Today on the podcast we're sharing a message by Emily Jamieson from our winter Collide conference that was just too good to keep to ourselves! Emily is an incredible leader in the Younglife space, as an academic coach, and in her own family and ministry involvement. We were so blessed to be joined by her and are excited to share her poignant message about hearing God's voice.

We were honored to welcome Sarah Murphy Kangas, who is an organizational psychologist, consultant, and food blogger extraordinaire over at “In Praise of Leftovers,” which is an award-winning blog that celebrates being mindful, intentional, and celebratory in the everyday, in and out of the kitchen. Sarah specializes in organizational trauma and healing, Enneagram training, mediation and conflict management, and leadership coaching. In this episode, Sarah shares her wisdom on topics of finding our true essence, taking initiative in our own mental health, and coming home to ourselves.

Have you ever heard about an injustice and thought, I have to do something about this? That's exactly what happened for our inspiring guest, Kelly Welk, who saw a need and didn’t just stand by and hope someone else did something but leaned into her specific gifts and abilities to create incredible impact. She is the founder of Freedom Dinners, which takes the power and community that happens around a table, and utilizes it for the freedom of others. Her work has expanded into Ciderpress Lane, which includes a Fair Trade shop, online community, and more - all to contribute more to Rescue:Freedom in order to liberate people from human trafficking. Tune in as Kelly shares how creating spaces and giving herself permission to put value on her everyday life is being leveraged to bring freedom to women near and far.

This week’s guest is the vibrantly talented and deeply thoughtful Scott Erickson, who is an artist, speaker, author, and thought-leader amongst christians and creatives. We were fortunate enough to have Scott as a guest at our recent event, and he joined us again on the podcast to continue the conversation on what it means to him to leverage his life for greater purpose and impact.

In this episode, Scott speaks to the idea that comparison is the antithesis of contribution. He encourages listeners to pay attention to our desires and follow God on our own unique pathway of purpose, even if it means letting go of what we thought was our dream in pursuit of something deeper and truer to who we were made to be.

Fear, comparison, and self-doubt can quietly keep us from stepping into the life God has designed for us. In this encouraging conversation, Collide founder Willow Weston sits down with pastor Julie Burleson to talk about overcoming insecurity, trusting God's calling, and why the encouragement of others can make all the difference. If you've ever questioned whether you're "enough," this episode will remind you that God doesn't call the qualified—He qualifies the called.

Julie Burleson is the Community Groups Pastor at Christ the King Church in Bellingham, Washington. Called into ministry as a teenager, Julie has faithfully pursued God's leading despite facing opposition, self-doubt, and the unique challenges of serving as a woman in pastoral leadership. She is passionate about discipling leaders, investing in the next generation, and helping people discover how God has uniquely gifted them to serve His Kingdom.

• How to overcome self-doubt when you know God is calling you to something bigger.
• Why surrounding yourself with encouragers is essential for living out your purpose.
• The importance of finding mentors and examples who inspire you to pursue God's calling.
• How comparison can keep you from embracing the unique story God is writing through your life.
• Why taking small, faithful steps is often how God leads us into our calling.
• How older and younger generations need one another to build God's Kingdom.

Whether you're sensing a new calling, wrestling with insecurity, or wondering if God can really use someone like you, Julie's story offers hope. Her journey reminds us that courage isn't the absence of fear—it's trusting God enough to take the next faithful step. You don't have to have it all figured out before God begins using your life.

What if the losses and detours that have left you feeling lost are actually helping God lead you toward the life you were made to live?

What do you do when the life you thought you were building suddenly falls apart—and you don't have a backup plan?

Kate Ahl knows what it feels like to have no idea what comes next. After getting married and moving to Portland with her husband, Dave, who was serving as a youth pastor, Kate found herself struggling with depression, loneliness, and a lack of vision for her own life. She had assumed she would support her husband's calling, but she didn't yet know what her own calling was.

Then came one unexpected loss after another: Dave experienced a nervous breakdown and had to leave ministry, Kate experienced a miscarriage, they struggled with infertility, Dave lost jobs, and their family faced financial uncertainty. Through it all, Kate learned to repeat a simple truth: "God is a good God and I will obey and see goodness in His choices for me."

Eventually, those years of loss and uncertainty opened a door Kate never expected. What began as a small side hustle managing Pinterest accounts grew into Simple Pin Media, a successful woman-led business where Kate now leads a team of around 40 people.

In this honest conversation, Kate shares how God unfolded her calling one step at a time, how her business changed the dynamics of her marriage and family, and what she's learned about women, leadership, motherhood, and the pressure to do it all.

If you're feeling lost, stuck, or unsure what you're made to do, Kate's story will remind you that you don't need to see the whole path. You can keep walking in faith, give thanks in the middle of uncertainty, and trust that God can bring clarity and purpose from seasons you never would have chosen.

Kate Ahl is the founder and CEO of Simple Pin Media, a Pinterest management company she built after a season of unexpected career changes, financial uncertainty, and searching for direction. Before launching her business, Kate worked in college and camp ministry, navigated life as a pastor's wife, and spent years as a stay-at-home mom.

