When is the last time you actually stopped and thought about disappointment? Not anxiety. Not depression. Not grief. Disappointment specifically.

Because here is what I have noticed. We talk about all the other things. We have language for them, resources for them, and whole therapy industries built around them. But disappointment quietly sits underneath all of it, weaving itself through the whole story of our lives, and most of us have never once stopped to examine what it has actually done to us. And I think that is a problem.

It Goes Further Back Than You Think

Think about the little girl who did not make the team. The teenager whose heart got broken for the first time. The woman who got the diagnosis she feared, lost the baby she prayed for, watched a marriage fall apart, or simply never got the life she pictured.

Disappointment is not just a feeling you have in the moment and get over. It does something to you. It shapes the way you think about yourself, the way you relate to other people, the way you trust God. And most of the time we do not even realize it is happening because we are too busy surviving to stop and look beneath the surface.

That is what this conversation is about.

What Keeps Getting My Attention

A few years ago I read a book called Inside Out by Dr. Larry Crabb and it genuinely changed how I see myself and the people around me. There is a framework in it called the iceberg and I keep coming back to it because it explains so much.

The basic idea is this. What happens to us on the outside is only the tip of what is actually going on. Beneath the surface we carry pain in our hearts from those experiences. Pain that shapes us, that drives us, that quietly produces behaviors and patterns we often cannot explain. And beneath that, if we are honest, there is sin. Not just outward sin that other people can see but sin of the heart. The stuff we would never say out loud.

As victims we are vulnerable. As agents we are responsible. Both are true at the same time and that tension is where so much of our healing actually lives.

The Closet We All Have

Here is the analogy I use to explain where most of us are actually living.

Imagine a house. On the outside everything looks clean and put together. People walk in and feel comfortable. But there is one closet upstairs that nobody, including yourself, is allowed to go into. That is where everything gets shoved. The memories, the heartbreak, the unhealthy thought patterns, the things you do not want to face.

You know it is there. You think about it sometimes. And then you close the door and keep going.

The enemy loves this arrangement. His best tool is convincing you that what is in that closet is too much, too messy, too far gone to ever be sorted through. He does not want you to ask for help. He does not want you to open the door. Because the moment you do and you invite God and trusted people in to help you sort through it, that is when things start to change.

God cannot fill us with good things if there is no room. And the junk in the closet is exactly what is preventing the good things from coming in.

I Am Not on the Other Side of This

I want to be honest with you about something. I did not write this from a place of having it all figured out. I am in the middle of this too

But here is what I am holding onto. God's track record in my life is impeccable. I have seen him take disappointment after disappointment and turn it into something I could not have planned for myself. So even though I am army crawling my way through this one, I already know. The ashes will be made into beauty. I just have to keep setting my mind on that truth rather than sinking into the quicksand.

The Practice That Is Changing Things

If any of this is resonating I want to encourage you to do something.

Sit down and start listing the disappointments in your life. From childhood to now. Write the problem. Write the pain it caused. Write the behavior it produced. And then ask the Holy Spirit to show you what has been festering underneath all of it that you have not yet named.

Psalm 139:23 to 24 is a good place to start. "Search me oh God and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. See if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting."

This is not about condemning yourself. It is about bringing things into the light where they can actually be healed. Because healing does not start with fixing. It starts with acknowledging.

One Last Thing

If you are carrying something heavy right now, if you are in the middle of a disappointment that has not resolved and may not for a long time, I want you to know something.

He called us to suffer. But he never called us to be alone.

There is a nearness available to you in the middle of the mess that the enemy does not want you to feel. He wants you to believe the closet is too full, the wound is too deep, the wait is too long. But the God who is near to the brokenhearted is right there. In the tension. In the grief. In the unanswered questions.

And a broken and sincere heart is the most precious offering to him. So if all you have right now is yourself, that is enough. Bring him that.

