Empowered Christian Woman

37. Navigating Leadership Anxiety: The CALM Framework

In this episode, Jeannette dives into a critical but often overlooked aspect of leadership—managing anxiety. Leadership and anxiety go hand in hand, and the real question isn’t whether you’ll experience anxiety, but how you’ll handle it. Drawing from personal experience and expert insights, she explores why anxiety is a natural part of leadership, how it can become destructive if ignored, and how to transform it into a tool for growth.
 
Jeannette introduces the CALM Framework, a four-step process to help leaders navigate anxiety with intention:
Catch the Anxiety – Recognize and name it rather than pushing it aside.
Assess Your Thoughts – Identify the thought patterns fueling your stress and replace them with empowering beliefs.
Lean into the Discomfort – Stop resisting anxiety and allow yourself to process it physically and emotionally.
Move with Intention – Take your next step from a place of wisdom rather than fear.
Jeannette shares personal stories, including her experience leading through the 2008 recession and the anxiety of stepping into entrepreneurship. She also highlights practical strategies like breathwork, thought reframing, and nervous system regulation to help you stay grounded and lead with confidence.
Get your free guide, “Five-Minute Reset Rituals for Ministry Leaders”, to help you stay calm, clear, and confident in the midst of leadership pressures.
👉 Download it at jeanettecochran.com/reset
If this episode resonates with you, share it with a fellow leader who may need encouragement. And remember, leadership isn’t about eliminating anxiety—it’s about growing your capacity to hold it and still lead with clarity. You’ve got this, empowered leader!
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👉 Grab Your Free Guide Here: 5-Minute Reset Rituals to Help You Reduce Leadership Anxiety

36. The Myth of ‘Too Emotional’: How Women’s EQ Makes Us Strong Leaders

In this episode, Jeanette Cochran delves into the topic of emotions in leadership, particularly addressing the stereotype that women are 'too emotional' to lead effectively. Jeanette challenges these long-standing biases, using biblical examples and recent research to highlight that emotional intelligence is a powerful leadership asset for both men and women.
Tune in to explore how embracing your emotional sensitivity can make you a more attuned, compassionate, and impactful leader.
Shareable insights and practical takeaways await as Jeanette calls for a new leadership model that values emotional and mental health in both men and women.
HBR: How Anxiety Shapes Men's and Women's Leadership Differently
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35. Advent Reflections: Joy That Lasts Beyond Circumstances

So many of us look for joy in fleeting places—success, perfection, or comparison—only to find ourselves feeling empty or disappointed. In this Advent reflection, we’re diving deep into the difference between happiness and true, lasting joy.
You’ll discover how joy isn’t dependent on circumstances but is rooted in something far deeper: the presence and promises of God. We’ll explore the angel’s proclamation of “good news of great joy” and unpack how this joy transforms the way we live, lead, and love—even in life’s most challenging seasons.
If you’re tired of chasing happiness and ready to experience a joy that sustains you, this episode will guide you there. Plus, I’ll share a simple yet powerful practice to help you cultivate more joy this Christmas season. Let’s slow down, reflect, and embrace the unshakable joy found in the presence of Emmanuel—God with us.
Tune in and reclaim the joy that’s always been yours!
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34. Advent Reflections: Finding Peace in a Hectic Holiday Season

Join Jeanette Cochran, pastor and leadership coach, in this special Advent series episode. Explore the profound concept of 'peace' from a biblical perspective, specifically the Hebrew word 'Shalom', and discover practical ways to embrace Christ's peace amidst the holiday chaos and difficult relationships. Jeanette offers heartfelt advice for women to release control, set healthy boundaries, and focus on gratitude to experience lasting peace and joy this Christmas season.
FREE GUIDE: Practical Steps to Experience Christmas Joy While Leading in Ministry
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33. Advent Reflections: Hope in the Darkness

Christmas is meant to be a season of joy, wonder, and hope. But too often, it becomes a whirlwind of shopping lists, endless to-dos, and feeling stretched too thin. During the busyness, it’s easy to lose sight of the deep, soul-stirring meaning of this season.
 
But what if it didn’t have to be that way? What if this Advent, you could reclaim a sense of calm, purpose, and connection? What if you set aside time each week to refocus your heart, renew your spirit, and rediscover the beauty of Emmanuel—God with us? That’s exactly what this episode is designed to do.
 
