Bravely Choosing Joy with Nicole Zasowski

Have you ever turned your relationship with God into another thing on your to-do list? Read the Bible. Check.Pray. Check.Go to church. Check.Serve. Check. And somehow, all the things that were meant to draw you closer to Jesus start feeling like things you have to accomplish to prove you’re doing faith right. If you’ve ever been there, this episode is your nudge to put down the checklist and remember: God loved you before you ever did a single thing for Him. Today I’m talking with my wise friend Monica Ritchie about what it looks like to grow in our faith without slipping into legalism or performance. Monica Ritchie is a Bible Teacher & Theologian. She’s passionate about bringing you accessible theology that you can embody in real life. She says, “I’m your friend that went to seminary,” and she means it! Her heart is to share more of who God is so that you are better equipped to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Monica also shares her own unexpected journey from fashion influencer to Bible teacher and theologian—and I love the way she reminds us that faith, creativity, beauty, and theology don't have to live in separate boxes. We talk about spiritual disciplines like prayer, Scripture, worship, silence, rest, and community—not as rules we have to follow, but as rhythms that continually turn our hearts back toward God. And those rhythms? They might look completely different depending on your life and the season you're in. Spiritual disciplines are meant to lead us toward freedom, not pressure.

Do you ever put pressure on yourself to read your Bible enough? Pray enough? Make the right choices.?Say the right things? Love people well? Don't mess up? It can feel like a lot. In this episode, I’m sitting down with Mac Bridges and Kenz Durham (you might know them from their For the Girl podcast or Delight Ministries) to talk about the pressure we put on ourselves to get our faith “right” and what God is actually asking of us when He calls us to holiness. Because here's something we all need to hear: holiness and perfection are not the same thing. God isn't waiting for us to finally become flawless before He can love us, use us, or draw near to us. He already loves us, uses us, and is near us always! We have Jesus, His grace, and the Holy Spirit to help us accomplish what we could never do on our own. And there is so much freedom in that. Mac, Kenz, and I talk about what it looks like to pursue a life that reflects the goodness of Jesus without turning our faith into another impossible standard we're constantly trying to meet. Holiness isn't about never getting it wrong. It's about allowing God to continually shape us, grow us, and teach us to become more like Jesus. The important difference between holiness and perfection

Do you have an idea, dream, stirring in your heart, but you keep dismissing it, ignoring it, or telling yourself you can’t do it? Maybe you don’t feel qualified, like it’s too late, like someone else is already doing it, or the answer will be no. So why bother asking? This conversation is your nudge to not let any of that hold you back and instead take the next faithful step. I’m sitting down with my friend Annie F. Downs, and we’re talking about what it looks like to trust the unique life God is writing for each of us. Annie shares stories from her own journey, from writing and moving to marriage, tattoos, ministry, and all sorts of unexpected turns. She reminds us that God’s calling rarely unfolds in one giant, obvious leap. More often? It looks like one small yes followed by another. Annie shares a beautiful picture of perfume and its “dry down,” or how the same fragrance smells different on every person who wears it. Our faith is like that. We all carry the aroma of Christ, but because God created each of us uniquely, following Jesus isn't going to look the same on me as it does on you. And that’s the point. Comparison can keep us from noticing what God is doing in our lives.

Do you ever feel like there’s just… not enough? Not enough money, time, energy, margin, opportunities, or security? If so, this episode is your nudge to stop living from a place of fear and start living from the abundance God has already promised you. Today I’m joined by my sweet friend Jen Thompson, and we’re diving into the difference between a scarcity mindset and an abundance mindset—and wow, this conversation hit deep. Because if we’re honest, so many of us are walking around exhausted, striving, and constantly comparing, believing the lie that we’re somehow falling behind. But God never asked us to live clenched-fist lives. Together, Jen and I unpack what Scripture says about God’s provision, from manna in the wilderness to Jesus teaching us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” We talk about the freedom that comes when we stop obsessing over tomorrow and start trusting God with today. Scarcity says “there’s never enough.” God says “I will provide.”

Do mornings ever feel… a little out of reach? Like you want to be the girl with the quiet time, the coffee, the Bible open… but real life just doesn’t look like that? This episode is your nudge to let go of the pressure, and meet Jesus right where you are. I’m joined by the amazing Jennifer Dukes Lee, and we’re talking all about mornings—but not in the “wake up at 5am and have it all together” kind of way. We’re redefining what it actually means to be a “morning person” and why your morning doesn’t have to be early or perfect to be powerful. Jennifer shares practical, grace-filled ways to invite God into your morning to jump start your day in all the best ways—whether you’ve got five quiet minutes, a chaotic house, or you’re whispering a prayer on your commute. You don’t have to be an early riser to be a “morning person” with the Lord.