Come.Union Podcast

Episode 5 is jam packed with insight and wisdom as we invite Deb Williams to share her inspiring story of faith and obedience. From her unexpected journey to Georgetown University to her having an incredible career at Nike—and then walking away, Deb's story is a testament to the power of listening to God's voice and following His plan—even when it doesn’t make sense to anyone else. She discusses the importance of trusting God's provision, finding peace in His guidance, and the challenges of silencing other voices for validation. Deb's story serves as a reminder that obedience to God's calling may not always make sense, but it leads to incredible blessings and deeper transformation.

Key Takeaways:

* Trusting God's plan and provision can lead to unexpected blessings and transformation.

* God's voice often speaks in whispers, and His guidance can be discerned through peace and provision.

* Obedience to God's calling may conflict with rational decisions and the opinions of others.

* Wrestling with doubts and uncertainties is a natural part of the faith journey.

* Faith requires surrendering control and trusting that God's plan is greater than our own.

Don’t miss this incredible story of our dear friend, Deb Williams! You will walk away challenged and encouraged, no doubt!

Deb Williams is a brand marketing strategist, storyteller, and creative visionary. She is a double graduate of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, Deb's journey has been marked by her commitment to using the power of storytelling to bring about meaningful connections and positive change in the world. She sees stories as a powerful tool to not only connect people but also contribute to the transformation of the world.

To connect with Deb: Follow on instagram @debfayewms

And…

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 Confessing the lies we believe and sharing them with others diminishes their power over us. -The Come.Union Podcast

 In episode 3 of season 2, Ramonita and Erin discuss the power of replacing the lies we believe about ourselves with the truth. Inspired by their guest from episode 3, Mark Godbolt, Ramonita and Erin explore how lies can impact our relationships—and how speaking the truth can lead to forgiveness and healing. They focus on the importance of inviting others into our stories in order to help identify and challenge the lies we believe. They also highlight the significance of reading and understanding God's Word for ourselves—rather than relying solely on others' interpretations—in order to replace lies with truth, ultimately leading to freedom and reconciliation.

Key Highlights from this episode:

* The impact of lies: The lies we believe about ourselves can have a significant impact on our relationships and overall well-being.

* Speaking the truth: Speaking the truth and confessing the lies we believe is a crucial step towards forgiveness and healing.

* Inviting others into our stories: Inviting trusted individuals into our stories can help identify and challenge the lies we believe and provide accountability.

* The power of God's Word: Reading and understanding God's Word is essential for replacing lies with truth and experiencing freedom.

* Choosing forgiveness: Forgiveness is a choice that allows us to extend grace and mercy to others, just as God has extended it to us.

* Confession of lies: Ramonita and Erin discuss the lies they are currently confronting in their own lives.

Don’t miss this incredible episode and the honesty that is shared!

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We have so many powerful stories being told in Season 2 of the Come.Union Podcast and this week we get to introduce you to the incredible Mark Godbolt!

In Episode 3 of the Come.Union Podcast we invite our guest, Mark Godbolt, to share his powerful story of healing and reconciliation. From a difficult childhood marked by abuse and absent fathers to finding his purpose and starting a community of men that is focused on healing through transparency, accountability, and humility—Mark's journey is one of humility, faith, obedience and forgiveness. He discusses the importance of forgiveness—of self and others—the impact of toxic relationships, and the transformation that comes from seeking God's love. Mark's story serves as a reminder that no matter our past, we can find healing and break free from the lies we believe to start walking in truth!

Key Highlights:

* Forgiveness is a powerful tool for healing and reconciliation.

Mark discusses his journey of forgiving the ones who have hurt him the most, including himslf and the breakthrough that happened as a result.

* Toxic relationships can have a lasting impact, but we have the power to break free from their hold.

Mark explains the impact that abuse had on his life and the addictions it lead to—AND how he broke free from their hold on his life.

* Seeking God's love and guidance leads to transformation and a renewed sense of purpose.

Mark tells us about the transformation journey of his life when he stopped beliving lies and started to believe truth.

* Building a community of support and accountability is essential for personal growth and healing.

Mark's journey of healing and reconciliation has inspired many, and he is dedicated to helping others find their purpose and live a fulfilling life through “The Memo.”

Where you can find Mark:

On instagram @markzgodbolt

 In 2021 Mark founded “The Memo,” a community of men focused on transparency, accountability, and humility. They host weekly virtual Bible studies, in-person gatherings and retreats all centered around their mission: From him, Through us, For all.

