the growing, not grown podcast

there are a lot of messages, inspirational videos, sermons, etc. about overcoming storms, what to do when the enemy attacks, the enduring hardships, etc.---especially in the Christian community----. now, those messages ARE useful and can help us know how to stay planted, arm ourselves, & get back up after we've fallen...but i want to talk about when life isn't so bad. when you aren't in a storm or fighting for your life. when things are good, maybe better than they've been in a long time. or when things are good but still there's that feeling that there's more you're supposed to do in this life. we are going to talk all those things, misappropriated guilt we take on, gratitude, praying for others, & doing whatever the heck it is God told you to do. so let's talk & journey together-- ------------- the growing, not grown podcast is a platform under The Wellthy Living Project that is about the unconventional journey to wellness. Wellness, is the balance between one's mental health, physical health, & spiritual maturity with God. It sounds good to say but so hard to get to & maintain so this space is about creating a community of people journeying together towards wellness. The creator is Elssa Kenfack, a licensed mental-health therapist, lover of Jesus, dope conversations, nerdy social science research & opportunities to push her body physically. Here we will talk the intersectionality of all types of wellness, ask the hard questions, laugh, cry, and always seek a new reason to grow. so join the Wellthy Living Project & tune into the growing, not grown podcast as we journey together. Follow: @wellthylivingp (IG/TikTok) @cest_belssa (personal IG)

welcome to season 2 of the growing, not grown podcast! see we didn't really do a season 1 finale---um we just kind of disappeared. sorry about that, but we are back and like in a relationship, we are setting our intentions. This episode was recorded in the month of the new year in 2023, and 3 months later it's finally out. In this episode, Elssa shares where she is in life, the things we are picking up and releasing, and lessons that God may truly be wanting us to walk out. Most importantly, we take some time to set things straight: the intent to be consistent in using The Wellthy Living Project and the growing, not grown to share God's journey, lessons, and our voice with others more consistently, to be scared and do it anyways, to step into an evolved self, to enjoy the process, and to journey together with anyone that's down for the ride! Thanks to everyone who is listening, sharing, supporting, and wanting to be a part of the community. Follow us on all platforms where podcast play & on instagram @wellthylivingp as always, be well. the two messages mentioned in this episode are below: 1. Do the New You - Steven Furtick 2. Becoming while Undoing - Sarah Jakes Roberts

So, it’s been a while…and I feel like I already said that before…but give me grace, I’m back! And I’ve got a lot of things I have been learning + so much more God has been speaking to me. A lot has happened since the last time an episode dropped, but one thing remained the same—my stagnation in posting/releasing episodes. But honestly, y’all I am trying to be discipline this time!! In this episode I am giving updates about what has been going on in my life in the past couple of months including: my recent mission’s trip to Kenya, my role as a therapist, walk with God, and all the lessons that I learned within those different spaces. Some of these lessons gently shoved me into action, others slapped me in the face and used me to reconsider my approach and thought process to a lot of things—but all of them were good + needed, so I hope they also speak to whoever is listening. If you like or connect with what is being said in this podcast, be sure to follow this podcast and follow @wellthylivingp on all platforms to stay connected. And if you feel so inclined, stay connected on my personal accounts at @cest_belssa. As always, be well—-

It is really easy a Christian or someone who believes in God to know or be able to reconcile with the fact that God cares about His people. That God loves His people, and has sacrificed a whole lot for us, not because we deserved but despite the very fact that we didn’t. As I reflected one random day over a month ago (when it was still WARM OUTSIDE!) I realized that, at least for me, it is a no brainer to know that God is good (all the tiiimmme) and that He cares about His people…but it was surprisingly very challenging for me to personally identify with it. What I mean is that I believe and know God cares about His people, but somehow I couldn’t conceptualize that in “people”, I—me—was included in that. Imagine that, God gave His life and His son for ALL of His people, and somehow I’ve internally convinced myself with a “yeahhh but…” that I am exempt from that. Part of me wants to believe I am an anamoly, but somehow I think God is showing me that many of us don’t fully believe that God’s grace and goodness is also specifically reserved for us—YOU—individually. So that’s what this short and sweet episode is about. Take a listen, it if registers, start to change your mindset + then share with someone else. God CARES about us—but also specifically me—and you. If you have any questions or comments, share them with me at wellthylivingproject@gmail.com , leave a review, or comment below and follow this podcast! You can also see more content on instagram or FB at @wellthylivingp & access me on my personal page at @cest_belssa. be better than okay—be well.

