Creating a Life You Love with Adriana

In this episode, we talk about how to navigate uncertainty when you're unsure of God's plan for your life. I share how it's okay not to have a 20-year plan and how focusing on your passions and staying faithful in the small things or what God has placed before you know, can lead to clarity.

I'm finally sharing the full story (well, as much as I can fit into an hour!) of how my fiancé and I went from breaking up in 2023 to preparing for marriage now in 2025. I'll take you through how we met, how our relationship began—and eventually ended—and the incredible journey of how God brought us back together. I'll share what led us to start our relationship AGAIN, the lessons I've learned over the past year, and how those lessons have shaped our path to marriage!

In this episode, we're diving into what it means to experience true joy—not the kind of fleeting, picture-perfect happiness you see in holiday movies, but a joy that's grounded in something far deeper. This is the joy of Jesus—a joy that's available to you all year long, regardless of your circumstances. We also talk about how desiring happiness is NOT wrong but what is wrong is the way our culture goes about pursuing it. Lastly, I'll share how joy and sorrow can coexist, and how, no matter where you are in life, you can access this happiness that comes from the Holy Spirit

In this episode, we'll dive into how to break free from negative thinking cycles with 5 practical steps. Building on the idea from our last episode—that changing your thoughts can transform your life—we'll go deeper into the “how.” Drawing insights from Dr. Caroline Leaf's Switch on Your Brain, we'll cover: My current state in my mental health and how this book has impacted me Why your thoughts matter: The science of quantum entanglement, mirror neurons, and their biblical connections to unity and empathy The 21-day mindset shift: How to rewire automatic negative thoughts in 21 days The 5-step framework for freedom: Gather, Focused Reflection, Write, Revisit/Replace, and Active Reach

In this episode, we'll dive into what it means to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2) and how both Scripture and science reveal how our thought life can influence our choices, actions, and life. After reading the book “Switch on your brain” by Dr. Caroline Leaf I wanted to share my insights with you: Why our thoughts matter: How the Bible and science align in showing that our minds influence our brain, body, and behavior. How to take thoughts captive: My personal experience with OCD and intrusive thoughts and how to catch a toxic thinking pattern. The power of choice: Why we do not have to be victims of our biology (example: "her mom has depression, so she will too"- not 100% accurate), but co-creators of our future alongside God. Rest and renewal: How entering “directed rest” can deepen your connection with God, boost mental clarity, and bring peace (Psalm 46:10). By the end of this episode, you'll understand how renewing your mind is not only possible but essential for living in alignment with God's design for your life!

In this episode, we'll explore what it means to treat your body as a “temple of the Holy Spirit”—specifically, 5 key practices to prioritize for your physical health. Here's what we'll cover: Why I took a break from posting fitness content Why being good stewards of our bodies matters, even though they'll one day "waste away" 5 foundational ways to care for your body: sleep, nutrition, nervous system regulation, movement, and hydration How caring for your health is an act of worship and faithfulness to God How to focus on what you can control—without fear-mongering

In this episode, I'm diving into some of the big questions I had when I first became a Christian. To make it even more meaningful, I asked you these same questions on Instagram and will be sharing some of your responses as well! Here's what we'll explore together: 1. Why are we (humans) here on earth— what is our purpose, why were we created? How would you learn what your purpose is? 2. What happens when one becomes a Christian? (broad question but answer in as great of depth as you want). What are the next steps? 3. What does it mean to have a relationship with the Lord, and how do we develop it?

I have some big news that I just announced on Instagram—I'm engaged! But before I share the story, I want to discuss something we all face: change. A year ago, I was navigating heartbreak, clinging to the verse in Ecclesiastes: “There is a season for everything.” Life is full of seasons—singleness, relationship struggles, and joyful moments—and each one has a purpose. In this episode, I talk about how I've learned the importance of staying present and letting God work in the here and now instead of longing for the past or rushing into the future. Also, the book I mentioned is Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

