I never realized how fundamentalistic and fear based Lutherans are. After listening to many 1517 podcasts I have come to realize I could never be a Lutheran.

I always enjoy this podcast because it feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the typical fare aimed at women.

Finding God in the darkness episode so helpful In a place of suffering with physical mental health I’m broken and God seems distant Will pick the book again and read it God bless

I appreciate Gretchen’s wisdom and insight and her compassion. Katie’s loudness and cackling is annoying. I would appreciate definition of terns, I.e. vocation - what is meant by that?

This episode kept me engaged for a solid 60 minute evening walk! Thanks ladies! I even downloaded the short story on my Libby App. Super excited to hear that you are reviewing Beth Moore’s memoir next month. Listening to it is a must as Gretchen said. I have recommended to all my friends. I totally agree with Gretchen’s Goodreads review and it doesn’t surprise me that there were so many comments. Wouldn’t it be fun to actually get Beth on your Podcast!

I love this episode! I learned so much about Katie Luther, her life, her marriage to Martin Luther and the life they lived in the 16th century. It was totally worth listening to! ❤️❤️ Thanks for sharing!

Cannot get enough of Gretchen and Katie! I’ve listened to all the episodes of this podcast and read Gretchen’s book. So much gospel and grace is shared. I would not complain if they extended their podcast to be 45-60minute episodes!

I came across this podcast a few weeks ago when Gretchen was interviewed on the Being Lutheran podcast. I started at the beginning and have been binge listening on my commutes to work. I’m almost caught up now and not sure what I’ll do when I have to wait a week between podcasts. ☺️ These ladies are refreshing and encouraging and their message of grace is so needed. Highly recommended!

I’ve been listening since episode one and get excited each week when a new episode drops! I love the topics they cover and always appreciate them pointing everything back to Christ!

I just love the truth and honesty from these two ladies. I’ve learned so much each week, very down to earth and most podcasts speak to me and a leave me with a golden nugget! I literally wish they did a podcast each day, lol. Thank you for your time and hard work each week. Sincerely Karen J

I first checked out this podcast after purchasing Gretchen’s book Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted. After 1 episode I decided I needed to go back to the beginning and listen to them all. I’m so glad I did! Gretchen and Katie are smart ladies who are committed to both the truth of the gospel and loving others well. And their laughter always makes me smile. Thank you ladies for this wonderful resource!

Let me say that I have never been a fan of talk radio or podcasts. I was interested in hearing this because I read Gretchen’s book (which is also awesome BTW) and I was hooked! Gretchen and Katie are knowledgeable and get down to the truth. I appreciate the farm talk and laughs as well. And now that I am completely caught up, I don’t want to wait another week for the next episode!! 😂 Thank you ladies and I agree you need to do a retreat together!!!!

I look forward to hearing each episode because Katie and Gretchen always point us back to the gifts we have been freely given in Christ Jesus. I love listening because I feel like I am sitting at the table with them.

If you’re not from the middle north, then you might be distracted by their beautiful accents the first few episodes you listen to… but then you’ll hear all about the enoughness of Christ on your behalf. Thank you for leading me to Jesus over and over again, ladies. For those who are weary and heavy laden, these are your coaches for trading yokes with Christ.

Nothing sweeter than discovering new biblically solid podcasts! As a podcaster myself, I have become strict with what I give my ear too. This show is absolutely fantastic, because they take the concept of Freedom of the Christian, and make it real to us the listener.

I absolutely love this podcast! Gretchen and Katie are so knowledgeable about the Bible, and bring such clarity to so many biblical topics. I can relate to the episodes extremely well. Thank you ladies for always saying what God knows I need to hear!♥️

In an early episode, one of the hosts remarks that she has a chair that she likes to sit in while she prays, but sometimes she can’t because it’s covered in laundry. As soon as I heard that, I knew this was going to be my favorite podcast. Instead of piling on guilt and adding to our spiritual to do list, Gretchen and Katie remind us to keep looking to the finished work of Christ. This podcast has been a lifeline for me! Thank you both so much!

I feel right at home with my Midwest gals chatting theology and grace… & all things related… this is one of my favorites!!

I look forward to each episode of the Freely Given podcast. Katie and Gretchen encourage me with their honest, biblical discussions and their shared sense of humor. They have great guests too!

This podcast is not only fun, it is encouraging and uplifting. I appreciate that they take hard topics and dig into scripture and don’t have this sort of “fluff” that too often podcasts tend to have. Gretchen and Katie’s love for Jesus and the Scripture is evident every episode. I always learn something and am encouraged. Highly recommend this all the time to everyone. The great thing is that this ain’t just a podcast for women- it is good for men as well. 😉

Subscribe to this podcast! You won’t regret it. It’s been one of my go-tos ever since it was released. Katie and Gretchen bring the perfect mix of humor, sincerity, reality, and hope. Each episode demonstrates how theology and life are so interwoven. A sense of freedom in life is only possible when your theology is about Christ’s sufficiency for you. If you need this reminder regularly, this podcast is for you! BTW… we all need this reminder regularly. 😉

So real, so raw, and so comforting. I binged listened when I found this podcast for hours last week as every episode was so good! Such excellent law/gospel distinction while constantly pointing to Christ! Easily now in my top two podcast list.

I love this podcast! Listen to it if you want to be encouraged and laugh each episode. (Who doesn’t want that?) Very gospel centered and always point to Christ for our assurance. One I listen to every time an episode is released, which is saying a lot because I just had a baby and things are a little crazy around here. 🤪

This is the first podcast I’ve listened to all the way through and then started all over again. Katie and Gretchen bring an authentic, fun, practical, and grounded approach to the gospel. I feel like they have become my friends :) As someone who is somewhat new to law/gospel theology, I deeply appreciate all that they have taught me about freedom through Christ alone in all areas of life. Thank you!

