Whatever you call them—small group, life group, Gospel community, home church—if you're a churchgoing believer, being part of one isn’t just a nice idea… it's something we truly believe is worth prioritizing. 🙌

This week, Michael & Marissa dive into the power and purpose of small groups in building deep, meaningful community within the church. Small groups aren’t just about Bible study (though that’s part of it 📖)—they’re about walking through life with fellow believers, offering accountability, support, and encouragement as you grow in your faith together.

We share our own journey of stepping into (and eventually starting!) a life group, including the doubts we wrestled with:

👉 “Do we really need this?”

👉 “Do we have time for this?”

👉 “What if it’s awkward?”

👉 “What if we get hurt?”

Spoiler: those are real fears, but they don’t outweigh the beauty of what small groups can become—a place for spiritual growth, accountability, deep friendship, and mutual service 💛.

Whether you’re in one already, dragging your feet, or feeling burned by a past group—we’ve got something for you. This conversation is both a challenge and an encouragement: don’t settle for surface-level faith or isolated living. Get uncomfortable, get connected, and watch what God does.

LET'S CONNECT!

Visit our website 💻 

Follow us on Instagram! 👋🏼

Want to chat? Drop us a line at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, co-hosts Michael & Marissa dig into radical vulnerability—what it is, what it’s not, and why it matters deeply in our pursuit of real connection 🤝💬.

We live in a culture that often confuses vulnerability with over-sharing or glamorized chaos (“look how messy my house is!” 🙈). But true vulnerability goes deeper. It’s not about constant complaining or being reckless with our emotions. It’s about intentionally opening up in the right time, space, and place to build trust, intimacy, and genuine support 💞.

We share personal stories, practical ways to begin sharing struggles (not just successes) 🎯, and how being the first to be vulnerable can create space for others to do the same 🌱.

How do we become someone others can trust with their stories? 🤔 What does it mean to be a safe place for honesty and growth? 🛡️💬

Vulnerability is a pinnacle of building lasting and deep community. And there is so much we have to learn about doing it well—and often. Let’s dive in! 🎧👇

LET'S CONNECT!

Visit our website 💻 

Follow us on Instagram! 👋🏼

Want to chat? Drop us a line at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is pulling back really protecting you… or is it slowly stealing your joy? 🤔 In today’s episode, we’re diving into the hidden cost of isolation and why choosing community—even when it’s hard—is one of the most powerful, healing decisions we can make.

We’ll talk about:

✨ How isolation often sneaks in quietly

📖 What Scripture says about living in relationship

🛡️ Why the enemy loves when we isolate ourselves

💬 What healthy, life-giving community can actually look like

Whether you’ve been hurt by people or just feel safer keeping your circle small, this conversation is a loving reminder: you were never meant to do life alone. Let’s rediscover the beauty of being known and the freedom found in connection. 💛

LET'S CONNECT!

Visit our website 💻 

Follow us on Instagram! 👋🏼

Want to chat? Drop us a line at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After three months apart, Michael and Marissa are back together to share the highs, lows, and lessons learned from this deployment season. From 24-hour shifts and navigating loneliness to solo parenting while sick and longing for connection, they open up about the challenges they faced on both sides of deployment.

Michael shares the reality of maintaining operations with little rest, the struggle to find meaningful community, and what he’d do differently next time. Meanwhile, Marissa reflects on holding down the fort, unexpected hardships (hello, flu!), and the surprising ways time both flew and dragged. Through it all, they leaned on faith, community, and the choice to thrive rather than just survive.

Whether you're facing a deployment, a season of distance, or simply a challenging transition, this episode offers insight, honesty, and encouragement for finding connection—even in the hardest moments.

Let's Connect!

Visit Our website 💻 

Follow us on Instagram 👋🏼

Drop us a line at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Marissa sits down with her sister Emily, a licensed professional counselor working within the university system. Together, they dive into one of the most pressing challenges college students (ages 18-23) face when trying to build meaningful relationships: the impact of devices and social media. They explore why this stage of life makes it especially tough to connect and share five practical, encouraging steps to help you find and grow relationships with your people. And for those who have moved beyond the college years, they offer thoughtful insights on how adults can come alongside and support young people as they navigate this journey.

Looking to found a counselor in your area? Psychology Today is a great resource!

Connect with us on Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/yourpeoplepodcast/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boundaries can be a tricky topic—but they can make or break our ability to love others well.