This conversation went deep and I am so glad we had it. Jennifer, Andrea, and I talk through the iceberg framework in full, share real personal stories, get into what lament actually looks like versus numbing, and land on the one thing that is the source of true healing. Not just acknowledgment but repentance.

If you have ever felt like your disappointments are quietly running your life, this episode is for you.

Listen to the full conversation on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or watch on YouTube. And if it resonates please share it with someone who needs it. You never know who is stepping over a box right now and needs to know they are not alone.

contacttrueandtried@gmail.com

References Mentioned

• Inside Out by Dr. Larry Crabb
• Psalm 139:23 to 24
• Romans 12:2
• 1 John 4:18
• 2 Corinthians 12:9
• Luke 8, The Parable of the Sower

Sleep training or not. Breastfeeding or formula. Crunchy or conventional. Screen time limits. Sugar. Schedules. Somehow every choice comes with an opinion attached and a jury ready to weigh in. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, a lot of us are quietly wondering if we are doing this whole mom thing wrong.

In this episode Stephanie and Andrea get honest about the pressure that comes with motherhood, the noise of too many opinions, and what it actually feels like to stand in front of the mom jury and come up short. They talk about the weight of trying to know it all, be it all, and please everyone at once, and why that pressure was never meant to be yours to carry.

The good news? Jesus has something to say about all of it. And it is not what the mom jury is telling you.

You are not falling behind. You are just carrying too much. Let's talk about putting some of it down.

If this episode resonated with you we would love for you to subscribe so you never miss a conversation. And share this with a mom who needs to hear it today. 🤍

In this episode we're having a real conversation about impulsive spending, discontentment, and what's actually going on underneath the habit. Because the cart is rarely the real issue. At the root is a deeper question most of us don't ask out loud: do we actually believe God is enough? Not just theologically. Practically. Personally. In the moment when boredom hits or a hard day doesn't let up.

We talk through the emotional triggers behind spending, the spiritual root of discontentment, practical tools that have actually helped us, and what Scripture says about money, desire, and finding real satisfaction.
If you've ever bought something you didn't need and couldn't fully explain why, this one is for you.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Every Dollar App (budgeting made simple): https://www.ramseysolutions.com/ramseyplus/everydollar

Versify App (Scripture memorization): https://versifyapp.com

Steps to take this week: 
-Start with your heart before anything practical. 
-Invite God into this using Psalm 139:23-24. 
-Build a budget as an act of stewardship, not punishment. 
-Remove friction points like shopping apps from your phone. 
-Replace the urge to shop with something intentional. 
-Pray through the whole thing because freedom here comes through Jesus, not just better discipline.

If this episode resonated with you, we'd love for you to subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next. And drop a comment or DM us and tell us - what's your honest Amazon confession? We want to hear it. 🛍️

Whether you're in your 20s right now or you're looking back wishing someone had said these things to you — this conversation is for you.
Because the things that matter most are rarely the things we're taught first.

The noise. The notifications. The mental load. The pressure to be everything to everyone. It’s only 9:30am and you’re already exhausted.

In this episode, we talk honestly about the overwhelm so many modern women carry and the subtle lies we believe:

• “Peace will come after this season.”
• “I’ll rest when things slow down.”
• “If I were more organized or more spiritual, I wouldn’t feel this way.”

But Scripture reminds us that peace isn’t found in better circumstances, it’s found in a Person.

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
And in John 16:33, He reminds us that while trouble is guaranteed, peace in Him is too

We explore why the enemy loves to keep us distracted and depleted, and how reorienting our lives around Jesus, not productivity, is where true rest begins.

Peace is not something you earn when everything gets done.
It’s something you receive when you come to Christ.

We unpack what Scripture says about honor versus obedience, how to live as ambassadors for Christ within our families, and how to love well while still holding healthy boundaries. We also look to Jesus’ example of honoring, dignifying, and loving people before they believed, and how we can reflect that same grace at home.

