Welcome!
Hi, I’m Shannon Popkin, host of the Live Like It’s True Bible Podcast.
In each episode, my guest and I talk through one of the most interesting and astonishing stories (narratives) of the Bible, and invite you to know the story, share the story, and live like it’s true.
About the Podcast
Do you want to live like it’s true?
We’re all telling a story with our lives; we’re not all telling the true story. This podcast is designed to help you know the story, share the story, and live the story. If we haven’t met, I’m Shannon Popkin. Whether from the platform, the page, or the podcast mic, I’m inviting you to open your Bible with me, drink in the Story, and live like it’s true.
Know the Story
Share the Story
God could have revealed himself in textbook fashion, with lists of his attributes and facts. Instead, he gave us a thick book with lots of stories. Each one is like a velvet pouch, which bundles up certain gems of God’s character for safekeeping. And the stories become more deeply ingrained in our hearts when we rehearse and share them with others.
On Live Like It’s True, we talk often about how to approach the stories of the Bible, and how to give them away!
Live the Story
It’s one thing to know the story; it’s another thing to live like the story is true. This podcast is meant to help shrink the gap between what you say you believe and how you live. As we rehearse the true stories individually, and the overarching story of the Bible, we’ll discover how the one True Story corrects the false narratives of the world.
Popular Episodes
Free Workbook
Get your FREE 20-page workbook, which includes my Story Elements bookmark, False Narrative Watchlist, True Story Worksheet, and more!
PODCAST FAQ:
How long are the episodes?
Between 30 and 45 minutes.
Who is this podcast for?
If you love the Bible, and want to live like it’s true, this podcast is for you! I imagine most listeners will be women, but guys are welcome, too!
When will episodes release?
Wednesday morning, the True Story episode (with guests) will release. Retelling episodes release on Saturday. (Not all episodes have a Retelling Episode.)
What are the aims of this podcast?
My hope is that that you’ll be inspired to better know the Story, share the Story, and live the Story.
How can I listen?
You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, and more. Find the full set of options here. (And please let us know if you see one missing!)
CONTENT FAQ:
Who are some of your guests?
I’ve been so honored to welcome Nancy Guthrie, Courtney Doctor, Mary Kassian, Erin Davis, Kelly Needham, and more. Each guest is a gifted Bible teacher, and loves the truth of God’s Word!
What makes this podcast unique?
Each episode focuses on an astonishing, true story of the Bible, and what makes it surprising (both then and now). The style is conversational; not preachy but not shallow, either. Our quest is to treasure up the stories, and live like they’re true.
What’s the theme for season four?
Fall of ’22, we’re looking at the True Story of The Beginning. We’ll take several months to explore parts of our Origin Story, found in Genesis 1-3. After that, I’ll be taking a break to work on my next two books.
Season 8: The Sarah Series
When You Can’t See Why, But You Trust God Anyway {Carol Kent}
Why God? I don't understand why you're doing this? Have you ever cried out to God with a prayer like this? Last time we talked with Carol Kent about that horrifying day she got the unthinkable news that her son was being arrested for first...
When God Says You Must Lay Down Your Isaac {Carol Kent}
Have you ever been tested by God? Has he asked you to lay down someone or something that is precious to you, just like he asked Abraham to place Isaac on the altar? In this episode of Live Like It's True, Carol Kent tells her painful story of...
Vulnerable Faith, When it’s Too Risky to Hope {Hope Blanton & Chris Gordon}
What if God eavesdropped on your heart? Would he hear you sighing and scoffing about impossible situations? Would he see you rolling your eyes at the idea things could change? In this conversation with Hope Blanton and Chris Gordon on the Live...
The Truth About God’s Control When You Feel Threatened {Beth Runkle}
God is in control. We say that, but sometimes it's hard to believe it with the whole world seems to be coming unhinged. In this episode of Live Like It's True I'm talking with military spouse, Beth Runkle, about a section of Sarah's story that...
