Creators and Guests

Stasi Eldredge is an author, teacher, and the women’s ministry leader at Wild at Heart—a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God, recover their own hearts in God’s love, and learn to live in God’s Kingdom. Stasi and her husband, John, live in Colorado Springs.

Allen Arnold is an author, speaker, and Executive Producer of Content for Wild at Heart—the worldwide ministry founded by New York Times bestselling author John Eldredge. As a former Fiction Publisher, he oversaw the launch of more than 500 novels. He is the author of five acclaimed books: The Story of With, Chaos Can't, Waves of Creativity, The Eden Option, and his new release, Risk the Real. He loves blue oceans, black coffee, hot salsa, and big ideas. Discover more and receive free daily readings on God, Story, and Creativity at withallen.com

Annie F. Downs is a New York Times bestselling author, sought-after speaker, and successful podcast host based in Nashville, TN. Engaging and honest, she makes readers and listeners alike feel as if they’ve been long-time friends. Co-founder of the That Sounds Fun Network—which includes her aptly named flagship podcast, That Sounds Fun—and author of multiple bestselling books including Chase the Fun, That Sounds Fun, 100 Days to Brave and Remember God, Annie is the friend who will shoot straight with you, remind you that God is good, and still manage to make you laugh in the process. For more about Annie's work, visit https://www.anniefdowns.com/.

Becky Allender lives in the Pacific Northwest and is the co-founder of The Allender Center at The Seattle School of Psychology and Theology. She is the author of Hidden In Plain Sight, One Woman’s Search for Identity, Intimacy and Calling. Becky has been facilitating Story Workshop groups and Narrative Focus Trauma Groups with The Allender Center. She has been a monthly contributor to the online magazine, Red Tent Living, for the past eleven years. She and her husband, Dan Allender, lead Marriage Intensives, Conferences, and Retreats with Steve and Lisa Call’s organization “Reconnect”. Her greatest joy is being a wife, mother, and grandmother to 6 beautiful wild, beautiful grandchildren.

As a mother of eight, Bethany Kimsey has experienced Jesus change her motherhood from chaos to peace. Through The Warrior Mama podcast and written resources, including the Warrior Mama Prayers journal, she encourages a generation of mothers to connect their motherhood to Jesus’ love in real and practical ways.

Blaine Eldredge is a writer and teacher from Peyton, Colorado. For the past ten years he's built teaching platforms to help the Church thrive in late modernity. Blaine likes to read, write, and talk about culture, history, and theology. In particular, he loves to contemplate the Gospel of Jesus and make resources to convey its astonishing beauty. For those of you wondering about Blaine's church engagement and education, he's a part of Kindred Church in Colorado Springs and holds a Master’s degree in Language from the University of British Columbia. Mainly, Blaine loves to read and follow Jesus in community as Jesus makes it on earth as it is in heaven. Blaine also likes bowhunting, chopping wood, and poetry readings.

Cherie Snyder lives in Colorado with her husband, Morgan, and their beloved young adult kids, Joshua and Abigail. She joined the mission of Wild at Heart in 2001. Her central passion is exploring the good News of the Kingdom of Heaven, the heart of God, and the human experience in community with others disciples of Jesus as well as those who are considering the claims of Christianity and those who challenge the Christian faith. She is currently a student at Denver Seminary, pursuing training as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor.

Wife! Mother, singer, poet, songwriter New Music :: "This is the Hour” Out Now! https://t.co/CCjtBZKEM7

Danita Jenae is a young mom and recent military widow learning to carry both joy and sorrow in the same breath. As an author, speaker, poet, and artist, she walks alongside the broken-hearted, offering practical and creative ways to lead a Spirit-led life at danitajenae.com and @CompanionInSorrow. To help you find your way in sorrow, Danita invites you to grab your free copy of her Find Your Footing Grief Guide at WhenMountainsCrumble.com.

