Empowered To Lead

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...

What if everything you’ve believed about failure is wrong?

In this episode, Jeannette is busting open four common myths about failure that quietly sabotage our growth, confidence, and calling. If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by the fear of messing up, held back your ideas, or waited for perfect conditions to act, this conversation is for you.

You’ll learn why failure isn’t the enemy. It’s often the very path to purpose. We’ll reframe...

Have you ever wondered if the way you’ve been taught about Christian marriage really lines up with God's heart? In today's episode, you’re invited into a conversation about something that still causes so much confusion — mutuality in marriage.

You’ll hear a journey that might feel familiar — from believing a husband had to be the "spiritual leader" (even when it didn’t quite make sense) to discovering a richer, more beautiful visio...

If you’ve ever felt like the version of womanhood taught in your church doesn’t quite reflect the freedom and purpose you sense God put inside you… you’re not alone.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into egalitarian theology: what it is, what it’s not, and why it offers a more faithful and freeing interpretation of Scripture than the limiting teachings many of us were handed.

Whether you’re curious, questioning, or already decons...

In this episode, Jeannette Cochran takes a bold and thoughtful look at complementarian theology—the belief that men are divinely appointed to lead while women are called to follow. Whether this term is brand new to you or something you've wrestled with for years, this conversation is for every woman who has felt the quiet pressure to stay small, hold back, or defer to others—even when she knows God has called her to lead.

Jeannette...

In this episode, Jeannette Cochran sits down with culture coach and speaker Nikki Lerner for a rich conversation about multicultural leadership and why it matters more than ever. They talk about what it takes to lead well in diverse spaces—like understanding cultural differences, building inclusive environments, and developing real cultural competence. Nikki shares insights on the power of proximity to people who are different from...

In this episode, Jeannette dives into a critical but often overlooked aspect of leadership—managing anxiety. Leadership and anxiety go hand in hand, and the real question isn’t whether you’ll experience anxiety, but how you’ll handle it. Drawing from personal experience and expert insights, she explores why anxiety is a natural part of leadership, how it can become destructive if ignored, and how to transform it into a tool for gro...

In this episode, Jeanette Cochran delves into the topic of emotions in leadership, particularly addressing the stereotype that women are 'too emotional' to lead effectively. Jeanette challenges these long-standing biases, using biblical examples and recent research to highlight that emotional intelligence is a powerful leadership asset for both men and women.

Tune in to explore how embracing your emotional sensitivity can make you ...

So many of us look for joy in fleeting places—success, perfection, or comparison—only to find ourselves feeling empty or disappointed. In this Advent reflection, we’re diving deep into the difference between happiness and true, lasting joy.

You’ll discover how joy isn’t dependent on circumstances but is rooted in something far deeper: the presence and promises of God. We’ll explore the angel’s proclamation of “good news of great jo...