Living the Grace Life

Ep. 57 Finding Grace in Miscarriage and Grief | Ashley Opliger

Why, God? Why didn’t You answer our prayers? How could You let this happen after everything we’ve been through? Do You know how much this hurts?
Ashley Opliger has wrestled with these same questions in the depths of miscarriage, loss, and grief. Yet through it all, she found the steady presence of God’s grace and hope.
Ashley is the author of the USA Today bestselling book Cradled in Hope and the founder and CEO of Bridget’s Cradles, a national nonprofit that has brought comfort and healing to more than 30,000 bereaved families in 1,600 hospitals across all 50 states. She is a compassionate friend to anyone walking through the heartbreak of pregnancy loss, grief, or the death of a loved one.
In this heartfelt conversation, Ashley shares how she has learned to grieve with hope and trust God in the hardest places:
The different ways people process grief and loss
The "Grace Cup": extending grace to yourself and in response to hurtful words from others
Rhythms of grace that ground us in hope
Surrender that opens the door to intimacy with God and other grievers
The tragic loss of her father to a drunk driver
Righteous anger and how God hates death even more than we do
Though we were not made for this broken world, grief will touch every life. Listen in as Ashley’s story offers real grace, healing, and hope for anyone navigating miscarriage, loss, or the sting of death.
💬 Grace Quotes from Ashley Opliger:
“We need to extend the same grace to ourselves we would extend to someone else if they were telling us their story.”
“Most of the time, the things that come across as insensitive are well-intended, but poorly delivered."
“The sting of death is awful. But that's the point. That's why Jesus came as a sacrifice, so he could overcome it.”
Resources Mentioned:
🌿Holding Onto Love After You've Lost a Baby by Gary Chapman and Candy McVicar🌿Free EBook: Grieving and Healing After the Loss of a Baby
Connect with Ashley Opliger:
Website: ashleyopliger.comInstagram: @ashleyopliger + @bridgetscradlesFacebook: @ashleyopliger + @bridgetscradles
 
Related Episodes:
Ep. 46 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 27Ep. 34 How to Live on Both Sides of Desperate Prayers | Rachel WojoEp. 25 Divine Detour | Lori Ann Wood
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
🎁 My FREE gift to you: Prayers That Change Us📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content & episode updates⭐ If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with a friend!

Ep. 56 Dyslexia Awareness, Myths & Grace | Ethan Sakata

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. What is dyslexia, really? Far beyond “seeing letters backwards,” dyslexia is a lifelong learning difference as a result of how the brain processes language, making reading, spelling, and decoding more challenging. Dyslexia affects 1 in 5 people and is often misunderstood, yet with the right tools, strategies, and grace, students can thrive.
In this episode, I sit down with my son, Ethan Sakata, who was diagnosed with dyslexia at the end of fifth grade. Together, we reflect on his journey, including three years of intensive tutoring through the Barton Reading and Spelling System, the challenges of learning to read, and the victories that came with persistence, mistakes, and grace.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Common myths about dyslexia and what's actually true
How to release guilt from words spoken in ignorance
Ethan's journey from guessing to reading, and what kept him motivated
Practical strategies and tools for dyslexia management
How to advocate for your learning needs
Why mistakes can be powerful teachers
The hidden strengths and unique gifts that often come from being dyslexic
If you’re a parent, teacher, or student with questions about dyslexia, or if you’ve ever felt like you don’t learn like everyone else, this conversation is for you. Ethan’s story reminds you that even when grace feels hard to come by, God is at work, strengthening and shaping you along the way.
💬 Grace Quotes from Ethan Sakata:
“There wasn't anything about decoding words that came naturally to me. I had to think about every single part of the proccess."
“Less is more when it comes to words for dyslexics.”
"Mistakes helped me identify either places I needed more practice for that tool or a new tool altogether."
Scripture Referenced
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."
 
Resources and Books for Dyslexia Awareness:
🌿Barton Reading and Spelling System🌿Bright Solutions for Dyslexia🌿International Dylsexia Association
Sophia’s Fight SongYouTube created by a 5th-grade girl with dyslexiaTeacher’s response to Sophia’s videoYouTube video response from Sophia’s teachers
Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally ShaywitzTeach Reading with Orton-Gillingham by Kristina Smith and Heather MacLeod-VidalThe Dyslexia Empowerment Plan by Ben FossI Have Dyslexia. What Does that Mean? by Shelley Ball-Dannenburg and Delaney Dannenberg (Dyslexia through the eyes of an 8-year old girl)Xtraordinary People Made by Dyslexia by Kate Griggs
Related Episodes:
Ep. 50 5 Grace Takeaways that Still Stick | Jennifer SakataEp. 13 I Didn't Sign Up for This: Resting in God's Goodness | Sarah FrazerEp. 4 Your Real Self Through God's Eyes | Jennifer Sakata
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
🎁 My FREE gift to you: Prayers That Change Us📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content & episode updates⭐ If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with a friend!
 
