Welcome to Grafted: Jewish Roots of Christianity. Today’s guest is Dena Smiley, a seasoned professional whose journey encompasses social work, faith, and service.
Dena began her professional odyssey upon earning a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in 1998. With a passion for helping others, she obtained her clinical license in 2000. She delved into psychiatric care, serving in both inpatient settings and within the reputable Kaiser Permanente outpatient mental health clinic.
Transitioning her focus towards the educational domain, Dena found fulfillment in partnering with children and families navigating diverse special needs. Her expertise blossomed as she assumed the role of a district-wide coach for positive behavior support, leaving an indelible mark on the school social work landscape.
The arrival of her own family in 2006 prompted Dena to establish a private practice, allowing her to harmonize professional endeavors with the joys of motherhood. Complementing her professional pursuits, Dena generously volunteered in church counseling ministries and shared the transformative practice of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) at women’s events and bible studies.
Dena’s spiritual journey, spanning three decades, has been a transformative force in her life, igniting a genuine desire to utilize her God-given gifts for the betterment of humanity. Driven by compassion, she has embarked on numerous international missions, advocating for the marginalized and underserved in third-world countries.
In recent years, Dena’s faith journey has deepened as she and her family embraced the restored Hebrew names, observed biblical feasts, and honored the original Sabbath. Amidst her professional and spiritual commitments, Dena finds solace in nature, indulging in hobbies such as hiking, paddle boarding, and herbalism. Alongside her family, she has cultivated a serene homestead in East Tennessee, where they embrace the joys of homeschooling and cherish the bonds of family and community.
Welcome to Grafted Jewish Roots of Christianity. My guest is Stacey Fitzgerald.
Stacey is a multifaceted individual who has channeled her life experiences into powerful avenues of healing and expression. As a singer/songwriter, Stacey brings her heartfelt emotions and stories to life through her music. She is also a Trauma survivor/thriver, having overcome a near-death horse accident and emerged victorious over a challenging battle with an eating disorder.
In addition to her artistic and personal triumphs, Stacey is a certified nutritionist, dedicated to promoting health and wellness. She combines her professional knowledge with her journey to inspire and educate others. Stacey’s deep faith is reflected in her commitment as a student of the Bible and a teacher, where she shares her wisdom and insights with others.
Moreover, Stacey is known as a “Horse Whisperer,” a testament to her profound connection with horses and her ability to communicate and aid in bringing healing to these majestic animals. Her journey is a testament to resilience, strength, and the transformative power of faith and healing.
Welcome to Grafted: Jewish Roots of Christianity. My guest is Dejah Phillips.
Dejah is a digital creator with a strong presence on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, amassing a following of over 80,000. As a Messianic Jew, Dejah views social media as her mission field, where she passionately shares her insights on a range of biblical topics. Her content delves into subjects such as the sons of God, demons, and the Nephilim, with a focus on addressing cultural misunderstandings of Scripture. Through her engaging and thought-provoking posts, Dejah aims to educate and inspire her audience, shedding light on often overlooked aspects of biblical teachings. She has a bachelor’s in education and a master’s in reading. She studied Jewish and Christian theology, world religions/history, and had missions training.
Welcome to Grafted: Jewish Roots of Christianity. My guest is author, speaker, and coach, Lauren Crews.
Lauren is an award-winning author and social media coach certified through the Advanced Speakers and Authors Association. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from seminary, and Digital Marketing Certifications from both Google and HubSpot. She is passionate about championing God’s word and equips new authors to overcome their fear and frustration with social media and the publishing process. Through her coaching services, she empowers aspiring writers to build their social media presence and create compelling content.
Her acclaimed book, “Strength of a Woman: Why You Are Proverbs 31,” explores the Proverbs 31 passage through the imagery of the Hebrew alphabet and has earned the Christian Market Book of the Year Award. Despite her victories, she carries deeply etched battle scars, which she uses to help women understand that their scars are not signs of defeat but marks of resilience, enabling them to walk in the fullness of Christ. Her love for biblical language has inspired her to write “Strength of a Woman,” its accompanying devotional, and her latest work, “Word Made Flesh.” She promises that this is not your typical interpretation of Proverbs 31; readers will never look at the passage the same way again.
Lauren shares her home in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband and their two well-trained brown dogs.
Lori-Kate Lowenhar is a talented and passionate musician from the Israeli musical group One Lev, One Heart. The group’s name beautifully captures their mission, as “One Lev” translates to “One Heart” in Hebrew, and “Lev” means “Lion” in Russian, symbolizing their dedication to bringing glory to their King, the Lion of Judah.
Lori-Kate hails from Elkhart, Indiana, but has called Israel home for twenty-five years, embracing her dual citizenship. Her musical prowess spans several instruments, including the clarinet, flute, saxophone, and piano. Beyond her musical contributions, Lori-Kate is an international speaker committed to encouraging and empowering women. She shares her profound insights on finding God’s transforming joy amidst life’s hardships and challenges, offering Scriptural wisdom on how to “Hang On!”
The dynamic trio of One Lev, One Heart is completed by Ilan Gorny and Mikhail Bogdanov Monkevich. Born and raised in Haifa, Ilan is the son of Romanian Holocaust survivors and has been playing drums since his teenage years. From St. Petersburg, Russia, Mikhail brings his exceptional talents as an artist and accomplished composer to the group.
Together, Lori-Kate, Ilan, and Mikhail create a unique and inspiring musical experience that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, united by their shared passion and faith.
