Big Ideas Podcast with Ashlee Ilg

Beth Green: Trusting God’s Flight Plan When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn

What if the very thing that doesn’t make sense on paper… is exactly where God is leading you next? In this final episode of Season 5, Ashlee chats with Beth Green — pastor, speaker, and founder of Adored and Breakthrough Conferences — in a powerful conversation about faith, obedience, legacy, and trusting God even when the path ahead feels unexpected. Beth shares the story of building a successful aviation company with her husband, only to feel God asking them to surrender it all and step into full-time ministry. Together, they unpack the confidence and peace that comes from knowing God is leading — even when others don’t understand it, and even when you don’t have every answer yet. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that God equips us for every season He calls us into… and that our obedience may become one of the greatest legacies our children ever witness. Beth also shares her heart for encouraging women and younger girls to use their voice for good, know where their true worth comes from, and courageously follow God in every season of life. In this inspiring season finale, you’ll hear: • How to trust God’s direction even when it doesn’t make sense to everyone around you • Why your obedience and faith may shape the next generation more than you realize • How God gives grace and provision for every season — without requiring you to have it all figured out first If you’ve ever felt God nudging you toward something unexpected… or wondered if you’re really equipped for what He’s asking of you… you’ll want to press Play and listen right away. And as we close out Season 5 — a season full of courageous women sharing honest stories and hard-earned wisdom — this conversation is the perfect reminder that God is always working for our good, even when we can’t fully see it yet.  Find more from Beth Green on Instagram @bethgreenwv [http://instagram.com/bethgreenwv/] and learn more about her church and upcoming Adored and Breakthrough Conferences at airborne.church [http://airborne.church/].  Follow Ashlee on Instagram at @ashleeilg [https://www.instagram.com/ashleeilg/] and find more resources at ashleeilg.com [http://ashleeilg.com/]. Take the Dreamer Quiz at DreamerQuiz.com [http://dreamerquiz.com/].

Lauren Mitchell: How Being a “Needy Woman” Can Draw You Closer to Jesus

What if the deepest, richest relationship you could have with Jesus… starts with finally being honest with Him? In this episode, Ashlee chats with Lauren Mitchell — author, speaker, and Bible teacher — about her book Steadfast Through the Psalms and why an authentic prayer life may be the very thing missing from so many women’s relationship with God. Together, they unpack the freedom of bringing every emotion, fear, frustration, and need directly to Jesus — not just the polished Sunday-morning version of ourselves. Lauren shares why being a “needy woman” is not weakness when that need drives us toward dependence on God instead of away from Him. Lauren also opens up about one of the greatest fears of her life — tornadoes — and how walking through that fear unexpectedly deepened her intimacy with God in ways she never imagined. This conversation is honest, Scripture-filled, deeply encouraging, and an invitation to stop striving for perfect prayers and start building a real relationship with Jesus. In this heartfelt conversation, you’ll hear: • Why honest, everyday conversations with God lead to a deeper and more fulfilling prayer life • How dependency on Jesus is actually a strength — not a spiritual failure • What the Psalms teach us about bringing our raw emotions, fears, and struggles directly to God If you’ve ever felt like your prayer life is shallow, inconsistent, or only shows God the “put together” parts of you… you’ll want to press Play and listen right away. Find more from Lauren Mitchell and her book, Steadfast Through the Psalms at laurenmitchellwrites.com [http://laurenmitchellwrites.com/] and on Instagram @laurenmitchellwrites [https://www.instagram.com/laurenmitchellwrites/] Follow Ashlee on Instagram at @ashleeilg [https://www.instagram.com/ashleeilg/] and find more resources at ashleeilg.com [http://ashleeilg.com/]. Take the Dreamer Quiz at DreamerQuiz.com [http://dreamerquiz.com/].

