Welcome to 2026! As we kick off this brand new year, I am feeling so refreshed after a much-needed break spent sledding with my kids and reflecting on how we can show up as exactly who God called us to be. In this episode, I’m diving deep into a struggle many high-capacity women face: that "ugh" feeling of being stuck. If you feel like your momentum has stalled, I want to challenge you to consider that you aren't actually unmotivated—you might just be misaligned with the current season God has you in.

We often try to force "summertime" results during a "winter" season of life, and the result is always frustration and exhaustion. I’m sharing my own journey of learning to trust God’s timing, including the moments I’ve had to surrender successful assignments to simply be a mom. My goal for you today is to help you stop people-pleasing, let go of the "hustle," and start standing boldly in the identity the Holy Spirit has given you.

Grab your early bird tickets here for the Firebrand Story Room happening on May 1st and 2nd, and don't forget to download your free 3-step Brand Clarity resource to help you get clear on your messaging for 2026!

Have your content done for you at Rise Social Media Agency: https://melissaleahughes.com/rise

Website: www.melissaleahughes.com

Connect with me!

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaleahughes

Melissa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaleahughes/

Rise Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risesocialmediaagency/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.harrington.758

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissaleahughes

Happy New Year, everyone! As I wrap up 2025, I’m reflecting on the raw and transformative lessons that shaped my business and faith, from the gut-wrenching necessity of hard endings to the surprising peace found in saying "no" to scaling. I’m getting vulnerable about why I walked away from a high-level mastermind to prioritize being a mom and how I’ve learned to navigate the "people-pleaser" trap by implementing radical boundaries. Whether you’re a leader facing a tough confrontation or a high-capacity woman feeling the weight of "more," this episode is an invitation to stop conforming to the world's pace and start leaning into the specific, anointed path God has for you in the coming year.

The "Faith to Quit": Why ending a partnership, a program, or even a successful project isn't a sign of failure, but a prerequisite for the next fruitful season God has for you.

The Contentment Trap: We’re often told that "more" is always better, but I’m sharing the specific moment I realized that scaling my business was actually stealing my joy—and why I told my business coach I’d rather "go color" with my kids.

The Secret Language of Resentment: How to identify where your boundaries are leaking and why your feelings of burnout might actually be a roadmap to where you need to draw a harder line in your home and business.

Leadership as Confrontation: Why loving people well sometimes means having the backbone to let them go, and how "graceful endings" can produce the most fruit in someone’s life.

Apply for fireBRAND 2026 Here: https://melissaleahughes.com/firebrandacademy

Free Resource: Social Media Content System

Have your content done for you: Rise Social Media Agency

Let’s Connect!

Website: melissaleahughes.com

Instagram: Personal | Rise Agency

More Content: TikTok | YouTube | Facebook

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone! As we wrap up the year, I’m continuing my "Lessons I Learned in 2025" series. Last week, I shared the first four revelations that shaped my year, and today, I’m diving into the next three. These lessons were born out of moments of total frustration, sweaty-palmed fear, and those "God-smack" realizations that happen when you're just trying to solve a problem in your business. 

In this episode, I’m getting vulnerable about the moments where my own internal chaos was actually the "bottleneck" in my ministry. I share a story about a terrifying amusement park ride that changed my perspective on fear forever and why I decided to plan a major in-person event in just two months—despite everyone telling me it was a bad idea. If you’ve been feeling burnt out, stuck, or like you’re waiting for a "sign" to take your next big leap, this conversation is for you.

The Mirror Effect: Why your business, ministry, or organization is a direct reflection of your internal world—and how to identify the specific mindset shifts needed to sustain your next level of growth.

The "Ripcord" Revelation: Why I forced myself to swing from a massive tower at an amusement park to save my business, and how your fear might be the only thing keeping your feet on the ground while God is trying to take you to new heights.

The Strategy of "Stupid" Ideas: How to distinguish between a "good" business move and a "God" idea that sounds completely illogical (like Noah building an ark or me hosting an event in 60 days) but carries the grace you need to succeed.

Tuning into the Divine Frequency: Practical ways to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit versus the voice of condemnation, and how to stay within the "pleasant boundary lines" God has set for your life and work.

What lesson resonated with you most? I’d love to hear from you!

Treat yourself to an early Christmas present—a ticket to the Firebrand Story Room this May. There is something transformative about getting in the room with other faith-filled women, and I’d love to see you there.

