A Table for Two with Michaela Belle

*A little disclaimer here, we talk a lot about sex in this episode hence the episode title. If you're offended by sex talk or terms like masturbation this episode may not be your jam*
Hey friends, welcome back to the table.  I am your host Michaela Belle and today we’re going to talk about sex and the church. Yep, two things you don’t always hear lumped together.  But if you’ve been hanging around this table for a little while you know we’re not afraid to tackle topics that are bigger than my 5 foot nothing self.  

In my research for my book as well as the course, the SAVVY single I began diving into the topic of sex especially within the context of the church and how it’s handled.  I’ve heard from hundreds of other single women, how much shame they feel surrounding this topic.  

God has beautifully designed sex to be more than a physical experience and it’s been perverted and polarized in such a painful way not only in culture but also in the church.  

I want to help normalize talking about sex, the intricacies of intimacy and help people begin to remove the shackles of shame and hopefully point them in the direction of professionals that can lead to deeper healing.  It’s a big topic and I was not about to tackle this thing alone. 

In my research I stumbled upon Dr Celeste Holbrook. Dr. Celeste Holbrook is a sexologist, speaker and author who has dedicated her life to helping women achieve soul-centered sex through perfectly planned mental and behavioral changes.I heard her talk about sex from a biblical standpoint that wasn’t polarizing, in fact it was the opposite.  

When I thought about this podcast she was the first person that came to my mind and I’m honored to have her here so without further ado 

Please help me welcome Celeste Holbrook to the table!

follow Dr Holbrook on IG @drcelesteholbrook
or connect with her here 

follow Michaela on IG @michaelabelle

I love to take trips to the beach...by myself.  I leave at 3 am to get there for the sunrise and then drive to a really private part of town and claim my spot on the empty beach.  I read, journal, and take naps.  It’s pretty much a little slice of heaven for this single mom.  

This last trip I pulled out of my cooler my to-go mug which I had grabbed in the dark that morning I just reached into the cupboards and picked the first thing that hit my hand.  It was a black to go tumbler that had the words “best grandpa ever” it made me laugh out loud and I got the biggest kick out of it.  

For some reason, I got all spiritual about it.  Sometimes we pick things in the dark and when we get them out in the light we realized they don’t really match us.   

When you don’t know you well, you’re in the “dark,” when your pain is affecting your perspective you are in the dark.  You’re picking friends, men, jobs and when you just settle for the first thing you see, when you get better/become whole you may look at what you picked in the dark and say this doesn’t really match me.  We sometimes pick relationships that fit for this season but not for a lifetime. 

Today I'm going to share 3 ways to help you stop picking the wrong people.

Let's dive in!

Today's virtual table is located at one of my favorite spots @eastonwineproject 

Follow @michaelabelle on Instagram and share in your stories to spread the word!  You are amazing!!  

How you see a thing determines how you treat it.  If you see something as "good" you will treat it accordingly.  In today's conversation Michaela invited Gerald Fadayomi to the table to discuss his NEW book, When Life Gives you Lemons, which is out TODAY!!!

Gerald is the perfect person to talk about the messy middle that we often talk about at the table.  His life, as you'll hear, has been full of messy middle moments and the way he has overcome adversity is nothing short of extraordinary.  If you're struggling to trust God in these moments, Gerald is a great example to listen to. 

Join Michaela and Gerald in Atlanta today at Buttermilk Kitchen (buttermilkkitchen.com) 

Follow Gerald on IG https://www.instagram.com/GeraldFadayomi/
https://www.geraldfadayomi.com

Follow Michaela on IG @michaelabelle
michaelabelle.co

Also be on the lookout for the SAVVY Single course with Michaela Belle coming out soon! Get on the list now at michaelabelle.co

Come grab a seat at the table as we enjoy some cajun food by the ocean at Bubba Gump with Darius McClure and Michaela Belle.  This one is all about doing the work to heal from trauma and unaddressed soul ties.  What is a soul tie?  If you don't know how to answer this, then this podcast will blow your mind! This episode is pure FIRE!  Get ready for Darius to bring church into your car, your morning routine, your laundry room or wherever you are listening to this podcast!  Healing looks good on you...Let's do this!   

10:52 What is a soul tie?
13:55 How do you get soul ties?
19:50 The importance of healing from past relationships
23:11 How can you tell if you have an unaddressed soul tie?
26:06 How you know when you're healed
30:45 Most of us are...
31:40 How do you break a soul tie?
32:10 Step 1
33:26 Step 2
35:48 Step 3
38:18 When the Peloton becomes a spiritual experience
41:20 How do you find Godly community?
46:41 What is Change track ?
50:22 ONE thing to take away from this convo
58:11 Outro

Follow Darius on IG @darius_mcclure
Follow Michaela on IG @michaelabelle
michaelabelle.co
***GET ON THE SAVVY single list today****
If you get a Peloton, use this referral code for $100 off... TBRY5T

On today's episode Michaela is interviewing Kat Vellos. Kat is a user experience designer, author, speaker, coach and facilitator. Her passion is helping people connect authentically. She’s researched, designed, and advised on the user experience of countless flows in digital products serving millions of people at companies like Slack and Pandora, and created community for hundreds more as a facilitator. 

