Purpose Beyond Motherhood - Finding Your God-Given

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and we're beginning the month with prayer. If you've experienced miscarriage, pregnancy loss, infant loss, infertility, or you're carrying grief that feels especially heavy this month, this prayer is for you. Nicole prays for the woman who needs to be reminded that God sees exactly where she is, knows what she's carrying, and is present with her in her grief. Our prayer is that this month, even in the hard moments, you would notice His presence and find comfort in knowing you are deeply loved by Him. October 15 is the International Wave of Light, a day when families around the world remember babies who are loved and missed. Throughout October, Purpose Beyond Motherhood will be sharing weekly episodes with prayer and personal stories as we make space to remember, grieve, and turn our hearts toward Jesus. Learn more about Twelve 12 Ministries and our Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month resources at Twelve 12 Ministries. Episode Highlights  A prayer for women grieving miscarriage, pregnancy loss, and infant loss   Prayer for women walking through infertility and waiting   Finding comfort in God's presence   Remembering that God sees you in your grief   Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month   International Wave of Light Support + community Twice-a-month virtual support group  Twelve 12 Ministries Website Shop Instagram + Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org

We're bringing back one of our most-listened-to conversations on the Purpose Beyond Motherhood Podcast. Caitlin Estes, Certified FertilityCare Practitioner and founder of Woven Fertility, joins Nicole and Holly for an honest conversation about understanding your reproductive health, advocating for yourself, and exploring restorative approaches to fertility. Caitlin shares about the Creighton Method, NaProTechnology, whole-body health, and why understanding what is happening in your body matters, especially when you're walking through infertility. At the heart of the conversation is a reminder we still believe today: you deserve to understand your body, ask questions, and have a seat at the table when decisions are being made about your fertility. And since this conversation originally aired, Caitlin has continued this work in a new way with her book, Woven Well. We're excited to share more about the book and the resources Caitlin has created for women who want to better understand their bodies and fertility. In this episode:  Understanding the Creighton Method   What NaProTechnology is and how it approaches fertility   The connection between reproductive and whole-body health   Advocating for yourself in fertility care   Recognizing the complexity of the body God created   Finding options when traditional fertility care doesn't feel like the right fit  Resources: Woven Fertility Support + community Twice-a-month virtual support group  Twelve 12 Ministries Website Shop Instagram + Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org

What happens when you’ve prayed for healing, believed God could do it, and the answer doesn’t look anything like you hoped? In this episode of the Purpose Beyond Motherhood Podcast, Nicole and Holly sit down with Stephanie Daniels for an honest conversation about infertility, fibroids, hysterectomy, grief, and surrender. For years, Stephanie held onto the dream of carrying a child while also believing God could heal her body. As her fibroids worsened and a hysterectomy became necessary, she found herself facing a decision that meant grieving a future she had pictured for most of her life. Stephanie shares what it looked like to finally release the outcome she had been trying so hard to hold onto and trust God with a story she would not have chosen for herself. Together, we talk about the pressure to make something happen, the grief that comes when life changes course, why community mattered before and after Stephanie’s surgery, and what she discovered about God in the middle of suffering. This isn’t a story tied up with the ending Stephanie originally prayed for. It’s a conversation about discovering that grief and hope can exist together, that surrender doesn’t erase what you’ve lost, and that Jesus can meet you in a place you never wanted to be. In this episode: • Infertility and Stephanie’s years of living with fibroids • Making the difficult decision to have a hysterectomy • Letting go of the pressure to control the outcome • Grieving the loss of carrying a biological child • How community supported Stephanie through surgery and loss • Holding grief and hope at the same time • Trusting God when healing looks different than expected • Finding peace and hope after surrender Resources Mentioned: Resurrection Year by Sheridan Voysey Refined Women’s Night October 16, 2026 In person in Frisco, Texas + online Learn more about Twelve 12 Ministries and find support at twelve12ministries.org. Start your monthly gift $12 for Twelve Giving Campaign  Support + community Twice-a-month virtual support group  Twelve 12 Ministries Website Shop Instagram + Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org

