The True North Podcast | Christian Podcast on Navigating Faith & Life

Mykah Price Ballard
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Christianity

Life can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. The True North Podcast is a place for encouragement, real conversations, and faith-filled guidance to help you stay anchored in Christ. Join host Mykah Price Ballard every Monday as she unpacks biblical truths, personal stories, and practical wisdom to help you grow in your faith, find purpose, and walk confidently in who God created you to be. Whether you’re seeking clarity, encouragement, or a reminder that God’s plans are always greater, this podcast is for you!

  1. 15h ago

    What Are You Harvesting? The Spiritual Fruit You’re Growing Without Realizing It | The Autumn Reset Pt. 2

    What are you feeding your spirit—and what is it producing in your life? In Part 2 of the Autumn Reset series, we’re talking about harvest. 🍂 And not just the pumpkin-patch, hayride kind. Scripture tells us that our lives produce fruit, but that fruit doesn’t appear overnight. Long before there’s a harvest, there’s a seed. The content you consume, voices you listen to, relationships you surround yourself with, thoughts you entertain, and habits you repeat are all planting something. And eventually, what’s happening in the root shows up in the fruit. In this episode of The True North Podcast, we’re unpacking what the Bible says about the fruit of the Spirit, fruit of the flesh, sowing and reaping, spiritual growth, and discernment—including how easy it is to get so accustomed to an “off-brand” version of Christianity that we forget what the real thing tastes like. We’ll talk about: What “fruit” actually means in the Bible The seed → root → fruit → harvest framework Fruit of the Spirit vs. fruit of the flesh in Galatians 5 Why you can’t manufacture spiritual fruit by simply “trying harder” How people-pleasing can disguise itself as kindness How avoidance can look like peace and perfectionism can look like self-control How social media, entertainment, friendships, and other influences shape your spiritual appetite Why what you repeatedly consume eventually starts to feel normal What the Bible teaches about sowing and reaping How to recognize counterfeit or “off-brand” spirituality Why Scripture has to remain the standard we use to check our fruit Sign up for the newsletter to get bonus content on every episode each week! Check out our website to learn more and follow us on social media!

  2. Sep 28

    Sweater Weather, Soul Check: What’s Keeping You From Going All In With God? | The Autumn Reset Pt. 1

    It’s officially sweater weather—but what are you hiding underneath the layers? In Part 1 of The Autumn Reset, we’re taking a soul check and asking a question that might be a little uncomfortable: What’s keeping you from going all in with God? We all have our own version of a “comfort cardigan”—something that makes us feel safe, covered, protected, or in control. Maybe yours is a relationship. Maybe it’s achievement, busyness, people-pleasing, perfectionism, resentment, control, or even an old version of yourself you don’t know how to let go of. But what happens when the very thing making you feel safe is also keeping you from experiencing the deeper relationship with God you’ve been asking for? In this episode, I explore what the Bible teaches about surrender, trusting God, letting go, and following Jesus even when you can’t see what comes next. Sometimes surrender looks like releasing what made you feel safe before you know what God is going to do next. In this episode, we talk about: Why you may feel disconnected from God What it actually means to go all in with Jesus Identifying the things you use for security instead of God How control, relationships, busyness, perfectionism, resentment, and people-pleasing can become “comfort cardigans” Adam and Eve hiding from God in Genesis 3 What the woman at the well teaches us about leaving our burdens behind Why the rich young ruler struggled to surrender The significance of Bartimaeus throwing off his cloak before he was healed Trusting God when you can’t see what’s ahead How to surrender what is hindering your relationship with God Hebrews 12:1 and the call to “throw off everything that hinders” Ask yourself: What cardigan have you gotten so comfortable wearing that you’ve forgotten God never asked you to hide beneath it in the first place? Scriptures mentioned: Genesis 3:6–10 John 4 Mark 10:17–22 Mark 10:46–52 Hebrews 12:1 Isaiah 61:10 🎧 Listen now and join us for Part 1 of The Autumn Reset. And if this episode encouraged or challenged you, share it with someone who may be in a season of learning to let go, surrender control, and trust God with what comes next. Follow True North on social media and sign up for our weekly newsletter here!  Missed the big news last week? Get caught up on last week's episode!

