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What do you do when you love Jesus, show up for community, and still feel alone?In this episode, we talk about the loneliness no one wants to name - the ache of feeling unseen in a place that’s meant to feel like family.

We explore the paradox of being faithful yet still feeling forgotten, the ache of longing for connection that never quite lands, and the quiet grief of realizing that even in church, the very place meant for belonging, you can still feel alone.

Sometimes loneliness comes from unhealed places or misplaced hopes. Other times, it’s simply the ache of being human in a broken world... living in the “already but not yet” of God’s Kingdom where love is real but not yet whole.

Together, we’ll unpack:

• The difference between wounds that isolate you and the waiting that shapes you
• How to hold your heart open to people when it’s easier to shut down
• What it means to keep your faith alive when you still have unmet needs in community

If you’ve ever felt, “Why do I feel so alone here?” this conversation is for you. You’re not faithless for feeling lonely. You’re simply human, longing for the home your heart was made for.

👉 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes, and follow Melissa on Instagram @melchanity for more encouragement and resources!

Have you ever walked into church, smiled, said “I’m fine,” and instantly felt the ache of pretending?

In this episode, Melissa and Jasmine unpack the hidden pressure many believers feel to appear “spiritually mature.” We explore how church culture can unintentionally reward masking - showing up polished, composed, and holy - when our souls are actually crying out for safety and connection.

You’ll hear honest reflections about:

• The loneliness that comes from feeling unseen, even in church.
• Why we equate vulnerability with weakness.
• How pretending keeps us disconnected from both God and others.
• Practical, grace-filled ways to begin unmasking, little by little, without losing your sense of safety.
• What it looks like to let others in when your heart is still in a tender season of healing.

This isn’t about church-bashing. It’s about healing the parts of us that learned to hide and remembering that God meets us most deeply when we’re real.

Reflection Questions:

1. When was the last time you said "I'm fine" but didn’t mean it?
2. What keeps you from being honest with your community or even with yourself?
3. What would “one small act of honesty” look like for you this week?

👉 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes, and follow Melissa on Instagram @melissachancoaching for more encouragement and resources!

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The Real Truth About People Pleasing

Most people think people pleasing is just about being “too nice” or not wanting to disappoint others, but the truth runs much deeper. For many of us, people pleasing is actually a trauma response - what we psychologists call fawning. It’s how we learned to survive unsafe environments, and it often shows up in ways we don’t even recognize.

In this episode, I share:

• The deeper reasons behind people pleasing that go beyond what you might expect
• The barriers and fears that keep us stuck in these patterns (and what you might feel when you start saying no)
• Tangible ways to begin overcoming people pleasing with God’s help, so you can walk in true freedom

If you’ve ever felt guilty for setting boundaries, terrified of rejection, or unsure who you are apart from meeting others’ needs, this conversation's for you.

👉 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes, and follow Melissa on Instagram @melchanity for more encouragement and resources!