Hey there friends! I'm gonna be honest...this episode is sweet and filled with hope, but it's hard and heavy. We're talking about grief...we're getting in the weeds and Jenn is sharing about her own personal journey of loss and grief. Jenn is no stranger to grief. Her husband, Ryan, was suddenly and instantly killed while working. One morning we were working out at the gym and literally four hours later I had heard that Ryan was gone! How does a mom of two pick up the pieces? What does the Bible say about grief?

We're talking about all of that and so much more.

I hope you stick around for this full conversation. Jenn's loss has been profound and yet she has seen the hand of God at work in her life. As an actual, personal friend of hers I can say it's all legit and real! She is amazing, but it's only because of the goodness of God!

Carve out some time, I promise it will be worth it!

xx, michelle

Here's where you can find Jenn: INSTAGRAM

WEBSITE

HEY...have an episode idea or a guest you'd love to hear on the podcast? Email the CJ team at itsmemichellecastro@gmail.com

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Hey...did you know there's an election on Tuesday in the US? If you didn't, well...welcome to the jungle! And if you did...welcome to the jungle!

It's easy to sit back and recite scripture, but I think the bigger feat is going to be WALKING IN IT! Do you, do I, really believe what we say we believe? Our God, He is a CONSUMING FIRE and a JEALOUS GOD! He is not satisfied with any amount of sharing of our hearts! He wants all of us! Every fiber of our being! No matter who sits in the White House, He demands our heart, soul, and mind!

I wanted to share my heart with you before the election. I'm hoping this bonus episode is an encouragement to you as well as eye-opening to show you where your heart may be divided; where you're making little "g" gods of either potential outcome of this election.

Are you putting on your armor? Regardless of who is elected? Are you seeking Jesus and asking Him for the PEACE that surpasses all worldly understanding? Are you trusting the steadfast love of the Lord that endures FOREVER?

Take refuge and hope in the fact that Our God is in control, He will not be surprised on Tuesday, He has established every single ruler and He will establish this one!

And don't forget - we KNOW how the story ends! Jesus is KING and He will rule!!!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

Amen!!!

xx, michelle

PRAYING THE NAMES OF GOD - 52 WEEK STUDY

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Have questions or episode idea or want to collab? Contact my team at itsmemichellecastro@gmail.com

Oh friends! If you've been around for a while then this guest is no stranger. She's my favorite low-top, Australian Mum who loves Jesus and podcasting! A few months back, maybe even a year, she did an episode about the whole "just a mom" culture that seems to be so prevalent and it's not just among Christians. I get it, you meet someone, you're doing the obligatory "get to know one another" questions...and there it comes... "So, do you work?"

UGH...what do you say? You love being a wife and mama, but it sounds so...boring. So the words just fall out of your mouth..."no, I'm just a mom"!

I've done it. And I'm guessing you've done it too.

I recently came across this reel on IG, I immediately sent it to Elyse. This reel is where we're going to start.

Friend...if you're privileged enough to be a wife and mama, I hope you know you have the most incredible calling in the world!! You have the opportunity to mold the hearts and minds of those little lives the Lord has blessed you with. You have the blessed calling to be a wife to your husband!

YES AND HALLELUJAH!

What if we, as wives and mamas, rose up and embraced our God-given roles with the respect and honor they deserve!?

Ok...I'll stop there...go hop in and catch our conversation.

xx, michelle

If you aren't following Elyse...go do it now! INSTAGRAM: @wholesomemumma PODCAST: Wholesome Mumma

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Have questions or episode idea or want to collab? Contact my team at itsmemichellecastro@gmail.com

WOW! What a testimony we have today! I met Brittany on instagram probably about two and a half years ago. She was a bright spot on my feed. We got to know one another little by little and through that we ended up having a coaching call. It was at that time she shared with me that she had had an abortion years ago and really felt the Lord calling her to start speaking out. She has been obeying His call ever since.

What I love about hearing the testimony of other believers, is seeing the merciful and loving hand of God work through situations and circumstances that seem too far gone. Things that we, as humans, might say are just past the point. BUT GOD, He doesn't waste anything! He uses each and every experience and situation, ultimately for HIS GOOD!

