Keeping It Centered
55 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsThis podcast is for women who want to keep God at the center of their marriage, their role as a mom, and while making a difference in the lives of others.
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Episodes
I'm Not What I Do: The Truth About My Identity (season finale)
June 23, 2021 11:00 - 54 minutes - 30 MBAs a sophomore in high school, I decided to join the cross country team because I didn’t have to try out! Rejection was more than I could handle during the first year of being at a boarding school that was two states away from my family. I thought I was going to die during my first few practices but by God’s grace, I eventually improved and ended up thoroughly enjoying running long distance. Track, on the other hand, wasn’t in my wheelhouse. (You’ll have to listen to today’s episode to know...
How to Share Your Story with Others
June 16, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 40.4 MBWhen I was a little girl, my love for words and stories began through trips to our local and school libraries. When my mom was at a hair salon, sometimes, I’d even hit the jackpot and find a book left behind that I could read. I also loved Sunday School and how my teachers shared Bible stories with my peers and me. Stories have the power to make you feel less lonely and more understood. They can take you to galaxies far away or give you hard truths from your favorite motivational figure. E...
How Adopting a Sibling Group Changed My Life
June 09, 2021 11:30 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBI didn't grow up hearing much about adoption. Honestly, I can only pinpoint one time I did as a young girl. That's when my dad (I never call him 'step dad') and mom brought it up briefly. As I got older, I saw the commercials about sending money monthly to help take care of children in parts of the globe I'd never heard of before. Then, about 5 years ago, my family started attending the church where we currently worship. There are so many families in our congregation who have chosen to ado...
The Importance of Boundaries as an Entrepreneur
May 19, 2021 07:00 - 52 minutes - 32.4 MBSetting boundaries is so important. One reason is that it helps protect our mental health. When we allow ourselves to be slaves to the lack mentality or hustle culture, we open the doors for stress, fear, and a host of other issues to run amuck in our lives. God didn't call us to live overwhelmed, chaotic lives. In Him, we can find rest and peace--even as entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship may look glamourous but trust me, many entrepreneurs will let you know all that glitters ain't gold! Ent...
5 Practical Ways to Care for Your Kid's Mental Health
May 12, 2021 07:00 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MBChildren oftentimes get a bad wrap. We tell them they've got ‘the easy life’ and how many of us adults would love to switch places with them. The problem, however, is that children go through tough times, too. However, many don't take their issues seriously. Last week, we shared how important it is to take care of yourself physically and mentally. It's also equally important that our kiddos learn to take care of their physical and mental health, too. In this episode, we chat about: why w...
Mental Health Matters, Mama
May 05, 2021 08:00 - 16 minutes - 12.3 MBMental health is still a touchy subject in many circles--even though it's 2021. No one wants to look as if they don't have it all together but the truth is, who does? What I can tell you is that God cares about you from the inside out, sis. You don't have to do anything to be loved or accepted by Him. He made you and you're good enough for Him. While you're keeping track of extracurricular activities, grocery runs, your job, and everything in between don't forget to take care of yourself...
Hope for Suicidal Thoughts
April 28, 2021 07:00 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBLosing a loved one is never easy. However, when a loved one chooses to end their life, that can add to the sting of loss. Heather Palacios knows all too well what it’s like to struggle with suicidal thoughts. She’s been on this journey since she was 8 years old and God has allowed her to use her life experiences to help others through their mental afflictions, too. Oftentimes, many of us are afraid to share our struggles with others. We fear what they will think, say or do. But Heather’s t...
How to Look & Feel Your Best
April 21, 2021 07:00 - 58 minutes - 53.6 MBBlown out diapers, grass stains from soccer games, and hurled spaghetti. These are just a few things we ladies encounter along our motherhood journey. Who has time to put together outfits you’d see former First Lady, Michelle Obama rockin’ when you’re busy cleaning up and running to multiple extracurricular activities? Listen, I hear you and I see you, mama. That’s why I’m so glad I had the opportunity to chat with Personal Stylist, Melanie Kendall. She’s a wife, mom, and entrepreneur with ...
