Not Just Waiting

Reanna Hoffmann
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

You were never meant to put your life on pause while you wait. The Not Just Waiting Podcast is here to help you trust God in the tension, live with purpose in every season, and pursue Jesus—even when life feels uncertain. Hosted by writer and speaker Reanna Hoffmann, this podcast is for women who are done sitting on the sidelines of their own stories. Through biblical encouragement, honest conversations, and practical wisdom, you'll find hope for the “what ifs,” strength for the “not yets,” and reminders that you are seen, known, and deeply loved—right here and now.

  1. 2d ago

    45. How to Trust God When the Story Isn't Finished with Victoria Fortuna

    What do you do when the story you believed God was writing doesn't unfold the way you expected? In this tender and honest conversation, I'm joined by my most requested guest, Victoria Fortuna. Together, we talk about long seasons of waiting, unanswered prayers, grief, adoption, surrendering expectations, and learning to trust God when life looks nothing like we imagined. Victoria shares pieces of her story—from an eight-year adoption journey and heartbreaking loss to the unexpected ways God has shaped her character in seasons that felt invisible and uncelebrated. Through it all, she offers a powerful reminder that God's goodness is not dependent on our timelines and that even unfinished stories can be filled with hope. If you've ever wondered where God is in the waiting, struggled with unmet expectations, or felt caught between joy and grief, this conversation will meet you there. In this episode, we discuss: What God forms in us during long seasons of waiting The difference between pursuing God's gifts and pursuing His presence Learning to hold both joy and grief at the same time Trusting God's goodness when prayers seem unanswered How loss reshapes our understanding of restoration Why your story isn't over yet Finding freedom in the phrase "to be continued" Connect with Victoria: Instagram: @victoriarosefortuna Substack: victoriafortuna.substack.com Free Resource: Feeling behind in life? Download my free Comparison Audit worksheet and discover whose timeline you've been measuring yourself against.

    42 min

  2. Jun 2

    44. How God Builds Your Character Before Your Calling with Kate Massey

    This conversation with Kate Massey felt like sitting across the table from a friend and talking honestly about fear, obedience, waiting seasons, and the ways God forms us long before anyone sees the fruit of it. Kate shares about her journey from resisting the worship team to stepping into speaking opportunities, how God used uncomfortable seasons to build her confidence and character, and why bold faith often looks much more ordinary than we expect. We also talk about: why fear keeps so many of us stuck how God develops our character before advancing our calling the danger of forcing timelines God never asked us to force what Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Noah, and Moses teach us about waiting how asking someone “Can I pray for you?” can change more than we realize learning to trust God when His timing doesn’t make sense why understanding your identity in Christ changes everything If you’re in an in-between season wondering what God is doing, this episode is for you. Connect with Kate: Instagram: @katemasseywrites Website: KateMassey.org Kate’s books: Purpose and the Pain Purpose and the Waiting (coming soon)

    36 min

  3. May 26

    43. You Are More Than What You Hold: A Conversation on Identity, Waiting & Becoming with Dawn Stephens

    What happens when God removes the very thing you thought defined you? In this week’s episode of the Not Just Waiting Podcast, I sat down with author, former teacher, and publisher Dawn Stephens for one of the most honest and hope-filled conversations about identity, purpose, and becoming that I’ve had in a long time. Through the beautiful metaphor of pottery and children’s books, Dawn shares how God walked her through seasons of being filled, emptied, pruned, stretched, and rebuilt. From teaching to running a school, becoming an author, experiencing burnout, and stepping into publishing, Dawn reminds us that God never wastes a season — even the ones that feel hidden or confusing. We talked about: Why we often tie our identity to what we “hold” The danger of defining ourselves by roles, titles, or productivity What it means to become a “fruit pot” How waiting seasons prepare us for what’s next Why God sometimes allows cracks instead of fixing them Burnout, striving, and learning to rest How God uses every season of your story This conversation felt like sitting down with a friend who gently reminds you that becoming takes time — and that God is still forming something beautiful in the in-between. If you’ve ever felt emptied, overlooked, behind, or unsure of who you are in this season, I think this episode will deeply encourage you. Connect with Dawn: Website: dawnstephensbooks.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DawnStephensBooks/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawnstephensbooks/ Twitter: https://x.com/dawnstephens https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnstephens/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dawn_stephens_books Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DawnStephensBooks/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DawnStephensBooks   Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement in their waiting season.

    34 min

  4. May 19

    42. God Still Uses the Waiting with Nancy Jasin Ensley

    This week on the Not Just Waiting Podcast, I sat down with author, former nurse, counselor, and storyteller Nancy L. Jasin Ensley for one of the most honest and unexpectedly funny conversations we’ve had this season. Nancy shares what God has been teaching her in the “winter season” of life — from slowing down and learning patience to forgiving the people who hurt her and discovering that God still had purpose for her long after retirement. We talked about: why waiting is still active how journaling can help you process what God is doing the connection between fear, control, and worthiness the surprising ways God shapes our character why patience, forgiveness, and humility matter so much how God often uses the things we didn’t plan for what it means to truly listen instead of just hear Nancy’s stories about nursing, counseling women from her home, ghostwriting memoirs, and navigating disappointment reminded me that becoming rarely happens in big, glamorous moments. Most of the time, it happens slowly. Quietly. In ordinary faithfulness. If you’re in a season where life feels slower than you expected, or different than what you planned, I think this conversation will encourage you deeply. You can connect with Nancy and explore her books here: www.nancyjasinensley.com

