The Speakeasy

In this episode, Rachel Van Kluyve joins the conversation to share how God built her family in ways she never expected. What began as a discussion about transracial adoption—how God brought her two beautiful daughters into her family and the challenges that came with it—became a powerful reflection on obedience, trust, and doing the next right thing when God calls you into the unknown. Rachel opens up about how her journey from DIY influencer to advocate, mother, and author has reshaped her understanding of faith and surrender. From walking through backlash and uncertainty to experiencing God's unmistakable hand in the details, she reminds us that His plans are always better than our own—and that His timing is perfect. Whether you're navigating adoption, stepping into a new calling, or learning to trust God in unexpected turns, this conversation will encourage you to take the next faithful step and watch Him write a story far greater than you imagined. This episode is brought to you by Angel Studios, whose mission is to tell stories that amplify light. Their newest family movie, SKETCH, captures the magic of imagination and the power of love and courage as a family faces challenges together. When you become a Premium Angel Guild member, you'll receive two free tickets to see SKETCH in theaters and gain full access to their streaming library of inspiring films and series. Subscribe to The Speakeasy YouTube Channel for more inspiring conversations: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtqJ8I4hmCH-w3Cw4XzFZoQ 👉 Become a member at Angel.com/blake

In today's episode, I sit down with Christian artist and author Stephen McWhirter for a raw, hope-filled conversation about redemption, forgiveness, and the transforming power of Jesus. Stephen shares the powerful story behind his music and about his book, Radical Restoration, where he talks about how he grew up in a home marked by abuse, spiraling into deep addiction, and ultimately encountering God in a life-changing moment that set him on a completely new path. His testimony is a reminder that no one is too far gone for grace and that restoration is possible even after years of pain and brokenness. We dive into the difficult but freeing topic of forgiveness: what it truly means, what it doesn't mean, and how God calls us to release the debts others owe us without minimizing real wounds. We talk honestly about the tension between forgiveness and reconciliation, the healing that comes through surrender, and the way God's love can transform even the deepest bitterness into freedom. In this conversation you'll hear about: Stephen's journey from addiction to worship ministry how encountering grace reshapes identity and purpose why forgiveness is both a command and a gift the difference between forgiving someone and allowing access to your life how asking God for His heart toward others changes everything practical first steps toward healing from past hurt If you've ever struggled to forgive, wondered whether real change is possible, or needed hope that God can restore what feels permanently broken, this episode will deeply encourage you. Sponsor: CrowdHealth CrowdHealth is a health insurance alternative helping families step outside a confusing system. Get started for $99 for your first 3 months with code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com. CrowdHealth is not insurance.

Today's episode is a long overdue catch-up. I'm finally sharing the fuller story of what happened in 2025: the year God completely flipped my life, my work, my identity, and my priorities upside down. If you've noticed that my content has shifted a lot over the last year, this is the why. For years, this podcast has felt like the most full expression of me. Faith, motherhood, politics, wellness, the Bible, all of it. But Instagram had become heavily political. Eventually, the very work I thought was most important started costing me more than I realized, my peace, my presence, my family, and honestly, my soul. In this episode, I'm sharing the story of how God began asking me to do something that felt harder than any "jump" of obedience He'd ever asked of me before: sit down, pull back, do less, trust Him, and let Him carry what I had been trying to hold together myself. We talk about: how political content became my full-time work the moment I realized my priorities were deeply out of order what disobedience looked like in real time why 2025 felt like my "belly of the whale" year the vision God gave me that changed everything identity, striving, motherhood, and learning to be a daughter before a warrior why I stepped back from politics online what God has been rebuilding in me ever since This one is personal. It's vulnerable. And it's probably the clearest picture I've given yet of the shift God has been walking me through. If you're in a season where God is asking you to slow down, let go, or trust Him in ways you do not like, this episode is for you. Sponsor: CrowdHealth CrowdHealth is a health insurance alternative helping families step outside a broken system. Get started for $99 for your first 3 months with code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com. CrowdHealth is not insurance.

Today we're talking about anxiety, not the casual "I'm stressed" kind, but the kind that takes over your body, your thoughts, your sleep, your peace, and your sense of safety. My friend Maddie Joy Fischer joins me to talk about our very real stories with anxiety, panic, fear, and the lies at the root of it all. We both know what it's like to feel trapped by fear and to wonder if this is just how life will always be. But we also know what it's like for God to meet us there, unravel self-reliance, expose the lies, and begin rebuilding something truer and stronger. In this conversation we talk about: how anxiety can start small and slowly take over health anxiety, panic attacks, and feeling unsafe in your own body the lie that says "I'm not safe" and the truth that answers it fear of man, self-protection, and trying to stay in control what it looks like to come to the end of yourself why healing is often not linear how God uses even the darkest seasons for redemption what surrender actually looks like when you're in it This episode is full of honesty, Scripture, and hope for the person still in the thick of anxiety, and for the person who loves someone who is. If you've ever felt like fear was driving the bus, this conversation is for you. There is freedom in Jesus. There is truth stronger than the lies. And there is hope, even here. Sponsor: CrowdHealth CrowdHealth is a health insurance alternative helping families opt out of a broken system. Get started for $99 for your first 3 months with code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com. CrowdHealth is not insurance.

