Reading Between the Lines

Reading Between the Lines is more than a podcast—it’s a conversation between friends. Hosted by author and editor Debra Butterfield, each episode offers real talk about life’s hardest moments, healing, and finding hope again.

Whether Deb’s reflecting on her own journey through trauma, faith, and resilience—or unpacking the deeper themes hidden in her fiction—she brings honesty, wisdom, and hard-won perspective to the mic. No fluff. Just real stories, grounded faith, and practical tools to help you move forward.

Deb is a survivor, a believer, and a storyteller. Her first book, Carried by Grace, tells the true story of walking through the unthinkable: her daughter’s abuse, the breakdown of her marriage, and the fight to rebuild. Now, nearly a decade later, she’s sharing what she’s learned—the pain, the process, the healing, and the grace that carried her through it all.

In this show, we “read between the lines” of everyday life. Expect honest conversations about life.

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Episodes

If I Say It...

Thursday Jul 10, 2025

Thursday Jul 10, 2025

We often question whether God will answer our prayer or do what He says He'll do. 
In this episode I look at Ezekiel 12:25, "For I am the Lord! If I say it, it will happen. There will be no more delays" (NLT). God must do what He says He will, or He becomes a liar. 
Listen in and be encouraged.
For more encouraging, faith-filled messages visit https://DebraLButterfield.com 
Build unshakable faith with my 7-week Bible study Unshakable Faith: Living Strong in the Kingdom of God.

God Can but Will He

Thursday Jun 26, 2025

Thursday Jun 26, 2025

You know God answers prayer for others, but are you wondering if He'll answer your prayer?
In this episode, Debra takes a dive into what the abundant life is and that question of "will He do it for me?"
For more on Debra, visit https://DebraLButterfield.com

Thursday Jun 05, 2025

What if the key to your purpose was already planted inside you? Debra and Jodie tackle the question so many of us ask: Why am I here? From childhood dreams to adult roadblocks, they discuss how to reconnect with the God-given desires you may have buried. You'll learn how to recognize the small nudges, listen to that still small voice, and take faithful steps toward a life that aligns with your calling. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure, or disconnected from your purpose, this episode is a must-listen.🛒 Order Carried by Grace:https://themotivationaleditor.com📘 Read Debra’s blog & explore her books:debralbutterfield.comthemotivationaleditor.comhttps://www.facebook.com/DebraLButterfieldAuthor💬 Let’s continue the conversation:Join us on Facebook and share how this episode resonated with you.📢 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to support the show!

Thursday May 22, 2025

Are you just getting by, stuck in a cycle of stress and self-doubt? In this episode, Debra Butterfield and Jodie O'Brien get real about what it means to thrive—not just survive. They explore how culture, false beliefs, and fear can hold us back from the life God intended. Hear powerful stories, practical mindset shifts, and encouragement for anyone feeling weighed down. Whether you're a parent, a professional, or just trying to make it through the day, this conversation will inspire you to believe that thriving is possible—and it starts from the inside out.🛒 Order Carried by Grace:https://themotivationaleditor.com📘 Read Debra’s blog & explore her books:debralbutterfield.comthemotivationaleditor.comhttps://www.facebook.com/DebraLButterfieldAuthor💬 Let’s continue the conversation:Join us on Facebook and share how this episode resonated with you.📢 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to support the show!

Thursday May 08, 2025

In this engaging conversation, Debra Butterfield and Jodie O'Brien explore the profound impact of self-talk on personal identity and self-worth. They discuss the importance of recognizing negative self-talk, the techniques to counter it with positive affirmations, and the role of faith in shaping our self-perception. The conversation delves into how upbringing influences our beliefs about ourselves and emphasizes the need for forgiveness and acceptance in overcoming negative narratives. Through practical strategies and personal anecdotes, they encourage listeners to embrace their true identity and change the narrative in their minds.🛒 Order Carried by Grace:https://themotivationaleditor.com📘 Read Debra’s blog & explore her books:debralbutterfield.comthemotivationaleditor.comhttps://www.facebook.com/DebraLButterfieldAuthor💬 Let’s continue the conversation:Join us on Facebook and share how this episode resonated with you.📢 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to support the show!

Tuesday Apr 29, 2025

In this heartfelt conversation, hosts Debra Butterfield and Jodie O'Brien explore the universal struggle with doubt in one's faith journey. They share personal stories of facing life's challenges—from family crises to professional disappointments—and discuss practical tools for maintaining faith during difficult times. Listeners will learn the importance of making deliberate choices about their reactions, using scripture as a foundation, creating personalized playlists, and surrounding themselves with supportive relationships. Debra also highlights her book "Unshakeable Faith," which offers principles to help believers build a stronger spiritual foundation in less time than the decades it took her to learn these lessons.🛒 Order Carried by Grace:https://themotivationaleditor.com📘 Read Debra’s blog & explore her books:debralbutterfield.comthemotivationaleditor.comhttps://www.facebook.com/DebraLButterfieldAuthor💬 Let’s continue the conversation:Join us on Facebook and share how this episode resonated with you.📢 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to support the show!

Thursday Apr 17, 2025

In this heartfelt conversation, Jodie O’Brien sits down with author Debra Butterfield to talk about her Her Inheritance fiction series—and the personal stories that shaped it. Debra opens up about writing from lived experience, what forgiveness really means, and how God used her characters to speak back into her own life.They explore the emotional core of her protagonist, Sally Clark, a woman navigating deep wounds from her adoptive father and trying to believe she's worthy of love. Debra shares how writing fiction became a journey of healing, and how a simple act—removing a ring—changed everything.From emotional breakthroughs to unexpected laughter, this episode is for anyone who believes stories can change hearts—starting with the author’s own.🛒 Order Carried by Grace:https://themotivationaleditor.com📘 Read Debra’s blog & explore her books:debralbutterfield.comthemotivationaleditor.comhttps://www.facebook.com/DebraLButterfieldAuthor💬 Let’s continue the conversation:Join us on Facebook and share how this episode resonated with you.📢 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to support the show!

Wednesday Apr 02, 2025

In this powerful first episode of Reading Between the Lines, host Jodie O’Brien sits down with author and editor Debra Butterfield to talk about the story behind her first book, Carried by Grace—a raw, personal account of the abuse her daughter endured and the faith that carried them both through the darkest season of their lives.Deb shares what it was like to face the unthinkable: betrayal from someone she trusted, the guilt she had to work through, and the strength it took to keep going for her children. Together, they reflect on the role of discipline, grace, and unshakable faith during a time when everything felt broken.This episode touches on:What pushed Deb to finally pursue writing in her 40sThe moment her daughter spoke up—and everything changedThe emotional rollercoaster of anger, guilt, and survivalThe power of ScriptureWhy Deb chose to write Carried by GraceHow their relationship healed—and how her daughter now helps others as a licensed therapistThe impact of shame, and why breaking the silence mattersThis isn’t an easy conversation—but it’s a needed one. If you’ve been through something hard, or love someone who has, Deb’s story will remind you that you’re not alone. Healing is possible. Hope is real.🛒 Order Carried by Grace:https://themotivationaleditor.com📘 Read Debra’s blog & explore her books:debralbutterfield.comthemotivationaleditor.comhttps://www.facebook.com/DebraLButterfieldAuthor💬 Let’s continue the conversation:Join us on Facebook and share how this episode resonated with you.📢 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to support the show!

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