In part 2 of this interview with Dr. Dan Allender, Heather and Dan delve into what it truly means to experience a deeper, more fulfilling marriage. Dr. Allender shared profound insights into how our past plays a crucial role in shaping our present and how this understanding can guide us toward redemption and healing in our relationships.

Here are themes for our conversation today:


Growth in Marriage: True growth in marriage is not just about comfort and convenience. It involves addressing past traumas and engaging with each other's differences to heal and understand the work of the spirit in our lives.


The Role of Desire: Desire in a marriage is never equal, and understanding this difference can lead to greater curiosity and compassion rather than conflict. It's about exploring each other's hearts and seeking out redemption together.


The Intersection of Shame and Delight: Our deepest areas of shame are often where we can find the most profound delight, especially in the context of marriage. Dr. Allender emphasized the importance of inviting kindness into our hearts to truly reflect this delight onto our spouses.

Stay til the very end when Dr. Allender explains why shame and food are as interconnected as shame and sex!

Learn more about Dr. Dan Allender and his new book: Deep-Rooted Marriage. (Amazon affiliate link)

Learn more about Compared to Who? And the Self Paced 40-Day Journey to Body Image Freedom here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

 

In part 2 of this interview with Dr. Dan Allender, Heather and Dan delve into what it truly means to experience a deeper, more fulfilling marriage. Dr. Allender shared profound insights into how our past plays a crucial role in shaping our present and how this understanding can guide us toward redemption and healing in our relationships.
Here are themes for our conversation today:
<ul>
<li>
Growth in Marriage: True growth in marriage is not just about comfort and convenience. It involves addressing past traumas and engaging with each other's differences to heal and understand the work of the spirit in our lives.
</li>
<li>
The Role of Desire: Desire in a marriage is never equal, and understanding this difference can lead to greater curiosity and compassion rather than conflict. It's about exploring each other's hearts and seeking out redemption together.
</li>
<li>
The Intersection of Shame and Delight: Our deepest areas of shame are often where we can find the most profound delight, especially in the context of marriage. Dr. Allender emphasized the importance of inviting kindness into our hearts to truly reflect this delight onto our spouses.
</li>
</ul>
Stay til the very end when Dr. Allender explains why shame and food are as interconnected as shame and sex!
Learn more about&nbsp;<a href="https://theallendercenter.org/about/team/dan-allender/">Dr. Dan Allender</a> and his new book:<a href="https://amzn.to/4hPYqN3"> Deep-Rooted Marriage</a>. (Amazon affiliate link)
Learn more about Compared to Who? And the Self Paced 40-Day Journey to Body Image Freedom here: <a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com">https://www.improvebodyimage.com</a>
&nbsp;

The go-to podcast for Christian women who want to grow stronger in their faith and stop living stuck in comparison!

Are you a Christian woman who’s tired of measuring yourself by the world’s standards? Have you tried to “fix yourself” with willpower, self-help, or even Christian clichés—but still feel like you’re falling short?Do you know the truth of God’s Word, yet struggle to believe it in your daily life?

Bonus: Have you ever wished you could just pray your struggles away in an instant? (Your secret’s safe here.)

If you answered yes, then Compared to Who? is the show for you!

Each week, we tackle the real issues Christian women face—comparison, body image issues, performance pressure, insecurity, identity, spiritual maturity, and more—through a practical, grace-filled, gospel-centered lens. You’ll find encouragement to trust God’s Spirit, rest in His promises, and grow deeper in your walk with Christ.

I’m Heather Creekmore—best-selling author, speaker, and follower of Jesus. After decades of chasing approval and perfection, I discovered that true freedom only comes through surrendering to Him. Now I help women like you exchange striving for peace, insecurity for identity, and comparison for confidence in Christ.

Every episode is packed with relatable stories, biblical truth, and honest encouragement to help you stop living stuck—and start living free in Jesus.

