Empowered To Lead

62. How Will This Be? Saying Yes to God When You Don’t Know the How.

What happens when God stirs a calling that feels bigger than your capacity, your resources, or your clarity?
In this episode, pastor and leadership coach, Jeannette Cochran, returns to the Christmas story, not the sanitized, porcelain-figurine version of Mary, but the real young woman we meet in the gospel of Luke. A teenager. Overlooked. Without power or status. And yet, entrusted with a world-changing calling.
Mary’s honest question,“How will this be?” is not a lack of faith. It is the beginning of courageous leadership.
This conversation is especially for women who sense God calling them to more; more influence, more leadership, more impact but feel stuck in uncertainty, waiting for clarity or a plan that hasn’t yet appeared.
Through Mary’s story, we find three anchors that consistently appear in Scripture when God calls someone into purpose:
Why identity is spoken before obedience
How God often owns the how when the calling exceeds human capacity
What it means to offer a brave yes, even when the cost is real
Jeannette shares a personal story of carrying a God-sized vision for years, long before there were resources, clarity, or a path forward, and how God brought it to life in ways that could never have been planned or engineered.
This episode invites women leaders to stop disqualifying themselves, stop waiting to feel “ready,” and begin trusting the heart of the One who calls, especially when the way forward is unclear.
 
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61. The One Shift That Changes Every Hard Conversation

Have you ever felt that knot-in-your-stomach moment when staying silent isn’t working, but speaking up feels risky? In this episode, Jeannette gets practical about the conversations that shape our leadership: the ones with opposing opinions, strong emotions, and high stakes. Whether it’s a chronically late volunteer, decisions made without your input, or the quiet bias that sidelines women from opportunities, I’ll show you a better way forward.
Jeannette shares the one game-changing shift that improves every difficult conversation.  You’ll learn why this shift is not natural for your brain and why it takes intention. 
You’ll learn:
How to spot when a conversation turns “difficult” and what to do in the moment
The mindset swap that lowers defensiveness and invites collaboration
Phrases to start (or shift) a difficult conversation.
The road of leadership is paved with difficult conversations. So if you’re ready to speak up and  grow your impact.This episode is for you.
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60. When Women Step Back: Why the Church Is Losing Its Daughters and How We Can Welcome Them Back

For the first time in decades, men are attending church more than women, and Gen Z women are disengaging the fastest. In this candid, hope-centered episode, Jeannette explores why so many women are stepping back, not from Jesus, but from church cultures that silence their voices, limit their gifts, or feel unsafe and exhausting. 
 
Drawing on new Barna data, Scripture, and real conversations with women, she offers four big reasons behind the trend and practical steps any church can take now: listen deeply, elevate women’s leadership, rebuild belonging for singles and single moms, and prioritize discipleship over mere attendance. This is a gentle challenge and an invitation to build communities where women and men lead shoulder to shoulder.
 
Barna 2025 Research on Church Attendance
 
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59. Grit, Trust and Holy Ambition: A Conversation With Kellie Kim

Picture this: a ten-year-old girl stepping into a new country, a new language, and a future she can’t yet see. Fast-forward— to corporate boardrooms, profitability, and complex change. And through it all? A steady, quiet confidence in God. “Fear not, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10) That’s Kellie Kim’s story and in this conversation with Jeannette, you’ll hear:
How to shift your mindset from “I’m not ready yet” to courageous, intentional action.
How to write goals, visualize outcomes, and ask for feedback so growth actually happens.
The move from “technician with a title” to trusted people leader—and the communication reset that increases impact.
Why women must negotiate with holy confidence—and a practical way to start.
Honest reflections on leadership in the church—and what’s possible when women’s gifts are fully welcomed.
If you’re longing to lead with resilience, trust, and holy ambition then press play and dive into the inspiring conversation with Kellie Kim, a woman who shows us how to believe in God and our dreams! 
 
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58. Pink Ribbons, Real Talk: Faith, Leadership & Life After Breast Cancer

In this Breast Cancer Awareness Month conversation, Jeannette and fellow survivor and leader Courtney Malengo open up about the day everything changed, the “conveyor belt” of cancer treatment, and the resilient, ongoing mindset work of survivorship. From sudden biopsies and surreal parking-garage moments to radiation fatigue and endocrine-therapy side effects they name the grief and the gratitude, often felt in the same breath, and the faith that carried them through.
Boundaries, stress, and the high-capacity leader’s temptation to overfunction are all topics they address in this honest conversation. You'll also hear practical tips to support those navigating cancer; what not to say; and why early detection and self-advocacy matter.
This honest, hope-filled episode invites every woman to schedule the mammogram, speak up for her health, and receive God’s gift of abundant life, today.
 
