Hello!

Hello friends,

Whew—what a month April was! Full of highs and lows, unexpected detours, and a few too many “Are you kidding me?” moments. If you’ve been feeling like things have been a little off, please know: you’re not alone. I’ve been in that boat too. Between scheduling hiccups, equipment malfunctions, and a few health bumps along the way, I’ve come to realize something deeply important—this whole podcasting journey is not nearly as effortless as it sometimes appears from the outside.

Let me tell you: starting a podcast in this digital age can feel like jumping on a moving train while also trying to build the track in front of you. But honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because even in the stress and setbacks, there’s been a sweet silver lining: learning. I’ve had the space to reflect, assess, and ask myself tough but necessary questions: What do I truly enjoy about this? What drains me? What do I want to build—and what do I want to walk away from?

That self-reflection has uncovered something important. Somewhere in the pursuit of “making it”—whatever that even means—I started feeling the pull of the internet vortex. You know the one. It’s that subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) pressure to go viral, to make noise, to keep up with trends, and to always be in the middle of some controversy or another. It’s the kind of energy that says: “More views! More drama! More clicks!” And y’all… that’s not me.

I didn’t start this podcast to chase after the chaos. I didn’t step into the digital space to get sucked into the very void that I want to help pull people out of. Somewhere along the way, I began to feel the weight of needing to respond to everything, challenge everyone, and be the loudest voice in every room. But I’ve taken a step back, and I’m realizing: that’s not what God called me to do.

Yes, we are called to be salt and light. Yes, we are instructed to call out darkness and speak truth boldly. But we are also called to love deeply, walk humbly, and remember that the Kingdom doesn’t grow by shouting matches—it grows through faith, testimony, and the gentle, persistent flame of the Gospel.

So I’m pressing pause—not on the podcast, but on the noise. I’m recalibrating. I’m realigning with the reason I started this in the first place: to enjoy my coffee, share my story, talk with friends, and lift up the name of Jesus.

The world doesn’t need another angry voice on the internet. It doesn’t need more judgment. It doesn’t need more cynicism disguised as “truth-telling.” What the world desperately needs—what the digital mission field needs—is more joy, more grace, and more of the Gospel.

Of course, there are hard conversations we’ll still have. There are difficult truths that must be spoken. We can’t shy away from reality—and believe me, I won’t. But the tone? That matters. The posture of our hearts matters. I don’t want this space to become another doom-scroll destination. Instead, I want this podcast—and this newsletter—to be a little digital haven. A place where yes, the truth is spoken, but where it’s wrapped in love and served with a side of hope.

I’m reminded of Nehemiah 8:10: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” That joy is not naïve. It doesn’t ignore pain, brokenness, or injustice. But it is a defiant kind of joy. A joy that says: no matter how dark the world gets, the Light has come—and the darkness cannot overcome it.

That’s the energy I want to bring into May. That’s the direction I’m turning toward. I want to slow down, sip my coffee, look you in the digital eye, and say: You are seen. You are loved. And God is still working, even here, even now.

So what does that look like, practically?

Well, for starters, upcoming episodes will lean more into the testimonies and honest conversations that inspired this whole thing in the first place. I’ll be sharing more of my own journey—not just the polished parts, but the messy middle too. And above all, I’ll be reminding all of us (myself included!) that even in the most chaotic corners of the internet, the Gospel still reigns.

There may still be moments where we wade into tough waters—where we address the hard, uncomfortable things. And yes, sometimes that might ruffle a few feathers. But as I always say: that’s just the way the coffee cake crumbles! We won’t be able to please everyone, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to be liked by all; it’s to be faithful to the One who called us.

I will also be creating a playlist on my youtube channel called, “Ash Loses It.” I will be vlogging my weight loss and journey to health. I’ve had quite a handful of you urging me in that direction! My goal is to have one video a week documenting my activity and food intake, and I hope that my transparency gives you inspiration and hope. No matter where we are in life or how old we’ve become, we can still be healthy!

In closing, I want to say thank you. Thank you for sticking with me as I figure this out in real time. Thank you for your patience, your encouragement, your prayers, and your feedback. This podcast isn’t just mine—it’s ours. It’s a little digital campfire where we gather, share, and grow. And I’m so grateful you’re here.

If you’ve been feeling the pressure lately—maybe to perform, to keep up, or to meet expectations that God never placed on you—take this as your permission to pause. Re-center. Breathe. The Kingdom is built by abiding. And you, dear friend, are invited to abide first—then get to work!

Let’s walk into May with joy. Let’s choose hope. Let’s speak truth in love. And let’s remember why we started in the first place.

Until next time—stay encouraged, stay caffeinated, and stay rooted in Christ.

With love and a warm mug in hand,
Ashley Brewer