In this episode, I want to talk about how our past influences our present and future and why it's crucial to confront it. Sometimes, we need to go back to go forward. This leads us to explore these topics: My personal experience with holding on to emotional baggage and how it affected how I viewed God Common misconceptions about healing through religious activity alone Why we must go back to move forward: generational impacts, family patterns, and invisible scripts Practical steps for addressing deep-rooted behaviors and finding healing in Christ I also highly recommend reading the book Emotionally Healthy Sprituality by Peter Scazzero

In today's episode, I'm diving into the concept of creating a healthy lifestyle that is truly centered on God. Many of us, including myself, have found ourselves compartmentalizing our faith—attending church on Sundays, praying in the mornings maybe, but leaving God out of the rest of our daily routines. This episode explores how this approach can lead to a shallow spirituality and disconnect from God throughout the day. We'll discuss practical steps to integrate God into every aspect of our lives!

You might have heard someone say, “God told me _____” or “I heard/felt God say ______,” but what does “hearing” from God actually mean? How do we know if it is God is speaking and what he is even speaking to us? In this episode, we explore the different ways God speaks to us—through Jesus and by scripture, circumstances, desires, prophecy/dreams/visions, and in the quiet moments of prayer. If you want to deepen your relationship with God and learn how to discern his voice, this episode will provide practical insights on how to hear and respond to His voice in your everyday life. This podcast was inspired by this organization's bible study on “Prayer.” I highly recommend- https://www.practicingtheway.org/https://

This podcast explores the deeper meaning of Prayer, emphasizing that it's not a passive act but an active partnership with God. We discuss how we pray as an invitation to collaborate with God's power to bring His kingdom to earth. I talk about my experience with growing daily reliance on God for provision, the transformative power of confession and forgiveness, and the aligning prayers with God's will. In any relationship, communication is key, and in our relationship with Jesus, prayer is exactly that—our lifeline to God and absolutely essential.Bible study- https://www.practicingtheway.org/https://

In this episode, we tackle a question that many new Christians, including myself at first, often wonder about: “Why pray if God is going to do what He will do anyway?” We'll explore how prayer is not just about asking for what we need but about participating in God's redemptive work on earth. Besides understanding why prayer is important, you'll also learn how to start with prayer if you're new to it or how to enhance your existing prayer life. https://www.practicingtheway.org/ https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/are-there-two-wills-in-god

Lately, I've been struggling with a few challenges that left me feeling frustrated and questioning my ability to record a podcast because "I haven't figured it all out." But I dismissed that thought because I believe in being honest about my feelings, it can help you to feel less alone (if you can relate with me). In this episode, I open up about three struggles I've faced this week: feelings of hopelessness, social anxiety, and distraction. I share the steps I'm taking to address them, including putting ourselves in uncomfortable situations to grow and letting go of the pressure to be perfect.

In this episode, I want to address the concept of modesty and its true meaning. This leads us to explore these topics: My experience with it and how it affects your relationship with God Common misconceptions about modesty What it truly encompasses: heart posture, behavior, speech The biblical foundation for modesty (1 Peter 3:3-4, Proverbs 31:30) Practical tips

In this episode, we explore three detrimental communication habits that can hurt your relationships with your friends, significant other and pretty much anyone you come in contact with: defensiveness, gossiping, and passive aggressiveness. Drawing from my own experiences, I highlight the importance of self-awareness in identifying these habits and provide practical advice on how to change them for a more peaceful life!

"I am not good enough to be a Christian” is a thought I have had before and I know I'm not the only one. So today, I wanted to answer the question of “what is good enough to be a Christian”(which is actually NOT the question you should be asking). This leads us to explore scripture and talk about these topics: What does it mean to be “saved” Faith vs. good works Forgiveness and repentance Difference between shame and conviction What about habitual sins? How to stop feeling guilt & shame for sins

In this episode, we dive into the journey of building a genuine relationship with God and the different stages of this journey. I'll share my personal experiences, starting from hearing about God through sermons and podcasts, to exploring the Bible to then actually living my life with God. We'll discuss the importance of community, and the valuable resources (listed below) that deepened my understanding. I'll also highlight the moments of surrender, where my superficial knowledge turned into a desperate need for God, leading to significant lifestyle changes. Wherever you are in your journey with God, I am sure you can gain something from my experience and what I have learned thus far. Resources recommended in the video: Bible Project- I mentioned their podcast and app with studies and videos Practicing the Way- I mentioned their podcast, Bible studies and book. This is all on their website On Guard- apologetics book by William Lane Craig. I would also recommend The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel if you want to understand WHY Christians believe what they believe --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adrianarofrano/message

