The Living Story: Where Fiction, Faith, and Healing Begins
What if the stories we love are mirrors of the stories we live? The Living Story is a soulful podcast that explores the intersection of fiction, faith, and emotional healing. Hosted by Tennille Martinez, a writer, teacher, and spiritual storyteller, this show dives into the lives of beloved book characters both classic and contemporary to uncover the deeper truths they reveal about identity, purpose, heartbreak, growth, and God. Each episode blends literary analysis, biblical reflection, and personal testimony to help you rewrite limiting narratives, reclaim your voice, and live a story worth telling. Whether you’re navigating a season of waiting, walking through grief, or standing at the edge of your next chapter, you’ll find wisdom in the pages of novels, the scriptures of the Bible, and the softness of storytelling that makes space for transformation. Expect story-driven devotionals, character-based episodes with spiritual parallels, and bonus reflections that speak directly to the soul. This is not just a podcast. It’s a gentle companion for women of faith, creative seekers, and those ready to turn the page. 📚 Books. Bible. Becoming. You don’t just read stories. You are one.
Episodes
Do you struggle with the fear of sharing your story—afraid of being judged, misunderstood, or rejected? In this episode of The Living Story, we explore why so many women hesitate to tell their stories and how God can transform fear into freedom.
Through the lens of Elizabeth Acevedo’s novel The Poet X, the biblical journeys of Jeremiah, Moses, and Esther, and my own personal reflections—from teaching and career shifts ...
Perfectionism promises peace but leaves us exhausted.
In this episode of The Living Story, I share the quiet ways perfectionism shows up in our lives at work, in relationships, and in our faith, and how to finally let it go.
Through the sharp precision of Lessons in Chemistry’s Elizabeth Zott, the striving of Martha in Luke 10, the résumé of Paul, and the failure of Peter, we discover why God never asked us to be flawl...
Do you keep replaying the same painful inner narrative? The one that whispers, “You’re not enough,” “You’ll never be loved,” or “This is just how it is”?
In this powerful episode of The Living Story, we explore how to stop rehearsing lies and start rewriting the truth with God. Featuring reflections on The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, the heartbreaking story of Tamar in 2 Samuel, and my personal journey of...
Have you ever wondered if God forgot about you? If the delay in your life means the promise has passed you by?
In this soul-stirring episode of The Living Story, we explore what it means to wrestle with trusting God’s timing when nothing is going according to plan. Through the lens of Janie Crawford from Their Eyes Were Watching God and the biblical stories of Joseph, Sarah, and Hannah, we unpack the quiet ache of wait...
What if the people who walked you to the door can’t take you inside?
In this episode, I share how God used unexpected transitions, a new teaching job, a fresh heartbreak, and a church I didn’t choose to walk me through sacred thresholds of healing, identity, and surrender.
We explore the symbolism of thresholds through the lives of beloved literary heroines like Jane Eyre, Tita de la Garza, Elizabeth Bennet, Julieta Mad...
I never planned on being baptized again, but God did.
In this deeply personal episode, I share the story of my unplanned baptism in the ocean, the worship song that carried me through heartbreak and change, and the sacred moment where surrender became healing.
Surrounded by community, covered in prayer, and held by Spirit, I said yes to God again—but this time, from a place of deep honesty.
We’ll walk through:
- The su...
After my car accident, I lost the ability to write, even journal entries or sticky notes. As a storyteller, writer, journaler, and teacher, that silence hit hard.
But in the margins of books, of random words on a sticky note, of life, God met me.
In this episode, I share how writing became part of my healing journey, and how stories like The Outsiders, The Diary of Anne Frank, and Little Women helped both me and my stu...
In this deeply personal episode of The Living Story, I take you through the books that didn’t just fill my shelves—they healed my soul.
After surviving a near-fatal car accident and navigating a season of exhaustion, disconnection, and spiritual burnout, I found restoration in the most unexpected place: fiction.
Join me as I share the sacred stories and unforgettable characters—like Santiago, Negi, Emoni, the Mirabal S...