For more info on “The Memo” email Mark at [email protected] 

Mark is also the co-host of The Godbolt Life podcast, where he and his wife, Jade Godbolt, share their experiences and insights on marriage and faith. To listen, check them out on instagram @thegodboltlife.

Connect with us!

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Grief is a complex and multifaceted emotion, right?! We know that grief can come from many forms of loss, including the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the transition from one phase of life to another. In this episode we explore the different aspects of grief and how it impacts our relationships with God, self and others. We dive into the reality of grief being a journey and what it looks like to walk through grief well, both with yourself and with others.

Key Takeaways

* Grief is a deeply personal and individual experience, and everyone processes it differently. It is important to recognize and respect the unique ways in which people grieve.

* Supporting someone through grief requires empathy, understanding, and the willingness to hold space for their emotions. It is crucial to avoid judgment and allow them to grieve in their own way.

* Loss and grief can occur in various forms, including the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the transition from one phase of life to another. Each type of loss requires its own unique approach to support and navigate the grieving process.

What you will hear:

Timestamp Summary

00:01:17 A listener's question about supporting someone through grief

00:02:19 The importance of understanding different ways of grieving

00:07:26 Supporting others during grief

00:11:06 The fear of unsaid things and the importance of forgiveness

00:15:29 Grief in the loss of friendships

00:15:01 Grief beyond death: loss of relationships and transitions

00:32:34 The example of Jesus and his relationships

00:38:06 Grieving previous versions of ourselves

00:43:19 Seeking answers and resources for grief

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Hosts: Ramonita Smith @_ramonitasmith and Erin Olinger @erinolinger

Producer: Dan Nelson

It’s the Season 2 premiere of the Come.Union Podcast! Your hosts, Erin Olinger and Ramonita Smith, are so excited for this new season and their refreshed vision for the show!

In Season 2, you will still find all that you loved about season 1, but this season is all about sharing personal stories—featuring some of their closest friends—and how they found reconciliation with God, self, and others in the midst of their stories.

The first special guest is John Olinger, who happens to also be Erin’s husband. :)

John shares his journey of losing his mother at a young age, the transformation and impact of relationships in his life, lessons he learned about identity in difficult moments, his journey of working at NIKE, and learning the importance of “winning where it’s worthy.” He also shares what he learned through losing his father three years ago and how that loss has shaped his life and mission since. 

Key Highlights:

* Difficult losses lead to worthy wins

John’s story revolves around the theme of "difficult losses and worthy wins." This title encapsulates the journey of reconciliation that he has experienced in his life. Through John’s life, he has learned that through facing and overcoming challenges, we can achieve meaningful victories.

* Turning to God in grief

One of the key themes in John's story is his ability to turn to God in times of grief. Despite experiencing difficult losses, such as the passing of his mother and father, John chose to lean on his faith rather than turn away from it. This choice is particularly remarkable considering that many people often become angry with God or question their faith when faced with such tragic circumstances.

* Identity is not defined by achievements

Regardless of success in his career at Nike, John shares his learnings through many moments of his life that showed him how much our identity is not defined by what we achieve but by who we are and were made to be.

John is a strategic consultant, executive coach, and keynote speaker. He uses his expertise in strategy, marketing, and storytelling to empower organizations and individuals to get worthy wins. John plans to publish his first book in 2024.

To find out more about WORTHY WINS and the work John is doing, go to worthywins.co and follow him @johnolinger.

Listen NOW!

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Merry Christmas from Come.Union! In this special Christmas episode, titled "The Gift of Reconciliation," Ti-Ti and Erin delve into the topic of reconciliation during the holidays amid the joys and occasional dark clouds that may loom over the season. They explore the connection between Jesus' arrival on earth and the significance of reconciliation in His coming. While sharing their joy, they also express the challenges of the holiday season with honesty and offer encouragement to navigate it with intention. Join us for an incredible episode that will leave you with much to ponder this Christmas season!

A snapshot of the episode: 

* The Christmas Crazies: our obnoxious love for Christmas

* The real reason we love Christmas

* Jesus as a symbol of God’s reconciliation

* Reconciliation is running towards not away

* An invitation and challenge for this Christmas season

Summary:

Ti-Ti and Erin open up about their recent experiences and the masks they have worn in their lives. They emphasize the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in friendships, and how true connection can only be achieved when we remove our masks. They discuss the need for grace and understanding in relationships, and the power of being fully seen and known by others. Ti-Ti and Erin also explore the concept of self-love and the role it plays in our ability to receive and give love to others. They highlight the significance of community and the impact it has on our personal growth and well-being.