Find out more about me and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

Want to join our podcast community on Facebook? Visit us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024

The go-to podcast for Christian women who want to grow stronger in their faith and stop living stuck in comparison!
Are you a Christian woman who&rsquo;s tired of measuring yourself by the world&rsquo;s standards? Have you tried to &ldquo;fix yourself&rdquo; with willpower, self-help, or even Christian clich&eacute;s&mdash;but still feel like you&rsquo;re falling short?Do you know the truth of God&rsquo;s Word, yet struggle to believe it in your daily life?
Bonus: Have you ever wished you could just pray your struggles away in an instant? (Your secret&rsquo;s safe here.)
If you answered yes, then&nbsp;Compared to Who?&nbsp;is the show for you!
Each week, we tackle the real issues Christian women face&mdash;comparison, body image issues, performance pressure, insecurity, identity, spiritual maturity, and more&mdash;through a practical, grace-filled, gospel-centered lens. You&rsquo;ll find encouragement to trust God&rsquo;s Spirit, rest in His promises, and grow deeper in your walk with Christ.
I&rsquo;m Heather Creekmore&mdash;best-selling author, speaker, and follower of Jesus. After decades of chasing approval and perfection, I discovered that true freedom only comes through surrendering to Him. Now I help women like you exchange striving for peace, insecurity for identity, and comparison for confidence in Christ.
Every episode is packed with relatable stories, biblical truth, and honest encouragement to help you stop living stuck&mdash;and start living free in Jesus.
Find out more about me and the ministry of&nbsp;Compared to Who?&nbsp;at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.improvebodyimage.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1758629449501000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0CbbfkEG9w0k4Z9QBqp5C5">https://www.improvebodyimage.com</a>
Want to join our podcast community on Facebook? Visit us here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1758629449501000&amp;usg=AOvVaw08LV1DuGuu8Nv6oa8m3RKp">https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024</a>

Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women

Finding Delight, Honor, and Growth in Marriage Featuring Dr. Dan Allender

What if the key to breaking free from people-pleasing, social media pressure, overthinking, and the need to control every outcome isn’t trying harder, but surrendering differently?

In this practical episode of Compared to Who?, Heather Creekmore discusses what it means to follow Jesus through “a thousand small acts of surrender.” Daily surrender isn’t passive, lazy, or giving up. It’s choosing to trust God with your plans, your time, your body, your decisions, and your outcomes.

You’ll discover:


Why surrender is a daily decision, not a one-time spiritual moment 06:48


How social media, family expectations, and other people’s opinions can influence your choices 07:03


Why tightly controlling your life can reveal misplaced faith 12:42


A simple morning prayer to surrender your day before checking your phone or seeing other people’s messages 17:33


How to pause before opening Instagram and surrender your time and money to God 20:13


What to do when you sense the Holy Spirit nudging you toward generosity, patience, or obedience 20:53


How an evening review can help you notice where you followed God and where you resisted 23:08

Key takeaway for today: Before the world influences your day, give your day to God.

Listen for the practical prayer:

“Lord, today is yours. I surrender. What do you have for me today?” 21:58

Learn more about Compared to Who? athttps://www.improvebodyimage.com

 

What if the key to breaking free from people-pleasing, social media pressure, overthinking, and the need to control every outcome isn&rsquo;t trying harder, but surrendering differently?
In this practical episode of Compared to Who?, Heather Creekmore discusses what it means to follow Jesus through &ldquo;a thousand small acts of surrender.&rdquo; Daily surrender isn&rsquo;t passive, lazy, or giving up. It&rsquo;s choosing to trust God with your plans, your time, your body, your decisions, and your outcomes.
You&rsquo;ll discover:
<ul>
<li>
Why surrender is a daily decision, not a one-time spiritual moment 06:48
</li>
<li>
How social media, family expectations, and other people&rsquo;s opinions can influence your choices 07:03
</li>
<li>
Why tightly controlling your life can reveal misplaced faith 12:42
</li>
<li>
A simple morning prayer to surrender your day before checking your phone or seeing other people&rsquo;s messages 17:33
</li>
<li>
How to pause before opening Instagram and surrender your time and money to God 20:13
</li>
<li>
What to do when you sense the Holy Spirit nudging you toward generosity, patience, or obedience 20:53
</li>
<li>
How an evening review can help you notice where you followed God and where you resisted 23:08
</li>
</ul>
Key takeaway for today: Before the world influences your day, give your day to God.
Listen for the practical prayer:
&ldquo;Lord, today is yours. I surrender. What do you have for me today?&rdquo; 21:58
Learn more about Compared to Who? at <a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com">https://www.improvebodyimage.com</a>
&nbsp;

Daily Hack to Break Grip of People Pleasing and Being Overly Influenced: Over the Influence Series Ep. 5

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/20d6dccd-f2b8-4073-886a-b4f8011a4feb/transcript

We live with more information than ever, but more knowledge doesn’t automatically make us wise. This episode explores how Google, AI, social media, influencers, and endless advice can shape what we believe, how we make decisions, and whether we turn to God first. Best-selling author and host, Heather Creekmore discusses how all this knowledge is influencing us and potentially impacting our faith and trust in God. 

