Elevate and Evolve: Keep Promises to Yourself

In today’s episode, I’m joined by two of my close friends for a conversation that’s been heavy on my heart lately: Godly friendship and iron sharpening iron. Since coming to Christ, the friendships that truly challenge me and keep me accountable have radically transformed my walk. We talk about how the people you surround yourself with can either pull you toward God or push you away — and how to know when it’s time to release what no longer aligns.We dive into:Why ungodly friendships are so spiritually harmful Red flags to look for and what unequally yoked really looks likeHow to build Christ-centered community from scratch (especially post-grad)The fruit of real God-ordained friendships and how they sharpen you Giving and receiving correction in love without offense Personal testimonies of growth, conviction, and spiritual intimacy within our own friend groupIf God has been tugging on your heart about letting go of certain people or preparing you to find your people — this one’s for you. Whether you’re in community or praying for it, I hope this episode gives you clarity, encouragement, and courage to walk faithfully into your next season.Follow Culture Vs Purpose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/culturevspurpose/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow your host⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tiha.alam/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tiha.alam?lang=en⁠⁠Shop my Storefront https://www.amazon.com/shop/fatihaalamMarisa's IG: @MarisagracepennypelJoshua's IG: @Sowellio._

In this episode, we dive into the reality of walking with a dream that doesn’t seem to be moving, at least not in the way or timing you thought it would. I build on a previous episode about dreams and share what it’s looked like to carry a promise from God, only to find myself in a season of waiting, pruning, and quiet transformation.This episode is for the ones who are still waiting. The ones who feel unseen, stuck, or like they missed something. I talk about the difference between purpose and calling, how to test if your dream is really from God, and the danger of chasing what looks good instead of what’s in His will.For over a year, I prayed and worked and showed up, wondering why the dream God gave me still felt so far away. It wasn’t until I truly surrendered, letting go of control, idols, and even my own timeline, that I began to see the fruit. But before the breakthrough, there was a breaking. And before the testimony, there was a long stretch of obedience with no applause.I also share notes from a recent sermon that lit a fire in me — reminding me that success in the Kingdom looks like faithfulness, not fame. And sometimes, the most powerful move you can make is staying the course when nothing seems to be shifting.If you're in a season where the wait feels heavy, I pray this episode meets you right where you are. You’re not behind, you’re being built. And God is still writing your story. Let’s talk about how to stay rooted, surrendered, and hopeful while you wait for the dream to come alive.Follow Culture Vs. Purpose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/culturevspurpose/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow your host⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tihaalam/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tihaalam?lang=en⁠⁠Follow on YouTubewww.youtube.com/@tihaalam

Welcome to Culture Vs Purpose. In this episode, I open up about a season of unexpected challenges—one that has tested my faith, stretched my obedience, and revealed the deeper work God is doing in my life.Recently, I made the unexpected decision to move back home, a choice I never imagined making but one that God placed on my heart. What I anticipated as a season of purpose quickly became a season of hardship, as past wounds resurfaced and the weight of my upbringing settled heavily on me. I found myself questioning: Why would God bring me back to the very place that once broke me?This episode is about what it means to trust God in the fire—when His promises feel distant, when suffering seems unrelenting, and when faith is tested beyond measure. It’s about believing in His plan even when circumstances feel unbearable and understanding that sometimes, God calls us to return not just to transform our surroundings, but to heal the brokenness within us.If you’ve ever felt like you’re standing in the middle of a trial, uncertain of how God is working, this one is for you. I see you, I hear you, and I feel you. Let's talk about what it means to endure through hardship, embrace obedience even when it's difficult, and hold onto the unshakable truth that God never leaves us—especially in the fire.Follow Culture Vs Purpose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/culturevspurpose/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow your host⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tihaalam/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tihaalam?lang=en⁠⁠

In this heartfelt and transparent episode, your host Fatiha reflects on the transformative power of surrendering pride, anger, and bitterness to God. Kicking off the new year with optimism and faith, she shares personal stories of past struggles, spiritual immaturity, and the lessons she learned through conflict and suffering. Drawing from her own experiences—family conflicts, betrayal, and moments of deep emotional pain—Fatiha highlights how pride and anger can weigh us down, keep us in toxic cycles, and hinder spiritual growth. Through Scripture and prayer, she encourages listeners to seek deliverance, let go of offense, and embrace God’s healing and grace. Tune in to discover how laying down pride and anger can open the door to peace, spiritual maturity, and purpose. This episode concludes with a powerful prayer for freedom and renewal in Christ. Follow Culture Vs Purpose ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/culturevspurpose/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow your host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tihaalam/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tihaalam?lang=en⁠

