This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with my friend Nika Maples about her incredible story. She says, "When I was 20 years old, my plans for my life, career, family, and future fell apart. I was an active sophomore in college, then suddenly I was quadriplegic in the Intensive Care Unit, having suffered a massive brainstem stroke. I could not speak, swallow, or blink. Because I could hear, I listened as doctors warned my family that I had as little as 48 hours to live. There was nothing for us to do but pray. My faith sustained me in ways I can hardly explain, and a year later I walked back onto my college campus on my own two feet. I taught English in public schools for ten years, and in 2007, the Texas Education Agency awarded me the distinguished honor of Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. In that role, I started writing and speaking full time, sharing messages of hope and endurance with education, business, and church groups across the country. I love seeing people experience a renewed sense of purpose because of one of my presentations. One of the most rewarding things I do is help Christian writers conquer what's holding them back. To date, I have written five books and I have a thriving career as a writer and public speaker. But that wasn't always the case. I remember struggling to finish my first book and wondering how to take the next step in publishing and marketing. Now I enjoy teaching writers how to advance their Kingdom-focused writing projects through my signature program, The Keep Writing Course." Key Points from Our Conversation: After suffering a brain stem stroke and being given a bad report, Nika says that the prognosis was “information, but not a proclamation” about her life. God not only restored Nika’s speech but also gave her a platform to use it. “There’s no such thing as a dead-end in God’s kingdom.” We often believe information as a fact, but we should bring everything to the Lord. Give the facts to Him as you know them and trust that He knows and holds the future. Some common limiting beliefs that often stop us from starting are that don’t have enough time, money or skill, and ability. Stop focusing on the temporary. “There is no such thing as being behind with an eternal God.” Money is just a tool. You should never think of money as an obstacle. God is the only source. Everything else is a resource. Ask God for what you need to accomplish the task He’s assigned you. When we say, “I don’t know,” it disconnects us from the divine wisdom God is giving us. The Holy Spirit speaks truth and increases our wisdom. He has given us everything we need for life and Godliness. His thoughts that are higher than my thoughts are available to me. Say something different like, “God is helping me figure this out” or “It’s becoming clearer.” “Doubt means I’m entering new territory. Discomfort is the price of admission to taking new territory.” The discomfort casts us into His comforting arms. He’s the only one who can truly comfort us. God doesn’t require us to suffer, but a lot of times suffering produces what’s next because we meet Jesus in a new way. When doubt comes up, we think we’re not supposed to do something. The doubt comes before the breakthrough. Every dream we have is on the other side of discomfort. Failure is not a problem. God will use our failure for fruitfulness. Without faith, it’s impossible to please God. Faith is God’s pleasure. He doesn’t want our works. It’s when we’re face down in loss, failure, and defeat that we can experience the greatest faith in our lives. When we know He’s the only one who can save us and He’s the only one that will, that faith brings Him great pleasure. Be content to let him lead. Self-confidence comes from our self-history. God-confidence is knowing that if He asked me to do it, then He’s planning to empower me to do it. There are enough blessings for all. There is no lack in the kingdom. Let’s Get Real Practical: The Bible says we should take our thoughts captive. This week I encourage you to take a deep look at your thoughts and investigate how they're affecting your life. What’s a thought that God is calling you to take captive? (Choose just one at a time.) What feeling does that thought activate? What behavior is following? Resources Mentioned: Twelve Clean Pages Keep Writing Course One-on-one coaching Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that’s full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Nika: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

