Rooted in Truth, Growing in Freedom, Prospering in Life with Josie & Symone

EPISODE SUMMARY:In this powerful episode of the Rooted Podcast, Josie and Symone sit down with evangelist Doug Elks, founder of Doug Elks Ministries, to discuss the power of the gospel and the call for every believer to share their faith. Doug shares his journey from a challenging upbringing and building his identity around basketball to encountering Jesus in a life-changing moment of surrender in 2023. After meeting mentors who discipled him and challenged him spiritually, Doug felt called to give every breath of his life to spreading the good news of Christ.The conversation dives into practical evangelism, leadership modeled after Jesus, the importance of mentorship, and how physical endurance through sports strengthened Doug’s spiritual life. Doug also shares powerful stories from preaching around the world—including a moment when a young man told him, “I’ve been waiting for this day” after giving his life to Christ.The episode closes with Doug explaining the gospel message in simple terms and encouraging listeners to respond to Jesus and live boldly for the truth.This episode is a reminder that every believer—no matter their profession or platform—is called to be an ambassador for Christ and to plant seeds of faith wherever God places them.—--------------------------TIMESTAMP SUMMARY:00:00 – The gospel message and the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ.01:00 – The mission behind Doug Elks Ministries and sharing the gospel globally 02:30 – Growing up and searching for identity in basketball, success, and approval.05:00 – Sharing the gospel with the people right in front of you.08:30 – Leading like Christ through humility, service, and putting others first.10:00 – The moment of full surrender to God in November 2023.12:00 – The importance of mentorship and discipleship in spiritual growth.15:00 – Lessons from endurance sports and how physical challenges strengthen faith.17:30 – Traveling the world and preaching the gospel across cultures.19:00 – A powerful story of a student saying, “I’ve been waiting for this day.”22:00 – Learning to recognize and follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit.27:00 – Serving alongside Will Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.30:00 – Visiting Israel and seeing the places where Jesus lived and ministered.32:30 – A clear explanation of the gospel and the need for salvation through Jesus.36:00 – A prayer to receive Jesus and a relationship with Him.37:30 – Closing encouragement to be rooted in the truth of Jesus.—--------------------------NOTABLE QUOTES:“If we know Jesus personally, the overflow of our life should be sharing His love with others.”“You don’t have to go to the other side of the world to share the gospel—start with the person right in front of you.”“Leadership that honors Christ begins with humility.”“Jesus was in my heart before that prayer—but after that moment, my heart was set on fire for Him.”“The harvest really is plentiful. People are ready to hear the gospel.”“We are called to sow the seed and water it—God is the one who brings the increase.”“When we pray for compassion for the lost, God changes our hearts.”“The cross is the greatest exchange of all time—Jesus took our sin and gave us His righteousness.”“God doesn’t force us to love Him—that’s what makes His love real.”“Know Jesus, know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”—--------------------------RESOURCES MENTIONED:Doug Elks Ministries: https://www.dougelks.com/Doug Elks YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DougelksPrison Alliance: https://prisonalliance.org/Jaywalkers Worship: https://www.jwlkrs.com/Run With Christ: https://www.instagram.com/runwchrist/Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: https://billygraham.org/Holy Landings: https://www.instagram.com/holy_landings/Ignite Men’s Ministry: https://ignitemen.net/-------------------FOLLOW & SUPPORT ROOTEDInstagram: https://instagram.com/rootedtoprosperYouTube: https://youtube.com/rootedtoprosperSupport: https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper

EPISODE SUMMARY:In this deeply moving episode of the Rooted Podcast, hosts Josie and Symone sit down with Eddie Buchanan, whose life is a living testimony of God’s relentless love, redemption, and grace.Eddie shares his journey from shame, addiction, and same-sex attraction into true freedom — not through striving or behavior modification, but by becoming rooted in God’s love and beloved identity. Through powerful stories, biblical truth, and raw vulnerability, Eddie explains how transformation happens from love, not for love.This conversation touches on topics many Christians wrestle with but rarely discuss openly: identity, shame, sexual brokenness, gay lifestyle, renewing the mind, healing from trauma, grief, and how to love others well while standing firmly in truth. Eddie’s testimony is an invitation to stop hiding, step into the light, and see yourself the way God sees you.If you’ve ever felt stuck, ashamed, or unsure whether God could truly love you where you are — this episode is for you.—----------------------TIMESTAMP SUMMARY:00:00 – God as the safest place to be fully known01:00 – Introduction to Rooted & Eddie’s story03:00 – How roots shape fruit (Psalm 1)07:00 – Recognizing unfulfilling patterns and addiction08:30 – Discovering beloved identity & God’s unconditional love09:30 – A life-changing encounter with Jesus11:00 – Transformation through love, not behavior12:30 – Renewing the mind & daily identity declarations14:00 – The “pregnant woman” analogy for spiritual growth16:00 – “Gradually, then suddenly” faith journey17:30 – Loving people well while speaking truth18:30 – Church, grace, and real transformation21:00 – Loss, grief, and God’s ability to handle our emotions24:00 – God as friend, not distant judge26:00 – Breaking shame through confession and community29:00 – Power of testimony and living in the light30:00 – The story of seeing yourself through God’s eyes33:00 – Final encouragement: Be rooted in who God says you are—----------------------NOTABLE QUOTES:“God loves me right where I am — and that’s what changed everything.”“It’s not changing behavior to earn love; it’s love that changes behavior.”“When you know who you are, the fruit will follow.”“Shame loses its power when you bring it into the light.”“God can handle your emotions — all of them.”“You don’t clean yourself up before you come to God.”“The enemy doesn’t care what he uses, as long as it works.”“What’s inside of you will eventually show on the outside.”“We don’t judge, we don’t convict — we love.”“You’ve always looked the way God created you… you just couldn’t see it yet.”-------------------RESOURCES MENTIONED:Damon Thompson – Teaching on Beloved IdentityLove One Out – Support for those desiring to leave LGBTQ lifestylesTeen Challenge – Faith-based recovery programBilly Graham – “It’s God’s job to judge…” quoteGradually Then Suddenly – book by Mark Batterson-------------------FOLLOW & SUPPORT ROOTEDInstagram: https://instagram.com/rootedtoprosperYouTube: https://youtube.com/rootedtoprosperSupport: https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper-------------------

EPISODE SUMMARY:In this powerful and refreshing episode of the Rooted Podcast, we sit down with sisters Kassidy and Kennedy—hosts of their own wellness podcast—to talk about faith-based wellness, family, fitness, and living rooted in truth in a noisy world.From reformer Pilates and low-impact movement to biblical health principles, Kassidy and Kennedy share how their passion for wellness was shaped by personal health challenges, motherhood, and faith. They unpack why modern wellness can feel overwhelming, how to simplify health by going back to God’s design, and why wholeness—not perfection—is the goal.The conversation also dives into family roots, sisterhood, navigating life in the public eye, and how faith anchors us amid misinformation, cultural pressure, and emotional reactivity. This episode is a reminder that true wellness begins at the root—with Christ—and flows into every area of life.—----------------------TIMESTAMP SUMMARY:00:00 – Welcome to Rooted + introducing sisters Kassidy & Kennedy01:00 – Life seasons: motherhood, marriage, careers, and calling02:30 – Why Kennedy started Studio Seven Pilates03:45 – What reformer Pilates is & who it’s for06:00 – Kassidy’s work with Pheasants Forever & conservation08:00 – Hunting stories, archery elk hunts & outdoor values11:45 – How wellness became personal: eczema, health journeys & questions14:30 – Starting a wellness podcast without pressure or perfection16:45 – Why modern wellness feels overwhelming18:30 – Biblical health: simplicity, whole foods, sun & movement20:45 – Practical steps to start a wellness journey (without burnout)23:00 – Faith as the foundation of true wellness25:00 – Sisterhood, family roots & staying close in different seasons30:30 – Navigating life in the public eye & staying grounded34:00 – Finding truth in a world full of misinformation38:30 – Final truth: living with purpose & eternal perspective—----------------------NOTABLE QUOTES:“Our goal is to be whole—not perfect.”“Wellness was never meant to be this complicated.”“God designed health to be simple.”“Movement is movement—find joy in how you move your body.”“At the root of all wellness is faith.”“If you let emotion lead, you’ll never walk in truth.”“You don’t need to do everything—just start small.”“Only God truly knows who you are.”“Truth doesn’t change based on feelings.”“God created you for a purpose—slow down and live in that.”-------------------RESOURCES MENTIONED:Threads of Wellth Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/threadsofwellth/Reformer Pilates / Studio Seven PilatesPheasants Forever (conservation organization)The Bible (health, wellness, and truth references)Atomic Habits by James Clear (referenced conceptually)-------------------FOLLOW & SUPPORT ROOTEDInstagram: https://instagram.com/rootedtoprosperYouTube: https://youtube.com/rootedtoprosperSupport: https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper-------------------

