Today's episode is with a guest that knows about devastation and disaster and has chosen the most beautiful perspective even still. Ashley LeMieux's inspiring story of choosing to shine in the midst of grief and heartache is full of hope, letting go of shame and choosing to believe the best about God. If you're dealing with shame in your grief, doubting God in difficulty and what to do when your world gets rocked - listen to this! Show notes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/157 Learn more ab...
Jul 29, 2021•40 min•Ep. 157
Today's episode speaks to the hearts of those who are walking through a life that looks different than their expectations. Maybe you're not in the place in life you had hoped to be - we get it! Bachelor/Bachelorette Alum, Desiree Hartsock Siegfried, shares about her journey to finding love on the show, how God exceeded her expectations and how she handled disappointment in the midst of it all, and the off-camera journey of the lessons Desiree learned We talk how to always fail forward, stay true...
Jul 21, 2021•39 min•Ep. 156
Busy? Trying to balance it all and feeling like things are still slipping through your fingertips? This episode is for you 💕 Ellie Holcomb, musician, author, all of the things, is joining Rachel in today's episode to chat about her life, how she manages all of the different areas and projects and still feels full. It's not easy, it takes work and intention but Ellie shares practicals in today's conversation that can help bring the "fullness" back to your life, even when things are messy and cra...
Jul 07, 2021•45 min•Ep. 155
Infertility is a sensitive subject that's really difficult to chat about lightly - but today's guest mixes this heavy topic with fun and wisdom in the best way! Megan Smalley knows the world of infertility well. After climbing her own mountain of infertility, she has created a sisterhood for women that need that same love and encouragement through the thick of it. Rachel and Megan talk about it all: what women walking through infertility want to hear, don't want to hear, and need to hear. Whethe...
Jun 23, 2021•40 min•Ep. 154
Let's admit this together: We all want to be satisfied with life. It's a goal to feel joy with what's around us, hope for our circumstances (the good and bad), and contentment with right where we are but it's a lot easier said than done. Whether you're upset with a current situation, waiting for the next best thing, lonely and craving friendship today's guest and my new friend Alyssa Bethke is here to encourage you in this! Alyssa and I are talking about how to move out of these lonely places, l...
Jun 17, 2021•42 min•Ep. 153
Our guest today says it best: your body is more than its size, its sickness or its symptoms. You were made for more than a love/hate relationship with your body. Have you ever felt stuck in the tension of shame around your body? You work out to fit a certain image, you think critical thoughts as you enjoy one of your favorite meals - you know the drill. It's time this stopped and that you found freedom! Today, we're talking about how to find that freedom, what the Bible has to say about our bodi...
Jun 09, 2021•40 min•Ep. 152
Friend, let me tell you! There are so many things I remember experiencing and thinking “why did no one tell me about this part??” They’re not in movies, you don’t hear about them in birth classes, from friends until you experience them first hand. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think it’s malicious and people mean to not tell you - I just think we all forget about those small details after the fact but they don’t seem so “small” when they’re happening to us. So, I asked my sister-friends on Instagr...
Jun 02, 2021•27 min•Ep. 151
I love how this community has brought so many friends together - we can’t do this alone! Being able to connect with listeners and gusts is the highest honor to me. Today, Jillian Edwards joins us again to talk about all things community. What does it look like to practically support one another? Do we actually need help like we always hear? How do we do it together and encourage one another? Jill is helping me answer all of these questions today by sharing how she linked arms with Ellie Holcomb ...
May 26, 2021•39 min•Ep. 150
Have you ever felt a little "blah" when it comes to your prayer time? You feel like you're throwing up the same requests and aren't sure if they're being heard. Or maybe, you know and trust the truth that God is in that conversation with us but it feels distant and not exactly the "thriving" relationship with God you hoped for? Then, this episode is for you! Valerie Woerner of Val Marie Paper (and my favorite prayer journal) is joining us to chat about reinvigorating your prayer life, the privil...
May 12, 2021•37 min•Ep. 148
Have you made mistakes in the past that continually haunt you? Maybe you're afraid of making similar mistakes in the future and it's all too consuming. At some point, the weight of these mistakes begins to weigh on how we view ourselves and the worth we find within. The all-too-familiar feeling of unworthiness becomes prominent, causing us to live from a place of fear and despair. But what if it chose to talk about it, rather than push it down? Today's guest, Eryn Eddy, gets it. In today's conve...