Real Talk with Rachael Podcast

#130: Keep Going with Nika Maples

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with Michelle Meyers and Somer Phoebus about their new book She Works His Way: A Practical Guide for Doing What Matters Most in a Get-Things-Done World. Michelle and Somer are also moms, wives, women called to work, best friends, and co-leaders of She Works His Way - a discipleship community for working women. Michelle Myers is an author, entrepreneur, and motivator. Michelle launched She Works His Way to pour God's truth into the lives of women in ministry and business. She is the author of Famous in Heaven & at Home. Michelle lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and a daughter. Somer Phoebus is a brick-and-mortar business lover, productivity expert, and pastor's wife. She is part of the She Works His Way leadership team. In addition to an early career in fashion and retail, Somer started and sold two fitness studios. Somer lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters. Key Points from Our Conversation: Through She Works His Way Michelle and Somer encourage women to filter everything through the gospel by asking how our actions impact the kingdom of God. The community continually reminds members to surrender to Jesus who brings freedom, energy, and excitement. "If you’re walking with Jesus, where you are right now is where you’re called." – Somer Whatever work you're doing, you are in a mission field. God has placed you there to be His representative to those around you. If you invest in people where you are and behave according to the gospel, it creates curiosity in the hearts of those around you and opens doors to speak truth into someone’s life. All women work. Work is not defined by compensation. It’s an intentional effort that you take for the purpose of the glory of God. So often we equate balance with perfection, so our pursuit of balance is futile. Give up chasing balance and surrender it to Jesus. When we seek God first, He shapes our desires. “Attempting to make God equal with the rest of your life is going to equal chaos every single time.” – Michelle Never be afraid to ask for help. Leave margin in your schedule to love people. Inspect the things you keep coming back to that keep leaving you dry. Those things steal energy from the things that truly matter. Accept that you probably didn’t marry someone exactly like you, so you’ll likely have conflict. It’s not personal, they love you first and they see things differently. You don’t have to defend yourself. It’s a gift to have someone who sees things differently. Lower your expectations of your spouse every day. We always expect more than we should. Marriage can’t be forced; it has to be organic. Have fun with each other and be intentional about it. There isn't a 5 step process to fix your marriage. It’ll look different for everyone. Too much pressure on marriage is what usually breaks it. If you are juggling all the things, remember Matthew 6:33 ("Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.") and let it take root in your soul. If you've been walking with Christ for a while, encourage someone who hasn’t by extending grace where they’re expecting too much of themselves and point them back to Jesus. Let’s Get Real Practical: We get to decide who or what gets our energy. As a physical reminder, consider getting a piggy bank and write the word "energy" on it. Any time someone asks you to do something, look at it as more than time, but energy. Ask yourself if the return was worth the energy you spent on the task. Did it leave you feeling drained? Resources Mentioned: SWHW Narrow Conference - November 5-6, 2021 Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that’s full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with She Works His Way: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

#129: Doing What Matters Most with Michelle Meyers & Somer Phoebus

This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I'm talking with author Christy Wright about her new book Take Back Your Time: The Guilt-Free Guide to Life Balance. Christy is a #1 national best-selling author, personal development expert, and host of The Christy Wright Show. Since 2009, Christy has served at Ramsey Solutions, where she teaches on personal development, business, and faith. Key Points from Our Conversation: The #1 question Christy gets as a business coach is "How do you balance everything?" What she's come to realize is that balance isn’t something you do, it’s something you create in your life that looks like peace and confidence in your choices, as well as how you spend your time. You want to enjoy your life and be proud of how you spend your time; the path to that is not productivity. “Life balance is not doing everything for an equal amount of time, it’s about doing the right things at the right time.” 4 reasons we feel out of balance: We're doing too much. Our time is finite. We have to make choices; we can’t fit it all in. We're not doing enough. Possibly triggered by something major shifting in life leaving you feeling bored and out of balance. Doing the wrong things. As long as you spend your life doing things that aren’t important to you, you’ll feel stressed, resentful, anxious, and angry. Not doing the right things. We should be spending time on the things we actually care about - the things that are life-giving and valuable. Doing the wrong thing out of guilt or obligation, getting distracted, or even doing good things in the wrong season will take away time from what's important to you. We tend to swing to extremes because we love the impressive. But it’s not sustainable to be focused on everything all the time. It’s less impressive, but taking a small action is more sustainable and allows you to better engage in things that fill you up. Some is better than none. It may look different in different seasons, but what matters is you're spending time on something that’s important to you. You can help determine what matters to you most by asking what’s important right now? Ask yourself who you want to be. As you determine that, it will bring clarity to what you’re supposed to do and what matters most to you because it’s more about who we are than what we do. You get to determine what does and doesn't matter to you. We have more time than we think we do, we’re just spending it on things that are not the most important things to us. Ask yourself where you lose time. We've become addicted to productivity. You have permission to not do things that don’t matter to you. Every commitment on your calendar/task list represents a deeper motivation in you. You might be addicted to productivity if you can't sit still or are always thinking about what comes next. We feel the need for contact input, but our brains were created for rest to reflect and pray. It takes practice. “Productivity doesn’t lead to balance, doing the right things leads to us feeling balanced.” This is your life. No one gets to tell you what you should be important to you. How you spend your time is how you spend your life. Spend it on what matters most to you. Let’s Get Real Practical: There is no such thing as balance, but there is such a thing as pressing into doing the right things that matter most to you in this season. Getting clear on what we’re called to helps relieve decision-making pressure. Make a list of all the things you do weekly/monthly that require a commitment from you. Circle the things that are non-negotiable. Strikethrough any items you need to lay down or outsource. When a new opportunity comes up, look at the list and see if it fits with what matters most to you in this season. Resources Mentioned: Ep. 107: Get Back to You with Christy Wright Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life (And how anyone can harness it. Even you.) Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that’s full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Christy: website | Instagram | Facebook | podcast Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

