City Rev Life Podcast

In this episode of the CityRev Life Podcast, host Angelica Barros welcomes Rebekah Barnes to continue the At Rest series with a conversation about creating healthy, God-honoring boundaries. Together, they explore why God established Sabbath, the modern-day “taskmasters” that keep us constantly striving, and how intentional boundaries help us protect what matters most. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to always be productive, this episode will encourage you to slow down, embrace God’s design for rest, and discover the freedom that comes from living with intentional rhythms. Whether you’re leading at work, serving in ministry, or caring for your family, you’ll be reminded that true rest isn’t found in doing less—it’s found in abiding more deeply with Jesus.

How do you lead with excellence without letting your work define you? In Episode 5 of the At Rest podcast, host Angelica Barros sits down with Michelle Shirley, CEO and Chief Heart Officer of Be Strong International, to explore what it means to experience true rest in the marketplace. As a leader overseeing a thriving nonprofit, Michelle shares the challenges of carrying significant responsibility while remaining anchored in her identity in Christ. Together, they discuss why rest is more than taking a vacation, how to keep God at the center in seasons of constant demands, and the importance of leading from a place of peace rather than pressure. Through practical wisdom and honest stories from the front lines of leadership, this conversation will encourage anyone navigating work, business, ministry, or leadership to find lasting rest that isn’t dependent on their performance. Whether you’re leading a team, building a career, or simply trying to balance the demands of everyday life, this episode will remind you that your identity is found in Christ—not in your title, your accomplishments, or your productivity.

Money is one of the biggest sources of stress in our lives—but what if financial peace isn’t determined by the size of your bank account? In this episode of At Rest, Pastor Robey Barnes sits down with financial advisor, author, and podcast host Elizabeth Brickman to explore the deeper roots of financial anxiety and the surprising truth that financial unrest affects people at every income level. Drawing from decades of experience helping individuals and families navigate their finances, Elizabeth shares how fear, scarcity, comparison, and “what if” thinking can quietly shape our relationship with money—and how Scripture offers a better way. Together, they discuss four biblical foundations for financial peace, practical steps to break free from financial fear, and how true financial rest begins not with more money, but with greater trust in God. Whether you’re facing financial challenges or experiencing financial success, this conversation will encourage you to move from anxiety and striving toward contentment, generosity, and lasting peace. Resources Mentioned: Wealth Blessed and Wealth Confident by Elizabeth Brickman The Caring Advisor Podcast

In this episode of the At Rest series, Angelica Barros is joined by City Rev Women leader and longtime friend Erica Corona for an honest conversation about friendship, community, and finding rest in our relationships. Drawing from their own experiences as mothers, friends, and followers of Jesus, they explore God’s design for friendship, why meaningful relationships are essential for spiritual growth, and how striving, expectations, and life’s challenges can often rob us of peace. Together, they discuss what it looks like to live from a place of rest rather than performance, how to navigate the joys and difficulties of friendship, and why Christ-centered relationships remain one of God’s greatest gifts for our flourishing. Whether you’re longing for deeper connection or learning to trust God in your relationships, this conversation offers encouragement and practical wisdom for finding rest in friendship.

n Part 2 of our At Rest series, Angelica Barros sits down with Rebekah Barnes to explore one of the biggest barriers to true Sabbath rest: the inner critic. That harsh inner voice often uses shame, comparison, and the pressure to perform to keep us striving for approval and significance. Together, Angelica and Rebekah discuss how our culture’s obsession with productivity only amplifies that voice, while the gospel offers a better way. Drawing from Scripture and practical insights, they unpack how Sabbath rest helps us silence the inner critic, embrace our identity in Christ, and live from a place of acceptance rather than performance. Plus, Rebekah shares a practical framework—Posture, Practice, and Pattern—to help you cultivate rhythms of rest that bring lasting freedom and peace.