 

Ep. 55 Grace in the Sandwich Season | Ruthie Gray

Are you in the sandwich season--raising kids while also caring for aging parents? The pressure, confusion, guilt, and overwhelm can feel crushing when family and business collide with life-altering health needs. Where does grace fit in when you’re being pulled in every direction?
That’s the journey of my guest, Ruthie Gray--wife, GenX mom, 15-year caregiver, and author of Empty Nest Awakening: Weaving the Threads of Your Passion into Purpose. A self-proclaimed “juggler of generations,” Ruthie shares wisdom, peace, and joy for moms navigating multigenerational caregiving.
In this episode of Living the Grace Life, Ruthie and I talk about:
Anticipatory grief in caregiving
Guilt when you can't do it all
Healthy boundaries for caregivers
Life rhythms to stay grounded and grace-filled
Staying on your own grass (and let them feel their own feelings)
Praying messy when words fail
Don’t miss Ruthie’s story of how a small act of kindness for her mom became a powerful reminder of God’s grace in her own life.
If you’ve ever struggled to find peace in multigenerational mayhem, this conversation will encourage you with real grace for your real life in the sandwich season.
💬 Grace Quotes from Ruthie Gray:
“I should have asked for help earlier.”
“This is your life now. It's what's right in front of you."
“When you're taking care of your mind and body, you're actually showing love for the people you're caring for. Because an unhealthy person and an unhealthy mind is an unhealthy caregiver and that has ripple effects on the people you love.”
 
Scripture Mentioned:
John 13
Resources Mentioned:
🌿Peaceful Mom Collection 🌿Identifying and Managing Caregiver Trauma with Lisa Saruga,
Connect with Ruthie Gray:
Website: ruthiegray.comInstagram: ruthie_gray_authorFacebook: authenticonlinemarketingpodTikTok: ruthiegray
 
Related Episodes:
Ep. 52 Chasing Grace | Carol McLeodEp. 39 The Good Shepherd Has His Eye On You | Jennifer SakataEp. 25 Divine Detour | Lori Ann Wood
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
🎁 My FREE gift to you: Prayers That Change Us📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content & episode updates⭐ If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with a friend!
 
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Ep. 54 Grace Cleans the Messy Past | James Early

Where do you need grace most in your day? Maybe it’s in the checkout line behind a slow customer, on the road with drivers who forget the rules, or more deeply, as you wrestle with identity shaped by your past choices—or the choices of others. The good news of the Gospel is this: God’s grace cleans the messy past and frees you to reflect God's love today.
In this week’s Living the Grace Life episode, James Early—host of The Bible Speaks to You podcast—shares how to experience grace in everyday life and relationships. Growing up in a Christian home gave James early exposure to Scripture, but he soon learned that reading the Bible required living it out—especially when it came to loving his own brother.
Together, we explore:
James’ prison ministry and the transformation that comes from reading the Bible personally
How church division and a health scare revealed God’s surprising work through grace
The mindset and ongoing process of grace
Why your identity must be rooted in the image of Christ, not your past
The unexpected places grace grows: in gratitude and in encouraging others
If you’ve ever struggled to love the person right in front of you—or felt stuck in the mud of past mistakes—this conversation will remind you that grace is not only possible, it’s already yours in Christ. Grace for you. Grace for them. Grace for today.
👉 Listen now and discover how God’s grace cleans the messy past and creates space for new life.
 
💬 Grace Quotes from James Early:
“Your past does not define you. Your sin does not define you. They're not your identity. God is the only one who defines your true identity.”
“We were created by God to receive love and to give love."
“God said to me. 'Love that person with my love. Watch me love them. And love them like that, in my image and in my likeness.'”
 
Scriptures Mentioned:
Ephesians 4:22-24
Acts 21
Resources Mentioned:
🌿Personalized page for Living the Grace Life Listeners🌿The Bible Speaks to You 300th Episode
Connect with James Early:
Website: thebiblespeakstoyou.com
 
Related Episodes:
Ep. 40 Be Still and Be Loved | Michael John CusickEp. 39 God's Steadfast Love in Daily Life | Rachael AdamsEp. 11 What Are You Wearing?
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
🎁 My FREE gift to you: Living the Grace Life, One Prayer at a Time📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content & episode updates⭐ If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with a friend!
 