Have you ever wondered if God forgot about you? Maybe you've prayed the prayers, trusted Him with your story, and waited longer than you ever thought you would. In this solo episode of the Purpose Beyond Motherhood Podcast, Nicole shares a personal reflection on God's timing, faithfulness, and what it means to trust Him when the answer hasn't come yet. After a recent milestone for Twelve 12 Ministries reminded her of God's perfect timing, Nicole opens up about waiting, disappointment, purpose beyond motherhood, and the tension of believing God for a miracle while also trusting Him if the answer looks different than expected. In this episode, you'll hear encouragement around: • God's delay is not His denial • Trusting God's character when life doesn't make sense • The difference between God's promises and our expectations • Finding purpose beyond motherhood and beyond your circumstances • Why community matters when you're tired of waiting • Scriptures that bring hope in seasons of uncertainty Whether you're waiting for a baby, healing, restoration, direction, or simply your next step, this episode is a reminder that God sees you, loves you, and is still at work in your story. Scriptures Mentioned: Habakkuk 2:3 2 Peter 3:9 Isaiah 60:22 Galatians 6:9 Ecclesiastes 3:11 Resources: Twelve 12 Ministries Website Purpose Beyond Motherhood Podcast YouVersion Bible App Reading Plans Connect with Twelve 12 Ministries: Instagram: @twelve12ministries Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org Start your monthly gift $12 for Twelve Giving Campaign  Support + community Twice-a-month virtual support group  Twelve 12 Ministries Website Shop Instagram + Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org

Sometimes after miscarriage, it can feel like you and your husband are grieving in completely different ways. You may be carrying the physical loss, the emotions, and the questions every single day… while he seems quiet, distant, or focused on everything else that needs to get done. But what if he is grieving too, just differently? In this episode of the Purpose Beyond Motherhood Podcast, Nicole sits down with author Eric Schumacher for an honest conversation about miscarriage, marriage, and the grief fathers often carry silently. We talk about:  Why men and women often grieve differently after pregnancy loss   How to create space for honest conversations in marriage   What husbands may be feeling but struggling to say out loud   Practical ways couples can support each other through grief   How faith, lament, and the hope of Christ meet us in loss  Eric also shares biblical encouragement for couples walking through miscarriage and reminds grieving parents that their baby mattered, their grief matters, and they do not have to carry it alone. This conversation is gentle, honest, and deeply validating for both mothers and fathers navigating loss. Connect with Eric + Resources Mentioned Eric’s website: https://emschumacher.com/ Dad’s Hurt Too: A Father’s Memoir of Miscarriage Ours: Biblical Comfort for Men Grieving Miscarriage Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women Start your monthly gift $12 for Twelve Giving Campaign  Support + community Twice-a-month virtual support group  Twelve 12 Ministries Website Shop Instagram + Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org

Mother’s Day can feel complicated when you’re walking through infertility or loss. You want to show up.  You want to celebrate others.  But there’s also a part of your heart that feels heavy, tender… maybe even exhausted. In this episode, we’re having an honest conversation about what this day can bring up—and how to walk through it with grace, honesty, and support. We talk about:  what it looks like to protect your peace without guilt   how to set boundaries (with people, social media, and expectations)   simple ways to prepare for the day so it doesn’t catch you off guard   how to respond to questions you may not feel ready to answer   navigating church on Mother’s Day and what to do when it feels hard  Most of all, this is a reminder that you are not forgotten in this story. You are seen. You are loved. And you don’t have to carry this day alone. If Mother’s Day has felt heavy before, or you’re unsure how to walk into it this year, this conversation is for you. Start your monthly gift $12 for Twelve Giving Campaign  Support + community Twice-a-month virtual support group  Twelve 12 Ministries Website Shop Instagram + Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org

If infertility is part of your story, or part of the story of someone you love, this episode is for you. In this conversation, we share practical ways to support a spouse or friend through infertility, talk about using declarations to stay anchored in God’s truth, and offer gentle next steps for finding support and community along the way. This episode of the Purpose Beyond Motherhood Podcast is a reminder that encouragement matters, support matters, and no one should have to walk this road alone. In this episode, we discuss:  3 ways to support your spouse or friend through infertility   using declarations to stand firm on God’s Word   how to get connected to support and community Support + community Twice-a-month virtual support group  Twelve 12 Ministries Website Shop  Instagram + Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org

What does it look like to invite God into the disappointment of infertility? In this episode of Purpose Beyond Motherhood, Nicole and Holly talk about the grief, unanswered prayers, and heavy emotions that can come with infertility and hard seasons. They share an honest and encouraging conversation about staying close to God, trusting His character, and making space for Him in practical ways even when faith feels hard. This episode is a reminder that you do not have to clean yourself up before coming to the Lord. You can bring Him the disappointment, the questions, the waiting, and the ache of what has not gone the way you hoped. In this episode, we talk about: • inviting God into disappointment and infertility • trusting God’s character in hard seasons • staying connected to Him through prayer, worship, and time in the Word • Romans 8:11 and the reminder that His power is still at work in us • practical ways to be with the Lord in the middle of grief and waiting Scripture mentioned Romans 8:11 Books + resources mentioned The Worship Initiative  More Than You’ve Been Told by Hosanna Wong Support + community Twice-a-month virtual support group:  Twelve 12 Ministries Website: Shop:  Instagram + Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org