Diane Summers, MS, RDN has had the immense privilege of providing nutrition therapy for folks from all walks of life as they heal from the full spectrum of eating concerns and struggles, to include but not limited to severe eating disorders, chronic dieting & weight cycling, and orthorexia. She has a private practice, Hope Nutrition Therapy, and works virtually with clients all over the world. She has done this work for 22 years and absolutely loves it, as it's an incredible joy to show up for her clients and journey alongside them as they seek healing, freedom, and peace. Diane attends a neighborhood based church, serving on the board & occasionally preaching. She is a believer that we heal in the context of relationship & community. In her free time, you will find her exploring the Pacific Northwest beaches during low tide and geeking out on sea creatures, enjoying coffee from a local shop, traveling to see friends & family, leading Story Workshop & Narrative Focused Trauma Care groups with The Allender Center, dining out on delicious food, hosting friends in her home, hitting the ski slopes, or prepping for her soon to arrive golden retriever puppy who will hopefully become a therapy dog in her practice one day.

Physician/author helping stressed-out individuals shift their mindset/eliminate limiting emotions/maximize wellbeing, so they can choose their best life now!

As a qualified counselor, Elaine has a passion for helping people discover the gift of who they truly are and to encourage them to embrace their own story and live centered in their innate value as a human being. She believes each person has unique gifts, and by tapping into what they really love, dismantling toxic beliefs, and mastering their emotions, they can unlock their true potential. Elaine loves spending quality time with her family and friends around great food and deep conversations. She takes great pleasure in understanding new concepts, loves working with and learning from the next generation, and have a vision to unite the world of counseling and coaching to bring the best results for people.

Emily Wilson Hussem is a speaker, author, wife, and mother who shares her witness of faith at conferences and events across the globe. She shares on the topics of femininity, faith, dating, motherhood, and relationships, and her books, videos, and talks continue to inspire and encourage women of all ages. Emily lives in Southern California with her husband, Daniël, and their three glorious children, Zion, Jedidiah, and Pearl.

Eric Gilmour is an author, musician, and itinerant speaker who travels domestically and internationally. He and his wife Brooke are the founders of Sonship International- a teaching ministry committed to strengthening the church. Their hearts are to bring the church into a deeper experience of God's presence in their daily lives. With over one hundred thousand subscribers on YouTube Eric's music and teachings have aided millions of people in resting in the presence of God. Eric, Brooke and their two daughters, Madison and Lia, reside in Orlando, Florida. They have two golden retrievers, Mia and Oakley. When he's home you can find him spending time with his family, reading and/or with a camera in his hand filming or taking pictures, namely in the golden hour.

Jennie Allen is a Bible teacher, author, podcast host and visionary leader. As the founder of IF:Gathering and Gather25, a vision to mobilize the global Church, Jennie has devoted her life to disciple a generation to see revival across the globe. Jennie has written three New York Times bestsellers, Untangle Your Emotions, Find Your People, and Get Out of Your Head, inspiring millions to experience freedom in Christ and connection with others. Jennie holds a master’s degree in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband, Zac, and their four children.

Chris and Jenni have married 20 years and they understand the ups and downs of marriage. They are passionate about married couples stepping into the plan and purpose that the Lord has for them. The Rhythm of Us Roadmap is almost two decades in the making. They have sought wisdom from those who have been married for 30, 40 & 50+ years. From these mentors and their own life experiences- they discovered these Rhythms that are helping thousands of couples finally get their marriage in Rhythm. When they aren’t writing and podcasting they are chasing their 5 kids around Franklin, TN.

Joel Muddamalle holds a PhD in theology and serves as the director of theology and research at Proverbs 31 Ministries. He co-hosts the Therapy & Theology podcast with Lysa TerKeurst. Since the podcast started in the fall of 2022, more than 5-million episodes have been downloaded, making it one of the most popular podcasts available. Joel is a frequent speaker for churches, conferences, and events. In 2024 he released his first book, “The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility”. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Joel and his wife enjoy a full house with their four children and German Shepherd, Lady

John Eldredge is an author, counselor, and president of Wild at Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heat of God and recover their own hearts in God’s love. John is married to the Captivated podcast host, Stasi, and together they provide guidance and encouragement to those who are seeking to deepen their relationship with God.

