The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

As a woman, have you ever felt insecure about learning or teaching scripture? Is it because of the lack of experience? Maybe because of the lack of discipleship or opportunity? On today’s episode Jackie and I dive into some of the reasons women may feel insecure about learning and sharing scripture. Jackie encourages us to be reminded that we have the holy spirit living inside of us, therefore have been given the capacity through Christ’s power to understand His divine word!Jackie Hill Perry is an author, bible teacher, and hip-hop artist. Since becoming a Christian, she has been compelled to use her speaking and teaching gifts to share the light of the gospel of God as authentically as she can. She is the author of Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been, Holier Than Thou, and Upon Waking Devotional. At home, she is a wife to Preston and Mommy to Eden, Autumn, Sage, and August.Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter to always be the first to be in the know!SHOW LINKS:Upon WakingWhy Can’t I Get it TogetherMarvel at the Moon - This 90-day devotional for kids ages 6 to 10 will help them face loneliness, peer pressure, and insecurities with confidence, and learn how to navigate big feelings and negative emotions.Jamie's NewsletterThe Happy Hour Bookclub

To all of my American friends, Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are enjoying good food, lots of football, and most of all, taking time to reflect on God’s goodness to you. I want to give a special shoutout to those of you who were able to join me at the US/Mexico border with Women of Welcome and World Relief. I am still processing all that we learned and experienced on that incredible trip! And to all of my friends around the world, thanks for listening and I hope you are experiencing the goodness of God in amazing ways.In today’s episode, I speak with Dallas and Amanda Jenkins. Dallas is a returning guest to The Happy Hour and is best known as creator of the massively successful TV show, The Chosen. This time around, Dallas joins me along with his lovely wife, Amanda, to discuss their experiences with the show and some of the unique and powerful ways God is using it in the lives of people. I know you’ll be blessed as you hear their perspective on what God is doing in and through them. Show Links:Women of WelcomeWorld ReliefChristmas with the Chose: Holy Night Buster Gets Back on Track  -  Share Buster’s empowering message of never giving up, perfect for preschool- and elementary-age kids.The Chosen: 40 Days with JesusConnect with Jamie

When married, too often it’s easy to fall into unintentional habits and patterns and all of a sudden you realize you have more of a roommate situation than an intimate marriage that you desire. On today’s show, marriage pastor Scott Kedersha shares how we can trust God with our spouse and be intentional about building the marriage we all desire to have.Scott Kedersha is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Kristen, dad to four teenage sons, and the Marriage Pastor at Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, TX. Scott is the author of Ready or Knot: 12 Conversations Every Couple Needs to Have before Marriage and The Ready or Knot Prayer Guide: 100 Prayers for Dating and Engaged Couples. He writes at ScottKedersha.com and is one of the co-hosts of the More Than Roommates Podcast.From talking football to marriage, to health and wellness, this conversation with Scott was so real and raw and I appreciate his vulnerability and transparency! SHOW LINKS:Confessions from a bathroom stall messageMore Than Roommates PodcastReady or Knot Prayer GuideComplementMade for PeopleEmbracing ObscurityWhen Narcissim Comes to ChurchThe BlindThe WellBroken Crayons Still Color - Help your kids process big feelings, build a social-emotional tool kit, and find beauty in life's challenges with this children’s book from my good friend, Toni Collier.Connect with JamieJamie’s Newsletter