#128: Take Back your Time with Christy Wright

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm chatting with author Lisa Whittle about her new book The Hard Good: Showing Up for God to Work in You When You Want to Shut Down. Lisa has published eight books and her wit and bold bottom-line approach have made her a sought-after Bible teacher. She is also the creator of a companion video Bible study for Jesus over Everything. A pastor’s daughter and longtime ministry leader in issues relevant to the church, Lisa is the founder of Ministry Strong and the popular Jesus over Everything podcast, which debuted in the top 25 of Christian podcasts. Her love runs deep to see people pursue Jesus for life, grow deep roots of faith, and walk strong in the midst of a world that so often seems to have gone crazy. She and her family live in North Carolina. Key Points from Our Conversation: "The Hard Good" is the stuff that is hard and most spiritually transformative if we allow God to use it and the emotions/feelings that thwart us in the process of change.  "God anoints and appoints, but usability is up to us." Some things are just hard, but not spiritually transformative. The things God wants to use in our lives are often the hard things. But we can better endure the hard when we know there’s a purpose behind it. We tend to live ignoring our feelings or feeling controlled by them. People of faith have often struggled in this area because of the false idea that it dishonors their faith. But the creator of the universe made us with emotions and feelings, so He’s the one to help us regulate them. We need to have more hard conversations in the church about abuse, widows, refugees, race, etc. When the church won’t have tough conversations, the world leads the conversation and the church is left to respond when it should be leading. As a Christian, you are called to make disciples wherever you have influence. Encourage hard conversations in the church and pray for your leaders. If you feel your church isn't aligning with your values, it may be time to leave.  “Instead of silencing tough conversations, let’s silence the fear of taking them on.” We all fear getting into a hard conversation because we don’t know how it will turn out. If something continues to compel you after praying about it, it's probably time to address it. Praying and being in tune with the Holy Spirit is the best way to ensure a good conversation. Before engaging online remember that anything that offers help apart from the power of God is not helpful. It will end in disaster because it’s a human providing a solution. Take time to process and pray before posting. Let's Get Real Practical:  It's time to face hard conversations head-on without fear. Ask God to show you what tough conversations He’s inviting you into and use these 3 tips to engage - pray, listen to the other person, and reflect what they said for clarification. Resources Mentioned: Episode 60: Jesus Over Everything with Lisa Whittle Episode Sponsor: How to Communicate Effectively with Your Spouse or Loved Ones - a one-page document with 6 easy steps to communicate your thoughts and feelings you can use in any tough conversation. Connect with Lisa: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

