Podcast
The Bitter and The Sweet Podcast
Hosted by Kayla M. Cook · EN
The Bitter & The Sweet Podcast is a show where we tell the truth about grief, joy, and the grace that covers it all.
Join Host Kayla M. Cook every Tuesday for conversations about disappointment and dreams, grief and gratitude, the bitter and the sweet.
30episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Jesus and Therapy: Breaking the Silence around Mental Health and The Church with Rebecca Woodman- Episode 84
1w ago00:34:19Tap to summarizeIf you've ever thought or been told you should "just pray more" when it comes to your mental health, this conversation with my friend Rebecca Woodman is for you! Rebecca is a wife, mom, therapist, and founder and executive director of ChurchxCity, a nonprofit that partners with the local church to bring affordable, Biblically based, mental health counseling to the city of Charlotte. Rebecca and I got to talk about the stigma around anxiety and depression in faith spaces, how the Church has historically not done a great job when it comes to navigating mental health issues, positive changes in that, and where we go from here. We talked about when it's time to see a counselor or therapist, how to find one, and pursuing emotional wellness in a way that is rooted in faith without shame. Healing and wholeness matter deeply to God because people matter deeply to Him. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, spiritually exhausted from trying harder, or alone in your struggles, this episode will remind you faith and mental health can coexist. LINKS Connect with Rebecca on Instagram Learn more about (or connect with!) ChurchxCity Connect with Kayla on Instagram Connect with the show on Instagram Become an email friend
Transcribe →Living Selflessly Without Losing Your Worth with Morgan Krueger- Episode 83
2w ago00:29:04Tap to summarizeWhy are we so naturally drawn to prioritize ourselves? What does it actually look like to live selflessly without losing sight of our God-given worth as image bearers (Imago Dei)? I recently got to unpack those questions (and much more!) with a brand new friend of mine, author Morgan Krueger. Morgan is a wife, mom, and Live Original Ambassador. She is the author of two books, including her latest Made to Magnify: Choosing to Live for Jesus When Everything Tells You to Live for Yourself. Morgan and I got to talk about the deep tension between self-centered living and a life that truly reflects Jesus. Together, we got to unpack living selflessly without losing who we were made to be, the everyday choices that shape our spiritual lives, and the powerful invitation God extends to know Him personally. Morgan shares how building trust in God's character frees us from constant striving and performance-based faith, allowing us to rest in His presence instead. This episode brings theology down to earth, with practical insight into what living for Jesus looks like in the ordinary rhythms of life, even on a normal Tuesday. If you've ever wrestled with purpose, identity, or surrender, this conversation will help you reframe what it means to truly magnify God in a self-focused world. LINKS Connect with Morgan on Instagram Get your copy of Morgan's new book, Made to Magnify Connect with Kayla on Instagram Connect with the show on Instagram Visit Kayla's website Become an email friend
Transcribe →Grace in Hard Places: Family of Origin, PPD, and Foster Care- Episode 82
3w ago00:32:54Tap to summarizeWhile we are in between National Infertility Awareness Week and Mother's Day, I wanted to bring you some of the very best of the conversations we've had about family in many different forms. Your family of origin, postpartum mental health, and foster care are challenging topics, but there is a Grace that covers them. In this episode, we are talking about hard conversations and boundaries with the family who raised you, postpartum depression and how our mental health impacts the people we love, and caring for vulnerable people without trying to control outcomes. If you've ever felt the weight of your story, struggled in motherhood, or needed to see hope in hard seasons, this episode offers honest conversations and gentle reminders of God's presence and faithfulness in both the bitter and the sweet. LINKS Connect with Kristen on Instagram Get your copy of Kristen's book, Legacy Changer Connect with Rachael on Instagram Get your copy of Rachael's book, A Mom is Born Connect with Lauren on Instagram Connect with Kayla on Instagram Connect with the show on Instagram Visit Kayla's website Become an email friend
Transcribe →Infertility, Grief, and Gratitude: What Helps, What Hurts, and the Family You Imagined (NIAW Special)- Episode 81
