Room for Lovely

In this engaging interview, Shannon Popkin shares insights from her book Kinda Judgy, exploring the roots of judgment, God's mercy, and how walking with God transforms our perspective on right and wrong. Discover practical ways to cultivate mercy and walk humbly in a judgmental world.

Key Takeaways
Why we instinctively react defensively and how pride fuels our judging tendencies
How understanding God's mercy should transform our responses to others.
The importance of walking with God, not just following a list of rules, to discern right from wrong
Practical steps to become less judgmental, centered on recognizing our own need for mercy
About Shannon
Shannon Popkin is a wife and mom, speaker, and author of several books including her latest release Kinda Judgy.
Her favorite things are: sunsets at the beach, fresh blueberries, morning coffee, and the kids stopping by. As an author and speaker, She combines her love for story  with her passion for Jesus. She has had the opportunity to speak for events, retreats and conferences across the United States and beyond and she hosts the Live Like It’s True Bible podcast. This year, she is celebrating the launch of her sixth book, Kinda Judgy: Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible with Moody publishers.
Connect with Shannon
Website:
https://www.shannonpopkin.com/

Social Media:
IG: @shannonpopkin
FB: @shanpopkin
YouTube: @shanpopkin1

Books:
Kinda Judgy
Are you kinda judgy? Take the QUIZ.

Find out more about the Make Room Retreat hosted by Erin Cuccio HERE. 
Connect with Erin
IG @erincuccio
www.erincuccio.com

Order Any of Erin's Books  HERE

In this heartfelt episode, Hayden and Johnna Hensley share their journey of turning lived experiences with disabilities into a mission of education and connection. Their children's book, "HP and the VIPs," serves as a compassionate guide to disability etiquette, fostering understanding and kindness. Tune in for practical advice on how to interact with disability with respect and empathy, and learn how to bridge gaps through simple acts of curiosity and genuine heart.

Key Takeaways
Appropriate ways to ask questions and engage with people who have disabilities
Common mistakes to avoid, such as staring and talking to caretakers
How to offer help without being patronizing
Hayden’s experiences of feeling respected and included
The role of faith, hope, and community support in navigating hard days
Practical tips for parents and educators on fostering inclusivity
About Johnna and Hayden
Johnna Hensley is a best selling author, podcaster, international speaker, and all-time coordinator of chaos. Managing her family of eight, built through biology and adoption, means there’s rarely a dull moment in her days. She is an avid supporter of disability awareness, education, and advocacy, as well as foster care and adoption. Through her writing, she boldly shares the eternal hope and restoration heaven offers. Johnna's memoir, Reckless Yes, was a 2024 Selah Award winner. Her newest book, HP and the VIPs, teaches disability etiquette to children (and adults alike).

Hayden "HPtheVIP" Hensley is a 2025 high school graduate passionate about disability awareness, game shows, country music, and making friends. He is a co-author of the children's book, "HP and the VIPs: Gaining Backstage Access to Very Interesting People" which teaches disability etiquette to children and adults alike. Hayden is a co-host of the fun, enlightening podcast, "Listen to This!" in which he and his mother, Johnna, share unbelievable true stories of chaos that leave their listeners giggling with a fresh perspective. In 2026, Hayden founded a prayer ministry, "In His Name" where he enjoys connecting his belief in prayer with his passion of meeting people. He and his family reside in the Dallas area where he is a big brother to five younger siblings and serves in his local church as a greeter weekly.
Connect with Johnna and Hayden
Website:
https://johnnahensley.com

Social Media:
IG: @johnnahensley
FB: Johnna Hensley Author
YouTube: Johnna Hensley
Podcast: Listen to This

Books:
HP and The VIPs
Reckless Yes

Find out more about the Make Room Retreat hosted by Erin Cuccio HERE. 
Connect with Erin
IG @erincuccio
www.erincuccio.com

