Big Ideas Podcast with Ashlee Ilg

What if the very thing that doesn’t make sense on paper… is exactly where God is leading you next? In this final episode of  Season 5 , Ashlee chats with  Beth Green — pastor, speaker, and founder of Adored and Breakthrough Conferences  — in a powerful conversation about faith, obedience, legacy, and trusting God even when the path ahead feels unexpected. Beth shares the story of building a succes...

What if the deepest, richest relationship you could have with Jesus… starts with finally being honest with Him? In this episode, Ashlee chats with  Lauren Mitchell — author, speaker, and Bible teacher  — about her book  Steadfast Through the Psalms  and why an authentic prayer life may be the very thing missing from so many women’s relationship with God. Together, they unpack the freedom of bringi...

What do you do when life doesn’t go the way you planned… and you’re left carrying something you never expected? In this episode, Ashlee chats with  Chelsea Kuhn — entrepreneur, artist, and co-founder of Making Lemoncake  — in a raw and deeply moving conversation about her journey as a mom raising a medically complex child. Chelsea shares the story of her daughter’s rare and challenging diagnosis,...

What if the reason you feel like an imposter… is because you’ve been looking at your story the wrong way? In this episode, Ashlee chats with Melissa Hughes — speaker, author, and coach — in an unscripted, deeply honest conversation about how to overcome imposter syndrome and start showing up with confidence by owning the story God has already given you. Melissa shares how a vulnerable conversation...

What if the waiting season you’re in… is actually where God is doing His deepest work in you? In this episode, Ashlee chats with Kim Cook — certified Christian relationship coach — as she shares her deeply personal story of waiting until her late 30s to meet her husband, walking through difficult dating seasons, and the heartbreak that ultimately brought her to a place of surrender and healing. Wi...

What if the way you’ve been taught to think about your body… was never the truth to begin with? In this episode, Ashlee chats with  Tiffany Wickes — wife, mom of 7, fitness and nutrition coach  — as she shares her powerful story of how her relationship with food and exercise was shaped by childhood experiences, cultural pressures, and the endless cycle of “skinny fads” and crash diets. Through her...

What if the answer you’ve been praying for… is already sitting right in front of you? In this episode, Ashlee chats with Jessica Lowery — mom and founder of The Power of Elderberries   — as she shares her incredible journey of pursuing holistic health for her family… and unexpectedly discovering a business that would go on to support them financially and impact so many others. What started as maki...

What if you are a morning person… and it has nothing to do with what time you wake up? In this episode, Ashlee chats with  Jennifer Dukes Lee — bestselling author, speaker, and self-proclaimed “Morning Evangelist”  — about her brand new book,  How to Love Your Morning . Together, they unpack a refreshing and freeing perspective: being a “morning person” has far less to do with what hour you wake u...

This episode contains sensitive content and may not be suitable for all listeners. Recommended for mature audiences. What happens when we stay quiet about the very things God wants to heal… not just in us, but in the next generation? In this episode, Ashlee chats with  Kaase Levell — mom, host of the FR Let’s Talk Podcast, and founder of  Literally Magazine  — as she shares her powerful story of o...

What if the calling on your life is bigger than you… but not meant to be carried alone? In this episode, Ashlee chats with  Svetka Popov—speaker, entrepreneur, podcast host, and author —as they explore her journey of entrepreneurship and the powerful legacy of the women who came before her. Together, they unpack what it looks like to build something meaningful while honoring your roots, showing up...

What if the biggest thing holding you back… isn’t your capacity — but the beliefs you’ve unknowingly accepted as truth? In this episode, Ashlee chats with  Erica Gwynn — author, podcast host, speaker, and coach  — as they unpack her powerful new book  That’s Just Not True: How to Replace the Lies You Didn’t Know You Believed with God’s Unchanging Truth . Together, they dive deep into the subtle li...

To wrap up this special season, I’m joined by entrepreneur & mom Chelsea Thompson for a conversation about what it really takes to raise and equip the next generation of entrepreneurs. Chelsea shares her story of starting young, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and how she’s now helping students and her own children recognize their creativity, pursue opportunities, and build the confid...