Today, Kate leads a team of around 40 people and uses her leadership to invest in other women, helping them recognize strengths and gifts they may not yet see in themselves. She is passionate about servant leadership, generosity, developing women, and using the opportunities God has given her to create opportunities for others.

• When you don't know what you're called to do: Keep walking in faith instead of assuming you need the whole plan before you begin.
• When loss and disappointment keep piling up: Learn how giving thanks in difficult circumstances can help you continue trusting God's goodness.
• When you're tempted to compare your life to everyone else's: Remember that God's vision for your life doesn't have to look like anyone else's.
• When you're a woman trying to lead and care for your family: Give yourself permission to say no, ask for help, outsource what you can, and focus on what matters most.
• When the opportunity you've been praying for finally appears: Dream big, walk through the door, and step into what God has put in front of you with confidence.

You may not have a clear vision for your life right now, and that's okay. Keep walking, keep giving thanks, and trust that God can unfold your path in ways you could never have planned for yourself.

Simple Pin Media: simplepinmedia.com

Instagram: @simplepinmedia

This week on the podcast we are lucky enough to welcome pastor Doug Bunnell to converse with Willow about women in leadership in the church and beyond. This episode is all about unique gifting - how to find it, how to use it, and how to encourage others’ in their own potential. We are passionate about celebrating women and the way God wants to use them to bring more beauty, healing, and hope to this world and we can’t wait to share this conversation with you!

What if your anxiety isn't a sign of weak faith, but an invitation to healing?

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans will experience an anxiety disorder, and even those who don't often battle overwhelming stress, fear, and worry that can steal joy and keep them from living fully.

In this encouraging conversation, Willow Weston welcomes Dr. Laurie Arndorfer, a psychiatrist specializing in women's mental health, to talk about the difference between everyday stress and clinical anxiety and how we can begin moving toward peace.

Together they explore why anxiety has become so common, how our modern lifestyles, comparison, packed schedules, and constant distractions contribute to chronic worry, and why our bodies often signal when something deeper needs our attention.

Dr. Arndorfer shares practical, research-backed tools that help calm anxiety, including mindfulness, relaxation breathing, exercise, creativity, and counseling, while also pointing listeners to the hope found in prayer and God's presence. Willow and Dr. Laurie also unpack Jesus' words in Matthew 6, reminding us that God understands our struggles and invites us to trust Him one day at a time.

Whether you've struggled with anxiety for years or simply feel overwhelmed by life's pressures, this episode offers compassionate encouragement and practical next steps toward living in what Dr. Laurie calls "the precious present."

• The difference between normal stress and an anxiety disorder
• Physical signs your body may be warning you that something isn't right
• How comparison, social media, and overcommitted schedules fuel anxiety
• What mindfulness really is, and how it helps interrupt anxious thoughts
• Why struggling with anxiety is not a sign of weak faith
• When to seek professional counseling or medical support

Scripture Referenced:

• Matthew 6:25–34

Resources Mentioned:

• Birds & the Lilies Bible Study by Willow Weston
• New Hope Psychiatry for Women
• Mindfulness apps

If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a friend who may be carrying the weight of anxiety alone. Sometimes one honest conversation can be the first step toward healing.

National Bestseller | Collide: Running into Healing When Life Hands You Hurt

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How do you know if it’s God leading you—or if it's just your own voice?

In this inspiring episode of the Collide Podcast, we wrap up our series on discernment with a solo episode from Collide’s Director, Willow Weston. Willow shares 10 practical and powerful tips to help you seek God’s will and follow the Spirit’s lead when you’re facing life’s big decisions. She challenges us to listen closely, take bold risks, and lean into the guidance only God can give. Whether you’re standing at a crossroads or simply craving clarity, this episode will equip you to move forward with confidence and faith.

Willow is the founder and director of Collide, a women's ministry that creates spaces for people to experience Jesus in the midst of real life. As a speaker, writer, and spiritual mentor, Willow leads with vulnerability, humor, and deep trust in God's ability to show up in the messy middle. She’s passionate about helping others hear God’s voice and live out their calling with courage.

• 10 go-to strategies to help you discern God’s will
• How to invite the Holy Spirit into your decision-making
• Why seeking God’s voice often requires stillness and boldness
• What it means to take risks while still trusting God’s guidance

If you’ve ever wrestled with uncertainty about your next step, this episode will offer clarity and comfort. You’ll be reminded that you’re not alone in your questions—and that God is eager to lead you with wisdom, love, and purpose.

Check Out These Resources Inspired by This Episode

Collide Women’s Conference - Join us for a powerful one-day event filled with inspiration, connection, and encouragement to help you pursue healing, purpose, and deeper faith.

✨ Learn more and grab your ticket at wecollide.net/conferences

Go Ahead - Empowers women to step into their days expecting to experience the extraordinary and Divine in everyday moments.

Connect with Willow - Website | Instagram | Facebook

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