The Journey of You

Tonia D Benas

The Journey of You is a podcast hosted by Tonia D. Benas—a space for honest conversations about faith, identity, and becoming who God created you to be. Through personal reflections and conversations with women from all walks of life, each episode explores what it means to live with intention, embrace your story, and walk confidently in your God-given identity. Here, stories are not labels—they are testimonies. Lessons are not prescriptions—they are invitations. Some episodes are quiet reflections. Others are conversations with women who share what they've learned, how they've healed, and what they would tell their younger selves if they could. Whether you're navigating a season of uncertainty, rediscovering your purpose, or simply longing to grow closer to God, this is a place to pause, reflect, and move forward with hope. Because becoming isn't about striving to be someone else. It's about becoming who God created you to be.

  1. Aug 4

    From Not Enough to God's Enough (Part 2): Healing, Identity & Hope

    For many people, the hardest journey isn't changing their circumstances—it's changing what they believe about themselves. In Part 2 of this conversation, Anya and Aiyanna Smith open up about identity, healing, overcoming the feeling of never being enough, and discovering who God says they are. They share what they would tell their younger selves, how God has walked them through difficult seasons, and the hope they have for the future. If you've ever questioned your worth or struggled to believe you're enough, this conversation is for you. Topics Covered Healing from past woundsIdentity in ChristLetting go of the "not enough" mindsetWhat they would tell their younger selvesWhere they hope to be in five yearsGod's faithfulness through healing and transition Connect with our guests: Aiyanna ("Yanna") Smith 📱 404-989-3997 Anya Smith 📧 connect.seated@gmail.com Welcome to The Journey of You—where testimony becomes transformation, and where your story is your testimony, not your identity. Hosted by Tonia D. Benas, this podcast is a sacred space designed to help you shift your mindset, elevate your perspective, and step boldly into who God created you to be. Because your story matters. Your journey matters. And how you live the dash between birth and legacy is a testament of His grace at work in you. Tonia is a transformational coach, author, communicator, and faith-driven leader who guides you through the heart-work and the Holy Spirit–led work of becoming. With honest conversations, spiritual insight, and practical tools, she helps you adjust the lens through which you see your life—so you can see yourself the way God does: loved, called, capable, and full of possibility. Each episode invites you to reflect, realign, and rediscover the truth of who you are. Whether you’re healing from past wounds, breaking free from labels, navigating transition, or stepping with courage into your calling—this is where the journey of identity unfolds. Because when you shift your mindset, you shift your life. You’re invited to walk this path intentionally, faithfully, and authentically. This is YOUR story. YOUR journey. YOUR life. Let’s live it on purpose. The Journey of You | Tonia D Benas | Substack Contact – Tonia D Benas Mentioned in this episode: Podcast Introduction — The Journey of You This brief introduction opens each episode of The Journey of You, a reflective podcast hosted by Tonia D. Benas. The podcast offers thoughtful reflections and conversations centered on faith, identity, becoming, and the stories that shape our lives. Each episode invites listeners to slow down, reflect honestly, and remember that while our stories matter, they do not define us — they become testimonies. New reflections and updates can be found on Substack at toniadbenas.substack.com. Podcast Outro — The Journey of You This brief closing message appears at the end of each episode of The Journey of You. Listeners are invited to continue reflecting and connecting through written reflections and podcast updates on Substack at toniadbenas.substack.com. Thank you for being part of this journey.

  2. Jul 28

    When God Changes Your Plans (Part 1): Trusting Him Through Life's Transitions

    Sometimes the life we carefully planned isn't the life God has prepared for us. In Part 1 of this special conversation, identical twins Anya and Aiyanna Smith share their journey from growing up in a large family to stepping into a new season of independence. They reflect on the lessons God taught them about love, patience, surrender, fear, and trusting His timing when their plans didn't unfold as expected. If you're navigating a season of change, this episode is a reminder that God often does His deepest work in the middle of transition. Topics Covered Learning love and patience in a large familyMoving into a new season of independenceLetting go of controlOvercoming fear and anxietyThe importance of prayer and godly communityTrusting God's timing Connect with our guests: Aiyanna ("Yanna") Smith 📱 404-989-3997 Anya Smith 📧 connect.seated@gmail.com Welcome to The Journey of You—where testimony becomes transformation, and where your story is your testimony, not your identity. Hosted by Tonia D. Benas, this podcast is a sacred space designed to help you shift your mindset, elevate your perspective, and step boldly into who God created you to be. Because your story matters. Your journey matters. And how you live the dash between birth and legacy is a testament of His grace at work in you. Tonia is a transformational coach, author, communicator, and faith-driven leader who guides you through the heart-work and the Holy Spirit–led work of becoming. With honest conversations, spiritual insight, and practical tools, she helps you adjust the lens through which you see your life—so you can see yourself the way God does: loved, called, capable, and full of possibility. Each episode invites you to reflect, realign, and rediscover the truth of who you are. Whether you’re healing from past wounds, breaking free from labels, navigating transition, or stepping with courage into your calling—this is where the journey of identity unfolds. Because when you shift your mindset, you shift your life. You’re invited to walk this path intentionally, faithfully, and authentically. This is YOUR story. YOUR journey. YOUR life. Let’s live it on purpose. The Journey of You | Tonia D Benas | Substack Contact – Tonia D Benas Mentioned in this episode: Podcast Outro — The Journey of You This brief closing message appears at the end of each episode of The Journey of You. Listeners are invited to continue reflecting and connecting through written reflections and podcast updates on Substack at toniadbenas.substack.com. Thank you for being part of this journey. Podcast Introduction — The Journey of You This brief introduction opens each episode of The Journey of You, a reflective podcast hosted by Tonia D. Benas. The podcast offers thoughtful reflections and conversations centered on faith, identity, becoming, and the stories that shape our lives. Each episode invites listeners to slow down, reflect honestly, and remember that while our stories matter, they do not define us — they become testimonies. New reflections and updates can be found on Substack at toniadbenas.substack.com.

