Kickstart With Kayla

“You learn what you prioritize.” In this episode, Kayla shares a phrase she overheard that wouldn’t leave her alone—and how it exposes the gap between what we say matters and what our lives actually revolve around. From her mom helping her sort out nightly priorities when she was stressed to Jesus’ words in Matthew 6, she unpacks why most of us don’t become what we intend; we become what we consis...

You can love Jesus, crave marriage, and still quietly settle for “good enough” because you’re tired of starting over. In this car‑ride conversation, I sit down with my cousin Macy (fresh off her bachelorette trip) to talk honestly about dating, discernment, and how she went from Sunday‑only faith to a real walk with God in college. Macy shares how finding community at college, trying different chu...

What do people really remember about you—the worship songs you post, or how you made them feel when no one was watching? In this episode, Kayla brings 16‑year‑old her to the mic, sharing the first message she ever gave on a stage about kindness, judgment, and feeling left out at church. From being the girl sitting alone on the floor at youth group to learning how powerful a simple “How are you?” c...

Anxiety has a way of writing entire disaster movies in our heads before anything even happens. One small plan turns into a hundred “what ifs,” and suddenly we’re stuck, overwhelmed, and choosing comfort over calling. In this episode, Maggie and Kayla get brutally honest about overthinking, worst-case scenario spirals, and how easy it is to let fear keep you sitting on the sidelines of the life God...

Life is loud about what you don’t have yet: more money, more time, more progress, more certainty. It’s easy to start believing that you’re always one step behind, one step short, one step away from “enough.” In this episode, we unpack what it really means to say “I lack nothing” — not as a cute Pinterest quote, but as a way of living. We walk through Psalm 23, the story of Jesus feeding the five t...

This week’s conversation is tender, powerful, and honestly hard to put into words. In 2017, Hunter was told by doctors that he shouldn’t be alive today. Yet in the middle of that crisis, he had an encounter that changed everything: he remembers walking through heaven’s gates, sitting with Jesus, and hearing the words, “It’s not your time yet.” In this episode, Hunter shares how that experience res...

We change. Our circumstances change. The people around us change. And without even realizing it, we start to put that same lens on God — fitting Him into a human box simply because that's all we know. But Scripture doesn't say God changes with us. It says He never has and He never will. In this episode, we dive into what it actually means that God is unchanging — and why that truth is one of the m...

What if the waiting isn't a sign that God forgot about you — but a sign that He's preparing something bigger than you planned for? In this episode, my sister Lainey is back, and we're getting into one of the hardest things to practice in your faith: patience. From hitting rock bottom and finally surrendering everything to God, to racking up scholarships she forgot she even applied for — Lainey's g...

What if you've been praying — but not boldly enough? In this episode, I share two very real, very specific things I prayed for this past week — and how God answered both of them in ways I genuinely didn't expect. From almost failing a class to praying for an income stream on a walk, this conversation is about what happens when you stop vague-praying and start actually telling God what you want. We...

What if your relationship with God is simpler than you think? In this episode, I’m joined by my friend Chazz May for a conversation about what it actually looks like to have a real relationship with God — not just go through the motions. We talk about learning to hear God’s voice, journaling what He’s saying to you, and what it means to treat God like your best friend instead of something you only...

Have you ever felt off in your faith, but couldn’t quite figure out why? In this episode, I share a real, in-the-moment reflection on what it looks like to slowly drift in your relationship with God — and how easy it is to not even realize what’s causing it. From being busy and distracted to recognizing how it was affecting my mindset and daily life, this is an honest conversation about stepping b...

What does it really mean to understand your faith — not just believe it? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Bryan Rigg, a Yale graduate and Cambridge-trained historian, to talk about the importance of understanding the historical and foundational context behind what we believe as Christians. We discuss how different interpretations of Christianity have developed over time, why many people don’t go...

Why do negative thoughts feel so powerful — and why do they sometimes come out of nowhere? In this episode, I share a realization that completely changed the way I view my thoughts, emotions, and daily mindset. From stress during a busy week to an unexpected emotional slump, I walk through what I experienced in real time and the shift that changed everything. We talk about the power of your though...