With her debut book, We Should Get Together, she turned her expertise in user research and experience design towards helping people live healthier lives through the cultivation of deeper, more fulfilling friendships. Her second book, Connected from Afar gives you six months of weekly connection prompts that you can use to nurture your faraway friendships. A fast paced activity-focused book filled with creative activities, conversation starters, journaling prompts and art project ideas, Connected from Afar will help you feel closer and more connected, no matter how far away you are.

Join us at a table at Cholita Linda cholitalinda.com.

Follow Kat on IG @katvellos_author 
Weshouldgettogether.com
Katvellos.com

We have a discount just for listeners of this podcast! If you struggle with hating small talk and what to ask better questions, we have a discount code for you!  Go to betterthansmalltalk.com and enter code "tablefortwo" you’ll get 20% off as many decks as you want. 

Follow Michaela on IG @michaelabelle 
michaelabelle.co

Welcome to the table!  On this episode Michaela invites Vernon Gordon ( IG @vernongordon) to the table to discuss the topic of racism in America and to get a perspective on what it's like being black in America in 2020.  While some may perceive this conversation topic to be a touchy one, here at A Table For Two, we believe it's a crucial one.  Often the most vital pieces to creating to lasting change lives in the "uncomfortable" and Michaela wants to go there because relationships and healthy community is worth it.  God calls us to be UNITED, and that doesn't mean united with just the people that look like us.  Today's virtual location is at Vernon's favorite spot, Momma J's in Richmond Virginia! We will be serving some soul food today!

Today’s guest is Vernon Gordon, Vernon is the Pastor of The life church in Richmond Virgnia.  In addition to pastoring, Vernon is a member of Faith Leaders Partnership which meets monthly with local law enforcement to find new ways to bridge the gap between community and policing.  He is also the founder of UniqueWalk Inc., an outreach network designed to expose youth and young adults to the joy in serving others. 

Vernon is also an author.  He has a book called "In the beginning.  A head start to finishing strong”. In the Beginning is an on-the-go handbook designed to navigate through 12 foundational principles of faith that can fit into your everyday life. This second edition book is now outfitted with chapter devotionals and prayers to help readers of all stages find their footing in the journey of faith. Whether you're starting up, starting over, or looking for a fresh start in your Christian faith journey, "In The Beginning" is your Head Start to a Strong Finish!  You can purchase the book right on Amazon!

Check him out on IG @vernongordon
vernongordon.com

Check out Michaela on IG @michaelabelle
michaelabelle.co

On today's episode Michaela interviews life coach and creator of the Peaceful Producer Project, Kelly Brock.  Kelly was experiences a lot of success in her network marketing business but often it was at the expense of her own health.  Despite looking healthy on the outside Kelly felt anxious and had a crippling fear of letting anyone else in.  After her second child she began to experience postpartum depression which heightened her anxiety and she came to a breaking point.  Her journey from anxious achiever to peaceful producer lead her to create a program to help other women do the same.  Welcome to the table friends!  

Follow Kelly @kellybrock
kellybrockco.com

Follow Michaela @michaelabelle
michaelabelle.co

Dallas Shaw is one of the leading creatives in the design industry with clients ranging from Chanel to Target to Oscar De La Renta.  On today's episode she takes us on a journey from the moment she knew she wanted to be an illustrator to the moments she knew she had to reroute.  There is power in a pivot and there is strength in staying the course.  How do you know which way is the right way?  Join us at the table to find out! 

Follow @dallasshaw on IG 
dallasshaw.com

Follow @michaelabelle on IG 
michaelabelle.co

On today's episode, Michaela interviews her 8 year old daughter Malin.  Malin gives her perspective on the first time she met her mother as well as how her parents divorce impacts her and how she's helping other kids through "divorce kids talk."  If you're looking for a little joy in your day you will definitely want to hear some life advice from Malin Belle.  

Follow Michaela on IG @michaelabelle 
michaelabelle.co

Hi friends!  Welcome to the table!  My name is Michaela Belle Parlett but I mostly like to go by Michaela Belle.  I'm an online educator, entrepreneur, new podcaster, aspiring author and single mom to the world's youngest preacher! Whether we are new friends or what I like to call vintage friends, you are welcome here.  

I thought it would be helpful to have a little intro episode just to kind of explain who I am and why I decided to start a podcast in the first place because I love knowing the why behind the reason people start podcasts or adventures. 

So this is my "why"

I'll see you at the Table!