Share
Cowrie Shells
A Tale of Carrying Hope
Season 2, Ep. 2
•
A Story of Carrying Hope – in recognition of Baby Loss Awareness Week: 9-15th October 2025
Meet Beth Appleby – Would God still be good if… you were told by medical professionals that the baby in your womb likely had a life-threatening condition?
Having grown up with two missionary parents, Beth was no stranger to the reality that faith comes with its struggles. But when she had to confront this question during her third pregnancy, that faith was to be severely tested. Listen to the remarkable true story behind Beth’s book, Carrying Hope, and be inspired to stand on the knowledge that God’s goodness is unchanging and, with Him, you can embrace uncertainty - especially when it comes to a life or death situation.
To get hold of a copy Carrying Hope, please purchase from Beth Appleby directly at www.carryinghope.co.uk
You can also buy online at Amazon
Be sure to look out for Beth’s upcoming audio edition of the book which will be available worldwide
(Excerpt from book featured during recording is used with author’s permission)
More episodes
View all episodes
9. Seeking God’s Heart – A Journey into the Prophetic
50:07||Season 2, Ep. 9Meet Genevieve Duke – Feeling crushed and silenced as a young woman in the aftermath of an abusive relationship, Gen was taken aback when God revived her dreams and invited her to journey with Him into the prophetic. Despite at times wanting to run in the opposite direction, she has persisted in leaning in to detect His still quiet voice. Tackling the sometimes tricky issues of discernment, the reality of the spiritual realm and what the prophetic can look like, be encouraged by Gen’s frankness and inspired by her desire, above all, to seek God’s heart.
8. Beyond Precious - When God is Close to the Broken-Hearted
57:12||Season 2, Ep. 8Please note: due to a change in venue this episode features some external traffic noiseMeet Kate Patterson – Having grown up as a vicar’s daughter, Kate followed in her parents’ footsteps, marrying a vicar and co-leading a church with him. She felt that life was at its sweetest spot when sudden tragedy turned everything upside down. Listen in to Kate’s tender story of how, in the reality of her suffering, she encountered a God who cares deeply; one who not only enabled her to navigate grief but equipped her to come alongside others and empowered her to become a speaker and writer whose words are like a warm, compassionate hug. No stranger to suffering, Kate understands what it is to walk through a sense of wilderness and keep eyes fixed on Jesus. Be comforted, encouraged and inspired.For more information and to purchase Kate’s beautiful books visit: giftofblessingtrust.orgPlease note all profits generated from Ashes to Crowns – Grieving with Hope (2025) will go towards gifting the book to those who need it most.
7. ‘I’m not budging’ – Staking Your Trust in God No Matter What
53:46||Season 2, Ep. 7Meet Charlotte Nall – What happens when God gives you a clear dream for something but then circumstances appear to render it impossible? What happens when your husband turns away from God? What happens when God instructs you to leave your job? What happens when miscarriage is preceded by still birth and you are left with an empty womb? Listen in to how Charlotte faced all this and more – consistently choosing to cling to Jesus and embrace His mindset. Join her at the cusp of this new year in saying ‘I’m not budging’ and planting a stake firmly in the ground of faith.For more information on Charlotte's story of Micah and the charity she founded see:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94ZBcfaF30Qhttps://littlefingers.org.uk
6. All Out For Jesus – Choosing To Be Authentic and Available
56:06||Season 2, Ep. 6Meet Rachel Jordan-Wolf - From her earliest memories, Jesus was Rachel’s best friend and she wanted the world to know Him too! Whether it was church in a chicken shed, prayer in a greenhouse, or sharing coffee with a distressed woman in the Red Light District, Rachel consistently chose to be available to God and today her vision remains unchanged. Passionate about empowering believers, she heads up Hope Together and challenges all of us this Christmas to recognise the season we’re in and get excited about what God is doing: Increasingly, our communities are full of individuals looking for Jesus … meanwhile He's looking for you and me to be willing to be His mouthpiece.Why not order some beautifully-designed Gospels as a special Christmas/New Year gift for your neighbours/friends/community from Hope Together today?To find out more, and discover other amazing resources for you and your church family, go to: hopetogether.org.ukYou can follow Rachel: @racheljordanwolf @hopetogether
5. Two Dreams, One Glass Table and an Outstretched Hand
53:54||Season 2, Ep. 5Driven by a hunger for validation from childhood, Carla sought escape in a fiercely independent lifestyle of partying, drugs, travel and work until, one night, an inner desire to ‘go home’ broke through it all. Two dreams and a camping trip later, she did a complete U-turn and became an irrepressible voice for Jesus in her community. Listen in to her dramatic stories of adventures with God, and be inspired with her to accept His outstretched hand of rescue which always offers hope, healing and purpose.
4. Put That Luggage Down! – Trusting God Down to the Last Penny
58:24||Season 2, Ep. 4Meet Jasmine Gibson – What do you do when you only have £20 left in your bank account to care for your family? Since making God centre of her life in her twenties, Jazz has repeatedly been challenged by God to steward His gifts – spiritual and material – with real integrity. Listen to her faith-building stories of trusting God with finances and seeing how, again and again, His economy provided all that was needed, down to the last penny. Be challenged, and inspired with her, to listen for what God is saying every time we’re tempted to pick up the luggage of worries or financial question marks: ‘I’ve got you. Leave that thought where it is … and walk away.’
3. Fit for Kingdom Encounters - Exercising Those Spiritual Muscles
54:13||Season 2, Ep. 3Meet Esther Higham – Best known for her animated voice on Premier Christian radio, when it comes to empowering people with Jesus, Esther is as passionate off air as she is during her ‘Inspirational Breakfast’ show. She describes herself as a gatherer and coach, and is full of stories where she has seen faith come alive in everyday situations. How can we best grow our spiritual muscles and throw off the spiritual belly flab? How can we be 10% bolder in seizing every opportunity to see God move? Listen in and discover more.You can hear Esther on Premier’s ‘Inspirational Breakfast’ Mon-Thurs 7-9amFor more information on MOJO: https://linktr.ee/mojoministersYou can follow Esther on Instagram: @estherhigham
1. When Surrender is a Springboard
01:05:52||Season 2, Ep. 1Meet Katharine Grimes – Exchanging her host headphones for a pair of guest ones to launch a brand new season of Cowrie Shells, listen in to more of Katharine’s own stories of faith. From childhood questions to battling ME/Chronic Fatigue in her twenties, and navigating a barrage of bereavement in her thirties, Katharine has consistently been challenged to choose the path of surrender. In her words, ‘It’s not easy but it’s liberating when you embrace God’s perspective and listen to that still small voice… “Daughter, I’m inviting you to fly.”’