Podcast Transcripts

As we praise God for the 100th episode, I can't help but marvel at the unexpected gifts this podcasting journey has bestowed upon me. From the moment God inspired me down this path, I've experience lessons not just in the art of conversation but in the very fabric of life. This milestone episode is a tapestry of reflections, weaving the humor found in divine guidance with the threads of personal challenges that have shaped both my spirit and this show.  I invite you to look back on the moments and messages that have fueled our collective growth.

 

Please enjoy this podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Although efforts were made in editing, this transcript may include a few typos. It’s difficult to catch some minor errors. Enjoy!

 

Transcript Below

Saints, this is our 100th episode. Wow! After four years of using this medium, we finally made it. Thank you so much for joining me and making this possible. There are times where I think I am only talking to my family or crickets, but then someone will email me to let me know they are listening.  Praise God!  If you are new, I pray this is a place you keep returning to for growth and encouragement as a believer in Christ Jesus.

100 Episodes ya’ll. We have arrived and I have 4 things I’ve learned during those 4 years that are business related and/or personal. Saints, as the podcast was growing, so was I. Listen in to find out more ….

1:12 – Welcome to Hanging Out With Jesus Podcast. The podcast that equips and encourages you to spend time with God in order to declutter your self-talk, intentionally, so you can go and do what God’s called you to do.

Hey, thanks for listening and welcome, I’m Lyvita, author, Bible Teacher, and speaker. On a mission with the purpose to help the saints break free from the things that distract us from doing what God’s designed us to do.  But today we are reviewing, looking back to see what 4 things we have learned in the past four years as a podcaster.

This is Episode 100. I pray this episode awakens your senses to the truth of who you are and whom you belong to as I share highlights from spending time with the Lord. Let’s get started…

 

 

Introduction

 

Isaiah 43:18 – 19 reads:

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

This is my verse for the year. And I find it so fitting for this episode. You’ll see just keep listening.

2:44 – Saints have you ever reached a goal that you didn’t think you were qualified to reach? Well that’s me with podcasting. First, I didn’t know it existed until 2019. Then in 2020 God’s leading me to start on. What? From Then to Now, all I wanted to do was share what God placed on my heart and invite whomever He lead me to invite as a guest on the podcast. And yet, I never realized that God’s been grooming me all along for such a time as this.

It’s 100 episodes and a little over four years and I’ve got to say, ya’ll. I’ve learned a lot and grown a lot. I’ve encountered things I never thought would happen to me nor did I see a way out. I’ve endured where I thought I couldn’t and lived where I didn’t know I would. Saints, I did it all because Christ Jesus was right here with me. Leading me. Picking me up when I couldn’t walk. Holding me when I needed love. Dancing with me when I need to release pinned up energy for my sanity. Saints, here are 4 things I’ve learned since the beginning of podcasting in 2020.

 

 

The First Lesson Learned

 

4:27 – The first thing I learned is that when God calls you, He has already prepared you. So what you don’t know anything about a specific topic or how the technology work or that you will look stupid. That’s a 50/50 chance because everyone has to start somewhere.

When I look back on how God presented podcasting to me. He first let me know that it existed accidently because I was deleting apps off my phone. Then as I searched through the app he led me to Pat Flynn and Joanna Penn’s podcast, which focus on Indie publishers and authors and learning about podcasting. For some reason they caught my attention. I was intrigued by Pat Flynn’s (SPI Podcast) episodes and is now one of the top podcasters who still teaches how to start, maintain and grow your podcast.

5:48 – Whereas Joanna Penn, and that’s with a double n as she says on The Creative Writer’s podcast. Now Joanna Penn is an Indie Author and Publisher, in which we’d call a self-published author, well she talks about all things for Indie publishers and authors, including what she is doing and has learned, so that we can make better discussions about our businesses as creatives.

Now when I look back at that God was using Pat Flynn to help develop my guts and skills for podcasting that included me being able to attend his SPI group so that I can ask questions. And yet, God was also using Joanna Penn to help develop my guts and skills as an Indie author and publisher of the products, tools and resources He wants me to produce. Whoa!

Saints, stop. Pay attention. God is doing something in your life right now. It’s that thing that you aren’t paying attention to that is where He is grooming you. You want see it until you are ready, so get ready by spending time with God.

7:29 – Saints, God really does prepare you before He introduces you to stuff. Even though I was shocked that He’d lead me this way. After I got over the initial shock I realized that it was doable all I had to do was follow the path of those who went before me and as I went, I began developing my own voice.

8:00 – I am reminded of Ephesians 2:10
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Ya’ll God made us, therefore He will lead us, we just have to spend time with Him listening and paying attention.

 

 

The Second Lesson Learned

 

8:21 – The second thing I learned as a podcaster of four years is that God’s got jokes. I know you have heard that one before. But seriously, I believe my aunt is right, because she is the one who says it a lot.