Infertility has a way of quietly reshaping how you see yourself. In this episode of Purpose Beyond Motherhood, we sit down with counselor and ministry leader Monica Bates for a gentle, honest conversation about identity, emotional health, and finding your footing again with God while you’re still waiting. We talk about what it looks like to name what you’re actually feeling without rushing to fix it, how grief and stress can dysregulate both your body and your faith, and why Scripture calls you God’s masterpiece even when your life doesn’t feel whole. This episode is for the woman who feels disconnected from herself.  For the one who loves God but feels emotionally worn down.  For the one who needs permission to slow down and tell the truth. You don’t have to pretend here.  You are still deeply seen.  And you are still God’s ongoing work of art. Connect with Monica: The Honey Rock Collective https://www.honeyrockcollective.com Email: monica@honeyrockcollective.com More Support from Twelve 12 Ministries If you’re looking for additional support, resources, or ways to connect: Visit the Twelve 12 Ministries website: https://www.twelve12ministries.org/ Give and donate to Twelve 12: https://www.twelve12ministries.org/give Follow Twelve 12 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twelve12ministries Check out Purpose Beyond Motherhood podcast on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbm_podcast Shop the Twelve 12 Ministries shop: https://twelve12ministries.shop/

Grief after pregnancy loss can feel isolating, confusing, and deeply personal. And so often, women are left wondering where to turn, what to say, or how to keep going. In this episode of the Purpose Beyond Motherhood Podcast, we sit down with Rachel Dickey, a labor and delivery nurse, mom, and author, to talk honestly about navigating pregnancy loss and learning how to live alongside grief. Rachel shares her own story of loss, how it reshaped her understanding of motherhood, and why advocacy in healthcare matters so deeply for grieving parents. We talk about honoring children who are no longer here, the different ways men and women grieve, and how faith and Scripture can become anchors when answers feel out of reach. This conversation is for the woman who has experienced pregnancy loss and is still trying to find her footing.  For the one who needs permission to grieve honestly.  For the one who needs to know she’s not alone. If that’s you, this episode was made with you in mind. Connect with Rachel Rachel’s heart for grieving mothers extends beyond this conversation. You can learn more about her work and her book using the links below. Grab her book on Amazon  Visit her website  More Support from Twelve 12 Ministries If you’re looking for additional support, resources, or ways to connect: Visit the Twelve 12 Ministries website: https://www.instagram.com/twelve12ministries Give and donate to Twelve 12: https://secure.twelve12ministries.org/forms/twelve-12-ministries Follow Twelve 12 on Instagram: https://www.twelve12ministries.org/ Check out Purpose Beyond Motherhood podcast on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbm_podcast Shop the Twelve 12 Ministries shop: https://twelve12ministries.shop/

Nicole sits down with Dalton and Jenni McGaha for an honest conversation about miscarriages, IVF, adoption, and what it looks like to trust God when the waiting feels endless. They share both the wife and husband perspective—what helped, what hurt, and how they stayed connected when hope felt thin. You’ll hear about:  • Navigating miscarriage and unanswered questions  • Finding a doctor who listens and prays with you  • The emotional and practical side of IVF  • How infertility impacts marriage and communication  • Their adoption story and God’s timing  • Real encouragement for couples still waiting Jenni speaks directly to the woman who feels out of hope, and Dalton closes with a heartfelt prayer over listeners. If you’re walking through infertility, loss, or considering IVF or adoption, we pray this meets you with compassion and courage. Visit the Twelve 12 Ministries website: https://www.instagram.com/twelve12ministries Give and donate to Twelve 12: https://secure.twelve12ministries.org/forms/twelve-12-ministries Follow Twelve 12 on Instagram: https://www.twelve12ministries.org/ Check out Purpose Beyond Motherhood podcast on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbm_podcast Shop the Twelve 12 Ministries shop: https://twelve12ministries.shop/

