The Problem With "Love Yourself"

Welcome back to another episode of Stay True Podcast! In a culture that constantly tells us to love yourself, romanticize our lives, protect our peace, and put ourselves first, Jesus offers a radically different invitation: come and die, deny yourself, and serve others. In this episode, Madi is answering honest questions about comparison, insecurity, people-pleasing, pride, and self-obsession. She unpacks how to take your eyes off yourself, follow the way of Jesus, and find true freedom by living for something greater than yourself.   As always, stay you and stay true!   Topics we dive into: What's wrong with the message "love yourself"? Why insecurity can be a form of self-obsession The connection between insecurity, arrogance, and pride How comparison keeps us focused on ourselves The danger of always putting yourself first How to recognize people-pleasing in your life   Helpful Resources: REGISTER FOR BE HEALED CONFERENCE: https://brushfire.com/uniteus/BEHEALEDWOMENSCONFERENCE/633933 Dare To Be True by Madison Prewett Troutt: https://a.co/d/gdfpHX5 Stay True Website: https://www.staytruepodcast.com Stay True Merch: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/merch GCU: Visit gcu.edu to learn more. iRestore: Unlock your best hair & skin with @iRestorelaser and HUGE savings on iRESTORE with code STAYTRUE at irestore.com/STAYTRUE! #irestorepod Home Chef: Go to HomeChef.com/staytrue for 50% OFF your first box and free dessert for life!   Connect with Stay True! 💙 Instagram | @staytruepodcast 💙 TikTok | @staytrue_podcast 💙 Follow Madison | @madiprew

Welcome back to another episode of Stay True Podcast! This week, Madi sits down with Annie F. Downs to talk about how to stop letting what you don't have keep you from fully living the life God has given you right now. From fear and disappointment to unanswered prayers and dreams that haven't happened yet, Annie and Madi unpack how to recognize when something good has become an idol, how to keep hoping without holding too tightly to the outcome, and what to do when God feels silent. If you've been waiting, praying, or wondering what's keeping you from moving forward, this episode is for you!   As always, stay you and stay true!   Topics we dive into: What is holding you back? How do you keep hoping without idolizing a dream? What do you do when your prayers go unanswered? Can you miss what God has for you? Is fear causing you to hide or hold yourself back? How do you surrender a dream without giving up hope? How do you trust God when life doesn't go according to your plan?   Helpful Resources: REGISTER FOR BE HEALED CONFERENCE: https://brushfire.com/uniteus/BEHEALEDWOMENSCONFERENCE/633933 Don't Let That Hold You Back by Annie F. Downs: https://a.co/d/09YSzOud Dare To Be True by Madison Prewett Troutt: https://a.co/d/gdfpHX5 Stay True Website: https://www.staytruepodcast.com Stay True Merch: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/merch UP: Download the UP app and start scrolling happy® IOS: https://go.scrollhappy.com/madi Android: https://go.scrollhappy.com/madi Apply to be a creator on UP: https://go.scrollhappy.com/apply (use code STAYTRUE) Branch Basics: Get 15% off Branch Basics with the code STAYTRUE at branchbasics.com/STAYTRUE #branchbasicspod GCU: Visit gcu.edu to learn more. EllaOla: Go to EllaOla.com/STAYTRUE for 20% off your first purchase. JiYu: The Korean skincare brand everyone is talking about. Our listeners get 20% off their entire order by using code STAYTRUE at jiyuskin.com/STAYTRUE #JIYU #ad   Connect with Stay True! 💙 Instagram | @staytruepodcast 💙 TikTok | @staytrue_podcast 💙 Follow Madison | @madiprew 💙 Follow Annie | @anniefdowns

