Kickstart With Kayla

What does it look like to have joy when life is not making you happy?
In Episode 63, Josh Stewart returns to the podcast to talk about the difference between temporary happiness and the lasting joy God offers us. Kayla and Josh discuss why joy is a choice, how God’s presence changes our outlook, and why Christians can still grieve, struggle, and experience difficult emotions without losing hope.
They also share practical ways to pursue joy through prayer, gratitude, time with God, and remembering how He has already worked in your life.
If you have been feeling discouraged, exhausted, or weighed down by your circumstances, this conversation is a reminder that biblical joy does not require you to pretend everything is okay. It comes from knowing that God is still good, present, and working even when life is hard.

What does it really mean to be justified and “really living”?
In Episode 62, Kayla explores how the blood of Jesus does more than secure our eternity. It changes how we live right now. Through Romans, the story of the Israelites leaving Egypt, Titus 2, and John 10:10, she explains the difference between justification and sanctification, why obedience is a response to God’s love rather than a way to earn it, and how grace actively teaches us to live differently.
God loves you enough to forgive you exactly where you are, but He also loves you too much to leave you there. His love doesn’t stop at changing your destination. He begins changing your direction.
If you’ve ever wondered what should change after salvation or what abundant life with Jesus actually looks like, this episode is for you.

What if the thing God gifted you to do has also become the place where you look for attention, approval, and identity?
In Episode 61, Kayla sits down with Isaiah “Zay” Ellison to talk about the difference between using your gifts for God and needing those gifts to feel seen. Zay shares how basketball, drumming, and the desire to be chosen became tied to the way he saw himself—and how one unexpected five-hour conversation during what was supposed to be a haircut challenged the way he was living his faith.
They talk about hiding your faith to fit in, saying yes to every opportunity until you burn out, feeling angry when someone else is chosen, and how easily worship can become more about your performance than God’s presence.
If you have ever felt overlooked, craved recognition, or wondered whether your gift has started to define you, this conversation asks an uncomfortable but important question:
If God never gave you another opportunity to use the thing you are known for, would you still love, worship, and serve Him?

Have you ever prayed for clarity, asked people you trust for advice, and somehow ended up even more confused?
In Episode 60, Kayla turns to five biblical stories that reveal what to do when life does not make sense. Through Jehoshaphat, Rehoboam, Habakkuk, Mary and Martha, and the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we see that faithful people can experience fear, conflicting advice, unexpected answers, painful delays, and incomplete understanding.
You’ll learn how to filter the voices around you, separate facts from fearful conclusions, bring your honest questions to God, worship before receiving an explanation, and take the next faithful step when you cannot see the entire plan.
If you keep asking, “God, what are You doing?” let this episode remind you: You may not understand what God is doing, but you can still know who He is.
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” —2 Chronicles 20:12

Have you ever sung every word of a worship song without stopping to think about what you are actually declaring?
In Episode 59, Kayla sits down with Virgo Dykstra, her mentor from youth group and the former leader of the first podcast she co-hosted, to talk about worship, music, and the songs that have shaped their relationships with God.
They discuss why worship extends beyond what happens on Sunday morning, how the lyrics and music we consume can influence us, and why certain songs speak differently during different seasons of life. Kayla and Virgo also reflect on worship at church camp, the songs connected to meaningful moments in their faith, and the worship music they continue returning to years later.
They finish by attempting to choose their four favorite worship songs—with plenty of honorable mentions along the way.
Whether worship has ever felt uncomfortable, you are searching for new music, or you want to become more intentional about what you listen to, this conversation will encourage you to see worship as more than simply singing along.

When life feels overwhelming, it can be difficult to recognize that God is still present, working, and holding you through it.
In this casual Bible-study episode, Kayla walks through Isaiah 43 and reflects on God’s promises to call us by name, remain with us through deep waters, make a way through the wilderness, and free us from the shame of our past.
Kayla also shares what has changed in the five years since her baptism, how saying yes to Jesus transformed the direction of her life, and why your mistakes do not disqualify you from God’s love or purpose.
If you feel exhausted, forgotten, stuck, or weighed down by something you have done, this episode is a reminder that you are seen, precious to God, and never walking through the wilderness alone. The episode closes with a prayer for freedom, direction, and a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Have you ever wanted to talk about Jesus, but stayed quiet because you were afraid of making things uncomfortable?
In Episode 57, Kayla sits down with Andrew Steier of Always Going to discuss why sharing your faith doesn’t have to feel like a sales pitch or rehearsed presentation. They talk about listening well, asking genuine questions, recognizing natural opportunities, and allowing your relationship with Jesus to overflow into everyday conversations.
Andrew also shares why evangelism starts in the heart—not the mouth, how fear of rejection keeps us silent, and eight questions that help him stay focused on God’s mission.
If you love Jesus but freeze when it’s time to talk about Him, this episode will help you approach those conversations with greater confidence, authenticity, and care.
Learn more about Andrew’s free five-day course at OverflowEvangelism.com!

The enemy doesn’t always attack through obvious temptation. Sometimes it looks like exhaustion, constant distraction, isolation, shame—or even a good gift slowly taking God’s place.
In this episode, Kayla explores six subtle ways spiritual warfare can appear in everyday life and uses neuroscience to explain why these patterns can become so powerful. You’ll learn how to question familiar lies, distinguish conviction from condemnation, protect your attention, and recognize when success or talent is becoming part of your identity.
If you’ve felt spiritually off but haven’t been able to explain why, this episode may help you notice what you’ve been missing.

Christianity can feel exciting when it is everywhere—on social media, clothing, worship playlists, and in our bios. But what happens when following Jesus is no longer popular?
In Episode 55, Kayla sits down with Joshua Moody, who shares how growing up surrounded by religion without truly knowing Jesus led him through rejection, church hurt, addiction, depression, and a moment when he was ready to give up on God. Then, Joshua says he heard two words that changed everything: “Come home.”
Joshua shares how obedience led him back to church, into ministry, and toward a passion for helping the next generation build a faith rooted in Scripture rather than trends. This conversation will challenge you to consider whether you are simply building a life around Jesus—or genuinely building a life with Him.

Maybe you want God to be part of your everyday life—but you’re not sure what that practically looks like.
Spending time with God doesn’t have to be complicated. It can begin with reading a few Bible verses, writing down what stands out, praying, or simply talking to Him while you drive, walk, or get ready for the day.
In this episode, Kayla shares practical ways to keep God at the center of your day. She discusses turning Bible reading and prayer into a relationship rather than another task, becoming more intentional about what you consume, choosing community that strengthens your faith, and bringing your struggles to God instead of handling them alone.
Whether you already have a consistent faith routine or don’t know where to begin, this episode will help you recognize God’s presence in the ordinary moments of your life.