Judy Dunagan the author of The Loudest Roar: Living in the Unshakable Victory of Christ. A wonder seeker of God and His Word, Judy is passionate about discipleship and making God’s Word and prayer come alive in everyday life. She is a speaker and Bible teacher and serves on the Board of Deeper Walk Interna­tional, the ministry her father Mark Bubeck founded. Judy and her husband, Rick, live in Colorado and are the joyful grandparents of six littles.

Justin Rizzo is a worship leader, songwriter, composer, and recording artist based in Kansas City, Missouri. He has released multiple worship albums and been featured on multiple compilation projects, along with writing and producing four full-length musicals. He has a passion to raise up worship leaders and creatives of all types and see them thrive. In addition he owns a production company called Firelight Creative that focuses on creating musicals and films. He also travels extensively to lead worship and speak at events around the world.

Katie Davis Majors is the bestselling author of Our Faithful God, Kisses from Katie, Daring to Hope, and Safe All Along. She is the founder of Amazima Ministries, an organization that aims to empower people in Uganda through authentic relationships, education, community strengthening, vocational training, and spiritual discipleship. Katie, her husband, Benji, and their children currently live in Tennessee. Visit Katie at Katie Davis Majors.com

encouraging the hearts of women one word at a time

Laurie’s love for helping people heal from the impact of trauma. Laurie is full of life and full of passion for what’s important in her life which becomes obvious soon after you meet her. She loves people well and loves seeing the light come back on in the eyes of those who have lost it. In her free time, Laurie loves being a mom and a grandmom, and enjoys spending time with good friends!

Lisa Bevere has spent over four decades empowering women of all ages to find their identity and purpose. She is a New York Times bestselling author and an internationally known minister. Her books, which include The Fight for Female, Without Rival, Girls with Swords, Lioness Arising, and Strong are in the hands of millions worldwide. Lisa and her husband, John, co-founded Messenger International, an organization committed to developing uncompromising followers of Christ who transform their world. Messenger International has given away over 60 million resources in over 130 languages.

Lisa Harper is an engaging, hilarious communicator as well as an authentic and substantive Bible teacher that many enjoy hearing in person, or on countless TV and radio platforms. She holds a Master of Theological Studies from Covenant Seminary, and a doctorate-in-progress at Denver Seminary. She’s been in vocational ministry for 30 years and has written 19 books and Bible study curricula but says her greatest accomplishment by far is becoming Missy’s (her adopted daughter from Haiti) mama! They live on a hilly farmette south of Nashville, Tenn., where they enjoy eating copious amounts of chips, queso and guacamole. Her latest devotional hit the shelves on September 19, 2023.

Based in the UK, Liz Wright is an international best-selling author, speaker, presenter of the TV show Encountering God with Liz Wright, host of the Charisma Podcast show Live Your Best Life with Liz Wright, and the CEO and Founder of the International Mentoring Community. Liz's life changed forever in 1995 with a physical visitation from Jesus Christ. Since that time, she has helped millions around the world to know the heart of God and experience His life-transforming love for themselves.

Lysa TerKeurst is the president and chief visionary officer of Proverbs 31 Ministries and the author of eight New York Times bestsellers, including “I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t”; “Good Boundaries and Goodbyes”; “Forgiving What You Can’t Forget”; and “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way”. Lysa is now remarried. She and her husband, Chaz, enjoy life with their blended family of 7 kids and a whole crew of really fun grandkids.

