Episodes

CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquir...

In today’s episode, Rachel is joined by the talented singer-songwriter and podcast host Christy Nockels. You might know Christy for her moving music, her podcast Glorious in the Mundane , or her latest project—an album called A King Who Never Sleeps: Anthems for Rest . Rachel and Christy catch up in a cozy Nashville studio, reflecting on real-life connections, their shared experience at Lost Valley Ranch, and what it means when unexpected passions—like horseback riding—shape who we are. The...

CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ ORDER RACHEL'S BOOK, LOVE YOUR LIFE: https://rstyle.me/+hZ4zlRKm6FthvVDNMjyy6A SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at n...

If you haven’t listened to Part One yet, go ahead and start there—we lay the groundwork for what unfolds in this powerful second half of the conversation. In Part Two , Rachel and Annie pick up right where they left off: talking about the tension of living in a world where grief and joy often walk side by side. They open up about what it means to live with emotional integrity while being a public figure, how to let people in without overexposing your soul, and why boundaries are actually ...

CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquir...

Welcome to Part One of a truly special conversation on Real Talk . Host Rachel Awtrey sits down with the one and only Annie F. Downs—beloved author, podcaster, and everyone’s favorite “Queen of Fun.” What starts as a joyful catch-up between old friends quickly opens into something deeper as they talk about what it means to hold both joy and grief in the same hand. In this first half, you’ll hear the story of how Rachel and Annie first met, laugh at some of their classic banter (mysterious s...

CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquir...

Marriage conversation cards: https://rstyle.me/+hfXU7Gcj3J60sKYWIkNaAg Sunshine season is officially here, and if you’re anything like me, you’re already dreaming of slow mornings, sticky popsicle fingers, and a few memory-making moments you actually want to check off a summer bucket list. In this episode, I’m sharing my personal summer bucket list—broken into three playful categories: ✨ Fun things to do with kids ✨ Life-giving ideas for you (and maybe a friend or two) ✨ Summer-inspired date nights that feel flirty, simple, and sweet Whether you’re looking for easy wins, meaningful memories, or just a reason to get out of the house, there’s something in here for everyone. Consider this your gentle nudge to make this summer a little more joyful—without overcomplicating it. Grab your sunscreen, your iced coffee, and let’s dream up a summer we’ll actually want to remember. CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https…

CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquir...

If you've ever felt like you're failing because your house (or your parenting) feels messy, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale. I sat down with Justin Whitmel Earley — author of Habits of the Household, The Common Rule, Made for People, and now The Big Mess — to talk about why the real beauty in parenting often shows up in the chaos. We cover how birth order affects family dynamics, why things in parenthood are messier (and better) than we imagined, and how to make space for our kids...

What if the breakthrough you’re craving isn’t found in doing more, shouting louder, or performing harder—but in going lower? In today’s heartfelt and powerful episode, I’m joined by Zach Meekreebs—pastor, speaker, and author of Lower: Ignite Spiritual Awakening Through Radical Humility. We talk about how humility isn’t weakness—it’s consecrated confidence. Zach shares the behind-the-scenes story of how a quiet moment of obedience at Asbury University turned into a 16-day move of God that drew t...

Is your mind constantly buzzing? Does the pace of life feel too loud sometimes? In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by Sarah Boyd—author of Turn Down the Noise—to talk about overstimulation, emotional overload, and the subtle ways the world keeps us distracted from what really matters. We unpack how to identify your own “noise,” the neuroscience of calm, and simple but transformational practices to find clarity and peace in your everyday life. If you’ve been craving a breath of fresh air ...

You may recognize Leigh-Allyn Baker as the hilarious mom from Good Luck Charlie on Disney Channel, but there’s so much more to her story than what we saw on screen. In this episode, Leigh-Allyn opens up about her journey through Hollywood, the courageous moments when she had to stand firm in her faith, and how God showed up in unexpected ways. We talk about what it really means to follow your convictions, even when it’s unpopular, and how creativity and purpose can bloom when the path ahead feel...

CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquir...

Ever felt like life is spiraling and you’re just trying to hold on? In this episode, Levi Lusko joins me to talk about what it means to spiral—not as a sign of failure, but as an unexpected invitation to growth, grace, and greater purpose. We dive into his new book, Blessed Are the Spiraling, and explore how disorientation can actually be divine, why losing control might be exactly what we need, and how to find steady joy in the chaos. Levi shares powerful personal stories, biblical truth, and ...

CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquir...

CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquir...

You know those moments where you’re ready to throw in the towel? Like all the effort, the late nights, and the hustle have only led to burnout and the sneaky feeling that maybe it’s all downhill from here? Yeah, I’ve been there, and I know you probably have, too. That's why I’m so excited to have Mary Marantz back on the show for the third time—and trust me, this conversation is one you need to hear. Mary’s new book, Underestimated, dives deep into the struggle of feeling like you’re constantly...

Friendship in adulthood can feel complicated—between busy schedules, big life changes, and just trying to keep up with everything, it’s easy for our closest relationships to take a backseat. But what if being a good friend doesn’t have to be as hard as we think? In this episode, I’m sitting down with author, speaker, and all-around friendship encourager Grace Valentine to talk about what it really means to show up for the people we love. We dive into practical ways to build strong, lasting frie...

How do you make decisions when you’re unsure if it’s truly God’s will or just your own desires leading the way? In this episode, I sit down with Chrystal Evans Hurst to talk about the tension between confidence and surrender—because even when we think we’re making the right choice, we still have to trust and yield to God. Chrystal shares powerful wisdom on how to move forward in faith, even when God seems silent, and why we don’t have to fear making the wrong decision. If you’ve ever felt stuck...

CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquir...

Motherhood is filled with countless small moments—some joyful, some overwhelming, and many that feel mundane. But what if those tiny moments carried eternal significance? Hosted by Risen Motherhood co-founders Emily A. Jensen and Laura Wifler, this podcast offers gospel-centered encouragement for moms navigating the everyday realities of parenting, faith, and personal growth. With wisdom drawn from their upcoming book, A Million Tiny Moments: Reflections to Refresh a Mom’s Spirit, Emily and Lau...

CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquir...

What happens when you say yes to God? Jennie Allen joins me to talk about dreaming big with God, radical obedience, and the heart behind Gather25—a global movement calling believers to 25 hours of prayer, worship, and storytelling on February 28th, 2025. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on faith, surrender, and stepping into the bigger story God is writing. CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ More about Gather25: Gather25.com More about Jennie: JennieAllen.com SOCIAL ...