Being Black and Christian in America
April 14, 2021 11:30 - 1 hour - 62.9 MBThe United States has come a long way in terms of equality; however, we still have much more work to do, as evidenced by the recent shooting of Daunte Wright, an unarmed Black man. So many men and women have fought and continue to do so to make life better for all people. For those individuals, including this week's guest, Dr. Quantrilla Ard, I'm deeply grateful. Over the past few years, I've come to realize there seems to be a divide within the Black community, in particular. Every ethnici...
Strengthen Your Faith Through Bible Journaling
April 07, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 79.5 MBI’ve got to admit that the initial Bible journaling craze threw me for a loop! I didn’t understand why anyone would want to draw and color in their Bible. Don’t get me wrong—I love a good doodle and I actually used to draw a bit back in the day. It’s just that I grew up in an environment where I was taught the Bible is sacred and highlighting was the most I’d seen anyone do in their Bible. That’s why I’m so glad my friend, Jen was able to chat with me about some myths and misconceptions reg...
Reflecting on 2020
December 30, 2020 21:39 - 34 minutes - 30.2 MBIt's the end of the year and I'm sure you've seen your fair share of 2020 memes, many of which have a "good riddance" vibe. Rightfully so, there are undeniably several examples of things that sideswiped many of us. However, there's also a lot of good that came out of this year, too. In this year's final episode, we reflect on: highlights of some eye-opening events of 2020, what kind of character 2020 revealed about us, what happens when we don't pivot, adapt, or change with the times, m...
Trusting God as a Film Maker with MS (season finale)
November 11, 2020 17:00 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBWe are SO excited to have Dija Henry as our guest for this final episode of season four (don’t worry, we’ll be back in the Spring with fresh new testimonies from AH-MAZING women of faith)! Dija’s a wife, mama to three, an actress, filmmaker, and most importantly, a woman of God. Dija’s journey to becoming a filmmaker is unlike any we’ve ever heard but there are lots of similarities with which many of us can easily identify. Take marriage, motherhood, and life with MS for example. Many think...
Beating Stage 4 Cancer While Running a PR Firm
November 04, 2020 13:15 - 46 minutes - 42.3 MBWith the normal ins and outs of daily life, none of us would question why we feel tired or have a cough. Neither did Lindsey. She later found out the reason why she started feeling badly was because her body had been fighting against cancer. This twenty-something was also juggling the responsibilities that come along with full-time entrepreneurship. By God’s grace, she’s still here today to continue doing the work she feels called to do—helping brands leverage media exposure to meet the need...
When Infertility and Adoption are Part of God's Plan
October 28, 2020 11:24 - 1 hour - 62.1 MBAs a little girl, I remember dreaming about what my wedding day would look like, who I’d marry, and how many kiddos I’d have. It never occurred to me that there’s a possibility some families may experience difficulty in conceiving children. In the past few years, I’ve been exposed to stories of multiple families in this situation. As a result, some families choose to adopt. However, there are many nuances to the adoption process. That’s why I’m so glad Amanda joins us this week to share her ...
One Thing You Need to Lead Well
October 21, 2020 17:38 - 1 hour - 56.7 MBGod has given each of us gifts, talents, and strengths. We also have limitations. Joy teaches women how to take this knowledge and apply it to their lives so they can lead well in ministry, business, and life. In our chat today, we explore: what it looks like to lead well at home + in the office, what every leader needs to lead effectively + reach her goals, the benefits of conducting a regular VIP day + how to set one up, why it’s easier to celebrate others, and more! “Leading well beg...
5 Life Changing Prayer Principles
October 14, 2020 08:00 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MBThere's a misconception that if you've been in church for a while, you should know how to pray. However, that isn't always the case. For one reason or another, there are some individuals who either don't know how to pray or who don't feel as if they know how to do it properly. This can cause many to forego praying altogether, unfortunately. In today's chat, Pamela D. Smith shares with us: why she became a minister and author, why she helps Christian writers with the publishing process, ...
