ep. 23: new year, same you

In this episode, Dom and I dive into the cost of community and why it feels like our generation isn’t willing to pay the price for deep relationships after college. We discuss being inconvenienced, building trust, and whether adult friend groups are still a thing. We also have an honest conversation about how Christians can be better about building community.For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠REFERENCES:ep. 13: i miss my friends⁠ (adult friendships, catch-up culture, and platonic love)ep. 11: what we’re glad no one told us about movingep. 07: aging, adulthood, pineapple pizza, and other important topics

What is love really? Is love always supposed to be easy?In this solo-episode, I’m chatting about some of my recent reflections on what it really means to love others from a Christian perspective. I share some simple but challenging lessons I’ve learned about loving and how it applies to relationships with friends, family members, and romantic partners.For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠REFERENCESBible verses:1 Corinthians 13Proverbs 24:26Ephesians 5:25-272 Peter 3:9Last episode: ep. 24: am i a bad friend now?

In this episode, Tracey and I discuss the difficulties of maintaining friendships as we get older. We get real about navigating busy seasons, letting friends down, establishing boundaries, and outgrowing friendships.We also talk about the importance of checking in with your friends, learning their love languages, and being honest about how you can show up for them when life gets hard.For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠RELATED EPISODES:ep. 13: i miss my friends (adult friendships, catch-up culture, and platonic love)ep. 11: what we’re glad no one told us about moving

Why do we feel like we need to become an entirely new person on January 1st?In this episode, Doreen and I reflect on the new year and intentional goal setting. We also discuss holding both disappointment and hope at the beginning of the year, the importance of accountability, and share encouragement for the year ahead. Whether your 2025 was great, horrible, or somewhere in between, this episode is for you!For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠REFERENCESBible verses:Joel 2:25 (I will restore the years the locust has eaten)Proverbs 13:12 (hope deferred makes the heart sick)Romans 9:20-21 (potter and clay)Psalm 126 (we were like those who dreamed)

How do we overcome comparison and feeling behind when social media gives us a front row seat to everyone’s lives?Marshae and I discuss struggles with comparison, competition, waiting seasons, and contentment in this episode. We share the importance of being present, stewarding what you have, celebrating others, and much more!For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠REFERENCESBible verses:1 Thessalonians 4:11 (mind your business)1 Corinthians 9:24 (run your race) Exodus 20:17 (don’t covet)2 Corinthians 2:11 (don’t be ignorant of Satan’s schemes)2 Corinthians 10:5 (take every though captive)Romans 12:15 (rejoice with those who rejoice)Ecclesiastes 3 (there is a time for everything)Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Talents)Psalm 47:1 (shout unto the lord with a voice of triumph)Hebrews 11:1 (faith is the evidence of things unseen)Romans 8:28 (all things work together for good)Books:Mere Christianity by C.S. LewisSlow Burn: The Work and Wonder of the Wait by DawnChere WilkersonTIMESTAMPS(00:00) Intro(01:34) Learning to stop being hard on yourself(07:56) Overcoming pressure to achieve certain milestones (11:12) Does healthy comparison exist?(13:40) How comparison easily leads to competition (18:06) Take your eyes off yourself and steward what you have (25:19) Social media kills contentment (37:20) Feeling behind in life(42:01) Why do we feel pressure to rush through our lives?(47:00) Practicing gratitude and celebrating others(54:50) Final reflections(57:41) Encouragement for those struggling to wait (01:01:54) Outro

In this episode, Sobechukwu and I share stories about obedience, walking in faith, and surrendering our plans to God. She also talks about her time as a campus missionary with Circuit Riders! We touch on trusting God when it comes to financial provision, relationships, and everything in between.Sobechukwu's Circuit Riders tour vlogFor more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

The podcast is back and better than ever! In this intro episode, I reflect on the biggest life lessons I learned during my summer in Greece, open up about my faith, and share a bit about what to expect this season.For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

In the season two finale, my friend Avery, a registered dietician, discusses her experience with an eating disorder and how to develop a healthy (and happy) relationship with food. We also have a candid conversation about our struggles with body image, ways to overcome being hyperaware of your appearance, and finding confidence outside of how others perceive you. We discuss intuitive eating, mindful exercise, unrealistic body standards, social media, self-love, and more. We also share practical advice for anyone struggling with these topics.For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠REFERENCESResources:Get help: nationaleatingdisorders.orgThe Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Timothy KellerIntuitive Eating 101 Ate appBible verses:Psalm 139:14 – I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.TIMESTAMPS(00:00) Intro(02:07) Avery’s experience with an eating disorder(10:22) Dealing with your body changing overtime(17:33) Becoming a dietician and giving back(19:02) Confidence, social media, and unrealistic body standards(23:06) How to control negative thoughts and hyperawareness(28:04) Advice and encouragement on improving your body image and relationship with food (42:16) “Gym girl” storytime(43:36) Setting healthy wellness goals (45:31) Calling people out about weight comments(47:27) Final thoughts(48:53) Outro

In this episode, my friend and self-taught personal finance guru, Jadyn, shares why it’s never too early (or too late) to learn how to take control of your finances. We discuss budgeting, investing, lifestyle creep, her best financial advice, our biggest financial mistakes, and much more! We also talk about the societal pressure to chase wealth and earn more, and what marriage has taught her about money. For more, follow @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠themakingspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram. I’d love to hear what you think about our conversation! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram or reach out via email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠ REFERENCES @jadynfinance (Jadyn’s TikTok) NerdWallet Investopedia Financial terms / concepts discussed in this episode: APR (annual percentage rate) APY (annual percentage yield) Arbitrage Cash-back credit cards Credit score Dual Income, No Kids (DINK) High-yield savings accounts Investing S&P 500 index fund Sinking fund Time value of money 401(k) employer-sponsored retirement account

In this episode, my cousins Amaka, Ekenem, and I reflect on growing up as the eldest daughters. We discuss how “eldest daughter syndrome” has manifested in our lives, learning to set boundaries, healing from childhood trauma, having hard conversations with our parents, and forgiving family members. We also talk about the impact of eldest daughter syndrome on your friendships, relationships, and future family. REFERENCES ⁠What is ‘eldest daughter syndrome’?⁠ – NBC article ⁠ep. 13: i miss my friends (adult friendships, catch-up culture, and platonic love)⁠ – Making Space ep. 06: a crash course on speaking up for yourself – Making Space