This episode is week one in a 4-part series of Advent reflections to help us connect to the heart of Christmas. The journey begins with hope and offers a simple practice for inviting the Light into our personal struggles to connect with Christ our Hope in the darkness.
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32. Reclaiming Women's Humanity From Evangelicalism with Liz Cooledge Jenkins

In this episode of the Empowered Christian Woman Podcast, host Jeanette Cochran interviews author Liz Coolidge Jenkins about her new book, 'Nice Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women's Humanity from Evangelicalism.' They discuss the subtle and overt ways patriarchy operates in churches, particularly those that are 'complementarian,' and its impact on women and community. Liz shares her personal journey in ministry, insights from her book, and the importance of diverse voices in the pulpit. They also explore how Christian teachings on humility and emotions differ by gender, and the necessity for reform in church leadership and gender roles.
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About Today's Guest
Liz Cooledge Jenkins is a writer, preacher, former college campus minister, and the author of Nice Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women’s Humanity from Evangelicalism. She writes at the intersections of faith, feminism, and social justice, and her work can be found at places like Sojourners and The Christian Century—as well as her new Substack, Growing Into Kinship, and Instagram @lizcoolj and @postevangelicalprayers. Liz lives in the Seattle area with her husband and their black cat Athena, where she enjoys hiking, swimming, attempting to grow vegetables, and drinking a lot of tea.
 

31. Blazing a New Trail with Brooke Palmer

Jeanette Cochran interviews Pastor Brooke Palmer, a pioneering woman leading a new church plant in Urbana, Maryland. Jeanette and Brooke discuss Brooke's unique journey from professional musician to lead pastor, the challenges and discrimination faced by women in church leadership, and the vision for Belonging Community Church. Brooke shares her insights on innovative leadership, the importance of health and rest for leaders, and the mission of creating a welcoming, inclusive church environment. This episode highlights the power of resilience, creativity, and the support of other women in leadership.
 
About today's Guest
Brooke lives in Clarksburg, MD. She is the lead and planting pastor of Belonging Community Church which launches fall of 2024 in Urbana, MD. Brooke has a Master of Ministry degree from Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, MN. She is a wife, a mom of five children, and is forever a Detroit Lions football fan. Connect with Belonging Community Church on instagram or Facebook. Check out Belonging Community Church online. 
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30. Joy is a Choice: How to Cultivate it Everyday

In this heartfelt episode, Jeannette reflects on her journey as a five-year breast cancer survivor and shares transformative insights on cultivating joy despite life's hardships. She delves into six practical steps to choose joy intentionally—setting an intention, practicing gratitude, engaging in contemplative prayer, managing technology use, indulging in joy-producing activities, and taking care of physical health. This episode provides perspective on finding joy beyond circumstances, learning from suffering, and fostering a joyful, empowered life.
 
 

29. Radical Equality:Women in the Ministry of Jesus with Katie Ding

Listen in on this important conversation with host, Jeannette Cochran, and special guest, Katie Ding, discussing the pivotal role of women in the ministry of Jesus.  The conversation delves into the significant presence and contributions of women at the resurrection of Jesus, highlighting the contrast between societal views of women at the time and their pivotal role as messengers of Jesus' resurrection. Katie and Jeanette examine the cultural implications of these narratives, emphasizing the empowerment and trust Jesus placed in women, challenging contemporary perspectives, and advocating for the full inclusion of women in all aspects of church life and leadership.
 
About our Guest
Katie Brenneman Ding is currently serving as Connections Pastor at Seneca Creek Community Church and pursuing a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. She and her husband have been married for 14 years and have the joy of parenting two girls, ages 9 and 12. Katie is a life-long learner who is passionate about empowering and equipping women to serve as leaders in the church and society. In her free time she loves baking, hiking, and playing games with her family.
 
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28. Faith, Healing, and Empowerment with Sally Hope

Author and Recovery Coach, Sally Hope, shares her journey from surviving domestic abuse to empowering others to heal and reclaim their identities. Sally discusses her specialization in aiding Christian domestic abuse survivors through the 'Always Hopeful' program, an 11-week recovery initiative designed for women healing from domestic abuse. This program, available locally and online for free, encourages participants to navigate their experiences from a faith-based perspective, addressing profound questions concerning God's role during their suffering. Sally’s personal story of escaping an abusive marriage and her ensuing quest for healing and understanding through faith highlights the profound impact of domestic violence on one's sense of self and the importance of addressing it both from a theological perspective and within the community.
Sally’s new book, '30 Steps to Finding Yourself' is designed for all women who want to strengthen their identity in Christ.  Sally advocates for greater abuse awareness and support within the church and society, suggesting practical steps for communities to assist survivors in their journey towards recovery and self-discovery.
You can learn more about Sally at www.alwayshopeful.org.uk
Check out the Always Hopeful Program and how you can participate or bring it to your church.
 
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