Staff Sergeant Austin Rehiel talks about the range of experiences that come along with being freshly out of high school and entering adulthood while being deployed, defending our country and our freedoms, and trying to live a normal life knowing that your calling is unique and hard to understand. Traumas of grief and unimaginable tragedy coupled with celebrations of love and relationships, with questions of faith and the meaning of life all betwixt. **Some content/language may not be appropriate for all audiences.

© Kathryn Church (January 2023)

*The photos in the cover art will make sense when you listen 😜* The two Amys and I laugh and cry as we reminisce on our 15+ years of friendship and a few of the countless memories that contributed to the bond that we still have now. Seasons of life are always changing… getting married, having children, shifting careers, moving to different cities, etc…. and things we thought would be forever, sometimes aren’t. We have been constants for each other through tragic deaths of family, relationships falling apart, church transitions, and many unexpected curveballs that life has thrown at us, but we’ve also championed each other throughout every shift. What a blessing it is to have a three-fold cord that isn’t easily broken to celebrate AND to grieve with! We looked to what stories the next 15 years will bring, but we probably won’t wait that long for a sequel to this episode 😉

Full of joy for life, Emma lives each day to better herself and everyone she’s connected to. Her compassionate heart for humanity is on full display as she seeks out ways to let people know that they are SO loved. Before having kids of her own, she taught high school Spanish and now homeschools her two boys. She and her husband, Caleb, have stepped into the role of youth pastors this year and are getting the privilege each week to do life with, listen to, and cultivate a diverse group of teenagers. You can find her on Facebook and if you want to get connected with their youth group or the upcoming Youth Awakening on the last weekend in January 2023, look up New Life Community Church in Ridgeway VA!

This conversation is fun and freeing, especially for any of us who battled with fear of not doing everything right. Jordan’s perspective on living with love as the driving force is enlightening and invigorating! He’s a small town family guy whose dog training training video went viral on YouTube, now he’s married with 4 kids and his work office is wherever he wants it to be on any given day. He’s humble, intelligent, funny, brave, bold, and direct… and currently has the best man bun. Find him on Facebook, Instagram (@jordanfixbook), YouTube (fixbook), driving for Uber/Lyft, in the gym, hosting game nights, or hanging out with his family and friends who might as well be family!

I thought it was due time to check in with y’all and update you on some new endeavors in my life as well as give you hope and encouragement and permission to fully feel all the feelings in this chapter of your life. God gave us all a myriad of emotions (at least 87 that can be named) that too often we suppress. It’s healthy and cathartic to allow time and space for those to surface in a safe environment. Perhaps it’s with a therapist if you’re blessed with that privilege, or it could be with a trusted confidant in your sphere. It could also be in solitude. However, I urge you to be careful to not let the solitude be a masked form of suppression. As always, reach out to me if you need someone to talk to. I’ll listen with no judgement and with confidentiality. If you’re feeling discouraged, I guarantee that if you encourage someone else, it will signal to your brain to feel as encouraged as if someone else did it for you. Keep smiling, homies. I have so much love and appreciation for y’all. 🤟

Whew… this woman has packed a lot of life into her 42 years this far! She embodies humility and determination with anything she sets her mind to, and she’s quick to give credit to her parents for raising her with such impeccable work ethic. Grieving the loss of her mom a few years ago has instilled a renewed drive to live as fully as possible, as she would desire nothing less! Dr. Deirdre earned her doctorate degree while juggling a myriad of responsibilities and has maintained a healthy mental state while competing in (and winning!!) body building competitions! Find her on social media at @dlm0301 and if you want some of the best peanut butter in the world, use Deirdre’s 10% off discount (use code: Deirdre10) at NerdyNuts.com!

Ashlea is one of the youngest and most mature people I know. She is hilarious and wise, brave and kind, free and inspirational. We talk about kids and adults who sometimes forget that they’re adults, Jesus and Johnnyswim, mental health and youth ministry, boundaries and burnout. We could’ve talked for another hour towards the end of the conversation but she agreed to be a guest for a follow-up episode at a later date! Also, shoutout to @Johnnyswim (Abner and Amanda)!!! If you don’t know them, you need to! You can find Ashlea on Facebook and Instagram @ashleajjo 😃

Singer/songwriter, Savannah Gibson, has captured the hearts of people of all ages and walks of life through her music and life story. I met her several years ago and knew there was something special about this meek, introverted, passionate, and deep-thinking teenager. She has used her pain, uncertainties, questions, and triumphs along with her God-given gifts to create captivating beauty in the form of lyrics and music. You can find her on Spotify or Apple Music at Savannah Gibson Music and also on Instagram @savannahgibsonmusic!

UNC Chapel Hill graduate (GO HEELS!) speaks out about her gap year, current profession as an NC public high school teacher, as well as her journey with Jesus and how it’s changed since becoming an adult. She might as well be my family! @sydneybrookesmiles