    31 min

  5. May 12

    41. When God Makes You Wait: Becoming Who You’re Called to Be in the In-Between with Pat Domangue

    Do you ever feel like God gave you a calling, and then nothing happened? Like you said yes, stepped out in obedience, and somehow ended up in a season that feels slow, hidden, or confusing? In this episode of Not Just Waiting, I’m joined by Pat Domangue, Bible teacher and author, and we’re talking about what it really looks like to become who God has called you to be—especially when it takes longer than you expected. Because the truth is… Waiting doesn’t mean God forgot. It usually means He’s forming something deeper than you can see. Pat shares her story of being called into ministry in 2002—and how what she thought would unfold quickly actually took decades of refining, stretching, and surrender. We talk about confidence, identity in Christ, releasing expectations, and why God often works in cycles, not straight lines. We also unpack a powerful picture: how a potter lets clay sit and harden before it goes into the fire—because if it doesn’t, it will literally fall apart. If you’re in a season where things feel delayed, unclear, or like they’re not moving the way you thought they would…this conversation is for you. In this episode, we talk about: What God is forming in you in unseen seasons How to walk confidently in your calling (even when it feels slow) Why waiting seasons are necessary for spiritual growth Letting go of timelines, expectations, and “what you thought it would look like” The truth about ministry, identity, and not fitting into a box How God uses repeated seasons to refine your character Why you haven’t missed it—and God isn’t late Connect with Pat: Website: onfire-ministries.org Facebook: On Fire Ministries with Pat Domangue Instagram:  @patdomangue  Get the Comparison Audit here!

    37 min

  6. May 5

    40. The Ordinary Is Not Wasted with Constance Hastings

    This conversation felt like sitting across from someone who has walked with God for a long time—the kind of wisdom that doesn’t shout, but settles deep. This week on Not Just Waiting, I’m joined by Constance Hastings, and we talk about what it really looks like to become who God is calling you to be… especially when it doesn’t look anything like you planned. We talk about: What happens when God reroutes your life (again and again) The tension between calling and character Seasons where it feels like you’ve been “left behind” Why waiting is never actually passive And how God often speaks… in the most ordinary moments There’s a moment in this conversation where everything clicks—where the ordinary things we dismiss (doing dishes, vacuuming, daily rhythms) suddenly feel sacred again. If you’ve been wondering if you’re doing enough… If you feel like you’re in-between what was and what’s next… If you’re tired of waiting for something big while living something small… This episode is for you. Connect with Constance: Website + blog: ConstanceHastings.com Book: The Trouble with Jesus: Considerations Before You Walk Away Substack: https://jesustrouble.substack.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTroublewithJesus   If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend or send it to someone who’s in a waiting season too. And don’t forget—you’re not just waiting.

    34 min

  7. Apr 28

    39. You’re Not Stuck—You’re Becoming with Jessica DeYoung

    In this episode, I’m joined by Jessica DeYoung—speaker, podcaster, and founder of Made Whole—for a conversation that feels like a deep breath in the middle of a striving world. We talk about what it actually looks like to live in the in-between; not as a season of stagnation, but as a season of becoming. If you’ve ever felt the tension between wanting to move forward and sensing God asking you to slow down, this conversation is for you. Jessica shares honestly about the ways God has been stripping things back in her life—expectations, timelines, productivity—and inviting her into a deeper kind of trust. One that doesn’t rush ahead or try to control the outcome, but learns to listen, rest, and respond in obedience. We also talk about: Why “being present instead of productive” is harder than it sounds The difference between active waiting and passive waiting How God refines our character in seasons that feel hidden Letting go of the life you thought you’d have to receive the one God is giving you Why you don’t need to know the outcome to be obedient This episode is a reminder that God is far more interested in who you’re becoming than what you’re producing. And even here—in the unseen, uncomfortable, in-between—He is working. You are not behind. You are not forgotten. You are becoming. Connect with Jessica: Listen to her podcast Perspectives into Practice + explore more at her website: www.perspectivesintopractice.com Instagram: @JessDeYoung Facebook: Jess DeYoung If this episode encouraged you: Share it with a friend & tag me so I can say thank you. 🤍

    36 min

  8. Apr 21

    38. You’re Not Without Purpose with Kathy Branning

    In this episode of Not Just Waiting, I’m joined by author Kathy Branning for a conversation that feels like sitting across from a friend who just gets it. We talk about the kind of seasons no one really plans for—when everything shifts at once. Injury, transition, big life changes, and the quiet (sometimes frustrating) work of becoming. Kathy shares how God has been forming her through pruning and pressing—not in ways that are visible or celebrated, but in ways that are necessary. From navigating physical pain and forced rest to releasing expectations around motherhood, productivity, and control, this conversation is a real look at what it means to trust God when life doesn’t go the way you thought it would. We also talk about: Why calling without character can’t stand The tension between passive waiting and active waiting What it looks like to live with purpose even when you feel limited Letting go of being “the one who makes things happen” Trusting God with what you can’t control If you’ve ever felt stuck, sidelined, or like you should be further along by now—this episode is for you. You are not behind. You are not forgotten. And you are definitely not just waiting. Connect with Kathy: Website: KathyBranning.com Instagram: @_kathy.branning_ Retreat: SisterhoodofStoriesRetreat.com

    35 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
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About

You were never meant to put your life on pause while you wait. The Not Just Waiting Podcast is here to help you trust God in the tension, live with purpose in every season, and pursue Jesus—even when life feels uncertain. Hosted by writer and speaker Reanna Hoffmann, this podcast is for women who are done sitting on the sidelines of their own stories. Through biblical encouragement, honest conversations, and practical wisdom, you'll find hope for the “what ifs,” strength for the “not yets,” and reminders that you are seen, known, and deeply loved—right here and now.

Information

  • Creator
    Reanna Hoffmann
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Reanna Hoffmann
  • Show Website
    Not Just Waiting