May 05, 2021•39 min•Ep. 147
He's here! Baby Maddex joined the Awtrey family on March 14th and boy oh boy! We have a story to tell! What started out as a normal appointment turned into a crazy next few weeks. Listen to our funny moments, the moments Rachel got sassy with her doctor on accident, things we didn't know about labor beforehand that we wish we would have known and how Maddex came into the world. We're sharing the deets! Shownotes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/146 Rachel on Instagram: instagram.com/rachel.a...
Apr 28, 2021•45 min•Ep. 146
I hear ya... there's a lot in the world you'd probably like to change and this past year brought many of these needed changes to our attention. But, how do we help? Like actually, practically help. Big ways or small, we're called to step in and offer hope, peace, and kindness to the world around us as Jesus did. Need a "next step" or some inspiration on how to? Meet my friend Amy Wolff in today's episode. Amy Wolff, a busy mom, and small business owner, often felt this way--and didn't feel quali...
Apr 14, 2021•43 min•Ep. 145
Home. It is an elegant word, at once both simple and far-reaching. Home is a place to live in and feel comfortable, but it is much more than that. Hey mama! Do you find yourself slightly cringing when someone asks what you do and you respond with "stay at home mom" or "homemaker"? We get it and are happy to have Carrie Gress on the show to hype you up, lift your spirits and give you a glimpse into why homemakers are the actual heroes. In this inspiring conversation about home, life, and family, ...
Apr 07, 2021•45 min•Ep. 144
This one is for the girls that find themselves struggling with purpose. It's easier to "go through the motions" and not think critically about our next step, letting God speak into our moments and search for Him in everything we do. "We have enough on our plates, already? Right?" What if I told you that life could actually be easier, more full, and abundant when we lean into the intentional?! Today's conversation with Bethany Adkins opens up this idea. Bethany offers up the idea that when we wal...
Mar 31, 2021•43 min•Ep. 143
Recently, I've caught myself saying "I just want to get back to feeling like 'me' again." You may be in this same boat with me! And if you are, today's episode is for you! Today my new friend Christy Wright is joining us to chat all about her new devotional, Living True: 40 Days to Get Back to You. Let me tell you - it is full of practical wisdom! Christy is a mama, a wife, works closely with Dave Ramsey, has written one of my other favorite books, "Business Boutique." Today, we're talking all a...
Mar 17, 2021•38 min•Ep. 142
Are you close to giving up on that person, that dream, the goal, the idea that God placed on your heart? Friend, hold tight. This episode will bring fresh perspective and vision, I promise! Emily Lex joins me in a conversation all about where our identity can be found, how to practically work our way back to finding this part of ourselves, leaning into God in a new way, and encountering Him in our everyday life. Shownotes: behindthebliss.com/shownotes/141 BTB Instagram: instagram.com/behindthebl...
Mar 10, 2021•39 min•Ep. 141
Most who have experience will readily agree: marriage is hard. But is it worth it? In a country where marriage gets a bad rap, it seems as though an exciting, loving, satisfying, Christ-honoring, lasting marital relationship is unattainable. But what if it doesn’t have to be that way? What if marriage was fun? Adventurous? Meaningful? Jamie Ivey joins us again to give her insight into these questions about marriage. Hey! Fun news! She and her husband, Aaron, just released a new Bible study, Comp...
Mar 03, 2021•41 min•Ep. 140
Struggle with perfection? Do you find yourself striving to make pieces of your life, your body, or your relationships "ideal"? Do you find yourself comparing your reality to someone else's perceived reality? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, today's episode is for you! Cambria Joy joins us today to chat about how to take pride in their God-given bodies and live more fully. She shares with us her story of transformation after struggling with body image and perfectionism and how she...
Feb 24, 2021•42 min•Ep. 139
It’s time to rethink rejection! Popular dating coach and host of The Heart of Dating podcast Kait Warman has reckoned with rejection to find a life of freedom, wholeness, and purpose, and wants deep down for others to do the same. In her new book, Thank You for Rejecting Me: Transform Pain into Purpose and Learn to Fight for Yourself, Kait vulnerably shares how she grew through her deepest, darkest rejections and offers readers the tools to heal from the past, take back their power, and walk in ...
