Do you ever feel like your faith is just another checkbox? Like you’re going through the motions, doing all the “right” things—going to church, saying your prayers, cracking open your Bible—but something still feels like it's missing?

In this episode, we’re peeling back the layers on “lukewarm” Christianity and why it’s so easy to slip into it. If you’ve ever felt the quiet tug for something more—a deeper connection, a real purpose, a faith and relationship with God that’s alive and active—this conversation is for you.

We get real about our own personal experiences being lukewarm, the unspoken dangers of it, and why settling for this "shallow" way of following God costs us way more than we realize.

Join us in exploring what it means to go ALL in with God - and step into the freedom that comes when you let him lead and transform every part of your life!

Ever feel like no matter how much you do, it’s still not enough? Like you’re on this exhausting hamster wheel, chasing the next task, project, achievement, or something else... but never really "arriving"?

In Part 2 of this conversation on how to free ourselves from hustle culture, we’re diving into why we feel this way and how our fast-paced, busyness-glorifying world - along with all the pressures from family and society - keeps us stuck in that cycle.

Join us as we talk about everything from FOMO to invisible scripts that leave us feeling anxious and drained (especially for us personally as Asian American children of immigrants) - and how to actually break free from them.

We also share real, practical ways that have helped us learn to live and work out of a place of rest (even if you’re not sure where to start) and how to "be still" with God WHILE doing work and fulfilling our God-given callings - without overcomplicating it.

We’re diving into a topic today that feels more real than ever... especially as we all feel the weight of increasing responsibilities, roles, and expectations as we get older.

It’s no secret that the pressures of adulting, career, and hustle culture all around us often perpetuate a constant cycle of stress and restlessness... So how do we resist and find freedom from the hustle?

This episode is part 1 of our conversation where we open up about how, for us, spending intentional time with God has played a HUGE role doing just this - including these past few months.

Join us as we unpack why spending time with God can often feel so hard and elusive - and share practical tools that you can apply right away for making time with God a priority (even if you're not a morning person!).

We hope this conversation helps demystify what it really looks like to escape the hustle and anchor yourself in the very real and accessible presence of God.

Hey friends! We. Are. BACK!!!

Oh man, these past few months have been FULL of transitions—pregnancy updates, Alex stepping back into corporate life, deepening our spiritual foundations—and it's all been a mix of both ups and downs.

We’re excited to catch up with you all, share some real-life real-TIME lessons we've been learning along the way, and dig into the messiness of transitions and the uncertainties of not knowing what’s ahead or what to do next...

If you’re feeling the pull to step into something new, but perhaps are holding back because of fear or uncertainty... we get it. We talk through the tension of wanting to be somewhere else in life but feeling stuck where you are right now—and what we've found personally helpful in gaining clarity around how/where God is leading AND having internal peace amidst all the external uncertainties.

This was a bittersweet episode to record... But we wanted to bring you into our real, raw, still-in-progress process "behind the curtain" on why we're taking a break, when we're planning to be back, as well as what we're excited about next and share with y'all in the meantime!

• Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/withthetrans

• Join our email list to get our next updates: https://unpack.beehiiv.com/subscribe

• Catch Grace over on her YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gracetran

We love y'all and are so, so grateful for all your support in this journey so far... and God is a good shepherd and we're excited to see how he continues to lead each of us into even greater things, lessons, and glory ahead :)

We'd so appreciate if you could keep us in prayer as we continue to seek him for his leading in everything - specifically how he wants us to be obedient in his specific assignments for us to make disciples, advance his Kingdom, and glorify him!

P.S. ALSO, we forgot to mention this but the timing of it all ended up being perfect (God is clutch!), because we're joining with our church to do a 40-Day Digital Fast, starting today! Decluttering our minds, hearts, souls to hear more from God, be more present, and live more outside our screens. (You're welcome to join us in doing this, too, if you want!)

We won't be on social media from now until mid-July - so if you need to contact us, email us at graceandalex@withthetrans.com. Love y'all! ✌️

How do you navigate unexplained trials and unimaginable tragedy... while still trusting and following God?

Today we're joined by our friend Joe Oh, who is a Performance Coach, Speaker, and Educator for a very personal, vulnerable, and heartfelt conversation.

Join us for both tears and laughter as we dive deep into:

• How generational inheritance impacts us, both in good and challenging ways

• How God works through us and our families cross-generationally

• The raw reality of navigating pain and unexpected challenges

• Joe's honest and vulnerable account of dealing with panic attacks

• Joe's experience of walking through the heartbreak of miscarriage with his family

• What it means and looks like to "rejoice in trials"

• How to hold the tension between unanswered prayers and standing in faith

• And more...

It's not every day you see two grown Asian American men unpack their generational trauma.

Today, we're joined by John Chen, Founder & President at ABOUND Education and Life Coach, as he and Alex dive deep into a raw, vulnerable, and insightful conversation (and a mini impromptu LIVE coaching session) about their experiences, struggles, and lessons learned as Asian American sons of immigrant parents.

