The Nothing Is Wasted Podcast

SURVIVING ABUSE SERIES PART ONE   Every child deserves to grow up innocent, free of some of the pains and worries of life that we all walk through later in life. But like too many, Becca Stevens was robbed of that chance when she experienced years of sexual abuse at the hands of a spiritual leader as a young child. With this one horrendous act, Becca’s life was forever altered. But where she could have easily grown up bitter towards the church, God, and others, she chose a different path. To kick off our series on surviving abuse, Becca sits down with Davey to share a bit of what she’s learned about forgiveness and moving forward in the face of unimaginable evil, and how she’s dedicated her life to helping other women do the same.   Episode Resources: Visit Becca’s website Check out Thistle Farms - use code NIW for 15% off through December 31, 2020. Follow Becca on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Give us your feedback! Take our Nothing is Wasted Podcast Survey. Become a monthly partner of NIW Ministries. Text NIWgift to 66866 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first few months of 2020 left a mark on all of us that we never could have imagined. Now several months into the COVID-19 pandemic, all of our lives have been impacted in ways that we’ll feel for years to come. But at the beginning of March 2020, Nic and Cassie Brown hadn’t experienced that yet. What they thought was a minor sickness resulted in an extended hospital stay, a close call with death, and a miraculous story that defies explanation. Today, as COVID-19 cases are on the rise across the US and the effects of this disease are at the front of all of our minds, Nic and Cassie’s story is a vital reminder of how God is present even in the midst of this dark season. Nic and Cassie sit down with Davey to share their remarkable story of healing and what they’ve learned about God and the church through it all. Episode Resources: Read more about Nic’s story on his website. This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Give us your feedback! Take our Nothing is Wasted Podcast Survey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most of us have dreams for our life. Maybe it’s a great marriage, a successful job, or a happy family. We have some vision in our heads of what’s supposed to happen, and we tell ourselves that God will definitely give us these things. But sometimes he doesn’t. So what then? That’s the question Sheridan Voysey asked over and over. Sheridan and his wife felt like it was time to start having children, but try as they might, they couldn’t make it happen. Years of trying through the best medical science available were met with failure after failure, and the couple was left asking the question, “what now?” Sheridan sits down with Davey to share a bit of what he’s learned about who God is when he doesn’t seem to come through like we expect. Episode Resources: Visit www.sheridanvoysey.com Follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Download a FREE printable poster of The Creed Sheridan reads at the end of the podcast here. Books mentioned: The Making of Us: Who We Can Become When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned Resurrection Year: Turning Broken Dreams into New Beginnings Sheridan’s other books Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abortion is not a topic that is often brought up in churches. We might mention it in broad strokes or when talking about politics, but too often pastors and whole churches are afraid to engage in it personally. But whether we face it or not, many women like Serena Dyksen are facing this issue quietly in one way or another. When Serena found herself pregnant as a teenager following a terrible sexual assault, abortion seemed like the only option. Little did she know the amount of repercussions, both psychological and physical, that she would carry with her for the rest of her life. Serena sits down with Davey to share a bit of her story and how she works to prevent others from making the same mistakes she did while also showing the love and grace of Christ to those who have. Episode Resources: Visit www.serenadyksen.com Follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Purchase Serena’s Book - She Found His Grace She Found His Grace Post Abortion Facebook Support Group Check out our Nothing is Wasted Community Groups Find out more about partnering with the Nothing is Wasted Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If the last several months have taught us anything, it’s that the racial tensions we read about in our history textbooks aren’t limited to the pages of the past. The pain that our black brothers and sisters have felt at the hands of white America hasn’t gone away, and ignoring it isn’t going to make it any better. In the second part of this powerful conversation, Dr. Anita Phillips shares with Davey about how racism has never truly left our culture or our churches, and how the body of Christ can begin the long, hard process of moving towards true unity, justice, and reconciliation.   