Freed to Lead | Break Free from What Holds You Back and Live Confidently in Christ

87 | A Pause by Design

Hey friend — if you came looking for a new Freed to Lead episode today, you didn’t miss it. It’s just not here… and that’s by design. I wanted to take a minute to share what’s happening and why things might be a little quieter around here for a bit. Last week, the Lord asked me to do something I honestly didn’t see coming — to step back, to pause, and to rest in Him for a season. I’ll be honest with you… I wrestled with my yes. Because if you know me, you know I’m a doer. I love creating, recording, building, pouring out — it’s how I’m wired. But this time, God made it clear that He wanted my stillness more than my striving. It’s funny, because sometimes obedience doesn’t look like another big step forward. Sometimes it looks like laying down something good so He can bring something greater. It reminded me of the story of Peter — when Jesus told him to cast his net on the other side after a night of catching nothing. Peter could’ve said, “Lord, I’ve already tried that.” But instead, he obeyed — and that obedience led to overflow. Or Abraham, who was willing to lay down the promise he waited years for, trusting that God would provide. That’s what this season feels like for me — releasing what’s in my hands so God can place something new there. And I’ll be honest — being still is not my strength. But I also know there’s purpose in the pause. There’s something He wants to refill, realign, and restore in me before I pour out again. So, while the Freed to Lead podcast takes a short break, I’m not disappearing. I’m still coaching and walking with my clients, and you can always book a session at kathrynmay.com/coaching [https://www.kathrynmay.com/coaching] if you feel like God’s nudging you to go deeper in your own season of healing or growth. In the meantime, I’d love for you to binge some past episodes — there are 86 of them packed with wisdom, encouragement, and truth to help you keep walking strong in your calling. You can also come hang out with me inside my free Facebook community — Revitalized Biblical Wellness — I’ll link it in the show notes, or you can find it at facebook.com/groups/revitalizedbiblicalwellness [https://facebook.com/groups/revitalizedbiblicalwellness]. And if you just want to stay connected or explore resources while I’m resting, you can visit kathrynmay.com [https://www.kathrynmay.com] I’ll be back soon — refreshed, refilled, and ready to pour out everything God’s been pouring into me during this time. Until then, thank you for your grace, your prayers, and your friendship. It means the world. I love you all, and I can’t wait to come back with what He’s been speaking. 💛

86 | Getting in the Word When You Feel Distant from God

What do you do when your heart feels dry — when you want to hear from God but can’t seem to connect? Tracy Hill, host of Be Blessed & Inspired Podcast, is teaching us about what it really means to get in the Word — not out of obligation, but out of relationship. As a women's Bible Study Group leader for decades, Tracy knows the struggle of trying to "get" the Bible and feeling frustrated when it all seems jumbled and you can't quite figure out how it applies to you. She is a student of the Word and helps women to get in the Word and enjoy growing in their relationship with God the Father as they get to really know the heart of who He is and to grow in confidence in their identity in Christ. If you’ve been trying to do all the right things but still feel distant from God, this conversation will remind you that the Word of God isn’t a checklist — it’s a place of intimacy, clarity, and renewal. We're going deep on: ✨ Why getting in the Word is the key to hearing God clearly ✨ How to build consistency in your quiet time when you feel spiritually dry. ✨ Renewing your mind with truth and releasing spiritual striving (aka: that checklist) ✨ How the enemy uses distraction to pull you away from intimacy ✨ Simple ways to make Scripture come alive again in your daily rhythm If your Bible has been collecting dust or your quiet time feels more like a chore than connection — this episode will encourage you to come back to the Word with fresh eyes and an open heart. 🔗 Connect with Today’s Guest, Tracy Hill: 🎧 Be Blessed & Inspired Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HVrzch0lrG5T7Hteyn2Ip?si=95edb1f6e16241ad [https://open.spotify.com/show/1HVrzch0lrG5T7Hteyn2Ip?si=95edb1f6e16241ad] 🌐 Website: www.beblessedandinspired.com [https://www.beblessedandinspired.com] 💗 Ready for Your Own Breakthrough? If you’ve been craving clarity and confidence in your walk with God — it might be time to renew your mind and realign your heart. ✨ Book a 1:1 Breakthrough Session with Kathryn at www.kathrynmay.com/coaching [https://www.kathrynmay.com/coaching]

85 | How to Hear God’s Voice, Step Into Your Calling, and Steward Your Gifts with Confidence with Jenilee Samuel

