Echos of Impact

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of infidelity, substance abuse, and marital conflict. Please listen with discretion. In this powerful episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with Erika Taphorn, a photographer, wife, and mom of five from central Illinois, to share her raw and redemptive story of marriage restoration. Erika opens up about her journey—from becoming a teen mom at 19, to moving her family to Hawaii in obedience to God's call, to walking through a painful wilderness season that nearly ended her marriage. Through separation, infidelity, addiction, and heartbreak, Erika experienced God's presence in ways that can only be described as miraculous. Her testimony reminds us that even when the foundation of our lives feels shattered, God can rebuild, restore, and redeem in His timing. What We Cover: Erika's unexpected beginning as a teen mom and the way motherhood drew her closer to Jesus The adventure of moving her family to Hawaii—and the lessons God taught them there The wilderness season that brought addiction, infidelity, and near-divorce to the surface How prayer, community, and total surrender became lifelines in the darkest moments The miracle of God stepping in "at the 11th hour" to restore her marriage Key Quotes: "I'm not going to fight with you in person—I'm going to fight for us in prayer." "If God could step in then and change his heart, how much more can I trust Him with the little things?" Connect with Erika: 🌐 erikataphorn.com (blog coming soon) 📸 Instagram: @thetaphorns | @erikataphornphoto Join the Conversation: How has God met you in your own wilderness seasons? Share your story with us on Instagram or in our Facebook group! ✨ Follow us on Instagram: Podcast Instagram | Life Coaching Instagram ✨ Join our Facebook Group: Echos of Impact Community Take the Next Step: 🌟 Interested in joining The Woman's Success Code? Discover how you can grow in faith, purpose, and community. Learn more here. 🌟 Ready for a fresh start? Schedule your complimentary Life Audit with Briana. Final Notes: If this episode encouraged you, don't forget to follow and leave a review. Your support helps us share more stories of God's power to restore and redeem. Until next week, friends! 💛

In this heartfelt conversation, Cherise and Briana sit down with Michelle McMahon—follower of Jesus, wife, girl mom, former pastor, and trauma-trained therapist—to unpack how curiosity (not control) opens the door to connection, clarity, and healing. Michelle shares how God restored what was lost in her childhood story and how that redemption now shapes her calling as a counselor for couples and individuals walking through betrayal trauma and restoration. What We Cover Purpose & Identity: Why living your purpose starts with knowing who and whose you are. Curiosity vs. Control: How curiosity draws people closer—in marriage, parenting, church, and community. "Slower is faster": Practical ways to slow down so you can truly listen, regulate emotions, and heal. Marriage Tools: The Pain & Peace Cycle (Restoration Therapy) and how to move from reaction to repair. Faith & Questions: Why it's safe—and Christ-like—to bring your questions to Jesus. Key Quotes "Control disconnects you from others. Curiosity draws them closer." "Slower is faster—when we slow down, we move toward deeper healing." "Jesus was asked 183 questions and only answered 4 directly. If that's how He lived, that's how I want to live." Connect with Michelle Counseling (In-Person or Telehealth): Michelle McMahon, PLPC — michelle@kcrecoverypartners.com | kcrecoverypartners.com | Work: 816-945-4208 Practice: BrianJames Therapy (Christian practice with multiple cost points) Pastoral Care Groups: ChurchWellCo Speaker One-Sheet / Bio: Google Drive Resources & Books Mentioned Curious: The Unexpected Power of a Question-Led Life by Tom Hughes — Amazon The Cost of Control: Why We Crave It, the Anxiety It Gives Us, and the Real Power God Promises by Sharon Hodde Miller — Amazon Join the Conversation How is God inviting you to slow down and stay curious this week? Share with us on Instagram or in our Facebook group! Podcast Instagram: Echos of Impact Life Coaching Instagram: The Woman's Success Code Facebook: Echos of Impact Community Take the Next Step Interested in joining The Woman's Success Code? Learn more here Ready for a fresh start? Schedule your complimentary Life Audit with Briana If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow and leave a review. Your support helps us continue sharing inspiring stories like Michelle's. Until next week, friends! 💛

