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.

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!

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... ;)

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!

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).

If you're single and dreading "that" day coming around the corner... this episode is dedicated specifically to you.

This is also our first-ever "solo episode," in which I (Grace) share some of my own personal journey of navigating singleness (especially around Valentine's Day), including:

• The very real challenges of being "content in singleness" in a world that glorifies romance

• My own journey & reflections amidst so-called "waiting seasons" with God

• 5 Practical Tips for what to do with uncomfortable / mixed emotions that often come up

• Biblical vs. secular self-love & why it matters

• Managing the tensions of having longings AND trusting God

When should we speak up, vs. just "let it go"? How do we love and honor both others AND ourselves well, even in the midst of conflict? How can we equip ourselves to navigate difficult conversations during the holidays?

Today, we sit down for a thought-provoking conversation with Kathy Khang, co-author of Loving Disagreement: Fighting for Community through the Fruit of the Spirit with Matt Mikalatos (recently named Book of the Year 2023 by The Englewood Review of Books).

Join Grace & Kathy as they dive into cultural & generational nuances that affect how we approach conflicts and resolution, specifically with their own personal experiences as Asian American Christian women (and why that matters).

We also explore how to live out the fruits of the Spirit amidst conflict, practical wisdom and tips on how to love and honor others amidst disagreement (for those who need a survival guide for challenging family dynamics - especially during the holidays!), and learning to embrace the messy journey along the way.

This week, on top of Alex's birthday, we're also celebrating our wedding anniversary!

Marriage has been one of the BEST gifts ever—but it's also not all sunshine and rainbows. In honor of this milestone, we thought we'd share 3 key lessons that have been HUGE for our relationship (but aren't often talked about) that we've learned so far in the past 3 years.

We are FAR from perfect, but we hope these personal examples of real-life challenges and what God's been teaching us through them can speak to you and help you wherever you're at—whether you're married, engaged, dating, or single and wanting to learn more about and prepare for marriage (HIGHLY recommend!).

Today, we're diving into Part 2 of a topic that's been close to our hearts and highly requested by our listeners: the intersection of faith and depression.

Depression can often be an overwhelming, paralyzing, and isolating experience.

It's easy to feel so stuck in the darkness, tempted to believe that there is "no way out," and that we're powerless to our thoughts and emotions.

Our goal with this episode is not to add more weight to your burden - but simply to be your friends from afar, to come alongside you and encourage you with truth.

The truth that you aren't alone. The truth that there IS hope and light ahead of you. That there is absolutely nothing - not even the depths of depression and despair - that can separate you from God's presence, power, and unimaginable love for you.

Ultimately, we hope these 5 tangible tips equip and EMPOWER you to take a small, courageous, intentional step towards powerfully pursuing the freedom and healing AVAILABLE for you - even in the midst of your struggles.

Because your feelings are valid, but they are not the truth.

We pray that this conversation lovingly reminds you of what's true for you today.

Is it normal to have depression as a Christian? Did people in the Bible ever experience depression? And what do we do when we find ourselves in a dark and hopeless place, DESPITE knowing all the "Christian truths"?

Today we're sharing part 1 of 2 on the topic of faith and depression. We talk about our own personal experiences - from years ago, but also even more recently leading up to this episode release. We dive into the unspoken challenges so many of us (including biblical heroes and giants of faith) face, 3 common myths about depression that many people (including Christians) have, and what we've personally found to be helpful in how to view and think about depression - either for ourselves or for those around us suffering through it.

If you or someone you love struggle with depression: you are not alone.

You are valuable, worthy, and loved no matter what you're experiencing right now.

We pray that God uses this conversation to speak hope into your heart, and strength to keep on going.

How do we grieve healthily AND find real hope?

We often associate grief with the loss of a loved one, or perhaps a serious tragedy. But grief is much more common (and normal) than we think. It’s a natural part of life’s transitions, unexpected hurts, and a wide variety of challenges.

And yet, most of us were never taught how to grieve well. Instead, we default to pushing our hard emotions to the side and fight to stay “positive” and “have more faith.”

