The Hope Story Podcast

hope*writers
  • 4.8 (155)
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Every writer has a story worth telling—and every story holds the power to bring hope. Whether you’re just starting your writing journey or you’re ready to take your craft and publishing knowledge to the next level, The Hope Story Podcast is here to guide you. Brought to you by hopewriters and hopebooks, this podcast is the most encouraging place for writers who want to grow in their words, share their message of hope, and make real progress. Each episode offers inspiring conversations, practical writing advice and honest encouragement to help you balance the art of writing with everyday life—without losing heart along the way. Your words matter. Your story of hope matters. Let’s take the next step together and get your words into the world.

  1. Oct 18

    Sacred Ground Launch: Finding God in Unexpected Places

    Leilani hosts the Hope Books podcast celebrating the launch of Sacred Ground: Finding God in the Places We Didn’t Expect, framed by Moses encountering God at the burning bush. She interviews contributing authors Rita Davis, Susan DePerasi, Julie Dominguez, Sheree Jacobs, Megan Foster Rosas, and Kara Tobey: Rita describes a lifelong call to adoption and the legacy of God’s faithfulness; Susan recounts a suitemate’s servant-hearted help in grad school and a decisive surrender to God; Julie shares unlearning Proverbs 22:6 as a promise and naming disappointment with God; Sheree discusses burnout, grief, and finding rest on a Florida beach; Megan reflects on Jochebed’s “waterproof basket” and using present resources to release what you love; Kara returns to river guiding after trauma, wrestles with hope for love, and receives encouragement through community. Buy your copy HERE 00:00 Welcome and Sacred Ground 00:49 Rita Adoption Journey 03:56 Legacy of Faithfulness 04:51 Susan and Joyce Friendship 07:43 Mirror Moment Surrender 11:14 Julie Disappointed with God 16:57 Sheree Burnout and Grace 19:35 Beach Rest and Peace 22:18 Megan Jochebed Basket 28:38 Kara River Fear and Hope 33:17 Authors Roundtable Rivers 38:24 Prayer and Community Support 45:40 Wrap Up and Book Launch

  2. Oct 14

    Self-Control: Freedom in Surrender

    Leilani hosts this episode of the podcast celebrating the launch of Self-Control: Freedom in Surrender, reframing self-control as freedom found through surrender rather than white-knuckled effort. Four contributors—Tyann, Elizabeth (Beth), Kaitlyn, and Teresa (Teri-Lou)—describe control as self-driven manipulation and self-control as yielding to God’s Spirit, then share stories that shaped their chapters: Tyann recalls body-image shame after a pregnancy doctor visit and learning to surrender her body to God; Beth recounts a Jeep accident that led her to pray for God’s rescue, explains writing letters to her son to communicate with grace, and shares a daily reset centered on calling on God’s name; Kaitlyn describes unexpected peace during severe turbulence and a “scaffolding” season that became deconstruction and refinement; and Teri-Lou reflects on regret after yelling at her child, offers the SARR practice (stay, admit, receive, repeat), and explains choosing humility and relationship in parenting.  Get your copy now HERE 00:00 Welcome and Book Launch 00:53 Meet the Authors 02:10 Control vs Self-Control 06:55 Tyann Doctor Office Story 09:29 Surrendering Body Image 13:33 Beth Jeep Crash Prayer 15:26 Letters and Daily Reset 17:58 Kaitlyn Turbulent Flight Peace 21:11 Scaffolding Season Lessons 25:23 Teri-Lou Grandparent Trigger 26:28 SARR Acronym for Self-Control 29:11 Quiet Correction with Teens 31:14 Practicing the Pause 35:09 Elizabeth Elliot Influence 37:41 Rapid Fire Hope 40:06 Wrap-Up and Next Episode

  3. Sep 30

    Kindness: Small Acts, Eternal Impact Part 2

    The host interviews Hope Books contributors Jeannie and Jackie about the collaborative book “Kindness,” beginning with personal joy and moving into what it feels like to launch the book. Jeannie describes the process as “amazing” and a dream come true, but says writing on kindness was unexpectedly difficult, requiring vulnerability, integrity, and deep reflection; her chapter, “Kindness…Just Because,” shares stories and themes showing kindness as a freely given gift woven into everyday life and faith. Jackie shares her first-time author experience and her chapter about becoming an unwed mother at a young age and how her parents responded with kindness and support despite concerns about judgment and appearances, creating a lasting ripple effect through generations. The conversation highlights how collaborative structure, feedback, and timelines helped them grow as writers and encourages listeners to share their stories and consider purchasing “Kindness” on Amazon. Buy your copy HERE. 00:00 Warm Welcome In 00:13 Grandkids Bring Joy 00:56 Launching The Book 01:36 Where Theyre From 02:45 Why Kindness Matters 03:57 Jeannie Says Yes 05:29 Jackies Kindness Story 06:41 Jeannies Chapter Themes 08:51 What Readers Remember 10:39 Writing Challenges 12:21 Collaborative Book Growth 16:26 Ripple Effect Kindness 18:19 Finding Faith Writing 20:26 Why Stories Heal 23:15 Final Thanks And Invite

