The Orphaned Wife - A conversation with author Julie Cunningham (Episode 6) Artwork

CHURCH OF POD

A community where we seek God, not perfection.

Church life was easy to understand growing up in a small town in upstate New York. Then I got older. As life became more complex, the simplicity of the gospel of Christ suffered as I came to believe that the "deeper things of God" were the most important to aspire to and attain. I was wrong.

It's my hope that Church of POD will help us discover our true identities as sons and daughters of God and explore how to grow in that relationship. Part of the "good news" of the Gospel is that the Lord draws near to us and wants to become known more intimately. I find that very exciting!

We were leading a small group some years ago when a member asked a question that had been on his mind for a while: "What's the difference between the old and new testament?". To our shame, that man had been attending our church for four years. I'm grateful that he was bold enough to ask, but asking isn't always easy in the midst of God's people. It shouldn't be that way, but it often is.

- Do you believe there are things you should already understand about Jesus or your faith but are afraid to ask? Maybe you’re just getting started and it seems that everyone around you is miles ahead?

- Perhaps you're in a season that attending church is simply too difficult? Or impossible?

- Do you sometimes feel like you're on the outside looking in and everyone was invited to the party except you?

If so, you're in the right place! We invite you to join us as we come together to stumble towards the Prize.

Our Foundational Scriptures:

“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 ESV)

"... that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:10-11 ESV)

Our Core Values:

- Be grateful
- Own your stuff

Our Vision:

- Profound Simplicity
- Confident Humility
- Passionate Discipleship

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CHURCH OF POD

The Orphaned Wife - A conversation with author Julie Cunningham (Episode 6)

November 25, 2025 • Steve Adriance • Season 1 • Episode 6

What does emotional healing look like after decades of feeling unseen in a marriage?

In this powerful conversation, author Julie Cunningham shares the deeply personal journey behind her book The Orphaned Wife — a story of emotional abandonment, hidden wounds, spiritual awakening, and the long road toward real restoration.

Julie opens up about:

Growing up adopted and navigating childhood wounds
Emotional abandonment inside a “good” Christian marriage
The moment she realized healing wouldn’t save her marriage
The process of rebuilding her identity in Christ
Why the church often misses signs of silent suffering
How her three-book series helps others walking through the same pain
The difference between surviving… and becoming whole

Whether you’ve experienced emotional abandonment, spiritual discouragement, or simply want to understand how healing really works, this conversation will meet you where you are — and offer hope.

📚 Julie Cunningham’s Books

The Orphaned Wife
Ashes on the Altar
The Kaleidoscope of Butterflies
Mama Was A Hippie: A Journey to Find True North

The Orphaned Wife Series – Amazon Links

The Orphaned Wife: The story of how one woman survived emotional abandonment in a Christian marriage, and her healing journey toward emotional wholeness (Pub: 2020)

Kindle Edition Link: https://amzn.to/49y0Puv

Paperback Edition Link: https://amzn.to/48d1nnh

Study Guide for The Orphaned Wife

Kindle Edition Link: https://amzn.to/3XKJDdS

Paperback Edition Link: https://amzn.to/4poG4G2

Journal for The Orphaned Wife

Paperback Edition Link: https://amzn.to/43KvEsd

Ashes on the Altar: Insights From a Journey Through the Wilderness (Pub: 2022)

Kindle Edition Link: https://amzn.to/3XbiAIE

Paperback Edition Link: https://amzn.to/4oNJm5U

Study Guide for Ashes on the Altar

Kindle Edition Link: https://amzn.to/48b56kW