#127: The Hard Good with Lisa Whittle

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking to author Sarah Bragg about her new book A Mother's Guide to Raising Herself. Sarah is also the host of the podcast Surviving Sarah. Along with being a master at brewing coffee and a champion of cheering for others, she is also a mother of two girls and a wife to Scott. She and her family reside in Tennessee. Key Points from Our Conversation: There's a lot of pressure that comes along with believing motherhood is your calling. If it is the greatest thing we can ever do, what about the women who don’t/can't have children? What happens when your kids grow up? Raising kids is valuable, but it doesn’t have to be a pressure point. It’s a relationship. Perfectionism tells us that if we follow the formula and it doesn't work, it must be us. You have to get to the heart of who you are and what your kids need. Be aware of your tendency for perfectionism and don't use it as an affirmation of your worth. Pay attention to your "should soundtrack." When you feel like you should do something, let it be an indicator to investigate further. Is that something that’s important or you want to do? Why do you feel pressure to do it? Fear isn't a bad thing, but you can't let it drive you. Choose curiosity over judgment. Choose to trust in God. Staying focused on your goals will give you perspective. The best way to communicate with girls about body image is by modeling healthy behaviors and appreciating your body for what it is. Raising girls helped Sarah realize how her self-obsession with looks affected others and gave her perspective on how absurd the goals were that she had set for herself. Stop comparing yourself to other women – including your former self. If we can accept where we are, there’s a freedom that follows. Showing up is enough. Let’s Get Real Practical: This week we're evaluating our "should soundtrack." What areas of your life do you feel defeated in? When you look at those areas, are you “shoulding” on yourself? Where did those "shoulds" come from? Episode sponsor: Download the 3 Action Steps to Overcome Fear & Pursue your God-Given Dreams FREE training today! Connect with Sarah: website | Instagram | Facebook | podcast Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

#126: The Pressure is Off with Sarah Bragg

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I’m chatting with my friend Rebekah Moes about her personal journey with infidelity in her marriage and God’s power of redemption. Bekah is a Jesus-loving mom-of-five from the DFW area. She and her husband Nick co-founded Family of Hope, a non-profit web-based resource for couples in crisis. Their podcast unFAITHFUL: redeeming infidelity reaches couples recovering from infidelity all over the world. Bekah is passionate about sharing her story and breaking the silence on a lonely road that many couples walk. She believes a healthy “we” starts with a healthy “me,” and knows that journey very well. She loves talking to women about how to live overflowing, Spirit-empowered lives first at home, and then in every sphere of influence. Key Points from Our Conversation: Rebekah initially believed her husband’s pornography addiction was a “struggle” that would resolve itself after marriage, but after things worsened it became clear it was a heart issue. Think of marriage as a mirror – your spouse reflects yourself back to you. “My spouse is not the problem, my spouse reveals the problem in me.” If you’re going through a difficult season in your marriage, focus on finding your identity and self-worth, not casting blame. When you numb one thing, you also become to other things, but it’s okay to be present in your numbness. Be exactly and fully where you are. The process to stop numbing is long and slow, but “you don’t need all the steps, just the next one.” The wound created by infidelity is unique and will require a support system from professionals and trusted friends. Regardless of if your spouse is ready to change, the first step is getting help for yourself. You can start with a trusted friend or pastor, but get counseling. Any place there’s secrecy is a red flag. Ask what’s behind the secrecy – what are they/you afraid of? What’s keeping us from being fully open to one another? “A healthy we starts with a healthy me.” You can’t control your spouse, but you can set boundaries – boundaries are not an attempt to control someone else, but rather an attempt to protect yourself. Not every spouse is going to choose the right path, but God’s healing is available regardless of how your spouse responds. “The hope is not in saving the marriage, the hope is in your life with the Lord and all of the future He has for you.” Resources Mentioned: Gateway Church Conflict in Marriage resource The Affair Recovery Center Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that’s full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Rebekah: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

#125: Redeeming Infidelity with Rebekah Moes

In a recent moment of panic, a mentor offered me some helpful insight - "Your best decisions come from a place of calm." I had become focused on what I was going to do rather than tapping into the power of God.  What unyielding obstacles are you facing today? Don’t panic. Instead, turn to God and trust in His power to do what’s impossible. Discomfort is the price of admission to taking new territory. Get around people who will look for the power of God instead of panicking and get into the Bible. It increases our faith to rely on His power. Resource mentioned: Care and Counsel Bible Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