Today's conversation is one I didn't expect to have, but I'm so glad we did. I'm joined by Ben Higgins, known from The Bachelor franchise, but more importantly, a man willing to talk honestly about something many of us feel and few of us admit: loneliness. Ben's book, Alone in Plain Sight: Searching for Connection When You're Seen But Not Known, explores what it's like to feel invisible, even while millions are watching. From reality TV to marriage, from church culture to platform pressure, Ben opens up about insecurity, performance, and the quiet fear that if people really knew us, they might not like us. We talk about: The difference between feeling unlovable vs. unlikable Why social media connection doesn't cure loneliness Performative Christianity and losing yourself in the process The courage it takes for men to admit loneliness How slowing down exposes what's actually going on inside Letting the right people speak into your life, and guarding your heart This isn't just a "Bachelor" conversation. It's about identity, community, vulnerability, and what it means to be fully known without performing. If you've ever wondered whether God actually likes you, or struggled to believe that the real you is enough, this episode will meet you there. Sponsor: CrowdHealth Tired of a healthcare system that feels predatory and confusing? CrowdHealth is a health insurance alternative built on transparency and community. Members get access to bill negotiators, low-cost prescriptions, quality doctor networks, and support when major medical needs arise. ✨ Get started for $99 for your first 3 months with code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com. (CrowdHealth is not insurance.) You don't have to perform to belong, and you don't have to navigate healthcare alone either.

Today we're diving into the wide world of youth sports, and fair warning: this one might give you permission, step on your toes… or both. Ed and Brian are former athletes, longtime sports ministry leaders, and dads currently navigating youth sports with their own kids. They're also the authors of Away Game: A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth Sports, and this conversation is honest, clarifying, and deeply needed. We talk about what they call the "youth sports industrial complex," how we went from backyard games and rec leagues to a $40+ billion industry built on travel teams, specialization, year-round pressure, and future anxiety. How did we get here? What changed from when we were kids? And most importantly, do we have to ride this train? In this episode we unpack: The cultural shifts that reshaped youth sports Why sports don't automatically build character How pride, shame, and self-centeredness quietly grow unchecked The difference between sports formation and spiritual formation Why parents — not coaches — are the primary disciplers How to respond to wins and losses in a gospel-shaped way Creating boundaries within the system (even if you stay in it) The power of gentleness, security, and apology Spoiler: This isn't about pulling your kids out of sports. It's about recognizing that sports culture will disciple your child if you don't, and learning how to counterform that culture with intentional, Jesus-centered parenting. Whether you're all-in on travel ball or wondering if you should opt out altogether, this episode will help you slow down, breathe, and ask better questions. Your corner of the bleachers can look different. Sponsor: Nutrafol Healthy growth — whether in our kids or ourselves — doesn't come from pressure. It comes from consistent care. Nutrafol is the #1 dermatologist-recommended hair growth supplement brand, clinically shown to support thicker, stronger, faster-growing hair in 3–6 months. They offer targeted formulas for postpartum, menopause, stress, and lifestyle factors. For a limited time, get $10 off your first month + free shipping at Nutrafol.com when you use promo code BLAKE. That's N-U-T-R-A-F-O-L dot com, promo code BLAKE.

Today's episode is all about raising boys, even if you're a girl mom like me. I sat down with Rebekah Lovell, author of Boyhood Resurrected, for a powerful and honest conversation about how modern systems are failing our boys, and what we can do about it. We talk about how boys are hardwired for adventure, movement, risk, curiosity, and strength, and how over-scheduling, over-screening, and over-labeling can slowly extinguish the light in their eyes. Rebekah shares her family's journey navigating early schooling challenges, why institutional systems often misunderstand boys, and how moms (especially!) play a crucial role in protecting and cultivating their sons' masculine design. This conversation will step on a few toes — gently. We talk about: The difference between discipline and suppression Why movement and autonomy matter Screen culture and its impact on boys The myth of being "behind" Adventure as a developmental need Respect as a love language for boys Raising driven, courageous men in a culture hostile to masculinity Even as a girl mom, I found so many parallels. Childhood matters. Wonder matters. Agency matters. And truthfully, this conversation ultimately points back to Jesus and how God intentionally wired our sons. If you're raising boys (or love someone who is), this episode will challenge, encourage, and equip you. Sponsor: Nutrafol Real growth doesn't come from quick fixes — it comes from consistent care. Nutrafol is the #1 dermatologist-recommended hair growth supplement brand, clinically shown to support thicker, stronger, faster-growing hair in 3–6 months. It's not one-size-fits-all — they offer targeted formulas for postpartum, menopause, stress, and lifestyle factors. For a limited time, get $10 off your first month + free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and use promo code BLAKE. That's N-U-T-R-A-F-O-L dot com, promo code BLAKE.

