Empowered To Lead

Have you ever felt that knot-in-your-stomach moment when staying silent isn’t working, but speaking up feels risky? In this episode, Jeannette gets practical about the conversations that shape our leadership: the ones with opposing opinions, strong emotions, and high stakes. Whether it’s a chronically late volunteer, decisions made without your input, or the quiet bias that sidelines women from opportunities, I’ll show you a better...

For the first time in decades, men are attending church more than women, and Gen Z women are disengaging the fastest. In this candid, hope-centered episode, Jeannette explores why so many women are stepping back, not from Jesus, but from church cultures that silence their voices, limit their gifts, or feel unsafe and exhausting. 

Drawing on new Barna data, Scripture, and real conversations with women, she offers four big reasons ...

Picture this: a ten-year-old girl stepping into a new country, a new language, and a future she can’t yet see. Fast-forward— to corporate boardrooms, profitability, and complex change. And through it all? A steady, quiet confidence in God. “Fear not, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10) That’s Kellie Kim’s story and in this conversation with Jeannette, you’ll hear:

• How to shift your mindset from “I’...

In this Breast Cancer Awareness Month conversation, Jeannette and fellow survivor and leader Courtney Malengo open up about the day everything changed, the “conveyor belt” of cancer treatment, and the resilient, ongoing mindset work of survivorship. From sudden biopsies and surreal parking-garage moments to radiation fatigue and endocrine-therapy side effects they name the grief and the gratitude, often felt in the same breath, and...

We’ve all been told that talent and motivation are the keys to success. But here’s the truth: talent can only take you so far, and motivation comes and goes. The real difference-maker? Commitment.

In this episode, Jeannette unpacks The Factor That Matters More Than Talent or Motivation—why commitment is the strongest predictor of success and how it gives you the stamina to keep going when the excitement fades or obstacles show up. ...

What do Doug Wilson’s extreme patriarchal views have to do with the “softer” versions of patriarchy many Christians quietly accept? In this episode, Jeannette digs deep into why both are rooted in the same flawed theology—and why women shouldn’t settle for half-hearted liberation. From CNN’s recent spotlight on Wilson’s church to the subtle complementarian practices that still silence women today, Jeannette exposes how patriarchy t...

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m not ready yet”?  Like you need one more degree, another course, or someone else’s approval before you can fully step into your calling? If so, this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation, I get real about the hidden ways brilliant women of faith play small, whether it’s hiding behind endless preparation, comparing ourselves to others, or waiting for permission. And I’ll share why yo...

In this episode, Jeannette gets personal about one of the most overlooked but essential leadership practices: silence and solitude. Drawing from her own journey of burnout in the early years of ministry, while also raising kids and carrying the weight of leadership, she shares how contemplative spiritual practices became a lifeline, not just for survival, but for deep soul-level transformation.

This isn’t a flashy leadership strate...

What does sexism in the church actually look like today—and what can we do about it?

In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Dr. Heather Matthews, a pastor, church planter, educator, and author of Confronting Sexism in the Church: How We Got Here and What We Can Do About It. With over 20 years of ministry experience and a passion for empowering women leaders, Heather brings both lived experience and thoughtfu...

We often think of courage as standing on a stage or speaking truth to power but there’s so much more to courageous leadership. In this episode, Jeannette unpacks the three types of courage every Christian woman leader needs; public, relational, and private, and why the least celebrated kind might be the most essential of all.

You’ll discover:

• Why public courage isn’t the only kind that matters

• How relational courage transfo...

What if the story you’ve lived—the ordinary, the messy, and everything in between—was the very thing God wants to use to impact others?

In this inspiring episode, Jeannette sits down with Danielle Zapchenk, host of The Parable Podcast, to explore how storytelling connects us, grows our empathy, and becomes a powerful leadership tool. Danielle shares her own journey from bossy seventh grader to women’s ministry leader, preacher, and...

Welcome to a bold new chapter. In this kickoff episode of Empowered to Lead (formerly The Empowered Christian Woman), Jeannette shares the powerful story behind the podcast rebrand—and the deeper vision it reflects. This episode isn’t just about a name change. It’s about a movement of Spirit-empowered women rising to lead with clarity, courage, and conviction in spaces that weren’t built for them.

Jeannette opens up about her perso...

So many women, especially women of faith, have been taught to downplay or distrust their desires. We’ve been praised for sacrifice and conditioned to believe that wanting something for ourselves is selfish, prideful, or even unspiritual. But what if your desires aren’t distractions… what if they’re divine invitations?

In this episode, Jeannette challenges the common narrative that “wanting” and “faithfulness” are at odds. She explo...

What if Jesus' way isn’t just different—but completely opposite from how we’ve learned to lead, respond, and engage with our polarized world?

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, Jeannette Cochran sits down with Tammy Melchien, a seasoned teaching pastor and upcoming author of Choosing the Opposite, to explore what it means to truly follow Jesus in a divided world. Tammy shares her personal journey from unexpected minist...

Are you constantly busy but still feeling behind? Overwhelmed by the weight of your responsibilities and wondering if it’s even possible to find balance? You’re not alone.

In this powerful episode, we’re flipping the script on time management. Jeannette shares a vulnerable story from her own leadership journey, exposing the lie of time scarcity and offering a liberating truth: you have enough time to do what God has truly called yo...

Have you ever felt a nudge to speak up, step out, or pursue something bigger only to be stopped cold by a voice in your head whispering, “Who do you think you are?”

In this powerful episode, we’re calling that voice out for what it is: your inner critic.

It’s not God. It’s not wisdom. And it’s definitely not the truth.

If you’ve ever wrestled with the tension between holy ambition and the fear of being “too much”… if you’ve wonder...

Started the year with big dreams… but now your goals are gathering dust?

You’re not alone and you’re not broken. In this episode, we’re unpacking the 5 reasons most people stall out on their goals (and spoiler: it’s not because you lack discipline or motivation).

Whether you feel stuck, stretched too thin, or unsure where to focus, this episode will help you:

• Break free from overwhelm and get cryst...

Are you constantly saying things like “I’m just checking in…” or “Sorry, but…” without even thinking about it? These subtle phrases—called speech minimizers—can quietly sabotage your authority and impact.

In this episode, we explore the three most common habits that undermine women’s voices: hedging, over-apologizing, and qualifying. You’ll learn why we use them, how gender bias plays a role (yes, we’re talking about the Heidi/Howa...

Can you be a Christian and a feminist? For some, the answer is a bold yes. For others, it feels like a contradiction. In this episode, we unpack the history, theology, and misconceptions that surround the word feminism—especially in Christian spaces. From Jesus' radical treatment of women to the faith-fueled activism of early feminists like Sojourner Truth and Catherine Booth, we trace how the call for gender equality has always be...