sheilluminates Podcast

EP #036 - Motherhood: Embracing Our Roles Right Where We Are

Connect with Dominique:  Faith Mamas [https://faithmamas.org/]Faith Mamas Podcast [https://faithmamas.org/category/podcast-2/] Faith Mamas on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/faithmamastribe/] Faith Mamas on Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/faithmamas/] Faith Mama’s Virtual Village [https://www.facebook.com/groups/faithmamas/] Connect with Chamel:  sheIlluminates [https://www.chamelevans.com/] sheIlluminates Podcast [https://www.chamelevans.com/podcast] Chamel on Instagram [http://instagram.com/chamelevans] Chamel on Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/chamelevanscom] Chamel on Pinterest [http://pinterest.com/chamelscreation]

EP #035 - Leap of Faith (go all in .... in your Purpose)

[https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bb6dece4b00052ff4c71f3/1582665749041-6MOV1WO9LXCNKP7Q1N0D/Alisha_pinterest_graphic.png?format=1000w] When God calls, you answer. Alisha Robertson epitomizes this and has worked to help other women realize the same. She is a wife, mother, author, speaker, podcaster, and faith-infused business owner. Listen in as she shares about her path and why going all in with God in mind is what moved the needle in her business.  WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO BE INTENTIONAL AND PURPOSEFUL?  Rather than just waiting for something to stick and striving toward something only to change direction, move toward your passion and your calling. When Alisha was first starting out she went through a time of striving without purpose. People all around her were talking about waking up and getting to do the things they loved which made her realize, she didn’t know what that was for her. What did she do? She stopped ignoring the hints God was placing in her path. Taking a step back and refusing to listen to the world gave her the space to hear God’s plan for her. When she finally listened, she realized that she was supposed to be a writer.  It took taking that step back to find her intention and purpose and walk in her calling. HAVE YOU STEPPED OUT IN FAITH OF WHAT HE’S ALREADY GIVEN YOU?  One of the things we as human beings tend to do is ask and ask and ask of God, but do we listen. This is the same thing that Alisha was going through. She was unfulfilled and asking for God to give her a sign and as she said, he was pointing flashing lights at her but she wasn’t listening. As you ask for your dreams and desires and your purpose, don’t forget to pray to have your eyes open to see His direction. He has placed so many gifts and treasures at your feet already. What are you doing with them?  Give yourself permission to be okay with where God has you and stop comparing your path with others. Don’t try to skip out on your process. WHAT HESITATIONS DO PEOPLE HAVE WHEN LIVING PURPOSEFULLY? One of the biggest hesitations is the fear we experience in the unknown. Alisha notes that for women specifically have a hard time taking a step in an unknown direction and not knowing what is on the other side. Usually it’s the fear holding them back.  Why do we as women focus only on the bad? When you consider an action, do you ask yourself, “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” if so, you’re ignoring the other part. Try asking yourself, “What’s the best thing that can happen?” and see how your mindset shifts.  If you know God is calling you in a certain direction, take heart in the knowledge that he won’t let you fall.  YOUR DECISIONS DON’T HAVE TO BE PERMANENT When you take a leap, remember that each decision you make isn’t set in stone. While backing away and stepping back may be difficult, it’s not impossible. Every move that you make in your life is bringing you experience and knowledge. That experience and knowledge informs who you become.  As Alisha states, “you can change your mind.” When she decided to step fully into Living Over Existing and away from coaching, she let her clients know, she was going to take that step, but if it didn’t work, she’d be back. Why? Because she knew that if things didn’t work out as expected, she could always step back into what she had already built.  If you’re on the fence, take the leap and know that God will catch you. Even if that means placing you back on the fence rather than helping you to the ground, you will come out of the experience new and stronger. GOAL SETTING FOR WOMEN OF FAITH IN BUSINESS Take a moment to realize that you can build your business without burning yourself out. Alisha has been called to the number 200 for this year and feels that she is meant to help 200 women. She normally set big goals for herself, but has realized that taking a step back has helped her gain clarity.  Remember you don’t have to have it all figured out. Your goals are meant to motivate you, but don’t fret if they aren’t coming. Leave room for God to do His work in your life.  I share specifically how you can set goals and create a strategy for prayer and listening when God answers. Just remember that your goals are like guidelines… don’t let them be a tablet written in stone. Give Him room to work. Back your faith up with action.    [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bb6dece4b00052ff4c71f3/1582665999509-YB24TIPVQNCPL0Q9SFPF/Alisha.jpg?format=1000w] CONNECT WITH ALISHA: Alisha Robertson is an author and business coach dedicated to helping creative women live their life & create their business on purpose. She’s a self-published author of the Living Over Existing book [https://amzn.to/2JOF3nX] and the creator behind several physical products created to help online business owners gain clarity, organize and build their brands. Through her work, Alisha empowers women to uncover their voice, ditch fear, gain clarity & begin making money doing what they love. Living Over Existing [https://www.livingoverexisting.com/] Living Over Existing Podcast [https://www.livingoverexisting.com/episodes] Living Over Existing [https://www.amazon.com/Living-Over-Existing-Barriers-Holding/dp/0692971874] by Alisha Robertson   LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE FOR ON THE GO ENCOURAGEMENT Apple itunes [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sheilluminates-podcast/id1384077905?mt=2] google play [https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Izwlwktk6qb7rr2cyjrdtpp6c6e] Stitcher [http://stitcher.com/s?fid=185996&refid=stpr]