The Interesting and Surprising Origin Story of God’s People {Courtney Doctor}
Have you considered the magnitude of God's promises to you? Has your life been shaped by those promises, the way Abraham and Sarah's were? I'm so grateful for Courtney Doctor and her brilliant mind. Don't miss part one of this great...
The Surprise of the Story is That God Takes Initiative {Courtney Doctor}
When Courtney was in her early twenties, she was in a church membership class, where the gospel was being explained and she kept raising her hand, saying, "I chose God. I know; I was there..." Can you relate with the sense that you were the one...
The Astonishing Resurrection of a Dead Marriage, Past Hope {Jill Savage}
If you don't know what to do because your husband doesn't seem to love you anymore, and you're worried your marriage is dead, this conversation about what God did in my friend Jill's marriage offers so much hope. Jill Savage is an author and...
When He Lies And Betrays: One Wife’s Story Of Redemption {Jill Savage}
She never expected what she saw on his phone that night. And no one expected the surprise ending to their story. Joining me on the Live Like It's True podcast, Jill Savage tells her story of discovering her husband's affair, and how God...
From Trauma to Testimony: One Mom’s Story of Tenacious Faith {Sana Latrease}
When Sana when through the trauma of almost losing her nineteen-year-old son in a car crash, she did the unexpected: she shared the forty-three day experience on social media and asked the world to pray that God would do the impossible. Why?...
From Trafficked to Triumph: One Woman’s Faith Story {Sana Latrease}
Where was God, when a little girl was being trafficked by the mother who should have kept her safe? On the Live Like It's True podcast, I'm sitting down with Sana Latrease to talk about her story of God's faithfulness, even in the middle of her...
One Woman’s Painful Trial and Promise-Driven Perspective {Gabriela Puente}
As Gaby walks through cancer treatments at age 27, she knows her options are narrowing. Yet she continues on this painful path between her trial and God's promises with perspective and hope. Gaby's story is part of the "Sarah Series" on the Live...
Faith Tested: One Missionary Kid’s Story of Commissioning in Crisis {Heather Cofer}
Would you ask your twelve-year-old to bravely live her faith, in a time of crisis? In part two of our conversation, Heather Cofer shares the story of her twelfth birthday in Mongolia and how—even when she was so afraid—her dad commissioned her...
When God Says You Need to Leave Everything You Love {Heather Cofer}
What if God asked you to leave everything you love? Would you do it? On the Live Like It's True podcast, Heather Cofer talks about her experiences as a child in Mongolia which still shape her faith today. Heather's story is highlighted in my new...
Season 7: The Comparison Series
When She Has More Wealth And I Want What’s Fair {Lydia Brownback}
Why does she have more? Why do I have less? And what does Jesus say, when I want what's fair? In this episode of the Live Like It's True Podcast, we're looking at a story Jesus told in response to these very questions—the parable about the...
How to be Happy, Minus the Envy and Comparison {Melissa Kruger}
Have you been comparing yourself? Are you envious of someone who has it "better" than you? In a story about envious grumblers who are comparing, Jesus invites you to be one of the happy ones instead. Guests: Melissa Kruger Bible Passage:...
The Right and Wrong Way to Compare Sin {Lindsay Schott}
Have you ever felt unworthy, because of your sin? Or have you every tried to comfort yourself by comparing with someone who sinned in worse ways that you? In this series, we're looking at comparison stories that Jesus told, and this one is a...
Jesus’s Backward but Foolproof Way to Be Great {Kelly Needham}
"Which of us is the greatest, Jesus?" Jesus's response to the disciples might surprise you, but it also might bright you comfort and peace. There's a foolproof way to be great in the kingdom of God, and it's backward from the way of the world....
The Truth From Jesus When You Compare Sin {Tasha Calvert}
What if Jesus could read your thoughts about other people's sins? And what about your own sins? Do you have shameful secrets that seem too awful to even confess? In this episode, we're going to consider a story Jesus told at a dinner party where...
Jesus’s Warning About Your Obsession With Your Appearance {Heather Creekmore}
What would Jesus say about your efforts to get healthy? When you wake up in the morning, is your first thought about what you ate the night before? Has your lifelong obsession been to finally like what you see in the mirror? With the launch of...