Free Resource: Social Media Content System

Have your content done for you: Rise Social Media Agency

Let’s Connect!

Website: melissaleahughes.com

Instagram: Personal | Rise Agency

More Content: TikTok | YouTube | Facebook

Join me for the first part of my special 3-part series where I pull back the curtain on the tears, hard conversations, and unexpected lessons that made 2025 such a transformative year. Today, we dive into four tactical insights on knowing your true value, finding crystal-clear messaging, and a game-changing strategy for launching any new offer. You definitely don't want to miss the shocking story of the $150 video that's been viewed millions of times, proving why you might be severely undervaluing your own genius!

Discover why the thing you find easiest might be the very thing you are severely undervaluing in the market. You’ll hear the hilarious, real-life story of how one simple video earned me just $150 but has been used countless times by a major company, forcing me to rethink my true worth.

Uncover the emotional journey all content creators face—from Imposter Syndrome to the "cringey stage"—and why mastering your own message is "King" before you even think about outsourcing your content.

Find out the smart way to test your big idea (like writing a book or creating a new offer) and how you can prime your audience for a successful launch before you've even finished the product.

Learn the single most powerful strategy I used to sell out my first in-person event, and why taking a simple step before you launch anything will eliminate your anxiety and boost your confidence.

Don't forget to look out for the next two parts of this series where I'll dive into more internal, uncomfortable, but incredibly valuable lessons I learned this year!

And, if you're ready to add fire to your brand, come join me at the Firebrand Story Room event on May 1st and 2nd! Early bird tickets are on sale now, but with limited seating, you’ll want to grab yours before they sell out! https://melissaleahughes.com/firebrandacademy

Connect with me!

Website: www.melissaleahughes.com

Social Channels:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaleahughes

Melissa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaleahughes/

Rise Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risesocialmediaagency/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.harrington.758

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissaleahughes

In this empowering episode, host Melissa guides you through a crucial reset and alignment process to help you create a work-from-home life and business that truly fulfills you. She shares a profound personal story about learning to trust God's vision over her own limited view. If you feel stuck, unfulfilled in your job, or are waiting for your prayers to be answered, this episode will help you align your dreams with God's best plan!

In this episode, you will learn how to Reset and Align Your Business by:

The Power of Trust: How the famous "Dump Truck vs. Barbie Dreamhouse" story teaches us to trust God's superior plans, especially when our prayers seem to be met with "No."

The Identity Shift: Why it’s crucial to stop letting shame hold you back and start seeing yourself through God's eyes—as His "ferocious babe."

Deciding What YOU Want: Why finding your true desires isn't selfish, but the very first step in aligning with the blueprint God has already placed inside you for your career.

The Must-Do Step for Online Business: How creating simple content around your passions (even if it's just country music or gardening!) is the key to attracting job opportunities and building a profitable income.

Apply for fireBRAND 2026 Here: https://melissaleahughes.com/firebrandacademy

Grab the free social media content system here: https://melissaleahughes.com/free-guides

Book a Clarity Call: https://melissaleahughes.com/clarity-call

Have your content done for you at Rise Social Media Agency: https://melissaleahughes.com/rise

Connect with Melissa Hughes:

Website: www.melissaleahughes.com

Social Channels:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaleahughes

Melissa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaleahughes/

Rise Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risesocialmediaagency/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.harrington.758

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissaleahughes

This week, I'm bringing in the best! I'm thrilled to introduce you to my incredible social media genius, Miccaela Alair (Ella B to me!), the woman behind all the beautiful, purposeful content you see on my channels.

For over a year and a half, Ella has helped me build a brand that changes lives, and now she’s here to share her secrets!

We’re diving deep into what’s actually working on social media right now, and Ella—a true expert with an inspiring story of resilience—is breaking down the critical difference between posting and having a winning strategy.

Is it possible to outsource your brand's unique voice without losing yourself? We reveal the secret to a successful agency partnership and how our collaborative process ensures your content always feels authentic, whether it's "fun, goofy, compassionate, or convicting."

Tired of feeling like the algorithm is against you? Ella shares the crucial, often-missed elements of your content—beyond just following trends—that can make the algorithm your biggest cheerleader and help you break free from the "200-view jail."

The biggest mistake people make when creating content (and the one thing you need to prioritize instead). Learn why consistent showing up, even when you're tired or unmotivated, is the key to building trust and how to overcome the fear of sharing your full, real story.