There have been times when I didn’t know what to talk about on an episode. My frustration and anxiety rose, leaving me feeling insecure and living on a tight rope. You see, I like planning ahead. God’s always been faithful to give me the topics for discussion during my 21 day of fasting and prayer at the beginning of the New Year.

9:04 – Well there have been some times when that topic wasn’t clear enough or God was leading me to change it but I had to wait to get what that would be. Here’s where God’s got jokes comes in. Just about every time it happens, it was because God was adjusting my focus for what the podcast’s purpose was. Saints, I know you have realized, well if you are new, when you go back through the episodes, you’ll see where my intro changes.

One of the things I’ve been talking to God a lot about during the past four years is why is my purpose so long? Can’t it be shorter? Am I really talking about spiritual disciplines or something deeper? I want to share what’s happening in the world? Write a comment in link below, if you remember when I had a section in the episode where I was talking about world events before getting into the actual episode. Well that changed, because I was being changed more into the podcaster, speaker, teacher God is designing me to be. And saints, I’m not there yet, because growth is an every existing thing in my life.

10:39 – I laugh because of the many ways God’s brought me through to what I believe is now the purpose of the podcast, The Me Project Academy and the YouTube channel, but me. It’s my goal for what I do, my mission. When I heard it in my head, then put it on the paper. It was like reality pop up in my face and said, “Yeah, you had to go around the barn a couple times before entering. Saints, God’s got jokes.”

Here’s my simple and to the point mission, goal, and purpose: It is to produce content and use mediums for equipping and encouraging believers to live for Christ with intention and be more productive. Producing content is writing, speaking, and making products and mediums are the form of communication like podcast, YouTube, Journals, Books, and events I attend. Wow! So simple and so not what I was looking. 

13:31 – Saints, hold on. We will get back to the episode. A part of my mission in life is to provide you with tools to help you declutter your mind, lifestyle, from things that weigh you down and stop you from going and doing what you are designed to do. This is why I designed Create Space, with you in mind. It is a bimonthly newsletters about productivity, planning, being organized, with weekly encouragement and things I’ve learned being in ministry, as an educator, Indie author publisher, and just living life. So join our email community. It’s free. Link’s in the show notes. Now back to the episode.

 

 

The Third Lesson Learned

 

14:09 – The third thing I learned in the last four years of podcasting is that you need to stay in your lane. How many times saints, we find ourselves doing stuff we don’t have to or need to do? Like standing in the way of someone else getting their blessing because we are too busy trying to solve the problem instead of letting them do. Parents, how many times you have told your child to clean up after themselves, but they were in getting around to it so you did it yourself? The child’s lane is to learn how to do it and when asked and your lane is to teach the child what happens when they don’t hold up their end? Entrepreneurs, how many times have you come to the rescue of a family member or friend by giving them money instead of sitting down with them and teaching them  how to save money or live within their means and that you are not the ATM?

Learning to stay in my lane has allowed me to find my voice, see where my niche lives and my part in supporting others. It allows me to set goals that align with God’s will for my life and pay more attention to what’s happening in my business and my life.

The more I hang out with Jesus looking for a simple purpose, reading books on my craft, talking to others within my industry, God was opening my senses to hear Him more clearly.

16:02 – There are several scriptures that come to mind:

1. Isaiah 30:21
“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”

2. Jeremiah 33:3
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

3. Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

4. Mark 4:24
“And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.’”

 

16:53 – Saints, staying in your lane and like my cousin Alitta says, “not your water to jump in”, well there is a reason for that. You end up becoming overwhelmed, tried, restless and even irritated because you are doing things you shouldn’t be. This I learned for my personal life, business and ministry. I don’t know everything nor am I suppose to that’s why we each have spiritual gifts and talents, so why talk on a topic when someone else has been gifted to do so. My job is to interview them in a way that brings out their uniqueness for you, my audience, through listening to the Holy Spirit. That’s my part and I am learning to do it better and better. Can’t you tell I’m getting better with the interviews? Still some work to do but there is progress.

Sometimes ya’ll we have to start small and get the momentum so we can finish complete, not necessarily faster but like James 1: 2-4 says, 

“Count it all joy, my brothers,1 when you meet trials fof various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith hproduces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be iperfect and  complete, lacking in nothing.”

18:28 – Finish complete, so that you run your race to completion. Wow! That sounds deep. Finish complete, so that you run your race to completion. 

 

 

The Fourth Lesson Learned

 

18:42 – Now that leads me to the fourth thing I learned as a podcaster for four years. Your personal life will always have a direct impact on your ministry, business and job rather you want it to or not.

Saints, getting a divorce, dealing with anxiety, depression, emotional abuse, all of which weren’t something I saw myself dealing with seem to all hit me at one time. I was crippled with heartache, feeling unsafe, insecure and questioning everything I did even to the point leaving the house became a chore. I’m doing better. The depression has lifted, except I’m learning more about what triggers them, the anxiety seems to be putting up a fight and the heartache well God’s mending it to the point it doesn’t hurt like it use to.

