Authentically Imperfect | The Podcast for Emerging Faith-Driven Leaders

Natasia Athwal
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Biweekly

Authentically Imperfect is the podcast for emerging faith-driven leaders who are answering God's call while learning they don't have to have it all together to fulfill their calling and purpose. If you're building a business, ministry, nonprofit, creative platform, or community and want to lead with authenticity instead of perfection, you're in the right place. Each week, we explore honest conversations about calling, purpose, leadership, emotional health, faith, and the journey of becoming so you can steward what God has entrusted to you with courage and clarity.

  1. 1d ago

    How to Say No To Good Things

    Have you ever found yourself weighed down by all the "good" things you're trying to carry? In this episode, we explore what happens when life feels full of meaningful responsibilities, yet the weight of carrying them all begins to overwhelm you. Together, we'll talk honestly about discerning what God is actually asking you to carry in this season, letting go of the pressure to do everything, and trusting His timing when it doesn't align with your own. I open up about my own journey of trying to balance marriage, faith, grief, work, friendships, and the podcast while feeling like if I let anything go, I was somehow failing. Through that process, God began shifting my mindset from striving to perform and please to simply being present in the assignments He had given me for this particular season. It wasn't an easy lesson. There was guilt, exhaustion, and the difficult realization that sometimes the most faithful thing you can do is set something down and trust God to show you when it's time to pick it back up. In this episode, we'll explore: The difference between carrying good things and carrying God's assignment for this season How to recognize spiritual exhaustion and embrace the gift of rest Why saying "not right now" isn't the same as saying "never" How to trust God with your next step, even when it feels uncomfortable As you listen, I hope you'll take a moment to reflect on what you're carrying and ask yourself whether God might be inviting you to lay something down for this season. You're not alone in the tension of trying to balance everything, and you're certainly not alone in seasons of transition or uncertainty. Maybe you're not abandoning your calling. Maybe you're simply honoring the assignment God has placed in front of you. Press play and join the conversation. 🎧

  2. Jul 14

    Comfortable or Called?

    Are you feeling the pull between playing it safe and stepping out in faith? Have you ever wondered why following your calling can feel so uncomfortable even when you trust that God has a plan for you? In this episode of Authentically Imperfect, we’re getting honest about those hard seasons where comfort seems tempting, but something deeper calls us forward. I open up about my own journey, wrestling with shifting values, grieving familiar patterns, and learning to trust God in the midst of silence and uncertainty. This isn’t just about having the “right” answers; it’s about leaning into the process and letting faith lead, even when each step feels daunting. Through personal stories and lessons drawn straight from experience with God’s faithfulness, we explore how real growth often feels like loss before it feels like transformation. It’s a conversation for anyone who's ever felt stretched, challenged, or just plain scared of what’s next. We will cover topics like: Embracing the discomfort that comes with spiritual growthSetting boundaries and realigning prioritiesTrusting God when His answers feel unclearLetting go of the familiar to move toward your true calling As you listen, I invite you to reflect on where God might be nudging you past comfort and into your calling. What’s holding you back? Are you willing to trust Him even when the path forward feels uncertain? Let’s walk through it together... one imperfect, faith-filled step at a time. Press play and listen now 🎧

  3. Jul 7

    So... Life Happened

    Have you ever caught yourself grieving not just what you’ve lost, but what never was? Have you ever wondered if you’re behind while everyone else seems to be racing ahead? This episode of Authentically Imperfect digs into the quieter moments of disappointment, comparison, and learning to move at the pace your season, however messy, actually requires. In this candid solo episode, Natasia opens up about the last two years of her life: an unexpected season marked by deep personal loss, exhausting new beginnings, and the sometimes uncomfortable process of releasing what she thought her life would look like by now. She shares how losing her grandmother, walking through grief even in moments of joy (like getting married), and facing financial tension left her feeling behind and weighed down by comparison. Through honest reflection, Natasia explores what it means to let go of unrealistic expectations and find grace for herself, even when slowing down feels like failure. We cover topics like: ​The pain of grieving not just loss, but unmet expectations ​Navigating both grief and joy in the same season ​Wrestling with comparison and the pressure to “catch up” ​Giving yourself permission to rest and move at your own (not Instagram’s) pace ​How faith, grace, and real self-compassion shape the way we show up If you’re in the middle of transition, struggling with comparison, or feeling guilty for needing rest, this conversation is for you. Maybe life doesn’t look how you thought it would, or you find yourself wrestling with whether you’re moving “fast enough.” Here you’ll find a companion for your questions, some honest company for your journey, and gentle reminders that feeling stuck, tired, or behind doesn’t make you a failure. Remember: You can give yourself permission to slow down and just be even if it looks different from what you imagined. Press play and listen now 🎧

