Leadership wasn't part of the original plan, but sometimes the roles that shape us most are the ones we never saw coming.

In this episode, my friend Shawn shares his accidental leadership story and the lessons he's learned along the way. We talk about navigating imposter syndrome, the difference between leading from scars instead of wounds, and what to do when the responsibility you're carrying becomes bigger than you expected. Shawn also unpacks how understanding your strengths, knowing your limits, and staying connected to your "why" can help you lead with confidence and authenticity.

Whether you have a leadership title or you're simply influencing the people around you, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and encouragement for anyone trying to lead well without losing themselves in the process.

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:33 Shawn’s unlikely leadership origin story
• 12:45 Imposter syndrome and how to fight against it
• 23:19 Leading from scars vs wounds
• 25:15 When leading becomes more than you expected
• 29:27 Using your strengths
• 32:15 Defining success
• 35:30 Knowing your limits
• 36:41 Knowing your why
• 42:42 What makes a good leader
• 49:17 Closing

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

Just be cause we feel like we know someone, doesn't mean they feel like we do. How do we get the context out of our heads and into the conversation?

Today I'm unpacking various things that impact our interpretation of what it means to know someone, including generation gaps as explained by Daniel Moral on Silicon Canals.

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:28 Goals Check-In
• 07:36 What I’m Learning from God rn
• 12:30 Knowing with Context
• 24:55 Generational Gaps
• 38:20 Knowing with New Information
• 48:39 Hard Conversation of the Week
• 51:41 What I’m Watching Right Now

Article referenced today: I’m 38 and I noticed last summer that my parents mostly ask about logistics — the drive, the weather, the dogs, the job — and rarely ask how I actually am by Daniel Moran

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

It’s been brought to my attention that when I say “I hate small talk, I want to be deep,” some people have interpreted that as “I want to be dark and sad all the time,” which is not at all the case.

So I brought on Cody Beck, one of my best friends, to demonstrate what I find to be a deep and interesting discussion.

We revisit last week’s topic, indifference, along with the first chapter of How to Know a Person by David Brooks, which also explores this topic.

The goal of this conversation is to figure out how we feel about indifference - what does it mean? Is it good? Is it bad? Etc. The point is not for us to arrive at the same conclusion or to agree with each other, but to help each other arrive at a conclusion and understand how we each got to where we land.

• 00:00 Intro
• 05:10 Recapping last week’s topic of indifference
• 11:28 Emotional data points and being known
• 17:46 Communication and therapy
• 18:49 Is indifference inherently bad?
• 23:18 What does indifference actually mean?
• 29:50 How to Know a Person by David Brooks
• 42:56 When someone assigns a personality trait you disagree with
• 57:29 Feeling seen
• 01:10:31 How new information changes an opinion

Cody Beck is the creator and co-host of American Hauntings Podcast, which is available wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more here: https://www.codybeck.com/american-hauntings-podcast

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

I used to think indifference was a bad thing, but I’m starting to feel like it’s good, maybe even necessary, because it allows space for us to evaluate things, look at the big picture, see clearly, and decide what action to take to create meaningful change. Let's talk about it.

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:30 Goals Check-In
• 09:00 Topic: Indifference
• 32:06 Hard Conversation of the Week
• 43:09 What I’m Watching Right Now

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

When we speak, we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak. - Audre Lorde

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:33 Goals Check-In
• 05:56 What I’m learning from God rn
• 08:24 Topic: Speak Up
• 17:42 Hard Conversation of the Week
• 28:33 What I’m Watching Right Now

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

Currently obsessed with Netflix’s new reality series, Age of Attraction, and how it highlights that age gaps don’t break relationships - bad communication does.

I am notorious for wanting everyone to read my mind (which, yes, I know is impossible, I never said I was sane) and I will probably be in therapy forever just because I’ll never understand how other people’s brains work, but I’m still trying!!

I love my friends soo much and want them to know that and want to be able to communicate it in ways that make them feel loved, and I also want that from them, but sometimes it’s so hard that it doesn’t feel worth the time or energy. 

Let’s get into it.

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:29 What I’m learning from God rn
• 04:54 Goals Check-In
• 11:33 Topic: Bad Communication Ruins Relationships
• 20:58 Hard Conversation of the Week
• 28:12 What I’m Watching Right Now

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

We’ve all heard the saying “comparison is the thief of joy” and social media has made this more relevant than other. Spending so much time watching other people’s highlight reels is a great way to feel inadequate. 

I believe we all have a purpose in life, and God made us unique individuals for specific reasons. I wasn’t born to be a mathematician, a teacher, or a scientist. I was born to make art. But I’m also a perfectionist with OCD tendencies and that makes me a really good project manager, which I’ve come to see as a nice career that funds my art. 

I’ve found that focusing on my own calling, and not anyone else’s, has given me so much peace. This week, I’m reflecting on how to do that.

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:55 What I’m learning from God rn
• 09:55 Goals Check-In
• 18:03 Topic: Focus on YOUR calling, not someone else’s
• 24:06 Hard Conversation of the Week
• 29:20 What I’m Watching Right Now

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

I don’t know about you, but I grew up pretty pain-adverse. My parents were a bit over-protective and did a little too much for my sisters and I in the name of wanting it to be done correctly, keep everything wrapped in a little bow, and avoid most (or all) of life’s struggles. 

Except… that seemed to cause the exact opposite to happen. 

We ended up seemingly picture perfect on the outside, but screaming in pain on the inside, because we learned to grin and bear it. Don’t talk about it. Push it down. Fake it til you make it.

Today, I’m reflecting on why the older generations seem so resistant to pain, and how I’ve found that embracing it as part of life and growing through what you go through is healing.