  3. Sep 14

    We’re Having a Baby! What Pregnancy Is Teaching Us About Faith, Trust & Becoming Parents

    We’re having a baby! 🤍 After finally sharing the news that we’re expecting our first baby, Peyton is joining me on The True North Podcast to talk about what this season has really looked like behind the scenes. Plus, we get into the fun stuff: pregnancy cravings and aversions, surviving the first trimester, what surprised Peyton most about pregnancy, what we’re most excited about as parents, and why sour candy deserves an honorable mention in this pregnancy story. 😂 Whether you’re pregnant, preparing for parenthood, walking through a season of uncertainty, or simply learning how to trust God when you don’t have all the answers, we hope this conversation reminds you that you don’t have to know what happens next to find joy in what God is doing right now. In this episode, we talk about: Our pregnancy announcement and finding out we were expecting Becoming first-time parents Our first trimester pregnancy experience Pregnancy symptoms, nausea, cravings and food aversions Hearing our baby’s heartbeat for the first time Pregnancy anxiety and surrendering control to God Trusting God when you can’t see what He’s doing Choosing joy during uncertain seasons Preparing spiritually for Christian parenthood Building Christ-centered rhythms as a family Slowing down and being present in the season God has given you Follow The True North Podcast on social media, sign up for The Northern Nook newsletter, and come back next Monday for a brand-new episode. 🤍

  4. Sep 7

    Is Worry the Worst Investment You’re Making? | How to Stop Worrying and Trust God

    What if the worst investment you’re making has nothing to do with money? We invest our time, energy, attention, sleep, peace, and emotions into worry—hoping somehow it will make us more prepared for what’s coming. But what has worry actually done for us? In this episode of The True North Podcast, we’re talking about how to stop worrying, trust God with the future, and break the cycle of anxiety and overthinking through the truth of Matthew 6:25–34. We’ll talk about the difference between responsible planning and obsessive worrying, why worry can masquerade as control, and how anxiety causes us to emotionally experience problems that haven’t even happened yet. In this episode, we chat about: What Matthew 6:25–34 teaches us about worry and anxiety How to stop worrying about the future Trusting God when you don’t know what will happen The difference between planning and worrying Why trying to control everything doesn't create peace Remembering God's faithfulness when anxiety takes over How to seek God first instead of seeking certainty Letting today be today and tomorrow be tomorrow Proverbs 31:25 and learning to “laugh without fear of the future” Practical questions to help you audit the worry in your own life Stay connected! Follow True North on social media and sign up for the weekly newsletter here!

  5. Aug 31

    Can God Put Me Back Together Again? — How God Rebuilds What Life Has Broken

    What do you do when your life, heart, plans, or relationships feel like they’ve been shattered into pieces? Sometimes we ask God to put everything back exactly the way it was—to restore the old relationship, bring back our confidence, fix the situation, or make us feel like ourselves again. But what if God isn’t trying to recreate the old version of your life? What if He wants to rebuild something new? In this episode of The True North Podcast, we’re talking about how to rebuild your life with God after heartbreak, disappointment, failure, loss, or unexpected change. Using the Japanese art of kintsugi—repairing broken pottery while highlighting the cracks with gold—we’ll look at how God can redeem the broken pieces of our stories rather than simply erase them. We’ll dive into Jeremiah 18 and the story of the potter and the clay, where God reminds us that the Potter is not limited by a vessel that has become marred. He can reshape it into something new. Then, we’re taking a deeper look at Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls to uncover a biblical process for healing and restoration: grieving what was broken, praying before trying to fix it, honestly inspecting the damage, and finally rising up to rebuild with God. Because there is a difference between rebuilding yourself and rebuilding yourself with the Lord. If you’ve been walking through heartbreak, church hurt, disappointment, a broken relationship, a major life transition, regret, or simply a season where you don’t recognize yourself anymore, this episode is for you. God does not have to hide the cracks in your story to redeem them. The places that once looked like evidence that you were ruined can become evidence that you were restored. In this episode, we talk about: How God restores and rebuilds broken lives What kintsugi can teach us about redemption and restoration The potter and the clay in Jeremiah 18 What Nehemiah teaches us about rebuilding after devastation Why grieving is an important part of Christian healing Bringing your brokenness to God before trying to fix it yourself How to identify the areas of your life that still need healing The difference between inspecting a wound and obsessing over it Why healing requires both surrender and participation Trusting God when your life doesn’t go back to the way it was Finding purpose in pain and allowing God to use your testimony How God can create something stronger, healthier, holier, and more beautiful from the broken pieces If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who is walking through a season of rebuilding, and be sure to follow The True North Podcast for more conversations about Christian faith, spiritual growth, biblical encouragement, healing, purpose, trusting God, and following Jesus through every season of life. Keep up with True North on socials! Visit our website to follow all pages and sign up for our weekly newsletter!

