Melanie Shankle is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and co-host of The Big Boo podcast. Known for blending humor with heartfelt honesty, Melanie has built a career on finding the holy in the everyday and inviting others to do the same.

Melanie opens up about her deeply complicated relationship with her mother and the ripple effects that shaped her own story. She shares how she had to confront her trauma head-on, not just to heal herself, but to become the steady, loving mother her daughter needed.

We also talk about walking with her daughter Caroline through the emotionally challenging times of high school, and what it looks like to parent with empathy.

The flu has officially taken down the entire Carpenter household, which means this week you’re blessed with the presence of youngest Chicola sister and Lorax fashion icon, Caroline. The topic of conversation? Food, food, and more food, followed by an interpretive children's book reading by Caroline. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Amy Duggar King is an author, entrepreneur, and television personality from TLC's 19 Kids and Counting. She grew up side-by-side with the Duggars, spent years inside the world the public only saw on TV, and has since become a bold advocate for healing, truth-telling, and breaking generational cycles.

We dive into Amy's book, Holy Disruptor, where she reveals the secrets, manipulation, and gaslighting she endured inside the Duggar world and in her own home. She talks honestly about being labeled “Crazy Cousin Amy,” the trauma she carried off-camera, and what it took to finally step into freedom.

Amy opens up about her relationship with her grandfather, an emotionally abusive father, and what life was really like on the show. She shares what it was like to live through the fallout of her cousin Josh’s scandals and arrest, the pressure to stay silent, and the cost of finally using her own voice.

Most powerfully, Amy shares how she has held onto Jesus through everything. How she rebuilt her faith after being hurt by Christians, and why disrupting deception can be a deeply holy act.

Scott is sick...yet again. Life in Panther Valley? A nightmare. Last week we lost power. This week we lost water. Thankfully, Scott's inner doomsday prepper finally pays off.

A mail truck spontaneously combusts, but don't worry...the mail was saved. Kaitlin becomes the unhinged soccer parent she always dumps on. Caroline's unconventional Halloween costumes.

Air traffic control to Major Tom. Emily receives a special gift. Matt and Scott bring down the vibes with terrible ways to die.

PHILADELPHIAAAAA

Niki Hardy is a writer and speaker, and if you’ve ever wrestled with doubt, disappointment, or the feeling that God didn’t show up in the way you hoped, this conversation is for you.

Niki has studyied at Oxford, moved from England to North Carolina to plant a church, lead mission trips, and authored multiple books including Breathe Again, One Minute Prayers for Women with Cancer, and her latest God, Can We Chat? But the deepest lessons she’s learned came from clinging to Jesus when everything seemed upside down.

We talk about why your doubts don’t have to be the executioner of your faith, and why deconstruction doesn’t have to lead to deconversion. Niki shares how God actually welcomes our honest questions, why we don’t have to pretend we’re “fine,” and what to do when you feel like God has failed you. She also teaches a simple framework for having real, honest conversations with God: how to CHAT with Him in a way that brings connection instead of shame.

You don’t have to have it all figured out to belong. God meets us in the questions.

Kaitlin's hairdresser declares her best hair to blowout. Emily discovers she is severly under-tipping her hairdresser. Kaitlin lives her best Halloween life, without the rest of her family. Scott manages to receive death threats and make lifelong friendships on Facebook Marketplace. A discussion on marital duty imbalance. Beef tallow may have the power to turn trees into seeds. Kaitlin believes she’s finally won a parenting battle...turns out there was a secret hero.

Jamie Erickson is an author, speaker, podcaster, and the voice behind The Unlikely Homeschool and Mom to Mom Podcast. Jamie joins us to talk about her brand-new book Overwhelmed Mom: Quiet the Chaos, Mind What Matters, and Enjoy Your Life Again.

We unpack the two types of moms our culture celebrates, how overwhelm can sometimes be a choice, and why the way we narrate our lives matters more than we think. Jamie shares how to actually live in the season you’re in, practical steps to feel less overwhelmed today, and how to rediscover joy right where you are.

If your brain feels like it consistently has 87 tabs open, this conversation is your permission to slow down, refocus, and breathe again.

Baby Norah makes her video podcast debut. The power of athlete’s foot (cream). The Nick Cannon saga continues. Introducing….Frantic-Fall-Kaitlin: she goes head-to-head with unhinged little league soccer parents; ruins a perfectly good game of frisbee golf; and barely survives a 20-minute power outage with Emily. And apparently, she was a “captain” of her softball team?

Caroline Shankle is an author, speaker, and student at Texas A&M University pursuing a Master’s degree in Agriculture. Her debut devotional, The Lion and the Bearl launches tomorrow (October 14th)! Written for teen girls, this 100-day guide helps readers face their giants with courage, faith, and perspective.

Caroline shares the story behind the book’s powerful message—how her dad would remind her, during friendship fallouts or heartbreak, that David fought lions and bears before he ever faced Goliath. Every hardship prepares you for what’s next, and Caroline’s words are an inspiring reminder that nothing we go through is wasted.

It’s an encouraging and heartfelt conversation about faith, purpose, and learning to see your current battles as the training ground for future victories.

It's a Chicola sisters episooooddeeeeeeee! Gilmore Girls. Sea creatures. National Daughter's Day. Prehistoric creatures. Jayce and Emerson's failed sleepover at Caroline's. Aliens. Emily's hair journey. More creatures. It's everything you would expect. 