Why do you feel stuck — even when you’re trying to do everything right? In this episode, I’m joined by David Prosper, also known as “The Clarity Guy,” to talk about confusion vs conviction and why so many people feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of their next step. We break down how to tell whether your thoughts are coming from your own desires or from God, why overthinking keeps you in cycles of...

Easter is something many of us have heard about our entire lives — but what if there’s so much more to the story than we realize? In this episode, I take a deeper look at the resurrection of Jesus and everything that led up to it. We often summarize Easter in a few simple sentences, but when you truly understand what Jesus endured and why He chose to go through it, it completely changes your persp...

Sometimes feeling lost has less to do with not having a purpose — and more to do with not knowing how to hear God’s voice. In this episode, I reflect on identity, purpose, and the story of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3 to talk about what happens when God is calling us, but we don’t recognize His voice yet. We explore why so many people feel disconnected, confused, or spiritually stuck, and how easy it is t...

What happens when one of the scariest moments of your life turns into a moment that changes your faith forever? In this episode, my sister joins me for a very honest conversation about a recent experience that landed her in the hospital and completely shifted her perspective on life, anxiety, and her relationship with God. What felt terrifying in the moment ultimately became a reminder of the peac...

What do you do when you’re in the middle of a storm and the ending isn’t in sight yet? In this episode, I reflect on a powerful passage from 1 Peter and what it teaches about anxiety, suffering, humility, and trusting God during difficult seasons. We talk about the reality that struggles are part of life, the importance of casting our anxieties onto God, and why vulnerability and community can act...

You say you don’t have time — but where is your time actually going? In this episode, I reflect on timelines, priorities, and the subtle ways we give our energy to distractions while wondering why our faith feels stagnant. From doomscrolling and busyness to feeling “behind” professionally or spiritually, we unpack how easily our priorities drift toward what’s urgent instead of what’s eternal. Usin...

Dark seasons have a way of making us question everything — our circumstances, our worth, and often, God’s plan. In this episode, I share a deeply personal reflection on difficult seasons, the universal question of “Why is this happening to me?”, and how perspective shifts when we begin to see valleys not as punishment, but as preparation. I talk about mental exhaustion, gratitude reframing, and wh...

Why do we insist on carrying everything ourselves — our stress, our plans, our fears — even when it leaves us completely exhausted? In this episode, I reflect on a powerful theme from the Book of Judges and how it mirrors the way we often try to rule over our own lives. We talk about control, stress, overthinking, and why what feels “right in our own eyes” doesn’t always lead to peace. I share per...

We’re all searching for more — more purpose, more clarity, more fulfillment. But what if the reason nothing feels like enough is because we’re looking in the wrong place? In this episode, I reflect on the subtle ways we search for fulfillment — through achievement, validation, productivity, or “what’s next” — and how easily those things leave us feeling empty. I share personal realizations about c...

Sometimes God’s direction isn’t loud — it’s a quiet nudge we’d rather ignore because staying comfortable feels easier. In this episode, I share a simple, everyday story that turned into a powerful reminder about obedience, trust, and stepping out of stagnation. We talk about how God often calls us toward growth in ways that feel uncomfortable, why comfort can keep us stuck, and how obedience opens...

This episode is a warm, honest conversation about what it really looks like to walk with God — not perfectly, but faithfully. I’m joined by my friend Becca Hooper for a conversation about faith, the Holy Spirit, shame, prayer, and learning to distinguish God’s voice from the enemy’s lies. We talk about the freedom that comes from being honest with God, the importance of creating intentional space...

This episode is about bringing light into a difficult topic — with faith, compassion, and hope at the center. I’m joined by Meg Williams, Director of Community Outreach at AbolitionNC, for a conversation about human trafficking that is grounded in awareness, prevention, and the belief that light is stronger than darkness. While the topic is heavy, this episode is not meant to overwhelm or scare —...