Holidays can be beautiful. They can also break your heart. In this episode of the Purpose Beyond Motherhood podcast, Nicole and Holly sit down with special guest Shana-Lee Scott, author of “Mommy and Waiting,” for an honest conversation about what it’s like to walk into the holidays with empty arms, delayed dreams, or a story that doesn’t look anything like what you pictured. Shana-Lee shares her journey of longing to become a mother, being told to get a hysterectomy, traveling out of state for surgery, and having 33 fibroids removed. She talks about hope, disappointment, and what it feels like to hear “this might never happen” while you’re still believing God for a miracle. This is not a polished, “it all worked out” story. This is what it looks like to cling to Jesus in the middle of not-yet. Inside this episode:  • The quiet grief of waiting to be a mom when everyone else is posting family photos  • Holidays with unmet longing — and how to prepare your heart  • “Crazy faith” and the tiny ways God sends reminders that He hasn’t forgotten you  • Why you don’t have to fake being “okay” for God to love you  • Practical ways to hold on to hope: worship, prayer, voice-your-heart honesty, and real community  • A powerful live prayer from Shana-Lee over the woman who feels hopeless right now If you’re walking through infertility, loss, miscarriage, childlessness not by choice, or just a story you didn’t ask for — this one was recorded for you. Resources mentioned:  • “Mommy In Waiting” by Shana-Lee Scott • Instagram: @mommyandwaiting1124 • Twelve 12 Ministries Instagram • Twelve 12 Ministries Website  Scripture anchors in this episode:  Mark 11:24  Psalm 112:7  1 Corinthians 15:58  Psalm 16:5–6  Hebrews 3:5–6 Prayer begins around 17:59 — save that part and play it back when you need it. You are not alone. You are seen. Your tears matter to God.

When headlines feel loud and your heart feels heavier still, how do you stay steadfast? In this Purpose Beyond Motherhood episode, Nicole and Holly talk about anchoring your life to God’s word in seasons of infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, childlessness, and the everyday weight of motherhood. They share honest, practical rhythms: choosing Scripture over the noise, surrendering instead of striving, pacing your faith like endurance—not a sprint—being transparent with the Lord, and leaning on community when you’re tired.  Key Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:58; Psalm 112:7; Psalm 16:5–6; Hebrews 3:5–6; Proverbs 3:5–6.  You’re not carrying this alone. Christ holds every piece of your story—and the victory is already His. Links Mentioned in Episode/Find More on Purpose Beyond Motherhood:  Register for Refined: https://www.twelve12ministries.org/refined Twelve 12 Ministries Website Join 12 For 12 Monthly Giving  Instagram: @twelve12ministries Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org  Visit the Twelve 12 Ministries Shop

Welcome to the Purpose Beyond Motherhood Podcast. This is a space for women walking through infertility, miscarriage, loss, or the ache of unfulfilled motherhood. You’ll hear honest conversations and stories of hope that point you back to God’s Word and remind you of your identity and purpose in Christ. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and connect with us on Instagram @twelve12ministries or visit twelve12ministries.org — we’d love to walk this journey with you. Twelve 12 Ministries Website Join 12 For 12 Monthly Giving  Instagram: @twelve12ministries Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org  Visit the Twelve 12 Ministries Shop

In this episode of the Purpose Beyond Motherhood Podcast, Nicole and Holly sit down for a real conversation about engaging with God’s word when life feels heavy with infertility, miscarriage, or childlessness. They share how different Bible translations, devotionals, and study tools have helped them stay rooted in Scripture during seasons of waiting and loss. From choosing the right translation to praying through verses when words are hard to find, they remind us that time with God doesn’t have to be complicated or perfect. Whether it’s meditating on one verse, journaling, or starting in the Gospels, the invitation is the same—God wants a relationship with you. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to approach Bible study in the midst of grief, this episode will give you encouragement, simple resources, and reminders that His word meets you right where you are. Links Mentioned in Episode/Find More on Purpose Beyond Motherhood:  Write The Word  Skip Heitzig: The Bible from 30,000 Feet: Soaring Through the Scriptures in One Year from Genesis to Revelation  Holly's Episode With Angela Mackey  Twelve 12 Ministries Website Join 12 For 12 Monthly Giving  Instagram: @twelve12ministries Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org  Visit the Twelve 12 Ministries Shop

Nicole and Holly sit down for a heartfelt conversation about what it really looks like to navigate infertility while holding on to faith. They share personal stories of loss, unexpected friendships that became lifelines, and the scriptures that brought comfort in the hardest moments. Together, they talk about the power of perspective, choosing hope even when life feels uncertain, and the beauty of community support in seasons of waiting. This honest, faith-filled discussion is a reminder that your hope is valid, your faith is not wasted, and God’s timing is always worth trusting. Where to Connect & Learn More Twelve 12 Ministries Website Join 12 For 12 Monthly Giving  IG Handle: @twelve12ministries Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org  Visit the Twelve 12 Ministries Shop