In this season-opening conversation of Echos of Impact, Cherise and Briana invite you behind the curtain—what God's been teaching us lately, how testimony shapes us, and why "slow is fast" can change the way we show up at home. We talk about setting the "temperature" of our homes with peace and intention, letting the Holy Spirit lead our pace, and why learning through people's stories is often a softer, deeply transformational way to grow in faith. Together, we reflect on favorite themes from last season—friendship, forgiveness, miracles, holding grief and hope—and how those stories continue to form us. We also share what's coming this season (newsletter + landing page!) and how you can speak into future topics and guests. What We Cover Season 3 kickoff: gratitude for our community and the heart behind the podcast Slow is fast: why God keeps inviting us to slow down—and how that practically changes our days Setting the temperature at home: choosing peace, compassion, and intention (even when everyone's tired) Testimony as a softer teacher: how God uses other people's stories to shape our own Friendship, forgiveness, and miracles: themes we're still carrying forward Daily tethers to Jesus: quiet time, breath prayers, and small lifelines throughout the day Community invitation: topics you want us to cover and guests you want us to meet Key Quotes "Go slow and take the temperature. Be aware of what you're bringing into the room." "Slow is fast—God often does deeper work at a slower pace." "A wise woman builds her home… and often that looks like setting the tone with peace." "Testimony teaches—it's a softer way to learn about God's heart." "We're not promised an easy outcome, but we are promised His presence." Join the Conversation What helps you slow down and set a peaceful tone in your home? Tell us on Instagram or inside the Facebook group—we'd love to hear what's working for you. Connect with Us Follow on Instagram: Podcast — https://www.instagram.com/echos_of_impact/ Follow on Instagram: Life Coaching — https://www.instagram.com/thewomanssuccesscode/ Join our Facebook Group: Echos of Impact Community — https://www.facebook.com/groups/echosofimpact Take the Next Step Interested in joining The Woman's Success Code? Learn more: https://echosofimpact.vipmembervault.com/home Ready for a fresh start? Schedule your complimentary Life Audit with Briana: https://calendly.com/echosofimpact/complimentary-life-audit?month=2024-12 Final Notes If this episode encouraged you, follow and leave a review. Your support helps us keep sharing stories that point to Jesus and strengthen everyday faith. Until next week, friends! 💛

In this inspiring episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with Andrea Hill—a wife, mom of four, nurse, entrepreneur, and founder of Mission 212 Foundation—to hear her powerful story of finding God's peace in the midst of unimaginable trials. Andrea and her husband, Austin, walked through years of uncertainty after he was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer. What began as a terrifying prognosis has now become a testimony of God's faithfulness, healing, and purpose. Out of their journey, Andrea and Austin founded the Mission 212 Foundation, an organization that comes alongside fathers with cancer and their families to bring hope, support, and unforgettable memories in the middle of hardship. Andrea shares how her daily practice of gratitude, reliance on faith, and willingness to ask for help carried her through seasons of exhaustion, caregiving, and grief. She reminds us that even in the darkest caves, God's light still shines through—and that we're never meant to walk these storms alone. What We Cover: Andrea's childhood and family roots in Iowa The shock of her husband's stage 4 stomach cancer diagnosis with three young kids and a newborn at home How gratitude journaling became her lifeline in suffering The birth of Mission 212 Foundation and its unique mission to support fathers with cancer and their families Marriage, caregiving, and learning to ask for help in times of weakness What it means to let God's light in during dark seasons and to live with bold faith and gratitude Key Quotes: "Gratitude has carried me through every storm. Even on my husband's sickest days, I chose to thank God for the smallest things—and it changed everything." "I want to bring light into people's dark caves, because God's presence is always there, even when we can't see it." Connect with Andrea Hill: 🌐 Mission 212 Foundation 📸 Attack Sports Performance on Instagram 📖 Mission 212 on Facebook 🛍️ Andrea's Shaklee Wellness Storefront Join the Conversation: Where have you seen God's light in your own storm? Share with us on Instagram or in our Facebook group—we'd love to hear your story! Follow us on Instagram: Podcast Instagram | Life Coaching Instagram Join our Facebook Group: Echos of Impact Community Take the Next Step: Interested in joining The Woman's Success Code? Discover how you can grow in faith, purpose, and community. Learn more here. Ready for a fresh start? Schedule your complimentary Life Audit with Briana today. Final Notes: If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow and leave a review. Your support helps us continue to share inspiring stories like Andrea's. Until next week, friends! 💛

