Want to be a part of our community Bible Study? Sign up for our Fall Study on Daniel at nicoleunice.com/daniel

Change is hard. From launching her daughter to college, taking on new work demands, and navigating midlife challenges, Nicole reflects on the changes happening in her life and how God continues to invite each of us into transformation—no matter our season of life.

In this "Lord, Hear My Prayer" series, listeners will walk through how to pray through complex emotions—like fear, sadness, confusion, and more—as we hear from God in the realest parts of our lives.

Key Takeaways

🔹 Real Talk About Change

• Whether your stress is eustress (positive, but still demanding) or unwanted hardship, change is inevitable and hard.

• Midlife can bring resistance to growth, yet God still invites us into deeper spiritual transformation.

• Making space for God means facing reality—and that can be incredibly courageous work.

🔹 When We’re Scared

• Fear comes in many forms: anxiety about the future, feeling out of control, or grieving change.

• God does not promise to change all our circumstances—but He does promise His peace.

• Nicole shares a simple, practical way to use your Bible’s concordance to find verses that speak directly to your emotional state.

✍️ Scriptures to Reflect On 📖 John 14:27 (Jesus' Words)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Key Insight: Jesus offers peace in the midst of fear—not by removing it, but by overriding it with His presence.

📖 Psalm 118:5–7

“Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Key Insight: God’s presence sets us free, even when our circumstances don’t change.

Practical Application: Try This Prayer Method:

1. Name your fear: “Lord, hear my prayer because I’m scared about ___.”

2. Use your Bible’s concordance to find relevant Scriptures (look up “afraid” or “fear”).

3. Write down one or two verses in a journal or on a notecard.

4. Repeat them aloud daily—say them in prayer, in your car, or when anxiety arises.

5. Notice the shift: The power of God's Word reorients your mind and strengthens your spirit.

Want More from Nicolle?

• 🎧 Subscribe & share the show with a friend who’s wrestling with their calling.

• 📝 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—your words help others discover the show!

• 💌 Got a question? Email Nicole at nicole@nicoleunice.com or send a message through nicoleunice.com.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this final episode to the Summer Q&A Series, Nicole responds to a heartfelt question from a listener:

“I feel the Holy Spirit urging me to speak, but I’ve been taught that women should not preach. How do I stay obedient to the Spirit?”

Nicole unpacks Scripture—including the often-debated passages in 1 Corinthians—to explore how spiritual gifts are given to both men and women for the building up of the church. She highlights the difference between preaching and prophesying, and reminds listeners that obedience to God’s voice is never limited by human rules.

Nicole also shares what’s coming this fall: a brand-new series on the book of Daniel, exploring how to live “right-side up” in an upside-down world. Don’t miss the preview at the end of the episode!

Key Takeaways

🔹 The Gift of Prophecy is for Everyone

• According to 1 Corinthians 12, spiritual gifts—including prophecy—are given by the Holy Spirit to all believers for the building up of the Church.

• Prophesying is not the same as preaching. Prophecy often includes exhortation, encouragement, or Spirit-led truth for a specific moment.

🔹 Women Are Called to Speak

• 1 Corinthians 11 references women prophesying in public worship, assuming it’s a normal part of church life.

• Women like Deborah (Judges 4) and Huldah (2 Kings 22) are explicitly named as prophets and leaders in Scripture.

• God’s Spirit is not limited by gender: “In Christ, there is neither male nor female...” (Galatians 3:28).

🔹 Interpreting 1 Corinthians 14 with Context

• The call for women to “remain silent” (1 Corinthians 14:34) must be understood within the broader letter’s context: Paul is addressing disordered worship in Corinth.

• Scripture interprets Scripture—Paul already assumed women were prophesying earlier in the same letter.

🔹 Obedience Over Platform

• You don’t need a microphone or a stage to use your gift.

• If the Spirit prompts you to share, pray, write, or encourage—be faithful in the small steps.

• God is responsible for the impact of your obedience. You are responsible for your yes.

📜 Bible Verses Mentioned

• 1 Corinthians 12:4–7 – Spiritual gifts are for the benefit of the whole church

• 1 Corinthians 11:5 – Women prophesying with proper decorum

• 1 Corinthians 14:34–35 – The debated silence passage, seen in light of context

• Galatians 3:28 – “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female…”

• Judges 4:4 – Deborah, a prophet and judge

• 2 Kings 22:14 – Huldah, prophetess consulted by King Josiah

🔔 Announcements 📚 Coming Fall 2025:

“Living Right-Side Up in an Upside-Down World”
A brand-new study series through the book of Daniel

• Explore how to live with conviction, compassion, and courage in a culture that doesn’t reflect your faith.