How Teens Can Thrive in a World of Comparison {Lee Nienhuis}
Why do I compare myself to others? And how can I stop? Maybe your teen hasn't said this out loud, but there's a good chance she's thinking it. When a teen walks into a room, statistics show that there's an 80% chance she believes she doesn't...
Season 6: J Term
When You Are Weak and He is Strong {Emily Jensen}
What is your weakness, and what does God think about it? Join Emily Jensen and me for a conversation about ineloquent Moses and his assignment from God that felt impossible. Learn how to live like it's true that your weakness isn't a problem for...
What’s Next and Why Stories Create Great Containers for Truth
Hey, it's Shannon for a quick update on what's next in 2024. I have several exciting things to announce, plus the roadmap for what's coming in the coming months. Welcome to the J-Term series! Joining me is Emily Jensen, Trillia Newbell, and Amy...
Trillia Newbell: How to Disciple the Children You Love with Stories
Do you long to pass on your faith to your children, grandchildren, nieces and neighbors? How can you disciple the children you love in on-the-go moments of life? The stories in the Bible are simple enough to be grasped by children, yet profound...
Saying Yes to Mercy Opportunities is Risky but Good {Amy DiMarcangelo}
Refugees. Trafficking victims. Addicts. Adoption. Homeless. When faced with opportunities to show extravagant mercy, we think, But what if I go into debt? This could be a trap. If I bring her into my home, will we be safe? What if there's...
Season 5: Standout Series
The Truth about God’s Wrath & the Way to Safety {Rebecca George}
Does God care how I live? If He's even real, could He make my life better? This story of Noah has all the answers to these questions and more. It's not an easy story to take in, but it's an important story and—unlike the people going about their...
Breakthrough Faith After Chronic Suffering and Hopelessness {Hope Blanton & Christine Gordon}
Have you experienced chronic illness or longtime suffering? Or maybe you know someone who has experienced the isolation and hopelessness of having no where else to turn. It can feel like God has forgotten you, or his back is turned to you. But...
When You See Jesus, Your Bible Appetite Grows {Kristen Wetherell}
What would happen if you looked for Jesus on all the pages of your Bible? Would you read it differently? Would it satisfy your hunger more? On this episode of the Live Like It's True podcast, Kristen Wetherell and I are exploring the story of...
A Large-to-Little Group: God’s Backward Way to Victory {Rachael Adams}
Bigger is better, says the world. But God often takes groups from large to little. Why is that? This is what Rachael Adams and I are discussing on this episode of the Live Like It's True podcast. We're exploring the interesting story of God...
What To Do When You Know Your Security Is Threatened {Carol Tetzlaff}
Suppose you're traveling and you know there are thieves up ahead. You also know you've got lots of cash and valuables on your person. What should you do? This is basically the scenario we all face every day. We're living in a dangerous world....
An Astonishing Reconciliation After Wicked Betrayal {Jodie Niznik}
How should we respond to wicked betrayal? In this episode of the Live Like It's True podcast, we're considering the part of Joseph's story, when—20 years after his brothers betray him with such coldhearted dismissiveness, the tables turn and...
God’s Ultimate Control When You Feel Vulnerable and Abandoned {Cheryl Lutz}
A crying baby. A crocodile infested river. An evil king. And a woman of faith. The story of Moses in the basket (or ark) is full of tension, suspense, and an amazing outcome. Though God's name is not mentioned, His sovereignty is seen in every...
Jesus’s Revealing Question, “What do you want?” {Amber Cullum}
"What do you want me to do for you?" When Jesus asked this question, first of his two disciples, and then of a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, their responses revealed their hearts. How would you answer? What might this reveal? Will you follow...
God, If You Love Me, Why is This Happening? {Vaneetha Risner}
Why, God? Why haven't you shown up for me? If you love me, God, how could you let this happen to me? Have you ever asked questions like these? In today's episode on the Live Like It's True podcast, we're going to invite you to bring your...