Feb 17, 2021•46 min•Ep. 138
Ever wanted to dive into the enneagram and understand what your type may say about your relationship with God? How does the Enneagram fit in when it comes to advancing one’s walk with God? This episode is just that! Expert of the Enneagram, Jackie Brewster, and author, Eve Annunziato, joined together to answer this question in their devotional, Hearing God Speak: A 52-Week Interactive Enneagram Devotional. Today's guests combine the Enneagram with biblical truth in order to help readers better u...
Feb 10, 2021•42 min•Ep. 137
Do you want to know why I love this podcast and you guys and this whole community?! It’s because we’re about real authentic connection. And I know “connection” is such a trendy word these days - it’s the word everyone’s using. But for real! How do you feel whenever you stop scrolling on Instagram? How do you feel when you get off the phone with a friend? And what are the differences between those two feelings? Today’s conversation is all about this: connection and sharing our story with today’s ...
Feb 03, 2021•41 min•Ep. 136
Did you know that January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month? It's one mission we can all link arms with and fight together! "How," you ask? Today's episode answers this question and more with human trafficking survivor, Rebecca Bender. For nearly six years, Rebecca was trapped in the dark, violent world of sex trafficking. When she escaped her trafficker, she knew she wanted to fight to change the culture and offer hope to survivors. Listen in to hear her story, how she escaped, and ...
Jan 27, 2021•45 min•Ep. 135
I'm so excited to share 10 resources to up your prayer walk, faith journey, and make life fun! From journals to planners, tips for life, playlists, and more! I think you're going to love at least one thing shared! Shownotes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/134 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 20, 2021•27 min•Ep. 134
If you’re feeling stuck, or that things don’t look according to plan, this episode is for you! Have you felt called to start something big or small or change directions? I’m so glad you’re here! We’re covering that in today’s episode with Mack Brock. Mack is a worship leader and singer walking through uncertainty, too, but his posture is inspiring to me and I wanted to share this perspective with you! He just released a new album, “SPACE".” This special live album was recorded during this year's...
Jan 14, 2021•37 min•Ep. 133
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your money situation? Maybe you're not sure how to manage it, maybe every season has been looking different (looking at you, 2020). Maybe you're in a paycheck-to-paycheck situation and you just want to feel financially FREEEE. Oh, sis, this episode will do you good! Rachel Cruze joins Rachel for a conversation all about why we make the moves with money we make, how we can get out of the hole of shame and guilt around money, ways to identify how we view money, an...
Jan 06, 2021•27 min•Ep. 132
If you're excited about a fresh start with this new year, this episode is for you! Hannah Brencher joins us once again to drop some truth bombs that a new year does *not* actually equal a "new you." We're diving into discipline, routines, and structure you can set up in your life to give yourself a fresh start (whether that's on NYE or in the middle of May!). Hannah's new book "Fighting Forward" explains this! It's a guide to beating the lies that may be holding you back. If you're scared of fai...
Dec 30, 2020•43 min•Ep. 131
You guessed it - we're talking Christmas again! From our holiday Starbucks orders to more Christmas list ideas, traditions, and how they change with time, Bachelorette. I mean, we talk it all! And who better to join me for this girl chat than one of my besties, Mary Scott Mercer! You may remember Mary Scott if you're an OG BTB fan - she used to host the show with me! What a fun conversation to have her back for. Grab some cocoa, go through the Starbucks line, press play, and join us for this gig...
Dec 16, 2020•43 min•Ep. 130
Need gift ideas for yourself or for others? We're giving you good ideas, talking through our favorite traditions, and funny memories and stories! Need a fun Christmas girl chat?! Look no further! All of the gifts we talked about in today's episode are linked in our show notes: Show notes: behindtheblisspodcast.com/shownotes/129 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 09, 2020•42 min•Ep. 129
Rebekah Lyons joins this conversation to talk through rhythms in life and why they’re so necessary! They not only allow us to have a “beat” to life but they create the margin for us to focus on Kingdom-minded things. If you haven’t already, grab Rebekah’s book, “Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose” where she chats about the 4 rhythms we can adopt and have in our lives today! She goes into each of these in today’s episode while also giving insight into w...
Dec 09, 2020•32 min•Ep. 128
What does that even mean: "the best version of you"? If you were to ask me, I'd say it's the version of me that has seen my faults and flaws and chooses to turn away and choose joy and grace and other fruits. It might mean something completely different to you! But, we can all agree that it's the version of us that feels free, that is constantly learning and growing, that feels like the "best version." Today, Adrienne Camp joins us for a girl talk to chat through all of the things she's learning...
Dec 02, 2020•41 min•Ep. 127