in this episode, I am reflecting a bit on life (per usual) and wrestling with feeling stuck. I am sure we have all experienced this once or twice; feeling stuck emotionally,  in our minds, stuck in our positioning, and unsure of what to do or what is next. As I recognized what I was feeling, I went to God's word for some clarity only to be met by a dead end. Through it though I was met by a new revelation, a perspective, and a challenge for myself, and for all of you. Take a listen & accept the challenge---maybe, just maybe. After listening make sure to save this episode, and share it with someone you know needs to hear this. Also, subscribe to this podcast on all platforms and to follow The Wellthy Living Project, which houses the growing, not grown podcast on instagram and twitter (@wellthylivingp), and where we journey towards wellness through physical, mental health, and spiritual maturity with God. Make sure to also follow my personal social media at @cest_belssa! most importantly y'all, be well.

*eyes* hey y'all....i know it's been a while. I was supposed to take a 21 day break in August but that somehow turned into an almost three month hiatus---oops---you know life. Part of the reason for the distance was the break was for 21 days of prayer with my church but the overwhelming reason why I stayed away so long was because there was some part of me that became fearful of using my voice. There was some part of me that doubted what I had to say, who had room to listen, and what value I would actually bring. There was also a part of me, who had been dealing with my own distance from God, which is what this episode is about: what to do when we have lost the spark for the things we once loved or were committed to doing?  take a listen, and know that WE ARE BACK.  If you liked this episode be sure to subscribe on all platforms and also to follow the podcast and the Wellthy Living Project at @wellthylivingp on social media.  If you have any questions or comments drop them below or email them to wellthylivingproject@gmail.com be well----

so here we are going back in time, to a voice memo I made over two years ago that I rediscovered and realized it was one that was never intended for just me but for others to hear. this is me, the day I discovered I was beautiful and my reflection of what it means to see yourself truly, what love means in God, romantic relationships, parental ones, friendships, and in self. Some thoughts are also shared about what it means to walk by faith and surrender (not a bad word) to God's will.  Listen, share, subscribe, but most importantly be well. 

This is the first ever recording for the growing not grown podcast, of the Wellthy Living Project (AHHH!). Here, Elssa talks about what idea behind this podcast, what it hopes to deliver to the world, & what to expect in future episodes! Moving forward GNG will consist of personal short stories & writing, candid conversations with guests, short insights/studies of the Word of God, the stories of others, & dialogue that makes us think. Thank you for giving it a listen & remember to:  be well.  For any inquiries about the show, or if you like to share your own writing or story, please contact wellthylivingproject@gmail.com.

some of y'all may not know what the what a cicada even is----if you don't that means you don't live in a place where they exist & let me tell you, you dodged a bullet. For the past couple of weeks cicadas, which emerge like zombies out of the ground every 17 years, have been EVERYWHERE physically and audibly. We're all still tryna get answers from the man upstairs and scientists about what their purpose is.  so I went for a random morning walk one day in June with the intention of just listening to nature sounds a& having a heart to heart with God. To my surprise your girl couldn't concentrate on anything more than ducking from a cicada every other minute. As I screamed and ran yet another time I asked God, "what is the point of these things?!" He began to open up my mind and eyes truths of cicadas and twisted it into truths about ourselves too. God's pretty dope that way, He can use anything to make connections. Could you be more similar to a cicada than you think? Listen and learn how, and why!  May this speak to someone in a new profound way.  Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast and additionally follow The Wellthy Living Project (@wellthylivingp) on all platforms! most importantly,  be well.