Are boundaries barriers that keep people out, or tools that help us build healthier relationships? And what does the Bible have to say about it? In this episode, co-hosts Michael & Marissa Ceci dive into the tension between setting healthy limits and vulnerably letting others in, in order to building deep, lasting community.

We’re not experts, just two people navigating this messy, beautiful thing called relationships—learning, growing, and figuring it out together. We’ll talk about when to say "yes," when to say "no," and how to balance loving others while protecting our own hearts. From boulders vs. knapsacks (you’ll love this metaphor) to avoiding the people-pleasing trap, we’re getting real about what it means to set boundaries in a way that honors God, strengthens community, and fosters deep, meaningful connections.

So, if you’ve ever wrestled with feeling stretched too thin or wondered if it’s okay to take a step back, this one's for you. Let’s work through it—together.

SHOW NOTES:

Books:

Boundaries by Henry Cloud

Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell (the one Marissa referenced with Good Samaritan Study)

Podcast episodes we found helpful:

How to Set Healthy Boundaries as a Christian

10 Steps on How to Set Boundaries without Offending People

Setting Boundaries within Relationships

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a not-so-brief (should have seen it coming) hiatus... we are BACK! (well.. almost)

Between Michael leaving for deployment, Marissa single parenting for months, technical difficulties, traveling over the holidays and the inability to make an episode happen while Michael is deployed, an unintentional hiatus happened.

Co-host Marissa welcomes listeners back into the space of finding and loving Your People after rehashing some of the details behind why things went on a bit of a pause.

With 2 pre-recorded upcoming episodes set to release in the coming weeks, Michael returning very soon from his deployment, and so much more they want to unpack regarding community, they are BACK and are excited to have you come along.

Like, comment, leave a review and share with someone you love so we can all join in on the conversation around the importance of, and HOW to build, better community!

Connect with us on Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/yourpeoplepodcast/

Visit Our Website:

www.yourpeoplepodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether you're preparing for your very first move, a seasoned nomad navigating yet another transition, or someone deeply rooted in your community with no plans to leave, this episode is for you!

In the final chapter of our On The Move Again series, co-hosts Michael and Marissa come together to unpack the main takeaways and themes from the previous two interviews. Together, they explore:

🌟 Building Community: It takes radical vulnerability and intentional action.

💖 Acts of Service: The key to initiating and nurturing lasting friendships.

💪 Acknowledging the Challenge: Moving is hard—period.

🚀 Starting Strong: Don’t delay; dive into your new community right away.

🤝 Welcoming Others: How to support and embrace those who are new to your town.

Whether you’re moving or welcoming someone who is, we hope this conversation inspires and equips you during seasons of change. Remember, even in the hardest transitions, there’s so much in store. Show up, lean in, and trust that the Lord can use every step of the journey for good!

Connect with us on Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/yourpeoplepodcast/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Your People, Marissa welcomes onto the show her dear friend, fellow mama, and former military spouse Brittany Fine. Over 12 years of marriage, Brittany and her husband have moved five times, each relocation bringing new lessons and challenges. Brittany candidly shares how they navigated those changes, from her husband’s deployment within their first year of marriage, to an overseas move to Germany, a quick 10 months in Texas and a transition to Virginia amid COVID, an election year, and a pregnancy. Despite the difficulties, Brittany reflects on how God blessed them in remarkable and often surprising ways. She found friendship in unexpected places, served others courageously, and discovered that even in the toughest seasons, people come together to form deep bonds and a vibrant community.

Brittany also opens up about being a self-proclaimed introvert and how she still actively seeks to find her people in each new place. She shares her journey through seasons of anxiety and uncertainty, stepping out of her comfort zone, and embracing motherhood. Together, Marissa and Brittany reminisce about their time together in Germany, reflecting on the beautiful ways God worked in their lives during that season.

So, grab a cozy cup of coffee or keep working through that pile of dishes, and join us as we share laughs, unpack some of life’s harder moments, and offer a bit of encouragement for anyone in the middle of — or just starting — a new chapter. Moving is tough, but remember, you’re not alone!

Connect with us on Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/yourpeoplepodcast/

Connect with Brittany on Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/lifeasfine/

Visit our Website:

www.yourpeoplepodcast.com

Subscribe to our Email Newsletter:

https://chickpeamama.myflodesk.com/intheloop

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.