In this impactful episode, we welcome Becky Thompson—USA Today bestselling author and founder of the Midnight Mom Devotional—as she shares her powerful journey of faith, healing, and prayer. Becky opens up about the inspiration behind the Midnight Mom Devotional, a nightly prayer movement that now gathers nearly 2 million women every evening. With deep compassion for anxious and weary moms, Becky invites listeners into the comforting truth that God meets us right where we are—even in the middle of the night. We also dive into her book, Healing Rest, and explore how our personal testimonies can become powerful tools of encouragement and restoration. Whether you’re in a season of peace or clinging to hope in the chaos, this episode is a beautiful reminder that you are seen, held, and never alone. Episode Highlights:  Meet Becky! How Becky came into ministry. Midnight Mom Devotional. He will meet you everywhere. The heart behind Healing Rest. Our testimony. Links Mentioned in Episode/Find More on Purpose Beyond Motherhood and Becky: Twelve 12 Ministries Website IG Handle: @twelve12ministries Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org  Visit the Twelve 12 Ministries Shop Midnight Mom Devotional Website Healing Rest Book Visit Becky’s Website Follow Becky on Instagram This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

In this episode, we sit down with Moria Rooney, the heart behind Mother of Wilde. Moria shares the deeply personal story of losing her son, Noah, who was stillborn at 35 weeks—and how God met her in that place of heartbreak with a calling to create beauty from ashes. What began as simple remembrance prints for grieving moms has grown into a powerful ministry that holds space for women walking through loss and gently points them to the hope of Jesus. Moria’s story is tender, raw, and full of God’s redemptive love. She also shares about Holy Ground, a new retreat she’s launching that invites moms into a deeper place of healing, rest, and restoration. Through her ministry, Moria reminds us that while loss shapes us, it doesn’t define us—and that our truest identity is found in being daughters of the King. This conversation feels sacred, and we pray it meets you with comfort, hope, and the reminder that even in the midst of grief, God is near. Episode Highlights:  Meet Moria. What Holy ground is. Reclaiming what the enemy has stolen. Having a Kingdom Mindset. Links Mentioned in Episode/Find More on Purpose Beyond Motherhood and Moria Rooney: Twelve 12 Ministries Website IG Handle: @twelve12ministries Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org  Visit the Twelve 12 Ministries Shop Visit Mother of Wilde Learn more about Holy Ground Retreats This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

Hey friends! We’re so excited to share this conversation with the incredible Lana Manikowski. Lana opens up about her deeply personal journey through infertility. During the pandemic, feeling lost and disconnected, Lana made a powerful decision to reclaim her purpose. That decision led her to launch the So Now What Podcast, become a certified life coach, and create the Others Day Brunch—a beautiful gathering dedicated to supporting women walking through infertility. Lana’s also the author of So Now What?, where she shares her journey of finding fulfillment beyond motherhood and offers guidance to others who feel stuck in their own “now what?” moments. Through it all, Lana’s found healing and purpose by embracing her story, challenging societal and personal expectations, and offering hope to women who feel unseen. This conversation is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and practical advice for anyone who’s ever wrestled with their own “what now?” moments. You won’t want to miss this one—give it a listen! Episode Highlights:  Meet Lana Manikowski. Lana’s infertility journey. Lana’s book. Links Mentioned in Episode/Find More on Purpose Beyond Motherhood and Lana Manikowski: Twelve 12 Ministries Website IG Handle: @twelve12ministries Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org  Visit the Twelve 12 Ministries Shop Get your copy of Lana’s Book: So Now What? Learn more about The Other’s Day Brunch The So Now What Podcast This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

Y’all- how are we already wrapping up Season 6? This community means the world to us, and we’re so grateful for every conversation, every message, and every moment we’ve shared this season. For our finale, we’re talking about something that affects every single one of us—the power of our words, especially the ones we speak to ourselves. We can be our own worst critics, holding ourselves to impossible standards and replaying lies that we’d never say to a friend. But here’s the truth: the words we repeat in our minds either build us up or tear us down. What if we spoke to ourselves with the same kindness we pour into the people we love? It’s time for us to see ourselves the way God sees us. You are loved. You are worthy. You are enough, right now, exactly as you are. So grab your coffee and let’s chat. Because, friend, you are so loved, and it’s time to start speaking to yourself like it. Don’t forget to save the date for Refined, happening April 25th, 2025! More info here! Episode Highlights:  Fill your mind with God’s truth. Love yourself as God loves you. Speak words of life over yourself and others. Links Mentioned in Episode/Find More on Purpose Beyond Motherhood: Twelve 12 Ministries Website IG Handle: @twelve12ministries Facebook: @twelve12ministries Email: info@twelve12ministries.org  Visit the Twelve 12 Ministries Shop Get your Declaration cards here! Come to Refined! This show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.