Welcome back to another episode of Stay True Podcast! For the very first time, we have a LIVE audience joining Madi for a special Q&A episode! Adam, Zane, Annabelle, and Olivia sit down with Madi to ask honest questions about faith, purpose, comparison, prayer, and hearing the voice of God. Madi gets practical about prioritizing your faith after college, navigating singleness, praying without ceasing, and learning to recognize God's voice in a world full of noise. Whether you're trying to figure out your purpose, feeling behind, or simply wanting to grow closer to God, you'll want to tune into this episode!   As always, stay you and stay true!   Topics we dive into: How do you discover and use your spiritual gifts? How to stop comparing yourself to others How do you prioritize your faith post grad? What dating advice would Madi say to her 20-year-old self? What does it mean to "make yourself irrelevant"? How do you know when you're hearing God's voice or a voice in your head? How do you pursue your dreams without stressing about the future? What does it actually mean to pray without ceasing?   Helpful Resources: REGISTER FOR BE HEALED CONFERENCE: https://brushfire.com/uniteus/BEHEALEDWOMENSCONFERENCE/633933 Dare To Be True by Madison Prewett Troutt: https://a.co/d/gdfpHX5 Stay True Website: https://www.staytruepodcast.com Stay True Merch: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/merch Up: Download the UP app and start scrolling happy® IOS: https://go.scrollhappy.com/madi Android: https://go.scrollhappy.com/madi. Apply to be a creator on UP: https://go.scrollhappy.com/apply GCU: Visit gcu.edu to learn more. Jones Road Beauty: Use code STAYTRUE at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free Gift with your first purchase! #JonesRoadBeauty #ad  Thrive Causemetics: Go to thrivecausemetics.com/STAYTRUE for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. Better Help: Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/STAYTRUE   Connect with Stay True! 💙 Instagram | @staytruepodcast 💙 TikTok | @staytrue_podcast 💙 Follow Madison | @madiprew 💙 Follow Adam | @adambiancheri 💙 Follow Annabelle | @annabelle_mayernick 💙 Follow Olivia | @oliviaaa.lee 💙 Follow Zane | @zanehampton_

Welcome back to another episode of Stay True Podcast! You may know Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle from their viral conversations and debates on college campuses, where they take on some of the hardest questions about God, Christianity, and faith. This week, they're sitting down with Madi to bring those conversations to Stay True! Cliffe and Stuart help us understand not only WHAT we believe, but WHY we believe it. Whether you've followed Jesus your whole life, are wrestling with doubts, or simply want to be better equipped to defend your faith, this conversation is for you.   As always, stay you and stay true!   Topics we dive into: Is there 100% proof that God exists? How do we know Christianity is true? Does everyone have the gift of faith? How can a good God send people to Hell? Why does Satan have so much power? How can we trust the Bible? What can a Christian do that an atheist can't? What would God say to the American Church today?   Helpful Resources: Demolishing Doubt by Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle: https://a.co/d/0h01Cq2e REGISTER FOR BE HEALED CONFERENCE: https://brushfire.com/uniteus/BEHEALEDWOMENSCONFERENCE/633933 Dare To Be True by Madison Prewett Troutt: https://a.co/d/gdfpHX5 Stay True Website: https://www.staytruepodcast.com Stay True Merch: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/merch Up: Download the UP app and start scrolling happy® IOS: https://go.scrollhappy.com/madi Android: https://go.scrollhappy.com/madi. Apply to be a creator on UP: https://go.scrollhappy.com/apply GCU: Visit gcu.edu to learn more. Home Chef: Go to homechef.com/staytrue for 50% OFF your first box and free dessert for life!    Connect with Stay True! 💙 Instagram | @staytruepodcast 💙 TikTok | @staytrue_podcast 💙 Follow Madison | @madiprew 💙 Follow Stuart | @stuart_knechtle

This week on Stay True Podcast, Madi sits down with singer-songwriter Jamie MacDonald for a powerful conversation about trusting God's timing when you feel behind. Long before the #1 songs, Jamie spent years singing in the background, wondering when the dreams God placed on her heart would ever happen. After walking through loss, disappointment, unexpected detours, and years of waiting, Jamie signed her first record deal at 40. Her story is a reminder that God is not late, and the years that feel hidden are never wasted. Together, Madi and Jamie talk about what it looks like to trust God when everyone around you seems to be moving forward, how to stay faithful when your prayers haven't been answered yet, and why God may be doing some of His deepest work in you while you wait. If you've ever wondered, "God, when is it going to be my turn?" or felt like you should be further along by now, this episode is for YOU. You are not behind. God has not forgotten you. And His timing can still be trusted. As always... be sure to stay you and stay true!   Topics we dive into: -What do you do when you feel behind in life? -How do you trust God when His timing doesn't match yours? -How do you stop comparing your timeline to everyone else's? -What is God doing in your waiting season? -How do you surrender your plans while still holding onto hope? -How can you stay faithful when prayers seem unanswered?   Helpful Resources: REGISTER FOR BE HEALED CONFERENCE: https://brushfire.com/uniteus/BEHEALEDWOMENSCONFERENCE/633933 Dare To Be True by Madison Prewett Troutt: https://a.co/d/gdfpHX5 Stay True Website: https://www.staytruepodcast.com Stay True Merch: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/merch Better Help: This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/STAYTRUE. Branch Basics: Get 15% off Branch Basics with the code STAYTRUE at branchbasics.com/STAYTRUE #branchbasicspod Up: To get involved, go to scrollhappy.com. Apply as a creator or advertiser, or be bumped to the top of the waitlist with my code STAYTRUE.  GCU: Visit gcu.edu to learn more. iRestore: Unlock your best hair & skin with @iRestorelaser and HUGE savings on iRESTORE with code STAYTRUE at irestore.com/STAYTRUE! #irestorepod JiYu Skin: The Korean skincare brand everyone is talking about. Our listeners get 20% off their entire order by using code STAYTRUE at jiyuskin.com/STAYTRUE #JIYU #ad   Connect with Stay True! 💙 Instagram | @staytruepodcast 💙 TikTok | @staytrue_podcast 💙 Follow Madison | @madiprew 💙 Follow Jamie | @jamiemacdonald