Welcome back to the Big Easy Podcast with everybody's favorite guest, my husband, Jeremy. This episode is a candid, hope-filled conversation about what God has been doing in us lately: in our faith, our marriage, our home, and our conversations. While the recent "Ending Well" series focused on reflection, this episode is about real-time transformation. Jeremy shares how a simple observation: watching me consistently in the Word sparked a hunger for Scripture and spiritual leadership. From listening to the Bible on Audible during long commutes, to diving deep into biblical manhood, marriage, and trust in God, his walk with the Lord has grown in tangible, visible ways. We talk honestly about pride, fear, independence, and what it looks like to actually trust God with leadership, prayer, and obedience, especially inside marriage. We share how God has been working in both of us simultaneously: building one, dismantling the other, and bringing us into a healthier, more aligned rhythm together. This episode also touches on: Biblical leadership without ego Trusting God over fear of failure or misunderstanding Letting go of people-pleasing and over-explaining Taking thoughts captive and renewing the mind How Scripture practically changes everyday life What it looks like when faith becomes central in marriage conversations If you're praying for growth in your marriage, longing for deeper faith, or wondering if real change is possible: this episode is for you. God is still moving. Look what He has done, and what He's still doing.

What if Bible study didn't feel dry, intimidating, or guilt-driven, but instead felt alive, honest, and deeply formative? In this episode of The Speakeasy Podcast, Blake sits down with Faith Womack, author of No More Boring Bible Study and self-proclaimed Bible nerd, to talk about how Scripture can actually come to life in your everyday faith. Faith shares her powerful story of growing up with Scripture misused and weaponized—and how God redeemed that pain by drawing her into a deep, life-giving love for His Word. Together, they unpack: Why Bible study often feels boring (and why it doesn't have to) How cultural Christianity and performance pressure distort our approach to Scripture Why chasing "mountaintop moments" can actually hold us back How to read the Bible with clarity, context, and confidence Why it's okay to go slow, camp out, and stop treating God like a vending machine This conversation is freeing, grounding, and incredibly practical, especially if you've ever felt overwhelmed, bored, intimidated, or burned by Bible study. Whether you're brand new to reading Scripture or have been in it for years, this episode will help you shift from pressure to presence and rediscover the beauty of God's Word. "The Bible isn't boring, we just haven't always been taught how to read it." Sponsor: Cozy Earth Upgrade your rest with Cozy Earth's luxury bamboo pajamas—soft, breathable, and temperature-regulating. Backed by a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. ✨ Shop at cozyearth.com and use code SPEAKEASY for a special offer.

In today's episode, Blake sits down with Joby Martin, lead pastor of Church of 11:22, for a candid, practical, and surprisingly fun conversation about biblical marriage. This is a must-listen—especially with your husband. Together, they talk honestly about leadership, submission, responsibility, and why keeping score in marriage quietly kills intimacy. Pastor Joby brings clarity (and humor) to what Scripture actually calls men to be—and how that leadership is meant to free wives, not burden them. From encouragement and repentance to negotiation, gratitude, and yes… make out sessions—this episode covers what healthy, Christ-centered marriage looks like in real life. They also unpack: Why men need other godly men to grow How wives can encourage change without nagging The danger of swinging from passivity to toxic "alpha" masculinity Why gratitude, affirmation, and humility go further than criticism How communication and negotiation build trust and intimacy over time This conversation is grounded in Scripture, full of wisdom, and deeply hopeful. If you want a stronger marriage, deeper respect, and more joy at home, start here. Sponsor: Cozy Earth Upgrade your home with Cozy Earth's luxury bedding, towels, and pajamas—made with premium materials, backed by a 10-year warranty, and a 100-night sleep trial. ✨ Get up to 20% off at cozyearth.com with code SPEAKEASY. Sponsor: CrowdHealth Looking for an alternative to traditional insurance? CrowdHealth lets members crowdfund medical expenses, access bill negotiators, lower-cost prescriptions, and vetted doctors. ✨ Get started for $99 for your first 3 months at joincrowdhealth.com with code SPEAKEASY. (CrowdHealth is not insurance.) Marriage isn't about winning—it's about fighting for each other.