EPISODE SUMMARY:In this powerful episode of the Rooted Podcast, Josie and Simone sit down with longtime friend Tucker to unpack his deeply personal journey of faith. From being adopted from South Korea into a Christian home, to wrestling with identity, spiritual warfare, mental health, and a “one foot in, one foot out” faith, Tucker shares how God relentlessly pursued him.He opens up about a life-changing moment at the Passion Conference, a vivid dream that called him into surrender, and the slow but steady sanctification process that followed. Tucker also shares practical wisdom on fleeing sin, trusting God through uncertainty, stepping into calling “scared,” and living out faith in everyday work—now as a full-time photographer.This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating faith in their 20s, wrestling with doubt, or learning how to trust God when clarity feels out of reach.—----------------------TIMESTAMP SUMMARY:00:00 – A vivid dream and the moment of surrender01:00 – Welcome + Tucker’s current season and photography work02:00 – Adoption story and growing up in the church03:30 – One foot in faith, one foot in the world04:45 – Passion Conference & Levi Lusko’s message06:30 – Mental health struggles and COVID reset07:30 – Digging deep roots in God’s Word08:30 – Wrestling with adoption, identity, and lies of the enemy10:45 – Spiritual warfare experiences as a child14:00 – Learning about the spiritual realm later in life17:00 – God’s protection and the unseen spiritual battle19:00 – Child modeling stories (yes, really 👀)21:00 – College life, sin cycles, and spiritual complacency24:00 – What happened at Passion Conference28:00 – “Just so happened” God moments30:00 – Sanctification & practical steps to flee sin34:00 – Advice for living half-in, half-out faith36:00 – Photography, calling, and living faith publicly39:30 – Doing things scared & trusting God41:00 – Final truth to be rooted in—----------------------NOTABLE QUOTES:“Somehow in my heart I knew I looked the same—hopeless and lost.”“That dream was God asking me to step into the unknown.”“I didn’t realize it then, but that fear had been spiritual warfare.”“The enemy wants to invalidate your identity—but God calls you chosen.”“Doubts aren’t the end of faith; they’re an invitation to go deeper.”“Sin loses its power when you bring it into the light.”“Just because temptation shows up doesn’t mean it defines you.”“God doesn’t waste ‘just so happened’ moments.”“Faith is taking steps before certainty shows up.”“Sometimes you just have to do things scared.”-------------------RESOURCES MENTIONED:Passion Conference – Annual Christian conference for ages 18–25Levi Lusko – Pastor and speaker at Passion ConferenceEphesians 6:12 – Scripture on spiritual warfarePsalm 139 – “Fearfully and wonderfully made”Becoming Something Podcast – Mentioned as part of Tucker’s spiritual growthCamp Shetek – Foundational place of community and ministryNorthwestern College (St. Paul) – Tucker’s college experience-------------------FOLLOW & SUPPORT ROOTEDInstagram: https://instagram.com/rootedtoprosperYouTube: https://youtube.com/rootedtoprosperSupport: https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper-------------------

EPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Rooted, Josie and Symone dive into a deeply encouraging conversation with Maya Mae Huff—Christian podcaster, speaker, entrepreneur, and co-host of the Overflow Podcast. Maya shares her powerful journey of faith, obedience, and trusting God not just with big decisions, but with the smallest details of life.From hiking Mount Kilimanjaro with Compassion International to learning how waiting seasons refine our faith, Maya opens up about rest, calling, creativity, and navigating comparison in the age of social media. She reflects on Psalm 23, God’s delight in His children, and a remarkable story that shows how prayer and trust can transform hearts—even through something as simple as a lost pair of sunglasses.This episode is a reminder that God is present in every detail, faithful in waiting seasons, and deeply invested in shaping our hearts through obedience, rest, and surrender.