Lily Ferrell records an episode of “Grace Over Grind” in WRFH.
Courtesy | Lily Ferrell

When junior Lily Ferrell brainstormed ideas for a podcast, she had no idea that she would soon interview one of the world’s top health and wellness podcasters. 

Conservative podcaster Alex Clark was one of the first guests Ferrell’s “Grace Over Grind” podcast hosted.

It began as a passion project to give young women a forum for faith-centered encouragement. Ferrell said she was concerned that women were not hearing the voices of strong Christian women in the podcasts they listened to.

“I decided, ‘You know what, I’m going to start a podcast,’” she said. “I wanted to have it centered on people’s faith and how they incorporate faith into their careers, whether it be in the health space, or in Christian discipleship, or in the medical field, or whatever it may be. And that’s how it really took off.” 

Ferrell began making a “dream list” of women whom she wanted to interview and began messaging them constantly. The top two names on the list were Clark, host of the “Culture Apothecary” podcast, one of the top 10 health and wellness podcasts in the world, and Johnson, wife of political commentator Benny Johnson. The commonality between all the women on the list was a life of integrity and powerful Christianity.

“I want to bring really strong women in the podcasting world onto ‘Grace Over Grind,’ people that are super outspoken about their views and are really strong imitations of Christianity in the journalism space,” Ferrell said. 

She was surprised when, just a few days after messaging them, she received replies from both Clark and Johnson. 

“I was driving to get pizza with my parents and all of the sudden I get a DM from Kate Johnson and from Alex Clark as the first guests on the podcast, and I was astounded,” Ferrell said.

A few weeks later, the first episode of “Grace Over Grind” debuted with Ferrell interviewing Johnson about keeping a healthy lifestyle, both physically and spiritually. Shortly after that interview, Ferrell hosted Clark, discussing her career in journalism, advice on dating, and passion for health. 

Ferrell credits the success of her podcast to her episodes with these women. After hosting them, she received the attention of other notable women in the conservative field, including Mia Rofrano, founder of Masa Chips, and Tori Hope Petersen, a 2018 Hillsdale alumna who advocates for foster care.

Through the foundation of faith, Ferrell has discussed topics such as holistic and mental health, entrepreneurship, and foster care.

Junior Emma Mohler, a friend of Ferrell’s who helped with initial ideas for “Grace Over Grind,” said Ferrell’s foundation for the podcast comes from her own walk with God and interest in mentoring young women about healthy lifestyles.

“Lily has been very passionate about health and wellness for as long as I have known her,” Mohler said. “She was already very educated herself, and she wanted to have a platform such that she could educate other people.”

Senior Analise Hess, listener and president of the Women’s Holistic Health Club, said she appreciates how the podcast frames health as an approachable and meaningful goal through the variety of guests and topics on the show. 

“I think Lily’s podcast does a really good job of putting health and healthy practices at the top of people’s minds and encouraging people to take the first step,” Hess said.

Ferrell said she hopes “Grace Over Grind,” which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Instagram, will help listeners become more forward about their faith in the professional realm.

“I hope that they will be inspired to be more convinced in their faith and to really exude that in the things that they are passionate about, so going forward, they feel like they can commit to their values in any field and follow the lead of so many other women that are doing the same,” Ferrell said.

Mohler said she has been inspired by the way Ferrell has brought faith to life through the podcast. 

“I’ve been really encouraged and inspired to live out my faith and have those conversations about faith and professionalism,” Mohler said, “Even if I don’t have all the answers, Lily has provided a platform where you don’t need all the answers.”