Courage is not the absence of fear—it's choosing faith in the midst of fear. In this week's episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, American Heritage Girls Executive Director and host Rachael Culpepper sits down with award-winning children's author and content creator Kirthana Fanning to talk about raising daughters who have the courage to overcome life's obstacles.

Kirthana brings years of experience as a writer, producer, and the creator of Read Believe Grow TV, a YouTube channel dedicated to helping children encounter God's truth in engaging ways. In this conversation, she shares her passion for crafting faith-filled stories that equip the next generation with courage and resilience—qualities that girls desperately need in a culture that often tells them to shrink back or compromise their faith.

Through her beloved children's book The Girl and Her Noble Steed, Kirthana paints a picture of bravery rooted in God's promises. She and Rachael explore why courage must be understood through a Biblical lens, the unique challenges girls face today in standing boldly for their faith, and how parents can guide their daughters toward resilience by leaning on the truth of Scripture rather than cultural trends.

Scripture Referenced in This Episode:

• Joshua 1:9 — "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

• Isaiah 41:10 — God strengthens and upholds His people.

• 2 Timothy 1:7 — "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

• Esther 4:14 — Courage to stand boldly "for such a time as this."

• Psalm 27:1 — "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?"

This episode will encourage you, as a mom, to see the everyday moments of parenting as opportunities to nurture bravery in your daughter's heart. You'll walk away inspired to help her embrace a faith that stands firm in the face of fear—trusting that with God's help, she can overcome every obstacle in her path.

To learn more about Kirthana Fanning and her books, visit kirthanajfanning.com.

Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.

To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org.