• Includes a free reading guide, group tools, and weekly in-depth study with Nicole.

• Launches right after Labor Day. We will be send more out on this soon!

👉 Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it!

📢 Ways to Get Involved

• 🎧 Subscribe & share the show with a friend who’s wrestling with their calling.

• 📝 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—your words help others discover the show!

• 💌 Got a question? Email Nicole at nicole@nicoleunice.com or send a message through nicoleunice.com.

• 📖 Revisit other episodes in the Summer Q&A Series for biblical insight on doubt, fear, identity, and calling.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of the Summer Q&A Series, Nicole answers the profound listener question:
“What’s one of the most effective methods you’ve personally found to cultivate your integrity?”

Nicole redefines integrity as spiritual alignment, where our thoughts, emotions, and actions match our belief in Christ. She walks listeners through a 3-part daily rhythm rooted in Scripture and real-life experience: daily praise, daily noticing, and daily confession. This soul-training practice helps listeners learn to live more fully into God’s peace, wisdom, and joy—even in the everyday chaos of life.

If you’re longing for a life where what you believe matches how you live, this episode is your roadmap.

Main Takeaways

• Integrity means inner alignment: It’s not just about moral perfection—it’s about connecting your heart, mind, and actions to God’s purposes.

• It’s a daily journey, not a one-time decision: We don’t just say “yes” to Jesus once—we say it again and again as we walk with Him each day.

Nicole’s 3-Step Practice to Cultivate Integrity:

1. Daily Rhythm of Praise – Begin each day acknowledging God’s goodness and aligning your heart with His will.

2. Daily Noticing – Pay attention to moments of anxiety, anger, and apathy—they often reveal areas where God wants to work.

3. Daily Confession – End the day in honesty and grace. Confess missteps and receive the cleansing God promises in 1 John 1:9.

• God’s Mercy is New Every Morning: Confession isn’t about guilt; it’s about freedom and renewal.

• You don’t have to feel it to start: Spiritual disciplines begin as choices—and your emotions will often follow your habits.

📜 Bible Verse References

• 1 John 1:8–9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive…”

• Psalm 139:23–24 – “Search me, God, and know my heart…”

• James 3:2 – “We all stumble in many ways.”

• Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God…”

• Matthew 6:11 – “Give us this day our daily bread…”

📢 Calls to Action (CTAs)

• Subscribe to How to Study the Bible and follow along with the Summer Q&A Series.

• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more people discover the show.

• Send in your own question for the podcast at nicoleunice.com.

• Try Nicole’s daily rhythm this week and journal what changes for you.

• Share this episode with a friend who’s seeking to grow in authentic faith and wholeness.

🔗 Relevant Links & Resources

• NicoleUnice.com – Tools, devotionals, and updates on upcoming studies

• BibleStudyTools.com – Full Scripture references for study

• Recommended Song: “Lord, I Need You” by Matt Maher – for morning praise practice

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this week’s episode of the Summer Q&A Series, Nicole answers a deeply personal and universally relevant listener question: “How do you repair a relationship when trust has been broken—and you know you’ll never accept their point of view?”

With pastoral care, biblical grounding, and hard-earned wisdom, Nicole unpacks the spiritual and emotional nuance of reconciliation. Drawing from Matthew 18 and the parable of the unforgiving servant, she explores what it means to truly forgive someone from the heart—and how that differs from rebuilding trust or restoring a broken relationship.

Nicole challenges the common myth that forgiveness equals relational closeness, and instead introduces a framework for discerning when and how to rebuild a relationship. Listeners will walk away with clarity, compassion, and a path forward for their most complex relational wounds.

Main Takeaways

• Forgiveness and Reconciliation are not the same: You can forgive someone fully without restoring the relationship to what it once was.

• Forgiveness is about release: Releasing the debt someone owes you doesn't mean ignoring the pain or pretending it didn’t happen.

• Trust Must Be Rebuilt: Trust after betrayal requires mutual effort—both people must be willing to rebuild from their side of the breach.