Key Topics:

• What it truly means to “honor” your parents
• Being the only believer in your family
• Loving without compromising truth
• Honoring others while setting boundaries
• Learning someone’s “heart language” so the gospel is truly good news to them

Resources Mentioned:

John Mark Dyer - “Share the Gospel Better” (Free Course)
Website: https://www.johnmarkdyer.com/
Instagram: @johnmarkdyer

Call In With Your Questions:

📞 Listener Line: 248-780-9241

We explore what Scripture says about jealousy, clarifying that desire itself isn’t sinful, but when it turns into idolatry, it pulls our hearts away from God (Colossians 3:3-5; James 3:14-16). We also discuss how jealousy thrives when identity is fragile and how the Gospel offers real freedom. While jealousy says, “If they have more, I have less,” the Gospel reminds us that in Christ, we lack nothing (Colossians 2:9-10).

Ultimately, we’re reminded that Jesus rested securely in the Father’s love, even when others were praised more than Him - and that same security is available to us. When we know we are chosen, adopted, and deeply loved, we can truly rejoice when others are blessed (Romans 12:15).

If this conversation encouraged you, challenged you, or made you feel less alone, we’d love for you to subscribe or follow the podcast so you don’t miss an episode. New conversations drop weekly, and we can’t wait to keep walking through faith, health, and real life together. Thanks for being here - we’re so glad you’re part of the True & Tried community.

This topic has been heavy on our hearts. In the U.S. alone, around one million pregnancies end in miscarriage each year - about 1 in 5 pregnancies, yet so many women walk through this loss feeling unseen and alone. In this episode, we share our experiences, reflect on interactions with doctors, and talk honestly about the emotional and mental toll miscarriage can take in the days and weeks that follow. We wrestle with the lies and shame that often surface about our bodies, our worth, and even God, and we discuss what support actually looks like during grief.

Our hope is to help dismantle the silence surrounding pregnancy loss, remind you that miscarriage is not a reflection of your worth, faith, or God’s goodness, and offer hope to those still in the thick of healing. Loss may be part of your story, but it is not the end. God is near to the brokenhearted, He binds up their wounds, and He promises a day when every tear will be wiped away (Psalm 147:3; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Revelation 21:4).

If this episode resonates with you - whether you are grieving personally or supporting someone who is - our prayer is that you would feel less alone, deeply seen, and reminded that your story still holds purpose and hope.

Disclaimer:

We want to be clear: we are not medical or health experts. This episode reflects our personal experiences, observations, and faith-based reflections. Our hope is not to prescribe solutions, but to encourage women to ask questions, seek wisdom, advocate for their health, and pursue answers with discernment, prayer, and trusted professionals.

Free Cycle Syncing Guide - click here.

Inside you’ll find helpful information to understand your cycle and how to support your body through nutrition, fitness, and self-care, along with journal prompts for each phase. We hope it’s helpful to you!

We talk about the reality of postpartum mental health, the hesitation around medication, and why seeking help is not a failure of faith. About 15–20% of new mothers experience postpartum anxiety or depression, and many go untreated. If you’re struggling in this season, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone, you are not broken, and it’s okay to get the help you need.

Disclaimer:

We want to be clear: we are not medical or health experts. This episode reflects our personal experiences, observations, and faith-based reflections. Our hope is not to prescribe solutions, but to encourage women to ask questions, seek wisdom, advocate for their health, and pursue answers with discernment, prayer, and trusted professionals.

Free Cycle Syncing Guide - click here.

Inside you’ll find helpful information to understand your cycle and how to support your body through nutrition, fitness, and self-care, along with journal prompts for each phase. We hope it’s helpful to you!

Catherine Drohan - Postpartum Coach: https://www.instagram.com/iamcatherinedrohan/?hl=en

What encouraged us most in preparing for this episode is hearing from women who’ve walked this road and found that PCOS can be manageable, and symptoms can often be significantly improved through intentional lifestyle changes and holistic care.