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Ep. 53 Grief & Grace in the Persevering Years | Peg Arnold

Grief can feel like clothes that don’t fit—awkward, heavy, and uncomfortable. But over time, the garment of grief can become a surprising companion, leading to deeper intimacy with God and showing us where grief and grace meet in the persevering years.
In this episode of Living the Grace Life, I’m joined by Peg Arnold, lovingly known as the “Drama Queen for Jesus.” Peg shares her personal journey of perseverance through grief and grace as she walked alongside her parents in their battle with Alzheimer’s—the “disease of many goodbyes.”
When her mother passed away, Peg described death as “the ruthless thief that rips away a vibrant spirit at the most unexpected time. The uninvited visitor that lurks in the corners, in spite of many prayers for healing.” Yet, even in the midst of heartbreak, Peg discovered rhythms of grace, drawing inspiration from Joseph’s story of waiting and trusting God in his persevering years.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
Unconditional love when bodies and minds fail
Learning to live with the garments of grief
The sanctifying process of God’s grace
The grace of enablement in hard seasons
Rhythms of grace when grace feels scarce
Joseph’s story as a model of perseverance through suffering
Peg’s unique introduction to Octavia Organization—a new way to reframe perfectionism into grace that releases outcomes
🎙️If you’ve ever asked where grace shows up in the middle of grief, this conversation will encourage you. Listen in as God’s grace meets you with the sacred hug that whispers: I see you. I understand. You’re not alone.
💬 Grace Quotes from Peg Arnold:
“Lord, it's piling on me. I need help.”
“And God whispered, 'You're not alone. I can help you find joy in grief.'”
“Sometimes it's only looking back that you can see where the Presence of God was walking through with you on those hard days.”
 
Resources Mentioned:
🌿Making Your Message Memorable🌿Devotions for the Distracted Heart on YouVersion App
Connect with Peg Arnold:
Website: pegarnold.orgInstagram: @ArnoldPegFacebook: @PegArnoldWoW
Related Episodes:
Ep. 34 How to Live on Both Sides of Desperate Prayers | Rachel WojoEp. 33 Desperate Prayers for Real Life | Rachel WojoEp. 13 I Didn't Sign Up for This | Sarah Frazer
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
🎁 My FREE gift to you: Living the Grace Life, One Prayer at a Time📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content & episode updates⭐ If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with a friend!
 
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Ep. 52 Chasing Grace | Carol McLeod

Have you ever tucked something precious away for safekeeping—a piece of jewelry, a meaningful letter, or a memory too fragile to touch? In a world that feels like it’s spinning out of control, it’s tempting to do the same with our hearts. But what if grace isn’t meant to be stored away? What if chasing grace is your invitation to live wide open—to risk joy, to embrace today, and to let go of fear?
In this powerful season two opener of Living the Grace Life, bestselling author and speaker Carol McLeod invites us into a different way of living—one filled with purpose, honesty, and grace in motion. Drawing from her newest book, Today is a Verb, Carol shares how to walk through grief, face loss, and still chase joy.
💡 In this episode of Chasing Grace, we explore:
Carol’s journey through grief and five heartbreaking miscarriages
How choosing the right verbs shapes your daily life
What it means to embrace “Todaying” with intention and hope
Five healing insights about forgiveness—and three ways it transforms you
Practical ways to embody grace in your routines and relationships
✨ One of Carol’s guiding mantras is:"Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is the special occasion."And she lives that out with faith and fire.
Whether you're walking through sorrow or just trying to show up for your everyday life, this conversation is a gentle but bold call to stop saving grace—and start chasing it.
🎙️ Join us for an unforgettable start to Season Two—where we stop waiting for perfect moments and start living fully alive.
 
💬 Grace Quotes from Carol McLeod:
“Grace is like a boomerang. It always comes back to bless you too.”
“We can't be captivated by the offense or the offender. We have to be captivated by Jesus.”
“Be honest about where you are in your circumstances. Because if we need more grace, all we have to do is ask for it—and He will give it to us, lavishly and abundantly.”
Key Scripture:
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men..." Colossians 3:23, ESV
Resources Mentioned:
🌿 Carol's Books, including Today is a Verb🌿 FREE: YouVersion Plans + free downloads🌿 The Significant Women podcast
Connect with Carol McLeod:
Website: carol@carolmcleodministries.comInstagram: @CarolMcLeodMinistriesFacebook: @CarolMcLeodMinistries
 
Related Episodes:
Ep. 39 God's Steadfast Love in Daily LifeEp. 11 What Are You Wearing?Ep. 8 Live SLowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exhale | Jodi H. Grubbs
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
🎁 My FREE gift to you: Living the Grace Life, One Prayer at a Time📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content & episode updates⭐ If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with a friend!
 