    So... Life Happened

  4. 04/07/2024

    Trusting God While He Rebuilds You

    Are you in a season where God feels like He’s rebuilding your life from the ground up? This episode explores trusting God through healing, restoration, and spiritual growth. In this final episode of Season 2 of Authentically Imperfect, Natasia reflects on what it means to trust God during seasons of rebuilding and spiritual restoration. When life feels uncertain or broken beneath the surface, God is often doing His deepest work within us. We will cover topics like: healingallowing God to restore your heartwaiting on the promises of Godrenewal and faith If you’re navigating a season of waiting, growth, or transformation, this conversation will encourage you to trust God’s timing—even when progress isn’t immediately visible. Remember: restoration takes time, and your growth is still in progress. Press play and listen now 🎧

    Trusting God While He Rebuilds You

  5. 03/14/2024

    A Quiet Spirit, Not A Silent Woman

    If you’ve ever struggled to embrace your femininity, your body, or your identity as a woman of faith, this episode is a reminder of who God created you to be. In this episode of Authentically Imperfect, Natasia shares an honest encouragement for women navigating identity, femininity, and spiritual growth. From overcoming body shame to redefining what biblical womanhood truly means, this conversation challenges cultural and religious narratives that diminish the value of women. Natasia explores embracing the body God created, developing a quiet and gentle spirit rooted in strength—not silence—and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape character, emotional maturity, and relationships. We cover topics like: biblical womanhoodwhy men are necessary in our journey as womenidentity body shame and embracing our bodies If you’ve ever questioned your worth, struggled to embrace your femininity, or felt conflicted about who God created you to be, this episode offers faith-filled encouragement to walk confidently in your identity as a daughter of God. Press play and listen now 🎧

    A Quiet Spirit, Not A Silent Woman

  6. 02/27/2024

    Burnout is Not A Badge of Honor

    Feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or exhausted by life’s demands? This episode explores navigating burnout and rediscovering joy through faith. In this episode of Authentically Imperfect, Natasia shares her personal journey of navigating burnout and emotional exhaustion while learning how to rediscover joy through faith. When life feels overwhelming and the demands never seem to stop, burnout can leave us mentally, physically, and spiritually drained. Through honest reflection, this conversation explores recognizing burnout, slowing down, and allowing God to restore peace in seasons of stress and fatigue. We cover topics like: navigating burnout as a Christianovercoming stress and fatiguefinding hope in difficult seasons If you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or struggling to keep up with life’s demands, this episode offers encouragement and practical perspective for finding rest and renewal again. Press play and listen now 🎧

    Burnout is Not A Badge of Honor

  7. 02/15/2024

    God, This Isn't What I Expected

    Struggling with disappointment or unmet expectations? This episode explores how to heal, rebuild hope, and trust God when life doesn’t go as planned. In this episode of Authentically Imperfect, Natasia shares an honest reflection on navigating disappointment and learning how to move forward when life doesn’t unfold the way you expected. Seasons of unmet expectations, heartbreak, and uncertainty can leave us feeling discouraged—but disappointment is not the end of your story. Through personal insight and faith-centered encouragement, this conversation explores healing, rebuilding hope, and trusting God even when prayers seem unanswered or plans fall apart. We talk about topics like: how disappointment creeps into the waiting seasontrying to make sense of God's plan or purposeunmet expectations from people and even Godthe wilderness If you’re struggling with disappointment or trying to make sense of a difficult season, this episode offers reassurance that there is still purpose, growth, and light ahead. Press play and listen now 🎧

    God, This Isn't What I Expected

  8. 02/09/2024

    Looking for Healing in All the Wrong Places

    Have you ever searched everywhere for healing, only to realize the answer was Jesus all along? This episode explores finding true wholeness after exhausting every other option. In this episode of Authentically Imperfect, Natasia reflects on the story of the woman with the issue of blood and the powerful reminder that seeking healing in many places can sometimes leave us feeling more exhausted than restored. Through personal reflection and faith-centered encouragement, this conversation explores what happens when we look to people, systems, and external solutions for healing instead of turning fully to Jesus. Natasia shares how true healing and wholeness begin when we surrender the search and return to the One who restores completely. We cover topics like: going outside of Christ for healingnoisiness and confusionfinding peace in Christ If you’ve been searching for peace, clarity, or healing in a difficult season, this episode offers encouragement to reconnect with Jesus—the true source of restoration. Press play and listen now 🎧

    Looking for Healing in All the Wrong Places
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Authentically Imperfect is the podcast for emerging faith-driven leaders who are answering God's call while learning they don't have to have it all together to fulfill their calling and purpose. If you're building a business, ministry, nonprofit, creative platform, or community and want to lead with authenticity instead of perfection, you're in the right place. Each week, we explore honest conversations about calling, purpose, leadership, emotional health, faith, and the journey of becoming so you can steward what God has entrusted to you with courage and clarity.

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