• Respect is the Minimum Requirement: You don’t need to share the same worldview to have a relationship—but both parties must be willing to listen and respect one another.

• Relationships exist on a spectrum: Not every relationship needs to be fully restored. Some may be repositioned to a more distant—but still loving—place.

• Scripture challenges us to forgive radically: Jesus’ parable in Matthew 18:21–35 underscores the magnitude of the forgiveness we've received—and the forgiveness we're called to extend.

📜 Bible Verse References

• Matthew 18:21–35 – Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

• Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things…”

• Psalm 139:23–24 – “Search me, God, and know my heart…”

• Matthew 6:12 – “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Want More from Nicole?

• Subscribe to How to Study the Bible so you don’t miss a week of the Summer Q&A Series.

• Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts—your feedback helps others discover the show.

• Check out Nicole’s book, The Miracle Moment, for a deeper dive into relational repair and forgiveness.

• Visit nicoleunice.com for additional resources, Bible studies, and updates on the upcoming fall series.

• Share this episode with someone walking through a difficult relationship—they don’t have to walk it alone.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we’re bringing you a special conversation from one of our LifeAudio partners. Host Monica Schmelter sits down with Stephanie, a breast cancer survivor whose journey from diagnosis to healing is a raw and beautiful testament to faith, resilience, and God’s sustaining grace.

Stephanie shares what it was like to hear the words, “You have cancer,” and opens up about the emotional and physical battles she faced through treatment. From her biggest fears—like telling her mom and daughter—to discovering unexpected strength through Christ, her story is filled with honesty, hope, and encouragement.

Whether you're walking through your own health challenge or supporting someone who is, this episode will remind you of the power of faith, the value of community, and the importance of not putting yourself last.

🎁 Bonus Freebie: Don’t miss today’s giveaway—5 Ways to Take Better Care of Yourself. A simple but powerful resource to help you stay grounded, healthy, and rooted in truth.

You can find "Hope For The Journey" On your favorite podcast app or at Lifeaudio.com

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of the Summer Q&A Series, Nicole responds to a powerful and timely question:
“What happens when we dehumanize others, and what might we be avoiding in ourselves when we do it?”

Rooted in Scripture and shaped by years of teaching and discipleship, Nicole explores how dehumanization—both subtle and overt—can reveal deeper emotional and spiritual struggles, particularly among women. Through biblical reflection and honest personal insights, she identifies three key areas often lurking beneath this behavior: fear, anger, and pride.

Listeners will walk away challenged and encouraged to reexamine how they view others—and how they might bring hidden heart issues before God for healing and transformation.

Main Takeaways

• Dehumanization is subtle but dangerous: We often strip others of their God-given dignity by grouping them into labels, roles, or categories.

• Words carry weight: Name-calling and group labels are not just emotional reactions—they violate the biblical truth that every person bears the image of God.

• Why we dehumanize: It's often an avoidance tactic for deeper emotional realities.

• Three Common Roots Behind Dehumanization in Women:

  1. Fear – Of being wrong, hurt, rejected, or vulnerable

  2. Anger – Especially unspoken or culturally suppressed anger

  3. Pride – The insidious belief that we know best, or can determine what's fair or right outside of God

• The Bible’s Response: God calls us back to humility, self-examination, and compassion. Transformation starts with asking God to search our hearts (Psalm 139).

Bible Verse References

• Genesis 1:27 – “God created mankind in His own image…”

• Psalm 139:13–14 – “You knit me together in my mother’s womb…”

• Jeremiah 2:13 – God describes forsaking Him as abandoning living water

• Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things…”

• Psalm 139:23–24 – “Search me, God, and know my heart…”

Calls to Action (CTAs)

• Subscribe to How to Study the Bible to follow the rest of the Summer Q&A Series.

• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more people discover the show.

• Visit nicoleunice.com for Bible studies, teaching tools, and Nicole’s books.

• Invite a friend to listen and reflect on this episode together—great for small groups or mentoring relationships.

• Join the conversation on Instagram @NicoleUnice or use #HowToStudyTheBible.

🔗 Relevant Links & Resources

• NicoleUnice.com – Teaching resources, devotionals, and books

• BibleStudyTools.com – Scripture reference and Bible tools

• Recommended Reflection: Write out a prayer of surrender using Psalm 139.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of the Summer Q&A Series, Nicole tackles one of the most common (and courageous!) questions: “I’ve never read the Bible cover to cover—where should I start?”