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Breast Cancer Research Foundation

57. The Factor That Matters More Than Talent or Motivation

We’ve all been told that talent and motivation are the keys to success. But here’s the truth: talent can only take you so far, and motivation comes and goes. The real difference-maker? Commitment.
In this episode, Jeannette unpacks The Factor That Matters More Than Talent or Motivation—why commitment is the strongest predictor of success and how it gives you the stamina to keep going when the excitement fades or obstacles show up. She shares her own story of moving from “interested” to “all in,” plus the research that shows why grit and long-term perseverance matter more than raw ability.
If you’ve ever started strong but struggled to follow through…if you’ve wondered why some people seem to achieve breakthrough after breakthrough while others stall out…this conversation is for you.
By the end, you’ll know:
The clear difference between being interested and being committed
Why commitment, not talent or motivation, predicts lasting success
How to develop commitment rooted in your compelling vision and God-given calling
Friend, this episode will challenge you to stop dabbling, stop waiting for motivation, and finally commit to the goals and calling God has placed in front of you.
Hit play—you won’t want to miss this one.
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56. Full Freedom Is Your Birthright, Don't Settle For Less

What do Doug Wilson’s extreme patriarchal views have to do with the “softer” versions of patriarchy many Christians quietly accept? In this episode, Jeannette digs deep into why both are rooted in the same flawed theology—and why women shouldn’t settle for half-hearted liberation. From CNN’s recent spotlight on Wilson’s church to the subtle complementarian practices that still silence women today, Jeannette exposes how patriarchy thrives on fear and why the gospel offers something far greater: full equality, mutuality, and freedom in Christ.
If you’ve ever felt uneasy about women being told they can lead everywhere except in their homes or churches, this conversation will help you name the tension, break free from fear, and embrace the good news that men and women were created to lead side by side.
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55. No More Playing Small: 3 Lies That Keep Brilliant Women Stuck

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m not ready yet”?  Like you need one more degree, another course, or someone else’s approval before you can fully step into your calling? If so, this episode is for you.
In today’s conversation, I get real about the hidden ways brilliant women of faith play small, whether it’s hiding behind endless preparation, comparing ourselves to others, or waiting for permission. And I’ll share why your life in Christ, not your résumé, is your greatest qualification.
If you’ve been shrinking back, stuck in self-doubt, or quietly wondering if you’ll ever feel ready, lean in. God is calling His daughters to rise, to lead themselves with courage, and to step boldly into the fullness of life and leadership He’s given us.
Friend, the world needs your voice. When you rise, lives are touched, communities are changed, and God’s goodness expands. It’s time to stop playing small
 
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54. Sacred Stillness: How Silence Strengthens Your Leadership

In this episode, Jeannette gets personal about one of the most overlooked but essential leadership practices: silence and solitude. Drawing from her own journey of burnout in the early years of ministry, while also raising kids and carrying the weight of leadership, she shares how contemplative spiritual practices became a lifeline, not just for survival, but for deep soul-level transformation.
This isn’t a flashy leadership strategy or a quick productivity tip. It’s the quiet, grounded rhythm that can anchor your identity, renew your connection with God, and sustain your leadership for the long haul.
You’ll discover:
Why so many leaders resist slowing down—and why you can’t afford to
The difference between leading for God and leading with God
What a personal silent retreat can look like (and how to start one)
How solitude strengthens your clarity, courage, and calling
If you’ve been feeling the pressure to perform, produce, or prove your worth, this conversation will remind you: your soul matters. And from a soul that is well, you can lead with peace, purpose, and power.
 
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53. Confronting Sexism In The Church with Dr. Heather Matthews

What does sexism in the church actually look like today—and what can we do about it?
In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Dr. Heather Matthews, a pastor, church planter, educator, and author of Confronting Sexism in the Church: How We Got Here and What We Can Do About It. With over 20 years of ministry experience and a passion for empowering women leaders, Heather brings both lived experience and thoughtful research to this timely topic.
We talk about:
The subtle and not-so-subtle ways sexism still shows up in churches—even in those that say they affirm women
Why affirming theology alone isn’t enough to dismantle the barriers women face
How leadership culture, preaching opportunities, the “Billy Graham rule,” and gendered expectations impact women’s growth
Practical steps pastors and churches can take to create a healthier, more equitable leadership culture
The spiritual practices that have anchored Heather through resistance, criticism, and self-doubt
Whether you’re a woman navigating leadership in the church or a pastor who wants to be an ally, this conversation will give you language, insight, and next steps for change.
Dr. Heather Matthews currently serves as the Doctor of Ministry Program Manager at Wheaton College Graduate School and is associate pastor of All Saints Anglican Church in Naperville, IL. She holds a D.Min. from Fuller Seminary and has spent her career mentoring and developing leaders in both U.S. and international ministry contexts.
You can learn more about her work and find her book through InterVarsity Press or wherever books are sold.
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