Key Takeaways:

* Authentic friendships require vulnerability and the willingness to remove our masks.

* Receiving love is essential before we can truly give love to others.

* The importance of surrounding ourselves with people who see and accept us for who we are.

* Self-love is crucial in our ability to receive and believe in the love of others.

* Community and relationships play a vital role in our personal growth and well-being.

Chapters:

| 00:03:00 | The importance of friendship and grace. 

| 00:07:00 | Examples of masks we wear. 

| 00:08:00 | Masks and insecurities. 

| 00:12:00 | Seeking belonging and not wanting pity. 

| 00:22:00 | Analogy of caterpillar and butterfly to reveal our true identity 

| 00:26:00 | The power of self-talk and its impact on our self-perception 

| 00:29:00 | Importance of being mindful of who we surround ourselves with 

| 00:34:00 | The need to learn to receive love before giving love 

| 00:41:00 | Dwelling in the room of grace and knowing who we are 

| 00:45:00 | Reconciliation and the work of recognizing it 

| 00:46:00 | Invitation to engage with the book and continue the discussion 

Summary:

E and T discuss the book "The Cure" and its impact on their lives. They explore the concept of vulnerability and the importance of taking off the mask to be truly known and loved. They also discuss the two paths of pleasing God and trusting God, and the rooms of good intentions and grace.E and T share each of their journeys of healing and the role of therapy in their lives. They emphasize the need for authentic community and the power of love to heal and transform.

Key Takeaways:

1. Vulnerability requires taking off the mask and allowing ourselves to be fully known and loved.
2. The path of pleasing God leads to striving and exhaustion, while the path of trusting God leads to grace and freedom.
3. The room of good intentions is marked by performance and the fear of not being enough, while the room of grace offers acceptance and love.
4. Healing requires feeling and embracing our brokenness, and seeking support from others.
5. Love has the power to heal and transform, and it is through love that we can break generational curses and create spaces of safety.

What you’ll hear: 

0:02:00 - Healing, Parenting, and Vulnerability

0:13:00 - The Two Roads 

0:17:00 - Discovering the Importance of Trusting God 

0:26:00 - Trusting God and Embracing Grace 

0:29:00 - Authenticity and Unconditional Love's Power 

0:32:00 - Inclusive Communities in Christian Spaces 

0:36:00 - Love and Authenticity in Relationships 

0:46:00 - Middle School Bullying and Power of Love 

0:52:00 - The Power of Love and Faith 

Summary:

E and T discuss the challenges and rewards of navigating transitions in life. They share their personal experiences of leaving familiar careers and stepping into the unknown. They emphasize the importance of obedience to God's calling and the role of community in supporting and encouraging one another through the in-between seasons of life.

Key Takeaways:

* Transition is a process that requires obedience and trust in God's plan.

* The in-between seasons of life are where God does profound work and healing.

* Community and the faith of friends are essential for staying committed and accountable during transitions.

* Nothing is wasted in God's plan, and every experience and skill can be used for a greater purpose.

What you will hear:

04:00 Difficulty in starting a podcast and managing transitions

06:00 Story of how the idea of a podcast started

09:00 Three years of transition and wrestling with God's calling

13:00 Purpose and using past experiences for the present

18:00 Transitioning from a familiar to an unknown path

25:00 The faith of a friend in carrying through the transition

30:00 The importance of having faith in pursuing one's calling

36:00 The twist of redemption in our stories

46:00 Importance of staying consistent and not giving up

51:00 Encouragement to keep going and trust the process

Summary:

Ti-Ti and Erin reflect on the REAL launch of their podcast and the overwhelming support they received. They discuss the importance of focusing on what is already present in their lives and finding gratitude in the midst of challenges. They also emphasize the power of words and the need to speak life and encouragement into others. The episode ends with a cliffhanger, teasing a future discussion on the difficulties of transitions.

Key Takeaways:

* The answers and blessings we seek are often already present in our lives, but we need to shift our focus to recognize them.

* The power of words cannot be underestimated, and we should strive to speak life and encouragement into others.

* Safety and creating a safe space for others is crucial in building authentic relationships and community.

02:00 Challenges faced during launch and gratitude for support

06:00 Importance of focusing on God and finding rest in Him

10:00 The power of words and speaking life into others

17:00 The impact of our words on ourselves and our communities

20:00 The need for safety and creating a safe space

25:00 The importance of gratitude and avoiding entitlement and judgment

28:00 The power of words and the need for heart posture

32:00 Transitioning and the challenges it brings

45:00 Encouragement to lean into purpose and community support