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Ep. 51 The Grace Thread in Everyday Life | Eric Nevins

It’s hard to believe, but Living the Grace Life is officially one year old! To celebrate, I invited my podcasting mentor, Eric Nevins—host of Halfway There and CEO of the Christian Podcasters Association—back to the mic. Eric was instrumental in helping me launch this show, and in this conversation, we look back on the journey, laugh at a few behind-the-scenes moments, and reflect on what uniquely shapes this podcast—the grace thread in everyday life.
Eric shares his observations, plenty of encouragement, and even a vulnerable story of when grace was hard to come by for him: the day his sons’ school went through a shooting. His honest reflection and way forward point us toward Season Two’s theme: When Grace Is Hard to Come By.
This milestone episode is equal parts fun, affirming, and grace-filled. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to live rooted in God’s love even in hard places, this conversation is for you.
💬 Grace Quotes from Eric Nevins:
“One of the reasons we don't rely on grace is because we don't trust God.”
“The moment you add deserve to love, you've got something completely different.”
“Sin is not the truest thing about you. You're made in God's image and you're loved by Him, and therefore you must be loved by me.”
 
Resources Mentioned:
🌿 Halfway There podcast🌿 Exodus 90 App
Connect with Eric Nevins:
Website: ericnevins.comWebsite: Christian Podcasters AssociationInstagram: @Eric NevinsFacebook: @Eric Nevins
Related Episodes:
Ep. 50 5 Grace Takeaways that Still Stick | Season One RecapEp. 49 What G.R.A.C.E. Taught Us: Season One Reflections on Real Faith and Healing
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
🎁 My FREE gift to you: Living the Grace Life, One Prayer at a Time📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content & episode updates⭐ If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with a friend!
 
Website | Instagram | Facebook
 

Ep. 50: 5 Grace Takeaways that Still Stick | Season One Recap

What if the lessons of grace weren’t just meant for Sunday mornings, but for every single messy, ordinary day? In this special Season One reflection of Living the Grace Life, Jennifer Sakata shares 5 grace takeaways that still stick—truths that have carried us through grief, prayer, perfectionism, and healing.
You’ll hear how:✨ Grace honors the try—it’s not about perfection, but about showing up.✨ Your wounds aren’t too big for God—what feels too broken is never beyond His love.✨ Prayer doesn’t need polish—even the quietest cries reach His heart.✨ You don’t have to earn what’s already yours—grace is always a gift.✨ Your story is someone else’s permission—when you speak honestly, others find freedom.
Whether you’re new here or have journeyed through all 48 episodes, this recap will ground you in the heart of grace and invite you to live real grace in your own real-life story.
👉 Subscribe for more grace-filled encouragement and new conversations in Season Two!
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Ep. 49 What G.R.A.C.E. Taught Us: Season One Reflections on Real Faith and Healing

What has grace taught us this season? 💙Season One of Living the Grace Life has been a journey of healing, hope, and real faith. In this Season One recap, Jennifer Sakata reflects on the heartbeat of the podcast so far using the G.R.A.C.E. framework—a simple way to remember the core themes that shaped these first 48 episodes:
🔹 G — Grief and Healing | How grace meets us in pain, trauma, and loss🔹 R — Real Prayer, Real Life | Honest prayer in messy, silent, and sacred moments🔹 A — Acceptance over Achievement | Why grace is received, not earned🔹 C — Connection & Community | How relationships, mentoring, and support reveal grace🔹 E — Everyday Grace | Where God’s grace meets us in ordinary life
You’ll hear highlights and takeaways from past episodes—including stories of healing, breaking free from performance-driven faith, and the beauty of finding grace in unexpected places. 
✨ Whether you’re new to the podcast or have been listening since Episode 1, this recap will help you remember grace over performance, honesty over hiding, and hope that holds when life falls apart. Live out the grace that’s already yours.
👉 Subscribe for more grace-filled encouragement and new conversations in Season Two!
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
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Ep. 48 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 16

It's the final week of our summer series, Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms. I'll be reading Psalm 16, first from the New Living Translation, then from The Message Paraphrase, and lastly, from the English Standard Version.
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow so you don’t miss a single episode in the series—and grab your FREE Living the Grace Life: One Prayer at a Time to reflect deeper all summer long! 
💬 Embracing Grace Quotes:
“ The book of Psalms is that place of refuge where whatever we bring to the table is welcome there."
"God isn't put off by us. He's not threatened by what life churns up in us, or the response that often comes out of our mouth."
"The Psalms give voice to all of it."
🎧Let's journey together through the Psalms and embrace the grace that carries us, no matter what season we're in!
Links + Resources From This Episode:
Grace Notes Newsletter, which includes thoughts and questions for personal reflection on Psalm 16
Psalm 16 (New Living Translation)
Psalm 16 (The Message)
Psalm 16 (English Standard Version)
 
Related Episodes:
Ep. 47 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 46Ep. 46 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 27Ep. 45 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 91Ep. 44 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 131Ep. 43 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the PsalmsEp. 32 The Good Shepherd Has His Eye on You | Psalm 23Ep. 16 I Will Rejoice! | Psalm 118Ep. 4 Your Real Self through God's Eyes | Psalm 139
Stay Connected with Jennifer Sakata:
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