Stuck in the 'what should I post today?' time-suck? Find out the key indicators that signal it's time to hire a strategic partner to get your time back, allowing you to focus on the big-picture goals that will truly grow your business.

Apply for fireBRAND 2026 Here: https://melissaleahughes.com/firebrandacademy

Grab the free social media content system here: https://melissaleahughes.com/free-guides

Book a Clarity Call: https://melissaleahughes.com/clarity-call

Have your content done for you at Rise Social Media Agency: https://melissaleahughes.com/rise

Website: www.melissaleahughes.com

Social Channels:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaleahughes

Melissa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaleahughes/

Rise Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risesocialmediaagency/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.harrington.758

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissaleahughes

Today I'm diving into a conversation about motherhood and business ownership. How can we be great moms and great business owners without burning out? I promise you, there is a way to do it well.

I'm joined by Dr. Emily Jacobs, founder of Empowered Moms, who is passionate about helping women ensure their dreams don't die in motherhood. We stress that your business must support your family role, not consume it. Drawing from a personal story, Emily shows us how to avoid sacrificing your identity and instead navigate the tension between calling and family life.

In this episode, we focus on setting crucial boundaries. You'll learn why we overextend ourselves and how that cycle of busyness harms us all. We discuss the critical step of empowering children and colleagues to become more competent, allowing you to step back and lead with less effort. Ultimately, this is about trusting God's provision, recognizing your daily limits, and choosing a life of purpose over burnout.

The Surprising Truth about how you might be enabling dependency in your children (and employees!) and the simple phrase to empower them to figure things out for themselves.

A Radical Strategy for simplifying the holiday season that will completely cut the cord on obligatory hosting and self-sacrifice.

The Dangerous Trap the enemy uses against us, which is far more common than you realize, and why God does not want you to live in perpetual exhaustion.

Why Empowering Others—whether in your business or home—is the key to letting go of control and finally finding more capacity for the things that truly light you up.

Apply for fireBRAND 2026 Here: https://melissaleahughes.com/firebrandacademy

Book a Clarity Call: https://melissaleahughes.com/clarity-call

Have your content done for you at Rise Social Media Agency: https://melissaleahughes.com/rise

Website: www.melissaleahughes.com

Social Channels:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaleahughes

Melissa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaleahughes/

Rise Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risesocialmediaagency/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.harrington.758

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissaleahughes

Connect with Dr. Emily Jacobs!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dremilyjacobs/

Website: https://empoweredmoms.co/

In this episode, I’m leaning in with my dear friend and mentor, Cathy Greer. If you’re a high-capacity, high-functioning woman, you’ll want to pay attention—Cathy’s wisdom is truly like going to a chiropractor for your heart, helping leaders, CEOs, and government officials (and busy moms!) get into alignment. We dive right into the core issue facing high-impact women: the loneliness of leadership, and how finding a safe place to process is the critical guardrail against moral failure. We also discuss how to stop waiting for the heavens to open and start recognizing the everyday ways God’s voice is speaking to you.

Then, we pivot to marriage, where I ask Cathy about the courageous (and challenging!) conversation she had with her husband about the big question: "What is it like to be married to someone like you?" Her insights on co-leading and ditching the need for control are pure gold.

Finally, we redefine the "dirty word" of submission, exploring why it’s not about bowing to a spouse, but about trusting God’s order—a path that brings safety and peace instead of the chaos and destruction that comes from building a business outside of biblical alignment.

The #1 unexpected struggle of high-level leaders (from CEOs to mompreneurs) that, if left unaddressed, can lead to complete moral failure. You'll learn the crucial one thing you need to cultivate to protect your calling.

The startling truth about why your husband might not be leading, and the internal struggle with control that every successful, high-capacity woman must overcome to save her marriage.

How you can stop waiting for the "voice from heaven" and start easily recognizing the small, divine promptings that are God's ongoing, everyday conversation with you.

Why the biblical concept of submission is actually the highest form of protection and safety for your life, and how operating outside of that order guarantees chaos—no matter how profitable your business is.