This month’s bonus series is on a topic that can tend to be very uncomfortable to talk about. But this is a good uncomfortable. Pornography is a subject that affects all of us in one way or another and it’s important to have these conversations. The average age of kids who view pornography for the first time is 9 years old. As a parent you may read that statistic and feel completely discouraged or overwhelmed, but you’re not alone! On today’s show Chris McKenna shares ways we can help protect our kids from the weapons of the internet. Chris McKenna is a former middle school youth director, and author of multiple resources for families and churches. His 2019 US Senate testimony was the catalyst for new federal and state online child protection legislation and earned Protect Young Eyes (PYE) the Dignity Defense Alert Award in 2020. The PYE team performs hundreds of presentations at schools, churches, and nonprofits, receives over a million visits to their popular website annually, and was featured in the Childhood 2.0 movieI hope in this series you gain a wealth of resources to help you, however this topic affects you. Whether you’re someone who has struggled with pornography and addiction, or you are a spouse or partner who is dealing with the betrayal of such addiction, we encourage you to check out the links from the show to find support, healing, and ultimately freedom.SHOW LINKS:Protect Young EyesGood Pictures Bad Pictures Jr.Good Pictures Bad PicturesGod’s Design for SexHow to Talk to a 5 Year Old About Pornography What is Sextortion? 3 Prevention Tips for FamiliesBeggars DaughterQuenchedThe Healing ChurchPart 1 of Let’s Talk About Porn with Sam BlackPart 2 of Let’s Talk About Porn with Jessica HarrisCelebrate Recovery Covenant EyesCanopyBark - Use Code JAMIE10Coddling of the American MindTHH #506 From Porn to PastorTHH #565 Liberator Preview w/Chelsea and Layton BoeveTHH #538 Boundaries with Jim CressJamie’s Newsletter

This month’s bonus series is on a topic that can tend to be very uncomfortable to talk about. But this is a good uncomfortable. Pornography is a subject that affects all of us in one way or another and it’s important to have these conversations.Studies show that 33% of pornography consumers are female. This is no longer an issue that can only be talked about to men. With very little resources available to women, shame and guilt keep too many women hiding and in chains. On today’s episode Jessica Harris, author of Quenched, shares her story of addiction and freedom. Jessica shares valuable ways we can help people without shaming them! I hope in this series you gain a wealth of resources to help you, however this topic affects you. Whether you’re someone who has struggled with pornography and addiction, or have a spouse or partner who is dealing with the betrayal of such addiction, we encourage you to check out the links from the show to find support, healing, and ultimately freedom. SHOW LINKS:Beggars DaughterQuenchedThe Healing ChurchCreate AnywayPart 1 of Let’s Talk About Porn with Sam BlackPart 3 of Let’s Talk About Porn with Chris McKenna Celebrate Recovery Covenant EyesCanopyBark - Use Code JAMIE10Jamie’s NewsletterWednesday’s Episode with Josh and Katie Walters  

This month’s bonus series is on a topic that can tend to be very uncomfortable to talk about, but nonetheless, it's an uncomfortable good. Pornography is a subject that affects all of us in one way or another and it’s important to have these conversations. With statistics saying that over half of men in the church view pornography monthly, this addiction is infiltrating every ministry of our churches. Today’s guest, Sam Black, is an expert on the topic of how to talk about pornography in our churches and families in healthy ways.Sam Black is the author of The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong About Pornography and How to Fix It. The director of recovery education at Covenant Eyes, Sam joined the Covenant Eyes team in 2007 after 18 years as an award-winning journalist. He has edited 16 books on the impact of pornography and speaks at parent, men’s, and leaders events. Sam also wrote The Porn Circuit: Understand Your Brain and Break Porn Habits.I hope through this series you gain a wealth of resources to help you, however this topic affects you. Whether you’re someone who has struggled with pornography and addiction, or a spouse or partner who is dealing with the betrayal of such, we encourage you to check out the links from the show to find support, healing, and freedom. SHOW LINKS:The Healing ChurchCovenant Eyes 1st Chapter of The Healing Church Celebrate RecoveryCanopyBark - Use Code JAMIE10Building the BodyIntimate DeceptionDuran Church of NazareneHoliday Gift GuideSubscribe to NewsletterPart 2 of Let's Talk About Porn with Jessica HarrisPart 3 of Let's Talk About Porn with Chris McKenna

