In this episode of Through Deep Waters with Monique and Martha, we lean into the truth of Isaiah 61:3—how God gives us beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and praise for despair. Our guest, Michele Smith, entrepreneur, health and wellness coach, podcast host of Finding Your Fit, and founder of The Midlife Mandate, shares her journey of faith and resilience.

Michelle opens up about navigating midlife transitions, finding purpose, and helping women rise with strength, hope, and courage. She reminds us that restoration is possible even in our hardest seasons and offers practical tools for embracing faith, fitness, and financial wisdom.

Scripture: Isaiah 61:3
Theme: Beauty from Ashes – Restoration, Hope & New Beginnings

Whether you're facing a season of loss, change, or uncertainty, this conversation will inspire you to trust that God is writing something new and beautiful from your story.

Connect with Michelle:

In this deeply personal birthday-month episode, I open up about what it means to grieve the mother I never had—while celebrating the woman I've become at 52.

I talk candidly about growing up in a home marked by trauma, unpredictability, and unmet emotional needs. My parents, like so many, were caught in cycles of generational dysfunction they never named... and so they never broke them. It took me standing up and saying, "This ends with me."

Through God's grace, I've learned to mother myself, raise my children differently, and become the kind of woman who helps others heal their past to create a better future. In this episode, I reflect on how God has faithfully used what was meant for harm and turned it into a testimony of hope and purpose.

You'll hear:

• Why holidays like Mother's Day and Christmas still carry mixed emotions

• How I'm learning to create new memories with the family I've chosen

• The ache I feel when others talk about the parents they had, and how I've turned that pain into deep, intentional love for others

• A powerful tool you can use today to reflect on your own journey

• A guest segment from my daughter Madison, who shares what it was like to grow up with a cycle-breaking mom

Whether you've experienced generational trauma or are simply walking through grief that's hard to explain. This episode will remind you: God does not waste your story.

💛 "You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good…" (Genesis 50:20, NLT)

🔔 Be sure to subscribe, share with someone who needs this, and join the waitlist for my upcoming book, Letters to Monique: A Journey of Breaking Generational Trauma.

www.moniquemyers.org

In this powerful June episode of Through Deep Waters, Monique and Martha explore what it means to experience true restoration in the aftermath of brokenness. Rooted in Joel 2:25 (NLT) — "I will give you back what you lost…" — they reflect on how God meets us in the ruins of our lives and rebuilds what seemed beyond repair.

From emotional trauma and spiritual numbness to seasons of waiting and loss, Monique and Martha share heartfelt insights and biblical truths that speak to the God who restores peace, purpose, and identity. They also walk through the key sections of Joel 2, helping listeners reflect on their own "locust years" and how to take the first step toward healing.

Whether you're celebrating, grieving, or rebuilding, this episode reminds you:

You are not forgotten. Restoration is possible.

🛠 Includes a practical "Joel 2 Prayer Walk" tool for personal reflection and renewal.

📬 We'd love to hear your story.
Connect with us on Facebook: @ThroughDeepWaters

Have you ever felt like you're standing in a hallway, leaning on a doorway that just won't open? You've knocked. You've prayed. You've waited. And still nothing.

In this powerful episode of Through Deep Waters, Martha sits down with Pastor Lee Eclov to explore what it really means to trust God's timing, especially when life feels stuck in pause mode. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 3:1 ("For everything there is a season…"), Pastor Lee shares wisdom from decades of pastoral ministry and personal experience navigating seasons of waiting, confusion, and growth.

Together, they unpack:
• How to tell the difference between a waiting season and a "go" season
• The beauty of surrender in the face of uncertainty
• Practical ways to cultivate patience and peace while leaning on closed doors
• How the Church can support those who are in the in-between

Whether you're praying for healing, seeking direction, or just feeling weary from the wait, this conversation will remind you that God's delays are not His denials. He sees you. He's with you. And He's always right on time.

🎧 Tune in, take a breath, and remember: even when you're just leaning on the doorway, God is still working behind the scenes.

Learn more about Pastor Lee here: https://leeeclov.com/

In this powerful episode of Through Deep Waters, Monique and Martha get real about what it means to trust God when everything around you is falling apart. Inspired by Daniel 3:17–18, they ask the hard questions: What if God doesn't do what I hoped? Will I still trust Him?

🎙️ Monique and Martha share raw, personal testimonies of walking through deep seasons of grief, loss, and uncertainty—times when their faith was tested in ways they never imagined. From career shifts and childhood trauma to the pain of letting go and the beauty of starting over, this episode is a vulnerable invitation to believe God not just for the outcome, but for His presence in the fire.

🔥 You'll walk away with:

• Encouragement to keep trusting even when the outcome is unclear

• A fresh look at the fiery furnace story from Daniel

• A prayer to help you surrender your situation to God

• Practical tools like journaling prompts to reflect on God's faithfulness

Whether you're in the heat of the fire or just coming out of it, this episode reminds you: You are not alone—and the fire won't destroy you, it will refine you.

Monique monique.ccgroups@gmail.com

Martha martha@findpurpose.today

Martha and Melissa dive into the journey of stepping into one's calling despite fear and uncertainty. Melissa shares her personal story of finding faith and purpose through challenges, emphasizing the importance of a real relationship with God and the courage to ask for what we truly desire. They explore the necessity of taking leaps of faith, trusting God's plan, and embracing the process of building something lasting. Melissa also introduces Firebrand Academy, her new program designed to help women pursue their mission. With humor and insight, they discuss "sweaty armpit time"—those daunting but transformative moments of radical action—and offer encouragement for those on the verge of a big leap.

Welcome back to Through Deep Waters! In this episode, Monique is joined by Kristen Chambers, an independently licensed social worker and clinical therapist specializing in Christian counseling. Kristen shares her journey from working in addiction recovery to stepping out in faith to build a private practice focused on couples and families. She dives into how her faith informs her work, offering powerful insights into grace, empathy, and forgiveness in relationships.

Monique also opens up about her own transformative experience with EMDR therapy under Kristen's guidance, highlighting the importance of confronting negative beliefs and embracing God's unconditional love. Kristen provides practical tools for couples to strengthen their connection, including grounding their relationships in prayer, Scripture, and extending grace modeled after Christ's love.

Whether you're seeking strategies to overcome conflict, understand addiction's impact on relationships, or find spiritual encouragement, this episode is filled with wisdom and hope. Tune in to learn how faith and professional therapy can come together to heal and restore marriages and families.

Connect with Kristen: https://www.thechambersforlifechange.com/