EP #034 - How to Launch a Brand the RIGHT Way -- God’s Way

[https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bb6dece4b00052ff4c71f3/1582555019253-WXPU8FSLO64A5NXTLEUG/chamel_pinterest_graphic.png?format=1000w] I have been in business for more than 5 years now and I still get asked about how I started. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite questions because launching your brand the right way involves God and faith-based planning. Stop searching for the world’s way to launch and dig deep into God’s plan for you. My first couple of years in business, I spent a lot of time searching on Pinterest and scouring Google for information on creating an impactful brand. It wasn’t until I realized that none of those strategies were working when I took a step back and realized that I was not following His plan. You see, when you’re called by God to share His message, He doesn’t ask you to do it blindly. ARE YOU FEELING STIRRED?  If you have felt the tug of Christ pulling you in a certain direction, then you know He is stirring you up. While He doesn’t ask you to carry out His requests without aid, He does ask that you sit down with him and gain clarity.  When you know you have a message to share with the world, but the vision itself is eluding you, then it’s time to sit down and be in fellowship with the Lord. He will help you see His plan for you and how He wants you to launch. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LAUNCH? I was shown the vision behind sheLaunches while reading Luke 5. I knew that I was meant to help Christian women and entrepreneurs to launch their God-given purpose into the world, but after reading this chapter, I realized the full impact of truly launching your vision.At this point in the Bible, Peter is frustrated that he has been fishing all day and didn’t manage to catch anything. He’d brought his boat back up to shore when he meets Jesus. It was then that Jesus asked Peter to launch his boat into the deep waters and then release his net. Peter did as he was asked and caught a huge haul of fish. Jesus asked Peter to launch out in faith and only when Peter was in the presence of the Lord was he able to receive the abundance.This is true of you launching your faith-based business or ministry. You must be in the presence of the Lord before you will find true success. STEP ONE This leads to the first step of the sheLaunches Program. Before we can do any work, you have to get a handle on your mindset. Have you been in conversation with the Lord? Are you clear on the mission and vision He has set for you? If not, then you have more work to do. Lay the foundations of your business or ministry at the Lord’s feet and allow Him to lay the concrete.In this first step, I ask that you take the time to really sit in prayer with the Lord and make sure that the path you are walking is in alignment with His purpose for you. GO DEEPER God told Peter to launch into the deep knowing that the water was rougher and the path more difficult, but the reward was infinite. The same is true of your business. You have to dig deep into the scripture and your faith to be sure you are hearing His message. In Habakkuk 2, we are told to write down the vision and make it plain, but first we are told to wait and see what He will say to us. God says that while it may linger, the vision will come. Before we can release your vision through brand messaging, you have to know His will. LAUNCH THE RIGHT WAY Every launch and brand is different, but when you’re a Christian entrepreneur, the foundations are the same. Lay your foundation at God’s feet so that you can launch into the deep with His blessing and guidance.  Need help with that? Reach out here [https://chamelevans.com/shelaunches-step-one].   [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bb6dece4b00052ff4c71f3/1566264440961-Y1RE03FGZ4ODL4AX7N22/chamelpromonov2018-228.jpg?format=1000w] CONNECT WITH ME: I am a faith-infused brand strategist and designer for God-focused entrepreneurs helping them to confidently show up, walk in their purpose, and serve others well. My brand fuses Biblical truth with creative application to guide women in finding clarity around their purpose, igniting their confidence around who God created them to be, and translating their dreams into reality.  I am on a mission to help others spark their inner light into the world for kingdom impact. SHOOT ME A MESSAGE:  Instagram @chamelevans [https://www.instagram.com/chamelevans/] Facebook @ChamelEvans [https://www.facebook.com/chamel.evans] Pinterest Chamel Evans [https://www.pinterest.com/chamelevans/] www.chamelevans.com [http://www.chamelevans.com]    [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bb6dece4b00052ff4c71f3/1582555718281-JZIHBS7QVYGD7CW0DORP/Blog-Email.png?format=1000w] https://chamelevans.com/shelaunches-step-one    LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE FOR ON THE GO ENCOURAGEMENT Apple itunes [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sheilluminates-podcast/id1384077905?mt=2] google play [https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Izwlwktk6qb7rr2cyjrdtpp6c6e] Stitcher [http://stitcher.com/s?fid=185996&refid=stpr]