This episode continues an unexpected but timely series focused on strengthening families at the start of the year. Blake sits down with Pastor Craig Thompson, author of Fighting for Your Family, for an honest, practical conversation about marriage, parenting, and spiritual warfare. Too often, the hardest battles feel like they're inside the home—spouses clashing, tension with kids, constant frustration. But Craig reframes the fight: your spouse and your family are not the enemy. The real shift happens when couples stop fighting each other and start standing back-to-back, fighting for their family's mission and future. Together, they unpack: What spiritual warfare actually looks like in everyday family life Why humility, prayer, and "going first" matter more than being right How fighting your own flesh changes everything The power of encouragement, honor, and apology in marriage Why community and the local church are essential for healthy families If you're carrying tension from last year—or want to protect what God is building in your home—this episode offers biblical clarity and tangible next steps. Whether you're married, dating, parenting, or preparing for the future, this conversation equips you to stand firm and fight well. Sponsor: Cozy Earth Upgrade your home with Cozy Earth's luxury bedding, towels, and pajamas—soft, breathable, and made to last. Try it risk-free with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. ✨ Get up to 20% off at cozyearth.com with code SPEAKEASY. Sponsor: CrowdHealth Frustrated with traditional insurance? CrowdHealth is a healthcare alternative built on transparency and community. Pay a monthly fee, get access to bill negotiators, lower-cost prescriptions, and when big needs arise, the crowd helps cover the rest. ✨ Start for $99 for your first 3 months at joincrowdhealth.com with code SPEAKEASY. (CrowdHealth is not insurance.) Your family is worth fighting for—together.

Download the planning PDF here! This episode is an invitation to rethink what January is actually for. If you've felt pressure to reinvent your entire life on January 1st (or swung the other direction and rejected January altogether) this conversation lives in the middle. Blake makes the case that January isn't meant for revamps or visible productivity. Historically and biologically, it's a hinge month: a season for taking stock, repair, learning, and quiet preparation. For most of human history, the "new year" was tied to nature and spring, not politics or calendars. That's why the urgency of January often feels off in our bodies and nervous systems. In this episode, Blake walks through what our agrarian ancestors actually did in winter and how it applies to modern life: Taking honest inventory of time, energy, relationships, finances, and faith Creating margin and reducing overstimulation Repairing what's worn down before starting something new Letting learning, wisdom, and integration settle Setting intentions, not rigid resolutions Rather than goals and hustle, Blake shares her approach to choosing words, Scripture, posture, and direction for the year ahead, held with open hands. Her word for 2026 is Rooted Hope, grounded in Psalm 1 and a desire for steadiness, healing, and deep faith after a hard year. January matters. Not as a restart, but as a foundation. This episode is about going slow, growing deep, and preparing for what's coming without forcing it.. Sponsor: CrowdHealth Tired of paying for insurance you can't use? CrowdHealth is a healthcare alternative built on transparency and community. Pay a monthly fee, access bill negotiators, lower-cost prescriptions, vetted doctors, and when something big happens, you pay the first $500—then the crowd helps cover the rest. ✨ Get started for $99 for your first 3 months with code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com (CrowdHealth is not insurance.)

Happy New Year and welcome to the very first Speak Easy episode of 2026. To kick off the year, Blake dives into a topic that impacts every family—even if we avoid talking about it: healthcare. In this episode, Blake sits down with Andy Schoonover, CEO of CrowdHealth, to unpack why so many people feel trapped in traditional health insurance, how the system actually profits, and what alternatives exist for families who want more agency, transparency, and community-driven care. Andy shares his personal breaking point with insurance denial, how cash-pay medicine exposed the cracks in the system, and why CrowdHealth was built to give people a real exit ramp. Together, they explore rising deductibles, denied claims, negotiated medical bills, prescription costs, and why "healthcare" often feels more like "sick care." This conversation goes beyond policy—it's about autonomy, informed choices, and breaking out of systems that no longer serve us. If you've ever asked, "What am I even paying for?" or wondered if there's another way, this episode may open a door you didn't know existed. CrowdHealth is a healthcare alternative that lets members crowdfund medical expenses, negotiate bills, and access care without insurance networks or massive deductibles. ✨ Try it out for $99 for your first 3 months with code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com/speakeasy. (CrowdHealth is not insurance.) Sometimes opting out is the first step toward freedom.