Have you ever sensed God calling you to something — to write the book, start the podcast, launch the ministry, or create what He’s placed on your heart — but fear, doubt, or confusion about how keeps holding you back? In this episode, I sit down with Jenilee Samuel, host of the Java with Jen podcast, to talk about how to hear and discern God’s voice, overcome fear, and step boldly into your calling with confidence. Jenilee shares how obedience, even when things weren’t clear, opened doors she could have never planned — proof that clarity comes through obedience, not before it. Together, we dive into: * How to recognize and trust God’s voice in your everyday life * What it means to say yes to God's calling when the timing feels uncertain * How to overcome fear, perfectionism, and the pressure to have it all figured out * Why stewarding your gifts is a must and the importance of multiplication. * Practical ways to balance family, business, and ministry without burnout Whether you’re called to build a business, start a podcast, lead in ministry, or simply step out in faith, this episode will remind you that God equips those He calls. About Jenilee Samuel Jen is a busy mom of four boys, a pastor, podcast coach, speaker, and writer with over 25 years of ministry experience. As host of a top 1% globally ranked Christian podcast, she inspires thousands across more than 100 nations and helps aspiring podcasters find their voices and grow their shows. Her passion for discipleship and helping others hear God’s voice has shaped everything she does. She lives in Texas with her husband, Stephen, and their four teenage boys who keep life full of sports, driving lessons, and first jobs. Jen loves traveling, fashion (she was once a wardrobe stylist), and, of course, coffee — hence her show, Java with Jen. She’s had the honor of interviewing guests such as Shawn Bolz, Manwell Reyes, and Alyssa Rahn of Revival Moms Podcast. Connect with Jenilee: * Website: www.jenileesamuel.com [https://www.jenileesamuel.com] * ✨3-juicy gifts for aspiring podcasters → https://javawithjenpodcast.systeme.io/freebieforpodcasters [https://javawithjenpodcast.systeme.io/freebieforpodcasters ] * Instagram: @javawithjen [https://www.instagram.com/javawithjen] If you’ve been stuck in your head wondering if you’re really hearing God or if you’re ready yet — this is your reminder that obedience brings clarity and peace. 👉 Book a 1:1 Breakthrough Session with me at www.kathrynmay.com/coaching [https://www.kathrynmay.com/coaching] to uncover what’s holding you back and step boldly into the calling God’s placed on your life. Be BOLD this week my friend and I can't wait to chat with you again soon.

84 | How to Renew Your Mind and Break Free from the Lies Holding You Back | Christian Mindset for Women

Identity theft isn’t just financial—it’s spiritual. Many of us are trying to fix what’s visible—our habits, emotions, or relationships—while the real issue lies deeper in what we believe. This is your invite to slow down the striving and start doing the "root work" of freedom. You’ll learn how to uncover the lies that keep you stuck and replace them with truth that brings peace, confidence, and lasting transformation. Ready to do your own root work? Book a 1:1 Breakthrough Session with Kathryn at kathrynmay.com/coaching [https://www.kathrynmay.com/coaching] to identify the beliefs keeping you stuck and replant truth that sets you free. You were never meant to simply manage your behavior—you were created to let God transform your heart. When you invite Him to heal what’s hidden, peace replaces pressure and truth takes root. That’s the beginning of real freedom. What We Cover:– The difference between trying to fix habits and actually healing what’s driving them underneath– What real spiritual wholeness looks like– A simple exercise to meet Jesus in the hidden places– How to recognize lies you’ve agreed with and replace them with God’s truth– What it looks like to renew your mind daily Key Takeaways:⭐ Changing surface habits without addressing what you believe never lasts⭐ The thoughts and stories you agree with shape the fruit in your life⭐ Freedom starts when you stop fixing yourself and let God heal your heart⭐ You don’t have to earn peace—Jesus already planted it in you⭐ Walking in truth is a daily choice, one step of faith at a time Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction – Why surface fixes don’t work 03:22 What your “fruit” reveals about your heart 08:15 The garden of your heart: meeting Jesus where it hurts 14:40 Recognizing lies and how they form 20:05 Replacing old stories with God’s truth 26:18 How to renew your mind and live from peace 32:30 Choosing truth over fear 37:50 Final encouragement and next steps

83 | How to Replace the Lies You Believe with God’s Truth

Lies are sneaky—they sound logical, familiar, even true. One day they’re just thoughts passing through your mind, and before you realize it, they’ve become the filter through which you see yourself, your calling, and even your relationship with God. In this episode we're getting real about how to identify the lies you’ve been believing, why they keep you stuck, and how to replace them with the life-giving truth of God’s Word. It’s not about trying harder or repeating empty affirmations—it’s about renewing your mind, letting truth take root, and walking in lasting freedom. You’ll hear my own experiences of battling thoughts like “I’m not enough” and “My voice doesn’t matter," and how these limiting beliefs form the invisible foundation that shapes how we lead, love, and live—plus how God gently uproots those lies to replant truth that restores peace and purpose to our lives. What I cover: * How to recognize the voice of a lie * Practical ways to renew your mind * Why positive thinking isn’t enough * Simple mindset shifts to move from “I can’t” to “I can do hard things,” and from feeling broken to living whole and restored in Christ. * How to create your own “Lie vs. Truth” journal practice that helps you see your growth, rewire your beliefs, and walk in greater confidence. Behavior modification can’t heal the soul—it’s root work that sets you free. When you identify the belief system driving your actions, you can finally let God heal the root instead of trimming branches that keep growing back. |“You can’t heal what you don’t reveal. Freedom begins when you name the lie and invite Jesus into the garden of your heart to replace it with truth.”| If you’ve been battling self-doubt, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or that constant sense of never enough, this conversation will speak straight to the parts of you that crave rest and restoration. You’ll walk away with practical tools and biblical truths to help you: * Renew your mind with truth instead of shame * Rebuild your confidence in Christ, not performance * Release the need to fix yourself and let God transform your thoughts * Remember that you are already loved, chosen, and free * When you believe lies about who you are, you live beneath your calling. But when you replace those lies with God’s truth, you become the woman He always designed you to be—secure, strong, and free from striving. This episode is your permission slip to stop surviving and start truly living in the confidence of who you are in Christ. 💬 Listen if you’ve ever thought: * “I’ll never be enough.” * “Something’s wrong with me.” * “I have to hold it all together.” * “I don’t even know who I am anymore.” It’s time to rewrite that story. If you’re ready to go deeper—to uncover the beliefs keeping you stuck and start renewing your mind from the inside out—book a Breakthrough Session with me. 👉 Book your session and explore more resources at www.kathrynmay.com [http://www.kathrynmay.com]