Join us as we unpack:

• John's powerful testimony of how God spoke to him about leaving his stable career in finance to start a college counseling business

• What has helped in healing generational trauma & breaking cycles of family pain

• The reality of navigating unresolved tensions with parents

• Discerning what season you're in & where God is leading you in your career (& life)

• How we can break down the barriers that block us from God's love

• The unique pressures & challenges faced by children of immigrant parents

• Insights on discerning God's wisdom & guidance in your personal & professional life

• And much more...

Grace grew up thinking it normal to work late nights (all the time), pack her schedule, push her body to its limits.

This kind of lifestyle had been glorified in the fast-paced, Ivy-League-striving Bay Area where she'd grown up.

And still... it was never enough. But she kept pushing through anyway, to "maximize" her life and impact.

But what she DIDN'T realize were all the HIDDEN costs she was incurring over the years...

• Chronic stress from the endless to-do's.

• Constant guilt for not doing more for more people.

• Depletion, low energy, mood swings from sleep deprivation, stress eating, lack of self-care and TRUE, deep soul rest.

• All the stress her body was storing.

• The unexplainable itchy rashes, fainting spells, even a seizure.

• Scary 9-1-1 calls and ER visits...

Fast forward to today...

We're both full-time entrepreneurs amidst a very different yet also very similar world of hustle culture, high stakes and even MORE pressure, opportunities to endlessly work and burn ourselves to the ground...

But thank God... we've learned a BETTER WAY to work - and LIVE.

If you've ever wondered:

"Is it NORMAL to wear busyness & perfectionism like a badge?"

"How do I get OUT of these cycles of chronic burnout, which my social events, hangouts, trips, PTO, Netflix, etc. just can't seem to fix?!"

"Why does Jesus tell us we can take his yoke AND live 'freely and lightly'? Is it too good to be true??"

We pray that this testimony episode encourages you. ❤️

In cultures where selflessness and sacrifice are often glorified, it's easy to confuse them with their unhealthy look-a-like: self-neglect.

Join us in this episode as we delve into:

• The nuances and differences between selflessness vs. self-neglect and how we often see this show up in our Asian American Christian contexts

• Why it's so common for Christians to overlook this difference

• What makes us gravitate towards self-neglect without even knowing it

• What it means to genuinely help and serve others WITHOUT neglecting, abandoning, or losing ourselves

• The common signs of self-neglect to watch out for (and why it's dangerous)

• How Jesus models how to practically live out true, biblical, healthy selflessness

We explore all of this and more based on Scriptural insights, our own struggles and stories, and practical tips you can apply in your own life.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the demands of serving others or struggled to prioritize your own needs without guilt - this episode is for you.

We pray this conversation helps you set boundaries that honor and protect your well-being, while better understanding God's heart for you to healthily love and serve others.

Today we're joined by Peggy Bodde, who found herself rising in the ranks of corporate America for 25 years, when she got an undeniable call from the Holy Spirit to leave her successful career as Senior Vice President.

In 2014, she began her "Act II" as a full-time writer & small business owner, founding Sacred Work, which provides women with free career & leadership coaching.

Join us as we unpack:

• Peggy's personal testimony of taking the leap of faith out of the corporate world, & what God taught her along the way

• The roots of imposter syndrome & practical strategies to overcome it

• How to know if your job has become an idol

• The unique challenges female leaders face, both in the marketplace & ministry

• How to approach "self-advocacy" through a faith-based perspective

• What it looks like to invite the Holy Spirit into problems at work

• Tips for making hard decisions wisely

• What Peggy would do differently if she could go back, as one of the only few female leaders in the organization

and more...

We pray you're reassured that you're not alone in your struggles, and that you're left encouraged, empowered, and equipped to navigate your work & leadership journey with God's help & practical wisdom!

Does seeking out professional help imply we don't have enough faith?

What are the signs of anxiety to watch for, before it's too late?

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Courtney Miller, a Christian therapist based in the SF Bay Area, as we unpack:

• Common myths & misconceptions about therapy

• The most common mental health challenges & trends today

• What truly lies at the root of anxiety

• How Christian therapy differs from secular approaches

• Why it's important to "listen to our body" & what that actually looks like

• How our relationship with eating & food affects anxiety, gut, & mental health

• How the history of psychology impacts people of color

• How the pandemic changed the Church's approach to mental health

• Clear warning signs to notice before reaching a breaking point / health disaster

• The role of community in our healing journeys

• The unseen effects of capitalism & hustle culture on our whole being

• Practical baby steps to begin healing from our inner pain & struggles

Dr. Courtney also shares POWERFUL testimonies of God working in her personal journal & therapy practice, including a major health scare and what she did to REVERSE her condition.

We pray this conversation inspires you and gives you the wisdom and tips you need to continue growing in holistic healing, and live in FREEDOM the way God designed you to!

Struggling to hear from God or feel deeply connected to him?

Feeling stuck or stagnant in your faith?

Unsure about how to "invite God in" to heal your pain?

Today, we sit down with our friend Reigha Tencer (Host Pastor at Jesus Culture San Diego) to dive into the VITAL topic of cultivating a REAL, PERSONAL, INTIMATE friendship with God.

We delve into what it means to move beyond just knowing ABOUT God in our heads to actually KNOWING God personally - through an authentic, deep, transformative relationship with him as our Father and close friend.

