Kickstart With Kayla

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Discipline is one of the hardest things to hold onto in a world filled with constant noise and distraction. We know what our values are, yet so often the pull of peer pressure, quick gratification, or fear keeps us from living them out.
In this episode, I reflect on what it truly means to practice discipline as a student, a Christian, and simply as someone navigating everyday life. I share my own experiences of stepping into new environments where faith and values are not always the norm, and how that tension has challenged me to be intentional about the choices I make.
Along the way, we explore both Scripture and psychology: from Paul’s letters on remaining steadfast, to studies like Solomon Asch’s conformity experiment and the Stanford marshmallow test. Together, they reveal why discipline matters—not just for success in the future, but for living with integrity and purpose right now.
This episode is a call to stay grounded when the world around you pulls in every direction. If you have ever felt caught between who you want to be and the pressures around you, this conversation offers perspective, encouragement, and a reminder that lasting fulfillment comes from staying aligned with what truly matters.

Stress isn’t just about being busy or overwhelmed — it messes with your thoughts, your body, and even the way you see yourself. In this episode, I’m joined by my sister Lainey for a real conversation about what anxiety actually feels like and how it shows up in everyday life. From AP exams and panic before big moments to those random waves of fear that hit out of nowhere, we share our own experiences of what it’s like when stress takes over.
But we don’t stop there. We break down what’s really happening in the brain when anxiety shows up, why gratitude can literally calm your nervous system, and how prayer shifts your focus in ways science can actually back up. Lainey opens up about the tools that help her — from leaning on scripture to something as simple (and surprisingly effective) as chewing sour candy.
If you’ve ever felt like your thoughts are working against you, this episode will remind you that anxiety doesn’t get the final say. With faith, science, and a little perspective, you can flip the anxious mind game and take your peace back.

Friendships can be the greatest blessing—or the quietest downfall. Some friends sharpen you, calling out your potential and pushing you closer to who you’re meant to be. Others slowly shatter your character through gossip, pressure, or drama you never saw coming. In this episode, I share stories from my own life, the prayers that changed my friendships, and the science behind why your circle literally rewires your brain. With both scripture and neuroscience, we’ll uncover why the people you walk with determine the person you become—and how to choose wisely before it’s too late.