Welcome back to the Speakeasy Podcast—and to the very last episode of the year. To close out this season, Blake sits down with Erin Wilkins, a friend and voice she deeply trusts, to talk about something countercultural but necessary: slowing down. Erin has walked this road just a little ahead—moving from seasons of intense advocacy, visibility, and urgency into a quieter, more intentional life rooted in peace, obedience, and presence. Together, they reflect on what it costs to stay in the fight too long, how good assignments can still have an expiration date, and why obedience doesn't always look brave to the world—but often is. This honest, friend-to-friend conversation explores burnout, identity, motherhood, boundaries with technology, and learning to be informed without being consumed. They talk about passing the torch, protecting family rhythms, resisting urgency culture, and embracing winter as a God-designed season of rest. If you're feeling stretched thin, conflicted about slowing down, or wondering how to end this year in a way that actually prepares you for the next, this episode is for you. Sometimes the strongest finish isn't louder or faster—it's slower, quieter, and more faithful. "Be still, and know that I am God." – Psalm 46:10 Sponsor: PreBorn A woman is twice as likely to choose life when she sees an ultrasound. $28 provides one free ultrasound and gives a mom the chance to choose life. Give today at preborn.com/speakeasy.

Merry (belated) Christmas and welcome to "dead week"—that weird, quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year when nobody knows what day it is… and honestly, it's kind of wonderful. This is the final Friday of the year, which means we're wrapping up the Ending Well series—seven weeks of looking back at 2025, redeeming the hard parts, and hunting down the goodness God planted along the way. Today's episode is where everything comes together. Not as separate lessons—hearing God, going a different way, pruning, embracing the ordinary, releasing usefulness, becoming the wife and woman I want to be—but as integration: when revelation becomes rhythm. When what God taught you doesn't just live in a journal… it starts living in your nervous system, your choices, your peace, and your presence. We talk about what it means to become the same person everywhere—at home, at work, in conflict, in rest. Not the performing self, people-pleasing self, or defensive self—but the authentic self God created. The shift from constantly feeling "split" to finally feeling rooted. From Romans 7 ("why do I keep doing what I hate?") to Psalm 1—steady, nourished, bearing fruit in season. This episode is a testimony: God is big enough to change you. To grow self-control. To cultivate peace. To help you stop showing up to every battle you're invited to—and still keep your courage when it's time to stand firm. The fire of 2025 didn't leave me untouched, but it refined me. And the fruit is showing up: steadier peace, clearer discernment, deeper roots, anchored hope, and—maybe for the first time—actually liking who I'm becoming. If you feel stuck, scattered, or like you'll never change… come with me. The water's a little scary, but it's good. Sponsor: PreBorn A woman considering abortion is twice as likely to choose life if she can see an ultrasound or hear the heartbeat. PreBorn provides free ultrasounds and continues supporting moms with resources, classes, and aid—up to two years after birth. 💛 It's $28 to fund one ultrasound. Give at preborn.com/speakeasy and help give the gift of life.

  As the year comes to a close and Christmas draws near, this episode is an invitation to slow down and rethink what actually makes a year meaningful. If you're ending the year feeling like you didn't do enough, didn't accomplish enough, or didn't have any big, flashy "banner moments," this conversation is for you. What if the ordinary years—the quiet, unseen, seemingly mundane ones—are actually where God does His deepest and most transformative work? In this episode, Blake reflects on a lifetime of big dreams, ambition, and achievement, and how this year gently (and sometimes painfully) reshaped her understanding of purpose. From dreams of being a lawyer and living a "big" life, to seasons of stay-at-home motherhood, to years in podcasting and political commentary, God has repeatedly drawn her close enough to the spotlight to ask the question: Do you still want this? This year, the answer surprised her. God invited her into a slower, simpler, more ordinary rhythm—one that prioritized home, children, marriage, nervous-system healing, and time in Scripture. What felt at first like a downgrade or a pulling back revealed itself as protection, formation, and deep peace. Scripture itself is filled with ordinary faithfulness: farming, shepherding, raising children, waiting, wandering, and quiet obedience. The big miracles were never the whole story. Blake shares how stepping away from constant digital noise, limiting headlines, embracing small rituals, practicing audacious gratitude, and finding beauty in everyday moments has reshaped her identity. Faithfulness, not flashiness, is what God values. Bigger burdens don't always mean bigger blessings—and sometimes the most impactful work is the work no one sees. If your life feels small, overlooked, or slower than you hoped, be encouraged: nothing surrendered to God is wasted. The ordinary is holy ground, and God meets us there. "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." – 1 Samuel 16:7 Sponsor: CrowdHealth Health insurance shouldn't feel impossible. CrowdHealth is a healthcare alternative that puts power back in your hands. Pay a monthly fee, get bill negotiation, lower-cost prescriptions and labs, and community coverage after the first $500. ✨ Get started for $99 for your first three months with code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com/speakeasy. (CrowdHealth is not insurance.) Sponsor: PreBorn A free ultrasound can double a woman's chance of choosing life. PreBorn provides ultrasounds and ongoing support for moms in crisis. 💛 $28 sponsors one ultrasound. Give at preborn.com/speakeasy and help save a life.