19:46 – Now you would think that I would stop podcasting. Nope, instead I continued with ease. My writing was flowing even at 1 am in the morning but God lead me to a Bible study around sisters that loved on me for 12 weeks and only one knew what I was going through. Thanks Judy.  God also had me going to DivorceCare. Saints when you aren’t thinking straight because you realize that you have been in a toxic relationship, well that can throw you for a loop.

My Bible reading continued, listening to sermons and inspirational messages along with books increased and replaced my Bible study. Even getting a therapist to help me navigate this emotional whirlwind that I was on, was and is still needed.

It is true that God will never leave you or forsake you. God was with me through it all, sending me red flags that I kept pushing away. Sending people my way that I thought was just trying to “start something”. Providing ways of escape for me especially with finances. I still don’t know how God saw to it that the bills were being paid when the money was short, at times. God did it.

22:48 – God sent dreams that I couldn’t understand until now because they were dreams telling me that He is building me up during this time, don’t fret, I will get out and be the victor.

That day I left, was the best day of my life. I felt like a caged bird that was let free for the first time and all I wanted to do was fly. Just fly because my wings had been clipped so my flying was a little off, my knees were sore from praying, and my voice, oh God, it was beautiful. I spoke without hesitance. I spoke without fear or second guessing. I just wanted to fly.

23:49 – And that’s why the podcast changed. And that’s why I am able to hear God clearly give me my new season of life mission, purpose. Now my new season includes a YouTube station. My new season includes moving the Strategic Planner and Fortified Coaching Program out and into the world. Why? God never left me or forsook me. Even when it felt like the life was being drained out of me. God was there making sure that my foundation never cracked because that was the thing the enemy couldn't take from me. I am a Child of God.

 

 

Conclusion 

 

24:16 – You see Saints, I said earlier that God’s Got Jokes, well here I am telling you that you should be doing what God’s called you to do and coming out of the pandemic God has many businesses. Hey, I was talking to myself and didn’t realize it at the time, that God was setting me up to come out of an emotionally abusive relationship so I could do what I was called to do. Now isn’t that, personal life impacting your ministry business? Saints, God’s always with us but it’s those times we spend with Him where we can see Him moving the most, even when we need rest.

So those are the four things I learned in the past four years as a podcaster celebrating my 100th episode. They are:

1. When God calls you, He has already prepared you.
2. God’s got jokes
3. Stay in your lane
4. God will never leave you or forsake you, even when you think He is not there, He is.

Isaiah 43: 18-19 says,

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

26:30 – Saints, I started with this scripture and told you it was my scripture for the year. God gave this early to me in January 2024 during my 21 days of fasting and prayer with Him. What I am seeing now five months later is that in January, I didn’t perceive it but now I do. God has truly brought me from out the former things and the old things into a new season. He has made a way out of the wilderness because it was a fight to get free and rivers in the desert because at time I didn’t see that He was restoring my health, finances, self-talk, business, dreams, and relationships. This new season is a new thing. And the road ahead well with God who has proved Himself faithful over and over again. I can be confident that He will continue taking care of and loving me. For I will continue producing content and using medium for equipping and encouraging believers to live for Christ with intention and be more productive. 

 

 

Let’s Pray…

 

27:53 – Our Heavenly Father, thank you for 100th episode. Thank you for the lessons learned. You truly have brought me to a new season where things are not like they were in the past, even our form of communication has deepened. I pray for our listeners that as they seek your face they will hear your voice and with boldness and courage see where you brought them from and when it is time for them to step out in the name of Jesus, knowing that you will not leave them nor forsake them, but have designed them for such a time as this. In Jesus name, Amen.

Saints, thanks for tuning in. If you enjoyed this episode, then get your free weekly Newsletter to help you declutter your mind, make sense of your heart aches, and improve your self-talk, so you can go and do what God’s called you to do. All this and more can be found, including my contact info on hangingoutwithjesuspodcast.com or the show notes.

So until we meet again over the airwaves, intentionally and daily, hang out with Jesus.

Lyvita: Shalom!

 

 

Resources Mentioned on the Episode and suggested reading & social media handles:

• CreateSpace
• Pat Flynn Podcast
• Joanna Penn Podcast
• Lyvitabrooks.com/contact

Calls to Action:

• Sign up for CreateSpace Newsletter for resources on decluttering your mind in order to grow in Christ, academy news and new releases of the podcast.
• Website: www.hangingoutwithjesuspodcast.com
• @themeprojectacademy (Pinterest)
• [email protected] (for comments)
• YouTube Channel: The Me Project Academy

 

Lyvita Brooks enjoys hanging out with Jesus, which is the name of her podcast, Hanging Out With Jesus Podcast. She is the author of a book that contains her mother’s poems and reflections left to inspire you to communicate with others instead of fussing. Nuggets for Thought, is that book.