In this heartfelt episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down for another real and raw conversation about friendship—the beauty, the wounds, and the longing we all carry for meaningful connection. After hearing powerful feedback from listeners on their last friendship episode, Briana and Cherise return to unpack what friendship really looks like through a Christian lens. Together, they explore how past hurts can create walls, how different friendships serve different roles, and why seeing Jesus as our first and most faithful friend changes everything. They remind us that friendship doesn't always have to look like hours-long coffee dates or constant check-ins. Instead, it can be woven into the rhythms of everyday life—voice messages, walks, folding laundry side-by-side, or simply a text that says, "I thought of you today." But the most important truth they circle back to is this: friendship begins with Jesus. When we learn to see Him as our closest friend, we stop demanding perfection from others and instead begin loving them with grace, freedom, and joy. What We Cover: Why friendship wounds impact how we approach new relationships How to release pressure and embrace small, meaningful ways of connecting The importance of setting boundaries while still loving like Jesus Seeing Jesus as your best friend—and what that practically looks like Modeling healthy friendships for our kids and communities Key Quotes: "Every person carries friendship wounds, but we also all carry a longing to be seen and loved." "Not every friend has to be your everything. Let each friendship be what it is." "Jesus shows us how to love people well—even when the relationship isn't perfectly mutual." "Start with yourself. Learn how Jesus loves you, and let everything else flow from there." Join the Conversation: Do you see Jesus as your friend? How has that shaped the way you show up in friendships with others? We'd love to hear your thoughts on Instagram or in our Facebook community! Follow Along: Podcast Instagram: @echos_of_impact Life Coaching Instagram: @thewomanssuccesscode Join our Facebook Group: Echos of Impact Community Take the Next Step: Interested in joining The Woman's Success Code? Learn more here! Ready for a fresh start? Schedule your complimentary Life Audit with Briana today. If this episode encouraged you, don't forget to follow and leave a review. Your support helps us continue sharing inspiring conversations that point back to God's love. 💛

In this wisdom-packed episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with Leigh-Ann Campbell — wife, mom of five, women's ministry leader, and truth-teller with a heart for building strong families and authentic communities. Raised in New England and planted in the Midwest for the past 26 years, Leigh-Ann married her husband Troy in 1999 and has worn nearly every kind of "mama" title — foster, adoptive, biological, and fur mom. This past year alone, her forever kids have spanned grad school, college, high school, middle school, and elementary. She holds a BA in Biblical Studies with a minor in Sign Language Interpretation and works alongside private families—helping manage life's chaos and walking children through difficult seasons. Eighteen years ago, Leigh-Ann and Troy planted New Life CityChurch in the heart of downtown Kansas City — the first church plant in the area in 50 years, according to The Kansas City Star. She now leads the women's ministry there with a unique blend of grit, grounded wisdom, and feisty humor. Her heart beats for the unseen moments—serving behind the scenes, responding to emergent needs, and being faithfully present wherever God places her. Watch by Chapter: 0:00 – Introduction 2:15 – Parenting through trauma and helping kids thrive in different schooling environments 7:42 – Creating daily habits for spiritual growth 12:10 – The value of diversity in community and how "differences demand context" 18:30 – Balancing grace and boundaries when kids or church members act out 25:45 – Navigating the harder sides of ministry without losing a soft heart 33:02 – Casting long-term vision in marriage and family life 40:21 – Practical ways to serve faithfully in the unseen moments Key Quotes: "Differences demand context. Once you know someone's story, grace comes a lot easier." "Without vision, people perish. Look ahead, and then make sure your daily decisions match where God is leading you." Connect with Leigh-Ann: 🌐 New Life CityChurch 🌐 New Life Women's Ministry 📸 Instagram: @leighannc5 📘 Facebook: Leigh-Ann Campbell Join the Conversation: 💬 What daily disciplines have helped you grow in your faith and family life? Comment below — we'd love to hear from you! Follow & Connect: 📸 Podcast Instagram 📸 Life Coaching Instagram 👥 Join our Facebook Group Take the Next Step: 🌟 Learn about The Woman's Success Code 📅 Schedule your complimentary Life Audit with Briana If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, and share it with a friend! Your support helps us keep bringing powerful, hope-filled stories to the world. 💛 #parentingteens #christianparenting #ministrylife #traumainformed #faithathome #raisingkids #discipleship #echosofimpact