Dr. Heather Thompson Day is a speaker, bestselling author, podcaster, and founder of It Is Day Ministries. Heather has spent nearly 15 years teaching communication and now equips churches and leaders with her gospel-centered approach to “Cross Communication”—pointing people higher, to the cross, every time they speak. You’ve probably seen her writing in outlets like Christianity Today, Newsweek, or even on the Today Show, and her latest podcast What If I’m Wrong? launched in the top 200 Christian podcasts.

In this conversation, Heather brings both wisdom and vulnerability as we unpack what it means to live with passion (the word literally means “to suffer”). She challenges us to see passion not as chasing applause, but as pursuing what we can’t help but do even when no one is clapping. Heather also opens up about navigating her faith through her father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and reminds us that our circumstances never determine God’s presence.

Are $1 homes in Italy worth it? "No turn on red” is the dumbest law. Matt strikes a nerve with Emily during a recent Target run. And how is it possible that Matt and Emily keep experiencing more fireworks near their homes than anyone else on the planet?

We talk about the ache of unfulfilled longing; how to want deeply without letting it consume you, and how to walk through waiting seasons without bitterness or despair. Rebecca also shares her own rhythms of trust, hope, and faith in the “not yet.”

It’s an honest, encouraging conversation for anyone who’s ever wondered if their chance has already passed, or if God is still at work in the waiting.

Kaitlin and Scott are over sending Christmas cards, while Emily and Matt may need to start. Holiday stress is beginning to creep in. We’ve got an update on Donald the Cat—the town legend who’s been missing for five years. Kaitlin has a mysterious leg twitch. Katilin and Scott make a regrettable mattress purchase. Then again, Scott regrets everything he buys.

Are $1 homes in Italy worth it? "No turn on red” is the dumbest law. Matt strikes a nerve with Emily during a recent Target run. And how is it possible that Matt and Emily keep experiencing more fireworks near their homes than anyone else on the planet?

We talk about the ache of unfulfilled longing; how to want deeply without letting it consume you, and how to walk through waiting seasons without bitterness or despair. Rebecca also shares her own rhythms of trust, hope, and faith in the “not yet.”

It’s an honest, encouraging conversation for anyone who’s ever wondered if their chance has already passed, or if God is still at work in the waiting.

Rebecca George is an author, speaker, coach, and founder of Radical Radiance, a podcast community equipping women to blend what they love with the Jesus who makes them shine. Rebecca’s newest book, You’re Not Too Late: Trusting God’s Timing in a Hurry Up World, tackles the struggles we all face with waiting, longing, and learning to trust God when His timeline doesn’t match ours.

We talk about the ache of unfulfilled longing; how to want deeply without letting it consume you, and how to walk through waiting seasons without bitterness or despair. Rebecca also shares her own rhythms of trust, hope, and faith in the “not yet.”

It’s an honest, encouraging conversation for anyone who’s ever wondered if their chance has already passed, or if God is still at work in the waiting.

200 episodes later and here we are...finally a video podcast! Because apparently hearing us just isn't enough. Massive, massive thank you to everyone who’s been along for the ride. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just stumbled in last week, you make this whole thing possible. Here’s to 200 more!

Scott and Kaitlin’s nephew, Connor, and his wife, Shelby, are in town all the way from Colorado and officially step in as this week’s honorary “C-Team.” (Of course the “C” stands for Colorado and Connor and Shelby.) Things kick off lighthearted with Connor’s confession about nearly drowning Kaitlin (accidentally… or so he claims) and a round of hard-hitting “would you rather” questions. Connor and Shelby also share openly about the miscarriage they experienced earlier this year and the hope and healing they’ve found in the midst of grief.

This week it’s just Kaitlin...no co-hosts, just Kaitlin doing what she does best for her first ever solo episode. Take a step inside her inner monologue as she processes life outloud. 

Kaitlin’s painfully slow highway driving has become a public safety hazard. Plus, she discovers she is completely unable to accurately tell a story without over-exaggerating the details. Scott reveals he doesn’t need to wash his face (like…never), we weigh in on the ethics of peeing in the shower, and Cousin Suzy encounters a tragically dark omen. Emily abandons Norah at the first whiff of danger, Emerson’s patriotism is dangerously blurring with her theology, and Jayce pays a visit to Dr. Barbie.

It’s an Elliott’s-only week, and things kick off a little spicy. Kaitlin is zero help with podcast setup and somehow believes she’s a better driver than Scott.

But most of this episode dives deeper into Kaitlin’s journey with her spiritual director and the practice of slow spirituality. It’s honest, vulnerable, and yes...there are tears.

Matt and Emily had quite the week. Norah got her first cold (all thanks to her father) which led to their first ever adventure in rectal thermometers. Plus, they go into full wildlife rescue mode when a bird gets trapped in their fireplace.

Kaitlin and Scott wrap up a week of VBS (Vacation Bible School), which was a total win. Shoutout to the army of volunteers that went above and beyond to make it such a good experience for all of the kiddos!

Scott’s physical appearance is thriving…glowing, even…possibly hotter than ever? Plus, we talk about the return of nostalgic '90s summer vibes. We also dive into the Shiny Happy People documentary and talk honestly about abusive church/institutional cultures.

Samantha Decker is a wife, mom of four, Bible teacher, and author of the new book Unhurried: An Invitation to Slow Down, Create Margin, and Surrender Control to God. Samantha’s on a mission to help us rediscover the sacred rhythms of rest, space, and spiritual stillness.

We explore why margin is essential. Samantha walks us through the power of solitude and how leaning into your spiritual gifts can help you press pause on the chaos. We discuss what it really means to surrender control to God, and she shares practical strategies for building a schedule that leaves room for grace.

If you've ever felt like your calendar is running your life, or wondered how to make quieter spaces in your soul, this one's for you.