Trusting God & Healing From a Miscarriage
October 07, 2020 13:00 - 55 minutes - 51.3 MBForrest Gump tried to tell us years ago that life is like one of those mixed chocolate boxes where you’re not really sure which flavor you’ll end up consuming. The older I become, the more I realize how true this simple analogy is. Sometimes we have a plan of what we want our life to look like but God has a different vision in mind. Life then becomes a journey of unlearning lies and toxic thoughts and instead one of learning the lessons God knows we need the most. That’s what we explore tod...
Practical Ways to Raise Prayerful Kids
September 30, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 63 MBAs a recovering perfectionist, I’ve wondered at times if I’m qualified enough to be a mother to my three incredible daughters. Sarah and Steph remind us that perfectionism isn’t a requirement for parenting. Instead, we need a heart that puts God first. Modeling this behaviour and mindset shift is so critical to helping our kiddos adopt beliefs that are aligned with God’s truth. Sarah and Steph also drop many more gems to help you disciple your kiddos. They share: myths about what prayer is...
When Pain Leads to Purpose
September 24, 2020 02:44 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MB2020 has been quite an eventful year. We've lost so many people we love and admire. Many have lost jobs, businesses, and homes, too. There's been so much pain and loss. Chadwick Boseman reminded us, however, that our struggles and pains are meant to shape us for our purpose. It's never fun going through tough times but these moments help prune us. To become the women God's called us to be will require us to die to our flesh daily and to take up our cross and follow Him wholeheartedly. In...
Encouragement for the Weary Mom
September 16, 2020 13:30 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBMotherhood is a gift from God and a life-long ministry. Each stage has its own set of wonders and growing pains. And if we're honest, moms need someone to encourage them, too. This episode is for you if: you want to see more fruit of God in your life, you want to trust God more, you wish you could fully pursue your dreams and goals, you're stuck in the comparison trap, and you want a better relationship with God. You're gonna need to take notes on this episode for sure so grab a pen ...
The Truth About Time Management
September 09, 2020 08:00 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MBSome days, time seems to stand still. On other occasions, it's easy to feel as if we'll always be behind. Time management is a skill in which many of us struggle--so don't feel alone if you’re drowning in your to-do lists! That's why we called on coach Alicia Byers to give us some insight as to how we as women can: trade-in "hustle culture" for rest + still accomplish our tasks, break free of the biggest myths regarding time management and productivity, discover what rest looks like fo...
Bridging the Ethnic Divide
June 24, 2020 12:48 - 1 hour - 80.6 MBIn season 2, we had the pleasure of chatting with Pastor Malcolm Walls about the responsibility Christians have in bridging the ethnic divide. This week, he's back for an encore and is also joined by an amazing guitarist and worship leader, Jac Mandel. We're at a turning point in history. For so many years, the African American community has spoken out about the injustices still running rampant in many parts of our nation and world. Now, with the invention of smartphones, we're seeing more...
Becoming a Woman After God's Heart, pt. 2
June 17, 2020 14:20 - 47 minutes - 26.9 MBBeing a woman after God's heart takes work and intentionality. Last week, we chatted with Mamie L. Pack about how we can live a life pleasing to our Father in the realm of our marriage and career. This week, we focus on: the challenges in shifting from single parenting to parenting together with your spouse, raising sons to identify and process their emotions in a healthy way, the importance of communication, why it's necessary to have good, Godly women in your corner, the importance ...
Becoming a Woman After God's Heart, pt. 1
June 10, 2020 08:00 - 49 minutes - 27.5 MBWe learn how to be women in various roles (ex. wives, moms, and career women) beginning as young girls. Sometimes, these examples are great and then there are some not-so-good influences, too. At the end of the day, it’s all about God, pleasing Him, and making Him known. But what do you do when you didn’t grow up with godly women examples in your life? Mamie reminds us there’s hope, friends! In the first part of this week’s episode, we chat about: why women struggle with “performing” for o...
It's Okay to Not Be Okay
June 03, 2020 14:30 - 16 minutes - 14.6 MBI won't lie and pretend that I've been "okay" since hearing and seeing the video footage of the murder of George Floyd. I haven't been okay since hearing of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other Black people who've been murdered by the hands of those sworn to protect and serve. I know many others feel the same. In this week's episode, we chat about: why it's okay to not be okay, David's frequent sharing of his raw emotions to God, Jesus' grief, healthy ways to cope, and o...
