Episodes

The first time I met Melanie I knew I wanted to know her better. Her love for Jesus is infectious! She is a communicator, an author and shares her faith with everyone who will listen! She hails from Puerto Rico and uses her bilingual capabilities in many ways; including, publishing a second children’s book called, “My Super Dog”. Melanie shares her story of coming to know Jesus and how God continues to open doors for her to share her faith. You’ll be encouraged and inspired to use YOUR gifts and...

I can’t wait for you to meet “Your Parenting BFF”, Patti Reed! Patti is a believer, wife, mom of two young adults, an author and a Certified Coach in Conversational Intelligence. If you are parenting teens or young adults (and you have wished that age came with a manual!), you will appreciate hearing Patti’s tips on how to have more meaningful conversations with your young adults, parenting by faith and not fear, and so much more! Show Notes: Contact Patti by email: patti@pattireed.net Websi...

Join Denise Harper for a bit of encouragement as she shares about planning and dreaming, praying and listening. She’ll share her "word for the year" and a devotion (about how God speaks to her) from her new book! This episode is meant to inspire you to pray and dream about what you’d love to see God write through your story in this new year and how to listen for His next step for you. So, grab a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy a little sip from the mug with Denise on this episode! Show Notes C...

Love the song \"Goodness of God\"?! You\'ll love this bonus episode of Over The Rims of Mugs with singer, songwriter, worship pastor Jenn Johnson. Jenn shared with me what inspired her to write that song. She also has a brand new book, \"All Things Lovely\", and we talk about why she wrote it and how it will help us live holy lives marked by beauty and truth. The beautifully illustrated \"All Things Lovely\" is the newest offering from well-loved worship leader Jenn Johnson. It\'s available eve...

The first time I met Brianna Evans, I was actually a guest on HER podcast! Instantly, I felt a heart connection with Brianna, and while she was the one asking all the questions that day, I wanted to turn the mic around and get to know her better! Brianna is a Jesus girl, wife, mom, and fellow podcaster. She says her podcast, “Jesus Take The Mic”, is ‘for the faith-filled and the figuring-it-out’… and don’t we all fit in there somewhere?!! I love that she’s curious, and she’s passionate about Je...

If you, or someone you love, struggles with depression and no matter what you do, there always seems to be a cloud hanging over you, this podcast may encourage you that there IS hope and help! My guest on this episode, Theresa Fiege, has dealt with clinical depression for a very long time. Theresa shares how she learned to cope and live life on the ‘up’ side thanks to God, a good therapist and medication. I asked Theresa to share what’s helped her in our show notes and she wrote this note to hel...

If feeling invisible is a familiar feeling to you or you find yourself struggling to gain others’ approval, this podcast is for you! Tracy went through a breakup that left her chasing her worth in things that would leave her feeling unvalued and unfulfilled, leading to an eating disorder. Her message today: You don’t have to keep looking outside your relationship with God for what He longs to give you! True security comes from HIM, not them. Tracy Harper is a speaker, teacher, and writer with o...

Every girl likes the BONUS at the make-up counter! How about the words “GIFT with purchase”?! Well, THIS episode is a bonus gift and you don’t even have to purchase anything!! Recording Artist Hope Darst is incredibly gifted and genuinely kind, expressive, and conversational. At one point, I wasn’t sure if she was the guest or the interviewer! You will enjoy every minute of our time with Hope! Be sure to share it with that friend that comes to mind while you\'re listening! She\'ll be glad you d...

You may think that sex trafficking only happens in third-world countries. It certainly doesn't happen here! The truth is, human trafficking is happening right here in our local communities. It’s heartbreaking. It’s ugly. And it’s hard to imagine what we could do to make a difference. Yolanda answered the call God placed on her life to do something about it. That’s how Zoe Ministries was birthed. Answering the call. This story may not be suitable for younger ones to hear (in case you’re listenin...

Mandi shared her story with us several years ago (Episode 19). It was one of the first times she had publicly revealed her heartbreaking story of being trafficked from a very young age and how her life had continued to spiral out of control until she found Jesus. Courageous to step forward and speak out, God has opened one door after the other to give her a platform for her bravery and boldness to help others find help, hope and healing. This part of her story - what God has done through her in...

If you saw the production of NOAH at Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA, you probably saw Karen Knight on stage in her role as “Mrs. Noah”! Growing up in a military family meant that Karen traveled a LOT. Despite her lack of ‘roots’ in the physical, Karen is deeply rooted in God! She tells her story with quiet confidence that God has directed her path and opened the doors as He has led her to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through speaking and song. She is a gifted storyteller and in thi...

You know the adage "what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger"? There are four very important words left off of that statement… "IF YOU SO CHOOSE!". Beth Fritzeen shares her journey of heartbreak and healing after going through some hard losses. How do you find courage to do the hard things? How do you survive, and more importantly, THRIVE when you find yourself struggling with injustice? Beth’s story will encourage you to embrace the presence of God’s goodness in your life and inspire you to fin...

