The Route 77 Podcast

In this episode, we revisit the first pillar of Route 77 Ministries: Accepted . Many singles struggle with feeling like they don't quite fit in the church, especially when marriage and family are often presented as the expected path for every Christian. We discuss the subtle messages singles receive, the challenge of accepting ourselves when we feel overlooked, and why the church needs singles...

What is a singles ministry actually supposed to be? A dating hub? A social club? Or something much deeper? In this episode of the Route 77 Podcast, Natasha, Monique, and David unpack the common frustrations many singles experience in church culture and explore what a healthy, biblical singles ministry could look like. Together they discuss loneliness, identity, discipleship, purpose, and why singl...

Natasha and Monique return to the Route 77 podcast and discuss why marriage should not be treated as the solution to incompleteness. They challenge the “other half” idea, warning that expecting a spouse—or later, children—to provide purpose, identity, healing, or fulfillment can create unmet expectations, resentment, and even divorce or infidelity. They emphasize contentment and wholeness in Chris...

What do you do when your deepest desire—marriage, children, family—doesn’t happen? In this episode, we gently but honestly explore disappointment with God, unmet expectations, and the danger of building your identity around something He never promised. This is not about dismissing the pain—it’s about redirecting your hope to something that won’t fail you.

In this episode, Natasha, Monique, and David talk honestly about the growing role of AI in everyday life—from creative projects and lesson plans to fake videos, hallucinated answers, and even AI “relationships.” Why are so many people becoming emotionally attached to chatbots? Where is the line between using AI as a helpful tool and treating it like a substitute for real human connection? The conv...

It’s our 3-year podcast anniversary , and it also happens to be Valentine’s Day weekend — so we’re finishing the Fruit of the Spirit series with LOVE . We talk honestly about why Valentine’s Day can hit a tender spot, why it’s okay for couples to celebrate, and why singles don’t need to “do something” just to prove they’re fine. We also unpack the difference between God’s promises vs. God’s blessi...

Joy gets confused with happiness all the time—good moods, good seasons, and things going well. But biblical joy is sturdier than that. In this episode, Natasha, Monique, and David talk about joy as a fruit of the Spirit : not something we manufacture, but something God grows in us as we learn to release control and trust His unchanging character. We unpack joy in suffering, joy in waiting, and why...

In this episode of the Route 77 Podcast, Natasha, Monique, and David talk about peace as a fruit of the Spirit—what the world calls peace, what Scripture means by peace, and why “relief” isn’t the same thing as peace . They unpack the difference between peacekeeping vs. peacemaking , how false peace shows up in real life (including abusive dynamics), and why Jesus is the clearest picture of peace...

Patience isn’t pretending you don’t care, and it isn’t sitting in a corner waiting for life to start. In this episode, we talk about patience as the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5) and how that changes the way singles—and everyone—walk through delayed hopes, misunderstood seasons, and unanswered timelines. We also unpack why “God is teaching you patience so you’ll get your reward” is not the gos...

Kindness gets confused with being “nice,” but the Bible paints something deeper: kindness is active goodwill that moves toward others for their good—sometimes gently, sometimes firmly. In this episode, Natasha, Monique, and David unpack kindness as a fruit of the Spirit , why God’s kindness leads to repentance, and how Jesus shows kindness without enabling sin. They also talk about kindness as a s...

In this episode of the Route 77 Podcast, Natasha, Monique, and David keep journeying backwards through the fruit of the Spirit and land on one that often feels… underwhelming: goodness . In a world where “good” sounds like the bare minimum—good day, good meal, good enough—they unpack why Scripture treats goodness as something far richer: moral beauty in action , not just avoiding bad behaviour. Th...

What does faithfulness really look like when you’re single and your heart aches for marriage, security, or a different life than the one you’re living? In this episode of the Route 77 Podcast, Natasha, Monique, and David unpack the Fruit of the Spirit— faithfulness —through the lens of singleness, desire, and idolatry. Together they explore the Greek idea of pistis (faithfulness as trustworthiness...

