This is the 1st in a series of posts highlighting new podcasts and practical coaching services being offered by Council Road women.
I’ve always been a story-teller. I wrote my first short story in second grade and still have it in the attic, with my teacher’s “red pen” comment at the top of the page: “You should be a writer”. (Thank you, Mrs. Eastman!) In middle-school, I wrote made-up stories on the back of offering envelopes to entertain my BFFs during church (Sorry, Mom… I’m sure I was also listening). My favorite class in high school was senior English, where we were finally free to write from our heads and hearts, rather than just term papers.
However, as with most of our natural gifts and abilities, story-telling didn’t seem especially unique. It wasn’t until well into adulthood that I realized not everyone enjoys hearing or telling a good story. As I think back on life, there were countless clues, such as constantly getting in trouble for talking in class, asking millions of questions and always wanting to know allllll the details--but that feels “normal'' to me.
Writing and teaching/public speaking have been a part of my adult life and ministry, but story-telling knocked loudly on my heart in the summer of 2017, when I distinctly heard the Lord tell me to start a podcast. “What?! I am SO technically challenged, don’t own a laptop or a microphone and have no idea how to podcast.” I allowed intimidation to trump obedience, until December when my husband (and biggest champion) gave me a laptop and microphone for our anniversary, saying: “Go start that podcast.” And so I did.
For a year and a half, I had the privilege of releasing two episodes per month, sharing conversations with women telling their Uniquely Beautiful Stories. The pandemic forced a year-long break, where I asked the Lord if UBS was to continue. Towards the end of 2020, He confirmed He wanted me to continue… and so here we are.
Uniquely Beautiful Stories re-launched in January of 2021! As I prayed about how to start again, my two biggest passions rose to the top: Jesus and marriage. In January, I recorded an episode with my dear friend and ministry partner, Vickey Banks (linked here), where we chat about cultivating a relationship with God by spending time in His Word. In February, I began a four-week series on marriage (here), recorded with my husband, Garrick.
As for the rest of this year, you can expect bimonthly, encouraging stories from everyday women, as we marvel at the goodness of our God. Why? Because I believe each of us has a uniquely beautiful story, written day by day as we live our lives.
I’d be honored if you’d join us on the other side of the podcast... and find the encouragement to go out and fully live your own uniquely beautiful story.
Meet the Author!
Heather McAnear is a wife, mom, author and speaker with a passion for sharing God's truth to help women understand their uniquely beautiful design and how to use it for God's glory! In fact, Heather hosts the Uniquely Beautiful Stories podcast on iTunes in hopes do just that! She loves teaching young married couples with her husband, homeschooling their three children, traveling the world, enjoying good chocolate and long conversations in coffee shops. CRBC has been her church home for two decades and she is thrilled to be part of the Women's Ministry team, helping women connect with each other and grow in their walk with Jesus!