An episode about what we allll have delt with at least occasionally or for some pretty much every waking moment—anxiety. I talk about my experience with this from social anxiety, phobias, intrusive thoughts and share what I have done through this. But most importantly we will talk about what God says about anxiety. Through my struggles, I've found comfort in inviting the Lord into moments and days of anxiety. I only hit the surface when it comes to mental health so stay tuned for more. But my hope in this episode is to put an emphasis on not letting anxiety become your identity. And to overcome it by bringing your worries to God, praying and allowing him to peel back the layers as to why you experience the emotions you do, so that you can live in PEACE. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adrianarofrano/message

In this episode, we dive into the reality that the chasing happiness through instant gratification will not give you peace. We explore our tendency to avoid pain—whether it's putting ourselves out there to make new friends or having hard conversations—and why avoiding discomfort can be detrimental. Discover how good can emerge from suffering and why expecting constant happiness in Christianity can lead to discontentment. So where in your life are YOU avoiding pain that could actually PROPEL you into who God has created you to become. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adrianarofrano/message

If you ever find yourself going on your phone and scrolling through social media without even realizing it, you are not alone. When I was battling phone addiction (10+ hours a day), I never understood why I was doing it. Later, I realized that many of us are missing the reason behind why we engage in activities like binge-watching TV, checking our phones every minute, or scrolling endlessly. Trying to muster up enough strength to put the phone down never seemed to work because I never addressed the root causes: anxiety, boredom, sadness, FOMO, etc. Wherever you are in your phone usage, this episode could benefit you as I share practical tips to avoid becoming a slave to your phone and instead beat phone addiction! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adrianarofrano/message

In this episode, we explore the impact of our words and thoughts on our lives. I discuss tools from scripture for overcoming strongholds in our thoughts, the continuous battle against negative patterns, and the journey towards letting God's truth shape our identity and actions. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adrianarofrano/message

In this episode, we talk about how we are being formed in our lives everyday by subtle and not so subtle forces. The question isn't, “are we being formed,” its “Who are we being formed in to.” We are formed by many factors, a few categories being- habits, relationships, the stories we believe, our environment and life experiences. We evaluate these areas and I go over questions to ask yourself from a bible study which has helped me to do a “formation audit” of my life. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adrianarofrano/message

In this episode, I share my experience with friendships from feeling like the odd one out and always dealing with drama to now being in loving supportive friendships. We will talk about the importance of choosing healthy friendships that promote growth, humility and support. I share practical tips for evaluating current friendships (does the friendship need to end), making new friends and lastly building those friendships. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adrianarofrano/message

After a month off of social media I have a few updates for you! In this episode, we talk about social media breaks and I share a story on my experience with fasting after feeling the Lord encourage me to do so. And I talk about how a recent car accident has served as a reminder to be grateful in all things. I talk about how these 3 things that have happened in the last month all have a common theme: having faith in the Lord AND remaining faithful to him. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adrianarofrano/message

Watch on YouTube In this episode I share my testimony. I talk about how the lowest moments brought me to God and how my mess became my message. Throughout my life I have struggled with many things ranging from insecurities, identity, depression, and much more. I go into detail about how finding the Lord saved me. I hope that this can be an encouragement to you and a testament of how Jesus truly saves. TW: this episode will include talk about eating disorders, SA and other mental health issues. Please keep this in mind when deciding if, how and when you'll listen. I am truly so grateful for all of your support. Let's continue creating a life we love together

(WATCH ON YOUTUBE) In this episode, I answer some frequently asked questions! I share insights on my journey of faith, discussing the difference between “believing in god” and “following Jesus.” Additionally, I offer advice on cultivating discipline and sustaining motivation, while navigating the balancing act of juggling responsibilities like as work, fitness, school, and more!