EP #033 - Comparison Compromises Your Calling

[https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bb6dece4b00052ff4c71f3/1582494032325-0NV3RT8NFF2C6NAZU5LM/Ashley_pinterest_graphic.png?format=1000w] Do you ever find yourself scrolling through social media and seeing how well every else is doing? Does it cause you to second guess your own accomplishments and achievements? Ashley Morgan Jackson and I discuss this prevalent topic and how you can lean into your faith to help protect you against the pitfalls of comparison. Ashley is a Christian communicator, speaker, podcaster, and author.  COMPARISONITIS AND MOTHERHOOD Both Ashley and I have struggled with various aspects of comparing the way we mother our children to others. For me, it’s the belief of what is right and how I was raised versus how I’m raising my kids. For Ashley, it was having a C-section rather than a natural birth and not being able to breastfeed. We all struggle with some component of comparison issues while mothering, but as Jesus says to Peter in John 21, what He is doing with one of his sheep has nothing to do with you.  That passage is absolutely perfect for this topic and Ashley really hits that nail on the head. We need to support each other as women and as mothers and stop “telling” on each other to the Lord. The plan God has for you has nothing to do with what He has planned for me. He basically says to tend to yours and leave other people to their own business.  DON’T LET COMPARISON STEAL FROM YOU Taking the time to compare yourself or your business to others is a practice in wasted time. The comparisons you’re making between you an others have no bearing on the truth or purpose God has called you to. He has asked that you do something in particular to further His goals and His aims for His people. Wasting your time comparing your purpose with another person’s purpose is pulling you away from the path that God has set for you. There is no right or wrong way to raise your family or run your business in the eyes of God. There is also not a singular path for you to walk down that everyone else is using too. Comparing your path with someone else’s is the same as trying to compare apples and butterflies. Not only are apples and butterflies completely different but they are both perfectly made for their purpose on this Earth. THE ROOT OF COMPARISON IS FEAR Whether it be the fear of missing out or the fear that someone is better than you, the reason we compare ourselves to others is based in fear. Ashley says that sometimes her fear is that God has shown favor to someone else because he’s denying her. When really we need to just take ourselves out of the equation. Our lives and businesses are not our own, they are God’s and he knows exactly what he’s doing with them. For me, the fear stems from the unknown and having to give up control and not being enough. God and I are working through that together. Ashley again brings up an amazing scripture in Luke 9 when the disciples are all working on comparing themselves to one another. Jesus instead asks them to be more childlike and unconcerned with which is greater than the other. It is the person who is the least that is the greatest. Fearing being second best is inherently against that which God has called us to be.  GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO CELEBRATE OTHERS You can’t get stuck in comparisonitis when you truly celebrate the wins and achievements of others. Celebrate and encourage those around you in their wins. You never know if that person has been working for 20 minutes or 20 years to make it to where they are today. Rejoice in knowing that God has worked in their life and business and continue to tread your path.  God does everything in His time and for His glory. Don’t get stuck in the place of wondering why He isn’t working on your life right now. He is! But He is working at his pace and in His plan. Be patient and continue to seek His word and His guidance. Give your fears to Him and trust the He is going to work on your fears and in your life. Acknowledge your fears! Then hand them over to Him. Take a minute, press pause, get on your knees, and pray!   [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bb6dece4b00052ff4c71f3/1582492169415-3RTHP8DKWTZLHFRONDQG/ashleyshorthair2018+%281%29.jpg?format=1000w] CONNECT WITH ASHLEY: Ashley Morgan Jackson is a Christian communicator, author and graphic designer who loves encouraging women in Christ to walk boldly in their identity and calling. She has written a book about her depression "The Blessing of Being Broken”, a Bible study named “Called to Build” on the book of Nehemiah and currently working on online courses and a podcast of the same name to equip women to take steps toward the dreams God has placed in their hearts. She is a wife of ten years, a mother of two little boys, loves hanging out at the beach in her home in Ventura, CA and is currently doing an internship with author and speaker Melissa Spoelstra. SHOOT ME A MESSAGE:  Blog: ashleymorganjackson.com [http://ashleymorganjackson.com/] Instagram: @ashley.morgan.jackson [http://instagram.com/ashley.morgan.jackson] Facebook: AshleyMorganJacksonblog [http://facebook.com/ashleymorganjacksonblog] Twitter: AshleyMJackson [http://twitter.com/ashleymjackson]    Called to Build, The Podcast [https://www.ashleymorganjackson.com/podcast]   LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE FOR ON THE GO ENCOURAGEMENT Apple itunes [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sheilluminates-podcast/id1384077905?mt=2] google play [https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Izwlwktk6qb7rr2cyjrdtpp6c6e] Stitcher [http://stitcher.com/s?fid=185996&refid=stpr]