When Serving and Submitting Are Hard
May 27, 2020 10:49 - 46 minutes - 43 MB"Happy wife, happy life." That's what many couples go into marriage believing. Can I tell you that statement isn't biblical, though? The success of a marriage shouldn't be dependent upon the happiness of only one person. As young girls, oftentimes we envision marriage as the fairy tales we read in books or see in movies. It generally doesn't cross our minds that God's called us to be submissive to our husbands. Or that life is about serving, not being served. In today's podcast episode, T...
Practical Ways to Take Your Thoughts Captive
May 20, 2020 08:00 - 21 minutes - 18.3 MBNo one is exempt from having poor thoughts. If you ever listen to interviews with athletes like Michael Jordan, you'll notice that even "the greats" have had their bouts. What sets them apart, oftentimes, is they find the resolve to disregard those poisonous thoughts and get the job done. You and I may not have MJ's basketball skills but we can take our thoughts captive and live life in freedom. In this week's podcast episode we chat about: 5 practical ways to take our thoughts captive, ...
How to Get Your Finances Under Control
May 13, 2020 08:00 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MBRegardless of where you live or work, there’s something many people have in common: debt. In fact, according to Zack Friedman of Forbes, student loan debt in the United States reached $1.56 trillion dollars in 2019. We won’t even get into credit card, mortgage, and health-related debts. Many parents instill the need to make money in their kiddos—and not just any kind of money, but good money. The kind of money that will keep you from crawling back home to live with dear old Mom and Dad. How...
6 Lessons Every Christian Needs to Learn
May 08, 2020 13:44 - 22 minutes - 19.3 MBPodcasting is a ministry that's filled with ups and downs. There's a learning curve, for sure, but there's also an opportunity to learn and grow as a person and as believer. Some people believe in waiting to start any new project until every detail is perfect. However, that's not necessarily how God operated in the lives of many in the Bible. In today's episode, JaQuette shares: thanks to everyone who has made this podcasting journey possible, 3 lessons she's learned as a person and a pod...
Where Your Value Lies
May 06, 2020 08:00 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBWe’re living in a time where some jobs are considered essential and others aren’t. While this may be relieving and secretly exciting to some (hey, fellow introverts!), others may feel differently. To some, this may bring up old conversations about choosing “the right” career. You know, one that’s deemed “valuable” and “important” by the population at large. In today’s episode, we chat about: God’s view of jobs, what happens when some Levites challenge Moses and Aaron’s authority, and whe...
God Cares About Your Health
April 29, 2020 08:00 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MBWhen it comes to our health and body image, there’s so much to think about. For example, I’m sure most of us have looked in the mirror a time or two and didn’t like what we saw. Maybe we didn’t like the way our arms or thighs looked. Maybe we didn’t think certain health issues would be of concern. The thing is, God truly does work everything out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). He may not meet our expectations for the situation but sis, God’s way is always best—even when we...
Trusting God When We're Afraid
April 22, 2020 08:00 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBFear isn't altogether a bad thing. It certainly helps our adrenaline start up when we need to take cover from a falling object or run away from an animal. However, fear can become an issue when it stops us from living in freedom and having the intimate relationship God wants with us. In today's episode, we chat about: three reasons we become afraid, examples of when the Israelites were fearful, and what we can learn from their experiences. We at Keeping It Centered do recognize that s...
Doing Marriage God's Way
April 15, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 59 MBEvery couple has bumps in their relationship at times. However, how do you know if it’s time to seek help from a professional counselor or therapist? Chris and Jamie Bailey are Christian marriage counselors and in today’s episode, they share so many gems to help you have a long-lasting marriage. I truly enjoyed this chat and took lots of notes (you might want to grab a pen and paper, too!). This episode is for anyone who wants to be in a romantic relationship or is currently in one. No need...