    Kindness: Small Acts, Eternal Impact Part 2

  4. Sep 30

    My Hope Story Volume 3: Authors Share Hope and Transformation

    Host Leilani welcomes listeners to the Hope Story podcast to celebrate the launch of My Hope Story Volume Three with contributing authors Stacey Gawthrop, Ericka Reid, Ramela Abbamontian, and Melanie Wamoff. The authors discuss what inspired them to join the collaboration, including overcoming fear of writing, gaining experience through a team process, and sharing vulnerable stories meant to encourage readers. Stacey shares a chapter rooted in trusting God when plans changed unexpectedly, framed by Ephesians 3:20 and learning the difference between hope and expectation. Melanie describes honestly documenting her daughter Lily’s metastatic cancer diagnosis and treatment and seeing God’s presence in daily details. Ramela shares a painful but freeing story of abandonment by her biological father and the hope of being chosen by God and loved by others. Ericka reflects on hope as trusting God’s process and believing He can bring others through hardships too, as the conversation highlights transformation symbolized by the book’s butterfly cover. 00:00 Welcome to Hope Story 01:09 Meet the Authors 05:58 Staci Finds Courage 07:46 Melanie Says Yes 09:41 Romella Shares Freedom 14:24 Erica on Hopeful Parenting 17:24 Staci Chapter Preview 20:29 Melanie on Vulnerable Storytelling 22:55 Hope Through Writing 25:06 Collaboration and Community 26:29 Butterfly Cover Meaning 30:18 Final Thanks and Next Steps

    My Hope Story Volume 3: Authors Share Hope and Transformation

  5. Sep 22

    My Hope Story Volume 4: Finding Hope Through Grief, Weakness, Forgiveness, and Healing

    The episode celebrates the release of My Hope Story Volume 4 with contributors Linda, Jessica, Kimberly, and Christy, beginning with a lightning round and then exploring each woman’s chapter. Linda shares how her husband Gary’s cancer diagnosis and death reshaped her view of the fragility of the future, the non-linear nature of grief, and led her into nursing and hospice care, emphasizing that God holds people in hopeless moments. Jessica describes redefining strength from independence and suppressing pain to vulnerability, crying, asking for help, and trusting “My grace is sufficient,” including a two-year period without contact with her young daughter that required surrendering control. Christy recounts healing from abortion wounds by bringing secrecy into the light, moving from shame to testimony, and receiving forgiveness and abundant life. Kimberly explains how unforgiveness trapped her after a controlling, betraying relationship, how forgiveness is a choice distinct from reconciliation, and how freedom unlocked creativity and restored joy. Together they discuss hope as God-given trust and encourage readers to find healing and not feel alone; the book is available on major platforms. 00:00 Welcome and Guests 00:25 Lightning Round Intros 03:03 Hope Story Setup 03:36 Linda Fragile Futures 05:41 Linda Grief in Waves 07:22 Linda Hospice Calling 09:42 Jessica Redefining Strength 11:51 Jessica Grace Sufficient 13:08 Jessica Trust and Control 17:24 Christy Beyond Forgiveness 20:28 Christy Hope Returns 22:10 Life Beyond Forgiveness 23:41 Shame Into Testimony 25:13 Unforgiveness Keeps You Stuck 27:38 Choosing Forgiveness Daily 29:41 Forgive Without Reconcile 31:25 Freedom Unlocks Calling 33:47 When You're Not Ready 35:21 Redefining Hope Together 38:13 What I'd Tell Her 42:47 What We Hope You Find 44:28 Final Hope Story Sendoff