Welcome back to another episode of Stay True Podcast! Join Madi and the Stay True Podcast Manager, Leigha, for a convicting and truth-filled conversation about the grey areas of Christianity… the things that aren't always clearly black and white. How do you know if something is a sin if it doesn't directly talk about it in the Bible? And how do you make choices that honor God in a world full of temptation? Madi and Leigha talk through what it looks like to pursue holiness, purity, and ultimately become more like Jesus. As always, stay you and stay true! In this episode, we talk about: Should Christians drink alcohol? Should Christians watch Love Island or listen to explicit music? Is it okay to spend the night with your significant other? How to know if something is a sin Pursuing holiness in everyday life AND SO MUCH MORE!   Helpful Resources: REGISTER FOR BE HEALED CONFERENCE: https://brushfire.com/uniteus/BEHEALEDWOMENSCONFERENCE/633933 Dare To Be True by Madison Prewett Troutt: https://a.co/d/gdfpHX5 Stay True Website: https://www.staytruepodcast.com Stay True Merch: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/merch Better Help: This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/STAYTRUE. Liberty Healthshare: You can learn more at libertyhealthshare.org.  Vinted: Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees, so you keep everything you earn. Thrive: Go to thrivecausemetics.com/STAYTRUE for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. Up: To get involved, go to scrollhappy.com. Apply as a creator or advertiser, or be bumped to the top of the waitlist with my code STAYTRUE.  GCU: Visit gcu.edu to learn more.   Connect with Stay True! 💙 Instagram | @staytruepodcast 💙 TikTok | @staytrue_podcast 💙 Follow Madison | @madiprew

This week on Stay True Podcast, Kevin Olusola opens up about calling, identity, and what it looks like to trust God when it doesn't make sense. From turning down a life-changing opportunity with Pentatonix to later stepping into it with full confidence in God's timing, Kevin shares how surrender changed everything. Kevin and Madi dive into the tension of stewarding your gifts with excellence without letting performance define you, and what it looks like to stay grounded in an industry built on applause and recognition. Kevin opens up about the pressure to fit in, the courage it takes to stand out, and how his faith has anchored him through every season. This episode also speaks to anyone who has ever felt "too different" or misunderstood. Kevin shares why the very thing you're tempted to hide might be the exact thing God wants to use, and how staying rooted in Christ is the only way to remain steady when everything else feels uncertain. If you've ever struggled with identity, felt pressure to perform, or wondered how to stay faithful in a secular space, this conversation will hit deep. It's a reminder that you don't have to fit in to be used by God. Stay you and stay true!   Topics we dive into: -Why Kevin said no to Pentatonix and how God changed everything -How to steward your gifts without letting them become your identity -Staying grounded in Christ in an industry driven by applause -Finding courage to stand out instead of blending in -What to do when you feel overlooked, different, or misunderstood -Remaining rooted in your faith in a secular environment AND SO MUCH MORE!   Helpful Resources: My Voice is a Beat by Kevin Olusola: https://a.co/d/0ivb3LA0 Dare To Be True by Madison Prewett Troutt: https://a.co/d/gdfpHX5 Stay True Website: https://www.staytruepodcast.com Stay True Merch: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/merch Home Chef: For a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners 50% OFF and free shipping for your first box PLUS free dessert for life! Go to HomeChef.com/staytrue Liberty Healthshare: Learn more at libertyhealthshare.org.  GCU: Visit gcu.edu to learn more.   Connect with Stay True! 💙 Instagram | @staytruepodcast 💙 TikTok | @staytrue_podcast 💙 Follow Madison | @madiprew 💙 Follow Kevin | @kolusola