Reigha shares her own personal journey of unexpected encounters with God (and how they've RADICALLY transformed her life from the inside out in ways she NEVER expected!), correcting her view of God (and how that changed the way she sees and serves others), honest ministry leader confessions, discerning between "your desires" vs. "God's desires," and SO much more.

If you want to know how to connect with God in a way that makes your heart come ALIVE - even in the midst of the most challenging, uncertain, and painful circumstances - this is an episode you do NOT want to miss.

We pray that this RICH conversation FULL of powerful wisdom and practical examples will help you break through any barriers hindering the closeness your Heavenly Father wants to have with you... and to AWAKEN your heart to the incredible love he ALREADY has for you!! ❤️

This week we're celebrating our 1-YEAR PODVERSARY!!! 🎉

It's hard to believe that a year's flown by since we first launched this podcast... since then, God's used this platform to impact literally thousands of people in ways we can't even see, support and amplify tons of incredible guests, and taught and stretched us SO MUCH along the way...

Today, we're taking y'all behind the scenes and sharing six of the BIGGEST, real + raw lessons that have shaped us in this journey of podcasting with God (including some real-time personal processing LOL #veryraw).

Whether you're feeling a tug to start a podcast or something new, or are just curious and wanting to learn and grow, we hope these lessons can shed insight into the lesser-seen side of podcasting and entrepreneurship... but also encourage and empower you in your own endeavors, too!

Thank you SO much for being here with us along this journey... We are immeasurably grateful for your encouragement, subscribes, shares, engagement, etc. - it all truly means SO MUCH more than you can know!! 🙂

Struggling with chronic anxiety and stress at work?

Whether it's being buried under never-ending workloads, looming deadlines, or constant indecision, most of us are NOT strangers to anxiety at work...

Join us as we dive into three POWERFUL strategies (that are usually overlooked) to combat workplace stress and anxiety HEAD-ON.

We hope these practical tips help you better manage work stress and anxiety, people-pleasing, and overworking, and more.

Also for this one, you'll want to make sure you listen until the end... ;)

After nearly a decade in corporate tech, Alex very recently transitioned out to pursue something completely new... something that we've both felt God has been "setting up" for a while now!

Just 3 days after leaving his job, Alex shares the very real and raw challenges, obstacles, and fears he experienced in taking this big step of faith - but also what God showed and convicted him of in the process.

We also talk about the real temptation to "quiet quit" - and what ended up happening when Alex sensed God calling him to finish well and be bolder in ministering to his co-workers and managers.

We pray that these reflections would encourage you and inspire you with practical ideas for ways to be salt and light in your own workplace, spheres of influence, and transitional seasons, too!

What does it even mean to be our AUTHENTIC selves?

How do we know if we are (or aren't)?

What does NOT doing it really cost us?

And how do we PRACTICALLY navigate "self-discovery" God's way... and to live freely and fully as our TRUE selves?

We hope this conversation helps you know you're not alone; equips you to overcome the pressures to conform, social anxiety, and the temptations to hide; and empowers you to shine God's light BOLDLY and BRIGHTLY wherever you go!

It's hard to believe it's already been a month since our move!

We talk about how life has been, what has surprised us, what we've been learning, some testimonies of ways we've been experiencing God... as well a big UPDATE in terms of our podcast...

How do we share our faith with those who DON'T believe one of the main bases for our faith: The Bible?

Today we're joined by Dr. Mikel Del Rosario, a seasoned Professor of Bible and Theology at Moody Bible Institute with over 15 years training Christians in apologetics, to break down:

What actually is apologetics, and why does it matter for every believer?

The real root of all the disagreement about Jesus (despite historical evidence)

Practical tips for navigating questions and conversations with grace and love (and avoiding nasty debates) with those who don't share your beliefs

What famous atheists say about Jesus

The key "one-pager" fact sheet about Jesus you should know & can talk about

And much more...

Today we sit down with our favorite Christian comedy creator: Gabriel Lopez! Known as @gods.best.friend with over 350,000 followers on social media, what led Gabriel to start this social media ministry and write his book (God's Best Friend: The Adventures of an Ordinary Man and an Extraordinary God) was far from what he had ever willed or expected.

Join us as we dive into his personal journey of the unimaginable loss and grief that led him to where he is today... including POWERFUL testimonies that will ignite your faith and expand your perspective.

We also talk about what it looks like to invite God into the creative process, how to not be weighed down by pressure to "top yourself," and encouragement and wisdom for those of you who feel a tug to start a new endeavor or create with God!

There's a big difference between just being "in" a relationship vs. actually having a *consistent* heart connection with one another.

And the truth is, there really is no shortcut... true connection, authentic intimacy, and stronger bonds don't just "happen." In fact, when we're passive about our relationships, the opposite happens: they grow stale and often breed boredom or even resentment.

Instead, having a thriving relationship takes our active participation and intentionality... but it is SO worth it!

Today, we're covering some practical tips for cultivating and strengthening a deeper, richer emotional/relational connection with a spouse or significant other (though the principles can also be adapted for family / friends).