“God won’t bless an idol, but He will lovingly invite you to lay it down.”

This is a LIVE recording of Girl Talk Podcast from Girl Talk LIVE in Franklin, NC at the Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts.

Let’s be honest—most of us don’t love the word surrender. It sounds like giving up, failing, or losing control. In this conversation, Carol, Kelly, and Tricia unpack why surrender feels so threatening and why it’s actually one of the most freeing invitations Jesus gives us. From control issues and hidden desires to pain becoming an identity, the girls talk candidly about the things we cling to—and why God keeps gently asking us to lay them down.

This episode is a reminder that surrender isn’t about God taking something from you. It’s about trusting Him enough to believe what He gives in return is better. Holiness is a long game, surrender is often daily (sometimes minute-by-minute), and God is still good—even in the space between letting go and seeing what He’s doing.

Ask God this week: “What am I still white-knuckling?” Name one thing you’ve been controlling and intentionally place it back in God’s hands—daily, not just once.

Discerning God’s will can feel overwhelming — especially at the start of a new year. Is it about big decisions? Small ones? And how do you actually hear from God? In this episode, Carol, Kelly, and Tricia talk honestly about listening for God’s voice, learning to slow down, and discovering that God’s will is often revealed one faithful step at a time.

From seasons of stopping and resting, to pattern interruptions, to learning how prayer becomes less of a “time” and more of a lifestyle, this conversation is full of grace for anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re “doing prayer right.”

Spoiler alert: you’re not behind, you’re not failing, and God is far more present than you think. He's right there with you!

“Loving your neighbor doesn’t have to be complicated — it just has to be intentional.”

Sometimes revival looks a less like a packed church and a lot more like knowing your neighbor’s name. In this episode of Girl Talk, Carol, Kelly, and Tricia talk about the people God has already placed right around us - the ones across the street, next door, or a few houses down. It’s a simple but powerful reminder: loving our neighbors isn’t extra credit for Christians, it’s the assignment.

From neighborhood potlucks and hurricane cookouts to prayer walks, small gifts, and even Ring-camera dance routines, the girls share practical, doable ways to build real relationships where we live. This conversation will encourage you to slow down, step outside, and see your neighborhood as holy ground — because Jesus is already at work there.

“Reflection isn’t about reliving failures—it’s about recognizing where God was faithful.”

As the calendar flips from December to January, the girls talk honestly about something many of us feel but don’t always say out loud: the January blues. The holidays are over, the lights are down, the weather is gray, and suddenly the excitement is gone. Carol, Kelly, and Tricia unpack why this season can feel heavy—even when you love Jesus—and why that doesn’t mean you’re doing faith “wrong.”

This conversation is full of practical wisdom and grace: reflecting instead of replaying failures, setting intentions instead of resolutions, learning when to say no, and finding joy right where you are. It’s a reminder that God is just as present in the quiet, darker seasons as He is in the celebratory ones—and that sometimes the most meaningful growth happens there.

REMEMBER

• Reflection builds faith, not shame. Looking back with gratitude helps us see what God has already done instead of only focusing on what went wrong.

• Habits matter more than hype. Small, faithful choices shape who we’re becoming far more than big January goals ever will.

• The quiet seasons aren’t wasted. God often speaks most clearly when life slows down, the calendar clears, and we stop running.

Christmas isn’t all twinkle lights and matching pajamas — and honestly, neither is the original Christmas story. In this week’s episode, Carol, Kelly, and Tricia unwrap the mess of that first Christmas: a teenage girl with a world-shaking calling, a confused fiancé, a grueling journey under Roman oppression, no room at the inn, a stable full of animals, and a Savior who chose to arrive in the lowest, humblest place possible.

This conversation will remind you that God moves in the unexpected, He works through “no’s,” He meets us in the middle of our chaos, and He loves every single person more than we can imagine. If your Christmas feels far from picture-perfect, you are right in the kind of story God loves to step into.

1. God isn’t afraid of your mess.
   The Christmas story proves that He steps right into the unexpected, uncomfortable, and imperfect.

2. Every detail reveals His heart.
   From shepherds to stables, God intentionally chose what the world overlooks to show that everyone matters to Him.

3. His plans may look upside-down, but they’re always better.
   He defies expectations so He can display His goodness, creativity, and grace in ways we never could imagine.

“Perfection is grabbing tight. Surrender is letting go.”

Perfection steals joy faster than a toddler steals snacks. And this time of year? Whew. It creeps into our celebrations, our families, our expectations, and even our walk with Jesus.

In this episode, Carol, Kelly, and Tricia get super honest about why we cling to perfection, what it exposes in our hearts, and how surrender frees us to enjoy God — and each other — so much more. From Christmas card chaos to Spanx mishaps to the deeper spiritual roots underneath our striving, the girls unpack why perfection is a heavy burden Jesus never asked us to carry.

You’ll laugh, you’ll feel seen, and you’ll be gently nudged back toward the One who already loves you — not the polished version of you, but the real one.

REMEMBER...

• Perfection is usually rooted in insecurity.
  When we’re focused on managing how others see us, our eyes aren’t on Jesus — they’re on ourselves.

• Striving for perfection always leads to anxiety.
  Peace comes from trusting God, not controlling outcomes.

• Holiness and perfection are not the same.
  Perfection is for approval. Holiness flows from love and surrender.

Christmas comes fast, doesn’t it? One minute it’s fall leaves and football… the next it’s gift bags, school parties, and the constant feeling that you should be doing more. This week, Carol, Kelly, and Tricia talk honestly about something we all feel: how hard it can be to slow down long enough to actually prepare our hearts for Jesus at Christmas.

You’ll hear stories about Advent traditions, quiet moments by the tree lights, “shop your car” Christmas parties, mismatched gift bags, and how active waiting teaches us to trust God’s character — even when He feels silent.

If you’ve been craving a simpler Christmas, a quieter soul, or a shift from chaos to peace in Christ… this one’s for you.

Preparing for Christmas starts with preparing your heart. Not your menu, your gift list, or your Pinterest-perfect tree.

Waiting on God isn’t passive — it’s active trust. We rehearse His faithfulness to strengthen our faith.

Simplicity creates space for Jesus. Turning off the lights, slowing your pace, and lowering expectations makes more room for joy.

“Most of us want God’s will… as long as it looks like our will.”

Some questions sound simple… until you try to live them out.
This week, Carol, Kelly, and Tricia dive into the big one: Is God really all we need… or do our lives quietly say otherwise?

The ladies get honest about the things they run to for security, acceptance, and control — the people-pleasing, the rejection wounds, the shame, the pressure to perform, the perfectly curated outside with the messy inside. They also share how God uses vulnerability, accountability, and real community to peel back the layers and help us live like He is truly enough for us.

This episode just might give the permission your heart needs today to stop striving and start surrendering.

God can’t fill places we keep handing to people. When we let acceptance, performance, or control drive us, our “cup” will always leak. Only God satisfies.

You grow to the level of your vulnerability. Healing happens when we let trusted people ask the hard questions — and when we stop running from discomfort.

Surrender is the real pathway to peace. Letting go of control isn’t weakness — it’s trust. And trust grows when we believe God really is enough.

This week, pause long enough to be honest with God:
What am I running to when I feel insecure, unseen, or out of control?

What is one place I’ve been seeking fulfillment outside of Jesus?
Surrender it back to Him.
Tell a trusted friend so you can walk it out together.