God-Esque: Reflecting on faith, femininity, and a few frogs

Martene
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  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated Weekly

For many years, I heard the stories of the Word of God through others. But what we take from a story depends on who tells it — and what we are open to receive. This is a journey of spiritual and personal rediscovery, including stories from the Bible, Qur’an, the Torah, Hadith, and Midrash — and reflecting on the meanings they carry for real life. Alongside this, I sit with women in my life as we talk honestly about what has shaped us - faith, relationships, challenges, and how we’ve grown. If you’re ready for conversations that feel like voice notes to the soul, come join us.

  1. Our Stories: Chats with Cristina - Big Moves, Brave Choices, and Becoming Who You Are

    Jun 24

    Our Stories: Chats with Cristina - Big Moves, Brave Choices, and Becoming Who You Are

    In this episode, I sit down with Cristina for a conversation about life as an expat, the courage it takes to start over, and the quiet reality behind “big decisions” that change everything. We talk about what it means to leave familiar ground behind, how you grow into courage rather than wake up with it fully formed, and the moments that ask you to trust yourself before you feel fully ready. At the heart of it, we wonder what her 16-year-old self would think if she could see her now — the paths taken, the risks chosen, and the life that slowly came together through uncertainty, movement, and change. A conversation about bravery, but also about becoming. Keywords: expat life · big life decisions · courage and change · identity shifts · moving countries · women and independence · self-trust · personal growth · life transitions · becoming yourself · friendship conversations Music Credit: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Molerider/Borough/

    50 min
  2. Torah & Qur'an Stories: Why Pork? Part 2 – What Are the Actual Laws?

    Jun 23

    Torah & Qur'an Stories: Why Pork? Part 2 – What Are the Actual Laws?

    Reading: Leviticus 11–14 · Deuteronomy 14 · Surah Al-Baqarah 2:173 · Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:3 · Surah Al-An'am 6:145 · Surah An-Nahl 16:115 In Part 2 of Why Pork?, we leave Mark 7 for a moment and return to the Torah and the Qur'an. What are the actual food laws? Why is pork specifically prohibited? Are there other interesting or surprising restrictions? And what do these texts seem to be trying to teach through something as ordinary as eating? As we read through the passages together, I reflect on identity, intention, discipline, and the strange beauty of slowing down enough to ask why we do the things we do. Because perhaps food was never just about food. And perhaps the question isn't really whether other people follow these laws or not. It's whether we are becoming more intentional with our words, our choices, and the lives we are building. KeywordsTorah and Qur'an · food laws · kosher and halal · why pork · Leviticus 11 · Deuteronomy 14 · Surah Al-Baqarah · Surah Al-Ma'idah · faith and daily life · spiritual growth · scripture reflections · intention and discipline Music Credithttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Molerider/Borough/

    47 min
  3. Our Stories: Chats with Mandie on Alignment and Becoming Who We Actually Are

    May 11

    Our Stories: Chats with Mandie on Alignment and Becoming Who We Actually Are

    Conversations with Mandie: Life Stages, Letting Go, and Learning What Fits In this episode, I sit down with my soul-sister Mandie — one of those rare friendships that felt instant, grounding, and somehow right from the beginning. Together, we reflect on life stages, unexpected reinventions, relationships, and the often uncomfortable process of realizing that what we once wanted may not actually be what was healthiest for us. Mandie shares parts of her journey through unhealthy relationships, hard-earned growth, and what it has looked like to finally experience a healthier kind of love — one rooted less in survival and more in alignment. We also explore the tension so many women face between being highly capable at what they do and asking the deeper question: “But is this actually what I love?” From theatre, creativity, career pivots, family healing, self-worth, and redefining success, this episode opens space for honest conversation around what it means to evolve, choose differently, and trust ourselves more deeply. Together, we unpack: healthy love vs familiar dysfunctionlife transitions and identity shiftsmoving countries, careers, and prioritiesdoing what you’re good at vs pursuing what genuinely lights you uphealing family wounds and old patternsalignment, self-trust, and becomingThis episode is for women who are: reevaluating relationshipsnavigating career or identity changeslearning that growth often means choosing differentlyquestioning old definitions of successdiscovering that alignment sometimes requires letting go of what no longer fits Because sometimes the biggest transformation isn’t becoming someone new - maybe it’s just finally becoming who you were always meant to be. Key words / Hashtags: women rediscovering themselves · spiritual growth for women · healthy relationships · women’s healing journeys · emotional growth · self-worth · life transitions · career alignment · personal growth · friendship and healing · rebuilding identity · women supporting women · adulthood and transformation Music Credithttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Molerider/Borough/

    53 min
  4. Bible Stories: Why Pork? (Part 1)

    May 9

    Bible Stories: Why Pork? (Part 1)