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:51 What I’m learning from God rn
• 08:04 Goals Check-In
• 11:18 Topic: Heartbreak Happens
• 20:11 Hard Conversation of the Week
• 28:44 What I’m Watching Right Now

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

Reflecting on the need to slow down and rest, and how sometimes getting sick is our body (and God’s) way of forcing us to do that.

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:35 What I’m learning from God rn
• 07:21 Goals Check-In
• 14:20 Topic: Sick of running
• 20:29 Hard Conversation of the Week
• 25:47 What I’m Watching Right Now

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

Are you too much, or are the people who think so just not your people?

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:12 Goals Check-In
• 09:22 What I’m learning from God rn
• 14:35 Too Much?
• 21:58 Hard Conversation of the Week
• 35:24 What I’m Watching Right Now

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

Let this be your sign to book that solo trip.

• 00:00 Intro 
• 01:06 Goals Check-in
• 06:50 What I’m learning from God right now
• 11:58 Book the Solo Trip!
• 31:14 Hard conversation of the week
• 37:01 What I’m watching right now

For more info on solo traveling, following @thejenndanielle on IG & YT and reach out to her to book your solo cruise!!

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

This week on Real Honest, we explore truth & kindness. If truth without kindness is brutality, and kindness without truth is manipulation, what about being brutally honest for one's own good? If we continue to avoid truth in order to avoid pain, are we actually accomplishing that goal, or delaying the inevitable and making things worse?

• 00:00 Intro 
• 01:06 Goals check-in
• 04:44 What I’m learning from God right now
• 11:15 Kindness & truth
• 39:00 Hard conversation of the week
• 45:15 What I’m watching right now

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

Why can’t we all just mind our own damn business?

Too many people are out here screaming into the void trying to change the minds and actions of people they don’t know and will never meet.

We’ve been placed in certain people’s lives, and vice versa — let’s focus on the people we do know.

• 00:00 Intro 
• 00:48 Goals check-in
• 03:03 What I’m learning from God right now
• 12:56 Why is it so hard for everyone to mind their own damn business?
• 27:15 Hard conversation of the week
• 32:41 What I’m watching right now

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

Last week, we discussed what it means to treat your energy like it's expensive. But are we closing ourselves off to true connection when deciding who can afford it? This week, we're diving a little deeper into questions like "What if we're never on the same page?" and "What if the person I choose to give my energy to doesn't choose me back?"

• 00:00 Intro 
• 04:20 Goals check-in
• 09:21 What I’m learning from God right now
• 23:34 True connection feels so rare
• 36:21 Hard conversation of the week
• 44:36 Is it impossible?
• 45:23 What I’m watching right now

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

As Taylor said on New Heights, you should treat your energy like it's expensive, and not everyone can afford it. Let's talk about how we can do this, and also what other costs are involved besides energy.

• 00:00 Intro 
• 05:07 Goals check-in
• 06:54 What I’m learning from God right now
• 10:23 Treat your energy like it’s expensive
• 21:06 What’s the cost?
• 24:52 Hard conversation of the week
• 31:47 What I’m watching right now

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

Is it better to have loved and lost, or to have never loved at all?

If time lets the fire die, how do we stay motivated?

This week on Real Honest I explore these questions, how they apply to relationships, and process through whether having good friendships in the past is helping or hurting my friendships in the present.

• 00:00 Intro 
• 03:50 Goals check-in
• 08:20 What I’m learning from God right now
• 09:45 Is it better to have loved & lost, or to have never loved at all?
• 15:17 Hard conversation of the week
• 29:44 Tayvis engagement reactions
• 35:24 What I’m watching right now

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

Let's explore the subtle ways our lives are shaped without us even realizing it. Inspired by John Mark Comer’s Practicing the Way, I examine the unconscious spiritual, personal, and psychological formation happening through our habits, relationships, and life stories.

• 00:00 Intro 
• 00:41 Goals check-in
• 04:59 What I’m learning from God right now
• 09:22 Who are you becoming?
• 23:46 Hard conversation of the week
• 31:47 What I’m watching right now

Learn more about Practicing the Way: https://launch.practicingtheway.org/

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

Inspired by a lyric from Taylor Swift’s Stay Stay Stay, let's explore what it takes for someone to really “memorize” you. The small, consistent acts that make someone feel seen, understood, and loved. Whether in relationships or faith, learning to notice, remember, and cherish the details can transform how we connect with others.

• 00:00 Intro 
• 02:14 Relational intimacy
• 09:02 What makes you feel known?
• 14:49 Building intimacy with God
• 19:50 Hard conversation of the week
• 32:09 What I’m reading right now

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

Have you ever felt like there’s something you were meant to do? A purpose, a calling, a mission—something impossible but deeply meaningful that you’re striving for? What if the impossibility is the point? What if we’re meant to need something bigger than ourselves to dream the impossible, to need God, and to keep becoming even when we don't arrive?

• 00:00 Intro 
• 02:09 Goals check-in/life updates
• 07:25 The quote that sparked it all
• 13:14 The thing you’re meant to do
• 19:54 Hard conversation of the week
• 24:50 What I'm watching right now

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.

Healing sounds good. Positive. Rewarding. Exciting, even…until it costs you your comfort. This week, I’m wrestling with a question Lisa Harper recently asked: Do you want to be healed or do you want to be comfortable? Let’s talk about why we resist healing, how comfort keeps us stuck, and what it really takes to let God do the deep work.

• 00:00 Intro 
• 02:00 Goals check-in
• 13:30 What I’m learning from God rn
• 17:04 Topic: When comfort becomes a cage
• 25:34 Hard convo of the week
• 34:22 Watch K-Pop Demon Hunters or else

Thanks for listening! Leave me a review if you want—new episodes on Wednesdays at 6 am CT.

Questions, comments, concerns, want to chat? Email realhonestpod@gmail.com.