Chelsea Kuhn: Finding Faith and Purpose While Raising a Medically Complex Child

What do you do when life doesn’t go the way you planned… and you’re left carrying something you never expected? In this episode, Ashlee chats with Chelsea Kuhn — entrepreneur, artist, and co-founder of Making Lemoncake — in a raw and deeply moving conversation about her journey as a mom raising a medically complex child. Chelsea shares the story of her daughter’s rare and challenging diagnosis, the exhaustion and uncertainty that followed, and how she wrestled through it all — clinging to her faith and slowly finding peace in the middle of it. Today, she uses her voice to advocate for families walking similar paths and to help others understand how to show up with compassion, care, and community. This conversation is both vulnerable and incredibly encouraging — an honest look at what it means to keep going when life feels heavy, and how we can better support one another along the way. In this heartfelt conversation, you’ll hear: • What it looks like to hold onto faith when you’re overwhelmed, exhausted, and unsure • How to support and serve families with medically complex or disabled children in meaningful ways • Why building community — especially in hard seasons — matters more than we realize If you’ve ever walked through a season that felt heavier than you expected… or wondered how to better show up for someone who is… you’ll want to press Play and listen right away. Find more from Chelsea Kuhn at makinglemoncake.com [http://makinglemoncake.com/] and follow her at @chelseakuhn [https://www.instagram.com/chelseakuhn/] Follow Ashlee on Instagram at @ashleeilg [https://www.instagram.com/ashleeilg/] and find more resources at ashleeilg.com [http://ashleeilg.com/]. Find out what type of dreamer you are at DreamerQuiz.com [http://dreamerquiz.com/].

Melissa Hughes: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome by Owning Your Story

What if the reason you feel like an imposter… is because you’ve been looking at your story the wrong way? In this episode, Ashlee chats with Melissa Hughes — speaker, author, and coach — in an unscripted, deeply honest conversation about how to overcome imposter syndrome and start showing up with confidence by owning the story God has already given you. Melissa shares how a vulnerable conversation with God helped her uncover her true identity — and how that breakthrough now shapes the way she coaches others to build authentic, meaningful personal brands. In this encouraging and practical conversation, you’ll hear: • What’s really behind imposter syndrome — and the truth that breaks its hold • How discovering your authentic story becomes the foundation for building a meaningful personal brand • Why letting your kids and others see you pursue your calling (even when you feel unready) matters more than doing it perfectly If you’ve ever felt unsure about your voice, your story, or your next step… or found yourself waiting until you feel “ready”… you’ll want to press Play and listen right away. Follow Ashlee on Instagram at @ashleeilg [https://www.instagram.com/ashleeilg/] and find more resources at ashleeilg.com [http://ashleeilg.com/]. Take the Dreamer Quiz at DreamerQuiz.com [http://dreamerquiz.com/]. Find more from Melissa Hughes at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaleahughes/ [https://www.instagram.com/melissaleahughes/] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaleahughes [https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaleahughes] Website: https://melissaleahughes.com/ [https://melissaleahughes.com/]

Kim Cook: Finding Your Identity in Jesus While You Wait for Love

What if the waiting season you’re in… is actually where God is doing His deepest work in you? In this episode, Ashlee chats with Kim Cook — certified Christian relationship coach — as she shares her deeply personal story of waiting until her late 30s to meet her husband, walking through difficult dating seasons, and the heartbreak that ultimately brought her to a place of surrender and healing. With honesty and grace, Kim opens up about what it looked like to stop placing her identity in relationships… and instead anchor it fully in who God says she is. Today, she uses that journey to guide women toward wholeness, confidence, and peace in their season of singleness. This conversation reaches far beyond dating—it speaks to any season of waiting where you’re longing for clarity, breakthrough, or something you don’t yet have. In this heartfelt conversation, you’ll hear: • How to navigate a waiting season without losing your identity or your hope • Why healing and wholeness matter more than rushing into the next relationship • What it looks like to trust God’s timing—even when it feels long, unclear, or painful If you’ve ever felt stuck in the in-between… or wondered if your waiting season has purpose… you’ll want to press Play and listen right away. Stay connected with Kim Cook and find all of her relationship coaching resources on Instagram @kimcookcoaching and at https://stan.store/KimCookCoaching [https://stan.store/KimCookCoaching]. Follow Ashlee on Instagram at @ashleeilg and find more resources at ashleeilg.com [http://ashleeilg.com/]. Take the Dreamer Quiz at DreamerQuiz.com.