: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (U.S.) – Dial 988RAINN (Sexual Assault Hotline) – 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or www.rainn.orgCrisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 (Free 24/7 support)The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support) – Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678Find a Therapist: www.psychologytoday.comSupport the show

  3. Aug 10

    The Most Offensive Word Today: Sin - Same Sex Marriage

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Most Offensive Word Today: Sin, I take on the difficult and often deeply personal topic of same-sex marriage.  I share a childhood experience of being falsely accused of “doing it” with my cousin, which resulted in us no longer being allowed to play together. I also talk about my own experiences with same-sex attraction, the way society can respond to homosexuality, and a time in my life when I genuinely believed I could never change, no matter how hard I tried.  This episode isn't meant to be a shouting match or an invitation to immediately agree with me. I know this subject can bring up strong emotions, personal experiences, and even pain. My hope is that you will listen to what I actually say before deciding what you think about it. Cries of Redemption is meant to be a place where difficult conversations can happen. You don't have to agree with me to listen. You don't have to share my faith to be welcome here. 🎧 Want to reach out? I’d love to hear from you. 🎙 Speak Your Heart I want to hear your testimony, your questions, or anything you’ve been holding in. This space is safe, and I’m listening. 💚 You can contact me by: Email: 💌 prayer@criesofredemption.com for prayer requests 📝 mystory@criesofredemption.com if you’d like to share your testimony 📩 contact@criesofredemption.com for all other messages Social Media: 📱 Twitter (X) @shoutredemption, and Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube — just search Cries of Redemption And of course, you can find Cries of Redemption on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major streaming platforms. This podcast reflects my own experiences and beliefs. It is not affiliated with my place of work, my church, or any other institution. All content is shared with the intention of inspiring hope, healing, and faith-based reflection. Mental Health & Crisis Resources to Include: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (U.S.) – Dial 988RAINN (Sexual Assault Hotline) – 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or www.rainn.orgCrisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 (Free 24/7 support)The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support) – Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678Find a Therapist: www.psychologytoday.comSupport the show

  4. Jul 9

    The Most Offensive Word Today: Sin - Guns & Self Defense

    Send us Fan Mail The conversation continues as I revisit the men who argued they should be able to shoot someone simply because they feel threatened. Is feeling afraid enough to justify taking a life, or does God call us to examine something much deeper—the condition of our hearts? In this episode, we explore the biblical truth, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he," and discuss the reality that evil is far more common—and often far more hidden—than we realize. Wanting to protect yourself or your family is not a sin, and I even share a personal story about the protective instincts I have when it comes to my daughter. We also examine what the law actually says about using a firearm in self-defense, the standards police officers are expected to follow, and the circumstances where legal protections do and do not apply. Finally, I walk through several heartbreaking cases involving both law enforcement officers and private citizens who claimed self-defense after taking someone's life. Some resulted in guilty verdicts, others did not, and many continue to spark public debate. Through it all, one truth remains: people can hide their motives from the world, but they can never hide them from God. This isn't just a conversation about guns or self-defense—it's a conversation about sin, justice, the human heart, and the God who sees what no one else can. 🎧 Want to reach out? I’d love to hear from you. 🎙 Speak Your Heart I want to hear your testimony, your questions, or anything you’ve been holding in. This space is safe, and I’m listening. 💚 You can contact me by: Email: 💌 prayer@criesofredemption.com for prayer requests 📝 mystory@criesofredemption.com if you’d like to share your testimony 📩 contact@criesofredemption.com for all other messages Social Media: 📱 Twitter (X) @shoutredemption, and Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube — just search Cries of Redemption And of course, you can find Cries of Redemption on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major streaming platforms. This podcast reflects my own experiences and beliefs. It is not affiliated with my place of work, my church, or any other institution. All content is shared with the intention of inspiring hope, healing, and faith-based reflection. Mental Health & Crisis Resources to Include: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (U.S.) – Dial 988RAINN (Sexual Assault Hotline) – 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or www.rainn.orgCrisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 (Free 24/7 support)The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support) – Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678Find a Therapist: www.psychologytoday.comSupport the show

  5. Jun 3

    The Most Offensive Word Today: Sin - Gender Change

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I continue the The Most Offensive Word Today: Sin series by discussing one of the most sensitive and controversial topics in our culture today: gender change. I share my own childhood experiences and the thoughts that led me to desire a different gender growing up. At the same time, I recognize that not everyone who struggles with gender identity or experiences gender dysphoria has endured a traumatic or painful past. Every person's story is unique, and reducing complex struggles to simple explanations often does more harm than good. I also discuss some of the common responses people experiencing gender dysphoria hear from Christian communities—responses that are often well-intended but can leave individuals feeling misunderstood, isolated, or unseen. Too often, we focus on behaviors and outcomes while neglecting the deeper wounds, questions, and struggles that may exist underneath. If we truly want to help people, we have to be willing to go beyond surface-level answers and get to the root of the issue. This episode is an invitation to approach difficult conversations with both truth and compassion, remembering that every person is more than the struggle they face. Join me as we explore these topics honestly, challenge assumptions, and seek to better understand the hearts of those who are hurting. 🎧 Want to reach out? I’d love to hear from you. 🎙 Speak Your Heart I want to hear your testimony, your questions, or anything you’ve been holding in. This space is safe, and I’m listening. 💚 You can contact me by: Email: 💌 prayer@criesofredemption.com for prayer requests 📝 mystory@criesofredemption.com if you’d like to share your testimony 📩 contact@criesofredemption.com for all other messages Social Media: 📱 Twitter (X) @shoutredemption, and Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube — just search Cries of Redemption And of course, you can find Cries of Redemption on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major streaming platforms. This podcast reflects my own experiences and beliefs. It is not affiliated with my place of work, my church, or any other institution. All content is shared with the intention of inspiring hope, healing, and faith-based reflection. Mental Health & Crisis Resources to Include: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (U.S.) – Dial 988RAINN (Sexual Assault Hotline) – 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or www.rainn.orgCrisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 (Free 24/7 support)The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support) – Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678Find a Therapist: www.psychologytoday.comSupport the show

