Kickstart With Kayla

Why Compassion Matters More Than Comfort

In this episode, I talk about what it really means to choose compassion over comfort. I reference a viral TikTok experiment where a woman pretended to need baby formula to see if religious organizations would step in to help. The responses revealed something important: it’s easy to say we love like Jesus, but much harder to choose compassion when it costs us something.
We dig into why comfort often keeps us from obedience, how generosity reflects the heart of God, and why faith can’t just be something we talk about—it has to be something we live. Jesus didn’t choose the easy response. He chose the compassionate one, every time.
This episode is a reminder that growing in faith means growing your garden—and gardens aren’t meant to be kept for ourselves. They’re meant to feed others.
If you’ve been feeling challenged to love more deeply, notice the needs around you, or let your faith move beyond words, this conversation will encourage and stretch you.

When Christians Stay Silent (Featuring Kevin Maloney)

What happens when believers stay quiet about their faith?
In this episode, Kevin joins me to talk about what it means to live boldly for God in a world that often encourages silence. We open up about the fears, doubts, and distractions that can keep Christians from sharing their faith—and how choosing faith over fear leads to peace, not pressure.
Kevin shares his story of rededicating his life to Christ, learning to live out his faith authentically, and using social media as a way to plant seeds of truth. Together, we talk about how to love people who don’t share your beliefs, how to balance humility with boldness, and why our words and actions matter more than we realize.
If you’ve ever hesitated to talk about your faith, this conversation is a reminder that obedience isn’t about perfection—it’s about participation. God doesn’t need your eloquence; He just asks for your willingness to speak when He calls.

The Science and Spirit of Motivation

Motivation is temporary, but transformation begins when both the mind and spirit are renewed.
In this episode, I examine motivation through both a biblical and psychological lens, exploring how faith and science work together to sustain lasting discipline. Drawing from Romans 12 and Matthew 4, I discuss how God calls us to renewal through His Word and how spiritual consistency can reshape our daily lives.
Using insights from Atomic Habits by James Clear, The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz, and principles of operant conditioning, I explain how identity-based habits and small, consistent actions can build long-term growth.
This episode encourages listeners to look beyond fleeting inspiration and to develop habits that reflect both mental renewal and spiritual obedience.

People May Fail You, But God Never Will

This week, I’m talking about something real: what happens when the place that’s supposed to feel safe doesn’t.
In this episode, I open up about the reality of being hurt or misunderstood within the church and how easy it can be to confuse people’s actions with God’s heart. I share what I’ve learned about grace, hypocrisy, and forgiveness, and how to keep your faith steady when people in the church get it wrong.
This is not about calling anyone out. It is about calling us back to love, to understanding, and to the reminder that the church is full of imperfect people trying to serve a perfect God.
If you have ever felt disappointed by the church or struggled to separate people from God, this episode is for you. He never fails, even when we do.

Sit in Silence

When was the last time you slowed down enough to truly listen to God?
In this solo episode, I talk about a season of stress, waiting, and learning the value of stillness. From the pressure of business school applications to moments of burnout, I share how sitting in silence and stepping away from distractions became one of the most transformative parts of my faith.
This episode explores what happens when we stop trying to control every outcome and simply rest in God’s presence. I reflect on how Scripture shows Jesus retreating to quiet places to be alone with the Father, and how we can do the same in our own lives.
Sit in Silence is a reminder that God is always speaking. Sometimes, we just have to be quiet enough to hear Him.

You Already Belong (Featuring London Day)

Ever felt like you don’t fit in? Like no matter how hard you try, you’re still on the outside looking in?This week, I sit down with 13-year-old author London Day, who shares her story of turning exclusion into purpose through faith.
We talk about what it really means to find your identity in Christ, why including others matters so much, and how perseverance, worship, and creativity can pull you through lonely seasons. From writing and running to finding peace through worship, London’s story reminds us that belonging doesn’t come from people—it comes from God.
If you’ve ever questioned your place, your purpose, or your worth, this episode will remind you of one simple truth: you already belong.

You're Missing Miracles (Featuring Alyse Yarbrough)

When was the last time you stopped and realized that God is still working—right in front of you? This week, I’m joined by my friend Alyse for a conversation about faith, friendship, and the miracles we often overlook.
Alyse shares how she’s seen God move in her life through healing, prayer, and everyday moments that most of us would miss. From being cleared to drive after epilepsy to witnessing her friend’s recovery from a car accident, her story is proof that God’s power is still alive and active.
We talk about how easy it is to get distracted by the world and forget that the same God who performed miracles in Scripture is still performing them now. This episode is a reminder to open your eyes—because if you’re not paying attention, you’re missing miracles.

Hit Rock Bottom (Featuring Julieanne Huemmer)

What do you do when life takes you to the lowest point you’ve ever been? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Julieanne Huemmer, who I first connected with through church, to talk about finding God’s strength when everything feels like it’s falling apart.
Julieanne shares her testimony of walking through some of the hardest seasons of her life and how God met her in the middle of them. From her battle with leukemia as a child to navigating the challenges of high school today, her story is a reminder that even when you hit rock bottom, God is still working—and He never wastes your pain.
Together we talk about spiritual growth, learning to live like Jesus instead of for the world, and why the worst situations often hold the deepest opportunities for strength and faith.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like there’s no way forward, this episode is your reminder: rock bottom isn’t the end—it’s where you meet the Rock.

News Flash! You're Not God (Featuring Josh Stewart)

This week, I’m joined by my friend Josh for a conversation about limits, control, and the freedom that comes when we finally admit—we’re not God. Josh opens up about his faith journey and how God’s grace shifted his perspective on life, and together we dig into what it looks like to trust God in seasons of uncertainty, self-doubt, and transition.
We talk about the pressure to have it all figured out, why self-empowerment isn’t enough, and how stories like the Tower of Babel and King Jehoshaphat’s unlikely victory point us back to God’s power instead of our own. If you’ve ever felt like you have to do everything on your own, this episode is a reminder that your limits aren’t a weakness—they’re an invitation to lean on the One who is limitless.

Peace in the Pages (Featuring Leah Godwin)

This week’s episode is extra special because I’m joined by my best friend, Leah Godwin. We’ve been through so many seasons of life together—from co-hosting a podcast in high school to walking side-by-side in our faith journeys—and this conversation felt like coming full circle.
Leah opens up about her testimony, sharing honestly about anxiety, people-pleasing, and learning to trust God’s plan even when others don’t understand. We talk about what it’s like to leave and return to church, the friendships that shaped us in youth group, and the importance of being kind and authentic representatives of Christ.
Together we dive into practical ways to stay grounded in Scripture—whether it’s finding calm in Psalms, wisdom in Proverbs, or clarity through resources like The Bible Project. We also share how prayer has helped us step into confidence instead of fear, and why the Bible still speaks truth into every part of modern life.
If you’ve ever wrestled with anxiety, struggled to stay consistent in your faith, or just needed a reminder that God’s Word still brings peace, this episode will encourage you to keep going.