Today's guest is Joanna Nelson. Joanna is a wife and momma of 5, and step-mom of 3. She tells her story of following God in the middle of a broken marriage, living life as a single mom, finding peace in the middle of a divorce, and finding joy in Christ in the middle of it all. Thanks for joining us for this episode where you will be encouraged as you hear about Joanna’s faith to trust in the Lord through some difficult life circumstances.

Maybe you’ve found yourself in a place where you’re trying to be obedient to God through a difficult season. We hope this episode encourages you to hold tight to God and His Word, even when it’s hard, especially when life feels out of control. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to share it with a friend.

You can find us on Instagram @517lifepodcast and use the hashtag #517lifepodcast when you share this episode with other women in your life!

Follow The Exchange on Instagram @theexchange_, Facebook, or on our website www.theexchange.cc. Watch The Exchange gatherings LIVE on our website or Facebook every Sunday at 9:30 AM & 11 AM CT. 

Make sure you subscribe to The 5:17 LIFE Podcast so you don't miss a minute of LIFE!

On this episode, you’ll hear from Lexie Polzin. She shares  her very transparent story about her recent experience with postpartum depression after the birth of her third child. This episode mentions postpartum depression, as well as intrusive and suicidal thoughts. If hearing about these topics may be distressing to you, you may want to save this episode to listen to at a later date. Also, we don’t recommend this episode for little ears. This conversation was rich with real-life topics but also a message of hope. Lexie shares how she has let the Good Shepherd lead her through what felt like the valley of death, just like Psalm 23 says. 

Recommended Resources from this episode:

• Get Out of Your Head 
• Get Out of Your Head Study Guide 
• The Bible Recap
• Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers
• This Isn't What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression 
• Watershed Counseling
• Burt's Bees Hydrating Lip Oil

Thanks for listening to this episode of The 5:17 LIFE Podcast. We are grateful for Lexie’s willingness to share the real and painful parts of her story in the battle for her mind after giving birth. Post Partum Depression is more common than you might think, and if you or someone you know is struggling, we hope you heard from Lexie today about the importance of reaching out to someone to get help. We’re here for you if you don’t have anyone else you can turn to. You can find us on FB or Instagram or through email at podcast@theexchange.cc. Thanks so much for letting us be a part of your week, and don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss a minute of LIFE! 

Follow The Exchange on Instagram  @theexchange_, Facebook, or on our website www.theexchange.cc. Watch The Exchange gatherings LIVE on our website or Facebook every Sunday at 9:30 AM and 11 AM. 

Make sure you subscribe to The 5:17 LIFE Podcast so you don't miss a minute of LIFE!

We are excited to bring you an amazing story of God’s pursuit as you hear from Haley Deen. Haley is a mama to Addyson and Brantley and is currently in school to become a nurse. In this episode, Haley shares part of her story where she found herself in jail because of her own life decisions, and I can’t wait for you to hear how God worked through some major life setbacks to bring salvation and restoration to Haley and her family. 

We’re thankful to Haley for her willingness to share her story so that God can continued to get the glory from it! If you want to let Haley know how her story encouraged you, you can send an email to podcast@theexchange.cc. If you’d like to find out more about serving women in jail in Rankin County, let us know! We’d love to connect you with Haley and help equip you to get involved. 

You can find us on Instagram @517lifepodcast and use the hashtag #517lifepodcast when you share this episode with other women in your life! You can also email us at podcast@theexchange.cc. We'd love to hear from you!

Follow The Exchange on Instagram @theexchange_, Facebook, or on our website www.theexchange.cc. Watch The Exchange gatherings LIVE on our website or Facebook every Sunday at 9:30 & 11 AM CT. 
 
Make sure you subscribe to The 5:17 LIFE Podcast so you don't miss a minute of LIFE!

We're back for Season 3!! This season will highlight stories of women just like you who have surrendered their lives to Jesus and are seeking to follow Him daily. To kick off this season, we get to share with you our interview with Kim Nelson.  Kim is a wife and mother of 3 who finds her identity as a daughter of the Most High God.

In this episode, we talk about: 

• Finding identity as women of God
• Worshipping in the mundane
• What a romance with God looks like
• How to go on adventures with God
• How to mentor and walk through life with other women

The Takeaway: God is calling his children to a grand adventure with Him and for His glory! Will you be a part of it or will you miss it and settle for religion?

Resources:

Bible Reading Plans with Tips
The Bible Recap Podcast (a daily 8 minute podcast that explains the Bible)
Check out the resources at She Reads Truth
Book recommendation from Kim: Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by Stasi Eldredge 

You can find us on Instagram @517lifepodcast and use the hashtag #517lifepodcast when you share this episode with other women in your life! You can also email us at podcast@theexchange.cc. We'd love to hear from you!

Follow The Exchange on Instagram @theexchange_, Facebook, or on our website www.theexchange.cc. Watch The Exchange gatherings LIVE on our website or Facebook every Sunday at 9:30 & 11 AM CT. 
 