Apply for fireBRAND 2026 Here: https://melissaleahughes.com/firebrandacademy

Grab the free social media content system here: https://melissaleahughes.com/free-guides

Book a Clarity Call: https://melissaleahughes.com/clarity-call

Have your content done for you at Rise Social Media Agency: https://melissaleahughes.com/rise

Website: www.melissaleahughes.com

Social Channels:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaleahughes

Melissa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaleahughes/

Rise Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risesocialmediaagency/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.harrington.758

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissaleahughes

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Find more information about Cathy by visiting

https://www.stuartandcathygreer.com/

https://www.cathygreer.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stuartandcathygreer/

Mission Support Network: https://www.facebook.com/msnministries.org/

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with my amazing guest, Dana Roefer, to dive deep into a topic that every parent needs to hear: how to cultivate the God-given gifts in your children.

As a mom, we not only have the ability, but also the responsibility to nurture these talents, whether it's through leadership skills, entrepreneurial lessons, or just intentional engagement. Dana and I connected recently at a Faith Driven Entrepreneur event, and her passion for helping teens and kids understand entrepreneurship—and more importantly, understand their capabilities—was immediately contagious. Dana is a homeschool mom and works with Faith Driven Entrepreneur, bringing a wealth of experience on raising kids with a problem-solving, entrepreneurial mindset. We talk about how this isn't just about starting a business; it's about providing a safe environment for them to try, fail, and build incredible confidence that will serve them for a lifetime.

Is Your Overwhelm Self-Inflicted? I share the one piece of advice that can help every overwhelmed mom shift into a CEO role by delegating tasks and giving your kids valuable life experience.

The Secret to Practical Learning: Why does Dana believe that real-life experiences at home are far more valuable for your child's entrepreneurial mindset than a school worksheet?

Beyond Chores: The True Motivation: How can you use simple affirmations, like "Thank you for serving the family," to reinforce your child's sense of value and contribution?

How to Find Your Tribe: I share a shameless plug about how going to a single local event led to this fast-growing friendship—learn how you can find the supportive, mission-aligned community you need!

Apply for fireBRAND 2026 Here: https://melissaleahughes.com/firebrandacademy

Book a Clarity Call: https://melissaleahughes.com/clarity-call

Grab the free social media content system here: https://melissaleahughes.com/free-guides

Have your content done for you at Rise Social Media Agency: https://melissaleahughes.com/rise

Website: www.melissaleahughes.com

Social Channels:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaleahughes

Melissa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaleahughes/

Rise Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risesocialmediaagency/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.harrington.758

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissaleahughes

---------------

Connect with Dana:

Website: https://www.danaroefer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danaroefer/

n this episode, I'm sitting down with my good friend, master coach, and spiritual director, Heather Burns, for one of the most honest conversations we've ever had about building a kingdom business with true clarity. Heather shares her incredible, raw journey from running an 8-figure business and losing it overnight (while 27 weeks pregnant!) to realizing that even success by "the world's standards" couldn't deliver the freedom she craved. We dig deep into the messy middle of entrepreneurship, unpacking why so many of us struggle to say what we want to say online. We talk about how the fear of being misunderstood holds our message captive, and how to stop operating from a people-pleasing place. More than anything, this conversation is an invitation to discover the true source of your conviction, because, as Heather powerfully states, your subconscious will not let you lie—you cannot sell or share what you haven't fully embodied. If you're ready to trade comfort for conviction and finally unlock your authentic voice, this episode is a must-listen.

The Hidden Reason Your Message Isn't Clear: We expose the single biggest fear that keeps purpose-driven women from hitting "post," and it has nothing to do with your marketing strategy.

The Ultimate Freedom Formula: Discover why achieving external success (money, titles, platforms) will never satisfy, and how to start the internal wrestling that unlocks the authentic freedom you're truly seeking.

Conviction Over Comfort: Learn the necessary mindset shift that moves you from being a nervous content creator to a powerful truth teller—and why this shift is about saving others, not proving yourself.

How to Embody Your Message: I break down why your "elevator pitch" feels fake sometimes, and why your body knows if you're lying about your message, forcing you to do the internal work first.

Apply for fireBRAND 2025 Here: https://melissaleahughes.com/firebrandacademy

Grab the free social media content system here: https://melissaleahughes.com/free-guides

Book a Clarity Call: https://melissaleahughes.com/clarity-call

Have your content done for you at Rise Social Media Agency: https://melissaleahughes.com/rise

Website: www.melissaleahughes.com

Social Channels:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaleahughes

Melissa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaleahughes/

Rise Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risesocialmediaagency/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.harrington.758

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissaleahughes

Heather's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathershriverburns?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==