Order Any of Erin's Books  HERE

In this episode, Erin Cuccio reflects on the quiet fears many mothers carry — wondering what their children truly experience from them in the everyday moments of life. Through heartfelt stories from Mother’s Day and a deeper conversation about faith, gentleness, and emotional safety, Erin explores what it means to become “a soft place to land” for both our families and the people around us. She challenges listeners to consider whether their words and presence draw people closer to the heart of Jesus or push them further away, especially when others are wrestling with questions, doubt, and spiritual growth.
Key Takeaways
Christians can respond with gentleness and grace toward people navigating faith, doubt, and spiritual curiosity 
 Transformation is God’s responsibility while love and kindness are ours 
 Reflect the heart of Jesus means becoming a safe, welcoming presence for people in process
About Erin
Erin Cuccio is a writer, speaker, executive coach, and podcast host. She spends her days wrangling her three wild boys and supporting her husband in their family-owned business. Her hidden talent is bring order to any kind of chaos, navigating never ending loads of laundry, and drinking too much coffee. Her heart is most at home encouraging others through the trenches of everyday life to find the thread of lovely woven through every season.
Connect with Erin
Website:
https://erincuccio.com/
Find more information about the Make Room Retreat HERE.
Books:
Unraveled- Finding the Lovely When Life Comes Undone
Live Lovely: Make Room for Peace & Pursue a Life of Purpose

Social Media:
Instagram @erincuccio

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Connect with Erin
IG @erincuccio
www.erincuccio.com

Order Any of Erin's Books  HERE

This week's guest Dannah Gresh discusses the evolving conversation around sexual integrity, purity culture, and God's design for sex within marriage. Erin and Dannah also discuss how the church's approach has shifted over decades, the importance of grace, and practical steps for healing from shame.

Key Takeaways
The reconstruction of purity culture: what went off track and how to restore it with grace and truth
The biblical view of God's design for sex as a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the church
The significance of integrity—aligning our sexual behaviors with our relationship with God and others
About Dannah
Twenty-five years after its debut with more than 300,000 copies sold, the revised and updated edition of And the Bride Wore White returns for one of the most debated conversations in the church today: purity culture. 
Purity culture has recently been dismissed or deconstructed. Bestselling author and ministry leader Dannah Gresh affirms that many of the biblical truths it sought to protect surrounding sexuality, covenant, and the dignity of the body must still remain today. She calls for a reconstruction of the conversation. 
Dannah revisits her story with a new perspective and candidly shares her early relational struggles, the shame she carried, and the freedom she discovered through Christ. Dannah has spent thirty years studying Scripture and the cultural forces shaping young women today. She equips the next generation with wisdom, compassion, and practical guidance for navigating sexuality in a hyper-sexualized world.
Connect with Dannah
Website:
https://dannahgresh.com/

Social Media:
IG: @dannah_gresh

Books:
And the Bride Wore White

Find out more about the Make Room Retreat HERE. 
Connect with Erin
IG @erincuccio
www.erincuccio.com

Order Any of Erin's Books  HERE

This week's guest Dannah Gresh discusses the evolving conversation around sexual integrity, purity culture, and God's design for sex within marriage. Erin and Dannah also discuss how the church's approach has shifted over decades, the importance of grace, and practical steps for healing from shame.

Key Takeaways
The reconstruction of purity culture: what went off track and how to restore it with grace and truth
The biblical view of God's design for sex as a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the church
The significance of integrity—aligning our sexual behaviors with our relationship with God and others
About Dannah
Twenty-five years after its debut with more than 300,000 copies sold, the revised and updated edition of And the Bride Wore White returns for one of the most debated conversations in the church today: purity culture. 
Purity culture has recently been dismissed or deconstructed. Bestselling author and ministry leader Dannah Gresh affirms that many of the biblical truths it sought to protect surrounding sexuality, covenant, and the dignity of the body must still remain today. She calls for a reconstruction of the conversation. 
Dannah revisits her story with a new perspective and candidly shares her early relational struggles, the shame she carried, and the freedom she discovered through Christ. Dannah has spent thirty years studying Scripture and the cultural forces shaping young women today. She equips the next generation with wisdom, compassion, and practical guidance for navigating sexuality in a hyper-sexualized world.
Connect with Dannah
Website:
https://dannahgresh.com/

Social Media:
IG: @dannah_gresh

Books:
And the Bride Wore White

Find out more about the Make Room Retreat HERE. 

Connect with Erin
IG @erincuccio
www.erincuccio.com

Order Any of Erin's Books  HERE