I’ll never forget when we had friends whose parents divorced after 25 years of marriage. As a newlywed I had no idea how that could happen. How, after making it 25 years, could your marriage just end? Now that I’ve been married for over 20 years, I know exactly how that happens. On today’s show Josh and Katie Walters share their story of how their marriage seemed to be over, but how God renewed it into something new and beautiful. Josh and Katie Walters live in Charleston, SC with their 7 kids. Ages 20-2 two of their girls are out of the home in college and one is serving in Togo, West Africa with the non-profit they lead Francis + Benedict. Josh and Katie both serve on staff at Seacoast Church and for the last 15 years have been pastoring couples with the comfort they have received. God brought them through a devastating season in their marriage and the brokenness they experienced became their catalyst for healing and getting a New Marriage, with the Same person. Their book releases Jan 9th and it’s a vulnerable account of the principals they learned moving from a season of pain to a place of joyThis conversation is for the couples who just got home from their honeymoon, or the couples that have been married for 20+ years. Josh and Katie have amazing insight into how every couple should experience a second marriage - but with the same people! 

Brandi Wilson had it all. She was married, had 3 children, and in ministry with her husband in a loving church. Brandi’s world was turned upside down in 2016 when her husband walked away from their church and their marriage. On today’s show Brandi shares how she found herself in deep grief and suffering, but how she found hope and peace on the other side of that journey.Today, Brandi Wilson is an author, coach, and speaker who has been in leadership for more than a decade at Leading and Loving It, a non-profit created to empower women to love life and ministry. Brandi has helped plant two churches and is passionate about walking alongside single moms and divorced women as they navigate parenting and life. Her latest book is Better Than Okay: Finding Hope and Healing After Your Marriage Ends. Brandi lives with her three sons in Nashville, TN.Friends, even if you haven’t lost your marriage and you haven’t walked a similar road, I’m certain Brandi’s story will encourage you! When our trust is in Jesus, no matter what we walk through, there is peace and hope on the other side of our grief!  Show Links:Brandi WilsonBetter Than OkayDwell Differently - Use code JAMIEMatthew 6:21Luke 13:10-13The Innervoice of LoveHow to do the Work Three WishesLessons in ChemistryCONNECT with Jamie

Too often we go about life thinking we’re doing it on our own. We pursue our dreams, ambitions, and goals without giving any thought to what God wants for our life. Today’s guest shares how she ignored God for 48 years while she gave herself all the glory after accomplishing goal after goal. Suddenly her life turned upside down and through the power of a praying friend, Julie Chen Moonves found herself in an unlikely position…. In a random church, on her knees, surrendering everything to Jesus. Her life was changed forever.Julie is a TV personality and host having worked in news, daytime talk and reality tv. She has been married to her husband for 19 years, has 4 kids, and 4 grandchildren. Julie is passionate about serving God and serving others! It doesn’t matter if prayer or searching for God is your last resort, God will meet you where you are! It is never too late to have a personal relationship with the Lord. Jesus is so patient and so faithful! Draw near to God and he will draw near to you! SHOW LINKS:But First GodJames 4:8 Big BrotherThe Happy Hour Book Club CONNECT WITH JAMIE

We’ve all walked through our seasons of wilderness. Seasons where you felt lonely, angry, and abandoned. You’ve wondered if anyone sees you. Does God even see you? Friends, what if those seasons of wilderness weren’t about thinking you were abandoned by God, but instead designed for you to grow in intimacy and friendship with God? On today’s show Faith Eury Cho challenges our way of thinking about the wilderness as she shares her own season of anger and discouragement. Faith Eury Cho has been a preacher since she was 19-years-old. Alongside her husband David, Faith co-founded and co-pastors Mosaic Covenant Church of NJ. In addition, she is the founder and CEO of The Honor Summit, a nonprofit organization that activates Asian American women for the mission of God. She is also an itinerant speaker and author of Experiencing Friendship with God (releasing October 17th 2023). However, her most precious role is being a mother to her 4 children— Moriah, Elias, River, and Adalynn.Whether you’re currently in a season of wilderness, or on the other side, I hope this episode encourages you to not get caught up in a noisy, empty christianity, but instead to press into an intimate friendship with your Savior. SHOW LINKS:Experiencing Friendship with GodThe Night is NormalSeveranceThe Happy Hour Book ClubCONNECT WITH JAMIE