Cadie Fagg is a beautiful, vibrant young woman who has discovered why she’s here and is living in the intersection of her faith, passion and purpose! The road to get here has not been easy. In fact, she ended up in multiple situations and places that could have ended very badly. But God! He rescued Cadie and she sat down recently with Denise Harper to tell her story. This is one you will, no doubt, want to share with someone once you’ve heard it. God is still changing hearts and lives today and...

The song lyrics and their delivery grabbed my heart immediately. “Redeem this wreckage. Restore my peace. Oh God, I’m desperate…down on my knees…”. I think most of us have found ourselves at the point of sheer desperation at least once. Denise sat down with Capitol CMG recording artist, Jamie MacDonald, recently as Jamie shared her story and her life altering encounter with God. Stories that include church camp, Africa, prison and sardines?!! Plus, if you keep replaying the unkind words of othe...

What do you do when you cannot get your 3-year-old to stop saying ‘shut up’? If you’ve parented a toddler you know the struggle!! How do you answer God’s invitation to rest when your schedule is busier than it seems possible? Ellie Holcomb’s storytelling skills and revelations about what God is teaching her are delightfully honest and will encourage you to respond to the invitation to exchange your heavy burdens and weariness for the kind of rest that resonates into your soul and spirit. Matth...

Have you ever considered all the things that had to align for you to be where you are today? This episode is a little different because I am both host AND guest. Today, you’ll get to know some of MY story. You’ll hear how God orchestrated big things and little things to bring me to the space that I am in now. When I think about His handiwork, I am especially grateful that God is in control! My hope is that you’ll take a little time to consider how God has been at work in YOUR life. Be encourag...

Where is YOUR mission field? What if it’s right where you live and work? Meet store owner, Dana Peccon, who owns and operates a beautiful store just off Rehoboth Beach, DE. Dana, and her husband, Kevin, offer beautiful home decor, gifts and gorgeous jewelry at their store but more than that, Dana exudes the peace and joy of Jesus! You’ll learn how “Beaches ~ The Green Truck Shop” came to be and how God brought Dana to Delaware, and more specifically, to Rehoboth Beach to share the Gospel with a...

The loss of a child is very isolating. It can make you feel alone in a world that no longer understands you. Carrie Robinson is back with me on this episode and shares truths and tools that have helped her in the grieving journey. She has a new little love in her life and you can hear it in her voice! Carrie was my very first podcast guest of Season 1 Episode 1 in January 2021 and I’m so glad she is back to share about the faithfulness of our God in her story! Show Notes: Carrie Robinson Face...

Elizabeth started hearing God speak to her heart at a very young age... before she even really knew Him. In this episode of Over The Rims of Mugs, Elizabeth shares her story of meeting God, growing into the calling He placed on her life, and the rich sweetness of living every day listening for His voice, writing it down, and walking it out. Show Notes: Elizabeth Boerner, Publisher Perfect Misfits LLC https://www.facebook.com/Perfectmisfits.de/ Email: PerfectMisfits.de@gmail.com Phone: 302.3...

Riley Clemmons, the recording artist, is a favorite to many, with more than half a billion global music streams. She brought us “Fighting For Me” and “Loved By You,” and with much more to come, Riley took a break and sat with Denise to share some of her journey. How did she know she was called to this career? What’s it like to be a young artist with such a large platform? Musical influences? How does an aspiring artist grow their craft, music base, and circle of influence? What do you do when ...

If you are in need of a miracle and your faith is running low - you need to hear her story. If you want to be inspired to look for God and opportunities to serve Him - you’ll be so glad you listened to her story! She… is Dr. Alisha Broughton…and she is a walking, talking, full of hope and joy testimony of how the hand of God can save our soul, heal our hurts and shape our life. Don’t just stop at listening to this episode! Think about who needs a good dose of hope and encouragement and share thi...

Are you a “people-pleaser”? Are you trying to balance serving everyone else and where to draw the line in caring for yourself? Sara Lewis is an author, speaker, former college writing instructor, and host of the Writer’s Courtyard for National Community Church in Washington, DC. Denise and Sara dive headfirst into what PURPOSEFUL People Pleasing could possibly mean in this episode and this conversation will help change your perspective about what it really means to be one! SHOW NOTES: Contact...

Do you find yourself giving God your leftovers? Have you discovered your purpose and God’s plan for ministry throughout your life? How do you do that? Mandy Stofer is back in this episode and her story continues of how God opened new doors and carried her through a major health scare. Mandy shares candidly about her divorce and how God wrote a sequel that only He could orchestrate. If you or someone you know is struggling with finding purpose, learning from difficult seasons, or being open to t...

If you’ve been to any event that The Bridge has been part of over the past few years, you have likely met her. In fact, if you have met her, you have probably been hugged by her! Mandy Stofer is a fierce friend who loves Jesus deeply and loves people well. If you’ve ever felt invisible, struggled as a single parent, or prayed a prayer expecting God to answer in a specific way, then watched Him do the unexpected, Mandy’s story will encourage you. She’s the girl who grew up in a town too big for...