Have you ever thought, I don't know what to say" to someone who is walking through grief? I think a lot of us want to enter into someone else's pain, but we are afraid of saying the wrong thing. Maybe you can relate.

I am excited to introduce you to Cheri Fletcher. She made a wonderful product called Beyond, "I Don't Know What To Say." You definitely want to check out these grief communication cards. I love what she says, "These communication cards turn 'I don't know what to say' into a conversation that heals." This product is amazing!

Today, Cheri shares her story about the loss of her daughter, Annie as well as she is going to share with us about grief. I love what she shares on her cards, "Grief is complicated, but communication doesn't need to be." I know you are going to learn so much from Cheri.

Cheri Fletcher and I met from my conversation with Lynn Cowell and Michelle Nietert and their book, *Strong and Secure. Check out Depth Podcast Episode 247. Lynn shares a quote from Cheri and tagged her in the reel I made. Click this link to see the Instagram reel. Love how God connects His people!

Book Recommendations:

• *A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sittser
• *Hope is the First Dose by Dr. Lee Warren

Direct Link for the Grief Communication Cards Thank you to Cheri for sharing a 10% off discount to my listeners. Please use the code: Welcome10

Cheri Fletcher is a writer, speaker, and grief communicator whose work for over two decades has centered on the truth that our roles may change, but our purpose is eternal. After the loss of her daughter, Annie, her work deepened to give language to the lived experience of grief—especially child loss and its impact on identity and faith. She also created grief communication cards and is building a quieter, more intentional space for women navigating life after loss.

Cheri lives in Tennessee with her husband Todd, their lab Libby, and the joy of watching her two sons build lives with the daughters-in-law she prayed for long before she knew their names.

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Have you heard of the Katrina Rose? Well if you haven't, you are in for a treat because on the podcast this week, I talk with Mary Rooney Armand about her new book, *Uniquely Made: Understanding and Embracing Your Identity in Christ. She is going to share about the Katrina Rose and I love the lessons that she learned that we can apply to our lives.

We are also going to talk about butterflies-- Mary's website is called butterfly living, so she has lots of truth to share about both butterflies and roses. This episode is so full of truth and I know it is going to encourage your heart. We talk about comparison, friendships, walking through storms of life, and also practical ways to pivot our thoughts. I cannot wait for you to listen.

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Mary's book: *Uniquely Made. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodisnowdon.com or you can click this direct link: https://kingsumo.com/g/1knqxn1/uniquely-made-book-giveaway

I wrote an article back in 2023 for Mary's blog called 3 Helpful Steps to Living with No Regrets. Here is the Direct Link to check it out!

Book Recommendations: *Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby

Mary also mentioned the Explorer's Bible Study that she did in community.

Mary Rooney Armand writes faith-based stories inspiring others to grow in their intimacy with Christ. She is an Author, Speaker, and Founder of the blog ButterflyLiving.org. Mary is the author of *Uniquely Made: Understanding and Embracing Your Identity in Christ.and the creator of the collaboration Life Changing Stories.

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

What do you think is the most important thing in life? Would it be what you do--- Your job? Maybe your accomplishments? Your Hard Work? Your reputation? All of that is what people see from the outside. Or would it be what happens on the inside---- That deep rooted growth that happens where no one really sees it-- it is invisible?

I think it has to do with what happens in the inner part of our life. I love this quote, "The most important thing in your life is not what you do, but about who you become." Today, I am so excited to highlight this book, *Soul Keeping by John Ortberg. The subtitle says Caring for the Most Important Part of You. Our Soul! I know you are going to learn so much from John's book -- it is full of wisdom.

I share about John Mark Comer's Book, *The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. My dad and I were both reading this book at the same time back in December 2024, so he was my podcast guest as we talked about this book. Check out Depth Podcast Episode 224

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Happy New Year! Have you ever read a book, and there is a quote that stands out to you? It really captivates you with the words on it!

I have to tell you about this book I read back in 2025. It was in the summer where I had taken a sabbatical after my dad passed away, and I had gotten this book from a friend called *The Well Watered Woman. At the beginning of the book, after a couple pages, this is what is says, "You don't have to be blooming to be growing." I immediately paused and thought, Oh my goodness, I needed to hear that today. Maybe you need to hear it too.

This week on the podcast, I will share some of my favorite truths from this book, *The Well Watered Woman by Gretchen Saffles. The book has so many great takeaways and words of wisdom that I know will encourage you as you start this new year, 2026. If you are looking for a great book to read too, I highly recommend this one.

Depth Podcast Episode links and Book Recommendations to Grow your Roots Deep:

• *Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength by Jodi Snowdon. What if your greatest heartbreak catapults you to your greatest growth?
• *Thrive by Mark Hall
• Depth Podcast Episode 114: I talk with Banning Liebscher about his book, *Rooted: The Hidden Places Where God Wants to Develop You. He says that God wants to grow you on the inside before he ever grows you on the outside. This hidden growth is so important.
• Depth Podcast Episode 115: I share practically how to grow deeper roots!
• Depth Podcast Episode 210 with Angie Baughman on the 5 Step Bible Study Method.

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Did you grow up in a house that talked about their emotions? Are you talking with your kids about their emotions? Emotional Literacy is so important, and I am so passionate about giving tools to others to help them in their parenting.

Last week, I shared 5 books that I read with my kids that helped them grow deeper in their faith (Depth Podcast Episode 244). This week, I want to share 5 books that I did not have when my kids were young; they had not been written yet. They are all about emotional literacy, and they are phenomenal. I cannot wait to share them with you, and I hope you will add them to your library at home.

1. Any Day Emotions by Debra Fileta

2. *What Am I Feeling by Dr. Josh & Christi Straub

3. *God, I Feel Sad by Michelle Nietert & Tama Fortner

Note: In the Series, they also have *God, I Feel Scared.

4. *Managing Your Emojis by Michelle Nietert & Lynn Cowell

To hear more about this amazing book, check out my interview with Michelle back in 2023. Link to Depth Podcast Episode 180

5. *The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

Lastly, I teach an emotional literacy tool when I speak to mom's groups that I would love to share with you. Check out my post titled: How to Help Your Children Name Their Feelings?

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!

Do you like to read to your kids or grandkids? Do you like to find Christian books with strong messages in them? Maybe it is about their identity in Christ? Maybe it is about worry and anxiety because I know that is a struggle for so many kids? Or maybe it is about helping them walk through hard circumstances?

I am so excited to share with you five of my favorite children's books that I read with my own kids! These books all have strong Christian themes and will help your kids grow deeper in their faith. This is actually Part 1 of a two-part episode, so I cannot wait to give you some great children's book recommendations for the Holidays.

Also, I am so excited for someone to win a copy of Max Lucado's book: *You Are Special. All the details of the book giveaway are on my website at jodisnowdon.com or you can click this direct link: https://kingsumo.com/g/m2d8v73/you-are-special-book-giveaway

I go into detail about each book on the episode, but I wanted to share a quick list of them below!

1. *You Are Special by Max Lucado

2. *Your Special Gift by Max Lucado

3. *It Will Be Okay by Lysa Terkeurst

4. *Win or Lose I Love You! by Lysa Terkeurst

5. Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids

*Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!