  3. Jun 2

    The Ability to Let Go: Making Room for the New

    What if the greatest thing holding you back isn't what happened to you—but what you're still carrying? In this deeply personal episode, Tonia explores the power of letting go of old stories, past disappointments, unmet expectations, and identities that no longer fit. Drawing from her own season of transition, she reflects on the wilderness journeys of Scripture, the danger of looking back like Lot's wife, and the freedom that comes when we release what God is no longer asking us to carry. Sometimes the heaviest things in our lives are not sins. They are weights. Old wounds. Old labels. Old versions of ourselves. Old expectations of people, relationships, careers, and outcomes. Through biblical wisdom and honest reflection, you'll be encouraged to examine what may be occupying space in your heart and discover how letting go creates room for God's new work in your life. KEY SCRIPTURES: • 2 Corinthians 5:17 • Hebrews 12:1 • Genesis 19:26 • Exodus 14:13-15 • Philippians 3:13-14 • Isaiah 43:18-19 IN THIS EPISODE: • Why letting go is often harder than holding on • The difference between honoring a season and remaining attached to it • What Lot's wife teaches us about looking back • Why Israel's wilderness journey was a season of transformation • How old stories can keep us from embracing new identity • What it means to truly become a new creation in Christ • Questions to help you identify what God may be asking you to release REFLECTION QUESTIONS: • What am I carrying that God never intended me to carry this long? • What expectation am I struggling to release? • What story about myself am I still believing? • Am I trying to recreate a season that has already ended? • What new thing might God be preparing me for? QUOTABLE MOMENT: "Sometimes the greatest act of faith is not holding on. Sometimes it's letting go." CONNECT WITH TONIA: If this episode resonated with you, I would love to continue the conversation with you. Join me on Substack, where I share reflections on faith, identity, alignment, healing, purpose, and becoming. Continue the Conversation: The Journey of You | Tonia D Benas | Substack Contact – Tonia D Benas Never let anyone or anything stop you from blooming. There is something great inside of you that others need. Dare to just be you.

  4. 06/17/2025

    When Clarity Comes: Becoming Who God Created You to Be

    In today’s soul-to-soul episode, I’m speaking directly to the young adults navigating the uncertainty of early adulthood—those standing between where they’ve been and where God is calling them to go. If you’ve ever felt stuck, confused, or unsure of who you are and what your purpose is, this message is for you. I share how clarity doesn’t always come in a moment—it comes through movement, obedience, and seeking God above all else. You’ll hear personal wisdom from my own journey, scriptures that anchor your identity in truth, and steps to help you walk forward with confidence. You are not lost—you are becoming. And clarity is coming. Scriptures Mentioned: Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.”Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”1 Corinthians 14:33 – “God is not the author of confusion…” In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How clarity grows in the midst of movementWhy confusion is not your identity—peace isPractical and spiritual steps to move from stuck to secureHow to trust God in the becomingWhy your purpose is not found—it's revealed Let’s Connect: If this episode spoke to you, I’d love to hear your story. Reach out on Instagram or message me through my website. You’re not alone on this journey—and I’m here to walk it with you. Follow + Subscribe: Be sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes that help you grow in faith, purpose, and identity. Remember, this YOUR Story, YOUR Journey, YOUR Life.

About

The Journey of You is a podcast hosted by Tonia D. Benas—a space for honest conversations about faith, identity, and becoming who God created you to be. Through personal reflections and conversations with women from all walks of life, each episode explores what it means to live with intention, embrace your story, and walk confidently in your God-given identity. Here, stories are not labels—they are testimonies. Lessons are not prescriptions—they are invitations. Some episodes are quiet reflections. Others are conversations with women who share what they've learned, how they've healed, and what they would tell their younger selves if they could. Whether you're navigating a season of uncertainty, rediscovering your purpose, or simply longing to grow closer to God, this is a place to pause, reflect, and move forward with hope. Because becoming isn't about striving to be someone else. It's about becoming who God created you to be.