One year ago, The Formed Life Podcast began with a microphone, a dream, and a simple desire: to help people follow Jesus into a life of deeper relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today, that little dream has reached listeners across 37+ countries. In this special one-year birthday episode, Virginia is joined by her dear friend Jen Jones for the podcast's first-ever live audience celebration. Instead of interviewing a guest, Jen turns the microphone around and interviews Virginia about the story behind The Formed Life Podcast—the dreams that took years to become reality, the challenges behind the scenes, the conversations that have changed her, and what God has been teaching her along the way. And underneath it all is a bigger story: What happens when we simply say yes to God? Virginia shares how a dream that began as early as 2019 sat dormant for years while microphones gathered dust, life unfolded, marriage and motherhood took center stage, and technical obstacles seemed to delay the dream. But what looked like delay wasn't necessarily denial. In 2025, the right relationship and mentorship helped Virginia finally launch The Formed Life Podcast. One year later, she is reflecting on God's surprising faithfulness—and the privilege of being able to share the message of spiritual formation with listeners around the world without ever leaving her home office. In this episode, Virginia and Jen talk about: The story behind the original dream to start a podcast Why technical obstacles delayed the launch for several years What finally helped Virginia move from dreaming to doing The surprising global reach of The Formed Life Podcast How God can use our obedience in ways we never anticipated The tension between ministry beyond our homes and the ministry happening within our homes The behind-the-scenes work of producing a podcast without a production team The importance of community, friendship, mentorship, and saying yes to opportunities Some of Virginia's most meaningful podcast conversations from the first year How spiritual formation happens not only through what we teach, but through what we experience What it means to practice what we preach when life becomes difficult Finding courage to speak when we don't consider ourselves an expert How the Holy Spirit leads us into courageous obedience Why we don't have to carry the pressure of "getting it all right" God's sovereignty and the freedom that comes from knowing the kingdom does not depend on us What Jesus' invitation to "come to me" means for the spiritually weary The difference between spiritual rhythms that form us and religious practices that leave us feeling burdened The invitation to walk with Jesus and learn the unforced rhythms of grace The unexpected global reach When The Formed Life Podcast launched, listeners were already tuning in from multiple countries. One year later, Virginia knows of listeners in more than 37 countries—including the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, Vietnam, Australia, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, India, South Korea, South Africa, The Gambia, and many more. What began in a home office became a small window through which the message of spiritual formation could travel around the world. And Virginia's response is simple: To God be the glory. Great things He has done. A word for the spiritually weary One of the most beautiful moments of the conversation comes near the end, when Jen asks Virginia what she would say to someone who feels spiritually weary, stuck, or hungry for a deeper life with God. Virginia points to Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28–30: come to Him, walk with Him, learn from Him, and receive His rest. The Christian life is not ultimately about performing enough spiritual activities to become acceptable to God. It is about keeping company with Jesus. Spiritual disciplines and rhythms can be beautiful means through which we abide in Christ, but they are not meant to become burdens that replace relationship with Him. The invitation is to walk with Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit and to become increasingly formed into His likeness. One year later, the invitation remains Whether you've listened to every episode or you're discovering The Formed Life for the first time, this episode is an invitation to consider your own "yes." What has God placed in your heart? What have you been postponing because you don't feel qualified, ready, or equipped? What if faithfulness begins with one small act of obedience? And what if the goal isn't to accomplish something impressive—but simply to walk with God faithfully and allow Him to form you along the way? Go deeper with The Formed Life If you're longing for more than information about spiritual formation and want to practice a deeper life with God in community, The Formed Life's Fall Spiritual Formation Cohort launches September 10. This is a 10-week immersive spiritual formation experience designed to help you cultivate rhythms of abiding, renewal, relationship, and surrender as you journey with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Early enrollment offer: Use code EARLY for $300 off. Offer expires August 22, 2026. Learn more at The Formed Life Fall Cohort Connect with Virginia Follow Virginia on Instagram: @VirginiaKujabi Follow The Formed Life: @TheFormedLife If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs the reminder that they don't have to do more—they can simply come to Jesus. Scripture referenced Matthew 11:28–30 — Jesus' invitation to the weary to come to Him, receive His rest, and learn His way of life. Psalm 2:8 — "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession." John 15 — Abiding in Christ and bearing fruit through relationship with Him. The Formed Life Podcast exists to equip followers of Jesus cultivate a life rooted in relationship with the Trinity, gratitude, and community—empowering transformation through the Holy Spirit and spiritual rhythms to become formed more like Jesus.