This week on Stay True Podcast, Madi sits down with authors, pastors, speakers, and friends Jennie and Levi Lusko for a conversation about something so many of us are craving but struggle to find: true rest. In a world that constantly tells us to do more, hustle harder, and keep pushing, it's no wonder so many of us feel spiritually exhausted, anxious, and overwhelmed. Together, they talk about what to do when your mind won't stop spiraling, how to trust God when it feels like He's silent, and why following Jesus doesn't mean life will always be easy. Jennie and Levi also share practical wisdom on fighting entitlement and discovering the kind of soul-deep rest that only God can provide. If you've been feeling worn out, discouraged, or simply running on empty, this conversation will remind you where real peace is found.   As always... be sure to stay you and stay true!   Topics we dive into: -Why do we feel so spiritually exhausted? -What do you do when your mind won't stop spiraling? -How do you trust God when He doesn't seem to answer your prayers? -How do you fight entitlement and cultivate gratitude? -What does true rest for your soul actually look like? -Why is God more concerned with who you're becoming than what you're doing?   Helpful Resources: Blessed Are the Spiraling by Levi Lusko: https://a.co/d/06QIbde3 Fresh Mercies Every Day by Jennie Lusko: https://a.co/d/0ebGPB30 Dare To Be True by Madison Prewett Troutt: https://a.co/d/gdfpHX5 Stay True Website: https://www.staytruepodcast.com Stay True Merch: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/merch Better Help: This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/STAYTRUE. Branch Basics: Get 15% off Branch Basics with the code STAYTRUE at branchbasics.com/STAYTRUE #branchbasicspod Liberty Healthshare: You can learn more at libertyhealthshare.org.  GCU: Visit gcu.edu to learn more.   Connect with Stay True! 💙 Instagram | @staytruepodcast 💙 TikTok | @staytrue_podcast 💙 Follow Madison | @madiprew 💙 Follow Jennie | @jennielusko 💙 Follow Levi | @levilusko

This week on Stay True Podcast, Madi sits down with Bible teacher, author, and The Bible Recap host Tara-Leigh Cobble for a conversation that might completely change the way you read Scripture. If you've ever opened the Bible and felt confused, overwhelmed, discouraged, or wondered if you're missing something, this episode is for YOU. Together, they unpack one of the biggest mistakes Christians make when reading the Bible, why so many of us unknowingly read Scripture through the lens of culture instead of God's character, and how seeing the Bible the way it was intended changes everything. They also talk about why reading the entire Bible matters, what happens when verses are taken out of context, and how to move from simply reading God's Word to genuinely knowing and loving Him through it. As always... be sure to stay you and stay true!   Topics we dive into: -Are you reading the Bible the way it was meant to be read? -Why do so many Christians struggle to understand Scripture? -Why does reading the entire Bible matter? -What is the Trinity? -What does it actually mean to fall in love with God's Word?   Helpful Resources: The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble: https://www.thebiblerecap.com/ The Joy of the Trinity by Tara-Leigh Cobble: https://a.co/d/0fBssi8C Dare To Be True by Madison Prewett Troutt: https://a.co/d/gdfpHX5 Stay True Website: https://www.staytruepodcast.com Stay True Merch: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/merch Veracity: For up to 65% off your order, head to VeracityHealth.co and use code STAYTRUE. Liberty Healthshare: You can learn more at libertyhealthshare.org. GCU: Visit gcu.edu to learn more.   Connect with Stay True! 💙 Instagram | @staytruepodcast 💙 TikTok | @staytrue_podcast 💙 Follow Madison | @madiprew 💙 Follow Tara-Leigh | @taraleighcobble 💙 Follow The Bible Recap | @thebiblerecap

This week on Stay True Podcast, the podcast manager, Leigha, is back and putting Madi in the hot seat once again. 👀 You sent in your questions, and nothing was off limits. From social media and waiting on God to accountability, temptation, dating, and sexual sin, Leigha asks Madi some of the hardest (and most requested) questions we've received. Whether you're in a waiting season, navigating a dating relationship, struggling with temptation, or simply trying to follow Jesus in today's culture, we hope this conversation reminds you that you're not alone, and that God's Word has something to say about it all. Stay you and stay true!   Topics we dive into: -Is Madi coming back to social media? -What real accountability actually looks like -How to trust God in a waiting season -Is Jesus really the only way? -Navigating sexual sin in dating relationships -How to fight temptation God's way AND SO MUCH MORE   Helpful Resources: Dare To Be True by Madison Prewett Troutt: https://a.co/d/gdfpHX5 Stay True Website: https://www.staytruepodcast.com Stay True Merch: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/merch Thrive Causemetics: Go to thrivecausemetics.com/STAYTRUE for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order.  Liberty Healthshare: You can learn more at libertyhealthshare.org.  GCU: Visit gcu.edu to learn more.   Connect with Stay True! 💙 Instagram | @staytruepodcast 💙 TikTok | @staytrue_podcast 💙 Follow Madison | @madiprew