Season 4: True Story of the Beginning
How to Leave & Cleave, and What Happens When You Don’t {Bruce & Sue Osterink}
What does it mean to leave and cleave in today's world? What happens when we don't? Whether you're about to be married, you've been married for years, or you have adult children who have said, "I do," this episode offers wisdom for navigating...
E45 Gender, Masturbation, And The Advice Found in Genesis {Kristin Clark}
What does it look like to be brave and tell the truth, when so many are saying, "Maybe I'm not a girl..."? And what is the truth about a person's gender? Also, why is masturbation wrong if it's not hurting anyone? And how can we respond like God...
One Woman’s Hidden Porn Addiction, and How She Broke Free {Jessica Harris}
As a thirteen-year-old, Jessica innocently stumbled upon the world of pornography. She was lonely, and the porn chat rooms offered love and acceptance. And yet—similar to the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, pornography was not the...
Fruitful Complementarianism: Why Brothers and Sisters Are Better Together {Cheyenne Werner}
Are there any women trying to control things at your church? And are there any shepherding men, who are ignoring the women at your church? If you've ever rolled up your sleeves in church ministry, you know that there are often pitfalls and...
Complementarianism: Is God’s Unique Design for Women Risky? {Brian Robinson}
What are role distinctions based on? Is it God's idea for husbands to lead? What if a husband is wrong? Should a wife still submit? Doesn't complementarianism put women at risk? And where does it say women can't preach? I'm grateful to have my...
LGBT+ and the Story of Marriage in Genesis {with Laurie Krieg}
What can Christian do about her same-sex attraction? How is an LGBT Christian to respond to the Bible's blueprint for marriage, in Genesis? What impact does a Christian's disgust over sexual brokenness have on those around her, who are...
How to Endure Pain and Loss with Heavenly Hope {Nancy Guthrie}
Does the pain of loss ever go away? Is there hope for wholeness and healing, after a lifetime of hurt? We experience loss differently when we know the full story. Like when you go the funeral of someone you know and love, rather than a stranger....
E39 What does God Think About Your Sin and Shame? {with Kim Cash Tate}
Have you ever want to hide your sin? Have you ever shrunk back in shame? And have you ever wondered what God thinks of your sin and shame? In this story from Genesis 3, we see Adam and Eve cowering, and we see God covering. Yet, because they...
Season 3: The Summer Standout Series
When You Find Out You Were Wrong About Jesus {Ann Swindell}
Has God been putting up roadblocks in your path? Has he been making it impossible for you to "proceed with the route" you had in mind for your life? This can be really frustrating—especially when your plans revolved around pleasing God. Maybe...
What You Need to Know About the Least Likely Christian {Ann Swindell}
Do you know anyone who seems like the least likely person to ever turn and follow Jesus? You look at them and think, "There's just no way..." Maybe the person you think of as the least likely Jesus follower is you. Well, today we're looking at...
What Can Little You Do About Such Big Problems? {Amy Carroll & Lynn Cowell}
Do you feel small and uncertain? Are you tempted to stay quiet and passively do nothing—because you're not sure what little you could possibly do in the face of such big problems? On this episode, we're talking about the story of Esther, who was...
What You Need to Know About Your Identity Crisis {Sojo Academy}
Do you have any signs of an identity crisis? When I did a quick search online (here, here and here) I found lists of symptoms including: Apathy, or searching for more purpose or passion in your life Questioning your goals and relationships...
Want to win this Summer Giveaway?
Have you been following along this summer, on the Live Like it's True podcast? Want to win this bundle of amazing gifts, from our guests? Included are: Pathway to Peace by Ann Swindell. Esther: Seeing Our Invisible God in an Uncertain World by...
When God Asks For More After You’ve Lost so Much {Lisa Appelo}
Is God asking for more even after you've lost so much? What if he wants to show you that there's more to your story than you first thought? "The end of your rope is the middle of God's Story." That's what Lisa Appelo says, as she reflects on the...