Because deep down, we’re afraid of being so overwhelmed by our losses - that we lose ourselves in the process.

Today, we sit down with Natasha Smith, author of Can You Just Sit with Me?: Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life. Through her personal journey of navigating 30+ years of painful losses, she shares insights on why healthy grieving matters, as well as how to allow grief to draw us closer to God rather than pull us away.

We also dive into the unspoken aspects of grief and uncomfortable emotions, from "invisible grief" that usually gets overlooked, to managing the tension of grieving honestly WHILE putting our faith in God at the same time.

As Natasha writes, it’s not a matter of getting OVER grief - but of allowing God to help you THROUGH it.

Let’s dive into what that looks like - and step into practical ways of finding hope and healing, even in the midst of real pain and disappointment.

This is probably one of the MOST IMPORTANT episodes we've recorded to date.

Ever wonder: What is it exactly that's keeping you STUCK?

Whether it's overcoming comparison, fear of people's opinions, imposter syndrome, financial anxiety, chronic stress, burnout, confusion and purposelessness, insert-your-own-struggle-here... today, we're unpacking (like, really unpacking) 3 common barriers to experiencing lasting transformation.

We talk about everything from the impact of our childhood experiences, to how to get out of toxic self-talk cycles, to our heart-mind connection and how to get authentically - and powerfully - connected with God and ourselves.

Join us as we dissect the invisible culprits that could very well be holding you back from seeing the changes you deeply desire, as well as give you practical examples of how to take steps forward.

Join us as we dive into the #1 voted-on topic that you picked in our Instagram poll: the difference between "self-care" & "soul care. "

At times, these terms are used interchangeably or in different ways, so we explore the hidden nuances and explore why embracing both is essential for our lives...

as well as real-life examples and practical ways to engage in self-care and soul care that go beyond cliché and surface-level ideas.

We also address common challenges that prevent us from taking care of ourselves and our souls, and offer actionable tips for overcoming them, based on what's been helpful for us in our personal journeys.

We hope that this conversation helps inspire you with a deeper understanding of why God invites us to care for ourselves holistically - as well as life-giving ideas for how to put that into action.

What if we told you: you might be slowly losing your soul... without you even knowing it?

Alan George sits down with us to share his vulnerable struggles, testimonies, and lessons learned about how his upbringing and experiences led him to discover the importance of spiritual formation and taking care of your soul—which goes way beyond just leadership skills and habit formation.

We break down what spiritual formation is, why it matters, and how it has totally transformed Alan's life and his family.

Practically, we also talk about practices and mindset shifts that can help you cultivate a deep and authentic connection with Jesus and tend to your soul, even in the midst of life's busyness and distractions.

Ever feel like work is swallowing you whole - or like you're just drowning in deadlines, responsibilities, and a constant pressure to do more than you might even be able to handle?

Alicia Michelle, certified Christian Mindset NeuroCoach and host of The Christian Mindset Coach Podcast, shares her personal journey of nearly losing her life to workaholism, what she’s learned and how she’s changed since then, and how her experiences ignited her mission to help others find LASTING FREEDOM.

We dive into the real reasons behind why many of us push ourselves to the brink - and practical ways to leverage tools from neuroscience AND lean on the power of the Holy Spirit and God's Word to break free from the trap of overworking.

It's a powerful combo that will revolutionize the way you approach work - and the rest of LIFE.

We want to specifically dedicate this (very vulnerable) episode to those of you who have a complicated relationship with your dad.

In many cultures especially (such as ours as Asian Americans), it’s normal to feel unsure and ill-equipped to navigate the confusing and complex “love-hate” tensions we often feel with our parents... especially our dads. (Ever wonder why the term “daddy issues” exists?)

But it makes it that much harder, too, when your social media feed gets flooded with "I love you, Dad!" posts on Father's Day.

So, if you have a complicated relationship with your dad...

This one’s for you.

We hope that this very REAL and raw conversation brings you comfort - so you know that you are not alone.

We pray that this encourages and helps you to be able to better see your dad through Jesus’ eyes - and to love your dad with Jesus’ love for each and every one of us. ❤️