Gentleness isn’t timidity—it’s controlled strength. In this episode, Natasha, Monique, and David dig into gentleness/meekness as a Fruit of the Spirit for singles: why independence can harden us, how unmet expectations turn into cynicism, and how Jesus models power under control (Philippians 4:5; Matthew 11:29; 1 Peter 2:23; Proverbs 15:1). Takeaways: slow your reactions, practice self-gentleness,...

Self-control is the last on Paul’s list of the fruit of the Spirit—but in real life, it often feels like the one we struggle with most. In this episode, Natasha, Monique, and David kick off a backwards walk through the fruit of the Spirit, starting with self-control and how it uniquely shows up in the lives of single Christians. From sexual temptation and “I deserve this” spending, to doom-scrolli...

Is singleness a spiritual gift? We say no. In this candid round-table, Natasha, Monique, and David unpack the church cliché and get honest about desire, hormones, and holiness. We dig into 1 Corinthians 7:7–9 (“better to marry than burn”) and show why Paul isn’t offering a lust-management loophole or promising a supernatural removal of sexual desire. Instead, we explore singleness and marriage as...

What if singleness isn’t a waiting room but a calling worth celebrating? Natasha takes us through powerful excerpts from Timothy Keller, David Platt, and Elisabeth Elliot—three influential Christian thinkers who each bring clarity, theology, and comfort to the often-misunderstood topic of singleness. Tune in for a refreshing, gospel-centered look at what it means to live fully devoted to Christ.

It’s Thanksgiving, and Natasha and Monique ask the question: Am I living my singleness so people see Christ in me? We unpack contentment over bitterness, authentic fruit vs. “glued-on apples,” and how daily practices (Scripture, prayer, worship), healthy community, and service make our lives quietly radiant (1 Cor 7:32–35; Matt 5:16). Honest stories, real hope, and a challenge to live different on...

In this episode, Natasha, Monique, and David tackle the churchy reflex to “qualify” people’s choices—especially when someone says they don’t want marriage or children. We unpack Scripture (yes, be fruitful and he who finds a wife ), look at 1 Corinthians 7, and share stories like Jim & Elisabeth Elliot and Amy Carmichael to show that following Jesus can faithfully look different. Instead of pr...

In Part 2 of our series on church hurt in singleness, Natasha, Monique, and David explore the subtle but painful cuts singles experience in the church—those “helpful” comments, lingering expectations, and the silence around what it means to live fully as a single believer. We discuss how these messages can leave singles feeling sidelined, how churches can do better, and how healing can begin when...

In Part 1, Natasha, Monique, and David unpack how purity culture shaped expectations about marriage and sex, why so many singles felt sidelined, and how to begin healing without walking away from the Church—or Scripture.

Can a woman (or man) truly live life to the fullest without marriage? In this episode of the Route 77 Podcast, we explore the cultural pressures, biblical perspectives, and personal testimonies surrounding marriage and singleness. From Genesis to 1 Corinthians 7, we’ll unpack whether fullness comes from a spouse—or from Christ Himself. Whether you’re single, married, or somewhere in between, this...

Marriage is a beautiful gift—but it was never meant to be the mission of your life. In this episode, Natasha, Monique, and David unpack the subtle danger of making spouse-hunting your full-time purpose. From church conferences to everyday choices, it’s easy to let the pursuit of “The One” eclipse joy, growth, and God’s greater calling. Through Scripture (Matthew 6:33), personal reflection, and pra...

What does the Bible actually say about the “right age” to get married? Spoiler: it’s less about a number and more about wisdom, maturity, and God’s timing. In this episode, we unpack common assumptions about marrying young, share biblical examples, and push back against the idea that it’s a more spiritual path. Whether you marry at 20, 40, or not at all—you’re not missing God’s plan. Let’s talk fr...

Love is more than a feeling — it’s a choice, and how we express it matters. In this episode, we explore the 5 Love Languages — words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch — through the lens of Scripture. Discover how each one reflects God’s heart and how you can use them to strengthen your relationships, whether you’re single, dating, or married. Learn...

Saying "I love you" can feel exciting, romantic — and sometimes, dangerous. In this episode of the Route 77 Podcast, Natasha, Monique, and David explore the emotional and spiritual weight behind those three little words. Why do we say it so soon? What does it actually mean in a dating relationship? And how can premature declarations of love create confusion, pressure, or even manipulatio...