Talk Therapy: Power Over Panic

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with author Wendy Pope about her new book Jesus Everlasting: Leaning on Our Counselor, Defender, Father, and Friend. Wendy is the wife of Scott, mother of Blaire and Griffin, author, speaker, and Bible study teacher. She loves lazy Sundays watching golf with her husband, thrift-store shopping with her daughter, and watching building shows with her son. She is the author of several books - Jesus Everlasting, Hidden Potential, Yes, No, and Maybe and Wait and See. Wendy is the Founder and Executive Director of Word Up Ministries. She leads women all over the world to life change through her in-depth online Bible studies. She has led thousands of women through her Read Through the Word daily video study of the One Year Chronological Bible. Down-to-earth and transparent, Wendy teaches in a way that women feel she is speaking directly to their hearts. Key Points from Our Conversation: Wendy's book Jesus Everlasting: Leaning on Our Counselor, Defender, Father, and Friend tells the stories of the everyday women in the Bible who had encounters with Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. Jesus is a defender who protects. The truth of His Word is our defense. We can stand on it when we have disagreements and be secure enough to walk away from things that aren’t healthy for us. It’s hard to lean into a Heavenly Father you can’t see when an earthly father that you can has disappointed you. It’s a trust relationship that develops over time, but He will never let you down. Invest time getting to know God’s heart; read his word. Start in the Psalms. If you don’t understand, get a children’s Bible or the Living Bible. When you're searching for peace in the midst of the storm, fake it until you feel it. Keep digging into God and His Word and the fruits of the spirit will take root. “God is not instant because He wants to build a relationship with us and it takes time to do that.” When we reflect on God's faithfulness, we're building a "faith bank." We make deposits when things are good and we can make withdrawals when you can’t feel it and know He’ll be faithful again. If you want to recognize God in everyday life, you have to spend time with Him. Do everything to build your faith. "We have to invest in the 411 (information) about God before we can feel Him in the 911 (emergencies).” Let’s Get Real Practical: I have two questions to help you lean into Jesus: Where in your life do you need to pull up a seat for Jesus? What questions do you need to ask Him today? Be sure to take time to listen for His response. Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that’s full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Wendy: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

#124: Leaning on Jesus with Wendy Pope

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with author Lauren Chandler about her book With Us in the Wilderness: A Study of the Book of Numbers. Lauren is a wife and mother of three. Her husband, Matt Chandler, serves as the lead teaching pastor at The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas. Lauren is passionate about writing, music, and leading worship, not only at The Village Church, but also for groups across the country. She is the author of the recently released Bible study, With Us in the Wilderness: A Study of the Book of Numbers, Steadfast Love: The Response of God to the Cries of our Heart, the Bible study, Steadfast Love: A Study of Psalm 107, and a children’s book, Goodbye to Goodbyes: A True Story about Jesus, Lazarus, and an Empty Tomb. Key Points from Our Conversation: God’s plan has always involved women and His heart is for women. In Numbers, the test for adultery can be seen as patriarchal, but the heart of God was to give women a chance to vindicate themselves in a male-dominated society. Pause, breathe, and pray for illumination as you lean into reading the harder parts of the Bible. Ask the Lord for clarity, keep reading, and read it again. God can speak in a variety of ways, but we know it’s Him if it’s consistent with the character of God we see in the Bible. "God uses wilderness seasons to show that life is best when centered on Him." When we’re the center, we end up worn out and enslaved. "We can’t be who God created us to be outside of community." Seek out community and give people opportunities to be trustworthy. It takes time and you will get hurt, but God has called us to be vulnerable, listen without judgment, and show loving-kindness. If you've been hurt before in relationships, own your part and ask forgiveness where you messed up and try again, asking the Holy Spirit for discernment. Your wilderness won't last forever. God is with you in it and He won't waste it. Fight against shame and condemnation if you need to rest. You don't have to do anything; He is pleased in your being because of Christ. Let’s Get Real Practical: Process and pray, asking God these questions - Where are you in this wilderness season? God, where am I in this wilderness season? Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that’s full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Lauren: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

#123: Wilderness Seasons with Lauren Chandler

This week I've really felt God urging me to tell you this - you have the authority to stand your ground, especially in the territories God has entrusted you with.  Through the power of Christ, you can tell the enemy that he cannot take any more territory that has not been given to him.  What is a territory that the enemy has been messing with? I'm standing with you in prayer! Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

