Episodes

In this powerful episode of the Saved and Strong Podcast, host Carrie Watts sits down with author and licensed professional counselor April Timms for a hope-filled conversation about writer life, her new book in The Dove Series, and freedom from trauma and addiction. April Timms is a dedicated professional and community member of Lake City, Arkansas. She and her husband of 22 years, Anthony Timms, share a deep calling to ministry and service. Anthony serves as a General Baptist youth pastor, an...

In this encouraging episode of the Saved and Strong podcast, host Carrie Watts sits down with beauty educator and faith-filled entrepreneur Courtney Johnson Courtney to talk about the powerful intersection of beauty, faith, confidence, and calling. Courtney shares her personal journey from feeling overwhelmed and unsure with makeup to becoming a trusted guide who helps women simplify beauty and rediscover confidence—inside and out. Together, Carrie and Courtney explore how makeup can enhance Go...

Linda Erley shares the moving redemptive facts behind the fiction in this emotional but spirit-filled episode of Saved and Strong. Linda admits, "This book chose me." as she shares the story behind the story of becoming a debut author of Rainbow Over the Bayou: Jim Crow Through the Eyes of a White Girl, a historical fiction rooted in her Louisiana upbringing and inspired by the influence of a beloved Black housekeeper who helped raise her through the 1950s, 60s, and 70s in Southern Louisiana. ...

In this episode of the Saved and Strong Podcast, Carrie Watts interviews Karen Bedells, who shares her inspiring faith journey, the challenges she faced, and her calling to nursing and wellness. Karen discusses her upcoming Healthy Living Extravaganza event, her writing aspirations, and the importance of community and quiet time with God. She emphasizes the significance of generational faith and offers encouragement to listeners, reminding them of the blessings found in obedience and the importa...

In this powerful episode of the Saved and Strong Podcast, host Carrie Watts sits down with artist, wife, and mom Mac Meckley to talk about her debut novel, Adored, to be released in 2026. Her story is full of faith, marriage, motherhood, and the beauty of a creative life surrendered to God. She shares how creativity became a lifeline, an act of worship, and a pathway to healing and identity. Adored is your reminder that He’s still speaking. This is a story of art, motherhood, and memory—but more...

In Episode 45 of the Saved and Strong Podcast, Carrie talks with Erin Ulerich, a writer and speaker from French Camp, Mississippi, who helps believers connect with Christ in their everyday lives and make room for the words God is calling them to write. ✍️ 2026 Space to Create Writing Retreat Join Erin in the cozy little town of French Camp, MS for the Space to Create Writing Retreat, February 26 – March 1, 2026—a quiet, Christ-centered getaway to focus on your writing, connect with other writer...

In this powerful episode of Saved and Strong, Carrie Watts sits down with author Hope H. Dover to talk about grief, healing, and how God brings beauty from the deepest pain. Hope shares her tender yet transformative story of pregnancy loss, faith, and learning to live joyfully again. Her grief community and support held her up and encouraged her through prayer as she started writing a blog, and now a book. Her book, Seeking Hope, Finding Joy, is a compassionate guide for women navigating loss, ...

In this powerful episode of Saved and Strong, Carrie sits down with Kelsey Decker, founder of Morning Glory Global, a survivor-led nonprofit that “disrupts the darkness” of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking by restoring dignity and hope to women in the sex industry through faith-based outreach and support. Kelsey shares her raw, redemptive story of surviving sexual exploitation in her 20s and 30s, and how Jesus radically set her free from abuse, addiction, and the occult in 2021. From the...

Guest: Dr. Zoe Shaw — Author of Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame In this powerful interview, Carrie Watts sits down with Dr. Zoe Shaw — licensed psychotherapist, author, and shame expert. As her book's subtitle states, Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame Connect with Dr. Zoe Shaw on her Website: www.DrZoeShaw.com Follow on IG: @drzoeshaw Order her book: https://drzoeshaw.com/book/ Join The Strong...

Glynae Loy Deschene is author or her debut novel, Journey to the Sunset. Learn more about Glynae and her debut novel at glynaedeschene.com Purchase Journey to the Sunset at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Walmart.com, or shop.hopewriters.com Glynae and host, Carrie Watts share how they met through their publisher, Hope*Books . As friends and writers, they meet weekly for an early morning zoom room to write together. The power of obedience in creating a story is strong with these two authors. ...

Welcome to Episode 40 of the Saved & Strong Podcast! Today, Carrie sits down with Renee Yates, founder of Overflow Honey Co. in Florence, Mississippi — where faith and sweetness overflow to all your bee keeping needs. In this episode, Renee shares how her journey of healing led to the creation of Overflow Honey Co.—a brand built on faith, community, and the belief that when we let God fill us, our lives naturally overflow to bless others. For the Yates family, Overflow Honey Co. is more than a...

In this inspiring episode of Saved and Strong, host Carrie Watts talks with Josie Muterspaw, founder of Shine Healing Ministries, a Christ-centered nonprofit dedicated to helping women heal from trauma, rediscover their worth, and walk freely in God’s light. Josie is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and visionary behind Selah Ranch, a sacred retreat space designed for soul rest and spiritual renewal. Her new book, Deeper Still: Love's Invitation to a Flourishing Life, will be released ...

