I had the best time sitting down with my friend Natalie Runion again on the podcast. We met years ago as brand-new authors, and it’s been such a gift to watch the Lord expand her voice and ministry since then. She’s now the author of three books in just two years—including her latest, I Don’t Even Like Women and Other Lies That Get in the Way of Sacred Sisterhood. Only Natalie could title a book like that and actually pull it off, and I’m so glad she did.

This is part one of a two-part conversation, and in this first half we talk about what it looks like to stay obedient to God even when criticism comes, the lies women believe about themselves and each other, and how those scripts often keep us competing instead of collaborating. We laughed about the stereotypes we grew up with in sitcoms and movies, but we also dug deep into how much identity shapes our ability to form healthy friendships and truly cheer each other on.

I shared some of my own wounds from being hurt by other women, and Natalie reminded us that we’re only one word or one conversation away from either derailing someone’s calling or breathing life into it. She pointed us back to the examples in Scripture—Mary and Elizabeth, Ruth and Naomi, Deborah and Jael—that show the power of collaboration over competition.

This episode is for anyone who’s wrestled with comparison, struggled with belonging, or felt the sting of another woman’s words. Natalie’s message is bold and freeing: God didn’t make a mistake when He made you a woman, and you are worthy of community, love, and friendship.

All things Cynthia

I Don't Even Like Women and Other Lies That Get in the Way of Sacred Sisterhood by Natalie Runion

Raised to Stay by Natalie Runion

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