She breaks down practical, grace-filled strategies for reading the Bible in a way that actually works, offering insights for both new and seasoned believers. From choosing the right translation to dealing with confusing or difficult passages, Nicole empowers listeners to start reading with confidence and purpose. Whether you’ve felt overwhelmed, confused, or discouraged by Scripture in the past, this episode will give you a clear and doable way forward.

🧠 Main Takeaways

• You’re Not Alone: Many faithful Christians have never read the whole Bible—and it’s never too late to start.

• Don’t Start at Genesis (at least not right away): Many fall off around Leviticus. Instead, begin with:

  • Luke – A detailed and compassionate account of Jesus’s life

  • Acts – The story of the early church

  • Romans – A powerful explanation of the gospel

  • Then continue through the New Testament before tackling the Old Testament

• Use a Study Bible: Even a basic study Bible can provide helpful context, intros, and notes for difficult passages.

• Mark Your Progress: Write in your Bible, underline verses, and make notes—it can become a spiritual journal and legacy.

• Don’t Get Stuck in the Weeds: Your first time reading is a flyover—aim for big-picture understanding, not perfection.

• Psalms & Proverbs: Consider mixing in chapters of Psalms or Proverbs for encouragement and wisdom along the way.

• Read With a Plan (or Not): Try chronological Bibles, one-year plans, or even 90-day “boot camps”—but always choose what fits you.

• Give Yourself Grace: Falling behind is normal. Focus on steady progress, not perfect performance.

📜 Bible Verse References

• Luke 1:1–4 – Introduction to the Gospel account

• Acts 1:1–3 – Continuation of Luke’s writing, the story of the early church

• Romans 1–16 – Understanding theology and Christian living

• Psalm 139:13 – “You knit me together in my mother’s womb…”

Want More? Start Here:

• Subscribe to How to Study the Bible to follow the full Summer Q&A Series.

• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps others find the show.

• Visit nicoleunice.com for Bible study tools and Nicole’s books.

• Download a reading plan or grab a study Bible to get started today.

• Share this episode with someone beginning their Bible reading journey.

Links & Resources

• NicoleUnice.com – Bible study resources, books, and teaching

• BibleStudyTools.com – Read and search Scripture online

• Recommended Bible Translation for Beginners: New Living Translation (NLT)

• Nicole’s Book: Brave Enough (includes Scripture promises for encouragement)

• Explore past episodes for deep dives into Romans, James, and more.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this opening episode of the Summer Q&A Series, Nicole addresses one of the most heartfelt and relatable spiritual struggles: “What do I do when I can’t hear God’s voice?”

Drawing from James 1:2–8, Nicole unpacks why God may feel silent in seasons of confusion or pain—and how that silence could actually be an invitation. With compassionate insight and biblical depth, she offers listeners practical wisdom for enduring trials, examining their hearts, and pressing deeper into God’s promises. This is a powerful episode for anyone feeling stuck, discouraged, or distant from God.

Main Takeaways

• You’re Not Alone in the Silence: Even faithful believers experience seasons of unanswered questions or silence from God.

• James 1 Offers a Roadmap:

  • Troubles are opportunities for growth, not obstacles to joy.

  • When we ask for wisdom, God will give it—but we must ask with faith and undivided loyalty.

• Mixed Motives Can Muffle God’s Voice: Sometimes our desires are entangled with fear, selfishness, or cultural pressure. Regular self-examination can purify our requests.

• Endurance Builds Spiritual Maturity: The waiting seasons are formative. Joy, wisdom, and clarity come with time and perseverance.

• God’s Promises are Steady Anchors: Holding tight to the truths of Scripture can help steady your faith during spiritually dry times.

For Further Bible Study: Bible Verse References

• James 1:2–8 – Consider trials as joy and ask for wisdom with faith

• Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

• Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened…”

• John 10:10 – “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

• John 14:6 – “I am the way and the truth and the life…”

• John 16:33 – “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Want More?

• Subscribe to How to Study the Bible to follow the full Summer Q&A Series!

• Leave a review to help more listeners discover biblical answers to real-life questions.

• Visit nicoleunice.com for Bible study tools and Nicole’s books.

• Get Nicole's book Brave Enough

• Submit a Question for future Q&A episodes via social @NicoleUnice.

• BibleStudyTools.com – Verse reference and study help

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.