In this episode of Compared to Who? Heather shares a personal poem called, "Just a Little More Beauty, Lord," that highlights her journey of recognizing the idolatry of seeking physical beauty. She opens up about how God showed her that her pursuit of a smaller body stemmed from idolatry. Heather's poem is a powerful reflection of her growth and transformation, as she learns to find her worth in God's love rather than external measures of beauty. Join Heather as she shares her story and invites you to reflect on your own relationship with beauty and identity.

Join the community at: www.waitingforweightloss.com

Join the 40-Day Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

In this episode of Compared to Who? Heather shares a personal poem called, "Just a Little More Beauty, Lord," that highlights her journey of recognizing the idolatry of seeking physical beauty. She opens up about how God showed her that her pursuit of a smaller body stemmed from idolatry. Heather's poem is a powerful reflection of her growth and transformation, as she learns to find her worth in God's love rather than external measures of beauty. Join Heather as she shares her story and invites you to reflect on your own relationship with beauty and identity.
Join the community at: <a href="https://www.waitingforweightloss.com">www.waitingforweightloss.com</a>
Join the 40-Day Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

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

Just a Little More Beauty, Lord - A Poem, Waiting for Weight Loss Series Episode 15

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/9717a2b4-d1da-41e0-86ae-b40f01679c80/transcript

In this powerful episode, Heather Creekmore introduces listeners to Tara, a real woman whose life has been radically transformed by putting God at the center of her struggle with body image and food. Tara shares her deeply personal journey—from coping with anxiety and depression in childhood, wrestling with perfectionism and body image in competitive gymnastics, battling addiction, and eventually, overcoming the religion of dieting. Through her story, Tara reveals how she mistook disordered eating for biblical discipline and how the message of grace, identity in Christ, and true freedom changed her life. Now serving as a coach with Compared to Who?, Tara’s experience offers both practical encouragement and spiritual insight for anyone wrestling with food, shame, or their own reflection. *this episode originally aired in 2022.

Key Discussion Points


Tara’s Early Struggles: The roots of her anxiety, perfectionism, and body shame in childhood and sports (06:45).


The “Religion of Dieting”: How Tara’s disordered eating felt like spiritual discipline, and how cultural and Christian messages got tangled (01:02, 24:17).


Shame & Identity: The dangerous cycle of striving for approval through appearance and learning how to shift identity from body image to Christ (32:17).


Rock Bottom and Recovery: Tara’s experiences with addiction, motherhood, medical challenges, and finally surrendering control to God (14:13).


The Turning Point: Discovering the “Compared to Who?” Bible plan and the concept of body image idolatry (03:14, 30:08).


Freedom in Christ: The ongoing, un-glamorous, daily process of surrender, community, and living out new-found freedom (36:24, 38:09).


Coaching & Community: The role of group coaching, supportive friendships, and honest sharing in breaking free from shame (35:31, 44:06).

Resources & Next Steps


Work with Tara or Heather: Interested in coaching or group programs? Visit improvebodyimage.com and click the “Work with Me” tab.


Join the 40-Day Journey: A new group is starting this summer will take place in afternoons - so friends from around the world can join at a more convenient time.

Memorable Quotes


“I thought I was living in God’s will, stewarding my body for him… all along, I was believing a lie.”


“Our biggest battle is not whether or not we can wear the jeans we wore when we were 25. There’s something much greater God is calling us to.”


“Freedom isn’t ease or comfort. It’s daily surrender. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Connect & Listen


For more episodes, show notes, and support, visit Compared to Who? podcast homepage

If today’s episode encouraged you to stop comparing and start living, share it with a friend and leave a review!