Today’s episode concludes our 3 part bonus series on Pregnancy and Infant Loss. We’ve had incredible conversations with Jonathan and Peta PItts and Rachel Lohman. If you haven’t listened to those episodes yet, I encourage you to go back and listen now! On today’s episode I welcome Kayla Aimee to The Happy Hour for the first time. Kayla Aimee is an author by night and a digital marketing director by day. During out-of-office hours you can find her exploring the North Georgia mountains with her children and making semi-viral TikToks of her twin kittens. Kayla is a wife and mother to two children, one being a former micro-preemie weighing just 1lb 8oz at birth. On today’s episode Kayla shares her experience of spending half of the year in the NICU as a new mother and the challenges she and her husband faced. SHOW LINKS:Anchored: Finding Hope in the Unexpected In Bloom: Trading Restless Insecurity for Abiding ConfidenceThe Peasant KingThe Happy Hour Book Club CONNECT with JAMIE

Today’s episode is part 2 of our 3 part bonus series on Pregnancy and Infant Loss. Last week we heard from Jonathan and Peta PItts as they shared about the loss of their son. On today’s episode I have a very real and vulnerable conversation on the topic of miscarriage with Rachel Lohman.Rachel is the author of Miscarried Hope: Journeying with Jesus through Pregnancy and Infant Loss and founder of Hope Again Collective, a handmade jewelry line that shares the stories of loss moms and has donated over $10,000 in practical grief resources from jewelry sales to women going through miscarriage or stillbirth. She is a mother to two living children and one in Heaven. Rachel and her husband Mark pastor The Bridge, a bilingual church in Southern California.Through sharing her personal experience of miscarriage, Rachel is helping other mother's erase the stigma and shame that surrounds miscarriage and helping mother's find hope on the other side. If you’ve walked down this road, I hope through this conversation you can believe there is hope on the other side of the heartbreak. If you haven’t experienced miscarriage, I hope this conversation gives you new ways you can be a better friends to the women in your life who are walking this road. SHOW LINKS: Miscarried Hope: Journeying with Jesus Through Pregnancy and Infant LossHope Again CollectiveHappy Hour Book ClubCONNECT WITH JAMIE

Ronald Regan once said, “When a child loses his parents, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses their partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn’t a word to describe them.” This month’s bonus series is on Pregnancy and Infant Loss. We have three episodes covering this topic with guests who have walked this difficult path. On today’s episode I have a very real and vulnerable conversation with my friends Jonathan and Peta Pitts. Jonathan and Peta Pitts have been married for two years. Finding each other later in life, they live in Franklin, TN where they are raising Jonathan's four biological daughters and preparing for the arrival of their son. Jonathan is a Pastor at Church of the City and Ministry Executive. Peta is a career actress who has worked all over the world in theater and television. Earlier this year Jonathan and Peta walked the devastating road of losing their newborn son. There were many times in this interview that I was moved to tears, not just because of their heartbreak, but because of their bravery and how they have fought for their faith through this trial. These interviews are vulnerable and can be difficult to listen to if you've walked this road. Please listen with care and know that you are not alone! SHOW LINKS:The Voice of the HeartHappy Hour Book Club CONNECT with JAMIE

No matter how old you are or what season you’re in, friendships are so important, but not every friendship is the same! On today’s episode I welcome back lawyer and author Justin Earley to talk about the differences between friendships and why having covenant friendships are so important. Justin Earley graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in English Literature before spending four years in Shanghai, China as a missionary. Justin got his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and now runs his own law practice in Richmond, Va. Justin frequently speaks at business and legal events on habits, technology, and mental health; and at churches and conferences on habits, spiritual formation and parenting. He is married to his wife Laura and has four sons. It’s so important to have those friends in your life that not only “get” you, but also lovingly challenge you. I love my friends who have spoken into me and challenged me to be the woman God has called me to be! I hope you leave this conversation desiring to have friends and be a friend at a deeper level! SHOW LINKSHabits of the HouseholdMade for People Relevant PodcastA Body of PraiseAnxiety OpportunityThe Happy Hour Book ClubCONNECT with JAMIE!

