In this heartfelt and unfiltered episode, Rachel Awtrey sits down to share the kind of big sister wisdom most of us wish someone had told us sooner. With her signature blend of warmth, wit, and straight talk, Rachel tackles the lies we believe about our worth, our bodies, and our calling — and replaces them with truth that sets us free. From why you should stop shrinking to make others comfortable, to how to pray and set boundaries at the same time, Rachel delivers a powerful reminder that you a...
Jul 16, 2025•22 min
CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquire abo...
Jul 11, 2025•16 min
In this powerful and tender conversation, Rachel sits down with Davy Blackburn, founder of Nothing is Wasted Ministries, to talk about grief, healing, and how joy can emerge even in the darkest moments. Davy’s life was forever changed in 2015 when his wife Amanda was tragically killed during a home invasion. Since then, he has walked through the messy reality of grief while discovering the profound truth that nothing is wasted in God’s hands. This episode explores the gravity of his story, the c...
Jul 09, 2025•56 min
In this deeply moving episode, Rachel sits down with Kiwi Cook, a former Compassion International sponsored child, whose story will stop you in your tracks. Growing up in poverty overseas, Kiwi’s early life was marked by scarcity, resilience, and a dream that felt impossibly far away… until one person’s “yes” changed everything. Together, they explore what daily life looked like for Kiwi as a child, how sponsorship gave her more than just practical help, and what it feels like to now stand on th...
Jul 02, 2025•42 min
In a world that’s constantly telling us to change our bodies, Lisa Whittle is inviting us to reclaim them. In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Lisa to talk about her brand-new Bible study, Body and Soul: A Biblical Look at the Whole Person God Created You to Be. From anti-aging serums to fad diets and fitness fads, we’re bombarded with messages that our bodies are problems to solve. But what if—just what if—our bodies were good? What if we stopped striving and started seeing our whol...
Jun 25, 2025•46 min
In this vulnerable second half, Rachel and Thomas open up about a season of unknowns, starting with mysterious health issues and ending in the emergency discovery of an ectopic pregnancy. They walk through the confusion, heartbreak, surgery, and the grief that followed—along with the beauty that showed up in community, faith, and even an ambulance ride. This one’s for anyone who’s walked through pain and wondered where God was in it. It’s raw, hope-filled, and a reminder that even when life feel...
Jun 18, 2025•53 min
PREORDER Love Your Life (Even When You Don’t Like It All The Time): https://rstyle.me/+hZ4zlRKm6FthvVDNMjyy6A BE ON THE LYL LAUNCH TEAM: https://forms.gle/65bc2SSednGY4onv8 CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think ...
Jun 13, 2025•15 min
It’s another two part story time! This time, it’s with the Awtreys! In this first half of a two-part conversation, Rachel sits down with her husband, Thomas, to catch up on a year marked by deployment, parenting curveballs, and chasing big dreams. From the boys’ muddy adventures to the behind-the-scenes of writing Rachel’s debut book, this episode feels like a warm, honest chat on the couch. They talk reentry after time apart, lessons from military life, and how joy still shows up in the middle ...
Jun 11, 2025•35 min
CLARITY CALL: https://calendly.com/realtalkwithrachel/coaching CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you....
Jun 06, 2025•15 min
We’ve all got one—that version of ourselves we’d rather forget. Maybe it’s a season marked by regret, insecurity, or hidden shame. In today’s episode, Rachel sits down with the incredible Meshali Mitchell to talk about what it looks like to heal from the “cringy” eras of our past. The ones we avoid talking about, laugh off, or silently carry shame over. Meshali shares her own story of restoration and how God didn’t just redeem those messy moments—He repurposed them for beauty, freedom, and deepe...
Jun 04, 2025•45 min
CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquire abo...
May 30, 2025•19 min
In today’s episode, Rachel is joined by the talented singer-songwriter and podcast host Christy Nockels. You might know Christy for her moving music, her podcast Glorious in the Mundane, or her latest project—an album called A King Who Never Sleeps: Anthems for Rest. Rachel and Christy catch up in a cozy Nashville studio, reflecting on real-life connections, their shared experience at Lost Valley Ranch, and what it means when unexpected passions—like horseback riding—shape who we are. They dive ...
May 28, 2025•39 min
CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ ORDER RACHEL'S BOOK, LOVE YOUR LIFE: https://rstyle.me/+hZ4zlRKm6FthvVDNMjyy6A SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no ex...
May 23, 2025•13 min
If you haven’t listened to Part One yet, go ahead and start there—we lay the groundwork for what unfolds in this powerful second half of the conversation. In Part Two, Rachel and Annie pick up right where they left off: talking about the tension of living in a world where grief and joy often walk side by side. They open up about what it means to live with emotional integrity while being a public figure, how to let people in without overexposing your soul, and why boundaries are actually an act o...
May 21, 2025•35 min
CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquire abo...