Melanie Boudreau is a passionate advocate for families and children with unique needs. A University of Texas graduate with highest honors in medical technology, she shifted from a health career to focus on parenting three children, including two with neuropsychiatric disorders. In 2018, she founded Relationship Restoration Strategies, a nonprofit supporting children with autism and their caregivers in underserved areas. Melanie also serves as a Team Director for Apostolic Intercessors Network, connecting intercessors globally. She enjoys outdoor adventures, her Hungarian puli dogs, and her growing family, including two grandchildren.

Melissa L. Johnson is a licensed marriage and family therapist, spiritual director, and the founder of Impossible Beauty, a blog and podcast dedicated to redefining beauty as “the life of God at work in us and among us”. She also teaches a course on soul wellbeing at Bethel University. Melissa’s writing and podcast interviews seek to uncover what true beauty is, what it is not, and how we go about finding beauty in a broken world.

Nancy Carmichael is the Proprietor and Chief Misfit of the IsleofMisfits.com, a blogging and podcasting Oasis for self-proclaimed square pegs, far and wide. Through it, she hopes to build a community of people who own their awkward, love their fellow misfit and embrace beauty and truth in the weirdness of life. Aside from this, one of her main claims to fame is being merely 1 degree separated from Kevin Bacon, thanks to a friend who once played a stand-in for his leading lady in the 80’s classic “She’s Having a Baby”. As if it could get any better, Nancy is married to a man so good it took EHarmony to help her find him, and a daughter she will obnoxiously brag about if given even half a chance. She has spent her life communicating good news wherever in the world the door opens, through writing, singing, speaking, coaching, counseling and advocating for those whom society often overlooks.

Olivia Eldredge has been with NavPress since 2018. She serves as the editor for The Message Bible, focusing on the development and editing resources for the Message line. Olivia has a BA in Communications, with minors in Music and Theology, from Whitworth University. Her vocational passion is helping readers come to the Scriptures in a fresh way so they can be met by God in their honest wrestling. Originally from Washington state, she now lives in Colorado with her husband and son.

Rebekah Lovell is an author, speaker, and homeschool mom of two wild and noble boys. She has been married to John for 18 years, and they live on a homestead in northwest Georgia. Homeschooling for a decade, she’s passionate about the power of family culture and helping boys thrive by giving them what they need and understanding their wiring: noble purpose and adventure. Rebekah is the founder of The Outdoor Reading Club, an initiative to get kids reading and spending more time outside, helping children and families spend memorable time together and in great books. Boyhood Resurrected: Igniting a Revival of Daring and Heroic Boys is her first book.

Sara Hagerty is a bestselling author and Jesus follower. She has written four books, including her most recent release, The Gift of Limitations: Finding Beauty in Your Boundaries (March 2024). Despite laundry baskets overflowing and unending “to do” lists, Sara still squeezes in her early morning runs, walks through the woods next to her house with the children of hers still little enough to collect acorns, and reading pages and paragraphs of books in the middle minutes. She lives in Missouri with her husband Nate and seven chil- dren.

Stacey Burton has been a grateful part of the Wild at Heart team for over 15 years wearing many hats, including the Producer of Stasi Eldredge’s Captivated podcast and the Director of Women's Ministries. Stacey is continually learning what it means to fully rest in God’s grace and provision, enjoying nothing more than meeting with him in the boundless, quiet beauty of the outdoors.

The intro and outro music for the Captivated podcast is composed by Tim and Laurie Thornton, who have a passion to empower God’s people as they seek the kingdom and live into their destiny as a worshiping family that makes disciples and extends the dominion of God wherever they go.

Toni Collier is the founder of a global women’s organization called Broken Crayons Still Color and helps women process through brokenness and get to healing and hope. Toni is a speaker, host of the Still Coloring podcast, and author of several books: Don't Try This Alone, Brave Enough to be Broken, and a children's book, Broken Crayons Still Color. Toni is teaching people all over the globe that you can be broken and still worthy, or feel unqualified and still be called to do great things.