In this episode, Jennifer vulnerably shares her personal journey - from the road to diagnosis, to navigating the emotional weight of PCOS, to learning how to care for her body in a way that brought healing, clarity, and hope. Her story is a powerful reminder that a diagnosis does not define you, and that advocacy, education, and grace are essential parts of wellness.

Disclaimer:
We want to be clear: we are not medical or health experts. This episode reflects our personal experiences, observations, and faith-based reflections. Our hope is not to prescribe solutions, but to encourage women to ask questions, seek wisdom, advocate for their health, and pursue answers with discernment, prayer, and trusted professionals.

Free Cycle Syncing Guide! Click here!

Inside you’ll find helpful information to understand your cycle and how to support your body through nutrition, fitness, and self-care, along with journal prompts for each phase. We hope it’s helpful to you!

Theme song: Theme Song: "On The Way" by Bryce Green

With the rise of gluten-free diets, probiotic foods, and even the recent sourdough boom, many women are asking: Why does gut health matter so much, and where do we even begin? In this episode, we unpack the science, the trends, and the deeply personal journeys that often lead women to take their gut health seriously.

Andrea shares her own story of navigating chronic gut issues, the frustration of seeking answers, and how holistic approaches ultimately brought healing and restoration. Whether you’re dealing with symptoms yourself or simply want to care for your body more intentionally, this conversation is both informative and encouraging.

Grab a cup of coffee or matcha and join us as we dive in.

Disclaimer:
We want to be clear: we are not medical or health experts. This episode reflects our personal experiences, observations, and faith-based reflections. Our hope is not to prescribe solutions, but to encourage women to ask questions, seek wisdom, advocate for their health, and pursue answers with discernment, prayer, and trusted professionals.

Free Cycle Syncing Guide - click here!

Inside you’ll find helpful information to understand your cycle and how to support your body through nutrition, fitness, and self-care, along with journal prompts for each phase. We hope it’s helpful to you!

Theme song: Theme Song: "On The Way" by Bryce Green

We explore the beauty of women’s health as intentional, purposeful, and created by God. From menstrual cycles to pregnancy and postpartum, we reflect on how women were meant to live in the natural rhythms God placed within us - and how often modern systems seem to ignore or work against those rhythms.

Together, we share personal experiences and observations around:

• The lack of education on women’s cycles and hormonal health
• The realities of pregnancy and postpartum support (or lack thereof)
• The common practice of prescribing birth control as a “one-size-fits-all” solution
• Rising infertility rates and the questions they raise
• The deeper spiritual battle for the family and for women living disconnected from the fullness of God’s design

We also discuss how the enemy seeks to distort, disrupt, and diminish God’s creation - particularly the family, and why reclaiming knowledge, curiosity, and reverence for how God made women matters now more than ever.

This conversation isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about opening the door to deeper questions, discernment, and faith-filled reflection.

Disclaimer

We want to be clear: we are not medical or health experts. This episode reflects our personal experiences, observations, and faith-based reflections. Our hope is not to prescribe solutions, but to encourage women to ask questions, seek wisdom, advocate for their health, and pursue answers with discernment, prayer, and trusted professionals.

Download our free Cycle Syncing Guide by clicking HERE! Inside you’ll find helpful information to understand your cycle and how to support your body through nutrition, fitness, and self-care, along with journal prompts for each phase. We hope it’s helpful to you! 

Theme song: Theme Song: "On The Way" by Bryce Green

To start the series, we’re sharing our experience with cycle syncing after practicing it for the last three months. We talk about what cycle syncing is, why we wanted to try it, what we learned about our bodies, and how adjusting our food, movement, schedules, and self-care through each phase of the menstrual cycle impacted us.

We also discuss the realities of cycle syncing: who it’s helpful for, whether it’s practical in everyday life, and how women can begin supporting their hormones without needing unlimited time, energy, or resources.
This episode is meant to educate, encourage, and help women feel more connected to their bodies - right where they are.

