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.

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.

What if the person hurting your confidence the most… is you? This episode is all about self-judgment, insecurity, and the mental spiral we don’t talk about enough. I’m sharing how a comment in kindergarten stuck with me for years, how our brains are wired to criticize before they celebrate, and what helped me finally start seeing myself through a different lens — not mine, not the world’s, but God’s. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “I’m not good enough,” this one’s for you.

Everything felt like it was falling apart—until I realized God was just redirecting me. In this episode, I share a personal story of rejection, the truth behind Romans 8:28, and how your brain actually gets stronger through hard things. What if the setback is actually the setup?

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   Let's connect! Instagram and Tiktok: @kickstartwithkayla Email me at kickstartwithkayla@gmail.com