At the end of last year, when I woke up one morning I made a choice to wear no makeup, despite dressing up. I then had a moment of realization as fear of judgment was creeping in that I truly used makeup as a crutch and had even forgotten what my own face looked like... This experience showed me the damaging impact of beauty standards, the comparison to others, and even in seemingly small actions like frequent mirror checks. My eyes are constantly being opened on this subject from the Lord but today, I talk about strategies to shift focus away from appearance. Whether you have found yourself filled with insecurities or you just have a habit of frequently making sure you look good in the mirror this episode I hope will be helpful to you!

Recently when I was getting overwhelmed about the future, confused about what to do, anxious about where I am suppose to be going, God reminded me that ALL I have to do is look towards HIM. When we run the race with Jesus we do not have to worry about what to do because as long as we are following him, he will lead us. Yes, we have decisions to make but by focusing on Jesus we can let worry to fall away. In this episode, I talk about how to focus our eyes on Jesus and start building a relationship with him or continue growing one, wherever you are in your faith journey.

(VIDEO ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY) In our fast-paced world filled with distractions, it seems like our culture is very unhappy. I needed a little break recently from the busyness of my days so I decided to disconnect for 3 days by going on a spiritual retreat I made up for myself. From that, I was reminded of a few reasons why our culture is so unhappy in life. Though I am just touching the surface in this episode, I share 3 reasons why we are not living our lives to the fullest and what we can do about it so we can create a life we love. Through personal stories and insights that God revealed to me, we'll explore the dangers of constant distractions, rushing through life, and placing value on superficial things. Whether you are in a slump you can't seem to get out of, or life is going pretty well for you, I'm sure you will leave this episode with some great takeaways. YouTube:https://youtu.be/u9fGCCN9O7E?si=Vr0jPb62pMMJ2zYO

(VIDEO ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY) In this episode, we'll look at practical questions to ask ourselves about what we should be looking for in a partner when dating. I talk about my experiences over the past few months and what stage I am currently in now (single or in a relationship?) So, whether you're single and searching or already in a relationship, this podcast will hopefully provide guidance on what you can look for in a potential or current partner (and in yourself cause a relationship takes two- well 3… cause Jesus= ESSENTIAL). I also share some potential red flags and we talk about how self-awareness is crucial, how to guard your heart, the importance of being with someone who you can grow with, and more! YouTube: https://youtu.be/mK05p0twejY?si=wRJDzf_If4djWqUy

Get ready for a little story time and girl chat about breakups! In this podcast episode, I talk about what NOT to do when going through a breakup (learned from my first breakup) and then what TO do (applied in my second breakup). We talk about when it might be time to break up...and what to do when going through that pain. I go over things like setting boundaries, using different coping strategies, and focusing on God through it all.

(VIDEO ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY) There are moments where singleness can be lonely and confusing and our society is so quick to talk about relationships but not so much about what to do while single. Over the past few years, I have had some major lessons learned from personal experiences, other people, and God simply revealing areas that I was once blind to. So in this episode, I talk about three mistakes (though I have made MANY more) that I made while being single. And about how YOU can avoid them...and even if you can relate to these mistakes with me, I hope you can learn from them as I did so we can continue creating a life we love! YouTube: https://youtu.be/BgBoliQF07o?si=KK6NppyJvcmFoE6m

(VIDEO ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY) In our society today it's easy for someone to call themself a Christian yet not actually follow Christ (because they 1. Don't know how or 2. Don't truly want to). In other words, it is common to acknowledge God but not be an apprentice (disciple & follower) of Jesus. So in this podcast, we talk about what having a relationship with God means, and how to be a discipline of Christ. And I open up about my story of finding Jesus and creating a relationship with him. This episode is for you- if you aren't following Christ but are curious about what it's about, if you have been a believer for a while but now want to fully live for Christ, or if you are anywhere in between. Referencing “Practicing the Way” by John Mark Comer YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/lcBYQSeNqH8

In this episode, we tackle the common struggle of lacking motivation, specifically the phrase "but I'm just not motivated" that many can relate to. We explore the concept of laziness, its underlying causes, and what you can do to STOP being lazy. Practical tips are shared on overcoming laziness and we dive into biblical perspectives on laziness specifically in Proverbs.

