Marriage isn’t always 50/50, and that’s okay. In this transparent and balanced conversation, we dive into the realities of partnership, purpose, and shifting roles in marriage. We open up about our mindset when entering marriage and how traditional gender roles worked… until they didn’t. Life changes, goals evolve, and sometimes one person has to carry more for a season. J shares how he intentionally created space for Tae to chase her goals, reminding himself that her win was their win. And Tae reflects on the times when J’s deployments required her to step up and hold things down at home. Through our journey, we’ve learned that marriage is less about keeping score and more about teamwork, sacrifice, and understanding that seasons change. When both people are rooted in love and purpose, everyone shines in their own time.
Marriage is beautiful, but it’s also a journey that requires work, grace, and intentional growth. In this honest and wisdom-filled episode, we share the lessons we've learned along the way and the things we wish we had known before saying “I do.”
We open up about the importance of keeping God at the center, and how pre-marital counseling could’ve better prepared us to love and serve each other by God’s standards, not the world’s.
From understanding sacrificial love to learning the difference between moving on and truly forgiving, we reveal how unresolved hurts can quietly shape the future if left unhealed.
We talk about the importance of staying connected to yourself, continuing to grow, dream, and nurture your individuality even while loving your spouse deeply. And above all, we remind you that intentionality is key: love your partner the way they need to be loved, not just the way you think they should be.
This episode is raw, real, and full of wisdom for anyone who’s married, engaged, or preparing for the journey ahead.
Forgiving others is hard, but sometimes forgiving ourselves is even harder. In this vulnerable episode, we are opening up about what it looks like to extend compassion inward and embrace the grace God freely gives.
Tae shares a moment with her oldest daughter that left her feeling ashamed and broken, and how she had to learn to step back, self-reflect, and lean into grace instead of guilt. J reflects on the pressure of decision-making in his many roles—husband, father, pastor—and how his drive to “get it right” often left him replaying mistakes and forgetting his own humanity.
Together, we unpack the weight of self-condemnation, the danger of staying paralyzed in fear, and the freedom that comes when we see mistakes as lessons instead of life sentences. We also discuss the should’ve, could’ve, would’ve moments that keep us stuck in the past, forgetting that nothing ever catches God by surprise.
This episode is an honest reminder that living and learning is part of the journey, and that God’s grace truly covers it all.
In this candid conversation, we are opening up about the itch that often shows up in marriage around the 5–7 year mark. For us, it wasn’t about falling out of love; it was about realizing the importance of continuing to discover each other as we grew and changed.
We discuss how comparison can tempt you to wonder if the grass is greener somewhere else, and why it’s crucial to remember that God joined you and your spouse together with intention. From choosing daily to fill each other’s cup, to holding tight to the vows that keep you rooted, this episode is an honest reminder that marriage takes work, but when you put in the effort, it can be truly beautiful.
At 20 years old, J moved away from home and entered a new season where no one knew him as a minister or preacher. For the first time, he felt like a “secret agent" able to be whoever he wanted, while still knowing he carried the weight of being a child of God.
In this honest conversation, J and Tae dive into the tension of wanting to be accepted, feeling the pressure of expectation, and learning how to walk in authenticity. They discuss what it means to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, lean into your uniqueness, and release the pressure to blend in.
God doesn’t call us to hide; He calls us to shine. The people who are meant for you will be drawn to you. Sometimes, simply being who God created you to be is enough to inspire others, give them courage, and even help them find themselves.
This episode is a reminder: come out of hiding, trust God with who you are, and watch how He uses your authenticity to reach others.
Words carry weight, and as Christians, we’re called to use them wisely. In this episode, we dive into the power of the tongue, unpacking what it truly means to watch your mouth in a world where careless speech is normalized. We explore how the same words can land differently depending on who’s hearing them, and why our goal should always be to edify, not just express. It’s not just what you say, but how you say it—and the heart behind it. From the sacrifice it takes to communicate with maturity, to the discipline of self-control, this episode is a reminder that we represent Christ in every conversation. And sometimes, the goal isn’t to be right, it’s to be unified. Whether you’re speaking to friends, family, or strangers, this one will challenge you to pause, think, and speak with purpose.
In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we dive deep into the difference between being stuck and being still, two states that can look the same from the outside, yet feel entirely different on the inside. Tae opens up about her journey through grief after losing both her father and childhood best friend, and how God met her in the stillness. In what felt like a motionless season, she discovered that stillness was sacred, that it was where God kept her, comforted her, and began to heal her. J shares his personal experience of being unemployed for months, a time that at first felt like being stuck, but ultimately became a season of stillness and spiritual awakening. In that quiet space, God revealed a new path of provision, and not once did lack enter our home. Together, we're unpacking the tension between waiting and worrying, how to lean into the stillness, and how to recognize when God is simply asking you to be still and know. Through laughter, vulnerability, and raw truth, we are here to remind listeners that what feels like a standstill might just be divine preparation.
In this powerful episode, we dive into the hard truth that we are not in control, and why that’s actually a good thing. Our host shares real moments of walking through tight, uncertain situations where the only option was to surrender. But in that surrender, they discovered something greater: a deeper understanding of who God truly is. From provider to protector, guide to advocate, this conversation explores the multifaceted nature of God's character and how relinquishing control opens the door to peace, provision, and purpose. If you've ever struggled with letting go or felt stuck trying to figure things out on your own, this episode is for you.
In this heartfelt episode, Tae opens up about her journey with J. From their unexpected beginning to the unfolding of a love story shaped by honesty, growth, and God's timing. She shares her perspective on their differences, from age gaps to church backgrounds, and how J’s calling as a minister added layers she had to process. Tae gets real about the weight of it all, but also the beauty that came with being fully seen and never judged. Through every high and low, J reminded her: "If you’re my girl, then I got you." This episode is a testimony to loyalty, faith, and what happens when two people choose to be authentic with each other, and let God lead the way.
Welcome to the first episode of Unscripted Journey with J & Tae! In this episode, we dive into our story. J shares his side, how he met his beautiful wife, Octavia. This one is dedicated to their three amazing children. Their love story began with an unexpected friendship, something different from what J was used to. After going through a tough breakup, he had no plans of getting into another relationship, he just wanted to enjoy life. But everything shifted one night at a 90s-themed house party. The moment he saw her, it felt like something out of a movie. Introduced by a mutual friend, J couldn’t ignore the feeling. By the end of the night, he knew she would be his. He opens up about that powerful moment, the bond they began to build, and the journey of heartbreak, healing, and divine redirection that ultimately led him to the woman God had set apart just for him.
Welcome to Unscripted Journey with J & Tae!
This is the place for unscripted and unconventional conversations that meet you at every crossroad of life. In this trailer, we’re giving you a quick glimpse into who we are, what this podcast is about, and what you can expect on the journey ahead. Whether it’s love, faith, healing, or growth, we’re talking about it all. No script, just real talk.
