For more than a decade, author Tricia Goyer has drawn from her experiences as a teen mother and leader of today's generation, to be a voice of hope and possibility for teen girls, pregnant teens, mothers and wives.

Married to John for nineteen years and the mother of three, Tricia believes ordinary women can accomplish extraordinary things with God's help. She shares this message in her 20+ contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and nonfiction books and through speaking engagements across the country. Her invitation to women everywhere is to cast aside discouragement and fear to live real life, inspired! Thursdays at 3pm CST!

Have a question for Tricia or one of her guests? Tricia will be taking calls the last 15 minutes of each show. Call 1-877-864-4869.

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Join me for Living Inspired as I chat with my friend and fabulous author, Kathi Macias. Kathi has some amazing stories she'll be sharing with us as well as giving away a copy of two of her books, Beyond Me and How Can I Run a Tight Ship when I’m Surrounded by Loose Cannons. Leave a comment on this segment post with your email to be entered to win!

For more about both of these book and Kathi's new fiction series, Extreme Devotion, check out her book page!

One of the fascinating stories Kathi will be talking about is her experience of working with Mark, a homosexual activist who died from AIDS, claimed to be an atheist and hated Christians, and whom she had the privilege of leading to Christ! Don't miss this episode of Living Inspired!

About Kathi: Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer and radio-show host who has authored 30 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and recently won the prestigious 2008 member of the year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) at the annual Golden Scrolls award banquet. Two of her books, Beyond Me: Living a You-First Life in a Me-First World and My Son, John, have taken the number-one spots for best book of 2008 and 2009, respectively, by The Book Connection. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al, where the two of them spend their free time riding their Harley. For more about Kathi visit her www.kathimacias.com

Join me this week as I chat with my guest, Stefne Miller, about adoption! I love that my husband and I are in the middle of an adoption and God has worked out the timing of Stefne's segment! Cool!

A little about Stefne: Stefne Miller was born an "Army Brat" and lived in many states growing up including: Oklahoma, Hawaii, Georgia, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Before trying her hand at writing, she held various jobs including working along side her husband in Children's Ministry; becoming the Director of Operations and later a Public Policy Specialist and Cabinet Liaison for then Governor of Oklahoma, Frank Keating; and later, a pharmaceutical representative for one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.

In 2008, while visiting a friend out of state, Stefne had a dream in which the Lord asked her to join him on a new journey. Upon waking, she wrote down the dream and Salvaged was born.

Stefne currently lives in Edmond, Oklahoma and has been married to Shaun, a realtor, since 1994. Shaun and Stefne have three sons - Jacob (13), Caleb (11) and Yohannes (10). Her passions include writing and Oklahoma Sooner football.

Stefne will be giving away a copy of her first novel LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST TO BE ENTERED TO WIN (be sure to include your email), Salvaged during the show. She's also offering a $2 discount on the book if you mention you heard about the book on Living Inspired.

About Salvaged:

Attie Reed should have died in the wreck that stole the lives of her mother and best friend. But her life was spared. Why?

When Attie moves to Oklahoma to stay with the Bennetts for the summer, she hopes she has left her nightmares behind. But her battle is far from over, and Riley Bennett steps forward to help her fight the nighttime monsters. As the battle wears on, Riley begins fighting monsters of his own: his feelings for Attie. And Attie realizes she must begin to face the monsters of the night herself if she wants to conquer them for good.

Can Attie’s life be Salvaged?

Join me this week as Kendra and I chat about Kendra's difficult childhood and what it was like for her growing up with an alcoholic father. Kendra will share with us the story behind her books and life. A life, that by God's grace, has been used to impact the lives of many.

Live Intentionally! That phrase describes Kendra Smiley’s life and the message she brings to her audiences.  Kendra challenges and encourages her listeners to become aware of the many choices in life and to make the next right choice.  She has a unique, humorous approach that appeals to listeners of all ages.  In each message, she teaches skills essential to move forward in life.  She also provides the audience with the motivation to make positive life changes.  These audiences have included the Women’s Conference on Possibility Thinking at the Crystal Cathedral, the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives, a prayer breakfast for the Independent Bankers of North Dakota, teachers’ conventions, Hearts at Home conferences, the Vienna Christian Center, an international church of Vienna, Austria, and women’s retreats around the nation.  She has traveled and spoken from coast to coast and internationally with her most recent European trip scheduled for this March and April, speaking in Austria, Germany, and Hungary. She and her husband were guests of World Gospel Mission as they traveled to Bolivia for a week of teaching and speaking in March of 2007.

BACKGROUND
Kendra was born and raised in central Illinois.  The daughter of a local dentist and youngest of three children, she was very active in her school and community.  The over-achieving “baby” of the family graduated with highest honors (bronze tablet) from the University of Illinois.  She went on to earn her Master of Science from the University of North Dakota, graduating again with highest honors.  She quickly became a well-loved public school teacher and coach before landing her role-of-a-lifetime.