Easter Series
Funeral Sorrow and the Best Plot Twist Ever {Mary Kassian}
Are you going through something really painful right now? Are you wondering, "Why, Jesus? Why didn't you intervene?" There are two sisters named Mary and Martha, in our story today, who are asking that very question after the death of their...
Sinful People, and the Long-Awaited Lamb of Fulfillment {Erin Davis}
If you were invited to a special dinner party, where the honored guests gathering around the table are all friends of Jesus who will be participating in a symbolic reenactment of the most important day in the history of the world, would you go?...
How to Fuel Your Faith with the Story of Judas {Lee Nienhuis}
Have you ever watched someone betray Jesus? Have you felt the pain and shock of watching someone among you—someone who seemed to be a follower of God—turn against Him? This can be confusing and disorienting, but what if it's true that Jesus...
Jesus Under Arrest, Yet in Complete Control {Lindsay Schott}
When somebody is being arrested, who's the person with the power? Who seems to be in control? Ordinarily, you'd think it was the guy putting the handcuffs on, right? Not the one with his hands behind his back. But when Jesus of Nazareth comes...
That Dark, Good Friday, When It Looked Like Evil Won {Asheritah Ciuciu}
Let's not rush too quickly past that moment when darkness covered the land, as the Light of the Word was slowly snuffed out. Oh, the agony of giving up his Spirit! Oh the love, as he did it. In this True Story of Easter Series, we're looking at...
Jesus’s Proof that We’ll Get New Bodies in Heaven {Erika VanHaitsma}
Have you thought about your funeral lately? What if your funeral wasn't the end of your story? What if you knew there was life to be lived afterward, and that you'd get a new body someday? Would it make a difference in how you lived today? In...
Season 1: The True Stories of Jesus
Welcome to the Live Like It’s True {Bible Podcast}
Welcome! Live Like It's True is devoted to helping you know the story, share the story, and live the story! Listen to the trailer for more: Welcome! I'm so excited to share this podcast with you! Live Like It's True is devoted to helping you...
How to Live Like It’s True that You’re Forgiven {Kelly Needham}
The man in this story from Mark 2:1-12 thought paralysis was his biggest problem, but Jesus took care of an even bigger one. And his friends got to dig up a roof and make a way for it happen. Guest: Kelly Needham Bible Passage: Mark 2:1-12 CSB ...
The Truth About Your Thirstiness for More {Mary DeMuth}
What are you constantly thirsty for? What’s the habit or person or behavior you’ve returned to repeatedly—always dipping your bucket and yet coming up dry? And what difference should it make that Jesus has offered you his living water? On Season...
Has Jesus Asked You to Participate in a Multiplying Miracle?{Jenn Hand}
Has Jesus asked you to give more than you have, today? Maybe you're stressed out, overwhelmed or burned out, and you just don’t have enough to do what Jesus has assigned to you today. I f that’s you, I’m glad you’re joining us for this episode,...
Jesus’s Forgiven Friend Might Look Like a Sinner {Erica Wiggenhorn}
Do you see the people around you like Jesus does? Or is a certain type of person you might look at with disdain? Who do you see as appalling, or as an annoyance? Is it possible that she looks like a sinner to you, but Jesus calls her forgiven?...
Fear Melts When You Know You’ll Live Forever {Kristen Wetherell}
What fears do you struggle with? What anxieties hold you back? Do you worry about the things you can't control? Kristen Wetherell joins me to talk about Jesus's responses to our fears in Luke 12. If you only live once, there's a lot to protect...
Jesus Found Value in the Lonely Spaces {Alicia Bruxvoort}
Have you been feeling lonely recently? Do you ever feel misunderstood? Are there times you wonder if there's anywhere you really belong? If so, consider this: Jesus can relate. Alicia Bruxvoort joins me to talk about what Jesus did when he...
The Spirit’s Breakthrough Power, Even in the Wilderness {Barb Roose}
Have you ever been forced into a wilderness of discomfort? An out-of-your-control season where the comforts of life are beyond reach? And do you want to binge your way through your wilderness, thinking, "Oh? I have to live without that? Well,...