In Episode 38 of Saved & Strong, host Carrie Watts welcomes Bishop Barlow — Founder and CEO of Know Ministries, author, and organizational leader passionate about empowering the next generation. Bishop Barlow loves ministering to middle-school students and helping them find confidence in who God made them to be. Through Know Ministries, he equips youth to build their identity, confidence, and purpose in Jesus Christ. His heart for the next generation shines through his teaching, writing, and me...

Saved and Strong Podcast – Episode 37: The Daddy Files In this heartfelt episode of the Saved and Strong Podcast, host Carrie Watts engages in a candid conversation with author and speaker Melissa Jean Rod. They explore Melissa's personal journey of uncovering long-held family secrets and the profound healing that followed. Through her story, Melissa dives into themes of forgiveness, resilience, and the unwavering love of God, offering listeners a powerful reminder that healing is possible even...

Episode 36: Mary Rooney Armand – Uniquely Made: Understanding and Embracing Your Identity in Christ In this episode of Saved and Strong, host Carrie Watts talks with Mary Rooney Armand, author, speaker, and creator of ButterflyLiving.org. Mary shares her journey of embracing her identity in Christ and her passion for helping women discover their CORE. She discusses her Bible study, Uniquely Made: Understanding and Embracing Your Identity in Christ, and her devotional collaboration, Life-Changi...

The Saved and Strong Podcast welcomes Sean Dietrich, better known as Sean of the South, he's an author, humorist, and storyteller who captures the heart of the South in his words. In this episode, Sean’s humility shines as he barely mentions his latest book release, Over Yonder. Instead, he shares glimpses of his writer’s life. From his daily routine and watered-down coffee to his earliest days tapping on his mother’s typewriter. Sean also reflects on pivotal moments in his journey: his walk of...

Join us on this inspiring episode of the Saved and Strong Podcast as we welcome Carrie Burge, host of Chewing on the Cud Podcast. Listen to her powerful testimony of faith as she shares her Saved and Strong story. Carrie is a junior in college majoring in Christian Ministry. She opens up about how music, friendships, church community, discipleship, mentorship, summer camp, and have shaped her walk with Christ. Her prayers for friends have been answered. Her mentors have guided her. And she shar...

From a Ukrainian orphanage to the Miss Mississippi crown, Anna Leah Jolly’s story is one of resilience, redemption, and hope. Adopted at age 11 into a Mississippi family, Anna Leah discovered both her love of dance and her God-given purpose. Today, she is a student in the Dance Department at Belhaven University and the first foreign-born Miss Mississippi, crowned in June 2025. As Miss Mississippi, Anna Leah is using her platform “Limitless” to serve children in foster care, adoption, and abuse ...

In this inspiring episode of the Saved and Strong podcast, host Carrie Watts sits down with Erna Boehs, author of Woven for His Purpose: Embracing the Gift of Unconditional Love God Has for You. Erna shares her heartfelt journey from living under the weight of “doing it all” to embracing God’s unconditional love and rediscovering her true worth. As a writer, coach, and encourager of women, Erna empowers moms and women everywhere to set healthy boundaries, release shame, and walk confidently i...

In this heartfelt and hope-filled episode of the Saved and Strong podcast, host Carrie Watts sits down with Angelé Morris, a licensed professional clinical counselor (MS, LPCC) in North Dakota and author of Nowhere (Now Here): From Lost to Found. For more than a decade, Angelé has walked with individuals through some of life’s darkest valleys—helping them move from brokenness to breakthrough with grace, empathy, and faith. Angelé opens up about her own healing journey and the faith that fuels...

Join Carrie Watts on Saved and Strong as she sits down with Haley V. Craft, author, lifelong learner, and follower of Jesus, to explore how God’s fingerprints show up in the everyday moments of life. Haley shares her heart for encouraging others, the joy she finds in writing, jewelry design, and quiet afternoons in the sunshine with a good book. Discover practical ways to notice God in the ordinary, embrace your creative gifts, and live with intention and faith. Haley also shares insights fro...

Carrie welcomes Pam Pegram, a Leadership & Personal Growth Coach, author, speaker, podcaster, and mentor who empowers Christian women to rise into their God‑given calling. With over 25 years of experience as a Leader of Leaders in the MLM space, Pam combines biblical wisdom with practical leadership principles to help women lead with confidence, courage, and clarity. Pam is the voice behind the Engage for More podcast and the Master What Matters blog, both designed to encourage women to focus...

Carrie Watts, Saved and Strong Podcast Host, is also an author and a speaker. See carriewatts.com for a press kit and more information about her debut novel, Crisis of Faith. Connect with Carrie or find out more about HopeWriters and HopeBooks here: https://linktr.ee/carriewatts Amber J. Parker is a former Physician Assistant who became a caregiver, mental health advocate, and speaker. She is the upcoming author of The Forgotten Caregiver of Mental Crisis: Navigating Suicidality After Trauma ...

Kelly Ann Snyder is a Christian writer, speaker, and teacher passionate about helping others live free from fear and full of joy, secure in God’s perfect love. Grateful to God for rescuing her from fear, she started a blog, launched a podcast, and created a small group for women at her church. She also wrote her first book, Living Perfectly Loved. In her personal time, Kelly enjoys fresh flowers, nature walks, decorating, sipping tea, and studying God’s Word. She resides in sunny San Diego, C...