As we hit the halfway point of December, this episode is a deep breath and a reset. In a season that pushes hustle, consumption, and constant motion, this conversation invites us to slow down and reclaim awe, wonder, and expectancy—especially as we approach Christmas. Hannah Brencher joins the Speak Easy Podcast to talk about Advent, rhythms, mental health, and what it looks like to resist hurry in a world that rewards burnout. Together, we explore why slowing down can feel so uncomfortable, how noise steals our awareness of God's presence, and how intentional practices—stillness, margin, and presence—help us actually experience the season instead of racing through it. This episode is for anyone feeling overwhelmed, behind, or spiritually distracted. Whether you're new to Advent or returning to it again, this conversation reframes December as a cool-down, not a ramp-up—and reminds us that peace has a pace. "Expectancy grows when we make space to notice God." Sponsors 🌾 Sunrise Flower Mill Organic, heritage wheat your body actually remembers. Get a FREE 2-lb bag of Heritage Flour with your first order using code SPEAKEASY at sunriseflowermill.com. 💛 PreBorn A free ultrasound can double a woman's chance of choosing life. $28 funds one ultrasound and provides ongoing care for moms. Donate at preborn.com/speakeasy. 🩺 CrowdHealth A healthcare alternative that puts community first. Get started for $99 for your first 3 months with code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com (not insurance). 💆‍♀️ Nutrafol The #1 dermatologist-recommended hair growth supplement. Get $10 off your first month + free shipping at nutrafol.com with code BLAKE. Slow down. Make space. Don't miss this season.

Ending Well: A Pruning Deep Dive  This is week six of the Ending Well series, and we're talking about something a lot of us are living through in real time: pruning—the cutting away, the stripping back, and the strange mercy of God doing holy surgery on our lives at the end of a hard year. "Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." – John 15:2 ⏱ Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Intro + Why open enrollment and health insurance feel like a bad rite of passage 03:00 – CrowdHealth: what it is, how it works, and why it's different from insurance 06:00 – Week six of Ending Well: why pruning is the theme of this year 09:30 – Defining "pruning," "fruit," "wilderness," and "discipline" (without the Christianese) 15:30 – John 15 and how Blake accidentally prayed for pruning this year 20:00 – Wilderness seasons: dry, slow, hidden growth, and deep dependence on God 25:30 – Seven "flavors" of pruning Blake walked through this year 30:00 – Loss and closed doors: when God rips things out of your hands 36:00 – Being forced to slow down or stop: "You can't heal on the battlefield that broke you" 41:00 – Loneliness, isolation, and when God clears the table so you can hear His voice 46:00 – Idols exposed: productivity, performance, and the golden statue God started tearing down 52:00 – When God prunes even good things (like the gym, routines, and rhythms you love) 57:00 – "Show me the purpose, Lord": praying for clarity in the middle of the mess 1:02:00 – How pruning makes you more like Jesus and prepares you for the "next level" 1:08:00 – Toy bins, clutter, and why fewer branches can mean more joy 1:12:00 – How to walk through pruning differently next time: slow down, surrender, obey faster 1:17:00 – Being honest with God instead of stuffing frustration and disappointment 1:21:00 – Why opening your Bible became survival, not a checkbox 1:25:00 – Friendship breakups as pruning: betrayal, loneliness, and healing with a limp 1:30:00 – Counting the fruit at the end of a brutal year What This Episode Is Really About In this deep dive, Blake unpacks pruning not as a punishment but as proof that God cares too much to leave you overgrown and exhausted. You'll hear about: How this year's pruning looked like: job pivots relational shifts homeschooling struggles closed doors and changed direction Why pruning is always connected to fruit, but not the kind the world celebrates Not achievement, numbers, or hustle But love, joy, peace, wisdom, humility (Galatians 5:22–23) The difference between: Punishment vs. discipline Chaos vs. God's clarifying love (Hebrews 12:6) Seven "flavors" of pruning Blake walked through: Loss of things she thought she needed Doors slamming shut at the last second Conviction and refinement in hidden places Being forced to slow down or stop entirely Loneliness and isolation when life got too loud Idols exposed—especially productivity and performance The trimming of even good things to make room for better Blake also shares how her prayer shifted from: "God, why are You doing this?" to "Show me the purpose, Lord." And how that shift opened the door to real trust, deeper Bible hunger, and new fruit she couldn't see while God was still hacking away at the branches. Sponsors & Special Offers CrowdHealth – Take Your Power Back This Open Enrollment Health insurance can feel like you're paying a ton and still not actually covered. CrowdHealth is an alternative to traditional insurance that's built on community and transparency. With CrowdHealth, you: Pay a monthly fee Get a team that negotiates your medical bills Access lower-cost prescriptions & lab tests Use a vetted doctor list When something big happens, you pay the first $500, and then the crowd steps in and covers the rest Listener Offer: Get started for $99 for your first three months using code SPEAKEASY. Go to joincrowdhealth.com/speakeasy to join. Note: CrowdHealth is not insurance, but it is a way to opt out of the old system and take your power back. Sunrise Flour Mill – Heritage Wheat Your Body Remembers If you have a gluten sensitivity (or just feel awful after eating modern wheat), this part is for you. The wheat most of us eat today is not the same wheat our grandparents ate. Sunrise Flour Mill is farmer-owned and brings back organic heritage wheat—pre-1950s varieties that many sensitive folks find they can tolerate again. People are discovering they can enjoy: Chocolate chip cookies Bread Pasta …without feeling wrecked afterward. They also make it easy with recipes and thoughtfully packaged products. Special Offer for listeners: Go to sunriseflourmill.com and use code SPEAKEASY to get a FREE 2lb bag of Heritage White Flour with your first order. Eat wheat your body remembers.  PreBorn – Help a Mom Choose Life So many women walk into abortion clinics scared, alone, and convinced they don't have another option. PreBorn steps in with: Free ultrasounds for women considering abortion The chance for moms to see their baby and hear the heartbeat A doubled chance that she will choose life Ongoing support: counseling, classes, and financial assistance for up to two years after birth It costs $28 to fund one ultrasound. PreBorn has seen over 38,000 babies saved this year alone. ✨ If you're passionate about the pro-life movement and want a tangible way to make a difference: 👉 Go to preborn.com/speakeasy Give $28 (or more) and literally help change a story—and possibly save a life.