(VIDEO PODCAST ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY) In this podcast episode, I share how consistent journaling has significantly impacted my life. Like taking control of thoughts, tracking personal growth over time, acting as a personal accountability partner for goals, and deepening my relationship with God. If you want to gain a deeper understanding of how to journal this episode provides practical tips for starting and maintaining a journaling practice. You will take away 8 prompts to guide reflection on feelings, future aspirations, worries, and gratitude. Receive an email with a list of the prompts/ideas I talked about: https://adrianarofrano.aweb.page/p/2956041d-29fb-4f8e-9e3f-c39f24287350 YouTube: https://youtu.be/JDK-jxMqkP0?si=2zeSeaK9_hagaT3p

(VIDEO PODCAST ON YOUTUBE AND SPOTIFY) In this podcast episode, I talk about how to find true rest in the Lord. We go into the theme of distinguishing between laziness and burnout, and I talk about my personal experience with toxic productivity. Biblical references, including passages from Hebrews and Matthew, are used to support the concept of finding rest in Jesus. Practical measures for rest, such as prayer and journaling, are discussed, along with the significance of structuring one's days and weeks thoughtfully. YouTube: https://youtu.be/AoaqFFX-brI?si=U-rkf19YCkqLl2d3

Video on Spotify and YouTube: https://youtu.be/TTx-2lBVJl0?si=zUIJsrRzXa3rGovX In this podcast episode, I talk about goal-setting within the context of faith. I created the term WISE goals to make setting goals easier and biblical. This means setting Well-defined goals, knowing the Inspiration behind them or your "why," having them be Spirit-led, and Ultimately embracing God's plan. Drawing from biblical verses, the discussion highlights the risks of being outcome-focused, and I talk about the significance of placing the Lord first in goal-setting for true fulfillment. I talk about personal examples, such as fitness and health goals and how to cultivate habits and disciplines! If you want to create a change in your life, give this a listen!

(VIDEO PODCAST ON YOUTUBE & SPOTIFY) In this episode, I talk with my best friend, Allie, about her recent experience with God and how that has completely changed her life for the better. We talk about the transformation she has had that brought her to put God first in her life, especially in her studies of architecture at Miami University. We dive into the challenges of balancing faith amidst social pressures, dealing with loneliness, and turning life's trials into opportunities for spiritual growth. Give this a listen if you want to hear a story of hope and inspiration no matter where you are in life! YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/UcGOnzsw4uM?si=UTFjzdgn65ZYLw8Z

(VIDEO PODCAST ON SPOTIFY & YOUTUBE) In this episode, I talk about what it means to guard your heart as it says in Proverbs 4:23. I used to wonder why I would become easily irritated, have unwanted thoughts pop into my head, and get into slumps without knowing why... then I started looking at the shows, music, images, media that I consumed, and people I surrounded myself with. I realized the importance of guarding our hearts because it determines the course of our lives. So let's get right into it! YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/MT3w5MJ7uO4?si=yQ-gF9vS1XR7KOFf

(VIDEO PODCAST ON SPOTIFY & YOUTUBE) When I first started on my fitness journey, it was driven by appearance which only led to a very unhealthy mindset. Along the way as I started to battle with physical pain, I thankfully started to realize danger of making my body an idol. I learned that anytime I obsessed over my appearance is when I struggled with insecurities or pride. So in this episode, I talk all about what changes I have made to make my fitness journey a journey centered on God, NOT my appearance. If you find yourself placing a high importance on your appearance (like we often do), this episode is for you. Click here for YouTube

(VIDEO PODCAST ON SPOTIFY & YOUTUBE) We all will have a point in our lives where we feel lonely. Maybe your friends left you, you feel isolated because you moved somewhere new, you are going through a breakup, or you just feel like you do not belong anywhere. Whatever it is, there is hope… not hope in our plans but hope in the word of God. Let's dive into that together and learn how to face loneliness and fill ourselves with God's word. YouTube: https://youtu.be/_9sCD8vikR0

(VIDEO PODCAST ON SPOTIFY & YOUTUBE) In this episode, we talk all about how to pray to the Lord through Jesus and by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us. We talk about the purpose of prayer and what it means to pray. We talk about why we should pray and the power of it in our lives. And lastly, we talk about an outline (from Matthew 6) you can use to pray. I will also explain how I pray and what we should avoid doing when communicating with God! Whether you aren't a believer yet, a new believer or are very strong in your faith, I am sure you can gain something from this talk about prayer. YouTube: https://youtu.be/PZ76UaPiPL4

(VIDEO PODCAST ON SPOTIFY & YOUTUBE) In this episode I will answer questions from you! I talk about how to deal with loneliness, how to make friends, maintain healthy relationships and how to live on fire for the Lord. All of these and more so give this a listen if you want to learn how to live a faith filled life! YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZT3_AWUmMug?si=0L2kk8PnOtvR72Pb

(VIDEO PODCAST ON SPOTIFY & YOUTUBE) Have you ever wondered how you can find TRUE peace in every circumstance of life? We will all go through difficult times, and we can't control what happens to us, BUT we can control our attitude about it. There can be a purpose to our pain and through the pain, we can even find peace… which is exactly what we will talk about. YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=A4O1S7t4K73aLIqc&fbclid=PAAaZfNuw4yShz8t1FbWTxQhujalcm5XFgm-JfOwN-nb-_zKqTdmHJc1WI804_aem_ARCAaEEQXIxSYktXxLnFufeEofxxHMjC7h40-3NMOdKIhKSCmvijcaw2n6G7zTaPZNM&v=j4hhm8L9jVc&feature=youtu.be

I share my personal journey of battling social anxiety and how I went from extreme shyness and fear to confidently being myself. I also talk about the times I still struggle (get ready for some possible awkward stories lol) and how I have been able to overcome it. I will talk about the roots of social anxiety, discussing its origins, including experiences like bullying and low self-esteem. You will learn practical strategies for overcoming social anxiety, and you'll learn the importance of self-awareness, pattern recognition, and challenging irrational beliefs.

Before I started living my life for God, I didn't think much about sin in a believer's life. And, once walking in my faith, I was confused as to why I was still sinning even though I was on fire for the Lord. But now having learned this past year about what sin is, the power of it, and how we can defeat it, I realized how important it is for every believer to know! In this episode I talk about how sin is more than just actions; it's a powerful force that operates through our flesh. We talk about practical steps to put to death our flesh and walk by the spirit daily! The link to the book I will be referencing throughout: https://www.christianbook.com/enemy-within-straight-about-power-defeat/kris-lundgaard/9780875522012/pd/42017 Receive a summary plus additional resources on this topic by signing up for this week's email! : https://adrianarofrano.aweb.page/p/2956041d-29fb-4f8e-9e3f-c39f24287350

In this podcast episode, I dive into the practical strategies I've personally used to conquer phone addiction and achieve a healthier relationship with technology. I share valuable tips, such as avoiding early-morning social media scrolling, employing phone filters, scheduling days out, and designating specific "no phone zones." If you want to learn how to establish clear usage boundaries and replace unproductive phone use with activities that bring them genuine fulfillment, give this a listen!

It's not hard to see the negative side effects that come from using our phone too much (specifically social media). But it is apart of our world today which means we NEED to learn to find balance so this technology does NOT take over our lives. The first step is realizing the emotion behind this habit of constant phone use. So in this episode, we will talk specifically about 5 feelings that commonly push us to go on our phone: Feelings of sadness/hopelessness, procrastination, boredom, FOMO and social anxiety. And we will talk about what to do about them when the feelings arise so phone addiction does not destroy your life.

In this episode, we dive into the common struggle on a fitness journeys: body insecurities. We explore how to make an internal change to take the focus off of our appearance. The conversation centers around practical, actionable steps that you can integrate into your daily lives to cultivate this internal change.

In this episode we talk about how to find the right balance in your life by embracing self-discipline, setting your priorities, creating a schedule and having flexibility in it all. I will be talking about how I manage everything in my life from work, school, recording this podcast weekly and everything in between. If you want to learn how to balance your life by learning time management and how to schedule your weeks, this is for you!