In this powerful episode, Heather Creekmore introduces listeners to Tara, a real woman whose life has been radically transformed by putting God at the center of her struggle with body image and food. Tara shares her deeply personal journey&mdash;from coping with anxiety and depression in childhood, wrestling with perfectionism and body image in competitive gymnastics, battling addiction, and eventually, overcoming the religion of dieting. Through her story, Tara reveals how she mistook disordered eating for biblical discipline and how the message of grace, identity in Christ, and true freedom changed her life. Now serving as a coach with Compared to Who?, Tara&rsquo;s experience offers both practical encouragement and spiritual insight for anyone wrestling with food, shame, or their own reflection. *this episode originally aired in 2022.
<hr>
Key Discussion Points
<ul>
<li>
Tara&rsquo;s Early Struggles: The roots of her anxiety, perfectionism, and body shame in childhood and sports (06:45).
</li>
<li>
The &ldquo;Religion of Dieting&rdquo;: How Tara&rsquo;s disordered eating felt like spiritual discipline, and how cultural and Christian messages got tangled (01:02, 24:17).
</li>
<li>
Shame &amp; Identity: The dangerous cycle of striving for approval through appearance and learning how to shift identity from body image to Christ (32:17).
</li>
<li>
Rock Bottom and Recovery: Tara&rsquo;s experiences with addiction, motherhood, medical challenges, and finally surrendering control to God (14:13).
</li>
<li>
The Turning Point: Discovering the &ldquo;Compared to Who?&rdquo; Bible plan and the concept of body image idolatry (03:14, 30:08).
</li>
<li>
Freedom in Christ: The ongoing, un-glamorous, daily process of surrender, community, and living out new-found freedom (36:24, 38:09).
</li>
<li>
Coaching &amp; Community: The role of group coaching, supportive friendships, and honest sharing in breaking free from shame (35:31, 44:06).
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Resources &amp; Next Steps
<ul>
<li>
Work with Tara or Heather: Interested in coaching or group programs? Visit <a href="https://improvebodyimage.com/">improvebodyimage.com</a> and click the &ldquo;Work with Me&rdquo; tab.
</li>
<li>
Join the 40-Day Journey: A new group is starting this summer will take place in afternoons - so friends from around the world can join at a more convenient time.
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Memorable Quotes
<ul>
<li>
&ldquo;I thought I was living in God&rsquo;s will, stewarding my body for him&hellip; all along, I was believing a lie.&rdquo;
</li>
<li>
&ldquo;Our biggest battle is not whether or not we can wear the jeans we wore when we were 25. There&rsquo;s something much greater God is calling us to.&rdquo;
</li>
<li>
&ldquo;Freedom isn&rsquo;t ease or comfort. It&rsquo;s daily surrender. But I wouldn&rsquo;t trade it for anything.&rdquo;
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Connect &amp; Listen
<ul>
<li>
For more episodes, show notes, and support, visit <a href="https://improvebodyimage.com/podcast">Compared to Who? podcast homepage</a>
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
If today&rsquo;s episode encouraged you to stop comparing and start living, share it with a friend and leave a review!

Breaking Free from the Religion of Dieting: Tara's Story of Body Image, Faith, and True Freedom

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/b1f6e454-27af-429b-b48d-b43901443169/transcript

In this episode of Compared to Who?, Heather Creekmore welcomes Morgan Krueger to discuss the idea of living for something greater than ourselves, particularly through a Christ-centered lens. Morgan Krueger shares her personal journey from seeking the approval of others and wrestling with identity, to finding freedom in magnifying the Lord above all else—even during seasons of major life transition, including job changes, moving, and motherhood 00:53-03:16.

Together, Heather Creekmore and Morgan Krueger explore themes such as the fear of man, the dangers of self-focus, and the liberating practice of self-forgetfulness inspired by Tim Keller's The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness 05:06-06:50. They discuss biblical stories, like Mary and Martha, and the difference between Christ's invitation to "come" and his command to "go," emphasizing the importance of being with Jesus before doing for Jesus 09:33-10:13.

The conversation then delves into the tension Christian women feel between cultural pressures to be busy and productive and the biblical call to rest and trust 10:13-11:16. They candidly address the traps of shame and pride, the relentless pull to center life on self-glorification, and the continual invitation from Jesus to return, receive grace, and reorient towards Him 15:20-18:14.