Talk Therapy: Stand Your Ground

This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I'm chatting with the author of The Joy of Being a Mom, Judy Brisky. Judy has been married to Mike for 31 years. They have two sons: Jacob married to Neeli with 2 baby boys, Bennett and Everrett; Joel married to Danny, they're expecting their baby girl in November. Judy has served in various ministries at her church including worship, women's, marriage, teaching, and speaking. Her heart has always been to encourage moms and when the Lord made a way for her to write a book, it was a huge blessing. She truly believes that we can have joy as moms even in difficult situations because the Lord is good and faithful and He will always be there for us! Key Points from Our Conversation: We all face hard seasons as moms, but we can find joy in parenting because joy isn't based on our circumstances. Joy comes from knowing God's love and trusting Him to see us through anything. Timing is everything. "The when is just as important to God as the what." God loves you and sees you. He knows the season you’re in and He has a purpose for your life. We may know about the faithfulness of God, but to live within the faithfulness of God is life-changing. We can trust Him over our circumstances. “Because I have a great God, I have a great life.” It's natural to be sad and healthy to grieve, but we can't stay stuck in that place. God is faithful even when we don't understand. So many times God doesn't answer our prayers how we want, but we can trust that He always has a plan for us that includes joy and peace through difficult circumstances. It comes down to how much we trust God despite what’s happening. “When we find the joy in God’s love, we experience the peace regardless of our circumstances.” God wants to be with you in your grief. He loves you. He still hears you. He’s listening. Seek him above your prayer requests. When we seek Him first, everything we pray for falls second. He will give us what we need. Let people going through difficult seasons that you love them and you're praying for them. Ask if they have any specific prayer requests or offer a way to serve them. Let’s Get Real Practical: What "but even if He doesn't" moment came to your mind during this episode? When you think of it, what feelings came up? Have you really allowed yourself to process the pain or disappointment? What lies might you have believed in that season? What truth is God speaking over you today? Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that’s full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Judy: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

#122: Embrace the Adventure with Judy Brisky

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking to the Executive Pastor of Adult Ministries at Gateway Church, Bridgette Morris. She and her husband, James, have been married for 12 years. They have three beautiful kids, two boys, and a girl, who keep them on their toes but are always good for a snuggle. She loves the outdoors and can often be found with her hands in the dirt, tending her garden, or working on a project. Bridgette has been part of Gateway Church since 2008, serving in various ministries and creative areas, including Gateway Worship as a vocalist and worship pastor, and Gateway Performing Arts. She loves living out her passion to see women fully equipped to walk out the calling God has placed on their lives. Key Points from Our Conversation: We have to let go of the perception that everyone else is killing it. No one is "doing it all". You can do everything, but not at the same time. Be mindful, purposeful, and intentional with what you're doing. We have a lot of responsibilities, authority, and opportunities to do a lot of things, but we need to realize that for one thing to thrive, another thing will suffer. It's time to let go of perfectionism. Some things won’t get 100% of you. It might be time to consider what you can outsource. There will be other seasons where you can pick things back up, but if it’s not the priority now, let it go. Bridgette is living her mission to inspire women to live a Christian life, encourage those who are trudging through, and equip them so they can take action through Gateway Women. Inspiration is the motivation to get started. Encouragement is for when you’re in the middle of it. It’s easy to get inspired, it’s hard to keep pushing through. Be aware of who's around you and listen to the Holy Spirit. Look for people in need of encouragement. Women are gifted at discernment, so lead with compassion and things will fall into place. It’s hard to encourage someone you’re comparing yourself to. Flip the script. Cheer her on and pray for her. Equipping is the practical how-tos. Determine what's on your plate and what you can take off of it – what has the Lord put on it and what did you add? Also, consider what it would look like to apply the practical application of your strengths. Being aware of your season, strengths, and weaknesses is the key to being effective in your life. Once you know those things, you can determine the resources you need. Give yourself a break. We all want to be our best. God knows our heart, so on the days when you feel like you're failing, give yourself a break. He's giving you more grace than you’re accepting. Allow yourself to receive it. Let's Get Real Practical: What balls are you currently juggling? List them all. It's helpful to see them. What ball/balls is God saying it's okay to drop? Mark them off the list. Which balls have dropped that shattered? God is in the business of cleaning up our mess.  Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that’s full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Bridgette: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