What We Cover:

• Why we’re launching a Women’s Health Series
• What cycle syncing is and why it matters
• What we learned after three months of cycle syncing
• How hormones shift throughout the month
• Is cycle syncing realistic for modern life?
• Small, practical ways to start supporting your cycle
• What we’ll keep doing long-term (and what we won’t)

Click HERE to access the free Cycle Syncing Guide!

In the guide you'll find:

• A breakdown of female hormones
• An overview of each cycle phase
• Nutrition, movement, and self-care recommendations
• Phase-specific recipes and journal prompts

What’s Coming Next
Follow along as we continue our Women’s Health Series with weekly podcast episodes and YouTube videos, including deeper dives into each cycle phase and upcoming conversations around PCOS, gut health, stress, anxiety, and more.

Be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next - we’ll save you a seat 🤍

Theme Song: "On The Way" by Bryce Green

• God is Great so we don’t have to be in control
• God is Glorious so we don’t have to fear or please others
• God is Good so we don’t have to look elsewhere for satisfaction
• God is Gracious so we don’t have to prove ourselve

We explore how our beliefs about God shape our everyday lives - and how forgetting or mistrusting these truths leads to anxiety, striving, people-pleasing, fear, and discouragement.

We also get vulnerable about the wrestling that comes with believing God is good in a world full of suffering, injustice, and pain. How do we trust God when life hurts? How do we reconcile His goodness when terrible things happen to faithful people?

Through honest conversation, personal reflections, and powerful testimonies, we unpack the hope of the gospel - not just as a theological concept, but as good news for our actual lives right now

Plus, we talk about gospel fluency -  learning to see and speak the gospel into everyday moments - and what it looks like to enter a new year with grace, humility, and surrendered goals, trusting that God meets us right where we are.

Theme Song: "On The Way" by Bryce Green

In this conversation, we talk about:

• Practicing true gratitude, for people, simple gifts, and God’s goodness
• Nurturing friendships instead of taking them for granted
• The insecurity & fear of rejection that sometimes comes with pursuing community
• The “dark night of the soul” and how God deepens our faith in wilderness seasons
• Contentment & thanksgiving as a way of life, not just a season
• Being gentle with ourselves instead of chasing perfection
• Slowing down, nervous system care, and choosing peace
• Leaving behind hustle, self-pressure, and unrealistic expectations

This isn’t a resolution episode - it’s a heart posture episode.

Tune in as we ask:
What do we want more of in the year ahead? And what no longer gets to come with us?

Play along as we test each other (and you!) on surprising facts in health, home, and heart.

We’re asking questions like:

• Are HIIT workouts actually bad for women?
• Is your kitchen sponge dirtier than a public toilet seat?
• Do cows really have best friends?

Join us as we learn and laugh together. This episode is all about curiosity, connection, and a few “wait, WHAT?!” moments.

If you haven’t already - subscribe and be part of our growing community!

Tune in, play along, and let us know your score!

We explore what the Bible truly says about forgiveness, why it’s essential for our spiritual growth, and how it impacts our mental, emotional, and even physical health when we choose to release bitterness and walk in grace.

From the scientific research on how unforgiveness affects our bodies, to our personal stories of giving and receiving forgiveness, this conversation is both practical and deeply spiritual.

We also talk about:

• How harboring unforgiveness weighs down our hearts and minds
• The difference between forgiving once and learning to walk in forgiveness daily
• What neuroscience and psychology say about the healing power of forgiveness
• Biblical examples of radical forgiveness - and how they point us to Jesus
• A call to action: examining your own heart and asking, Who might God be calling me to forgive?

Forgiveness doesn’t excuse what happened - but it does set you free. Join us for a powerful reminder that true healing often begins where resentment ends.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

We ask some deep, revealing questions:

• When are you at your best?
• What problems are you drawn to solve, and why does that matter?