EP #032 - Aligning & Owning My Calling

[https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bb6dece4b00052ff4c71f3/1581445483610-X9N9VCKRYEB3LEGH7EWO/chamel_pinterest_graphic.png?format=1000w] sheilluminates is back for Season 3 and I wanted to take a minute to share some of the breakthroughs I have had about my business, ministry, and calling.  In the last year, my business has changed dramatically. In a good way. In a truly blessed way! God has been moving and working and I am so excited to step into His purpose for my life, more fully.  LAST YEAR However, there have been some hurdles. Have you ever been talking with God and you hear a snippet of what He is saying to you? You hear just the one piece and you take off running thinking you’re doing His work? Well, last year a little bit of that happened to me.  I have been called to my business as a faith-infused brand designer and strategist for women entrepreneurs, but I have also been called to bring God’s word to all women seeking His truth. I’ve had two sides of my business for a long while now and as God called me more fully to the one, I started to let the other slip.  Then I wondered why I wasn’t experiencing the same fulfillment I had when I was also bringing along my ministry. Enter God’s voice saying Chamel… I never told you to run full tilt in one direction.  Last year I left my full-time job to go full-time in my business and I know without a shadow of a doubt that this was the path God laid out for me. However, he never told me to hold back on my ministry.  THIS YEAR I’m not sure if you’re someone who ascribes to having year-long goals or focusing on one particular word for the year, but I definitely am. When I have a specific word in mind, I have a focal point for my business decisions and my ministry. I am able to plan my content around that word and making sure that I’m stepping into my path for the year. This year my word is, “release.” I’m releasing God’s vision for my life and helping others do the same. The first thing I’m doing is re-releasing this podcast. I have so many messages to share with you, but I also know so many amazing, Christian entrepreneurs who want and need to share their stories with you. I’m also releasing a new methodology in how I help my clients dig deep into their faith to create brands and business strategies that fit with God’s plan for their lives. I’ll be sharing more about that in future episodes, but for now, just know that I have a lot of valuable information to share if you’re looking to start a business or ministry this year. MY PROMISE My promise to you is to be consistent with my message. I want to be there to help you walk in your faith journey and to do that, I have to be available. I promise to show up for you and to share with you the messages that I have on my heart. I also promise to be a pillar of strength for you as you navigate life.  I promise to share with you my personal journey with God and how He is moving in my life so that I can empower you to pursue your purpose. God has so much in store for all of us this year. We need to listen to His words and follow the path he is setting out for us.  WHAT’S NEXT I’m going to continue to sit and rest at the feet of the Lord throughout the year. He is going to continue to release my vision and message throughout the year. I’m going to continue to release this podcast and update my vision for my business.  Stay tuned for what’s coming up next. No matter if you are looking for encouragement in your business, support in your walk, or you simply need to hear more of God’s word in your life, I’m here and ready for you!  2020 is the year to walk in audacious faith. Are you ready?    [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53bb6dece4b00052ff4c71f3/1566264440961-Y1RE03FGZ4ODL4AX7N22/chamelpromonov2018-228.jpg?format=1000w] CONNECT WITH ME: I am a faith-infused brand strategist and designer for God-focused entrepreneurs helping them to confidently show up, walk in their purpose, and serve others well. My brand fuses Biblical truth with creative application to guide women in finding clarity around their purpose, igniting their confidence around who God created them to be, and translating their dreams into reality.  I am on a mission to help others spark their inner light into the world for kingdom impact. SHOOT ME A MESSAGE:  Instagram @chamelevans [https://www.instagram.com/chamelevans/] Facebook @ChamelEvans [https://www.facebook.com/chamel.evans] Pinterest Chamel Evans [https://www.pinterest.com/chamelevans/] www.chamelevans.com [http://www.chamelevans.com]   LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE FOR ON THE GO ENCOURAGEMENT Apple itunes [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sheilluminates-podcast/id1384077905?mt=2] google play [https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Izwlwktk6qb7rr2cyjrdtpp6c6e] Stitcher [http://stitcher.com/s?fid=185996&refid=stpr]