#121: The Juggle is Real with Bridgette Morris

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with author Kelsey Chapman about her new book What They Taught Me: Recognizing the Mentors Who Will Take You from Dream to Done. Kelsey is also a podcaster and personal cheerleader to women building their dream life and business. When she first launched her brand in 2015, she felt all the overwhelming feelings, too. It was scary to take such a huge leap and commit to showing up for a dream she didn’t know would pan out. Mentorship is what pushed her to rise up and continue making her dream a reality. Over the first few years of business, she leaned on the shoulders of several incredible mentors who took her under their wing and taught her how to make the jump from dreamer to doer. Kelsey needed their expert wisdom to shift old perspectives, discover the next right steps that would help her execute the vision, and stay hopeful throughout the journey. Her mentors helped shape her character so she could become the CEO and leader she is today. Now she is excited to pay it forward and be that cheerleader for you, too… because she believes YOU can turn your wildest dreams into REALITY. Key Points from Our Conversation: Mentors are people who are willing to step in and share what they know. They won't be perfect, but they are present and consistent. Seeking a mentor is uncomfortable. You might get rejected or ghosted, but it's not personal. Trust that the Lord will provide the right mentor for you if you keep putting yourself out there. Mentorship relationships can look different. Some might be local, some virtual. Some might be paid mentorships if the person is spending a lot of time mentoring. If you find yourself low on energy, you might be giving away what you know to too many people. Pray and ask God if this is the right season for mentorship and who you should invest in. Mentors can help you avoid burnout by providing the accountability to keep you focused on your main goals. If you're seeking a mentor, start by putting yourself out there by finding groups in person or online with shared interests. If your want to be a mentor, start before you feel ready. You will never feel equipped, but you can put checks and balances in place for when you don't have the big answers. "Your presence is enough." Let's Get Real Practical: Contemplate these questions this week - Are you in a season of needing a mentor, being a mentor, or both? What specific traits are you looking for in a mentor in this season of your life? What can you offer to a mentee? Connect with Kelsey: website | Instagram | Facebook  Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

#120: Why Mentors Matter with Kelsey Chapman

A few weeks ago, my husband and I did a vision retreat in Mexico where we answered questions that challenged us to reflect and hear God for the next year for our family. The resounding word that we walked away from that time with was simple but powerful - "follow the peace, not the pressure." In our home, we talk often about the following peace because Jesus is peace. But with "not the pressure" God reminded us to slow down and stop letting pressure that’s not from Him lead us astray. Where do you need to follow the peace instead of the pressure? Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

Talk Therapy: Follow the Peace, Not the Pressure

This episode of Real Talk with Rachael is a bit different because I'm sharing parts of a podcast panel I was part of with author Jess Connolly about her new book Breaking Free from Body Shame. Jess Connolly is a woman who wants to leave her generation more in awe of God than she found it. She is passionate about family, God's Word, and seeing women take their place in the kingdom. She loves communicating, coffee, color, and the local church. Jess and her husband Nick live in Charleston, SC where they've planted Bright City Church. They have four wild and hilarious kids: Elias, Gloriana, Benjamin, and Cannon. They also have an unruly dog named Deacon. Key Points from Our Conversation: We need different perspectives on body image. Each person offers something unique and freedom will look different for everyone. The first step in finding freedom from body shame is admitting that we don't feel okay with our bodies. Jesus came to offer abundant life; there is freedom and healing available through Him.  We must address the root of shame to begin to understand how it has affected our image of ourselves.  Ask yourself what true body freedom would look like for you practically,  physically, mentally, and spiritually. It may mean changing your priorities.  Social media didn't create our body image issues, but it hasn't helped. Everyone is lying about how they look and it's making us hate the way we look. Statistics show that almost all of us, both females and males, struggle with body image. If your loved ones aren't supportive who aren't supportive in your efforts to break free, remember that you can love someone and disagree with them. Have honest, vulnerable conversations and set healthy boundaries.  Resources Mentioned: Biblical body image coloring book Breaking Free from Body Shame Let's Get Real Practical:  If you missed it, go back and listen to my 4 episode Talk Therapy miniseries, Your Body is Blessed.  Connect with Jess: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

#119: Breaking Free From Body Shame with Jess Connolly

Real Talk with Rachael is a podcast designed to bring topics out of the darkness and into the light. In each episode, we discuss relevant, engaging and authentic topics to help us get real and live free so we can pursue God-given dreams.

hubhopper

Real Talk with Rachael Podcast

hubhopper