This conversation focused on the difference between knowledge and wisdom and how you can filter knowledge and stay grounded in the truth as you consume it.

Also in This Episode:


Why personalized social media feeds can make opinions feel like facts at 03:37


The difference between knowledge and wisdom, including the famous tomato and fruit salad analogy at 05:26


How knowledge can produce pride when it isn’t guided by love at 07:10


Why wisdom is rooted in reverence for God and expressed through humility, discernment, and good conduct at 09:41


How to evaluate health, food, exercise, and body-image advice online at 14:15


Why knowledge without discernment can leave us “carried along by the tide” at 16:00


How instant answers from Google can compete with dependence on God at 21:19


The importance of testing confident, spiritual-sounding claims against Scripture at 19:34


Four practical ways to pursue wisdom:


Pause before absorbing information.


Anchor convictions in advance.


Ask God for discernment.


Pay attention to what you’re taking in.
(These applications begin at 30:43.)

Key Takeaway

Knowledge tells you what. Wisdom asks how, why, and whether it should be applied at all. The goal isn’t to reject information, but to filter it through God’s truth so that decisions come from humility, love, and discernment rather than pride or fear.

Learn more about Compared to Who? athttps://www.improvebodyimage.com You'll find resources about Christian body image coaching, Heather's books, Heather's YouVersion plans, and more.

Check out and pre-order Heather's new book (coming 2/2/27): https://link.amazon/B0iBBJ8aA

(Amazon affiliate link -tiny portion of purchase goes to support this ministry)

Scriptures Referenced:


Proverbs 1:7


Proverbs 2:6


Proverbs 3:5–6


Proverbs 4:7


Proverbs 9:10


Proverbs 18:15


Hosea 4:6


Matthew 7:24–27


1 Corinthians 1:19–21


1 Corinthians 8:1


1 Corinthians 13:2


James 1:5


James 3:13, 17


Ephesians 4:14–15


Philippians 1:9–10


1 Thessalonians 5:21


1 John 4:1


1 Kings 3:9


Psalm 1:1–3

We live with more information than ever, but more knowledge doesn&rsquo;t automatically make us wise. This episode explores how Google, AI, social media, influencers, and endless advice can shape what we believe, how we make decisions, and whether we turn to God first. Best-selling author and host, Heather Creekmore discusses how all this knowledge is influencing us and potentially impacting our faith and trust in God.&nbsp;
This conversation focused on the difference between knowledge and wisdom and how you can filter knowledge and stay grounded in the truth as you consume it.
Also in This Episode:
<ul>
<li>
Why personalized social media feeds can make opinions feel like facts at 03:37
</li>
<li>
The difference between knowledge and wisdom, including the famous tomato and fruit salad analogy at 05:26
</li>
<li>
How knowledge can produce pride when it isn&rsquo;t guided by love at 07:10
</li>
<li>
Why wisdom is rooted in reverence for God and expressed through humility, discernment, and good conduct at 09:41
</li>
<li>
How to evaluate health, food, exercise, and body-image advice online at 14:15
</li>
<li>
Why knowledge without discernment can leave us &ldquo;carried along by the tide&rdquo; at 16:00
</li>
<li>
How instant answers from Google can compete with dependence on God at 21:19
</li>
<li>
The importance of testing confident, spiritual-sounding claims against Scripture at 19:34
</li>
<li>
Four practical ways to pursue wisdom:
<ol>
<li>
Pause before absorbing information.
</li>
<li>
Anchor convictions in advance.
</li>
<li>
Ask God for discernment.
</li>
<li>
Pay attention to what you&rsquo;re taking in. (These applications begin at 30:43.)
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ul>
Key Takeaway
Knowledge tells you what. Wisdom asks how, why, and whether it should be applied at all. The goal isn&rsquo;t to reject information, but to filter it through God&rsquo;s truth so that decisions come from humility, love, and discernment rather than pride or fear.
Learn more about Compared to Who? at <a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com">https://www.improvebodyimage.com</a>&nbsp;You'll find resources about Christian body image coaching, Heather's books, Heather's YouVersion plans, and more.
Check out and pre-order Heather's new book (coming 2/2/27):&nbsp;<a href="https://link.amazon/B0iBBJ8aA">https://link.amazon/B0iBBJ8aA</a> 
(Amazon affiliate link -tiny portion of purchase goes to support this ministry)
Scriptures Referenced:
<ul>
<li>
Proverbs 1:7
</li>
<li>
Proverbs 2:6
</li>
<li>
Proverbs 3:5&ndash;6
</li>
<li>
Proverbs 4:7
</li>
<li>
Proverbs 9:10
</li>
<li>
Proverbs 18:15
</li>
<li>
Hosea 4:6
</li>
<li>
Matthew 7:24&ndash;27
</li>
<li>
1 Corinthians 1:19&ndash;21
</li>
<li>
1 Corinthians 8:1
</li>
<li>
1 Corinthians 13:2
</li>
<li>
James 1:5
</li>
<li>
James 3:13, 17
</li>
<li>
Ephesians 4:14&ndash;15
</li>
<li>
Philippians 1:9&ndash;10
</li>
<li>
1 Thessalonians 5:21
</li>
<li>
1 John 4:1
</li>
<li>
1 Kings 3:9
</li>
<li>
Psalm 1:1&ndash;3
</li>
</ul>