Make sure you subscribe to The 5:17 LIFE Podcast so you don't miss a minute of LIFE!

Meet Dana Phillips! Dana is a pastor's wife, mama to two boys, and queen of organizing and decluttering spaces. She and her husband Bryant live in Clinton, MS with their boys, Luke and Ben. 

In this episode, we talk about:

• How God called Dana and her family to move to Mississippi without promise of a job
• Tips and tricks for organizing spaces
• When and how to declutter areas of your home
• Family vision statement and values
• Parenting principles for teaching kids responsibility at an early age

The Takeaway: You can organize your spaces, but let God organize your life!

Resources:

The Minimal Mom on YouTube

Reminders: 

• You can find us on Instagram @517lifepodcast and Facebook. Use the hashtag #517lifepodcast when you share this episode with other women in your life!
•  Follow The Exchange on Instagram @theexchange_, Facebook, or on our website www.theexchange.cc. Watch The Exchange gatherings LIVE on our website or Facebook every Sunday at 9:30 & 11 AM CT.

 
 Make sure you subscribe to The 5:17 LIFE Podcast so you don't miss a minute of LIFE!

Meet Celeste Jordan! Celeste is a wife, mom, and occupational therapist. She and her husband Josh lead worship at The Exchange in Pearl, MS. They have three children, Piper (7), Judah (6), and Brooks (almost 3). With 3 kiddos, and being in ministry, they like to say they have front row tickets to the circus, and it's the best show on earth!

In this episode, we talk about:

• How God used an entire soccer team's love for Jesus to call Celeste to live for Him
• The amazing journey of faith Celeste has been on for the last 2 years 
• Why comfort and faith are often in opposition to each other
• Speaking the truth in love to friends who are living in opposition to God's Word
• The importance of Sabbath and rest in Scripture and how that applies to our lives today

The Takeaway: You can believe He is able and cease striving.

Resources:

Ten Words to Live By by Jen Wilkin (recommended by Celeste, not mentioned in final edit)
Jen Wilkin (recommended by Celeste, not mentioned in final edit)
The Glow Wand by Tarte
The Chosen Series

Reminders: 

• You can find us on Instagram @517lifepodcast and Facebook. Use the hashtag #517lifepodcast when you share this episode with other women in your life!
•  Follow The Exchange on Instagram @theexchange_, Facebook, or on our website www.theexchange.cc. Watch The Exchange gatherings LIVE on our website or Facebook every Sunday at 9:30 & 11 AM CT.

 
 Make sure you subscribe to The 5:17 LIFE Podcast so you don't miss a minute of LIFE!

Meet Lauren Compere. Lauren is an advocate for those with disabilities. She is also one of the founders of One Shred of Hope, a non-profit ministry in Clinton, MS that provides jobs and housing communities for people with disabilities. Most importantly, Lauren does not let her circumstances define her, but she shares her faith and sets out to glorify God with her life, no matter her limitations. 

In this episode, we talk about: 

• What it's like to have a physical disability
• Being creative when sharing the gospel with those with disabilities
• Not being defined by any disability or limitation
• Understanding the gospel, and not adding to it
• How to build community among those with physical disabilities and those without within the church
• How you can be a part of Team LC

The Takeaway: We all have some kind of disability, but that doesn't define who we are.

Reminders: 

• If you're interested in being a part of Team LC, learn more here. 
• To support or promote One Shred of Hope, click here!
• If you'd like to connect with Lauren, you can find her on Instagram. 
• You can find us on Instagram @517lifepodcast and use the hashtag #517lifepodcast when you share this episode with other women in your life!
• Follow The Exchange on Instagram @theexchange_, Facebook, or on our website www.theexchange.cc. Watch The Exchange gatherings LIVE on our website or Facebook every Sunday at 9:30 & 11 AM CT. 
•  Make sure you subscribe to The 5:17 LIFE Podcast so you don't miss a minute of LIFE!

Meet Shelby Hennessy! She's a baker turned entrepreneur, owner of The Blue Feather in Pearl, MS. She is married to Joseph, and they have two children, Hawkins and Annie. 

In this episode, we talk about: 

• Starting a business during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Juggling being a mom and a business owner
• How to know if you're depressed and what to do about it
• Communication in relationships
• How every Jesus-follower  has a God-story of being brought from death to life

The Takeaway: Life can be difficult, but that doesn't mean you give up.

Reminders: 

• Check out The Blue Feather here!
• You can find us on Instagram @517lifepodcast and use the hashtag #517lifepodcast when you share this episode with other women in your life!
•  Follow The Exchange on Instagram @theexchange_, Facebook, or on our website www.theexchange.cc. Watch The Exchange gatherings LIVE on our website or Facebook every Sunday at 10 AM CT. 
•  Make sure you subscribe to The 5:17 LIFE Podcast so you don't miss a minute of LIFE!