  6. Aug 24

    Stop Doing THIS One Thing When Reading Your Bible

    Have you ever finished reading your Bible and thought, “Okay… but what was I supposed to get out of that?” Maybe part of the problem is that we’ve been approaching Scripture with ourselves at the center. In this episode of The True North Podcast, we’re talking about how to read and study the Bible without making yourself the main character. Because while the Bible was written for you, not every passage was written about you. Scripture is ultimately the story of God—who He is, what He has done, and His plan to redeem and restore humanity through Jesus Christ. We’ll look at familiar passages like David and Goliath and Jeremiah 29:11 to see how easy it is to pull Scripture out of context and immediately ask, “What does this mean for me?” Instead, we’ll learn to start with a better question: “What does this show me about God?” In this episode, we talk about: Why Christians can accidentally make themselves the main character of the Bible The difference between biblical interpretation and application Why context matters when studying Scripture How to understand who a passage was originally written to The Bible’s overarching story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration What David and Goliath actually teaches us beyond “defeating your giants” The deeper context behind Jeremiah 29:11 A simple Bible study method you can use during your quiet time How Scripture reveals the character of God Why knowing God should come before asking what we can get from Him How to confidently apply the Bible to your everyday life A Simple Bible Study Framework Before asking, “What does this verse mean for me?” try asking: 1. What does it say? What is literally happening in this passage? 2. What does it mean? Who wrote it? Who were they writing to? What was happening historically and culturally? What comes before and after this passage? 3. What does this show me about God? Look for His character, commands, promises, holiness, grace, faithfulness, mercy, and redemptive work. 4. How should I respond? Only after understanding the passage should we bring ourselves into the conversation. What needs to change in my heart, thinking, or actions because of what I've learned? My favorite commentary to use while studying scripture: Enduring Word Stay Connected!  Visit our website to follow us on social media and sign up for the newsletter!

  7. Aug 10

    Falling Back in Love With Your Faith: Finding Jesus Again After Church Hurt

    Have you ever felt like walking away from church—or even from Jesus—because of the way Christians have treated you? Church hurt is real. Maybe you were made to feel like you had to be perfect to belong. Maybe your questions weren’t welcome, your struggles were something you were supposed to hide, or someone who represented Jesus to you left you hurt, disappointed, or questioning everything you believed. But what if the faith you’re rejecting isn’t actually Jesus at all? In this solo episode of the True North Podcast, Mykah talks honestly about church hurt, religious pressure, perfectionism, and what it looks like to find your way back to Jesus after being hurt by Christians or the church. We’re unpacking the difference between performative Christianity and a personal relationship with Jesus—and why the failures of imperfect people don’t have to determine the future of your faith. In this episode, we talk about: How church hurt can impact your relationship with God Why you may be rejecting religious expectations rather than Jesus Himself The pressure to be the “perfect Christian” How to separate who Jesus really is from the people who have misrepresented Him Why reading Scripture for yourself matters Doubt, questions, and the story of Thomas Rebuilding your faith around grace instead of guilt Finding Christian community again after being hurt Why there is still a place for you in the Church If you’ve experienced church hurt, religious trauma, Christian perfectionism, or simply feel distant from God and don’t know how to come back, this conversation is for you. If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs this reminder and leave a review of the True North Podcast. Be sure to follow True North on social media for more faith-filled conversations, upcoming episodes, and announcements. And don’t forget—you can shop True North sweatshirts on our website. 🤍

  8. Aug 3

    How Tragedy Can Change Your Life: Finding God in the Middle of It with Baylee Letters

    What happens when your entire life changes in an instant? In this powerful episode of The True North Podcast, Baylee shares the incredible story of surviving a devastating accident that resulted in the loss of her leg—and how she encountered the presence of God in the middle of unimaginable pain. Rather than allowing tragedy to define her story, Baylee has discovered what it means to trust God through suffering, learn to walk again alongside her young daughter, and find purpose in the hardest season of her life. This conversation isn't just about surviving trauma—it's about discovering that God is still faithful when life doesn't go the way you planned. In this episode, we discuss: How Baylee's faith sustained her immediately after the accident Learning to trust God when everything changes overnight The power of Scripture during suffering and uncertainty Learning to walk again—and the spiritual lessons that came with it How the body of Christ showed up in practical, life-changing ways Why asking for help is an act of faith, not weakness How to support someone after trauma, grief, or tragedy Finding purpose, hope, and joy after unimaginable loss Why your testimony can point others to Jesus in just 30 seconds Whether you're walking through grief, navigating unexpected loss, supporting someone through a difficult season, or simply wondering where God is in your own suffering, this episode is a powerful reminder that God's presence is often most tangible in our hardest moments. If this conversation encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs hope today. For more biblical encouragement, podcast episodes, and free resources, visit https://truenorth-ministries.com/ If Baylee's story encouraged you, be sure to connect with her and follow along as she shares life as a mom, amputee, and follower of Jesus. Through honest conversations about faith, healing, motherhood, and finding purpose after tragedy, Baylee is a constant reminder that God is faithful in every season. 📸 Instagram: @tobayleeandbeyond 🎥 YouTube: To Baylee & Beyond 🎵 TikTok: @beyondbaylee

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About

Life can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. The True North Podcast is a place for encouragement, real conversations, and faith-filled guidance to help you stay anchored in Christ. Join host Mykah Price Ballard every Monday as she unpacks biblical truths, personal stories, and practical wisdom to help you grow in your faith, find purpose, and walk confidently in who God created you to be. Whether you’re seeking clarity, encouragement, or a reminder that God’s plans are always greater, this podcast is for you!

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