Kickstart With Kayla

Discipline in Distraction

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.

The Anxious Mind Game (Featuring Lainey Fahrner)

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.

Your Circle's Sharpening and Shattering

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.

Consumption's Quiet Corruption

What you take in shapes who you become, often without you noticing. In this episode, I am diving into the unseen power of what you watch, read, and listen to, from your morning playlist to the endless scroll on your phone. Discover how lyrics, media, and even background noise can rewire your brain, shift your mood, and subtly pull you closer to — or further from — the person you want to be. With personal stories, Scripture, and a surprising self-experiment, I will show you how to guard your heart, mind, and spirit in a noisy world.

The Bully in the Mirror

This one’s for the people who feel like they’re never enough — no matter how hard they try. In this episode, I’m sharing what it’s like to live with that inner voice that criticizes everything from how you look to how you perform, and how it’s often louder than anything anyone else could say.
I talk about where my insecurity started, why our brains are wired to be self-critical, and how faith helped me begin to see myself differently. I open up about the moments that shaped my confidence (good and bad), and what finally helped me step out of the cycle of self-judgment.
If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and felt like your worst enemy was staring back at you, I hope this episode reminds you that you’re not alone — and that healing starts with seeing yourself the way God already does.

When God Wrecks the Plan

Sometimes the thing you prayed for falls apart, and it’s not because you failed. It’s because God had something better in mind. In this episode, I share a personal story I’ve never talked about online and what it taught me about rejection, redirection, and trust. We talk about Romans 8:28, how to build a growth mindset, and the neuroscience behind why your brain actually gets stronger through hard things. I also share the story of Paul’s shipwreck in Acts and how what looked like a disaster was actually a setup. If you’re in the middle of something hard, this one is for you.

What if This Changes Everything?

I didn’t feel qualified. I didn’t feel ready. But God called me anyway—and this podcast was born out of a yes that scared me more than anything else.
In this first episode, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes of how Kickstart with Kayla came to be—from a forgotten journal entry to the prayer that wouldn’t leave me alone. We’ll talk about what it means to take a leap of faith, how God equips the called (not the qualified), and how your purpose can literally rewire your brain.
If you've ever wondered if you're enough, if God sees you, or if you're capable of stepping into something bigger than yourself… this episode is for you.
Let’s talk purpose, neuroscience, and the power of saying yes—before you feel ready.
 
 
Some neuroscience and psychology insights in this episode were inspired by research on how purpose affects the brain, mental health, and long-term resilience. Sources include:
Bishop, R. (2023, March 15). Does purpose play a positive role in mental health? Mayo Clinic Health System. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/purpose-and-mental-health
Joshua M. Evans. (2025, April 8). The Neuroscience Behind Finding Purpose - Joshua M. Evans. Joshua M. Evans. https://joshuamevans.com/the-neuroscience-behind-finding-purpose/
Kang, Y., Strecher, V., Kim, E., & Falk, E. (n.d.). Purpose in Life and Conflict-Related Neural Responses During Health Decision-Making. Retrieved July 20, 2025, from https://www.asc.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/2021-03/Purpose%20in%20life%20and%20conflict-related%20neural%20responses%20during%20health%20decision-making.pdf
Mount Sinai Medical Center. (2015, March 6). Have a sense of purpose in life? It may protect your heart. Science Daily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150306132538.htm
Strong Sense of Purpose in Life Promotes Cognitive Resilience Among Middle-Aged Adults - Neuroscience News. (2023, April 19). Neuroscience News. https://neurosciencenews.com/purposes-life-cognition-23056/
Zaraska, M. (2024, October 1). Why Finding Your Purpose Could Be Crucial to Brain Health. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20241001/why-finding-your-purpose-could-be-crucial-brain-health
 
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Email me at kickstartwithkayla@gmail.com