  6. Sep 21

    Faithfulness: Steadfast in Every Season

    Faithfulness: Steadfast in Every Season Three women. Three stories. One fruit of the Spirit. Michelle Harder, Christene Kamberis, and Yankele Greene share the raw, unglamorous middle of what it looks like to stay faithful — not from the easy side, but from the hard. Michelle walks through the hardest year of her life and discovers God was perfectly faithful in the chaos. Christene shares the decades-long journey of raising a son with cerebral palsy and autism, being told he'd never learn to love her, and finding God at a stoplight when she'd all but walked away. And Yankele writes from inside the drift — spinning in every direction until God told her to sit, be still, and let herself be loved. Together, their stories weave a common thread: God never moved. We're the ones who drift. And faithfulness isn't about getting it right — it's about coming back. 0:00 — Introduction & guest introductions 1:43 — Michelle Harder: The hardest year of her life 5:32 — The blessings list that changed everything 8:17 — Christene Kamberis: From wanting a house full of kids to special ed 10:56 — "He'll never learn to love you" — the devastating appointment 13:19 — The stoplight: God shows up 16:55 — Yankele Greene: Singing to Aunt Emma in the rehab facility 20:32 — Writing from inside the drift & the prayer to be uncomfortable 25:20 — Faithfulness isn't perfection — it's returning 31:05 — Roundtable: What surprised you about each other's stories 36:11 — Closing & where to find the book

    Faithfulness: Steadfast in Every Season

  7. Sep 21

    Gentleness: Strength in the Stillness Part 1

    This episode is part 1 that celebrates the release of Gentleness: Strength in the Stillness with contributors Carrie Alexander, Monica Martinez, and Rebecca Peters, beginning with a lightning round about small joys, self-criticism, and gentleness as soft yet strong. Carrie shares how an unexpectedly difficult pregnancy and later a breast cancer journey taught her to release control, grieve, and surrender by trusting God, finding peace, and noticing how God shows up through people. Monica describes losing her sense of self, struggling with harsh inner dialogue and suicidal thoughts, and beginning healing through brutal honesty, journaling, self-compassion, and trust in a higher power, encouraging others to start with inner work and honesty. Rebecca explains shifting from “why” to “what do you want to do in me,” acknowledging emotions before forgiveness, releasing hurt through practices like prayer, somatic work, and dancing, and forgiving with boundaries by relying on Jesus. Together they say gentleness brings peace, trust, and freedom, and encourage listeners to bring emptiness and chaos to God; the book is available on major platforms. 00:00 Welcome and Book Launch 00:15 Lightning Round on Gentleness 02:54 Carrie on Letting Go 05:14 Surrender as Strength 09:17 Monica on Inner Critic 12:47 Practicing Self Compassion 17:13 Rebecca on Healing Questions 19:42 Feeling Hurt and Forgiveness 22:00 Releasing Emotions in the Body 22:48 Dancing Through Emotions 23:54 Forgiveness With Boundaries 26:36 Writing For The Wounded 28:05 Gentleness Versus Control 33:42 Lessons From Lived Stories 39:40 When Life Feels Harsh 42:33 Final Reflections And Invitation

  8. Sep 21

    Gentleness: Strength in the Stillness Part 2

    We continue the “Gentleness: Strength in Stillness” celebration with authors Debbie, Regina, and Trinity, beginning with a lightning round about small comforts like hugs and brief moments of grounding. Debbie shares how complicated grief stripped away her identity, how unexpected people helped keep her afloat, and how receiving God’s love as Father helped her stop explaining herself, give herself permission to be “messy,” and find hope while continuing to say a loved one’s name. Regina describes realizing she was disconnected from herself through many small factors, and how stillness—like five minutes at a bathroom mirror—revealed illusions, enabled honest self-reflection, and helped her recognize “I’m still here.” Trinity reflects on learning gentleness as strength by watching her mother care for her dying father, treasuring ordinary moments, and practicing presence, grace, humility, and loving people where they are. 00:00 Welcome and Guests 00:19 Lightning Round Warmup 03:13 Vulnerability and Community 04:01 Debbie on Grief and Identity 07:50 Receiving God as Father 10:46 Regina Mirror Moment 13:06 Stillness and Self Connection 16:44 Practical Stillness Habits 18:06 Trinity Family and Gentle Strength 21:22 Loving Well When Busy 23:51 Group Reflections and Takeaways 29:35 Closing and Book Invitation

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About

Every writer has a story worth telling—and every story holds the power to bring hope. Whether you’re just starting your writing journey or you’re ready to take your craft and publishing knowledge to the next level, The Hope Story Podcast is here to guide you. Brought to you by hopewriters and hopebooks, this podcast is the most encouraging place for writers who want to grow in their words, share their message of hope, and make real progress. Each episode offers inspiring conversations, practical writing advice and honest encouragement to help you balance the art of writing with everyday life—without losing heart along the way. Your words matter. Your story of hope matters. Let’s take the next step together and get your words into the world.

Information

  • Creator
    hope*writers
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    113
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 hope*writers
  • Show Website
    The Hope Story Podcast

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