Rooted for Growth

Episode 30: Hearing God at the Turn of the Year

As the year winds down, many of us feel the tension between what’s been and what’s coming next. In this last episode of the season, Troy reflects on the practice of seeking a Word for Your Season… not as a resolution, but as an invitation to slow down, listen, and discern what God may be speaking right now. This rhythm, practiced between Christmas and the end of the year, has become a meaningful way to look back with honesty and step forward with clarity. You’ll hear the story behind how this practice began, why a single word can carry so much weight, and how God often speaks not in noise or pressure, but in quiet, steady presence. This episode is for anyone who feels uncertain about the next season… tired from the last one… or simply longing to hear God more clearly. At the end of the episode, Troy shares about the free Word for Your Season five-day devotional… a simple, guided experience designed to help you breathe, reflect, and listen for God’s Word for what’s ahead. You can sign up for the free devotional at WhitmanCollective.com. Take a breath. Create space. And listen for the word God is gently placing in your heart.

Episode 29: The Whisper That Changes Everything

Sometimes we expect God to speak through big moments… signs, fireworks, or something that shakes the ground beneath us. But Scripture shows us something different. When Elijah was desperate for direction, God didn’t show up in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. He spoke in a whisper. In this episode, Troy shares what it really looks like to hear God in the quieter places of life. You’ll hear a personal story about a season when the path forward wasn’t obvious, yet clarity came in the most unexpected way — through stillness. We also explore Henry Blackaby’s insights from Experiencing God and how God often uses Scripture, prayer, circumstances, and community to reveal Himself rather than simply give instructions. If you’ve been praying for direction or wondering why God feels silent, this episode will help you see that He may be speaking more than you think. Sometimes revelation isn’t loud… it’s steady. And the moment you create space for it, His guidance becomes much clearer. Take a breath, slow down for a few minutes, and join us as we uncover the beauty of hearing God’s voice in the quiet.

Episode 28: Resilience — Shake It Off and Step Up

Life can throw a lot of dirt on us… grief, setbacks, pressure, unanswered questions. Sometimes it feels like we’re sinking deeper instead of climbing out. But what if resilience isn’t about being unshakeable… but about learning how to keep stepping forward, even when the ground feels unstable? In today’s episode, we step into Week 5 of the Rooted for Growth devotional and explore what real resilience looks like from a biblical, emotional, and therapeutic perspective. Using our key Scripture from Jeremiah 17, we talk about what it means to be rooted in a source that doesn’t run dry… especially when life does. We also draw from Frederick Buechner’s powerful insights in Speak What We Feel and Secrets in the Dark — reminders that healing begins with honesty, and that God often meets us most tenderly in the dark places. Resilience grows not in the moments we hide, but in the moments we speak truth, feel deeply, and allow God to steady us. Whether you're walking through grief, rebuilding after a hard season, or simply trying to keep going one day at a time… this episode offers hope, grounding, and encouragement. Shake it off. Step up. You’re not alone in this. Listen in and share with someone who needs strength today.

Episode 27: Made New Again

Week 4 – Renewal This Thanksgiving week, we’re talking about something every weary heart needs… renewal. Not the dramatic kind. Not the “everything suddenly gets better” kind. But the quiet, steady, gentle renewal that God brings to tired places in our lives. In this episode, Troy shares honestly about the early weeks after losing his wife… when prayers felt foggy, emotions felt muted, and renewal felt impossible. And yet, in the smallest moments — one verse, one breath, one morning coffee with Scripture — God began to breathe life back into places that felt numb. This week’s devotional theme is Renewal… and it couldn’t arrive at a better time. As we enter Thanksgiving — a holiday that can feel warm for some and heavy for others — we’re reminded that gratitude and grief can exist together. And even in the most difficult seasons, God is still renewing, restoring, and drawing us close. If you’re walking into this week feeling tired, overwhelmed, or spiritually distant… this episode is for you. Renewal doesn’t begin with perfection. It begins with presence. One small step… one honest prayer… one quiet moment where God meets you right where you are. Listen in… and let your heart breathe again. Mentioned in this episode: – Week 4: Renewal devotional content – Free resources: 5-Minute Prayer Routine & 7 Prayers for the Grieving Heart – Sign up: WhitmanCollective.com/signup

Episode 26: The Gift of Looking Back

There’s something sacred about reflection… not the kind that shames you for who you used to be, but the kind that helps you see how God was moving all along. In this week’s episode, we explore why looking back is actually a gift... especially when your past feels heavy, complicated, or hard to understand. I share a moment with a mentor who once told me… “You’re looking at your past with today’s wisdom. Of course it doesn’t make sense.” That simple line shifted something in me. It helped me realize that reflection isn’t about judging who I was… it’s about recognizing who God was, even then. This episode builds on our weekly theme of Reflection, and we’ll talk about how to look back without getting stuck, how to see God’s faithfulness in places you once overlooked, and how reflection becomes a pathway toward peace, clarity, and spiritual growth. Whether you’re doing the devotional or simply following along on the podcast, this week’s encouragement invites you to slow down… take inventory… and notice the quiet ways God has been shaping your story. In this episode: * Why reflection is more healing than you think * How God uses hindsight to strengthen our faith * The difference between remembering and reliving * One key takeaway that will help you move forward with clarity If you’ve ever struggled with regret, shame, or the feeling that your past disqualifies you… I believe this episode will speak life into you today. Tune in, take a breath, and let’s walk this week together.