How to Seek God's Wisdom and Discern What to Believe Online: Knowledge Vs. Wisdom Over the Influence Ep. 4

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/9943669b-267e-4e8e-adcd-b4f6011e1158/transcript

How can you tell if your pursuit of a better body, better schedule, better finances, or better life is quietly pulling your focus away from Jesus? As the "Over the Influence" series continues, this episode features host Heather Creekmore discussing the differences between self-improvement, self-optimization, and scripture's self-improvement plan: sanctification.

The conversation examines the Christian messages that add Bible verses to familiar self-help promises, from “become your best self” to “invest in yourself,” and asks what those goals are really producing.

You’ll hear why Jesus isn’t a self-improvement hack, why transformation means becoming new rather than simply polishing the old self, and how goals can lead either toward Christlikeness or deeper self-focus. The episode also offers five practical questions to help you evaluate your goals, including:


Who is the source of this improvement?


What is the real goal?


How are you measuring success?


What results are your goals producing?


Is your focus turning inward or overflowing into love for others?

Listen for a fresh perspective on body image, productivity, discipline, and the pressure to become an ideal version of yourself. You’ll leave with a clearer way to recognize whether your growth plan is producing pride and burnout or humility, freedom, and greater dependence on Jesus.

How can you tell if your pursuit of a better body, better schedule, better finances, or better life is quietly pulling your focus away from Jesus? As the "Over the Influence" series continues, this episode features host Heather Creekmore discussing the differences between self-improvement, self-optimization, and scripture's self-improvement plan: sanctification.
The conversation examines the Christian messages that add Bible verses to familiar self-help promises, from &ldquo;become your best self&rdquo; to &ldquo;invest in yourself,&rdquo; and asks what those goals are really producing.
You&rsquo;ll hear why Jesus isn&rsquo;t a self-improvement hack, why transformation means becoming new rather than simply polishing the old self, and how goals can lead either toward Christlikeness or deeper self-focus. The episode also offers five practical questions to help you evaluate your goals, including:
<ul>
<li>
Who is the source of this improvement?
</li>
<li>
What is the real goal?
</li>
<li>
How are you measuring success?
</li>
<li>
What results are your goals producing?
</li>
<li>
Is your focus turning inward or overflowing into love for others?
</li>
</ul>
Listen for a fresh perspective on body image, productivity, discipline, and the pressure to become an ideal version of yourself. You&rsquo;ll leave with a clearer way to recognize whether your growth plan is producing pride and burnout or humility, freedom, and greater dependence on Jesus.

More Like Jesus or More Impressive? How to Set Goals that Keep the Focus on Jesus (Over the Influence Ep. 3)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/986cad16-94f1-443b-b5bd-b4f000e12790/transcript

Finding Delight, Honor, and Growth in Marriage Featuring Dr. Dan Allender

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Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women

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