Straight Talk w/Hope

Are you living your life based on people, events, destinations that bring you happiness but it's temporary? In this episode I will share with you how to move your life beyond temporary happiness and begin to live it with an Eternal Joy that will last .

Have you ever felt stuck in your life? Yep, me too! Maybe for you it was at a job, in a city, in a relationship , maybe you feel stuck with an addiction. I wan't to tell you that you still can move forward with God's help. In this episode I will leave you with some questions to ask yourself that you are facing in your life. Not only can you move forward but you have an opportunity each day for a Fresh Start and for Future Possibilities.

Have you ever looked at life or a situation and you did not like the Outcome of what happened? Me too. An Outcome- is defined as how something turns out. In this episode we will unlock the book of James to see how not only how there is power in what we say , but the result of an outcome has a lot to do with what we speak.

It's a subject people don't like to always talk about, even church going folks. But it's a real issue with many people , and even people I know don't know how to move pass a struggle they are facing with mental, emotional, and relational health. Jesus can bring you freedom people. In this episode you will hear from a new friend of mine who I met about a month ago who is a certified Mental Health Coach and hear her share how you can walk in the freedom you were created for . Let's dive into it!

We all have received an invitation of some sort. Maybe you accepted or even rejected the invite. There are these moments in life when invitations present itself to us where we can get personal or look at it as an interruption. Which will you choose?

There is our way of doing life , and then there is God's ways of doing life. Which one do you think is better? Find out in this episode how our Temporary fixes to our problems only create short lived moments , that turn into bigger problems, rather than living a life to the fullest that create lasting moments when a life is surrendered to Jesus truly by doing things HIS WAY.

Have you ever made a promise to someone and broken that promise? Or maybe you said something in conversation to someone and made them think that what you said would happen only for them to find out - J/K . Basically you say you're going to do something and you don't do it. “ pretend promise”Maybe you feel like in this life you have had some Promises in your life that were pretend but you've also had those promises over your life that God has shown you or told you about your life. Those promises are what I call " personal promises" .Maybe a goal or a dream that you feel really came from the Lord. When God speaks a promise to your heart he keeps his word!

This new year , my word is " Difference". Which means diversity, and things don't stay the same. In order to see a difference : In my marriage, in my finances, in my relationships, in my parenting, and so forth I have to Do some things differently I have to make some adjustments Quit making excuses Change my perspective Change my response Change my thinking. When I do these things my perspective changes everything about how I experience life.

Have you ever said to yourself - I want to follow Jesus for real , for real this time. I'm done playing games, going through the motions of Christianity, finding myself comparing my life to others , or even compromising what it means to truly follow Christ. I have good news- you are not the only one! I have seen even in my own life there is power in knowing and reminding yourself of who you are in Christ and who God is as your father. Tune in today!

Noah- He didn't just build a boat, He build a life of Faith and Obedience. What task, project, assignment has God given you? Are you doing what he is asking you to do with your life hoping it just works itself all out , or are you Confident in Jesus and that Assignment knowing , being certain He will take what seems impossible and make it a reality. It will require your faith and your obedience to him til the end.

Hey friends! On this episode you get to meet my friend Hayley Anna Canoy as we dive into the subject of foster care, adoption, and infertility. Hear her journey on all three of these topics. How she stayed faithful to trusting Jesus through the waiting process of some dreams in her heart til they came true. During those times she learned that God wanted to refine her , her outlook on life when it came to motherhood, and knowing that God's timing is always the best.

Being a Mom is no joke. If you are a mom , about to be a mom , have 5 kids, 3 kids, an infant, a toddler , maybe even a few teens around your crib then Girl- you are doing great. I know at times we go through these different season of motherhood where we are like we are on TOP of the world and winning, but there are also those seasons where we can feel not good enough ,we fall into an comparison trap, or maybe we feel even defeated. There are so many different emotions in these seasons of life while being a mom. This month in May we are kicking off another round of what I call MotherUp. Thats right in these seasons of motherhood we have to dig deep into God's Word, into who he is making us to be as individuals but also moms while raising these kids. You are going to hear from me and some of my mom friends about what its like to believe for a baby, what they have learned from their moms, adoption, raising kids with special needs, moms new to motherhood who are just getting started, and moms who are in the thick of it while their kids reach more independent stages of life. I believe these episodes will do your heart and mind good. Stay encouraged moms - You got this!

What we see for Story Church!!!! Our Mission- help people find God in their story.

What are some sacrifices you have made? Big or small , let me ask you this question- did it require you to live a life greater than yourself and you saw your life begin to flourish? I'm finding lately that when God ask me to sacrifice something it requires me to truly trust. Trust and Sacrifice go hand in hand. You can't see your life flourish by leaving one of those behind. In this episode I get my preach on , and well you will have to hear it for yourself but Ps 118:8 says It is better to refuge in the LORD, then to trust what any man can offer.

What do you believe? About God? About yourself? Your family? Your bank account? I am finding more and more that what I believe is not just what I think about , talk about, but it is actually the direction my life begins to move towards. Good or Bad! It matters what you believe. To believe is to have an attitude that is confident towards someone or something. I've been doing a fast ( don't know what that means it's all good- find out in this episode). In doing a fast it can be hard on your flesh but drives you deeper into prayer ( hopefully and not into madness of eating a whole box of cookies) so you can hear God voice more clearly for your future.

Have you ever been talking to someone and you could tell they really weren't paying attention to what you were saying? No, me either. Wait What. Yes a hundred times over and over. God actually does this to us everyday. He is trying to get our attention and get us to pay attention to what he is saying to our hearts. In this episode find out how to guard your heart, and respond how God wants us to respond to difficult situations and even people. Are you listening? Lets dive in.

Life is full of change. Transition, simply put, means change. Wherever we are in life, we are never really settled. Our minds wander, and we are always thinking “what's next?” I recently packed me and my fam's bags up for a week long trip getting us ready for what was next. I'm a planner by nature and just when I thought I had everything figured out fool proof for the trip one one day we had a change of plans. Maybe you to have asked yourself now- what's next. In this episode we discover as we look in the mirror of our own reflection we tend to stand there until things look better. Transition may not be easy but as you pack your bags and listen to God he will show you what is next.

Hey friends, I cant wait for you to meet two newly friends all the way from Texas. Jill Miller and Jamie Harrison are Educators who have founded a program just for teachers called Teacher Be still. Teacher be still is a community of teachers from all walks of life and all educational backgrounds. These ladies are on a mission to provide encouragement and personal wellness for other educators. They will inspire you as a teacher to become the best version of yourself while protecting your spiritual, physical, and mental health. They have said that when educators realize the value they have it will reach even beyond the classroom.

How do you fight battles that come your way. What is your battle stance? I would like to tell you I do it right all the time I am faced with hard things, opposition, heartaches, test, trials, battle after battle but I am human just like you. What I can tell you is this- Each battle we face there is a fight. We should fight in these battles until completion, until we hear well done good and faithful. Any battle I have faced in my life ( especially in the last 6 weeks) it has required a new level of faith within me and a new kind of fight. Each time God's faithfulness has come through as I have fought and seen the victory in each battle. To God be all the Glory!!!

On this episode find out how Columbian coffee is made, meet my Columbian friends/family - John + Carolina Romick. Side note- John could possibly be Ryan's brother. lol. We are so thrilled to have them on the podcast to hear how I am Help a non profit missions organization they set up to help missionaries all around the world who have various projects and needs. You can be apart of what they are doing and how it is changing lives of these missionaries , their families, and their countries for Jesus.

My Special Guest for June is Ally Miller. We actually met on Social Media. Here is this episode #yourbodymatters Ally talks about how she defined herself by what she thought were other's perceptions of her rather than what God declares to be true about her. Now, Ally is a health and fitness coach who loves eating whole plant-based foods, lifting weights, walking with Jesus and embracing my identity in Him and who He created her to be. God radically transformed her life from the inside out, and she wants to help other women conquer the same battles that she has faced with food, exercise, and body image, so they too can become physically AND spiritually healthy – the key to living fully and abundantly. So she pursued certifications in fitness and nutrition and started Cross Training Women!

40 years and thats a wrap in those years! On to the next 40 yall! So many lessons have been learned over those years in parenting, marriage, finances, life, but I am better for it and so is my future. Everyone goes through the highs ( mountaintops) and the lows ( valleys) in life but one thing is for sure , we have opportunities each day how we respond and if we move forward to the promises of God that he sings over us.

My dear friend Kim and I sat down one Saturday Morning over coffee and muffins to talk about our kids and allowing ourselves more grace by taking the pressure off and giving it all to God in our parenting and decisions. Kim is a wife, and Mom to two children Khyla age 7 , and Chase age 9. They are adorable yall! Gather your mom friends, and let your heart be warmed by this episode as we dive in deep on this journey of Motherhood.

I sat down with a friend of mine Autumn Miles, who is all the way in Dallas, Tx via phone to talk about Motherhood, and what it means to #motherup in different seasons of our kids lives. Autumn is a wife to Eddie, a mom to 4 children Grace and Jude and two of her adopted children Moses and Haven. Her family is precious and I know you are going to love her. As moms we are to recognize that we are called by God to be their mom and hold that position in their lives as MOTHER. Yes, even in times of difficulty , and as our kids grown into their teen years how we view motherhood and our roles as moms is important. Being a mom is one of the most greatest gifts and opportunities we have in this lifetime and I can't wait for you to hear about it on this episode.

In this episode my long time old friend Tessa and I chat it up on about Motherhood from struggles we have faced as moms to seasons of grace to be the moms God is calling us to be. Tessa is a wife to Marko Mathews, and a mom of two kids Ty and Elle who are a joy to be around. Did I mention her bulldogs- Lola & lilPig! You will hear from Tessa about her personal journey thus this far about her perspective on Motherhood and the importance why she continues to pray over her kids future daily! 

In this episode an old friend of mine is joining me as we tackle the subject of #MOTHERUP . Renee is a wife to Jay Horne ( check out his you tube videos) just saying, and she has 4 precious girls who are growing into these little women. Renee is completely herself and she is such full of joy, no shame, and will inspire you in all things motherhood wether it is sour at times, or sweet in the long run. Hint- her favorite cookie Lemon cookies. Renee and I discuss Motherhood from the joys it brings to just taking a reality check to be PRESENT in the lives of our kids. 

Yall! This episode is brings so much joy and laughter , and even honesty to it. I can't wait for you to hear about it on this first episode of this month #motherup. Every mom has to have some backbone about her in various seasons of life while birthing, raising, nurturing, assisting, navigating, her kids through life. Moms, it's time we Motherup and be the women, the moms, that God is calling all of us to be and to know that what you do matters, it is impactful, and it is the hardest most overlooked job out there. But there is good news- God is able to give us the grace and wisdom through each season as moms! This episode you will hear from my MOM from what it was like raising 3 kids from blended families, down to now being an empty nester and looking forward to a bright future.

Today's guest is a new friend of mine Toni Collier who is the Co-Lead Pastor of Hillsong Atlanta and founder of an international women’s ministry called Broken Crayons Still Color that helps women process through brokenness and get to hope. She is a speaker, host and consultant that has helped organizations with creative marketing, leadership, student ministry and strategic planning. In todays episode #brokencrayonsstillcolor we dive deep into how God can take whatever season of your brokenness and move you towards a path of hope. God is still writing the story of your life even through brokenness. Get ready to heal in this process and be who God has always called you to be.

spring, coffee, miracle in your mission, and nothing is wasted in the left overs!

Hey guys! I am so excited to have a new friend on the Podcast- Kelsey Champman. I know you are going to love hearing from her just as much as I did on the hashtag #mentorshipmatters. Who are you mentors? Do you have any? Well, If you don't you need to find some. Kelsey breaks this subject down on a personal level from her experiences how women in her life help mentor her to accomplish dreams in her heart and make them a reality. Kelsey also has a book out that you can grab anywhere called "What they taught me". So grab a pen and notebook and get ready to hear about all things Mentorship.

What does a lasting timeless marriage look like? Well Beefcake and me took the stage and decided to do a part two from our episode of 2020 called "This is us". You will laugh, love, and I'm sure take some notes from our experiences of 18 years as we talk about 4 key points that we practice in our marriage daily. We pray this episodes brings love, healing, restoration, honesty , and so much more to your lives wether you are wanting to get married, newly married, or have been married for years. THIS IS US. 

Where my single ladies at? Yall we are kicking off the month of February with a new friend of mine I met on social media Holli Wright. You are going to love hearing her story. Holli is coming live to us in the episode all the way from California, and sharing with us a message of being a single lady herself. Holli mentions that waiting is a process, and while we wait on God's best (spouse) for our lives we should never find ourselves settling out of convenience. Many times we tend to put a time limit on God when we think things in our lives should happen and God says Waiting is never Wasted. Grab your girl gang, your tribe , and of course a cup of coffee and tune in!

Happy New year everyone! In our first episode of the new year 2021 we have special guest Ashley Opliger who our paths crossed on social media.  Ashley’s people reached out and to me and immediately I wanted to have her on the Straight Talk Podcast. Ashley has experienced loss of having a stillbirth child ( her daughter Bridget) who met Jesus a few years ago. Through this painful experience of loss, questions, and hurt Ashley made the choice to Hope again and allow God to heal her broken heart. Ashley established her non profit ministry called Bridgets cradles where this ministry goes all around the world in hospitals supporting other women and families who have experienced the loss of a child. I cant wait for you to hear her story. 

From my household Christmas traditions, laughs, to the topic of keep believing even if you don't yet see it! This episode is for you!

Yall This episode and hashtag is so good! #LOVEISBOLD. Who knew right. But truly if you think about it Jesus was so loving and so bold at the same time in his ministry and even his everyday life. My friend joining us from Tampa, Florida Melissa is totally this hashtag. Melissa loves all and she is bold in her faith and her communication. I can't wait for you to hear what she has to say on this topic . You will love her humor as well.

Gratitude- its that subject and topic you know if practiced everyday in our lives it would bring rewarding results. But few people I would say are good at showing , practicing, celebrating, and seeing the good in others and situations every single day. Then there is the trap of comparison! Comparison just from my own personal experience I have learned that it is like a thief that robs us of joy and steals our gratitude that is needing to be expressed in our lives. I challenge you that as you listen to this episode you begin to see the good in any circumstance by expressing gratitude and stop comparing your life to others and allow God to truly show you his goodness and faithfulness. enjoy.

Have you ever experienced devastation in your life? What about loss, disappointment, hurt, shame, and grief? Well, me too! Sometimes we invoke these things upon ourselves and others by us making not so wise choices, and sometimes others choices leave us in these rooms of life that we think what good thing can come out of this. But did you know God is in the Restoration business again and again. In fact he never says restored them once don't think I can do it again. Even when we go through devastating times, he wants to bring about Restoration and Hope , make up and even redeem time lost. It is the House God is Building . Hear from my special guest and new friend Meshali Mitchell on this subject and allow God to walk you through the journey of your life Room by Room , piece by piece , regardless of what you feel is lost, #thereishope. 

In this episode I sat down with a friend of mine in my home where we had warm coffee , strawberries, and min muffins over a great discussion on seasons of suddenly when things in life catch us off guard . How we respond to those suddenly moments determines if we are able to move forward and overcome emotions, grief, heartache, worry, or we allow to stay in a place of where we could allow people to pity us. God wants us to overcome any situation and when we lose a loved one the My Coinz journal that Brandee has written for sure will help you know what questions to navigate through, answer, and how to make those hard choices of what to do with a family members assets and such puts it all in perspective and ease for one. Check it out!

Hey guys! This month in September I sat down virtually with today's special guest Sadie Keller for childhood Cancer Awareness month. You will love this remarkable young lady Sadie who is 13 years old share her story about having cancer at a young age but overcoming it through so many angels in her life along the journey giving her Hope to make a difference. I cant wait for you to hear it and be apart of her foundation as she raises awareness for others and continues to lobby in Washington DC for those acts being passed.

This episode with my some Pastor's friends of mine all the way from Orlando , Florida was FIRE! I so loved hearing their bios, taking it way back of how we all know each other, to bringing us into the hashtag of #journeytogether. Pastors Brent and Jodi are so personal if you have ever met them they love people and it shows hearing what they have to say on this episode. They have such a heart to not only help people find Christ, but walk on the journey of life with people step by step so others can live a life that is full and complete with God! Do life with God and with others. So get ready to listen as we #journeytogether on todays straight talk with Hope.

Yall this friend of mine, Kaira has so much wisdom on the subject of Excellence and I can't wait to share it with you. I could have sat with her for hours over coffee , laughs, and just her unpacking so many great truths of Excellence and why it matters in all of our lives. Take a listen, share it with a friend!

You guys are going to love my guest on this episode. Sherilynn is a recent friend of mine who I met through social media back in 2019. SheriLynn is a wife, mom of three, and entrepreneur. She currently leads a multimillion-dollar business and is passionate about empowering other women to rise up and pursue their dreams. Sherilynn has a book coming out in August called " You can do hard things" and in this episode she talks about how to ditch the excuses, regardless of what the situations looked like in life , and to dream anyway. I am also on her team with a health, wellness, and beauty company ( and her team is #2 worldwide ). I am so excited for you guys to hear from her.

We all face the Unknown in our lives. Sometimes it catches us by surprise but it never is a surprise to God! How do you handle, navigate the "unknown" seasons in your life? God is the beginning and the end , the first and the last but he also is very aware of the INBETWEEN areas or the unknown areas of our lives as well. Holly and I discuss though seasons and how to continue to take steps of faith towards the future God is calling you into.

Ok Peeps! You do not want to miss this episode #forgiveforyou! This has been one of the most eye opening interviews I have ever had. Priscilla gives it to us straight - from growing up in a broken family as a preacher's kid who was still surrounded by some many things that could have left her in a place NEVER TO FORGIVE AGAIN. But you gotta hear it from her on a powerful story that this young lady is using to proclaim to others along the lines of forgiveness! Forgive yourself so you can forgive others. Healed people heal others! So many powerful statements she made in this episode are fire and life changing! Enjoy!

So you have been asking and wanting to know the details of what I am doing in the business world. Well this episode explains how it got started and the why behind I got involved.

I had the honor of interviewing my good friend and mentor Rev. Jen Tringale on the subject of #calling. In her book Calling ( understanding your purpose, place, and position) she discusses on this episode how to take the pressure off yourself , wait on God's timing while being in his presence through his stillness, until he has positioned you for that exact moment in your life that will unlock blessings beyond measure.

Have you ever felt like you were never going to see the sun rise in your life EVER AGAIN? Well, on this episode my friend , Alicia talks about when life throws you a curveball so to speak and it seems that you are loosing in the game verses winning. We all have been there! She talks about in this episode how God wants to give us all fresh starts , new beginnings in life, no matter where we are , or who we are! You can see the sunrise again even when it seems the sun has set in your life. What the enemy meant for evil God turns it around for the good!

#loveoverreligion This is a powerful episode about how to truly understand the love that God has for you no matter where you find yourself in life. God's love is not just unconditional but his love is working in us as we are being transformed into the nature of christ.

We all have grown up and yet still find ourselves being assigned Assignments in our lives. From childhood chores, to homework in school through college, to a career path, and even from the Lord Assignments never leave us. In today's interview I meet with one of my friends Fon, who discusses assignments on her life that she has been given, where she is going in the future, and how to complete assignments without hesitations and procrastination. Plus A Lot of laughing.

#GodisLoveisHappy In Todays episode I am having on the show one of my dear friends Pastor Adrienne Cooley who honestly she is the real deal of a friend. There are few people out there I can call genuine friends , but she is one of mine for sure! She discusses in this episode and answers some hard questions that people have how can a loving God let bad things happen in our lives. Take a listen and enjoy!

This episode is for any parent out there who is new at this homeschooling thing during the COVID-19. Or you could be killin it out there in that area but you are a parent who could use some encouragement. During these times God wants us to be a praying parent, not praying our problems but rather praying his promises over kids.