Through these questions, we uncover how understanding who you are in Christ changes not just what you do, but why you do it.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why the enemy wants to keep you living from your worst instead of your redeemed identity
• The world’s alternative identities - and how easy it is to build our worth on anything other than Jesus
• The “discipleship deficiency” in modern culture - why many believers know about Christ but don’t walk from their identity in Him
• The joy and freedom that come when you no longer live for approval, but from acceptance in Christ

When you truly know who you are in Him, you can live from peace instead of pressure - and love others without losing yourself.

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”  Colossians 3:3

As we move through the holiday season, it’s easy to feel the ache of loss - but it’s also an opportunity to embrace those still with us and see every relationship through an eternal lens.

In Grief & Gratitude, Pt. 2, Stephanie, Jennifer, and Andrea talk about how grief and gratitude are meant to coexist - not just as emotions, but as reminders to love deeply and live missionally.

We share stories of people we’ve known and loved who have faced loss, and how witnessing their faith has shaped our own. We also discuss how to hold space for those who are hurting, how to gently support others in their grief, and how God can use even sorrow to soften our hearts toward those who don’t yet know Him.

In this episode, we explore:

• Embracing the loved ones God has placed in our lives, with deeper appreciation and presence
• Holding space for those walking through grief during the holidays
• Asking God to grow our compassion and evangelistic heart for those who don’t know Jesus
• Seeing how the Gospel truly is good news - especially for the brokenhearted

As we close this two-part series, we’re reminded that gratitude isn’t just a feeling, it’s a posture of worship. It helps us treasure what’s eternal, love others with intention, and share the hope that only Jesus offers.

In this special pre-Thanksgiving episode of True & Tried, Stephanie, Jenn, and Andrea open a heartfelt conversation about grief,  the kind that surfaces when the table looks different, when loved ones are missing, or when life itself has shifted in ways we didn’t expect.

In Grief & Gratitude, Pt. 1, we talk about the many ways grief shows up, not only in death, but in change, distance, and transition. Whether it’s someone moving away, a relationship ending, or simply entering a new season of life, loss has a way of stirring something deep within us.

We explore how God has set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11), which means we naturally long for something lasting, unbroken, and eternal, even as we navigate the temporary things of earth.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Grieving loved ones -  both those who’ve passed and those who’ve moved on or drifted from our lives
• The grief of change and transition, and how it’s part of every season
• The tension between longing for eternity and holding onto the beauty of life here and now
• The grief of former versions of ourselves, from single to married, from carefree to caregiver, from one chapter to the next

As we head into Thanksgiving, may this conversation remind you that it’s okay to hold grief and gratitude at the same time. One doesn’t cancel out the other, they coexist beautifully in a heart that trusts God with every season.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”  Psalm 147:3

We unpack what the Bible says about these three, how they’re connected, and what it really means to walk in wisdom. From discerning the will of God to learning from biblical examples of applied wisdom, we explore how true understanding always begins with the fear of the Lord - not the fear of man.

We also talk about:

• The difference between being baptized in the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit
• What it means to walk in step with the Spirit and seek first the Kingdom of God
• The beauty of the Incarnation and how Jesus modeled perfect wisdom

This conversation will leave you both challenged and encouraged - to not just know about God, but to know Him deeply and live wisely through the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

Through this simple exercise, we uncover what these questions reveal about who we are, what we look for in a partner, and even what we most appreciate about God. It’s equal parts fun, thoughtful, and full of laughter as we share our answers, react to each other’s results, and discover how surprisingly insightful this little quiz can be.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• A 3-question personality test you can play along with
• What our answers reveal about ourselves and relationships
• Reflections on how this connects to our walk with God
• Lots of laughs and “aha” moments along the way
• A fun challenge to share these questions with friends

Join us for something different, get to know yourself a little better, and maybe start your next girls’ night with this quiz too!

We unpack what it means to be a godly wife, how to show respect to our spouses, and how to experience joy in who they truly are instead of who we expect them to be. Together, we wrestle with the unhealthy standards we sometimes place on our partners, challenge ourselves to ask if our expectations are biblically rooted, and talk about what it looks like to release our trust and desires to God.