Helping Global Workers Serve Well
April 08, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 63.7 MBIn today’s episode, I had the distinct pleasure of chatting with Curtis McGown, Executive Director at Godspeed Resources Connection (GRC). He is a licensed mental health professional and has experience providing mental health services to quite a few different populations. There are a TON of gems in this conversation so be sure to grab your notepad and pen! Here’s a little sneak peek of what you can expect to hear: why many global workers have an extra layer of shame the top three disorders...
Living a Christ-Centered Life as an Educator
December 11, 2019 10:00 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBI remember choosing a major during my senior year of high school. I wasn't really sure what to do but I had an amazing French teacher (whom I still visit annually!). I told myself that if I could be half the teacher she was to me, I'd feel as if I made a difference. She was simply the best at helping me as a student and as a young person finding her way in this great big world. After my first year, I realized how unprepared I still felt. I was overwhelmed with this new chapter of my life an...
What to Do When People Fail Us
November 27, 2019 12:15 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBWe've all been there. We've created a description about someone we really admired or love and the unthinkable happens: they fail us. They do something to shatter this iconic vision we had of them--and truth be told, we feel some kinda way about it. I mean, we know people aren't perfect but we expected better from this person. I've been there, too. I've had family members and acquaintances that let me down because they didn't live up to my expectations. At other times, they didn't come thro...
Following Christ's Example of Servanthood
November 20, 2019 11:00 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBThere are certain times of year when we hear more people focusing on giving and serving one another. Generally, these moments are around holidays. While there's nothing wrong with doing nice things for others, we as Christians must be sure that our motives are pleasing to God. In this week's episode, we take a look at Philippians 2:1-15 and dissect Christ's greatest example of servant hood. Take a listen and decide how you can apply this passage to your own walk of faith. Reflection Questi...
Four Drawbacks of Over-parenting Our Kids
November 13, 2019 11:15 - 35 minutes - 32.7 MBThis solo episode was inspired by a recent podcast episode that went viral and was taken down. While we will not defend or condemn the actions of the father in the viral podcast episode, we will talk about what this means for us as Christian parents. In this episode we discuss: parent expectations stages of raising children a temptation parents face four drawbacks of over-parenting our kiddos Biblical examples of God's parenting style resources for parents Resources mentioned Keepi...
Lessons From a Pastor's Wife with 20+ Years in Ministry
November 06, 2019 09:00 - 39 minutes - 36.6 MBMy mother gave her life to Christ when I was a preschooler and ever since then, I spent a lot of time in church. One thing I've noticed is that the First Lady (a.k.a. the Pastor's wife) is oftentimes the most respected woman in the congregation. However, there are some churches where the First Lady's position is misunderstood, questioned, and sometimes, blatantly disrespected. I thought it would be great to explore some things that Pastors' wives go through and learn how we can be more suppo...
Finding Your Calling in a Traumatic Past and Singleness
October 30, 2019 08:00 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MBDomestic violence is a tough topic to discuss, especially in church. It's hard to imagine our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ going through something as traumatic as domestic violence but it happens more than we think. Sometimes, victims, unfortunately, don't survive; however, we are fortunate to have Tamika Sims share her experience with us and how her life has changed as a result. This week, Tamika L. Sims shares with us: what it's been like to be a single mother, how singleness...
Serving God Abroad as a Family of Seven
October 23, 2019 08:00 - 57 minutes - 51.7 MBGrowing up, I'd never seen missionaries outside of those on television requesting money to help families in remote areas of the world. Yet, the church I currently attend puts a lot of focus on bringing the Word of God to the ends of the Earth. This week on the Keeping It Centered podcast, we're talking with Danielle Tavarez about: why she and her husband decided to become a missionary family, the challenges and joys of being a missionary, how to get your children involved in ministry whil...
Where is My Boaz, Lord? : Tips for Single Christian Women
October 16, 2019 14:45 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBThis week, we chat with Elanda Seaton about singleness as a Christian woman and how God used that season of her life to make marriage and motherhood much sweeter than she could've ever imagined. If you're wondering where your future hubby could be, especially because you've been doing all the things everyone around you said to do to catch that man, then this episode is for YOU! We're talking about: society's expectation of marriage checking off all "the right" boxes not settling for the...