What happens when life forces you to start from scratch?
In this episode, I share how The Book Advantage, my first podcast, planted the seeds for something deeper, but never quite scratched the surface of why stories matter. It was beautiful, but it wasn’t the whole truth. I enjoyed the interviews, the insights, the flow… but I was craving more—connection, reflection, calling.
Then came the accident. The silence. The bl...
What if the unraveling isn’t the end—but the sacred beginning?
In this premiere episode of The Living Story, I share the truth behind my podcast’s transformation—from hustle to healing, from strategy to surrender. After a life-changing car accident, I was forced to slow down, sit in the silence, and confront the stories I had built my worth on.
This isn’t just my pivot story. It’s a story of parents who carried me, a si...
What if the stories you loved held the healing you needed?
Welcome to The Living Story—a podcast that weaves fiction, scripture, and personal reflection into sacred conversations about identity, healing, and becoming.
Each week, host Tennille Martinez invites you into a narrative journey where unforgettable characters, timeless biblical figures, and real-life moments meet in the places we wrestle, wait, and rise. These ...
If you fear failing and the uncertainty of the unknown in starting your teacher side hustle, you are not alone!
The struggle to overcome self-doubt and fear can be overwhelming, especially when leaping into entrepreneurship. It's tough to navigate the digital scene and craft a successful online presence, especially if you're not a tech guru or have limited business experience. But fear not, there&...
Are you ready to unlock the secret to balancing your teaching career and side hustle without burning out?
In this episode, you'll discover unexpected strategies for setting boundaries and protecting your well-being as a teacher with a side hustle. Get ready to be surprised by the powerful impact of prioritizing self-care and effective time management.
It's time to take control and thrive i...
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of juggling your teaching career and side hustle, trying to keep everything on track but feeling like you're constantly falling behind, then you are not alone!
It's time to break free from the cycle of disorganization and reclaim control over your side gig. Discover the essential steps for effective project management that will transform your side hus...
Are you ready for a surprising twist? What if I told you that branding your side hustle has more in common with setting up your classroom than you think?
Stay tuned to discover the unexpected connection between creating an engaging classroom atmosphere and crafting a standout brand for your side hustle. You won't believe how these two seemingly different worlds are more alike than you imagined.
In this episode of our Sparking Out-of-Classroom Success series (SOS), we're discussing two crucial aspects of side hustle success: time management and goal-setting.
Join me as we uncover practical strategies to carve out time for your side hustle amidst your teaching responsibilities and craft a clear roadmap to your entrepreneurial dreams.
In this episode:
- Explore the common obstacle of time scarci...
Welcome back, teachers, to another empowering episode of "Teach Hustle Grow"! In this episode of our Sparking Out-of-Classroom Success series (SOS), we're diving deep into the realm of self-doubt and how to overcome it on your journey toward teaching and side hustle success.
In this episode:
- Discover why self-doubt is a natural part of the journey, especially when pursuing new dreams or side hustles.
- ...
Ready to turn your teaching talents into a thriving side hustle? Join us on a new series - Sparking Out-of-Classroom Success (S.O.S.) on the Teach Hustle Grow podcast.
In this episode, we'll guide you through finding your passion, overcoming fears, and setting goals for side hustle success. Plus, get an exclusive peek into the Teacher Side Hustle Toolkit – your ultimate resource for launching your entrep...
Have you ever heard these myths about thriving through quarterly transitions? Myth 1: You can't start a side hustle during the school year. Myth 2: Quarterly planning is too rigid for side hustles. Myth 3: Balancing teaching and a side hustle is impossible. The truth might surprise you, but it's not what you think. Stay tuned for the real deal.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Mastering quarterly tran...
Ready to be surprised? What if I told you that your experiences in the classroom hold the key to unlocking your entrepreneurial potential?
Yes, you, as a teacher, have the power to turn your passions and teaching skills into a successful online side hustle. Intrigued? Stay tuned as we unravel the unexpected connection between teaching and entrepreneurship, and how you can leverage your classroom experiences to build a...
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