Her role-of-a-lifetime began over 30 years ago when she and her husband, John, began their family.  Together, they have raised three sons – the eldest, Matthew, married and a graduate of the University of Illinois and the University of North Dakota;  the second son, Aaron, married and a student in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois; and Jonathan, an undergraduate at the University of Illinois.  John, a school teacher turned salesman, was an officer and a pilot in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves for 30 years.  A natural-born entrepreneur, Kendra kept the home fires burning, while growing a home-based business, serving as a youth leader in her church for over 20 years, and staying active in her community.  Her love of sports and ministry resulted in the opportunity to serve on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) state board. 

Kendra’s work as a mother, entrepreneur, church and community leader did not go unnoticed.  In 2001, she was chosen as the Illinois Mother of the Year.  This prestigious award recognizes women who have excelled at motherhood while having an active role in their community, church, and schools. In 2002, Kendra was awarded the Tri Delta's Women of Achievement Award.  Awarded along side of Kendra were 4 others including Katie Couric.  The award recognizes alumnae members who display achievement in volunteer, philanthropic, civic, or professional pursuits. 

A natural and gifted communicator, Kendra honed her public speaking skills through countless speaking engagements and through instruction like that given at CLASS (Christian Leaders and Speakers Seminars), where she now is on staff as a facilitator.  A member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and a presenter for the Understanding Your Teenager Seminar, Kendra capably connects to diverse audiences.   By drawing from years of experience as an educator and coach in public schools, a wife, mother, entrepreneur, and active participant in her church and community, Kendra has obtained the ability to communicate with people.

Politicians… Hospital Staff… Educators…Women at Church Retreats… Men and Women at Church Events… Members of Agricultural Groups…  New Parents… Parents of Teenagers… Couples at Marriage Retreats…  These are just a few of the diverse people that find Kendra’s messages challenging and inspiring.  Connecting with people – nobody does it better than Kendra.  Teaching people to make the next right choice – that’s Kendra at her best. 

Win a copy of Kendra's Empowering Choices! Leave a comment on this post! 

Kendra Smiley points out that no matter what our circumstances, each person has the ability to not only survive but thrive. "It's not about being a rocket scientist, or even a saint, " she says confidently. "People can have a more joyful life simply because of the choices they make."

Kendra has had 9 published titles.  They include:

• Empowering Choices
• Helping Your Kids Make Good Choices
• It’s a Mom Thing
• Give Your Heart a Good Spring Cleaning
• High Wire Mom
• One Rehearsal Christmas Plays
• Journey of a Strong Willed Child
• Be The Parent:  Seven Choices You Can Make to Raise Great Kids
• Do Your Kids a Favor.  Love Your Spouse.

Kendra has a regular column in Prairie Farmer magazine.  Her articles have been published in Christian Parenting Today, Successful Farming, and Proverbs 31 magazines.  She and her husband, John, co-author of Be The Parent, are guests on WICD – channel 15 the ABC affiliate out of Champaign, Il each Monday morning and Thursday midday.  They are also regular guests on MidDay Connection, a MBN show with Anita Lustrea, Total Living Network, and The WMBI Morning Show with Mark Elfstrand.  Their segment, Parenting Life A Pro, is featured once a week on many Moody radio morning shows.

Join us this Thursday on Living Inspired with Tricia Goyer as we chat about overcoming adversity and the tough stuff by allowing God to work in the middle of our mess.

Heidi knows first hand how life can break our hearts. After her husband died unexpectedly, God "transformed me from the inside out, and changed my illusion of finding happiness in this world, to delighting and finding joy in Him."

Get to know more about Heidi: Heidi McLaughlin is an international speaker and author of BEAUTY UNLEASHED: Transforminng a Woman’s Soul. For twenty-five years Heidi has been teaching and inspiring women to reach their full potential for who they were created to be. She does this through speaking, teaching Bible Studies, mentoring and writing. Her favorite part is sitting across from a woman over a freshly brewed cup of coffee and sharing heart connection stories. Heidi is married to Pastor Jack and they have a blended family of 5 children and 9 grandchildren. They live in the beautiful vineyards of West Kelowna, British Columbia.  Visit her website to learn more.

Heidi is also the author of Beauty Unleashed: Transforming a Woman's Soul

Heidi's life-changing book was released in June 2007. Heidi believes, "The secret desire of every woman is to be more beautiful, both inside and out, and yet we can’t seem to find the magic formula. We are bombarded with solutions, but nothing seems to satiate our longing for value and significance. The fact is that you and I are beautiful because we are created in the image of God, who is the essence of beauty. It's all right there inside of us; we just need to allow God to reveal it to us and unleash it."

Tune in Thursday at 3:00 pm CST as I interview Shannon Stewart Ratliff from America's Next Top Model and her husband Matthew.

Shannon is best known for her appearance on ANTM's 2005 season. Stewart competed on the first season of America's Next Top Model. In the first week of competition, Shannon landed in the bottom two and if she hadn't won that week's challenge, she would have been eliminated. However, the following two weeks Shannon received two consecutive first call-outs, and performed consistently in the following weeks. But, in the semi-finals during a nude photoshoot in Paris, Shannon and fellow contestant Robin Manning caused controversy when they refused to take part in the photo shoot because of their Christian faith. However, this did not hinder Stewart's progression in the competition finishing second overall to Adrianne Curry. She was known on the show as the very "commercial , edgy girl". So tune in and find out more about Shannon and Matt!