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Thrive Through the Fire

Thrive Through the Fire

By: ALYSSA KILGORE
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Thrive Through the Fire is a faith-filled podcast for anyone walking through life’s toughest battles. Whether you’re facing illness, loss, or uncertainty, this space is for you. Through personal stories, encouragement, and inspiring conversations, we’ll explore how faith, resilience, and God’s presence can carry you through the fire—without being burned. As someone who has personally battled stage 3 colorectal cancer, endured the challenges of wearing an ostomy bag, and navigated the overwhelming unknowns of a diagnosis, I know firsthand how fear can take hold. That’s why a core focus of this podcast is helping you prepare for the unknown, because uncertainty is often the scariest part. With my background as a nurse, each episode will also include practical tips, advocacy strategies, and insights to help you take charge of your health and confidently face what’s ahead. If you’re ready to find hope, healing, and purpose in the midst of hardship, you’re in the right place. Check me out at www.tools2thrive.org. Let’s thrive together!Copyright 2025 ALYSSA KILGORE Christianity Personal Development Personal Success Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • Episode 16: Creating a Daily Faith Routine That Keeps You Anchored
    Jul 14 2025

    Whether you're walking through joy or pain, chaos or calm, we all need something consistent to hold onto. In this episode, I’ll walk you through why spiritual habits matter more than hype, how Jesus modeled a daily rhythm with the Father, and practical ways you can start connecting with God in meaningful, life-giving ways—even if you only have 15 minutes.

    This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present.

    And if you’re feeling dry, distracted, or disconnected—I see you, and I’ve been there.

    In This Episode, We’ll Cover:

    • Why your soul needs a sacred rhythm in today’s fast-paced world
    • What the Bible says about daily connection with God
    • How Jesus consistently pulled away for time with the Father
    • A simple 4-step daily routine you can adapt to your own life
    • What my personal morning quiet time looks like—and how it’s kept me grounded through illness, uncertainty, and healing
    • Encouragement if you’re just starting out or struggling to stay consistent

    Key Scriptures Referenced:

    • Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
    • Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.”
    • Luke 5:16 – “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
    • Mark 1:35 – “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up… and prayed.”
    • Matthew 4:4 – “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
    • Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything…”
    • Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

    Resources I Mentioned:

    • Bible Verse Mapping (journals & guides available online)
    • ACTS Prayer Model (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication)
    • Rick Warren’s Daily Hope Devotional Podcast
    • The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

    Practical Faith Routine Outline (Start With 15 Minutes):

    1. Stillness – Quiet your mind and welcome God into your day
    2. Scripture – Read a short passage and reflect on its meaning
    3. Prayer – Talk to God honestly and simply
    4. Worship or Listen – Play a worship song or short devotional

    My Encouragement to You:

    Don’t wait for a crisis to create your rhythm. Build your spiritual foundation now so when the fire comes, you’re already rooted in God’s presence.

    God doesn’t want your perfection—He wants your attention.

    Call to Action:

    This week, create your own 15-minute daily routine. Write it down, keep it somewhere visible, and start tomorrow.

    If you need help figuring out what that looks like or want someone to pray with you, I’m just a message away. You don’t have to walk through this alone.

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    19 mins
  • Episode 15: Faith, Depression, and Purpose: A Conversation with Paula Hilborn
    Jul 7 2025

    In this powerful episode, I sat down with my friend Paula—a licensed professional counselor with a heart for helping others through the lens of faith. Paula shared her deeply personal journey from struggling with depression as a teenager to discovering her purpose through Christian counseling. She opened up about her experiences with postpartum depression, a spiritual crisis moment during the pandemic, and how God radically intervened in her life.

    We talked about what it looks like to bring Jesus into mental health spaces, the power of sharing your story, and how biblical truth can ground us in seasons of emotional and spiritual struggle. If you've ever felt alone in your pain or unsure of how to support someone walking through it—this conversation will encourage you, equip you, and point you back to the Healer.

