Comparison is something we all wrestle with—but what if the struggle goes deeper than simply wanting what someone else has? We sit down with authors Lee Nienhuis and Shannon Popkin to explore how comparison impacts our identity, relationships, and faith, especially for teen girls growing up in a world shaped by constant measuring and comparison.

Drawing from their own stories and their book Comparison Girl for Teens, Lee and Shannon unpack the hidden ways comparison shows up and how we can help our daughters move from insecurity and self-focus toward confidence rooted in Christ.

🔹 Recognizing comparison’s hidden forms – How comparison can look like feeling less than, striving for perfection, or even looking down on others—and why pride is often at the root.

🔹 Understanding our daughters’ unique challenges – Why relationships, social media, and the desire to belong can make comparison especially painful for teen girls today.

🔹 Replacing the measuring mindset – How to shift our focus from “How do I measure up?” to the truth of who God says we are.

🔹 Helping girls find their identity in Christ – Why our daughters need safe spaces to untangle emotions, ask honest questions, and experience grace through community.

With wisdom, vulnerability, and practical tools, Terra, Lee, and Shannon remind us that comparison loses its power when we know we are already loved, chosen, and secure in Christ. As moms, we don’t have to help our daughters avoid every moment of comparison—we can walk alongside them as they learn where their true worth comes from.

Lee's Website: leenienhuis.com

Shannnon's Website: www.shannonpopkin.com

Lee's Instagram: @leenienhuis

Shannon's Instagram: @shannonpopkin

Book: Comparison Girl for Teens

Learn more about the Courageous Girls movement at www.mycourageousgirls.com

Follow along on Instagram: @mycourageousgirls

Read the book: Courageous by Terra Mattson

Download the Courageous Girls App—available on any app store.

We all carry expectations about how our stories will unfold—especially when it comes to motherhood. But what happens when those dreams are delayed, derailed, or deeply wounded?

In this episode of Courageous Girls, we sit down with Julie Fowler to talk about infertility, loss, and the long, painful road of waiting. Together, we explore what it means to trust God when the story doesn’t go the way we planned—and how to help our daughters build an identity rooted in Him, not outcomes.

With honesty and hope, Julie shares her journey through miscarriage, failed adoptions, and grief—and how God met her in the middle of it all. This conversation is a reminder that suffering is not the end of the story, and that God is still writing something meaningful in every chapter.

🔹 God meets us in the waiting – How Scripture and community anchor us when life feels uncertain and painful.

🔹 You are not alone – Why isolation is a lie and how widening your circle can bring healing and perspective.

🔹 Identity beyond outcomes – Teaching our daughters their worth isn’t tied to motherhood, marriage, or milestones.

🔹 Grief and faith can coexist – Learning to be honest with God while still trusting His goodness and sovereignty.

Whether you’re walking through loss, supporting someone who is, or raising daughters in a world full of expectations, this episode invites you to hold your story with open hands—and trust the God who sees.

CG Podcast: Breaking Free From Comparison with Lee Nienhuis & Shannon Popkin

CG Podcast: Rooted in Grace with Brittany Sawrey-Coulson