This isn’t about “settling” or tolerating unhealthy behavior - but about cultivating healthier, Christ-centered expectations that lead to deeper love and stronger relationships. We also encourage single listeners with the reminder that this season is an opportunity to grow emotionally, spiritually, and in the person God is shaping you to become.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

-The myth of “Mr. Perfect” and why it sets us up for disappointment

-Biblical expectations vs. cultural or unhealthy ones

-What it looks like to be a godly wife and respect your spouse

-Navigating disappointment with grace and joy

-Releasing trust and desires to God in relationships

-An encouragement for singles to grow in Christ and emotional intelligence

This conversation is an honest look at the beauty, messiness, and responsibility we all share in building Christ-centered relationships.

Theme Song: "On The Way" by Bryce Green

We share personal stories of how God works in supernatural ways through prayer, and why evangelism doesn’t have to feel intimidating - it simply starts with an open heart and asking God to show us how and who to reach. Along the way, we unpack the importance of scripture, relying on Jesus over self-help hacks, and letting Him be the one to sustain us.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Finding peace and grace when life feels chaotic
• How to create a self-care “menu” for busy or overwhelming seasons
• The power of surrender: what God can do with the little we have
• Why scripture is more life-giving than tips and tricks
• Simple, everyday evangelism led by prayer and openness
• Stories of God moving in supernatural ways through prayer
• A challenge to be bold and lean into prayer this week

Whether you’re in a season of thriving or just barely getting through, this conversation is an invitation to rest in Jesus and trust Him to do what only He can do.

We unpack the ideas of toxic femininity and toxic masculinity, and how cultural narratives often blur or distort what it really means to live out our God-given design. We also explore the challenges men face when discouraged from walking in true masculinity, and how this creates division rather than the healthy complement God intended between men and women.

Together, we wrestle with questions like:

• What does it really mean to be a woman?
• How do we navigate seasons where we don’t fit the “typical mold”?
• In what ways does the enemy use deception, sin, and shame to distort our identity?

Most importantly, we remind ourselves that our worth and identity are rooted in Christ, not in societal boxes or personal perfection. We talk about releasing the pressure to “get it all right” in our daily habits and learning instead to rest in God’s grace to carry us through.

This is a real, raw conversation about embracing God’s truth over the world’s lies, and learning how men and women together can reflect His design more fully.

Episode Highlights

• The false narrative that femininity equals weakness.
• Why both toxic femininity and toxic masculinity miss God’s design.
• How men are discouraged from walking in their true identity.
• Navigating womanhood when you don’t feel like you “fit the mold.”
• How Satan uses deception and shame to keep us from freedom in Christ.
• The role of grace when we fall short in daily habits.

Topics we cover:

• Lies we’ve believed about our bodies and beauty.
• The pressure to be “put together” as moms and women.
• Faith-based truth versus hustle culture.
• Reframing success and self-worth in light of God’s love.
• What we’re still unlearning, and how community helps.

Whether you’re struggling with body image, burnout, or just trying to do it all, you’ll find encouragement, humor, and honesty here.

We cover:

• The MTHFR gene mutation: what it is, how it affects folic acid processing, and why it matters for your mood and mental clarity, especially postpartum 
• Navigating postpartum hormones and the emotional rollercoaster that can follow birth
• Why simplifying your supplement routine and nutrition can actually support deeper healing
• How to make informed, confident decisions about what you put in your body without being paralyzed by information overload
• Developing critical thinking and discernment in the age of social media health advice
• Navigating challenges with thyroid health and holistic support 
• Supporting your fertility through foundational wellness and trusting God in the process
• The importance of self-advocacy in medical spaces and how to trust your intuition when you’re not being heard
• Why we need to invite others into the joys and the hard parts of motherhood and how community helps us carry both

This episode is an encouragement to take a deep breath, trust the process, and come back to what truly nourishes you. Health doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s about tuning in, not adding more.