Trusting God Beyond What We Can See
October 09, 2019 07:00 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBLike the Israelites, we've had our fair share of doubts in our relationship with God. In this week's episode, we explore: how the Israelites displayed distrust in God's ability to adequately provide for them. how we mimic the Israelites. how to know if we truly trust God to meet our needs. steps we can take to grow in our faith. Focus text: Exodus 16 ESV Don't forget! Be sure to share and subscribe to the Keeping It Centered Podcast. Listen each week on Apple Podcasts, Google Pod...
The Christian's Role in Bridging the Racial Divide
October 02, 2019 09:07 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MBWhen we look around us, we are reminded of how far we've come globally as people who accept one another regardless of our pigmentation. However, various events in the United States alone over the past few years suggest we still have a long way to go in bridging the racial divide. So, what's the Christian's role in all of this? Historically, some believed skin pigmentation dictated who was "good" versus "evil". Even in churches, this mindset permeated, causing further division. In this epis...
The Real Reason We Struggle to Do It All
July 10, 2019 11:00 - 17 minutes - 14.9 MBWhile going down the never-ending to-do list, it doesn't always cross our mind why we're so stressed and ready to snap at anyone who crosses our path. But guess what? It was never God's intention for us to do it all alone! In this episode, our main Biblical passage came from Exodus 18, where Jethro teaches Moses all about the art of delegating. Other Bible references include: Proverbs 11:2 Proverbs 29:23 James 1:5-6 Be sure to share this episode and subscribe to the Keeping It Centered ...
What It Means to Be Free In Christ
July 03, 2019 21:15 - 15 minutes - 13.7 MBSociety has its own definition of freedom but God's perspective is much different. What kind of message are we as wives, moms, and difference makers sharing with those around us? Do we know what our freedoms are in Christ? Here are some key scriptures we referenced to help us understand our freedom: John 8:34, 36 -we used to be slaves to sin but we are now free because of Christ. Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus models how we are to use our freedom to resist Satan and call him out on his lies. Gen...
Living a God-Centered Life at Work and School
June 26, 2019 11:19 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBQuestions to ponder: What is my response when venting becomes gossip? How do I respond when I have issues with others at work or school? What do I do when I've messed up? How would God want me to respond when I have issues with others? Reference Verses Matthew 18:15 Ephesians 4:17-26; 29 Colossians 4:6 Want a little encourage on your faith walk? Subscribe to the bi-weekly Centered Notes devotional to help you live a Christ-centered life as a wife, mom, and/or difference maker in you...
Keeping Our Mind on God When It's Hardest
June 19, 2019 19:20 - 29 minutes - 20.8 MBIn this episode, Rashawnda shares: Why she decided to work with people who need a mindset shift. What she believes holds most women back from trusting God's instructions for their life. How we can push past poor self-esteem and the negative chatter within. Why she decided to write a book about grief. Resources to help grieving Christians cope and carry out God's calling over their life. How she keeps God at the center of her life. Resources Give God Grief by Rashawnda Dunbar (purchas...
How to Raise Christ-Centered Kids
June 12, 2019 12:00 - 58 minutes - 40 MBTina shares lots of gems with us in this week's episode. Here are some highlights: Although it's tempting to control our kiddo's every move, that type of stance won't help them develop a personal relationship with God. The best way to teach our children how to live a Christ-centered life is by modeling it for them every day. We must learn to trust God with our children, especially when it seems as if they've gone astray. If God saved us, this is proof our children aren't too far gone to ...
Choosing Faith Over Fear
June 05, 2019 12:00 - 45 minutes - 31.7 MBWe know God hasn't given us a spirit of fear so what do we do when it grips our heart and tries to stop us from taking our next steps? Guest Ronika Middleton of Our Daughters Village shares with us how she continuously pushes past fear and walks in the purpose God gave her. She never thought she'd be able to use her gifts on a larger level and start a nonprofit organization for middle school girls but she did! In this episode, Ronika talks about: how God used her day job as a foundation to ...