In this heartfelt episode of Culture vs. Purpose, your host Fatiha Alam shares a deeply personal testimony about how she and her partner overcame obstacles in their relationship through the grace and faithfulness of God. From periods of doubt and spiritual warfare to divine confirmations (both encountering God's voice) and miraculous breakthroughs, this testimony reveals the power of obedience and surrender to God's will. Whether you're navigating a relationship, embracing singleness, or seeking God's purpose in your life, Fatiha's journey will inspire you to trust in His promises even when the path feels unclear. Tune in for a story of love, faith, and redemption, and learn how the power of letting go can transform your circumstances. Don’t forget to follow and share your thoughts—I’d love to hear how this message resonates with you! 💛 Follow Culture Vs Purpose ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/culturevspurpose/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow your host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tihaalam/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tihaalam?lang=en⁠

Welcome back, beautiful people! After some reflection and time off, I'm excited to reconnect and dive into Culture Vs. Purpose. In this episode, we reflect on re-centering our identity in Christ, especially during seasons of change and uncertainty. I open up about my struggle with finding purpose after college, the challenges of placing my worth in worldly achievements, and the freedom that comes with surrendering everything to God. We’ll explore how idols can distract us from God’s unchanging love. I’ll share scripture, personal insights, and a heartfelt prayer to help you surrender those idols, shift your heart posture, and embrace a Christ-centered purpose. I am excited to step boldly into who God has called us to be. Tune in for encouragement and the reminder that when everything else changes, God remains faithful. Don’t forget to follow and share your thoughts—I’d love to hear how this message resonates with you! 💛 Follow Culture Vs Purpose ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/culturevspurpose/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow your host ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tihaalam/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tihaalam?lang=en

This episode, your host Fatiha, talks about her perspective on intentional relationships and what setting intention looks like. She goes over some background of what dating in her culture looks like and what she now knows it to be. We discuss some unpopular opinions of dating and relationships. Fatiha emphasizes how love is so powerful, but in order for us to truly know what it is, we have to know the definition of it. We talk about how the person meant for us will never put us in uncomfortable positions and how we have to be set apart from the rest of the world by keeping God at the center. We dive into honoring one another in relationships, selflessness, and letting the relationship meant for you to come in God's timing.

In this episode, we delve into the concept of growing pains, building on discussions from previous episodes. Your host, Fatiha Alam, shares a personal experience of facing a harsh reality check when her structured life plan didn't unfold as expected. We reflect on the common societal script of milestones—graduating, getting a job, starting a family—and the pressure to adhere to these norms. However, Fatiha highlights the importance of realizing that we can't always control our paths, and true peace comes from surrendering to a higher purpose. Fatiha recounts struggles with cultural expectations, where individual purpose clashes with familial and cultural expectations. She's had to confront difficult truths and have challenging conversations with her family, leading to emotional turmoil. Despite the pain, she recognizes this as a necessary process to break generational cycles. Amidst job challenges and personal growth, Fatiha emphasizes the need to surrender control and find joy in chaos. Through prayer and faith, we should seek a heart aligned with God's will, and letting go of desires that may not be meant for us. The episode concludes with a message of finding peace and growth through keeping focus on higher, allowing God to guide us in the areas where we still want our own control. Your host shares the wisdom of a friend: "Do what you can, and let God do what you can't." Through this journey of surrender, the host finds that growing pains hurt less when your gaze is fixed on God.

This episode starts with our host, Fatiha, sharing their recent struggles with depression and a feeling of being lost after finishing school. She expresses feeling overwhelmed by her big dreams and goals, feeling impatient about achieving them, and doubting if they're realistic. She reflects on how she started to give up on her dreams before trying and how this negativity consumed her. Fatiha sheds light on her realization that we often get ahead of ourselves and forget to be grateful for where we are now, which was once a dream come true. We are going to even bigger places. We dive deep into encouraging listeners to remember they are warriors who have overcome challenges before. Fatiha reminds everyone that fear shouldn't stop you from dreaming or setting goals, and that good things take time. As warriors, we have to dream bigger and not limit ourselves. Life is too vast to confine to a narrow perspective. Follow Culture Vs Purpose ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/culturevspurpose/⁠⁠⁠ Follow our host ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tihaalam/⁠⁠⁠ Follow on TikTok ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tihaalam?lang=en

This episode, your host Fatiha talks about how important it is to value yourself by keeping the promises you make. We have all fallen short by not making it to the gym, not waking up early like we said, not cutting off that toxic person, etc. It's normal! Nonetheless, it can be detrimental when we don't show up for ourselves one too many times. Your host Fatiha discusses how following through on your promises, or the lack thereof, teach your brain and heart what to accept from other people. If we can't consistently depend on ourselves to show up for ourselves, we certainly won't be able to hold someone else accountable if they aren't showing up the way they should for us. We dive into the three steps of how to keep your promises, and ask ourselves the hard questions of why we might have a block in our minds that stop us from being the best version of ourselves. You are worthy of self love. You are worthy of good change. You are worthy of elevating. Tune in to learn how we are going to show up and show out for ourselves. Vitamin D Gummy for energy and better mood Follow Culture Vs Purpose ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/culturevspurpose/⁠⁠ Follow our host ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tihaalam/⁠⁠ Follow on TikTok ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tihaalam?lang=en