Yes just found the book Ragged and God’s really using it to wake me back up. Since it was so powerful I started listening to the podcast just this week and have listened to several from the beginning. I’m so thankful to have their reminders about our freedom in Christ wash over me. Their teachings are so wise and gracious and authentic. This is just what I need for this stage of me life. Thank you Gretchen and Katie and 1517!

I’ve been listening to these podcasts for awhile now. And I’ve been meaning to write a review of how much I love it. I have been putting it off because I feel like I can’t come up with the right words to express how much this podcast has grown me. I’m just gonna have to spit it out there, incorrect grammar /spelling/disconnected thoughts and all! Every time I listen I feel like God reveals something or reminds me of something I forgot. Lots of DUH moments for me! 🤣These women are instruments of God. I love how they bring theology into every day life. I love how they aren’t afraid to tackle tough questions and doubts and are always pointing back to Christ. The fact that they consistently remind me that Jesus is holding me, not the other way around. I love that they get into the “meatiness” of theology but are still so practical, relatable and easy to listen to. The way they articulate and express their faith is so encouraging. This podcast challenges me and comforts me, while also being highly entertaining with Katie’s northern accent!!! 😁 I listen to it while driving and also at home with my headphones on while doing housework, which makes both things much more fun! My kids are frequently “shooshed” with the comment, “Be quiet! Mom is listening to Gretchen and Katie.” 😆 They feel like friends to me, and I am so grateful.

In an effort to diversify and look beyond my normal tendencies, which sad to say always skews male. I stumbled upon this wonderful podcast. I love that the thoughts are really geared towards any gender and stage of life, I think that has something to do with the honesty and graciousness of the two hosts. In addition, I come from a different faith tradition but love to hear how there’s synergy in Christ. Love to learn alongside other listeners. Peace and grace!

5 stars for the content and sound theology, but I do hope they start talking over each other less. Often one will start talking before the other finishes her thought which is distracting to me.

I love listening to these two ladies! Definitely my favorite podcast!

I listen to way too many Podcasts, but this one my friends is by far the most realest, most biblical, and full of wisdom podcast ever! No lie! So encouraging! Absolutely love it! Also, they are both sooooo pretty! LOL 🤩🤩

I’m a dude but I ran across this today, good stuff ... 👊

This is not your typical Christian Podcast for women, if you’re looking for fluff, this isn’t it! You will constantly be reminded that we are sinners with hope through the Gospel. Gretchen and Katie will point you to Jesus time and time again.

Thank you 1517 for trusting these 2 ladies to present the Gospel and Christ in this platform. I have been hungry to hear from women who will point me to Christ instead of telling me how to sanctify my life to be a “better” Christian. No more lists of how to be better!! I am free from guilt, free from striving and free from expectations! Than YOU Gretchen and Katie.

I never thought of myself as very legalistic until I binged this podcast and realized all the subtle ways I put laws in my life. It’s been so great to feel like I have less to do after listening to a podcast. They continually just point to Christ’s sufficiency instead of giving helpful tips to improve your life. Also the Midwest accent is super fun and they keep it light. They also haven’t tried to sell me anything yet! (I get why podcasts do this it’s just nice when they don’t) Just the occasional book review and I guess they might be selling combines because they talk about those a lot :P despite all the farming references they are super relatable and I definitely recommend this podcast.

I thought I didn’t need another podcast. But these ladies just keep pointing to Jesus. There is such comfort and refreshment as they point to what Jesus has done and his love for us.

No « just stars » here.. 😂🤣😂. Anyway.... this is a fantastic podcast; real, authentic and even if you typically don’t like Christian podcasts made for and by women, these women are fantastic. They bring solid truth in a very genuine kind manner without being sensational or emotional (forgive me, I’m used to the Evangelical genre). Worth every minute of your time!!

I wasn't sure what this was going to be about, but I heard it was by Christian women & for other women. So I listened to the first podcast & I was amazed how it felt like they were in the room with me. They are so down to Earth & not preachy at all. This is not a podcast where two perfect Christians tell other women how to be perfect, too. It's two moms talking about real life & theology & encouraging the rest of us. Men would like it, too.

Listening to this feels like getting a cup of coffee with two wise women. I am encouraged and challenged to think more fully of the gospel and how it affects daily life.

These ladies are so easy to listen to, their voices are full of conviction and the content is so worthwhile. To hear how we can live without guilt and in the grace that God has freely given, with real-life everyday examples is refreshing. Keep it up! Loving every minute!

Has become one of my favorite podcasts during the week! They make theology easy to understand for the regular person. Thank you for doing it! Keep it up!! :)

As an LCMS pastor, in Minnesota by the way, who listens to a lot of very technical theology podcasts, I love how down to earth, real, and funny these ladies are in giving some wonderful insights for a Christian’s walk of faith. Thank you!

Keep up the great work Gretchen and Katie!!!! They do a wonderful job speaking about a host of faith related topic from a law/gospel point of view.

This show has been a great way to kick off the weekend and I look forward to catching new episodes every Friday. Katie & Gretchen bring some fun and much needed honestly about what it looks like to ‘follow Christ’ in real life. You need this conversation in your life. Especially if you think you don’t!

Katie and Gretchen find their podcasts legs about episode 3. It’s a short, refreshing, and encouraging podcast about Christ. Geared for women. Fills a void in the podcast world

Thank you for this podcast. I’ve already gotten something out of it. “Spiritual disciplines are learning how to depend on God not learning how to impress God.” Yes!

Listen to these ladies share the good news of freedom in Christ alone!

Excited to listen to the first episode from these excellent writers.