Episode Resources: Visit www.anitaphillips.com Follow on Facebook and Instagram Watch a conversation with Dr. Phillips and Christine Caine Purchase Where Do We Go from Here Visit My Pain to Purpose Plan for Churches This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Anita Phillips sits at the intersection of several important conversations in our culture today. As a trauma therapist, a black woman, and the wife of a pastor, she is uniquely positioned to speak into the intersection of mental health, race, and faith. Through her own traumatic experiences and years of helping others, Anita has come to an understanding of the Kingdom of God, and how we can relate to it, that is vital to us in the season we find ourselves in right now. In this first part of the conversation, Anita shares the story of how she came to have a passion for mental health, some of the racial tensions she found lurking under the surface of the church, and more.   Episode Resources: Visit www.anitaphillips.com Follow on Facebook and Instagram Purchase The God-Shaped Brain or Anatomy of the Soul Visit My Pain to Purpose Plan for Churches This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dawn Barton’s demeanor and her story don’t seem to match at a glimpse. She radiates hope, optimism, and cheerfulness. You’d be forgiven for thinking she’s had an easy life, but that’s far from the truth. Dawn has walked through an amount of darkness that most of us couldn’t imagine. Through trial after trial, she’s learned to choose joy when despair would be a much more natural option. Dawn sits down with Davey to share some of the pain she’s walked through and how she found God in the midst of it all.   Episode Resources: Visit Dawn’s Website Follow Dawn on Instagram and Facebook Buy Dawn’s Book - Laughing Through the Ugly Cry   Other Resources: Visit My Pain to Purpose Plan for Churches Check out our Nothing is Wasted Community Groups This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ADOPTION SERIES PART THREE   Sam Collier couldn’t be blamed for seeing his story as one of abandonment. Born to a 21-year-old single mother, Sam and his twin sister were given up for adoption. His birth parents never reached out, and he spent the entire time he was growing up never meeting either of his birth parents or the three other siblings he didn’t even know he had. But Sam looked past the abandonment to see what God was doing, and the faith to make that decision changed his life and the lives of his family. To close out our adoption series, Sam sits down with Davey to share his own greater story and how he’s made it his life’s mission to help others find theirs.   Episode Resources: Purchase Sam’s Book, A Greater Story Visit Sam’s website Check out Sam preaching at Hillsong   Other Resources: Visit My Pain to Purpose Plan. This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ADOPTION SERIES PART TWO   Sometimes the things God calls us to don’t make a lot of sense. We’re asked to give up our loaves and fishes, to step out of the boat, or to carry a cross, and there’s no telling what the outcome will be. Johanna and Brian Cannelongo had four biological children when they felt God calling them to not only adopt, but to adopt a child with special needs. Little did they know that their “yes” to this one opportunity would start them down a journey that no one would have either expected or asked for. Johanna and Brian sit down with Davey to share the unimaginable tragedy of their story, but also how that pain isn’t their story’s end.   Episode Resources Check out the blog - www.wildflowerhope.com Follow Johanna on Instagram and Facebook Learn more about their non-profit ministry - Live Gia Grow Forever Foundation on Instagram and Facebook Check out Johanna’s Etsy Shop Resources used by the Cannelongo’s that can help guide families wanting to adopt: Small World Adoption Lifeline Children’s Services   Other Episode Resources: This podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Financial Peace University I Was Broke, Now I’m Not Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ADOPTION SERIES PART ONE   Sara and Sam Ward were only just starting on their journey of adoption when they hit a wall that no one wants to experience. They went to the hospital for what they thought was a minor medical issue and left with a cancer diagnosis. Not only did this upend their entire lives, but they had to watch their dream of adoption seemingly die. Little did they know that this wasn’t the worst trial that they’d face on their journey. Years later, after finally adopting a little boy, the couple found themselves back in the hospital. They received another diagnosis no one wants to hear — their son had a terminal disease. To kick off our adoption series, Sara and Sam sit down with Davey to share their story of triumph, loss, and redemption, and a few things they’ve learned along the way.   Episode Resources: Buy Sara’s book: Made for Hope Visit Sara’s website Follow Sara on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Check out articles written by Sara on www.adoption.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices