Real Talk with Rachael Podcast

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with author Lauren Chandler about her book With Us in the Wilderness: A Study of the Book of Numbers. Lauren is a wife and mother of three. Her husband, Matt Chandler, serves as the lead teaching pastor at The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas. Lauren is passionate about writing, music, and leading worship, not only at The Village Church, but also for groups across the country. She is the author of the recently released Bible study, With Us in the Wilderness: A Study of the Book of Numbers, Steadfast Love: The Response of God to the Cries of our Heart, the Bible study, Steadfast Love: A Study of Psalm 107, and a children's book, Goodbye to Goodbyes: A True Story about Jesus, Lazarus, and an Empty Tomb. Key Points from Our Conversation: God's plan has always involved women and His heart is for women. In Numbers, the test for adultery can be seen as patriarchal, but the heart of God was to give women a chance to vindicate themselves in a male-dominated society. Pause, breathe, and pray for illumination as you lean into reading the harder parts of the Bible. Ask the Lord for clarity, keep reading, and read it again. God can speak in a variety of ways, but we know it's Him if it's consistent with the character of God we see in the Bible. "God uses wilderness seasons to show that life is best when centered on Him." When we're the center, we end up worn out and enslaved. "We can't be who God created us to be outside of community." Seek out community and give people opportunities to be trustworthy. It takes time and you will get hurt, but God has called us to be vulnerable, listen without judgment, and show loving-kindness. If you've been hurt before in relationships, own your part and ask forgiveness where you messed up and try again, asking the Holy Spirit for discernment. Your wilderness won't last forever. God is with you in it and He won't waste it. Fight against shame and condemnation if you need to rest. You don't have to do anything; He is pleased in your being because of Christ. Let's Get Real Practical: Process and pray, asking God these questions - Where are you in this wilderness season? God, where am I in this wilderness season? Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that's full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Lauren: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week I've really felt God urging me to tell you this - you have the authority to stand your ground, especially in the territories God has entrusted you with. Through the power of Christ, you can tell the enemy that he cannot take any more territory that has not been given to him. What is a territory that the enemy has been messing with? I'm standing with you in prayer! Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I'm chatting with the author of The Joy of Being a Mom, Judy Brisky. Judy has been married to Mike for 31 years. They have two sons: Jacob married to Neeli with 2 baby boys, Bennett and Everrett; Joel married to Danny, they're expecting their baby girl in November. Judy has served in various ministries at her church including worship, women's, marriage, teaching, and speaking. Her heart has always been to encourage moms and when the Lord made a way for her to write a book, it was a huge blessing. She truly believes that we can have joy as moms even in difficult situations because the Lord is good and faithful and He will always be there for us! Key Points from Our Conversation: We all face hard seasons as moms, but we can find joy in parenting because joy isn't based on our circumstances. Joy comes from knowing God's love and trusting Him to see us through anything. Timing is everything. "The when is just as important to God as the what." God loves you and sees you. He knows the season you're in and He has a purpose for your life. We may know about the faithfulness of God, but to live within the faithfulness of God is life-changing. We can trust Him over our circumstances. "Because I have a great God, I have a great life." It's natural to be sad and healthy to grieve, but we can't stay stuck in that place. God is faithful even when we don't understand. So many times God doesn't answer our prayers how we want, but we can trust that He always has a plan for us that includes joy and peace through difficult circumstances. It comes down to how much we trust God despite what's happening. "When we find the joy in God's love, we experience the peace regardless of our circumstances." God wants to be with you in your grief. He loves you. He still hears you. He's listening. Seek him above your prayer requests. When we seek Him first, everything we pray for falls second. He will give us what we need. Let people going through difficult seasons that you love them and you're praying for them. Ask if they have any specific prayer requests or offer a way to serve them. Let's Get Real Practical: What "but even if He doesn't" moment came to your mind during this episode? When you think of it, what feelings came up? Have you really allowed yourself to process the pain or disappointment? What lies might you have believed in that season? What truth is God speaking over you today? Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that's full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Judy: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking to the Executive Pastor of Adult Ministries at Gateway Church, Bridgette Morris. She and her husband, James, have been married for 12 years. They have three beautiful kids, two boys, and a girl, who keep them on their toes but are always good for a snuggle. She loves the outdoors and can often be found with her hands in the dirt, tending her garden, or working on a project. Bridgette has been part of Gateway Church since 2008, serving in various ministries and creative areas, including Gateway Worship as a vocalist and worship pastor, and Gateway Performing Arts. She loves living out her passion to see women fully equipped to walk out the calling God has placed on their lives. Key Points from Our Conversation: We have to let go of the perception that everyone else is killing it. No one is "doing it all". You can do everything, but not at the same time. Be mindful, purposeful, and intentional with what you're doing. We have a lot of responsibilities, authority, and opportunities to do a lot of things, but we need to realize that for one thing to thrive, another thing will suffer. It's time to let go of perfectionism. Some things won't get 100% of you. It might be time to consider what you can outsource. There will be other seasons where you can pick things back up, but if it's not the priority now, let it go. Bridgette is living her mission to inspire women to live a Christian life, encourage those who are trudging through, and equip them so they can take action through Gateway Women. Inspiration is the motivation to get started. Encouragement is for when you're in the middle of it. It's easy to get inspired, it's hard to keep pushing through. Be aware of who's around you and listen to the Holy Spirit. Look for people in need of encouragement. Women are gifted at discernment, so lead with compassion and things will fall into place. It's hard to encourage someone you're comparing yourself to. Flip the script. Cheer her on and pray for her. Equipping is the practical how-tos. Determine what's on your plate and what you can take off of it – what has the Lord put on it and what did you add? Also, consider what it would look like to apply the practical application of your strengths. Being aware of your season, strengths, and weaknesses is the key to being effective in your life. Once you know those things, you can determine the resources you need. Give yourself a break. We all want to be our best. God knows our heart, so on the days when you feel like you're failing, give yourself a break. He's giving you more grace than you're accepting. Allow yourself to receive it. Let's Get Real Practical: What balls are you currently juggling? List them all. It's helpful to see them. What ball/balls is God saying it's okay to drop? Mark them off the list. Which balls have dropped that shattered? God is in the business of cleaning up our mess. Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that's full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Bridgette: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with author Kelsey Chapman about her new book What They Taught Me: Recognizing the Mentors Who Will Take You from Dream to Done. Kelsey is also a podcaster and personal cheerleader to women building their dream life and business. When she first launched her brand in 2015, she felt all the overwhelming feelings, too. It was scary to take such a huge leap and commit to showing up for a dream she didn't know would pan out. Mentorship is what pushed her to rise up and continue making her dream a reality. Over the first few years of business, she leaned on the shoulders of several incredible mentors who took her under their wing and taught her how to make the jump from dreamer to doer. Kelsey needed their expert wisdom to shift old perspectives, discover the next right steps that would help her execute the vision, and stay hopeful throughout the journey. Her mentors helped shape her character so she could become the CEO and leader she is today. Now she is excited to pay it forward and be that cheerleader for you, too… because she believes YOU can turn your wildest dreams into REALITY. Key Points from Our Conversation: Mentors are people who are willing to step in and share what they know. They won't be perfect, but they are present and consistent. Seeking a mentor is uncomfortable. You might get rejected or ghosted, but it's not personal. Trust that the Lord will provide the right mentor for you if you keep putting yourself out there. Mentorship relationships can look different. Some might be local, some virtual. Some might be paid mentorships if the person is spending a lot of time mentoring. If you find yourself low on energy, you might be giving away what you know to too many people. Pray and ask God if this is the right season for mentorship and who you should invest in. Mentors can help you avoid burnout by providing the accountability to keep you focused on your main goals. If you're seeking a mentor, start by putting yourself out there by finding groups in person or online with shared interests. If your want to be a mentor, start before you feel ready. You will never feel equipped, but you can put checks and balances in place for when you don't have the big answers. "Your presence is enough." Let's Get Real Practical: Contemplate these questions this week - Are you in a season of needing a mentor, being a mentor, or both? What specific traits are you looking for in a mentor in this season of your life? What can you offer to a mentee? Connect with Kelsey: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

A few weeks ago, my husband and I did a vision retreat in Mexico where we answered questions that challenged us to reflect and hear God for the next year for our family. The resounding word that we walked away from that time with was simple but powerful - "follow the peace, not the pressure." In our home, we talk often about the following peace because Jesus is peace. But with "not the pressure" God reminded us to slow down and stop letting pressure that's not from Him lead us astray. Where do you need to follow the peace instead of the pressure? Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This episode of Real Talk with Rachael is a bit different because I'm sharing parts of a podcast panel I was part of with author Jess Connolly about her new book Breaking Free from Body Shame. Jess Connolly is a woman who wants to leave her generation more in awe of God than she found it. She is passionate about family, God's Word, and seeing women take their place in the kingdom. She loves communicating, coffee, color, and the local church. Jess and her husband Nick live in Charleston, SC where they've planted Bright City Church. They have four wild and hilarious kids: Elias, Gloriana, Benjamin, and Cannon. They also have an unruly dog named Deacon. Key Points from Our Conversation: We need different perspectives on body image. Each person offers something unique and freedom will look different for everyone. The first step in finding freedom from body shame is admitting that we don't feel okay with our bodies. Jesus came to offer abundant life; there is freedom and healing available through Him. We must address the root of shame to begin to understand how it has affected our image of ourselves. Ask yourself what true body freedom would look like for you practically, physically, mentally, and spiritually. It may mean changing your priorities. Social media didn't create our body image issues, but it hasn't helped. Everyone is lying about how they look and it's making us hate the way we look. Statistics show that almost all of us, both females and males, struggle with body image. If your loved ones aren't supportive who aren't supportive in your efforts to break free, remember that you can love someone and disagree with them. Have honest, vulnerable conversations and set healthy boundaries. Resources Mentioned: Biblical body image coloring book Breaking Free from Body Shame Let's Get Real Practical: If you missed it, go back and listen to my 4 episode Talk Therapy miniseries, Your Body is Blessed. Connect with Jess: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This is the final episode in this series to reclaim & restore your body image. You will need the Biblical body image coloring book I created especially for you. To download it for free, head to rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage. This week we're going through the sheet about apologizing to our bodies. If you don't have them yet, no worries, you can still glean nuggets of wisdom from this episode. We spent all last month teaching so these episodes are more focused on reflecting and leaning into what God wants to say to us. It's time for a ceasefire on our bodies and it starts by making an apology. What has your body done for you? We are going to thank her. But first, let's apologize.

This is the third episode in this series to reclaim & restore your body image. You will need the Biblical body image coloring book I created especially for you. To download it for free, head to rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage. This week we're going through the emotions maze. If you don't have them yet, no worries, you can still glean nuggets of wisdom from this episode. We spent all last month teaching so these episodes are more focused on reflecting and leaning into what God wants to say to us. Last week we challenged our thoughts. This week let's feel our feelings. Reflect on your thoughts about your body. What feelings arise? Lean into them. Don't dismiss them.

This is the second episode in this series to reclaim and restore your body image. You will need the Biblical body image coloring book I created especially for you. To download it for free, head to rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage. This week we're looking at the coloring sheet that helps us put our thought on trial. If you don't have them yet, no worries, you can still glean nuggets of wisdom from this episode. We spent all last month teaching, so these episodes are more focused on reflecting and leaning into what God wants to say to us. Today I'm talking about the importance of reframing our thoughts because our thoughts affect our feelings and feelings affect our behaviors. Put your thoughts on trial. What thoughts have you said internally or out loud about your body?

This is the first episode in this series to reclaim and restore your body image. You will need the Biblical body image coloring book I created especially for you. To download it for free, head to rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage. This week we're reviewing the coloring sheet for our temple. If you don't have it yet, no worries, you can still glean nuggets of wisdom from this episode. We spent all last month teaching, so these episodes are more focused on reflecting and leaning into what God wants to say to us. In order to reclaim body image, we have to know what we are restoring. Let's take some time to challenge what we know to be true about our bodies. Body image defined: the subjective picture or mental image of one's own body. Subjective defined: based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions. Who or what defines body image for you? Does it line up with the truth from God's word?

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with artist, podcaster, and writer, Michelle Acker. Her mission is to create an uprising of calm and pretty in God's creation, both people and places. She has a passion for teaching women how to take Simple Steps toward taking control of their mental wellness. She shares those tips on her Simple Steps to Thrive Podcast. She also creates art that reflects the beauty of God's creation using beeswax and a blowtorch. Key Points from Our Conversation: Michelle says that fitness is the key to keeping her mental health on track and God has used her joy to help set other people free from depression and anxiety. It's the little actions that add up. Go on a short walk, get enough sleep, eat real foods, address chaos happening in your home or relationships. Our body isn't the enemy, it's alerting us to things that need to be addressed and healed. There isn't a formula to develop a healthy body image, but it's a very real struggle. We break free through conversations and partnering with the Holy Spirit and Jesus. Instead of shaming our bodies, we can literally thank them for what they provide for us, even if they don't look the way we would prefer. "My body reflects God's image." Not physically, but the light that is within us reflects God's goodness. That's what connects people to God. God didn't design us to be concerned with the physical appearance of our bodies. One step to thrive is to write out and recite daily statements of truth about your body, values, and goals. Investigate your mindset about your body and ask God what He's saying to you about it. Get curious about what your body is telling you. "Kindness is key." Let go of what you want the reflection in the mirror to look like. Focus on how you want to feel inside and how well you want your body to feel. Resources Mentioned: The Body Keeps the Score Connect with Michelle: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

We are taking a break from our normal guest interviews this summer to dive into the topic of body image. These episodes aired originally on this podcast two years ago and God dropped it on my heart to release them again this summer, so if you listened before, I highly encourage you to listen again. Today we are chatting about simple steps to have a strong body. This is not going to be rocket science. These are principles you can apply immediately with no tricks, gadgets, or gimmicks! Resources Mentioned: Renewed: 21 Day Faith & Fitness Plan Revelation Wellness Faster Way to Fat Loss The Back & Body Clinic Be sure to download our Biblical body image therapeutic coloring book at rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage! Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

We are taking a break from our normal guest interviews this summer to dive into the topic of body image. These episodes aired originally on this podcast two years ago and God dropped it on my heart to release them again this summer, so if you listened before, I highly encourage you to listen again. This week we are chatting about the power of a submitted heart and a sound mind when it comes to having a Biblical body image. Be sure to download our Biblical body image therapeutic coloring book at rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage! Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

We are taking a break from our normal guest interviews this summer to dive into the topic of body image. These episodes aired originally on this podcast two years ago and God dropped it on my heart to release them again this summer, so if you listened before, I highly encourage you to listen again. In this episode, we dive into 5 reasons I believe we struggle with body image issues. Be sure to download our Biblical body image therapeutic coloring book at rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage! Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

We are taking a break from our normal guest interviews this summer to dive into the topic of body image. These episodes aired originally on this podcast two years ago and God dropped it on my heart to release them again this summer, so if you listened before, I highly encourage you to listen again. In this episode, we dive into 5 reasons I believe we struggle with body image issues. Be sure to download our Biblical body image therapeutic coloring book at rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage! Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm speaking with singer, songwriter, and author Ginny Owens about finding hope - the topic of her new book Singing in the Dark. Ginny became a household name as the Gospel Music Association's 2000 New Artist of the Year. Growing in notoriety as both a singer and a songwriter, winning 3 Dove awards and multiple ASCAP Awards along the way, Owens has sold over a million records over the course of her career. A top performer on the Christian radio charts with hits like "If You Want Me To," "Free" and "I Wanna Be Moved" among others, Owens has released no less than 11 full albums and 3 EPs, and her music has also impacted mainstream audiences at Lilith Fair, the Sundance Film Festival and the White House. Key Points from Our Conversation: Her experience of living with blindness helped inspire her new book. We all live with an element of darkness in our lives on this side of heaven that distorts our view of God and therefore our hope in Him. Singing in the Dark talks about what it looks like to find lasting hope through engaging scripture with song. There's always a negative message that repeats in our minds, often about our value. Once that "dark song" becomes stuck in our heads, it's difficult to overpower its message with love. We must replace our song our doubt with the truth of our worth in God's Word. Like anything else we want to get good at, it will take daily practice. In her Song for Inner Peace chapter, Ginny talks about Paul's letter to the church from prison found in Philippians 4. Despite his circumstances, he knew that Christ was the secret. The bigger Paul's view of Jesus became, the more that he believed Jesus was powerful enough to handle every pain, sorrow, and fear he was facing. The more he was about Jesus' work, his earthly circumstances lessened in comparison. He saw a Jesus who loved him enough to suffer and die for him, so he knew he was never alone. "The bigger our view of Jesus gets, the more can walk through whatever comes next." If you want to expand your view of Jesus, start by meditating on Philippians 4:4-13. We tend to think the more scripture we read the better, but God instructs us to spend time thinking about what it says about who Jesus is and who we are. Invite God to speak to you through scripture. Resting requires intentionality. Set aside time for things that fill you like community, purposefully setting aside time to spend with God, and even napping. We get burned out when we're driven by anything but Jesus. God never wants us to be depleted of our resources, but it requires self-discipline to determine what we need to operate best and trust God the most. Accountability requires showing up and being vulnerable with the people you trust and admitting you can't do it alone. Let's Get Real Practical: Our simple steps this week center around accountability. Find in-person community Let your community in Listen to trusted people when they speak into your life Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that's full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Ginny: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I'm chatting with bestselling author and speaker, Nicki Koziarz. As a part of Proverbs 31 Ministries, she speaks nationally at conferences, retreats, and meetings and hosts her own podcast. An evangelist at heart, Nicki inspires others to become the best version of who God created them to be. Nicki and her husband and three girls run a small farm just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, which they affectionately call The Fixer Upper Farm. Key Points from Our Conversation: "The timing of God is never rushed by the impatience of man." Although the idea for Flooded was the concept for her first book, it was rejected several times. Instead, she wrote it in the midst of deep loss, grief, and stress. After losing her mom to cancer and her brother to suicide just two years apart, Nicki's faith was shaken. Doubt started stirring inside of her and she wondered how she could trust God again. When it comes to our faith, we have to be intentional about making decisions that strengthen us and combat the doubt inside of us. Wishful thinking uses scripture as a band-aid by applying promises God made to others to our situations. Biblical hope is taking the time to understand the scriptures, which promises are for us, and what we can claim through faith today. For every struggle we face, there's someone in scripture who's gone through it who can teach what it's like to overcome with faith in God. She was drawn to the story of Noah who made 5 steps of faith. Noah's first step was walking with God. Walking with God is a private, holy place where we decide to get into the trenches with God. This is where we get our strength. Noah's second step was listening to God. It's easy to use the noise around us as comfort or distraction. It's an incredible spiritual discipline to practice being still with God. The voice of God will never tell you anything that contradicts scripture or anything that goes against His character. The brain never stops changing – you can stop believing something at any point. Rising above doubt will require you to retrain your brain. You can't protect yourself from naysayers, but it's up to you what you do with their words. If you're struggling with doubt, you're not alone. "God, if I have it wrong show me the right way. But if I have it right, help me to stand still until I have this promise fulfilled." There are times when we get it wrong and we should admit that. We need to do the hard work of being still and wait for growth. Let's Get Real Practical: When your emotions are flooded, start by taking time out and doing something to calm down, then practice deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation. Episode Sponsor: Join the free Loved and Blessed community now at lovedandblessedladies.com and find out more about their monthly membership at lovedandblessed.com. Connect with Nicki: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with author Jeannie Cunnion about her new book Don't Miss Out: Daring to Believe Life is Better with the Holy Spirit. Jeannie is well known for writing stories that make much of the wild love of Jesus because of how her life has been rescued by it. She is also a beloved Bible teacher and sought-after speaker who has been featured on outlets such as the TODAY show, Fox News, The 700 Club, and Focus on the Family. Jeannie, who holds a master's degree in social work, worked as a counselor and trainer in the adoption field before writing. She is a wife to Mike and a mama to five boys she is crazy about. Key Points from Our Conversation: God equips us for what He's called us to do. If we let our feelings of inadequacy stop us from pursuing our God-given dreams, we forfeit the supernatural work in our lives. The Holy Spirit is undervalued in the church, but He is equal to God and Jesus and essential for a thriving faith. When we view Him as such, we become open to His very distinct purpose in our lives. Most people assume that the Holy Spirit is for the extremes, but it's a gift from Jesus. He gave us a friend so that we'd never be without Him, so it makes sense that the enemy would distort our view of Him. Speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift that brings intimacy into the relationship with the Holy Spirit. Not everyone will receive this gift, but if you do, you should embrace it. It's encouragement for your spirit. Spiritual gifts are appointed by the Holy Spirit, everyone has at least one, they are meant for the common good, and should be used to build the church. If you want to learn more about the Holy Spirit, start by reading John 14-16, as well as Galatians, Romans, and Ephesians. Christ's power, the disciple's power, and our power comes from the Holy Spirit. He gives us the strength we need to fulfill what God has called us to. "If we have the Spirit of God, we have everything we need." Resources mentioned: Don't Miss Out: Daring to Believe Life is Better with the Holy Spirit Hillsong Worship "Fresh Wind" Let's Get Real Practical: Ask yourself these 2 questions this week - what do you believe about the Holy Spirit? What is your relationship with Him - is He your best friend or is He distant? Episode Sponsor: Daily Kairos – get 20% off when you visit rachaelgilbert.com/dailykairos and use the promo code REALTALK20 at checkout! Connect with Jeannie: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with author Jennifer Dukes Lee about her new book Growing Slow: Lessons on Un-Hurrying Your Heart from an Accidental Farm Girl. Jennifer lives on the fifth-generation Lee family farm in Iowa, where she and her husband are raising crops, pigs, and two beautiful humans. She writes books, loves queso, and enjoys singing too loudly to songs with great harmony. Once upon a time, she didn't believe in Jesus; now he's her CEO. Key Points from Our Conversation: Jennifer has lived a life of "go big or go home," but the problem was more than what was on her calendar, it was her hurried heart. A change in her physical condition required a mindset shift. Once she embraced the mindset, growing slow became her superpower. We don't always cheer people who grow slow, but overnight success is a myth. Seeing life through the lens of a farmer changed Jennifer's understanding of what it means to grow slow. She paid attention to what God was doing in different seasons. We get distracted with upward growth, but what will anchor us through drought and storms are our deep roots. We'd like to stay in the three phases of planting, growth, and harvest, but we all experience winters of the soul. We weren't designed to grow all the time. Winter is important to the land and it makes it better in the spring. We should allow winter to do its work in us, too. 2020 has been a season of prolonged winter. Before we jump back into a season of growth, we should consider what this winter has taught us. Growing slow forces buried issues to the surface much like the winter forces rocks to the surface of fields. What if we allowed winter to do the work in us, lifting the burdens that we carry and then allow God to "pick rock" from our lives? We treat time as an enemy, but God and time are friends. We're not falling behind, we just don't see it the way God does. We constantly run toward new milestones, but never enjoy what's already growing. Validate the small things that are growing where God has placed you. "Hurry hangs around your heart." There aren't easy steps to growing slow - it's a mindset shift that takes time to work its way to the roots. Sustainable agriculture makes the land beneficial for generations. We can be sustainable people by thinking longer-term about how we are impacting future generations. It's the little things we do as parents that help establish deep roots for our kids. It can seem impossible to grow slow, but you can slow down without losing your edge. Growing slow eliminates multitasking and helps you laser focus on your priorities. 3 Practical Steps to Enjoy the Season You're In: Set your alarm 10 minutes earlier and set the tone of your day. Stop checking the phone when you're away from work or in the middle of activities. Knowing about what you need to do when you are unable to do it creates a hurried mind. Embrace the concept of the slow food movement by eating mindfully, giving your brain time to tell your body you're full and enjoy the process of eating. Resources mentioned: Growing Slow Bible Study Videos, Guided Journal and Growth Tracker, and Bible Study Guide Session 1 Let's Get Real Practical: If possible, start by downloading Jennifer's printables mentioned in this episode. What did God bring up today that He wants to move out of your heart? Write it down. You can mail your "rock" to Jennifer at PO BOX 327 Inwood, Iowa, 51240, and/or take a screenshot and send it to me on Instagram so that we can pray over you. Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that's full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Jennifer: website | Instagram Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Talk Therapy I want to share a story of redemption. Our world is full of heartbreaking news and I wanted to share a story that builds your faith. A fun fact you may not know about me is that my son and I share a birthday (May 4th) and every year it serves as a reminder of the goodness and redeeming power of God. He is my rainbow baby. How about you? What has been lost perhaps even in this last year of the pandemic? Be bold and ask God to redeem it. Start by pouring out how you feel then have faith to believe God will do what he says. John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." When God redeems, he brings healing into the area the enemy brought destruction. Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with recording artist Rachael Lampa. Rachael has been enjoying music industry success since her teen years, yet ask her what her richest accomplishments are, and you'll hear a lot more about the relationships that have formed her on the road, the fans that have become dear friends, the beauty that has bridged impossible gaps in ministry to the marginalized and the miracle of her own growing family and sense of home. Even while her own story continues to unfold, Rachael's driving passion is to elevate the stories of those around her, using the vehicle of soul-filled music to help her access hearts in a way nothing else could. Faithful is an organic continuation of Rachael's journey, connecting the souls of modern women with the heroines of the Bible who birthed their spiritual heritage and proved time and again a God completely devoted. Key Points from Our Conversation: Rachael got a record deal after singing at a Christian festival when she was 14. For the next 8 years, she toured regularly and released new music. Living a life filled with travel and music at an early age allowed her to build deep trust in God and develop a unique relationship with Him. "God speaks through fun." We are innately drawn to fun things that bring us joy - it's part of God's design. After spending time working with women in prisons and jail and being inspired by God's faithfulness to them, Rachael decided when she got back into music, she would write for them, to them, and about them. The Faithful project is a fulfillment of that commitment. The project features authors and artists coming together to tell the story of God's faithfulness in and through the women of the Bible. Throughout the writing process, Rachael found multiple comparisons between the women God partnered with in the Bible and the women she met in prison. He was faithful then and He remains faithful now. If you're in need of encouragement, remember there is power in the name of Jesus. You don't need to have all the words, just say His name and invite Him to wash over your situation. There is power in partnering with other women and being able to see and hear each other without a time restraint or agenda. When we make space for God to move, He births new ideas. Resources mentioned: Faithful Livestream - May 1, 2021 at 7:00pm CST Faithful (book) Faithful (album) That Sounds Fun Podcast Let's Get Real Practical: In this episode we talk not only about God's faithfulness, but how much fun He is. This week I encourage you to think about what is fun to you and make time to do one of those things this week. Also, ask God to show you how to make any situation fun. Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that's full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Rachael Lampa: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael Gilbert: website | Instagram | Facebook

Today's episode is a bit different than my regular Talk Therapy. I recently gave a TED Talk for my university that many of you said you were interested in hearing about EMDR and emotional eating. I'm presenting this from an academic standpoint, but it contains great content from professional journal articles. I encourage you to lean in and see the Holy Spirit wants to teach you in this conversation. Resource mentioned: EMDR International Association Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with Dr. Irini Fambro. She's is a wife and mother, teacher and student, speaker and listener. She and her high school love, Kenneth, have two children: Kalila and Kenneth. Irini's passion is to increase the contributions within organizations through valuing a greater definition of intelligence. Out of that desire, Intelligent Leadership was birthed from her dissertation work on Multiple Intelligence in leadership. Her experience includes a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in management from The University of Alabama, was ordained through the Wesleyan Church, and gained her Masters of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School while being a youth pastor for five years. Following that season, she became a college pastor, curriculum development contributor, and wrote Made for More. She completed her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Ecclesial from Regent University. Currently, she consults into churches on Intelligent Leadership content, teaches at TKU, as well as preaches at churches. Key Points from Our Conversation: "Gifts are an expression of a partnership with God." Our identity is not based on our gifts. When we separate the two, God protects our identity which is based on who He says we are. "God wants to partner with you, not use you." When we say God wants to "use" us, it begins to reflect that He's okay with things happening as a means to win more people. It doesn't honor God give Him all the credit and cut ourselves out of the equation. It implies that we're disposable to Him and that if He doesn't use us, He'll just use someone else. What we fail to do creates a spiritual consequence on earth. "Are things really getting worse or have we stepped back from the places we're supposed to own?" Personality is an expression of who we are, but it's not our identity. How you express who you are is different and how we get to express our gifts gets to be different. You rob the world of what you're supposed to bring when you mimic others. God designed you intentionally. Healing comes in layers. When you find yourself facing the same thing over and over, be intentional to observe what's happening around the situation. Ask what else God wants to show you to heal another layer. "Walking in your gift is an expression of your partnership with God." We can become so confident in our gift that we stop consulting God on what He's trying to partner with us to accomplish. You'll know you're using your gift in an unhealthy way if it's not for the other person's benefit or it doesn't produce good fruit. An Overview of 3 Categories of Gifts: Gifts of Jesus - In Ephesians 4:7-16 are the five supernatural grace gifts that Jesus appointed, often called the five-fold ministry: Apostles Prophets Teachers Pastors (Shepherds) Evangelists Gifts of God's Grace - The next set are the gifts of God and are found in Romans 12:6-8. Prophesy Serving Teaching Encouragement Giving Leadership Compassion (Mercy) Gifts of the Holy Spirit - The third group is called the gifts of the Holy Spirit found in I Corinthians 12:8-10 and I Corinthians 12:27-28 Word of Wisdom Word of Revelation Knowledge Gift of Faith Gifts of Healing Power to Work Miracles Gift of Prophecy A gift to discern what the Spirit is speaking Gift of speaking different kinds of tongues Gift of the interpretation of tongues Let's Get Real Practical: This Let's Get Real Practical section is an exercise to explore your spiritual gifts, but before I address that, I want you to answer these two questions - What did God speak to you about your views of being used by Him? Have you mistaken your gifts for your identity? Once you've determined that, ask what areas, topics, regions, or people are you drawn to? What areas give you life? What areas of your life are you seeing fruit? What areas do you give the most time? Is there peace or fulfillment when you operate in that area? Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that's full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Irini: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

As a counselor in training, I have discovered that many people suffer from chronic stress and anxiety simply because they do not allow themselves to feel the emotions that arise. Anger and other emotions are normal human responses. Ephesians 4:26 says: "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger..." You've probably heard sermons before that remind us anger itself is not the problem, rather it is the sin that follows that anger. I believe anger gets lodged in our hearts when we fail to process it. It then gets expressed in ways that we don't even notice….such as passive-aggressiveness, avoidance, and stonewalling, and not letting others in. Here are four simple ways to feel and release your anger: Talk to God about it. Journal about it. Talk to the person about it. Anger iceberg exercise. The Anger Iceberg represents the idea that, although anger is displayed outwardly, other emotions may be hidden beneath the surface. These other feelings—such as sadness, fear, or guilt—might cause a person to feel vulnerable, or they may not have the skills to manage them effectively. Download the Anger Iceberg worksheet from Therapist Aid here. Lean into whatever you are feeling today and take space to process it with God. Here are two questions to ponder: What emotions have I been stuffing lately? How is the stuffing process working? Is it showing up in other areas of my life? Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with the host of the Truth for your Twenties podcast, Katie Bulmer. The mission behind everything Katie does is to be who she needed when she was younger. She is an author and keynote speaker to over 50 colleges nationwide, mom of two girls, TikTok creator, and a big fan of guacamole. Key Points from Our Conversation: Katie was a quiet child who never could have imagined God would call her to public speaking. After a meltdown in adulthood, she realized was focusing her reach on the wrong audience and God was calling her to speak to women in sororities - women who were similar to her when she was younger. The Biblical story of the woman at the well revealed to Katie that she was filling up her cup with things that were temporary. The revelation that she was looking for another human to heal her broken places was a game-changer for her. Katie came to believe that sorority girls can change the world after seeing their influence while working in marketing. She focused on how sororities can use their trendsetting power for good in their communities and the world. Katie felt conflicted when asked to speak to women in venues that didn't allow her to speak about Jesus until her friend Jeff helped her realize that she didn't have to preach to live out the gospel. "I don't have to quote John 4, I can be John 4." If you're looking for how to start, look at where God is already working and join in. You don't need a 5-year plan, you only need to know the next step. If you want to find your voice and feel comfortable using it, you need accountability and practice. Social media is a beautiful tool to utilize for practice. Consistency matters. Everyone has something to bring to the table. Even if what you offer looks similar to what someone else has to offer, God has gifted you with specific giftings. There's room for everyone at the table. Don't wait for the perfect time to get started. The only way to get ahead is to get started. It's okay to be scared, just take one step in front of the other. Your voice is needed. Let's Get Real Practical: When we lean into God's voice, we find ours. This week ask God to reveal the area in your life that you're not hearing His voice. Then ask Him which area or group has He called you to serve. Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that's full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Katie: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week I felt God drop it on my heart to speak to you about why we need to retreat in order to advance. This word came to me for the JOYmail newsletter I send once a month. By the way, if you aren't on that list click here to join. I love to look to Jesus to learn how to set healthy boundaries and create space to process emotions. Jesus would often retreat to a quiet place to be alone and pray. And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest awhile." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:31 We live in a world that does not give us natural pauses to retreat so we must be intentional about this practice. This week take a look at your schedule and set intentional times to retreat. We must first retreat to be refueled before we can charge into what God has in store for us. Retreat to be recharged and released in his timing. During this retreat, it's a good time to process emotions. Next week on talk therapy we will discuss why it's OK to feel anger and other hard emotions. Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with author Kat Armstrong about her new book The In-Between Place. Kat was born in Houston, TX where the humidity ruins her curls. She is a powerful Mexi-German Bible teacher and author of two books (No More Holding Back and The In-Between Place). As the co-founder of The Polished Network, an outreach to working women navigating careers and exploring faith, she is invested in the lives of women eager to learn about how the scriptures are relevant to their everyday lives. She has a master's degree from Dallas Seminary and she is starting her Doctorate in New Testament context next year in 2022. She and her husband Aaron have been married for eighteen years, and live in Dallas, TX with their son Caleb and attend Dallas Bible Church where Aaron serves as the lead pastor. Key Points from Our Conversation: In her first book No Holding Back, Kat challenges us to ask, "Why am I allowing limitations on my pursuit of Jesus's calling?" By debunking five common myths about women, she invites readers to discover the joy and freedom of being all in for Jesus. Her latest book The In-Between Place was inspired by her own experience of grief and its parallel to the story of the woman at the well in John 4. Kat defines the in-between as "a place where people don't want to go and they don't want to stay." It's a place where you find yourself asking how you got there. "In between places can make us feel hopeless, but they can also be our most hope-filled places." Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman is the longest recorded in the New Testament. He took the time to meet her needs when she was depleted. We have the wrong impression of the woman at the well. Women at that time were only valued if married and could produce a male heir. The woman was likely infertile and widowed and the only way to live was to be a concubine. We often get the impression that Jesus is shaming the woman for her lifestyle, but it's more likely He was telling her that He understood her story and what she had done to survive. Jesus told the woman at the well how to move past the past, find hope in the present, and how to step confidently into the future. It doesn't matter how we got to the in-between – whether it's our fault or not. Jesus is ready to meet us there. Talk to Jesus about things He already knows about. He's a great listener and He wants to hear from us. It's His desire to affirm and commission us. If you feel stuck in the in-between, start by being honest with Him about your situation. Drop whatever you're doing and go before you're ready. And share your faith. You have everything you need. Let's Get Real Practical: Our thoughts affect our feelings and our feelings affect our actions. One reason we get stuck is that we have a negative core belief. Take time to name one area where you feel stuck. Then, examine the thoughts you meditate on in that area. Write down your negative thoughts. What feeling is associated with that thought? What behaviors result from that thought? Now, challenge the negative thought and replace it with the truth from God's word. What feeling is associated with that and what actions result? Episode Sponsor: Join the free Loved and Blessed community now at lovedandblessedladies.com and find out more about their monthly membership at lovedandblessed.com. Connect with Kat: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

Today's episode is the last in my series leading up to Easter about 5 topics that will help us prepare our HEART - Holy Spirit conviction Embrace grace Align your heart with His Restore union Thanksgiving As we focus on thanking Jesus this Easter, I also want to discuss thanksgiving as a Biblical principle that helps our mental health. When we give thanks to God with a posture of gratitude, something shifts in our spirit. It lifts us out of despair. I want to encourage you to make a gratitude list this week and to continue to add to it daily. You can even include your family and friends and see how many things you can all think of together. "To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory." Isaiah 61:3 Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I'm chatting with author Jen Weaver. Jen is passionate about helping women know the love of Christ and engage in life with Him. She's the author of "A Wife's Secret to Happiness" and serves as Bible teacher, ministry coach, and contributing writer for various publications. Married to her best friend Jared, she's a happy boy mom of two young sons and is most likely to be found with her hair full of dry shampoo and a coffee mug in-hand. Key Points from Our Conversation: Jen's latest book "A Wife's Secret to Happiness" is about seeing marriages as expressions of faith, but she faced her own marriage challenges through the writing process. God was faithful to bring her health and healing through the process and used it to equip her to write the book. Lately, Jen has felt lead to help other believers walk in relationship with God and break free from religious traditions that are "responsible routines instead of a life-giving relationship with Him." Jen found herself doing things out of fear of how others would perceive her or to "be good" instead of being motivated by the love of God. She was held back because she listened to her own insecurities. When you're self-critical, you assume others judge you harshly as well. It's more important to have genuine health than have fake health and be okay with not being healthy on the inside. God is not afraid to wrestle with us, but we have to start asking questions and learning about who Jesus is for ourselves instead of relying on teachers to the Holy Spirit for us. He invites us and desires for us to know Him. If you want to hear the voice of God, don't stay in the place of information, ask God what He wants to show you about Him as you read the Bible. Don't disqualify yourself - God wants to speak into your life. Awareness of the spirit of religion can come from the perspective of who's doing the work. So often we choose to do things for God without inviting Him to be a part of it. We cannot achieve more of God's love with our actions. Invite Him into the hard places. "God wants to wrestle with us so our beliefs become sincere in us." Lean into the discomfort and let the Holy Spirit be your comforter. Resources Mentioned: Jen's FREE Simplified Workbook to help you engage with God through Scripture Let's Get Real Practical: What area of your faith are you currently wrestling? Have you talked to God about it? Episode Sponsor: Daily Kairos – get 20% off when you visit rachaelgilbert.com/dailykairos and use the promo code REALTALK20 at checkout! Connect with Jen: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

Leading up to Easter, I'm doing a series about 5 topics that will help us prepare our HEART - Holy Spirit conviction Embrace grace Align your heart with His Restore union Thanksgiving Today's episode was inspired by the phrase from John Eldrige's book Get Your Life Back. In it, he writes about the act of taking a 1-minute pause to realign your heart with God to restore union with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God's desire is to be in union with us all day, every day. I encourage you to download the Pause App and use it throughout your week as a reminder to be intentional about restoring union in your life. Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with author Charlotte Gambill. Charlotte has an infectious love for life, a deep love for people, and zealous love for God's House. Her passion is to build the local church across the earth, to see people reach their full potential, and to develop and strengthen leadership. Charlotte is known for her practical, humorous, and passionate application of God's Word. Charlotte is an author, speaker, pastor, and mother, she leads Life Church in England with her husband Steve and together they have two children, Hope Cherish and Noah Brave. Key Points from Our Conversation: Charlotte was inspired to write Today I Choose after her everyday choices became restricted because of the pandemic. Instead, she chose her confession, her attitude, and her actions. What started with her making videos on her phone became a gathering point for people all across the world to daily join in and together choose faith over fear, connection over isolation, and trust in the trials. We are being fed by fear through the news and media, but we have the choice of how we respond to what we hear. We also have the power to make better choices about what information we allow in our lives. Little, deliberate choices change the atmosphere of our homes. The pandemic exposed that our online and shallow connections are not enough to sustain us. Connection won't just happen, we have to do the work of being open, vulnerable and committed. Connections don't develop overnight. Invest in the people who are willing to walk with you. Assess where you are and where you're going and listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance. Each friendship plays a role in the story of our lives. Sometimes releasing someone makes room for someone else to take that role in your life. We may think we don't have time for connection, but that person may be an answer to prayer for our time management. Everyone is a leader, but your leadership doesn't show up until you decide to show up. Decide to led today. Resources Mentioned: The Collective Mentorship Program: The Collective is the opportunity to choose your company, cultivate your conversation and deepen your commitment to gaining the wisdom you need for the road ahead. Let's Get Real Practical: I have 2 questions and one action step for you today. What area of your life feels heavy today? What are you choosing to believe around that area? Now, reframe your choices around the area you identified. Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that's full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Charlotte: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

Leading up to Easter, I'm doing a series about 5 topics that will help us prepare our HEART - Holy Spirit conviction Embrace grace Align your heart with His Restore union Thanksgiving This week I'm focusing on aligning our hearts with His. When we can do that and pray from a position that's in line with God's will, we will see doors bust open. It just takes a simple prayer. Here are 2 simple ways to align your heart with His: 1. Get in the Word It reads you while you read it. If you're looking for somewhere to start, I suggest Hebrews 4. 2. Submit your heart Start your day by saying, "Father, I yield to you as my shepherd today." God is not as concerned with the words you're saying as He is with our heart posture. Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I'm talking with Christy Wright about her new book Living True: 40 Days to Get Back to You. Christy Wright is a #1 national best-selling author, personal development expert, and host of The Christy Wright Show. She's been featured on Today Show and Fox News and in Entrepreneur and Woman's Day Magazines. Since 2009, Christy has served at Ramsey Solutions, where she teaches on personal development, business, and faith. Key Points from Our Conversation: Christy started writing books and doing events and moving into the online space was a natural way to market her brand. What you're seeing now is the online evolution of the brand in response to the market and where God is leading her. The Christy Wright Show was created from her call to build a bridge between the faith world and the personal development world. We often depend on God to show up or we put it on ourselves and take God out of the equation. It's not either/or, it's a both. We are called to be good stewards. Christy's new devotional Living True: 40 Days to Get Back to You was inspired after hearing from women some version of "I feel like I've lost myself. I don't know who I am anymore." And she felt it herself – lost in seasons of life. "Your season is where you are, not who you are." If you feel lost because you've never known your true self, look to the One who created you. If you start with the foundation of who you are from God's Word, then you can complement that with personality tests and input from the people who know you best. "When you try to figure out who you are apart from God, you'll always have a fragmented picture; you will never have a full picture." 4 Things You Need to Know to Get Back to Yourself: Who God is - Living True: 40 Days to Get Back to You breaks down simple concepts – God is good, faithful, on time, all-knowing, all-powerful, etc. When you get to know God's character, it's easier to identify him in life. Who He is never changes with the seasons. Who you are - the truth of what God says about you and your value that can combat the false narratives we build about our identities. Where you are - The truth about our seasons of life is that it affects our experience of reality. We have the tendency to draw conclusions about our identity based on the season we're in. Separating yourself from your season gives you the strength and grace you need to get through it and a healthier view of yourself. It also gives you permission to be fully present in the season you're in. Where you're going - we need to challenge the feelings and sentiments that we adopt as adults as practical, logical (I'm not going to get my hopes up, etc.). That is not in line with scripture. God never asks us to be more practical. He calls us to have big faith. He's the God of hope. His plans for us are good. Let's Get Real Practical: Reflect on these questions this week - What season are you in now? What lies have you believed in this season? What truth does God want to show you about the season you're in today? Episode sponsor: Download the 3 Action Steps to Overcome Fear & Pursue your God-Given Dreams FREE training today! Connect with Christy: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

Leading up to Easter, I'm doing a series about 5 topics that will help us prepare our HEART - Holy Spirit conviction Embrace grace Align your heart with His Restore union Thanksgiving This week I'm focusing on embracing grace. We could sum up the Bible in the phrase "God's grace." "Grace" is God's favor to humans through Jesus. He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins, we just have to choose to receive it. Have you received grace through the gift of salvation? Do you receive it daily for the forgiveness of your sins? "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will." Ephesians 1:7-11 Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm speaking with Karen Ehman about her new book Make Their Day: 101 Simple, Powerful Ways to Love Others Well. Karen is a New York Times bestselling author, speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries, and a writer for Encouragement for Today, an online devotional that reaches over four million women daily. She has authored 15 books and has been featured on numerous media outlets including FoxNews.com, TODAY Parenting, Redbook.com, Crosswalk.com, and HomeLife Magazine. Key points from our conversation: The inspiration for Karen's latest book came from her mom who was always looking for practical, inexpensive ways to bless others. The book is broken into 8 categories such as family, friends, co-workers, strangers, etc. so you can start reading anywhere. It also has recipe cards, gift tags, and certificates in the back that can be used for many of the ideas in the book. If you're feeling discouraged about your life, get your eyes off yourself and serve others in need. When we get caught up in comparing our lives to others, we begin to come apart at the seems - "Their kids 'seem' so perfect!" or "They 'seem' to have the perfect marriage." Ideas to make someone else's day: For friends - throw a favorite things party. Find something affordable that you love ($5 or $10) and buy a few of them (depending on how much you want to spend) for friends. At the party, each person will talk about the item they love, then pull names and give away their items to those friends. Make a playlist or a phone lock screen to brighten their day. Write them an old-fashioned handwritten letter. For husbands - make a poster board card love letter with candy in place of the words. "I love you to (Reese's) Pieces!" "You're such a SweetTart!" For strangers - look for necessary people in your life like mailmen, teachers, nail techs, clerks and give them a gift card, baked goodies, or just a kind word for their hard work. At the store, ask for a manager and let them know what a great job their employee is doing. For teachers - write them a note (or have your child write it) and give them a gift card or just tell them thank you on a random day Let's get real practical: Here are two prompts to take action on today: ask God to highlight a stranger that you can give a sincere compliment to and be intentional in showing love to one of your friends or family members. Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail – my monthly newsletter that's full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Karen: website | instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

When I asked God what He wanted me to share for today's Talk Therapy, He laid on my heart this phrase, "Prepare your hearts for my Son." Leading up to Easter, I'm going to be doing a series about 5 topics that will help us prepare our HEART - Holy Spirit conviction Embrace grace Align your heart with His Restore union Thanksgiving This week I'm sharing about what it looks like to be convicted by the Holy Spirit and why it's necessary for us to listen and obey. If there's something you feel would be good for you to do or say, but you really don't want to hear about it, it's likely the Holy Spirit prompting you. God loves us too much to let us stay stuck in our sin. What is He gently nudging you about today? Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm excited to talk with Dr. Caroline Leaf about her new book Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess. She is a communication pathologist and cognitive neuroscientist with a Masters and Ph.D. in Communication Pathology and a BSc Logopaedics, specializing in cognitive and metacognitive neuropsychology. Since the early 1980s, she has researched the mind-brain connection, the nature of mental health, and the formation of memory. She was one of the first in her field to study how the brain can change (neuroplasticity) with directed mind input. Dr. Leaf is also the bestselling author of Switch on Your Brain, Think Learn Succeed, Think and Eat Yourself Smart, and many more. She teaches at academic, medical, and neuroscience conferences, churches, and to various audiences around the world. Dr. Leaf is also involved in the global ECHO movement, which trains physicians worldwide on the mind-brain-body connection, mental health, and how to avoid physician burnout. Dr. Leaf is currently conducting clinical trials using the 5-step program she developed while in private practice to further demonstrate the effectiveness of mind-directed techniques to help relieve mental ill-health problems such as anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts. The primary aim of these trials is to make mental health care more affordable, applicable, and accessible worldwide, and to reduce the stigma around mental health. Key Points from Our Conversation: The benefit we get from exercise is determined by our mind. The book was inspired by the research Dr. Leaf did to determine out what can actually change when we renew our minds, as well as how that impacts the brain, body, and how we function in life. Mind and brain are separate. Your brain is physical; your mind is your thinking, feeling, and choosing. Your mind produces thoughts in your brain. A neurocycle helps allow you to track thoughts and behaviors. Once we connect with wisdom, we can better observe our behavior then analyze it. Like a tree has branches, thoughts have memories. If you want to find the root, look for warning signals like frustration, irritation, depression, anger. Don't push them aside – inspect them. Suppressing warning signals causes physical damage to the brain. Analyze your physical symptoms like stomach problems, tension, and rushing adrenaline. Also, check behaviors like non-verbal communication. Mental health is not a disease. The label is leading is mismanagement of health. Misery has become medicalized and treatment is typically symptom-focused, which is great for the body, but not the mind. The quick-fix mentality of symptom treatment has led to suppression. We are wired for love. Negative thoughts physically vibrate incorrectly in the brain and cause inflammation that affects the immune system and how we function. Jesus modeled pushing through and digging into the difficult. There is not a quick fix. The only way out is through. Embrace, process, and reconceptualize. Don't be scared of depression and anxiety. Instead, see them as helpful messengers. Renewing your mind is a lifestyle. Switch - 21 Day Brain Detox App Dr. Leaf's 5 Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking: Gather awareness - become aware of emotional and physical warning signals Reflect - ask, answer, and discuss. Get to the core. Write it down. It helps you get into the depths of why you think this, what you're doing, and how you feel. Recheck Activate mental reach - bringing order out of the chaos Let's Get Real Practical: Let's get practical by addressing one area of your life that you know God is calling you to take your thoughts captive. Action steps for this week: Identify what area of your life in which you feel stuck. Ask if your thinking in that area is toxic. Then write down the thought and replace it with the truth. Episode Sponsor: Sign up for JOYmail - my monthly newsletter that's full of resources that deliver a little joy and practical action steps for life into your inbox. Connect with Dr. Caroline Leaf: website | Instagram | Facebook | podcast Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week as I was feeling anxious, I began to analyze myself when God interrupted my thought process and reminded me to pray. Anxiety, worry, and fear are not from God. Whenever those things pop up, we can use them as reminders that we must make it a daily habit to cast our cares upon God. Casting requires action, but it also lightens our load and does something to fix the problem. What is God asking you to cast on him today? 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxieties on the Him because He cares for you."

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm chatting with my friend Lisa Corley about how we can better understand the gift of prophecy. Lisa Corley is a wife and mother of three boys. She has been an active member of Gateway Church for 18 years. She has lead small groups and is involved in the prophetic ministry. Lisa has taught on parenting, understanding prophetic ministry, and living a Spirit-filled life in women's groups. She loves the prophetic aspect of the Christian walk. Her gentle loving perspective comes with sensitivity to the Holy Spirit that enables her prophetic words to be edifying, confirming, and comforting to those who receive them. Key Points from Our Conversation: Prophecy is a word that brings exhortation, comfort, and edification. In everyday life, if something comes to your mind that fits into the prophecy categories, speak it. The more you practice, the more confident you'll grow in your gift. We often stop ourselves from speaking prophecy because we're too distracted, too embarrassed, or don't feel we have the right words. Keep it simple. People are looking for compassion. Prophecy is a gift of the Holy Spirit to help others feel the Holy Spirit in their own lives. You don't have to have a platform or title to speak words of edification. You can use that gift for the people in your own home. You don't have to be anointed to prophesy, but you can intentionally sharpen your gift by attending classes, reading books, and practicing with accountability. Remain humble in your gift of prophecy. God is not looking for perfection, He's looking for a willing vessel. "We are each are our own expression of the Holy Spirit." Take the time to dig deep and ask God what He's trying to show us in the midst of all our challenges. Don't miss the opportunity to connect with God and hear His voice for yourself. If you create the space for God to move in your life, He will absolutely speak to you. Resources mentioned: Ep. 103: The Secret to Success with Tom Lane; He Still Speaks Let's Get Real Practical: Here are 2 things to ask God this week: Are there any lies I've believed in the area of hearing Your voice? What's a word of encouragement I can share with someone today? Episode Sponsor: Daily Kairos – get 20% off when you visit rachaelgilbert.com/dailykairos and use the promo code REALTALK20 at checkout! Connect with Lisa: Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

We all have coping strategies, but are they healthy? When life throws the unexpected at you, it's natural to seek to numb the pain through coping. Maybe you run to online shopping, alcohol, or binge eating. But God's desire is for us to soothe in a way that draws us closer to Him. That can look like praying or reading the Bible or even going for a walk or listening to upbeat, positive music. This week, I encourage you to write out a coping list. Be honest about your good and bad strategies, cross out anything that pulls you away from God, and circle anything you can use. Be mindful to think of strategies that don't involve others. Then share your list with someone you trust. Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I'm talking with Tom Lane, Dallas campus pastor at Gateway Church about his book Tested and Approved: 21 Lessons for Life and Ministry. Tom Lane graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting and business administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Prior to Gateway, he was in pastoral ministry at Trinity Fellowship for 27 years where he held a variety of positions, and prior to that, he worked in corporate settings in Omaha, Oklahoma City, and Amarillo. Tom joined the staff of Gateway in January 2004 as executive senior pastor. In 2015, his church oversight responsibilities moved to his son Todd, and Tom prepared to oversee the newly formed Gateway Apostolic Ministry. In September 2015, he also accepted the role of campus pastor to lead the launch of our Dallas Campus in March 2016. Today, Tom serves as the lead executive senior pastor of Apostolic Ministry and is the campus pastor of our Dallas Campus along with serving as an elder of Gateway Church. Under Pastor Robert's leadership, and along with Pastor Jimmy Evans, he leads in executing Gateway's vision and developing strategies locally, nationally, and internationally, which impacts and influences the Church. As one of the elders, he also helps provide spiritual and fiduciary governance for Gateway's ministries. Key points from today's conversation: "Neither ministry nor life is fair and when you focus on fairness, neither one will ever make sense to you. Life must be based on faith no matter what you do." It's natural to want justice, but it's more important to surrender to God's will. He sets our days, so there's no need to compare yourself to others. God is the secret to success. Every blessing, provision, and good thing comes from Him. Take each decision to Him and trust Him when He closes doors. His plans are to prosper you. Success means to fulfill the full measure of God's plan for our life. It's a process that activates our faith. Hear, believe, and obey. You have to be willing to obey when you don't have the assurance of the outcome. God will give you enough, but at some point, you'll have to leap and trust Him to catch you. Prophetic ministry is not for the elite, it's for everyone. It's a demonstration of God inserting himself in your life through others. People need to know that God is real, alive, and active in our lives. Resources mentioned - He Still Speaks; The God I Never Knew, Tested and Approved Mentor Playbook Let's get real practical: I have 2 simple action steps for you from this episode. First, write or think about your definition of success. Second, ask God if that lines up with His definition of success for you. Episode sponsor: Download the 3 Action Steps to Overcome Fear & Pursue your God-Given Dreams FREE training today! Connect with Tom: website | Twitter | youtube Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

Welcome to Real Talk with Rachael. Today, you are listening to talk therapy, a short segment of the show that releases at the beginning of the week to allow space for God to move in our hearts and speak into our lives. Last week I released an episode on why we need to process things. This week I am tackling the topic of jealousy. You can check out a blog I wrote previously about 3 problems with jealousy and 10 verses to overcome it here. I don't know a person who has never dealt with jealousy. In fact, most of us think it's cute to say "Oh my goodness I am so jealous of your shoes…where did you get them?". However, God showed me 3 problems with jealousy that when left unresolved will wreak havoc in our life: Jealousy is "me" minder rather than "kingdom" minded. Jealousy robs us of our joy and blessings. Jealousy keeps us from entering into intimate relationships with those with whom we are jealous. NEW INSIGHT: we can rebuke a jealous spirit! It's not from God and we do not have to receive it. Verses to meditate: Then I observed all the work and ambition motivated by envy. What a waste! Smoke. And spitting into the wind. (Ecclesiastes 4:4) Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself to others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the best you can with your own life. (Galatians 6:4-5) Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple. (Job 5:2) A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. (Proverbs 14:30) Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous. (Proverbs 27:4) Be sure to download this resource I have created that is FREE to download for a limited time only. It is a Biblical Body Image coloring book! To download it, head to rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage.

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm chatting with author and national speaker, Katy McCown. Katy is president of She Laughs Ministries, a writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries, and a national speaker. Through all life's uncertainties and surprises, she has learned some things about "living sure" even when the future is not. She and her husband, Luke, a former NFL quarterback, are raising six children on their ranch in Texas. Key points from today's conversation: Katy wrote her book after becoming so smothered with "what-ifs" that she was losing the present. "I can't change the future, but the fear of the future can change me." Before she prioritized time with Jesus, her day flowed from burden and fear rather than the truth of who God is. Take time to be still and quiet with Jesus - no reading, no moving. Turn on a worship song and meditate on who He is. It won't be natural. Keep doing it. "When we truly become quiet before of the Lord, we can receive from Him in a way we can't when we're just fitting Him in or distracted." The fear doesn't go away. There is always something to be scared of. Admit to God how you feel. Start your prayer with praise. When we begin with the truth of who God is, then we can filter our circumstances through that truth. Praising first changes our perspective. When we do it the other way, we tend to see God filtered through our circumstances. You won't be able to smile through every circumstance. Sometimes it takes moment by moment surrender. But when your gaze is on Jesus, you will smile at His goodness. It's a quiet joy and a steadiness. 7 Prayers to Help You Smile without Fear 5 Steps to Trade Fear of the Future for Purpose in the Present Spend less time doing and more time being with Jesus Exchange the fear of the future for the fear of the Lord Rely on my savior instead of myself Pursue love Live faithfully today Let's Get Real Practical: Download my 3 Actions Steps to Overcome Fear & Pursue Your God-Given Dreams training and practice one of the following actions steps this week: Write it out Walk it out Go to war Connect with Katy: website | podcast | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

In this episode of Talk Therapy, I'm discussing what it means to process and why we need to do it. Even if you haven't experienced major trauma in your life, smaller traumas compound, but we often resist the discomfort that comes with processing. The fact is that you can process that trauma or it will process you. What are you afraid of processing? What do you think it'll look like to process things? The action step for this episode is to think about something simple that upset you this week and process it. And if you're not already, seek professional help to process traumas. Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

In this episode of Real Talk with Rachael, I'm talking with Arden Bevere about his new book Redefined. Arden is the youngest son of John and Lisa Bevere and the cofounder of Sons & Daughters, a movement committed to raising up a generation of uncompromising followers of Christ who will transform our world. He has traveled the world doing ministry and speaking at conferences and has a passion to see his generation go further than any that came before it, fully alive in this God-adventure. Key points from today's conversation: Arden wrote Redefined to combat the negative labels the younger generation has accepted as truth about themselves and share the truth of what God's Word has to say about his people. "God does not label His people in the Word of God. A label speaks to who were in the past or who we are now. That's what the world does because they're limited to time." If we live under labels we are we are missing out on the power and authority we have through Christ. This generation does not a lack of Christians, but a lack of Christians who have stepped into the fullness of what that actually means to be sons and daughters of God. We have a generation that has not received transformation knowledge that comes from the Word of God. What the enemy is labeling you is often the area God wants to use you to show His goodness and grace. There is a unique expression of God inside of each of us and the world is waiting for it to be seen. Don't fall into the trap of comparison. You were designed to be your unique and authentic self. Lean into your uniqueness and don't see it as a weakness. God wants to use you in extraordinary and unexpected ways. "We want to be warriors without war." When we focus on God, we're able to use past addictions as tools instead of a hindrance. Our generation has missed out on the fear of the Lord. It's a deeper level of intimacy with the Lord. It's not fear of Him, it's fear of being away from Him. "The fear of God allows you to live fearlessly." Let's Get Real Practical: When we're searching for our identity, we shouldn't consult our labels, we should consult the Lord. Here are 2 real practical action steps you can take this week: 1. Identify one negative label in your life and remove it 2. Ask God what positive word He wants to replace that label with Connect with Arden: website | Instagram | Facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

Last week I released an episode on the first "before and after" in the Bible. As I started this conversation on beauty I realize I am ruffling feathers or as some would say, stepping on toes. Actually, it is not I who is doing the ruffling but the holy spirit. Before we keep having these hard conversations I wanted to address why I feel called to bring up hard things. If you listen to our Wednesday interviews, which I hope you do as we have the most amazing guests every week, you might have noticed I started saying a simple statement: God brings things up because they are on the way out. Let's talk about 4 things to know when God brings things up: God brings things up because he loves us too much to let them poison us. (ex: eating bad food it must be thrown up) For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 The coming up process is uncomfortable. Most people would rather sit in the pain they know than sit in the discomfort of the bringing up. It's on its way out! That's good news. Seek wise counsel. Get into a community. Don't do it alone. Be sure to download this resource I have created that is FREE to download for a limited time only. It is a Biblical Body Image coloring book! To download it, head to Biblical Body Image Coloring Book

In this episode of Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with my friend, Kat Lee who is passionate about teaching others how to jumpstart each day with a grace-filled, life-giving morning routine. She is a writer, speaker, podcaster, and founder of HelloMornings.org. She and her husband, Jimmy, live in Waco, Texas with their three children. Key points from today's conversation: Kat originally started her morning routines with the attitude that if it's worth doing, it's worth doing poorly. God time, plan time, and move time all serve the same purpose – to bring God glory and bring others to Him. When we focus on God's purpose for our lives, it changes not only the way we think about planning and fitness but the importance of them. We often overlook our time with God because we think of it as something to mark off a to-do list than a time to connect. "So often we wait for it to be perfect later in the day that we don't just make that initial connection in the morning that can lead to so much more." "Guilt is only an indication, not an identity." Guilt should always be followed by grace. "Look at your morning routine as a path you're choosing to be on instead of a goal to accomplish." "It's never about when we start a day, it's about how we start a day." Use your guilt as a prompt. The moment you think you blew it is the exact moment you need to spend time with God. Hold everything loosely and keep asking God what He wants for you. It's not about perfection, it about progress. Resources: Bible Memory app Verses app 3 Minute Morning Starter Kit Praying for Your Family Calendar Let's Get Real Practical: 8 Ways to Build a Habit: Differentiate between goals and habits Start with small changes Update your environment Tie new habits to other activities Some practice is better than no practice Tell someone you're starting a new habit Track your habit Celebrate your successes This week, ask God what habits He wants you to build, then pick ONE of the steps above to implement in your routine. Episode Sponsor: Daily Kairos - get 20% off when you visit rachaelgilbet.com/dailykairos and use the promo code REALTALK20 at checkout! Connect with Kat: podcast | website | Instagram | facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

Last week I released an episode called "The Beauty Battle." I started the conversation about where this battle for beauty began and I challenged us to examine our hearts for any beauty idols. This week I am continuing that conversation about beauty. As I was scrolling through social media, I was noticing there were a lot of before and after photos. These photos are inspiring as we see the transformation that takes place when individuals commit to a program and they get incredible changes in their body and health. I once did a diet program with my sister in college and let's just say we only took before photos because at the end of that challenge I actually gained 8 pounds. While I joke about this topic I want us to look a the very first mention of before and after in the Bible. While there wasn't a photo flashed for Eve to be inspired by, satan painted a before and after scenario for Eve. Satan started by painting Eve's bleak, lame before picture. You know, the one with no makeup and hair a mess? Then he painted the after of when she ate from the tree. This after was so breathtaking it inspired Eve to action. What before and after scenario is the enemy, or your own inner critic, painting for you? Have you believed that if only you could get to the after, then all would be well? My friend, I am here to tell you that where you are now is enough. Yes, get healthy and take care of your body. But you do not need to get cleaned up physically in order for God to meet with you. He loves you right where you are. In fact, that journey to health becomes a lot more fun when God is walking alongside you every step of the way. Invite him in today. Be sure to download this resource I have created that is FREE to download for a limited time only. It is a Biblical Body Image coloring book! To download it, head to Biblical Body Image Coloring Book Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with Amy Ford, the author of Help Her Be Brave: Discover Your Place in the Pro-Life Movement. She's also the President and Co-Founder of Embrace Grace, a non-profit that inspires and equips the church to love single and pregnant young women by working with almost 700 churches across the nation, providing curriculum to help moms with unexpected pregnancies. Key points from our conversation: There's a misconception that pro-life work just means picketing. There are many ways to get involved and Amy's book Help Her Be Brave: Discover Your Place in the Pro-Life Movement can help you find a way to get involved that uses your strengths. 1 in 4 women have experienced an abortion - the rate is the same inside the church as it is outside. Abortion healing is possible. Jesus' blood offers complete forgiveness and He still wants to use you. Too many voices in the church are being silenced in shame. "Heart work can be hard work." Fear is at the root of every abortion decision. Working through the trauma of abortion gives freedom and freedom saves lives. Life is something to be celebrated, no matter how it arrives in the world. If a woman is being brave enough to keep the baby and show up, she should be embraced by the church. "Vulnerability is what squashes shame." Grace changes people. You can be a safe space for pregnant women with supportive consistency and offering help. Celebrate them. Take them to a pregnancy center to get resources. If a woman opens up about experiencing an abortion, be loving and listen. Connect them with an abortion healing group. Let's get real practical: If we're honest, there's some shame in all of our lives that's likely holding us back. If you having a hard time identifying where your shame comes from, try creating a shame timeline and ask God to highlight something that He wants to release you from. Once you've identified it, release the shame. It's not from God. Then, relay the shame to someone else that you trust. God wants to use you to bring freedom to those around you. Don't forget to text the phrase "RealTalkGiveaway" to the number 44222 to be entered to win giveaways from show guests and sponsors! Connect with Amy: website | Instagram | facebook Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook