When Listeners Say, “Me Too”: Finding Familiarity in Shared Stories – A Listener Voicemail Episode

About this sermon

In this special listener voicemail episode, Jen and Amy turn the mic outward—listening closely to the voices, stories, and wisdom of the community that makes this show what it is. From reflections sparked by the Wake Up Call season to deeply personal responses to Jen’s book Awake, these messages trace a powerful throughline: what happens when we begin telling the truth about our lives—and make space for who we’re becoming. Listeners share how conversations with Lee C. Camp, John Fugelsang, Melani Sanders, and Chrissy King stirred something awake in them, naming long-held questions around faith, body, identity, and courage. Others call in to reflect on the uncanny resonance of Awake, beginning again and again with the same line: “Jen, our stories are very similar.” This episode is tender, funny, and deeply honest—a reminder that none of us are doing this work alone. It’s about waking up, letting go, finding language for the ache, and choosing what comes next—together. If you’ve ever wondered whether your voice matters here, this episode is your answer. Topics Covered ● Shared stories and collective healing ● Midlife awakening and personal change ● Faith, doubt, and spiritual curiosity ● Body image, identity, and courage ● Community, resonance, and belonging ● Listener reflections on Awake Thought-Provoking Quotes “Our stories are very similar—and hearing that out loud made me realize I’m not behind. I’m just in it.” — FTL Listener “I didn’t know how much I needed someone to say, ‘You’re allowed to change your mind,’ until this season.” — FTL Listener “That episode felt like someone finally put words to the questions I’ve been carrying quietly.” — FTL Listener “Something in me relaxed when I heard someone else say it first.” — FTL Listener Suggested Tags / Keywords For the Love Podcast, Listener Voicemail Episode, Awake, Midlife Awakening, Community Stories, Faith Deconstruction, Identity, Belonging, Women in Midlife, Shared Stories, You’re Not Alone Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ➢ Beyond Words: Listening to a Hidden Community — Ky Dickens and The Telepathy Tapes - https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-64/unlocking-the-secrets-of-consciousness-and-telepathy-ky-dickens-and-the-telepathy-tapes/ ➢ The Telepathy Tapes podcast - https://thetelepathytapes.com/ ➢ Rick Rubin - https://x.com/RickRubin ➢ Elizabeth Gilbert - https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/ ➢ Human Flourishing in a Distracted World: Theologian Lee C. Camp Offers a Wake Up Call To Living Well - https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-64/human-flourishing-in-a-distracted-world-theologian-lee-c-camp-offers-a-wake-up-call-to-living-well/ ➢ Love Over Dominance: John Fugelsang on the Future of Christianity - https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-64/love-over-dominance-john-fugelsang-on-the-future-of-christianity/ ➢ Social Media Sensation Melani Sanders Reminds Us That We Are Enough and We Do Not Care - https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-64/social-media-sensation-melani-sanders-reminds-us-that-we-are-enough-and-we-do-not-care/ ➢ Wake Up Call: Your Body Was Never the Problem with Body Liberation Advocate, Chrissy King - https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-64/wake-up-call-your-body-was-never-the-problem-with-body-liberation-advocate-chrissy-king/ ➢ Dr. Mary Claire Haver - https://www.instagram.com/drmaryclaire ➢ Jen Hatmaker Book Club - https://shop.jenhatmaker.com/collections/book-club Connect with Jen! Jen’s Website - https://jenhatmaker.com/ Jen’s Instagram - https://instagram.com/jenhatmaker Jen’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/jenHatmaker/ Jen’s Facebook - https://facebook.com/jenhatmaker Jen’s YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JenHatmaker The For the Love Podcast is presented by Audacy.