In this episode we look back at how it started (a guest room closet + $20 mic + TV tray) and how God has grown us, our marriage, and this show over seven years—from fear and hustle to rest and trust. We talk about money, messy action, viral moments, criticism, love languages, parenting, and what "success" actually looks like for our family now. "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." – 2 Timothy 1:7 ⏱ Episode Timestamps (Approximate – for your listening convenience) 00:00 – Welcome + 7 years of podcasting & 37th birthday 03:10 – Starting in a tiny closet with a $20 mic + messy action over perfect action 08:45 – "Can we afford this?" Money fears, stewardship, and still saying yes 14:30 – Social media spouse vs. no-social-media spouse (and Facebook Marketplace 😅) 20:20 – When episodes go viral, national media, and how the internet has changed since 2018 27:40 – The evolution of the show: politics seasons, homeschool seasons, and letting God set the themes 35:15 – Rest, surrender, and learning not to control everything 43:30 – How fear drove our hustle, and how God shifted our hearts and rhythms 50:45 – Love languages, marriage work, and realizing "I was serving my language, not yours" 1:00:10 – Parenting together: discipline, respect, and presenting a united front 1:08:30 – Work, motherhood, and the pull to find worth in what gives you a "report card" 1:17:00 – Redefining success for our family (time, presence, and faith over just numbers) 1:24:00 – Hopes, prayers, and open-handed trust for the next season of the podcast 💡 What We Talk About in This Episode How a tiny closet and a $20 mic turned into a 7-year podcast Why "messy action beats perfect action" (and why you really don't need a fancy setup) Starting a creative ministry when you're not being great stewards with money yet Being married to someone who isn't on social media (and why that's actually a gift) Viral episodes, national media features, and why going viral isn't always fun How the internet has gotten harsher since 2018—and what that does to your heart Letting God quietly shape "seasons" of the show without over-planning content The connection between control and fear—and how that showed up in work, marriage, and motherhood Moving from hustle fueled by fear to work fueled by trust and rest Love languages: why ours clashed, how we humbled ourselves, and what changed Parenting as a team: not correcting each other in front of the kids, and choosing your "hills to die on" The tension between mission, work, and home… and how God re-ordered priorities Redefining success: not just financial, but spiritual, relational, and emotional health Living with open hands: having no big "launch" on the horizon and trusting God with the next step "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." – Matthew 11:28 Sponsor: PreBorn All across the country, a woman is walking into a clinic scared and often alone, planning to have an abortion. PreBorn steps in with free ultrasounds—moments where she can see her baby, hear the heartbeat, and everything can change. Ultrasound doubles the chance a mother will choose life. This year alone, over 38,000 babies have been rescued through PreBorn's work. They don't stop at birth—they support moms with counseling, classes, and financial help for up to two years after the baby is born. You can sponsor an ultrasound for $28 and be the hero behind one of these stories. Give now at: preborn.com/speakeasy That's preborn.com/speakeasy to give a gift and help save a life. Sponsor: Sunrise Flower Mill If you love baking—or want to start baking with better, richer, fresher ingredients—you will love Sunrise Flower Mill. Their flour is freshly milled from heritage grains, giving your baked goods incredible flavor and texture. Special Offer for Speak Easy listeners: Use code SPEAKEASY to get a FREE 2lb bag of their Heritage Flour with your first order. It's the perfect time to try something new in the kitchen or upgrade everything you already bake. 📖 A Thread Through the Episode So much of this conversation comes back to: Moving from fear → trust From control → surrender From hustle → rest From self-worth in performance → identity in Christ We've watched God gently re-order our priorities: Our marriage Our parenting Our work This podcast And honestly? We wouldn't have believed this is where He'd take us when we were just two exhausted parents in a tiny closet with a TV tray and a cheap mic. 💬 Let's Chat As you listen, consider: Where are you operating out of fear instead of trust? Where might control actually be the "polished face" of fear in your life? What would it look like for you to work from rest rather than striving? How would you define "success" if you let Jesus hold the pen? Drop a comment: What's one area where you want to invite God to re-write the story this year?