______________________TIMESTAMP SUMMARY00:00 – 01:00 | Living from love, not striving for God’s approval01:00 – 04:00 | Introducing Maya Mae Huff & her journey in faith04:00 – 09:00 | Mount Kilimanjaro, Compassion International & Psalm 2309:00 – 11:30 | Waiting seasons and learning to rest with God11:30 – 14:30 | Overflow Podcast: from “In This Together” to rebirth14:30 – 19:30 | Overflow Creative, calling, and trusting God’s timing19:30 – 23:00 | Faith in work, ministry, and creative obedience23:00 – 27:30 | Social media, comparison, and guarding your heart27:30 – 30:30 | Silence, distraction, and sitting with God30:30 – 34:00 | Hobbies, creativity, and healthy emotional expression34:00 – 38:30 | Psalm 37 & God’s delight in life’s small details38:30 – 44:00 | The sunglasses story: prayer, trust, and God’s faithfulness44:00 – End | Belief, surrender, and trusting God’s sovereignty______________________NOTABLE QUOTES“I’m not earning God’s love—I live from His love.”“God often tells us to wait because the soil of our hearts needs rest.”“Just because God is silent doesn’t mean He’s absent.”“We are not meant to fill every moment of stillness with distraction.”“No one is immune to comparison—it’s what we do next that matters.”“God delights in every detail of your life, not just the big ones.”“Faith means trusting God even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.”“If God can move hearts over sunglasses, imagine what else He cares about.”“Rest prepares you for the fullness that’s coming.”“God isn’t just after outcomes—He’s after our hearts.”______________________RESOURCES MENTIONEDOverflow Podcast – Hosted by Maya Mae & Blakely HuffOverflow Creative – Creative agency and ministry platformCompassion International – Global child advocacy ministryPsalm 23 – “The Lord is my Shepherd”Craig Groeschel – Pastor and Influencer______________________FOLLOW & SUPPORT ROOTEDInstagram: https://instagram.com/rootedtoprosperYouTube: https://youtube.com/rootedtoprosperSupport: https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper______________________

EPISODE SUMMARY:In this powerful episode of the Rooted Podcast, hosts Josie and Symone Harms sit down with longtime friend and police officer Caleb Witte to discuss what it looks like to live out authentic Christian faith in everyday life—especially in high-pressure, real-world environments.Caleb shares his journey into law enforcement, how God called him to serve others, and the ways Jesus shows up on the job—most memorably during a welfare check that became a divine opportunity to point someone back to church and community. From there, the conversation dives deep into salvation by grace, understanding the gospel beyond works, the power of mentorship, forgiveness after heartbreak, memorizing Scripture, and making decisions without needing absolute certainty.This episode is a reminder that missions don’t only happen overseas—sometimes they happen on patrol, in college dorms, through breakups, and in everyday obedience.—----------------------TIMESTAMP SUMMARY:00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Caleb Witte02:00 – Why Caleb chose law enforcement03:15 – A powerful welfare check and sharing faith on the job06:30 – Luke 15 and God leaving the 99 for the one08:00 – Making faith personal in college09:15 – Mentorship questions that changed Caleb’s view of salvation11:30 – Saved by grace, not works14:00 – The importance of godly community16:15 – Advice for young men growing in faith18:30 – Being a student of the Bible21:00 – Memorizing Scripture as spiritual armor24:15 – Forgiveness after heartbreak27:45 – Trusting God without full certainty31:00 – One truth to be rooted in—----------------------NOTABLE QUOTES:“Jesus didn’t die for 70% of your sin—He died for all of it.”“You don’t need certainty to live in complete trust.”“If Jesus forgave me everything, who am I to hold something against someone else?”“Your closest friends should be the ones who impact you spiritually.”“In my weakness, Christ is made strong.”“God often works through signs, not always direct answers.”“You can do missions work no matter what job you have.”“The Bible isn’t just information—it’s transformation.”“Forgiveness is a process, not always a moment.”“Grace isn’t earned—it’s received.”-------------------RESOURCES MENTIONED:Bible PassagesLuke 15 (Parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Prodigal Son)Romans 3:23, Romans 6:14, 2 Corinthians 12:9, John 3:16, Armor of God (Ephesians 6)People & InfluencesCraig Groeschel (pastor/podcast host)Zach Windahl – The Bible Simplified-------------------FOLLOW & SUPPORT ROOTEDInstagram: https://instagram.com/rootedtoprosperYouTube: https://youtube.com/rootedtoprosperSupport: https://bio.site/rootedtoprosper-------------------