In this episode of the Soul Friend Podcast, host Jodi Meiter welcomes one of her dearest friends, Shari Jones, for a rich, honest conversation about faith, motherhood, foster care, and adoption.

Shari and her husband thought their family was complete with five children, until God put foster care on their hearts. They adopted two sisters, and today their home is full with seven kids, from a 10-year-old to adult children. Shari shares how raising biological, foster, and adopted children has revealed her own daily need for a Savior and how God's grace meets her in the middle of the mess.

Together, Jodi and Shari explore:

- Why a 6:30 a.m. 'spat' between the kids is a gentle reminder: "I need the Savior — I can't manage this apart from Him"
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 in real life: His power perfected in a mom's weakness, and grace that is always sufficient
- How foster care and adoption sanctified Shari, her marriage, and even her biological kids — two of whom now serve as leaders at a foster camp
- The morning rhythm that anchors their home: Dad reads a chapter of the Bible, everyone picks a verse, and he prays for each one before work
- Delighting in your children and receiving God's delight first: "Jesus died for 100% of my sins, not 50%"
- A Father to the fatherless: growing up in a broken home, the godly mentors God gave her, and how she now identifies with her adopted girls
- Modeling repentance, fighting sin alongside your kids, and letting kindness, not shame, lead them to repentance
- How patient God is when He has to repeat Himself with us
- "If I could change their hearts through my many words, Jesus wouldn't have had to die" — praying Scripture over her kids instead of lecturing them
- Losing her mom on hospice and singing hymns at her bedside, and loving her 86-year-old dad and her stepmom (battling cancer) from a distance with gentle, "salty" truth
- Shari's encouragement to moms: "Focus on what really is eternal — and the rest is gravy"

The Soul Friend Podcast is a space for honest conversations, spiritual encouragement, and deeper connection. It is for those who are seeking to grow in their faith, build meaningful friendships, and walk boldly in their purpose.

Connect with Jodi Meiter
Contact information:
Jodi.Meiter@gmail.com
9325 S Rural Rd
Tempe, AZ 85284
Ascension Hospice
Outreach Chaplain
www.ascensionhospice.com
www.az.church
IG @jodimeiter

In this episode of the Soul Friend Podcast, host Jodi Meiter sits down with her friend and doctor, Dr. Allen Maxwell of AW Health Institute in Tempe, Arizona, for a powerful conversation on the deep connection between spiritual, emotional, and physical health.

Dr. Maxwell shares his remarkable story — raised by a father who held chiropractic, naturopathic, and medical degrees and pioneered holistic care in Mexico — and how that legacy shaped his calling as a naturopathic doctor.

Together, Jodi and Dr. Maxwell explore:

- Why unforgiveness may be the number one driver of disease — and what both science and Scripture say about it
- How our bodies are temples of God, and how emotional and spiritual resistance can block His healing light
- The stunning science of light: DNA as a fractal antenna, and why Scripture calls us to reflect His glory
- How to heal deep wounds — trauma, betrayal, grief — by bringing them before the Lord, shifting perspective, and extending grace
- Practical hope for seniors: regenerative injections for chronic pain and the gentle power of homeopathy
- Dr. Maxwell's morning ritual: ceremonial cacao with ashwagandha and maca instead of coffee

The Soul Friend Podcast is a space for honest conversations, spiritual encouragement, and deeper connection. It is for those who are seeking to grow in their faith, build meaningful friendships, and walk boldly in their purpose.

Connect with Jodi Meiter
Contact information:
Jodi.Meiter@gmail.com
9325 S Rural Rd
Tempe, AZ 85284
Ascension Hospice
Outreach Chaplain
www.ascensionhospice.com
www.az.church
IG @jodimeiter

In this special episode of the Soul Friend Podcast, host Jodi Meiter welcomes her best friend and husband of almost 30 years — Pastor Bill Meiter, lead pastor of Arizona Community Church — for an honest conversation on shepherding souls.

How do you care for other people's souls while caring for your own? Pastor Bill shares why no pastor can be the perfect shepherd for everyone — and why the body of Christ is absolutely essential. Together, Jodi and Bill explore:

- Why "I don't need church, I have a personal relationship with Jesus" misses the point — and what Hebrews 10 says about gathering together.
- The danger of watching church online with a consumer mindset vs. showing up to give: to worship the Lord and bless His Church with your gifts.
- How your simple presence on a Sunday morning bears the spiritual fruit of encouragement — more than you know.
- Assurance of salvation: why you can't lose it, and how to know your faith is genuine (with wisdom from R.C. Sproul and John MacArthur).
- Bill's own story of coming to faith in 1987 — and the immediate fruit that proved his heart had changed.
- What to do if you discover your love for God is only sentimental: cry out for a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26).
- The idols that rival Christ in American life — from youth sports to physical fitness — and the daily battle to hold everything loosely.
- Why vulnerability from the pulpit disciples more deeply than perfection ever could.
- A pastoral word for those facing the end of life: your security rests in Christ's righteousness, not your own.

Whether you're in ministry, parenthood, marriage, singleness, joy, or hardship, this episode will challenge you to stop watching and start giving — and to run your race with Jesus in a way that leaves you arriving in heaven exhausted.

The Soul Friend Podcast is a space for honest conversations, spiritual encouragement, and deeper connection. It is for those who are seeking to grow in their faith, build meaningful friendships, and walk boldly in their purpose.

Connect with Jodi Meiter
Contact information:
Jodi.Meiter@gmail.com
9325 S Rural Rd
Tempe, AZ 85284
Ascension Hospice
Outreach Chaplain
www.ascensionhospice.com
www.az.church
IG @jodimeiter