Beneath our every day smiles and greetings we all have cracks and bruises from past abuse, disappointment, hurt, or rejection. Have these cracks and bruises been holding you back? There is healing for you! On today’s show my friend Pastor Mike Todd is PREACHING about how we can let go of what is weighing us down and live in the freedom of healing! Mike Todd along with his wife Natalie, have been the Lead Pastors of Transformation Church based in Tulsa, OK since February 2015. Their personal philosophy and driving passion is re-presenting God to the lost and found for transformation in Christ. Their mission is to place Christ in the center of culture to impact their community, city, and world with the gospel presented in a relevant and progressive way. Pastor Mike’s newest book Damaged but Not Destroyed will give you tools to identify the impact of your damage, see yourself the way God sees you, and realize that healing is all about progression, not perfection.No matter how badly you’ve messed up, and no matter the pain you’ve experienced, nothing can destroy the God-given value of your life. It’s time to turn your damage into destiny! You may be damaged, but you are not destroyed. SHOW LINKS:Mike Todd’s previous Happy Hour episode Damaged But Not DestroyedEcclesiastes 4:9-12The Happy Hour Book ClubCONNECT WITH JAMIE

Hey friends! October is here and hopefully wherever you are feels like fall! We have an incredible month of interviews coming up! As you know, each month we're doing a Bonus Series! If you haven't listened to September's Bonus Series on World Religions, I encourage you to go check it out! This month we're sharing stories of Pregnancy and Infant Loss. Even if you haven't experienced this kind of loss firsthand, I hope these conversations can help you learn how to support and be a good friend when the people in your life do walk through this. Other guests this month include Mike Todd, Justin Earley, Faith Eury Cho, and Julie Chen Moonvez! Trust me when I say you don't want to miss these interviews! If you haven't joined The Happy Hour Book Club, what are you waiting for?! This month we're reading THE DEEP DOWN THINGS by Amber Haines & Seth Haines. In The Deep Down Things, Amber and Seth point to a simple truth: even in the darkest times, there are tangible signs of hope all around us. The authors demonstrate how tasting, touching, feeling, holding, and participating in these tangible acts of hope picks us up, builds our strength, and moves us into beauty, even in times of despair. They invite readers to participate with those signs of hope and thereby experience the divine love of God, even in the struggle of their everyday lives. Click here to join our book club today! Connect with JamieDwell Differently - code: JAMIEPsalm 48:14 

I’m going to be honest, with the election year right around the corner, I start getting nervous! The political climate and the way the Church weaves into it can be unsettling. But is it possible for us to fight the narrative that it’s “us against them”? Is it possible to talk about things that Jesus taught about during his time on Earth, and have a biblical lens and not a political lens? Is it possible to stay humble, work on relationships, and truly be the salt and light of the world? On today’s show Phil Vischer and I tackle how we think the answer to all of those questions is a resounding YES!Phil is a filmmaker, author, speaker and humorist, best known as the co-creator of VeggieTales, creator of What's in the Bible? and co-host of the Holy Post Podcast. He lives in West Chicago, IL with his wife Lisa and 3 adult children. He is funny, insightful, and so much fun to be around. Phil creates content that is thought provoking and calls out problems we see in evangelicalism today and potential threats to the American church. Even if this conversation made you feel a little uncomfortable or gave you food for thought, my prayer is that we all are slow to speak, quick to listen, and love people like Jesus! SHOW LINKS:Holy PostThe Bulletin Good Faith The Ballot and the Bible The Evangelical ImaginationThe Rise and Fall of DispensationalismBiblical Critical TheoryCONNECT WITH JAMIEHappy Hour Book Club