Heather Creekmore and Morgan Krueger highlight that our deepest issues with identity, approval, and body image are not just shaped by culture but by the condition of our hearts, and that true rest and purpose are found in magnifying God's name, not our own 24:29-26:03.

Morgan Krueger introduces her new book, Made to Magnify: Choosing to Live for Jesus When Everything Tells You to Live for Yourself*, which explores these themes in greater depth and offers encouragement and practical guidance for women seeking to center their lives on Christ.

The episode closes with information on how listeners can connect with Morgan Krueger and a reminder to focus less on comparison and more on living in the beautiful invitation to follow Jesus. 

*Amazon affiliate link.


Made to Magnify by Morgan Krueger – Available wherever books are sold


Tim Keller, The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness


Follow Morgan Krueger on Instagram or visit her website: morgankrueger.com


Connect with Heather Creekmore: Compared to Who? website

 

In this episode of Compared to Who?, Heather Creekmore welcomes Morgan Krueger to discuss the idea of living for something greater than ourselves, particularly through a Christ-centered lens. Morgan Krueger shares her personal journey from seeking the approval of others and wrestling with identity, to finding freedom in magnifying the Lord above all else&mdash;even during seasons of major life transition, including job changes, moving, and motherhood 00:53-03:16.
Together, Heather Creekmore and Morgan Krueger explore themes such as the fear of man, the dangers of self-focus, and the liberating practice of self-forgetfulness inspired by Tim Keller's The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness 05:06-06:50. They discuss biblical stories, like Mary and Martha, and the difference between Christ's invitation to "come" and his command to "go," emphasizing the importance of being with Jesus before doing for Jesus 09:33-10:13.
The conversation then delves into the tension Christian women feel between cultural pressures to be busy and productive and the biblical call to rest and trust 10:13-11:16. They candidly address the traps of shame and pride, the relentless pull to center life on self-glorification, and the continual invitation from Jesus to return, receive grace, and reorient towards Him 15:20-18:14.
Heather Creekmore and Morgan Krueger highlight that our deepest issues with identity, approval, and body image are not just shaped by culture but by the condition of our hearts, and that true rest and purpose are found in magnifying God's name, not our own 24:29-26:03.
Morgan Krueger introduces her new book, <a href="https://amzn.to/4vwFHNt">Made to Magnify: Choosing to Live for Jesus When Everything Tells You to Live for Yourself</a>*, which explores these themes in greater depth and offers encouragement and practical guidance for women seeking to center their lives on Christ.
The episode closes with information on how listeners can connect with Morgan Krueger and a reminder to focus less on comparison and more on living in the beautiful invitation to follow Jesus.&nbsp;
*Amazon affiliate link.
<ul data-pm-slice="3 3 []">
<li>
<a href="https://amzn.to/4vwFHNt">Made to Magnify by Morgan Krueger</a> &ndash; Available wherever books are sold
</li>
<li>
Tim Keller, <a href="https://amzn.to/3QghHOE">The Freedom of&nbsp;</a>Self-Forgetfulness
</li>
<li>
Follow Morgan Krueger on Instagram or visit her website: <a href="https://morgankrueger.com/">morgankrueger.com</a>
</li>
<li>
Connect with Heather Creekmore: <a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com">Compared to Who? website</a>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Made to Magnify: Choosing Jesus Over Self in a Self-Focused World featuring Morgan Krueger

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/1231659b-f1fc-40cc-a95f-b42d00e49e82/transcript

In this deeply honest and theologically rich episode, Heather Creekmore welcomes Jen Oshman—author, missionary, and mom of four daughters—to tackle a question many women silently struggle with: Is it good that I was born a woman? Together, they candidly explore how issues of body image, shame, and the cultural pressures of womanhood can lead to deep-seated doubts and frustration.