We also unpack the overwhelming amount of health advice, conflicting opinions, and “wellness trends” constantly coming at us online. We talk about the pressure to know everything and do everything perfectly, and how it can leave us feeling confused, inadequate, or burnt out. Together, we explore what it looks like to tune out the noise and root ourselves in wisdom, not overwhelm.

We cover:

• Our experiences with birth education, including Built to Birth and Birth Boot Camp
• The miracle of birth and the incredible resilience of the female body
• Why understanding your menstrual cycle is foundational to overall health
• The nonstop stream of online health advice, and how to navigate it with discernment
• The pressure of beauty standards and how we’re modeling true body confidence for the next generation of girls

This episode is a reminder that our bodies are not a problem to be fixed, they are a gift to be understood, honored, and trusted.

Maybe you saw this pop up and thought, great, another podcast. Fair. There are a lot of them. Someone recently joked that there should be tariffs on podcast equipment. And honestly, we get it.

But before you scroll past, hear us out.

True and Tried was born out of a simple but deeply felt conviction: that what connects us is not just what makes us unique, but what makes us alike. Three women, different seasons, different stories, one shared anchor in faith. And a whole lot to say about health, identity, and the real stuff of life.

This is the episode where it all begins.

Meet the Hosts

Stephanie is a wife, stay at home mom, and the one who brought these three women together. She spent five years directing an internship program at a multi campus church before stepping home when her first child was born. Before that she studied ministry leadership at Moody with a heart for women and a creative bend towards documentary filmmaking. 

Andrea is a first time mom, married for eight years, and a registered dietitian with a master's in dietetics. She did not start there though. She spent years as a hair stylist before sensing a pull toward nutrition, drawn by the belief that while not everyone will exercise, everyone has to eat. That conviction eventually led her through school, into her own personal health journey, and into a career helping others do the same.

Jennifer is a newlywed, a video producer at a multi campus church, a freelance on camera actress and model, a bass guitarist, and a self described theology nerd. She comes from a family of musicians, loves to bake, and brings a depth of curiosity to every conversation about faith and Scripture.

The Body Is Not Against You

One of the most reframing moments in this episode is Andrea's perspective on the question of whether our bodies work against us. Her answer is no. She believes our bodies work for us. The symptoms, the pain, the markers that force us to stop and pay attention are the body's way of communicating. Without them we would keep going until we broke completely. The key is learning to listen rather than ignore.

Stephanie builds on this with a concept from Dr. Caroline Leaf's work on neuroplasticity. Every morning the brain creates new neural pathways. The direction those pathways grow is shaped by our thoughts and our habits. Negative patterns reinforced over time create stronger negative pathways. But the reverse is also true. A consistent practice of shifting our thinking, caring for our bodies, and renewing our minds can literally reshape the brain over time. Science, it turns out, has been catching up to what Paul wrote in Romans 12. Do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Why They Are Doing This

None of them have it figured out. They say it clearly and they mean it. This is not a polished presentation from three women who have arrived. It is a conversation between three friends who are still becoming and who believe that becoming is better done together.

True and Tried exists because community is not optional. Because health, faith, and real life are deeply connected. And because there are probably a lot of people out there who feel exactly the same way and just need to know they are not alone.

If you made it this far, you are probably one of them. Welcome.

Referenced in This Episode 

• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero 
• Inside Out by Dr. Larry Crabb 
• The work of Dr. Caroline Leaf on neuroplasticity and brain health 
• Romans 12:2 
• Matthew 11:28

🎧 What to expect from True & Tried:

• Weekly episodes dropping Tuesdays
• Fun and authentic conversations
• Community and encouragement for women navigating the challenges of modern life

Follow along as we share our journey, explore meaningful topics, and bring a mix of inspiration and humor to your week. Your first official episode drops September 16th - consider this your official invitation to come laugh, learn, and grow with us!

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