By Words: Honest Faith Talks to Encourage Everyday Christian Women

This one is bittersweet. The past five years of honest conversations have meant so much to me. By Words and the community we’ve built together have grown me in beautiful ways I never expected… Which is why saying goodbye (for a little while) feels so hard.
I’ve made the difficult decision to leave this podcast on the altar and create space in my life to rest, heal, and pursue some other things God has put on my heart during this season. I know good things are coming and I can’t wait to share them with you when the time comes.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for listening. I’ll see you soon, and until then, remember: I’m cheering you on!

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Friendship is hard sometimes. Making friends can feel awkward, and keeping them can be a challenge in some seasons.
That’s why I’ve invited my friend Bailey Hurley on the podcast today for an honest conversation about loneliness, friendship, and what it looks like to cultivate meaningful relationships as adults. We talk about why so many women feel disconnected despite being more connected than ever, the barriers that often keep us stuck in surface-level relationships, and how we can take intentional steps toward building friendships that are rooted, life-giving, and lasting.
Bailey shares practical wisdom for women who want deeper friendships but don't know where to begin, as well as encouragement for those who feel weary from always being the one to reach out. We also discuss how friendship, like anything worth growing, requires patience, intentionality, and trust in the process.
If you've been feeling lonely, unseen, or discouraged in your friendships, I hope this conversation reminds you that you're not the only one. Friendship isn't something we master overnight. It's cultivated slowly, season by season, one intentional step at a time.
Wherever you find yourself today, I pray this conversation encourages you to keep showing up. The relationships you're hoping for may be growing roots you can't see yet.

To connect with Bailey, head over to https://baileythurley.com or @bailey.t.hurley on IG!
Get The Friendship Devotional here: https://amzn.to/48g9boQ 

My favorite Bible studies + devotionals - HANNAHHUGHES10  for 10% off: https://thedailygraceco.com?dt_id=300773 

CONNECT:
hello@thehannahhughes.com
https://www.instagram.com/thehannahhughes

Have you ever prayed and quietly wondered, “God, where are you?”
In this episode, I’m sitting down with author Dominique Young for an honest conversation about faith in hard seasons and what it looks like to bring our real pain to God instead of hiding it.
One of the things I loved most about Dominique’s book is the reminder that naming where we are isn’t something we do out of shame, it’s often the first step toward finding our way back.
We talk about:
what to do when God feels silent
how anxiety, grief, and disappointment can affect our faith
why honest faith matters more than pretending we’re okay
how to recognize God’s presence in hidden seasons
and how Scripture gives us permission to wrestle honestly with God

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
Friend, if you’re carrying questions, pain, or exhaustion into this season, I hope this episode reminds you that God is not afraid of your honesty (and He is closer than you think).

To connect with Dominique, head over to @dominiquenyoung on IG!
Get Dominique’s book: https://amzn.to/46KjKA2 

SUPPORT BY WORDS: https://buymeacoffee.com/bywords

My favorite Bible studies + devotionals - HANNAHHUGHES10  for 10% off: https://thedailygraceco.com?dt_id=300773 

CONNECT:
hello@thehannahhughes.com
https://www.instagram.com/thehannahhughes

In this episode, I’m joined by Bridgett Blood for an honest conversation about sexuality, purity culture, shame, and sacred desire.
For many women, conversations around purity were shaped more by fear, performance, and rigid rules than true wholeness and intimacy with God. In this episode, we explore what purity culture may have been trying to communicate, where the message became harmful, and how we can begin reclaiming a healthier, more honest understanding of sexuality and desire.
We talk about:
redefining purity beyond performance
how shame impacts our relationship with our bodies and desires
what “sacred desire” really means
and how healing and wholeness are still possible, no matter your story
Whether you’re processing past church experiences, wrestling with shame, or simply longing for a more life-giving conversation around sexuality, this episode is an invitation into honesty, freedom, and hope.

To connect with Bridgett, head over to https://bridgettblood.com or @bridgettblood @datinganddesire on IG!
RECLAIM Cohort: https://bridgettblood.com/reclaim

SUPPORT BY WORDS: https://buymeacoffee.com/bywords

My favorite Bible studies + devotionals - HANNAHHUGHES10  for 10% off: https://thedailygraceco.com?dt_id=300773 

CONNECT:
hello@thehannahhughes.com
https://www.instagram.com/thehannahhughes

Mental health conversations are becoming more common in the Church, but topics like trauma, suicidal thoughts, and deep emotional pain can still feel difficult to talk about openly.
In this episode, I’m sitting down with one of my own pastors, Tomy Cummins, for an honest and hope-filled conversation about what it looks like to care for people like Jesus does. We talk about why suicide still feels taboo in many faith spaces, how the Church can become safer for people who are struggling, and why presence matters more than having perfect answers.
Tomy shares from both personal experience and pastoral ministry, offering practical encouragement for parents, pastors, ministry leaders, and everyday believers who want to support loved ones navigating anxiety, depression, trauma or despair, without rushing to fix or spiritualize their pain.
This episode is a reminder that you do not have to be an expert to show up well for someone hurting. Faithful, patient presence matters deeply.
In this episode:
Why suicide still feels difficult to discuss in Christian spaces
What it means to reflect Jesus as the Good Shepherd
How to sit with someone in crisis without trying to fix them
The difference between shepherding and rescuing
Encouragement for Christians supporting loved ones through mental health struggles
Why caring for your own soul matters too
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline -- Please reach out if you need help. You are not alone.

To connect with Tomy, head over to https://www.shepherdsofthemind.com or @shepherdsofthemind on IG!
Get Tomy’s book here: https://amzn.to/4unrwJf 

SUPPORT BY WORDS: https://buymeacoffee.com/bywords

My favorite Bible studies + devotionals - HANNAHHUGHES10  for 10% off: https://thedailygraceco.com?dt_id=300773 

CONNECT:
hello@thehannahhughes.com
https://www.instagram.com/thehannahhughes