In this inspiring episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down with Cassie Ferren, co-lead pastor of Midtown Church in Kansas City, foster mom, mentor, and advocate for women in ministry. Cassie's story is a powerful testimony of surrender, obedience, and what it looks like to follow God when the path ahead is anything but clear. Cassie shares how growing up in a family that planted churches during race riots shaped her love for Jesus and her desire to serve others. From launching a church in the middle of a pandemic to fostering a child while navigating infertility, Cassie's life is a reflection of choosing faith over fear—and trusting God with your family, your future, and your calling. 🔍 What We Cover: Cassie's journey growing up in inner-city ministry in Cincinnati Church planting during the pandemic—and how God showed up What it means to live as a "slave of Christ" (Philippians 2) The heartache and holiness of foster parenting Her story of infertility and God's miraculous timing How she and her husband co-lead a church while protecting their marriage Rhythms of faith, rest, and being present over performance Her passion for mentoring young women in ministry and co-leading Women Ministers KC ✨ Key Quotes: 🟡 "I want to be a slave of Christ—to look like Him in every realm of my life." 🟡 "You're going to have to learn a lesson most parents don't until college: your kids were never yours to begin with." 🟡 "God said, 'I'm going to plant this church. You just have to have the faith and courage to follow Me.'" 🟡 "Even if I only loved her for a year, she was worth it." 🙌 Connect with Cassie Ferren: 🌐 Website: midtownkc.church 📧 Email: cassie@midtownkc.church 📸 Instagram: @cassie.ferren, @midtownkc.church 📘 Facebook: Midtown KC Church 👩‍💼 Women Ministers KC: wmkc 🌍 NewThing Network: newthingkc.org 💬 Join the Conversation: How has God met you in a season of surrender? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or in our Facebook group! 📲 Follow us on Instagram: Podcast Instagram | Life Coaching Instagram 👥 Join our Facebook Group: Echos of Impact Community ✨ Take the Next Step: Interested in joining The Woman's Success Code? Learn more here! Ready for a fresh start? Schedule your complimentary Life Audit with Briana 🎧 Final Notes: If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow and leave a review. Your support helps us continue to share powerful stories like Cassie's. Until next week, friends! 💛

In this deeply moving episode of Echos of Impact, Briana sits down with Rebekah Albaugh, an internationally published wedding photographer, co-founder of The Reset Conference, and host of the Honest to Goodness Podcast. Rebekah shares her powerful testimony of walking through profound grief—losing her father, her mother, three miscarriages, and most recently, her two-month-old granddaughter—while holding tightly to the truth of who God is. Through heartache and seasons of waiting, Rebekah has learned that her purpose isn't rooted in productivity or perfection, but in daily dependence on God. Drawing from Acts 17 and the story of manna in the wilderness, Rebekah reminds us that we were created to seek God, know Him, and find Him—day by day, moment by moment. This conversation is an invitation to trust God with your pain, to surrender your questions, and to press into the daily bread that sustains us, even in the darkest valleys. What We Cover: Rebekah's story of loss, surrender, and legacy The power of worship in the middle of suffering The truth about peace that surpasses understanding Why we can't rely on yesterday's manna for today's strength How grief and joy can coexist when rooted in God's presence Key Quotes: "We need to go to Him every day. If you're not feeding on the Bread of Life, you will consume something else." "I can't take credit for the peace I've experienced—it's the kind that only comes from knowing Him in the fire." Connect with Rebekah Albaugh: 🌐 Website: rebekahalbaugh.com 🎙 Podcast: Honest to Goodness 📸 Instagram: @rebekah.albaugh.photographer | @rebekah.albaugh.seniors | @honesttogoodnesspodcast 📘 Facebook: Rebekah Albaugh Photographer 📹 TikTok: @rebekah.albaugh Join the Conversation: How are you learning to trust God with your daily bread? Share with us on Instagram or in our Facebook group! 📲 Follow us on Instagram: Echos of Impact Podcast Life Coaching with Briana 👭 Join our Facebook Community: Echos of Impact Community Take the Next Step: Ready to grow in purpose and faith? 🌟 Learn more about The Woman's Success Code: Click here 📅 Schedule your complimentary Life Audit with Briana: Book here Final Notes: If this episode spoke to your heart, we'd be so grateful if you'd follow, leave a review, and share with a friend. Your support helps us continue sharing these sacred and powerful stories like Rebekah's. Until next week, friends! 💛