Drawing from global and biblical perspectives, Jen Oshman shares insights gathered from years of cross-cultural ministry and studying God’s word. She addresses the vulnerabilities women face, both physically and socially, and how Western and global cultures shape our understanding of femininity. Jen Oshman unpacks what the Bible says about being female, highlighting the unique and powerful stories of women in Scripture that often get overlooked, and discusses why God’s design for women is not only intentional but also very good.

Key Topics Covered


Why the question, “Is it good that I was born a woman?” is more common than we realize 


The impact of shame, fear, and the lived realities of being female in our culture 


How body image struggles can be rooted in deeper frustrations about being a woman 


A biblical look at femininity—separating culture’s checklist from God’s truth 


The meaning of “helper” (Ezer) in Genesis and its empowering implications 


Why diversity among women in Scripture matters—and what we can learn from their stories 


Studying tough Old Testament laws (like menstruation) in context and seeing God’s heart of care for women 


Practical encouragement for women who wrestle with their purpose and God’s plan for their gender


How to dig deeper into biblical womanhood with Jen’s new Lifeway Bible study, “Very Good” 

Connect with Jen here: https://www.jenoshman.com

Grab a copy of Jen's new Bible study: "Very Good" on Amazon here.** Amazon affiliate link. Tiny portion of your purchase goes back to supporting this ministry.

Want to go further in your body image healing journey? Discover the resources, books, and programs Compared to Who? offers to help you improve your body image here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com 

 

In this deeply honest and theologically rich episode, Heather Creekmore welcomes Jen Oshman&mdash;author, missionary, and mom of four daughters&mdash;to tackle a question many women silently struggle with: Is it good that I was born a woman? Together, they candidly explore how issues of body image, shame, and the cultural pressures of womanhood can lead to deep-seated doubts and frustration.
Drawing from global and biblical perspectives, Jen Oshman shares insights gathered from years of cross-cultural ministry and studying God&rsquo;s word. She addresses the vulnerabilities women face, both physically and socially, and how Western and global cultures shape our understanding of femininity. Jen Oshman unpacks what the Bible says about being female, highlighting the unique and powerful stories of women in Scripture that often get overlooked, and discusses why God&rsquo;s design for women is not only intentional but also very good.
<hr>
Key Topics Covered
<ul>
<li>
Why the question, &ldquo;Is it good that I was born a woman?&rdquo; is more common than we realize&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
The impact of shame, fear, and the lived realities of being female in our culture&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
How body image struggles can be rooted in deeper frustrations about being a woman&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
A biblical look at femininity&mdash;separating culture&rsquo;s checklist from God&rsquo;s truth&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
The meaning of &ldquo;helper&rdquo; (Ezer) in Genesis and its empowering implications&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Why diversity among women in Scripture matters&mdash;and what we can learn from their stories&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Studying tough Old Testament laws (like menstruation) in context and seeing God&rsquo;s heart of care for women&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Practical encouragement for women who wrestle with their purpose and God&rsquo;s plan for their gender
</li>
<li>
How to dig deeper into biblical womanhood with&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/3NUwRIJ">Jen&rsquo;s new Lifeway Bible study, &ldquo;Very Good&rdquo;&nbsp;</a>
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Connect with Jen here: <a href="https://www.jenoshman.com">https://www.jenoshman.com</a>
<a href="https://amzn.to/3NUwRIJ">Grab a copy of Jen's new Bible study: "Very Good" on Amazon here.</a>** Amazon affiliate link. Tiny portion of your purchase goes back to supporting this ministry.
Want to go further in your body image healing journey? Discover the resources, books, and programs Compared to Who? offers to help you improve your body image here: <a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com">https://www.improvebodyimage.com</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Is it Good to Be a Woman? Exploring What the Bible Says About Women with Jen Oshman

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/76d71e52-bf88-430d-a442-b426011682be/transcript

Just a Little More Beauty, Lord - A Poem, Waiting for Weight Loss Series Episode 15

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