In today’s first guest episode, we sit down with Deena, and dive deep into what it really means to find your place in faith!

Deena opens up about her journey through different denominations. From feeling that pushy, judgmental vibe when people would try to get her to their church as a girl, to discovering genuine connection with God that went beyond any building or tradition. Even when church felt off, she knew deep down that God loved her and she loved Him back.

After hearing about mine and Irene’s relationship to church last week, it’s interesting to see the ways our stories converge and differ. Irene shares her own struggle with feeling invisible in church spaces, that painful realization of thinking, "If I don't matter here, do I even matter to God?" It's a conversation that gets real about the difference between religion and relationship, and why authentic care matters so much more than having all the right answers.

Deena's story doesn't stop there. As a healthcare provider, educator, wife, and mother who spent over a decade in church ministry and leadership, she brings incredible perspective on building the kind of healthy church friendships that actually sustain us. And she vulnerably shares about her victory over addiction, a journey where faith and genuine community made all the difference.

This one's for anyone who's ever felt like they didn't quite fit in the church world, or wondered if there's more to faith than what they've experienced. It's honest, it's hopeful, and it's a reminder that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

In today’s episode, we’re chatting about:

• Early faith in a family that mostly went to Church on holidays
• The danger of feeling invisible at church
• The difference between knowing about God and experiencing God
• Finding relationships that feel right at Church

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Growing up in church is supposed to feel like home. But for many of us, somewhere along the way, the place meant to offer grace can become a source of control, shame, and hurt. So today, we’re telling our stories. Without pointing any fingers, we think it’s important to talk about what makes church feel like home and what doesn’t.

My great-grandmother was one of the first female pastors in our town back in the 20s and I’ve served on the church staff myself. I've seen both the beautiful and the broken sides of church culture. This isn't about losing faith in God; it's about recognizing that when humans run institutions, things can go sideways.

Irene watched her sister get publicly shamed from the pulpit for going to see Jurassic Park. She saw her family get criticized for arriving 5 minutes late because her dad had to work. She describes experiencing in churches where you needed "special clearance from heaven" just to flip the transparency sheets for song lyrics, where girls got lectured about modesty while boys talked about video games, and where leaving meant you ceased to exist to people who claimed to love unconditionally.

The control was subtle but suffocating, and it took years to realize that what she experienced wasn't normal. But here's what we’ve also discovered along the way: church gave us some of the most profound friendships of our lives. When we finally found a community that didn't operate on shame and control, we experienced healing we didn't even know we needed.

So if you’ve got what we call “church hurt,” you’re not alone. This is not about losing faith in God. We’re both walking in faith with eyes wide open to the ways that people can flub His message. We hope today’s episode brought some comfort and if you can see yourself in our stories, stay tuned! More is coming on this topic soon!

Today, we’re chatting about:

• Generational church involvement and family dynamics
• Controlling church culture and shame tactics
• Healing through healthy church community
• Current disconnection and the debate about staying

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Merry Christmas!! Pull up a chair, pour some hot cocoa, and let’s celebrate together. This Christmas episode is all about the real, messy, and hilarious side of the holidays. It may be 70 degrees here in Texas, but we’re doing everything we can to feel the Christmas spirit, including a rant session!

We share our annual traditions, from last-minute gift wrapping to reminiscing about family trips to Vegas and the magical displays at the Bellagio. There’s a lot of laughter as we swap stories about family, nostalgia, and the quirks that make this season so memorable.

We talk about the awkwardness of receiving gifts from people who clearly don’t know (or like) us, and the pitfalls of gifting food and booze. At the end of the day, it’s so important that you show you actually know and love the person you’re gifting for, even if it’s a last minute thing!

We also dive into the world of Christmas cards and newsletters. I admit I’m not a fan of photo cards from acquaintances, and we both poke fun at the tradition of sending out annual newsletters that feel more like bragging than genuine connection. Holiday shopping gets its own rant, too. I vent about the chaos of parking lots, rude shoppers, and the stress of last-minute store runs. We share our retail horror stories and remind everyone to be kind to staff during the busiest time of year.

Despite all the rants, there’s so much we truly love about Christmas: the traditions, the lights, the time spent with family, and the joy of giving thoughtful gifts. At the end of the day, it’s about gratitude, togetherness, and making memories, no matter how imperfect.

in today's episode, we're chatting about:

• It’s beginning to look a lot like a 70 Degrees Christmas!
• The art of giving (and receiving) thoughtful gifts
• Our take on Christmas cards and those infamous family newsletters
• Surviving holiday shopping and retail chaos
• The traditions and little moments that make Christmas special

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