  6. May 27

    1 Year Podcast Anniversary!!

    Send us Fan Mail One year ago today, on my birthday, Cries of Redemption began. A birthday I once never thought I would live to see. In this deeply personal anniversary episode, I reflect on the struggles, victories, and spiritual battles that came with sharing the painful parts of my story over this past year. Speaking openly about trauma, shame, suicide, healing, and redemption has never been easy—but God has shown me how even the hardest moments can become weapons for victory and testimonies that help others survive their own battles. I talk about how the world often sees struggles as failures, while I’ve learned to see them as opportunities for growth, strength, and purpose. I also share why simply being alive is worth celebrating, because for many people, waking up each day is a fight in itself. Just yesterday, I was reminded again why this podcast matters: people need a safe place to speak up without guilt or shame silencing them. Someone else’s breakthrough may begin with another person’s courage to finally tell the truth. If you are struggling, discouraged, or wondering whether your life matters, this episode is for you. Don’t give up. You are still here for a reason—and whether you realize it or not, you are winning. 🎧 Want to reach out? I’d love to hear from you. 🎙 Speak Your Heart I want to hear your testimony, your questions, or anything you’ve been holding in. This space is safe, and I’m listening. 💚 You can contact me by: Email: 💌 prayer@criesofredemption.com for prayer requests 📝 mystory@criesofredemption.com if you’d like to share your testimony 📩 contact@criesofredemption.com for all other messages Social Media: 📱 Twitter (X) @shoutredemption, and Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube — just search Cries of Redemption And of course, you can find Cries of Redemption on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major streaming platforms. This podcast reflects my own experiences and beliefs. It is not affiliated with my place of work, my church, or any other institution. All content is shared with the intention of inspiring hope, healing, and faith-based reflection. Mental Health & Crisis Resources to Include: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (U.S.) – Dial 988RAINN (Sexual Assault Hotline) – 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or www.rainn.orgCrisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 (Free 24/7 support)The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support) – Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678Find a Therapist: www.psychologytoday.comSupport the show

  7. Season 1, Episode 19 Trailer

    Delay is Not Denial: A Life Update

    Send us Fan Mail "Life has been a bit of a whirlwind lately! In this raw and unedited update (recorded straight from my phone), I’m sharing why I’ve been away from the mic and what I’m currently juggling. From navigating unexpected health challenges and new medications to custom-making my niece’s prom dress (for her 12th-grade prom, which is the only prom she is attending), it’s been a season of testing—but remember, delay is not denial. I’m also sharing a bit about the importance of work flexibility and a funny (but stressful) couch repair. Thank you for your patience and your prayers while I get back on my feet. I can’t wait to get back to our regular episodes soon!" 🎧 Want to reach out? I’d love to hear from you. 🎙 Speak Your Heart I want to hear your testimony, your questions, or anything you’ve been holding in. This space is safe, and I’m listening. 💚 You can contact me by: Email: 💌 prayer@criesofredemption.com for prayer requests 📝 mystory@criesofredemption.com if you’d like to share your testimony 📩 contact@criesofredemption.com for all other messages Social Media: 📱 Twitter (X) @shoutredemption, and Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube — just search Cries of Redemption And of course, you can find Cries of Redemption on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major streaming platforms. This podcast reflects my own experiences and beliefs. It is not affiliated with my place of work, my church, or any other institution. All content is shared with the intention of inspiring hope, healing, and faith-based reflection. Mental Health & Crisis Resources to Include: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (U.S.) – Dial 988RAINN (Sexual Assault Hotline) – 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or www.rainn.orgCrisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 (Free 24/7 support)The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support) – Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678Find a Therapist: www.psychologytoday.comSupport the show

Trailers

About

Cries of Redemption is a faith-based podcast dedicated to breaking the silence around trauma, abuse, and deep emotional pain. Hosted by Janelle Starkey, a survivor and advocate, this podcast invites you into raw, honest conversations about healing, redemption, and the power of speaking truth. Each episode blends personal storytelling, biblical encouragement, and practical steps toward healing for those who feel forgotten, unloved, or broken. Whether you’ve walked through trauma or are supporting someone who has, you are welcome here. There is still hope. There is still healing. And you are deeply and unconditionally loved.