Before moving on to the next idea, students need space to reflect. In this wrap-up episode, Ashlee guides families in helping young entrepreneurs evaluate their progress, celebrate wins, and grow through meaningful reflection. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to help them reflect on their work and growth Questions that reveal what they learned and loved How to celebrate in ways that build identi...

Execution turns ideas into experiences. Join Ashlee as she equips parents and mentors to help young entrepreneurs deliver excellence, own mistakes, and improve with humility and confidence. In this episode, you’ll learn: A repeatable process for delivering orders or services How to teach excellent customer service How to frame mistakes as data, not failure How to build a rhythm of improvement with...

Perfection stops more businesses than failure ever will. In this critical episode, Ashlee teaches the concept of an MVP—Minimum Viable Product—and how starting small teaches young entrepreneurs to iterate, adapt, and grow. In this episode, you’ll learn: What an MVP is and why it matters How to help them test their idea simply and safely How to gather feedback without discouraging them Small launch...

Marketing is communicating value with clarity and purpose. Join Ashlee for one of her favorite topics, as she offers practical guidance for helping young entrepreneurs talk about their business, spread the word, and serve their customers well. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to teach a simple “what I do” message Easy, low-pressure marketing ideas students enjoy How to help them overcome fear of...

Business planning doesn’t have to be complicated. Join Ashlee as she breaks down how to walk young entrepreneurs through customers, goals, expenses, and the early decision-making that makes launching smoother. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to define a target customer in a student-friendly way How to set goals that build momentum How to help them think strategically without overthinking A simp...

Many students struggle to value their own work. Listen in as Ashlee gives parents and their young entrepreneurs the tools to teach profit, expenses, and pricing in a way that builds confidence and financial understanding. In this episode, you’ll learn: The simplest way to explain profit vs. revenue How to help them research pricing in their “market” A student-friendly formula for setting prices Wh...

Branding isn’t about fonts or logos—it’s about clarity, identity, and purpose. In this episode, Ashlee helps parents and mentors guide young entrepreneurs through articulating who they are, what they offer, and why it matters. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to help students choose a business name they love The basics of storytelling for young entrepreneurs Simple visual branding guidelines fam...

Skills can be taught, but habits shape leaders. In this episode, Ashlee unpacks the foundational mindsets of responsibility, resilience, curiosity, and initiative—and how to cultivate them in everyday rhythms. In this episode, you’ll learn: The core habits that develop confident decision-makers How to model CEO thinking without micromanaging What to do when motivation fades or overwhelm kicks in H...

Ashlee knows that all great businesses begin with curiosity. So in this first episode of the new season, she equips parents to help their young entrepreneurs explore what excites them, what problems they notice, and what unique ideas may already be simmering beneath the surface.  In this episode, you’ll learn: How to identify real opportunities in a student’s interests and everyday life Simple pro...

We made it to 52! In this special season finale episode, Ashlee is joined by her favorite co-hosts - her kids - for a behind-the-scenes celebration of  The Big Ideas Podcast ’s first full year. It’s a heartfelt (and unedited) conversation filled with gratitude, giggles, awkward silences, toddler mic battles, and the kind of unscripted sweetness that reminds us why we show up in the first place. To...

You’ve heard the phrase “don’t mix business with pleasure”, — but what if doing life  and  work together was God’s idea? In this heartfelt and honest episode, Ashlee is joined by her husband, Andy, for a behind-the-scenes conversation about navigating marriage, business, parenting, and purpose as a team. From scheduling date nights and sharing responsibilities to giving grace when life gets messy,...

In this honest and inspiring episode, Ashlee sits down with Erin Cuccio—author of Unraveled: Finding the Lovely When Life Comes Undone and the newly released devotional Live Lovely, speaker, and host of the Make Room for Lovely podcast—to talk about what it really means to find beauty in the midst of  un lovely moments. Erin doesn’t sugarcoat life’s hardest moments. She’s walked through loss, wres...

You’ve heard the lie: “If she wins, there’s less room for you.” But what if that’s the very reason you should clap louder? In this solo season finale, Ashlee reflects on the heart behind Season 3 - a bold stand against scarcity and a rally cry for Kingdom collaboration. Because in God’s economy, someone else’s breakthrough isn’t a threat… It’s a preview. You’ll hear honest stories from Ashlee’s jo...