That is Brittany's story.

Grab some tissues...you're gonna need them.

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PERMISSION TO GRIEVE DEVOTIONAL

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Have questions or episode idea or want to collab? Contact my team at itsmemichellecastro@gmail.com

Yep! I'm going there ...and also, this may not be exactly what you're thinking, but then it also may be EXACTLY what you're thinking! I guess you'll have to listen to find out!

Yesterday at church my pastor did an incredible job (IMHO) of breaking this down and he's given me permission to share this with you.

When he shared this statistic with us, my emotions went in a million ways, but I also knew, I needed to pass this along to my listeners.

Did you know...

In the USA there are 90million people who have stated they're EVANGELICAL Christians. 40 million of them have already decided NOT to vote in this election and another 15 million are not even registered!!! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Tonight, October 21st is the LAST day to register online to vote - if you're a US citizen and are over the age of 18 and haven't registered...GO NOW - https://vote.org

I'm going to share seven things to remember as a Christian in this election, six reasons why a believer SHOULD vote, and five things to look at when it comes to platform and policy of each candidate.

I'll see ya back here on Wednesday!

LISTEN TO THE FULL SERMON HERE.

Have questions, an episode idea, or want to collaborate? Contact my team at itsmemichellecastro@gmail.com

Walking through the dark valleys is HARD! I honestly don't know how people who don't have their faith and hope in Jesus do it. It's hard and I KNOW that My God is good and has a plan for all of it...even the darkest of days.

Todays conversation hits on a few of those DARK topics. We discuss miscarriage, depression, and suicidal thoughts, BUT GOD! Those are two of my most favorite words in the Bible. They pack a powerful punch...they always come after something hard, something too big for us, as humans, to handle...God uses those opportunities to show us the grace and mercy and HOPE that we can only find in Him.

Hannah Hughes shares her own personal journey and how she's found strength in Christ. She's a Denver-based mama, author, and host of the By Words podcast. She’s passionate about equipping women for purposeful living by helping them find healing and freedom, get rooted in truth, and come alive in their faith through relationship with Jesus.

Go give her a like and follow:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thehannahhughes/

🎧LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

🎧LISTEN ON APPLE

Looking to collaborate with Michelle? Email: itsmemichellecastro@gmail.com

I promise you this is a conversation you DO NOT WANT to miss!!

If you don't know Blake of the Confessions of a Crappy Christian podcast you are going to fall in love with her today. She's a wife, mom, and unabashed Jesus lover. She shoots from the hip and talks about those uncomfortable things Christians tend to shy away from. She honest and kind and yet forthright and honest...she doesn't hold back at all! She's spicy and yet as soft-hearted as they come, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the things of the Lord. You can feel her passion when you hear her speak.

It is a joy and privilege that she would take time to come and chat with me. We touch on many of the "hot topics" from sex to parenting to mental health, but ultimately, I wanted to get to the election and our responsibility as believers...all from a foundation of truth from God's word.

Pull up a chair as we chat like two friends sippin' on their lattes and flat whites.

Go find and follow Blake everywhere she shows up: IG: @thegirlnamedblake / @crappychristianpodcast APPLE PODCAST: Confessions of a Crappy Christian ONLINE: www.thegirlnamedblake.com

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Want to collab? Contact the CJ team at itsmemichellecastro@gmail.com

IG: @considerjesuspodcast

Well, let's just JUMP right in to the deep end!

When I said I wanted to have raw, real, and HONEST conversations...THIS is EXACTLY what I meant!

As Christians, we throw verses like Philippians 4:6 around - pray about everything...but do you we REALLY mean it? Or do we just say it for the "BIG" things? I've got news for you...the intimacy in your marriage is a BIG thing!

Let's rip this bandaid off, because there's more where this comes from!

Maybe...grab your earbuds for this one!

xx, michelle

The book I mentioned in the episode. Buy it here on Amazon ⤵️

PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES FOR YOUR MARRIAGE by Jodie Berndt

WANT MORE EPS LIKE THIS ONE? Let me know!

You can either email me @ itsmemichellecastro@gmail.com or find me on the gram @considerjesuspodcast