As the world’s conversation around same-sex relationships and marriage gets louder, it’s my desire as a christian to know how to listen and engage in a humble, Christ-like way. Today’s guest loves the Word of God and the people of God and engages in this topic with such love, compassion, depth, and thoughtfulness. I’m so incredibly grateful to have Preston Sprinkle on The Happy Hour for the very first time!Dr. Preston Sprinkle is a biblical scholar, speaker, podcaster, a New York Times bestselling author, and is the co-founder and president of The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender. Preston loves talking and writing about hot-button cultural and theological issues with thoughtfulness, honesty and grace. He is passionate about approaching topics that everyone wants to know about, but few are willing to talk honestly and graciously about. Topics like sexuality, gender, race, violence, patriotism, hell, politics, war, and what it means to follow a Jewish prophet-king who was executed for treason. He works hard to challenge himself and others to read the Bible with conviction and humility, while holding their predetermined beliefs loosely.Maybe you think this topic doesn’t affect you, or you’re feeling apprehensive after listening to our conversation. My prayer is that we can think more deeply, love more widely, and learn to listen and engage in conversations in Christ-honoring ways.SHOW LINKS:Center of FaithPeople to be LovedDoes the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage?Launch PodcastTheology in the RawChristian SexualityCONNECT WITH JAMIEHAPPY HOUR BOOK CLUB

Too often we try to fill a God-size void with the things and people of this world. It isn’t until we wholeheartedly allow God to fill us and satisfy us with his love that we can have a healthy relationship with Him, ourselves, and others. A new guest to the Happy Hour, Madison Prewett Troutt, joins me in a conversation about a time when her life was transformed as she began to fully be satisfied in God alone. Madison "Madi" Prewett Troutt is a bestselling author of Made for This Moment, speaker, social media influencer, and TV personality. Madi’s life mission is to share the name of Jesus and to help women discover who they were made to be and where to find the truest form of love. Madi currently lives in Waco, Texas, with her husband, Grant Troutt.On today’s show Madi and I talk about filling our heart with a love that can only come from God and the pursuit of purity in our lives. Whether you’re single and in your twenties, or married in your forties, we’ve all experienced times of loneliness or discontentment. I hope today’s episode encourages you to trust God with your heart and allow him to satisfy your every need! The love you're looking for is already yours! SHOW LINKS:The Love Everyone Wants Matthew 22:35-39Matthew 5 Why Do I Do What I Don’t Want to DoThe PIlgrim’s Progress HH Book Club

Happy Friday friends! I am so thrilled to be bringing you a special series today. This month’s bonus series is on World Religions. We have two episodes covering this topic with expert guests Doug Groothuis and Preston Perry. Both of these men are filled with a wealth of knowledge and I’m so excited for us to learn together!After completing my first interview with apologist, Dr. Doug Groothuis, I knew I wanted to have a similar conversation with my friend, Preston Perry. Preston is a poet, author, apologist, and co-host, along with his wife Jackie, of a podcast called “With the Perry’s.”  His love for people inspires him to pair transparency and vulnerability with his creativity in a way that promotes freedom. Preston pursues engagement with people from various faith backgrounds. He has a palpable passion for God’s word, and stands on biblical truth amidst his study of other religions. In today’s episode, Preston and I talk about evangelism, apologetics, and the opportunities to engage people with different religious beliefs than our own.Talking with someone who doesn’t share your beliefs can be intimidating. I hope this series reminds you that the gospel holds up where other faith systems don’t. You don’t have to have every answer before pursuing intentional conversations with lost people!SHOW LINKS:Where Does It Say That?With the Perrys Podcast Tedashii on HHEsau McCaulley on HHHow Far to the Promised LandHappy Hour Book ClubThe Peasant King