May 16, 2025•14 min
Welcome to Part One of a truly special conversation on Real Talk. Host Rachel Awtrey sits down with the one and only Annie F. Downs—beloved author, podcaster, and everyone’s favorite “Queen of Fun.” What starts as a joyful catch-up between old friends quickly opens into something deeper as they talk about what it means to hold both joy and grief in the same hand. In this first half, you’ll hear the story of how Rachel and Annie first met, laugh at some of their classic banter (mysterious sports ...
May 14, 2025•41 min
CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquire abo...
May 09, 2025•13 min
Marriage conversation cards: https://rstyle.me/+hfXU7Gcj3J60sKYWIkNaAg Sunshine season is officially here, and if you’re anything like me, you’re already dreaming of slow mornings, sticky popsicle fingers, and a few memory-making moments you actually want to check off a summer bucket list. In this episode, I’m sharing my personal summer bucket list—broken into three playful categories: ✨ Fun things to do with kids ✨ Life-giving ideas for you (and maybe a friend or two) ✨ Summer-inspired date nig...
May 07, 2025•27 min
CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquire abo...
May 02, 2025•14 min
If you've ever felt like you're failing because your house (or your parenting) feels messy, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale. I sat down with Justin Whitmel Earley — author of Habits of the Household, The Common Rule, Made for People, and now The Big Mess — to talk about why the real beauty in parenting often shows up in the chaos. We cover how birth order affects family dynamics, why things in parenthood are messier (and better) than we imagined, and how to make space for our kids...
Apr 30, 2025•39 min
What if the breakthrough you’re craving isn’t found in doing more, shouting louder, or performing harder—but in going lower? In today’s heartfelt and powerful episode, I’m joined by Zach Meekreebs—pastor, speaker, and author of Lower: Ignite Spiritual Awakening Through Radical Humility. We talk about how humility isn’t weakness—it’s consecrated confidence. Zach shares the behind-the-scenes story of how a quiet moment of obedience at Asbury University turned into a 16-day move of God that drew te...
Apr 23, 2025•42 min
Is your mind constantly buzzing? Does the pace of life feel too loud sometimes? In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by Sarah Boyd—author of Turn Down the Noise—to talk about overstimulation, emotional overload, and the subtle ways the world keeps us distracted from what really matters. We unpack how to identify your own “noise,” the neuroscience of calm, and simple but transformational practices to find clarity and peace in your everyday life. If you’ve been craving a breath of fresh air o...
Apr 16, 2025•38 min
You may recognize Leigh-Allyn Baker as the hilarious mom from Good Luck Charlie on Disney Channel, but there’s so much more to her story than what we saw on screen. In this episode, Leigh-Allyn opens up about her journey through Hollywood, the courageous moments when she had to stand firm in her faith, and how God showed up in unexpected ways. We talk about what it really means to follow your convictions, even when it’s unpopular, and how creativity and purpose can bloom when the path ahead feel...
Apr 09, 2025•40 min
CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquire abo...
Apr 04, 2025•14 min
Ever felt like life is spiraling and you’re just trying to hold on? In this episode, Levi Lusko joins me to talk about what it means to spiral—not as a sign of failure, but as an unexpected invitation to growth, grace, and greater purpose. We dive into his new book, Blessed Are the Spiraling, and explore how disorientation can actually be divine, why losing control might be exactly what we need, and how to find steady joy in the chaos. Levi shares powerful personal stories, biblical truth, and h...
Apr 02, 2025•43 min
CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquire abo...
Mar 29, 2025•13 min
CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquire abo...
Mar 29, 2025•14 min
You know those moments where you’re ready to throw in the towel? Like all the effort, the late nights, and the hustle have only led to burnout and the sneaky feeling that maybe it’s all downhill from here? Yeah, I’ve been there, and I know you probably have, too. That's why I’m so excited to have Mary Marantz back on the show for the third time—and trust me, this conversation is one you need to hear. Mary’s new book, Underestimated, dives deep into the struggle of feeling like you’re constantly ...
Mar 26, 2025•47 min
Friendship in adulthood can feel complicated—between busy schedules, big life changes, and just trying to keep up with everything, it’s easy for our closest relationships to take a backseat. But what if being a good friend doesn’t have to be as hard as we think? In this episode, I’m sitting down with author, speaker, and all-around friendship encourager Grace Valentine to talk about what it really means to show up for the people we love. We dive into practical ways to build strong, lasting frien...
Mar 19, 2025•46 min
How do you make decisions when you’re unsure if it’s truly God’s will or just your own desires leading the way? In this episode, I sit down with Chrystal Evans Hurst to talk about the tension between confidence and surrender—because even when we think we’re making the right choice, we still have to trust and yield to God. Chrystal shares powerful wisdom on how to move forward in faith, even when God seems silent, and why we don’t have to fear making the wrong decision. If you’ve ever felt stuck,...
Mar 12, 2025•40 min
