Empowered Christian Woman

40. Created Equal: A Biblical Case for Mutual Leadership

If you’ve ever felt like the version of womanhood taught in your church doesn’t quite reflect the freedom and purpose you sense God put inside you… you’re not alone.
In this episode, we’re diving deep into egalitarian theology: what it is, what it’s not, and why it offers a more faithful and freeing interpretation of Scripture than the limiting teachings many of us were handed.
Whether you’re curious, questioning, or already deconstructing harmful beliefs, this conversation will help you untangle man-made hierarchy from God’s original design of mutuality, shared power, and Spirit-led leadership, regardless of gender.
You’ll hear:
Why Genesis 1–3 paints a picture of mutuality, not male headship
How the fall, not creation, introduced hierarchy between men and women
Three common myths about egalitarian theology and why they’re just not true
The powerful truth that you were never meant to sit down or stay small
If you’re ready for a biblically rooted, Spirit-empowered vision of leadership that includes women fully, this episode is for you.
Don’t miss  your free gift: Made for More: 10 Practices for Empowered Leadership, a devotional to help you step into the life and leadership you were created for. Download the Devotional Here
About the Host:
Jeannette Cochran is a pastor, entrepreneur and leadership coach with two decades of executive level leadership. She helps women fast-track their learning, optimize their gifts and lean into the full expression of the leader God created them to be.
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39. Is This Really God's Design? Rethinking Gender Roles in the Church

In this episode, Jeannette Cochran takes a bold and thoughtful look at complementarian theology—the belief that men are divinely appointed to lead while women are called to follow. Whether this term is brand new to you or something you've wrestled with for years, this conversation is for every woman who has felt the quiet pressure to stay small, hold back, or defer to others—even when she knows God has called her to lead.
Jeannette shares her personal journey from embracing complementarianism to challenging it through deep study of Scripture, cultural context, and the heart of the gospel. She unpacks why the idea of “equal in value, different in role” sounds kind but often functions as a spiritual caste system that limits women and distorts God’s design.
You'll walk away with:
A clear understanding of what complementarianism teaches
Why it matters—even if you’re not in formal ministry
How this theology affects leadership, marriage, and identity
A bigger, bolder vision of mutuality, equality, and shared leadership in the Kingdom of God
If you've ever wondered whether the gender roles you’ve been handed are really biblical—or if you’ve felt the tension between your calling and the messages from your faith community—this episode will offer clarity, hope, and freedom.
 

38. Women, Leadership & Cultural Competence: A Conversation with Nikki Lerner

In this episode, Jeannette Cochran sits down with culture coach and speaker Nikki Lerner for a rich conversation about multicultural leadership and why it matters more than ever. They talk about what it takes to lead well in diverse spaces—like understanding cultural differences, building inclusive environments, and developing real cultural competence. Nikki shares insights on the power of proximity to people who are different from us, what we can learn from ethnic churches, and how to navigate the pushback that often comes with multicultural work.
They also dive into the unique challenges women face in leadership, the evolving role of women in faith communities, and how technology can help amplify underrepresented voices. This honest and hopeful conversation invites leaders to lean into growth, resist the urge to stay comfortable, and create spaces where everyone can live out the fullness of God’s call.
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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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