In this honest and heartfelt episode of Echos of Impact, Briana and Cherise sit down to talk about something we all wrestle with at some point—friendship. From seasons of loneliness to shifting relationships, adult friendship can feel tender, confusing, and even painful. Briana and Cherise share vulnerably about what they've learned (and are still learning) when it comes to letting go, going deeper, and showing up with grace. This episode is for anyone who's felt like friendship in adulthood is more complicated than expected—and for those craving deeper, healthier connection rooted in faith. Together, they unpack what it means to be a safe friend, how to heal from unmet expectations, and why identity in Christ is key to building lasting relationships. What We Cover: 💬 Seasons of loneliness and friendship breakups 🧠 The stories we create—and why assumptions matter 🙏 How spiritual health shapes relational health 🤝 How to love others without losing yourself 🌱 The "bathtub / hot tub / pool" analogy of friendship capacity 💛 When God removes relationships as part of His mercy Key Quotes: "Watch your assumptions. The stories we create often hurt us more than the truth ever could." "You can't show up well in a friendship if you're not rooted in who you are in Christ." Connect With Us: Follow us on Instagram: @echos_of_impact Join the Facebook group: Echos of Impact Community Take the Next Step: 💛 Learn more about The Woman's Success Code: https://echosofimpact.vipmembervault.com/home 🎯 Schedule your complimentary Life Audit with Briana: https://calendly.com/echosofimpact/complimentary-life-audit?month=2024-12 If this episode encouraged you, please follow and leave a review. Your support helps us keep sharing real, purpose-filled stories like this one. Until next time, friends. 💛

In this powerful episode of Echos of Impact, Cherise sits down with Rebekah Hoover—midwife, mama of six, and one of Cherise's dearest friends—to talk about purpose, surrender, and trusting God through the unexpected. Rebekah was Cherise's doula when she gave birth to her daughter Ellie, and her steady presence during that faith-stretching moment left a lasting mark. Since then, Rebekah has walked through her own journey of faith and obedience, from becoming a mom to four biological children, to adopting twice—once through a local agency and once through embryo adoption. Now a certified midwife at Glory Birth, she shares openly about the highs and lows of following God's lead, even when the road is filled with waiting and detours. Rebekah's story is a beautiful example of how God uses every part of our journey—even the pain—for a greater purpose. What We Cover: Rebekah's journey from doula to midwife and how her calling unfolded in God's timing What embryo adoption is, and why her family chose to pursue it Navigating loss and healing after miscarriage and honoring the lives of every embryo The power of surrender and trusting God when plans don't go the way you imagined The unique role of a midwife and how it differs from a doula Why honoring women emotionally and spiritually in birth matters Encouragement for women who feel stuck in the unknown or overwhelmed in the waiting Key Themes: Active faith in the waiting (Isaiah 40:31) Trusting God's timing vs. our own Honoring life in every stage—from womb to heaven Finding purpose in the parts of your story you didn't plan Key Quotes: "Even if we can't see it yet, God is still writing the story—and He doesn't waste anything." "You can feel both joy and pain at the same time—and both are valid." Connect with Rebekah Hoover: Website: Glory Birth Follow on Instagram: @glorybirthkc Connect on Facebook: Glory Birth KC Join the Conversation: Have you ever experienced God shifting your plans in a surprising way? Share your story with us on Instagram or in the Facebook group! Follow us on Instagram: Podcast Instagram | Life Coaching Instagram Join our Facebook Group: Echos of Impact Community Take the Next Step: Interested in joining The Woman's Success Code? Discover how you can grow in faith, purpose, and community. Learn more here! Ready for a fresh start? Schedule your complimentary Life Audit with Briana today. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow and leave a review. Your support helps us continue to share inspiring stories like Rebekah's. Until next week, friends! 💛