Welcome back to the Ending Well series. This is week five of looking back over the year, letting God redeem the hard parts, and choosing who we want to become as we step into a new season. Today's episode is all about marriage — but even more specifically, the kind of wife you want to be. Not the Instagram version. Not the performance version. The real, healed, whole version. This year, God radically reshaped how I see myself as a wife. I didn't set out to "become a better wife," but as He broke my addiction to productivity and constant performance, it transformed our marriage into an even safer place, a deeper gift, and a stronger home base. Episode Snapshot In this conversation, I share honestly about: The "strong, high-capacity, always-on" identity I lived in for years How that mindset spilled into our marriage and made me controlling, critical, and exhausted The follower's question that changed everything: "What did you do to change that brought this out in him?" Why sometimes you have to go first in doing the inner work The difference between survival-mode marriage and a marriage built on connection How God used pruning, slowing down, and healing my nervous system to completely shift my role as a wife We also name an important reality: There are marriages where abuse, betrayal, or deep harm is present, and "trying harder" as a wife is not the answer. I am not speaking into those situations; I am sharing from a context where I am married to a good man, and our biggest battles were often with our own mindsets, wounds, and habits. Key Shifts God Made In Me This Year Letting him lead Moving out of constant control mode Asking for his thoughts and actually listening Giving him room to step forward in decisions and in parenting Becoming less reactive, less critical Recognizing how perfectionism makes you hard on yourself and everyone around you Learning the difference between reacting and responding Owning moments where I project my own embarrassment or anxiety onto him Allowing myself to be supported Letting him help with dishes, laundry, the mental load, and home life Receiving service as an expression of love instead of proof that I am failing Integrating my calling and my home No longer seeing ministry or work as competition with being a wife and mom Letting God reorder my priorities: Jesus, marriage, children, then everything else Moving from "two separate versions of me" to one whole, integrated person Underneath it all, God shifted me from: "More of me, doing more, performing more" to "Less of me, more of Him — loving from abundance instead of exhaustion." A Scripture to Sit With "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." Psalm 127:1 This is true of literal houses and of marriages. Reflection Questions Take these to prayer, to your journal, or into a gentle conversation with your spouse: What kind of wife do I actually want to be — if no one were watching but God? Where am I over-functioning, trying to hold everything together in my own strength? Do I criticize my husband more than I pray for him? Where might God be inviting me to soften, slow down, or make space for him to lead? Am I willing to let Jesus make me whole, instead of just more productive? Sponsor: PreBorn So many women walk into an abortion clinic afraid and alone, about to make a life-altering decision. PreBorn meets them there by offering free ultrasounds, which doubles the likelihood that they will choose life. This year alone, thousands of babies have been rescued through PreBorn's work. They also provide counseling, classes, and practical support for moms up to two years after the baby is born. You can sponsor an ultrasound for 28 dollars and literally help save a life. Visit: preborn.com/speakeasy Sponsor: CrowdHealth Health insurance can feel like a rigged game. CrowdHealth offers a totally different way: a community of people funding each other's medical bills directly, without networks or middlemen. With CrowdHealth you get: Bill negotiators fighting for lower costs More affordable labs and prescriptions A vetted list of doctors And if something big happens, you pay the first 500 dollars and the community helps cover the rest During open enrollment, you can opt out of the old system and take your power back. Get started for 99 dollars for your first three months at: joincrowdhealth.com with code: speakeasy