4w ago00:25:05Tap to summarizeIt is National Infertility Awareness Week- a week that is near and dear to my heart, as infertility is part of my story. This week, I'm sharing my personal story with infertility, what helps and what hurts to hear from loved ones, and why we never have to choose between grief and gratitude. LINKS Episode 8: The Family You Hoped Would Be Episode 14: You Don't Have to Choose Between Grief and Gratitude Episode 34: What to Say (and What Not to Say) to Your Infertile Friend Connect with Kayla on Instagram Connect with the show on Instagram Become an email friend Visit Kayla's website
Transcribe →Alcohol Recovery, Faith, and Finding God at Rock Bottom with Ashley Martin- Episode 80
Apr 1400:29:35Tap to summarizeThis episode is a return to conversations with friends, and I'm so excited about that! Today's discussion is a special one with my friend Ashley Martin. Ashley is a speaker, author, and advocate for faith-based recovery. You may remember Ashley from Episode 23, "Finding Your Way Back to God," where she shared her personal journey through alcohol addiction and recovery. In this episode, we are celebrating the release of her debut book, Lost No More: A Daily Path to God in the Midst of Your Deepest Valleys. In this conversation, Ashley and I got to talk about surrender, the power of prayer, and how serving others can play a vital role in healing and recovery. We also discuss what to do if you're at rock bottom (or if someone you love is struggling with addiction), and Ashley shares practical encouragement for navigating those difficult seasons. Plus, we go behind the scenes of the book-writing process and what it's like to publish a faith-based recovery story. If you or someone you love is facing alcohol addiction or searching for hope, faith, and restoration, this conversation will encourage and inspire you. LINKS Listen to Ashley's first episode of The Bitter & the Sweet- Finding Your Way Back to God, Episode 23 Connect with Ashley on Instagram Visit Ashley's website Connect with Kayla on Instagram Connect with the show on Instagram Visit Kayla's website Become an email friend
Transcribe →Come Back Home- Episode 79
Apr 700:08:53Tap to summarizeFeeling disconnected from God or struggling with church? In today's short 10-minute episode, we are talking about what it truly means to return to God, where this theme appears in the Bible, and how it applies to our lives today, especially for those struggling with church or feeling distant in their faith. LINKS BibleProject Guide to the book of Joel Connect with Kayla on Instagram Connect with the show on Instagram Visit Kayla's website Become an email friend
Transcribe →Why Judas Betrayed Jesus: A Heart-Level Holy Week Reflection- Episode 78
Mar 3100:07:18Tap to summarizeIt is Holy Week, the most sacred week on the Christian calendar. It is really easy for us to skip to celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, but let's not rush ahead. Let's soak in every day of Holy Week this year as we really consider the sacrifice Jesus made. Before His death and resurrection, Jesus was betrayed by one of His followers. We are digging into that betrayal today, what it looked like then, and what it means for us. Connect with Kayla on Instagram Connect with the show on Instagram Visit Kayla's website Become an email friend
Transcribe →Boundaries: Trusting God with the Ones We Set and the Ones Set For Us- Episode 77
Mar 2400:09:14Tap to summarizeIn this short solo show (under 10 minutes!), we are diving into boundaries: where we see them in scripture, boundaries we set, boundaries that are set for us, and trusting God with them and within them. Part of this episode comes from a message I brought to a church event not too long ago. If you are interested in having me bring a full length version message to your women's conference, retreat, or church gathering, reach out via my website, kaylamcook.com. I'd love to join you and serve your people! Visit Kayla's website Become an email friend Connect with Kayla via Instagram Connect with the show via Instagram
Transcribe →One Reason Women are Tired, and What God Offers Us Instead- Episode 76
Mar 1700:10:48Tap to summarizeIn this short solo show (under 11 minutes!), we are diving into one reason why women are so tired these days, and what God offers us instead. This is an abbreviated version of a message I gave at a women's conference not too long ago. If you are interested in having me bring the full length version to your women's conference, retreat, or church gathering, reach out via my website, kaylamcook.com. I'd love to join you and serve your people! Visit Kayla's website Become an email friend Connect with Kayla via Instagram Connect with the show via Instagram
Transcribe →When God Doesn't Fix It- Episode 75
Mar 1000:09:05Tap to summarizeIn this short solo show (just under 10 minutes!), we are digging into difficult circumstances we all face in life: when God doesn't fix it. LINKS Episode 74: Facing Chronic Illness with Hope and Honesty with Lily Mitchell Connect with Kayla on Instagram Connect with the show on Instagram
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