Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast

...

In this episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast, we step into the eye of the historical storm. Imagine losing your infant, your husband, and your financial security within a matter of months. Peo...

Legacy. What is it? In this episode, Cynthia L Simmons pours a cup of tea and invites you into Dolley Madison's parlor. History remembers her as the "Queen of Washington," but her greatest work may ha...

Have you ever felt you were in a season of "steeping" while you waited? In this special Mother's Day episode, Cynthia L Simmons invites you to grab a cup of hot tea and step back 1700 years into histo...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podast. Join me and Author Pam Farrel as we dive into the life of Mercy Otis Warren, the woman who used her pen to spark the American Revolution. My dear friend, P...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. Does inner steel have a breaking point? For today, I stepped back in time to cover one of the most misunderstood women in history: Mary Lincoln. Brilliant...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. Last week we covered Paula Bonhoeffer, and this week we talk about another Lioness. What makes a man strong enough to resist a crown? Was George Washingto...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast where we rethink history to reclaim hope for today. We have all heard of heros who lead armies and take over countries. What about a hero who wouldn't stop...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. Today we're looking at a sensational story. It's Michelle Rickett's story. She's the woman behind She is Safe. Before she fought  modern day slavery, she ...

What happens to a secret when you keep it for seven decades? In our first episodes of 2026, we're stepping back into the shadows of occupied France to meet one of the most unassuming, and dangerous he...

Welcome! You hear the song every year from November through December in malls, radio stations, and candletlit services. However, when Issac Watts wrote this song, he wasn't thinking about Christmas. L...

This week we share the untold story behing the writing of "Christmas Bells" written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. We now call the song "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." In contrast to many happy-...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. As we move into the Christmas season, we remember the hope we obtain because of the baby born in Bethlehem. That hope extends to the whole world, includin...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio Podcast. This week we are taking a historical view of being thankful by sharing a story from the past. In addition, we interviewed Donna Wyland. She has written a ...

When you think of a World War 2 pilot, you probably picture a man. Not all of them were. Today we celebrate Nancy Harkness Love. She obtained her pilot's license when she was in her teens, and offered...

This week, we celebrate the life of Kathrina von Bora, a runaway nun who married Martin Luther in 1526. This amazing lady impacted the lives of many people and left an incredible legacy. You will enjo...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. This month we focused on grief, so this week my guest was author Debbie W. Wilson, a former counselor. We asked the question: how can we grieve well. The ...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. Now that we returned to fall routines, we feel presssure building. This week Cynthia told the story of Abigail Rice and her huge family. Then she intervie...

Welcome to the latest episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. Cynthia opened this week with a story about a lady who hid her identity. Afterward, she interviewed author Donna Wyland, who works a...

Welcome to another episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. This week author and speaker Laine Lawson Craft was our guest. Her new book is called Warfare Parenting. She shared the heartache she e...

Welcome to the lastest episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. In light of our nation's 249th anniversary, Cynthia is focusing on patriotic themes this month. This week, we get a look at militar...

Welcome to the latest Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. This week we had a lively discussion with Barb Fox. Her marriage went along fine until one day her husband lost his job. She assumed he would s...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. This week Cynthia interviewed Author Kate Batestelli. The empty nest syndrome caught her by surprise, so she offered ideas to other moms. Kate suggested m...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast for Mother's Day week. This month we are focusing on the extraordinary mothers who can inspire us. Cynthia related a story about a lady who lived during th...

Welcome to the latest Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. This week, Cynthia delved into Mary Magdalene's story.  What did she see and how did she feel during the crucifixion? Join us for this peek int...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. This week we featured a conversation between Cynthia and author Rachel Faulkner Brown, who suffered widowhood twice. She shared how she managed to cope wh...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. This is Women's History Month, and this week we are celebrating the nurses who worked in the Mash units during the Korean War. My guest was Author Rebecca...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. We are celebrating Women's History Month, and we are featuring a snippet about First Lady Bess Truman. Bess didn't give interviews and didn't like publici...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. March is Women's History Month. Author Peggy Sue Wells was my guest this week. She shared fascinating facts about First Lady Edith Wilson, who was certain...

Welcome! March is Women's History Month, so we plan to share inspiring stories of women you may not know. This week we unveil a heartwarming story of Lucy Webb Hayes. Her husband, Rutherford B Hayes, ...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. The love story is a timeless narrative that has always fascinated and moved us. This month, we have covered several love stories from the past. This week,...

Welcome to another episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. This week we share an untold story about the romance of President Grant and his wife, Julie. A lovely and inspiring story....

Welcome to the latest episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. For Valentine's Day, Cynthia related the love story of Edith Carow and Teddy Roosevelt who had been childhood sweethearts. You'll en...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. As we celebrate Valentine's Day, we are covering riveting love stories. Today we featured Lori Ann and Dell Wood. They love to hold hands and laugh. But t...

Welcome to the latest episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. We've seen tons of photos of our new president signing executive orders. Today we share the heartwarming story surrounding that desk...

Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast where we share God's timeless wisdom. We are several weeks into the New Year now, and it's easy to fall back into negative self talk and anxiety. I have fo...

Welcome to the latest episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast.  Cynthia's guest was author and counselor Debbie W Wilson. The two ladies chatted about ways to improve our thought patterns in 2025...

Welcome! Join us today to discover a snippet of history surrounding presidential transfer of power, which is taking place right now. Have you ever wondered when the process starts? How did that work d...

Welcome to the first podcast for 2025. Cynthia discussed interesting traditions people follow and what they hope to accomplish. For instance, in Spain men swallow 12 grapes immediately before the New ...

Welcome to another Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast where we discuss Christmas traditions. My guest this week was author Tina Yeager. We chatted about the history of gingerbread and ways to make thos...

Welcome to the latest episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. Christmas is a beautiful season. However, the true message often gets buried. This week Cynthia's guest was Melissa Heiland. Cynthia...

Welcome to the latest Heart of the Matter episode. Cynthia interviewed Annie Yorty, author of 25 Symbols of Christmas. Have you ever wondered why we put up wreaths and give away candy canes. Annie sha...

Welcome to the Thanksgiving Day episode. We offer a prayer of thanksgiving for all our blessings....

Welcome to the latest Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. Imagine moving from college graduation to being first lady of the United States? Frances Cleveland made that huge change gracefully. This week ...

Welcome to the latest episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. In this Veteran's Day episode, Cynthia highlighted the work of women codebreakers in World War 2. Join us as we remember the work an...

Welcome to the next episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. Are you looking for inspiration, hope and encouragement? Our podcast explored the lives of godly men and women from the past. Author M...

Welcome to the latest episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. In this episode Cynthia shared the story of Katherine von Bora who who was born in Germany in 1499. Her father placed her in a conve...

Welcome to the newest episode of Heart of the Matter Radio Podcast. My guest this week was author Lynne Rienstra who authored Sacred Refuge. We discussed how to find that rest in the Lord. Lynne share...

Welcome to anothere episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. This week my guest was Author Bonnie Fite. She related stories from the Jamestown and Plymouth colonies revealing God's protection and...

Welcome to another episode of Heart of the Matter. This week, Cynthia uncovered a story about Audrey Hepburn's childhood. She grew up in Holland during World War II and worked for the resistance. Her ...