    Topics We Covered:
    • Paula’s personal testimony: from religion to relationship with Jesus
    • Her teenage battle with depression and the surprising gift of music as healing
    • The supernatural encounter that changed everything during the pandemic
    • Why Christian counseling matters—and how to find one
    • Practical ways to support someone in emotional distress
    • Using Scripture to combat shame, isolation, and fear
    • How to integrate faith, psychology, and spiritual disciplines
    • Paula’s recommended resources for biblical counseling and soul care

    Scriptures We Mentioned:
    • 2 Timothy 3:16–17 – On using God’s Word to equip and counsel
    • Job’s story – A reminder that presence often matters more than solutions
    • Philippians 4:7 – The peace of God that surpasses understanding

    Resources Paula Recommends:
    • Boundaries for the Soul by Dr. Alison Cook
    • Theology, Spirituality, and Psychology by Dr. Stephen P. Greggo
    • Jackie Hill Perry's Bible teaching
    • Faith-based podcasts and worship playlists
    • Meditation on Scripture and the Holy Spirit (not just secular mindfulness)

    Final Thoughts:

    You don’t need to have it all together to seek help. Paula reminds us that Jesus meets us in the mess and uses our pain for purpose. If you’re in a season of struggle, don’t stay silent. You’re not alone—and healing is possible.

    Need someone to talk to? Reach out. DM me, or use the links below to find a Christian counselor near you.

    Connect with Paula:
    • Psychology Today Profile
    • Website: [Coming Soon]

    Want More Faith + Fire?

    Make sure you’re subscribed to Thrive Through the Fire for more episodes that blend real-life struggles with biblical hope.

    Leave a review if this episode blessed you—it helps others find the show.

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    49 mins
  • Episode 14: Vulnerability is Not Weakness – It’s Strength
    Jun 30 2025

    In this episode, I’m opening up about something we don’t talk about enough—vulnerability. So many of us have been taught to hold it all together, to smile through the pain, and to act like everything’s fine. But vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s one of the strongest, most Christ-like things we can embody.

    Together, we explore what the Bible says about vulnerability, how Jesus modeled it, and why embracing our own brokenness opens the door to real connection and healing. I share a personal story about my cancer journey and how learning to be vulnerable transformed not only my faith but the way I connect with others.

    In This Episode, I Cover:
    • What vulnerability really means through a biblical lens
    • How Jesus modeled honest emotion and deep humanity
    • Why showing up honestly creates deeper healing and connection
    • The power of your testimony and why your story matters
    • Practical ways to be vulnerable without oversharing
    • How God can use your pain for His purpose
    • A few personal stories from my own walk through faith, fear, and finding my voice

    Scriptures Mentioned:
    • 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – “My power is made perfect in weakness…”
    • John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.”
    • Matthew 27:46 – “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
    • Revelation 12:11 – “They overcame… by the word of their testimony.”
    • Psalm 62:8 – “Pour out your hearts to Him…”

    Practical Takeaways:
    1. Start with God – Be honest in your prayer life. He can handle your fears, doubts, and questions.
    2. Find Safe People – Share with those who will point you back to truth and not shame.
    3. Share From Scars, Not Open Wounds – Process privately first when needed, then share as you're led.

    Your Challenge This Week:

    Tell the truth to one person about something that’s been heavy on your heart. It doesn’t have to be dramatic. It just has to be real. And if you don’t have someone safe to talk to, DM me. I’m here to pray with you.

    Connect with Me:

    If this episode spoke to you, would you share it with a friend? It might be exactly what they need today.

    You can also find me on Instagram or at Tools 2 Thrive for encouragement, resources, and more ways to live out your faith through the fire.

    Subscribe & Leave a Review

    If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to Thrive Through the Fire so you never miss an episode. And if this one encouraged you, I’d love it if you’d leave a quick rating or review—it helps this message reach more people.

    Let me know if you’d like these show notes formatted for a blog post, email newsletter, or even as social media captions to help you promote this episode!

    Show More Show Less
    17 mins

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