    Reading: Mark 7:1–23 – Jesus, the Pharisees, ritual purity, Corban, and deeper questions around faith, tradition, and what truly matters Rules, Religion, and Why We’re Doing Any of This Anyway In this episode, we begin unpacking one of those oddly fascinating questions that can lead to much bigger conversations: Why pork? But rather than jumping straight into food laws, we start in Mark 7, where Jesus challenges the religious leaders of His time on ritual, tradition, and the deeper heart behind spiritual practice. Together, we explore what happens when faith becomes overly focused on outward appearances, inherited customs, or surface-level obedience — and what Jesus may have been inviting people to consider instead. This conversation opens space to reflect on whether ancient principles, rituals, and disciplines were meant to serve as burdens… or whether they may hold deeper wisdom about how to live well, love others, and build meaningful lives now. We read and think about: ritual vs intentionreligion vs genuine transformationthe role of discipline in spiritual lifehow “what” we do and “why” we do it may both matterquestions around food laws, purity, and purposewhat faith can look like beyond performanceThis episode is for those who are: curious about spiritual traditionsrethinking inherited beliefsexploring scripture with fresh eyesinterested in faith as both practical and personalasking deeper questions about how belief shapes everyday lifeBecause maybe this conversation isn’t really just about pork. Maybe it’s about the bigger story of how we live, why we believe what we believe, and what truly creates a good life. Keywords / Hashtags women rediscovering God · spiritual growth for women · why pork · Mark 7 explained · Jesus and the Pharisees · Bible reflections · faith and real life · food laws and religion · emotional healing · rebuilding faith · questioning religion · adult spirituality · practical faith · scripture conversations Music Credit https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Molerider/Borough/

    43 min
  5. Our stories: Chats with Raquelle on Being a New Mom, and Difficult Decisions

    Apr 1

    Our stories: Chats with Raquelle on Being a New Mom, and Difficult Decisions

    Showing Up, New Motherhood, and the Strength We Don’t Always See In this episode, I sit down with Raquelle, a new mother navigating one of life’s biggest seasons - raising a child, making decisions that feel too heavy at times, and learning to trust herself along the way. We talk about what it means to show up as the mother you want to be, even when doubt creeps in, the future feels uncertain, and the weight of responsibility is real. Raquelle reflects on the quiet ways growth happens, the courage required to face difficult choices, and the faith it takes to believe in herself - even when the world seems messy or overwhelming. Together, we reflect on: making decisions that shape both her and her child’s lifelearning to trust herself while holding space for uncertaintymoments of doubt, resilience, and personal growthwhat it truly means to show up, even when it’s hardThis episode is for women who are: navigating new responsibilitieslearning to trust themselves in moments of uncertaintydiscovering the strength in showing up faithfully day after dayfinding courage in the quiet, unseen work of growth and motherhoodKeywords / Hashtagswomen rediscovering themselves · spiritual growth for women · motherhood and faith · showing up · resilience · personal growth · emotional healing · women’s journeys · courage in uncertainty · trusting yourself · adult women and spirituality Music Credithttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Molerider/Borough/⁠

    25 min
  6. Bible & Qur’an Stories: Whatever Happened to Hagar in the End?

    Mar 29

    Bible & Qur’an Stories: Whatever Happened to Hagar in the End?

    Showing Up, Surrender, and Hagar’s Legacy In this episode, we sit with the story of Hagar/Hājar - a woman who didn’t know how the future would unfold, who didn’t know how her choices would shape history, and yet, by surrendering and taking the next right action, she changed everything. She saved herself, her son Ishmael/Ismāʿīl, and helped lay the foundations of Mecca, one of the most sacred places in the world. Reading: Genesis 15–17, 21 · Galatians 4:21–31 · Qur’an Surah 14:37; 2:125–127; 2:158 · Hadith & Midrash Reflections We read her story across traditions: Genesis tells us of survival in the wilderness and a God who sees and provides.The Qur’an places her in a barren valley, where faith, movement, and endurance bring life-giving water.Midrash and Hadith fill in silences — her dignity, courage, and strength — reminding us that showing up and doing the next right thing can create history.I reflect on my own season as I reflect on instructions from a few months ago which I followed without knowing how it would unfold (and still don't know the full extent - but that is the point.. faith in the 'more to be revealed ;). Hagar’s story reminds me that all we can do is show up as the women we want to be, take the next right action, and trust the process. Faith without action, without showing up, is meaningless. Reflecting on: showing up for ourselves and others even when the future is uncertaindoing the next right thing, even when the path is unclearhow small, faithful actions ripple far beyond what we can seefinding courage and clarity in hindsightthe quiet truth that growth often looks like uncertainty while it’s happeningThis episode is for women who are: learning to trust themselves in uncertaintyrealizing the impact of faithful action over perfectionembracing the unseen ways their choices shape the worlddiscovering that survival, courage, and surrender are sacredTexts ReferencedBible: Genesis 15–17 – Promise, covenant, and contextGenesis 21 – Hagar and Ishmael in the wildernessGalatians 4:21–31 – Paul’s allegory of Hagar and SarahQur’an: Surah 14:37 – Ibrahim’s prayer for his family in the barren valleySurah 2:125–127 – Ibrahim and Ismāʿīl raising the foundations of the HouseSurah 2:158 – Safa and Marwah, linked to Hājar’s search for waterHadith: Hājar given to Sarah by the Egyptian rulerHājar running between Safa and MarwahThe emergence of Zamzam and God’s provisionMidrash: Hagar as Egyptian nobilityReflections on her dignity, exile, and survivalKeywords / Hashtagswomen rediscovering God · spiritual growth for women · Bible and Qur’an stories · Hagar · Hājar · showing up · surrender and faith · survival and growth · emotional healing · women’s faith journey · rebuilding faith · scripture reflections · adult women and spirituality · courage under uncertainty · faith with action Music Credit⁠https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Molerider/Borough/⁠

    31 min
  7. Our Stories: Chats with Crissy about Things We Don’t Deserve - and Learning What We Do

    Jan 8

    Our Stories: Chats with Crissy about Things We Don’t Deserve - and Learning What We Do

    Conversations with Crissy: Friendship, Timing, and Building a New Life After Hurt In this episode, I sit down with Crissy, a friend (now sister) I met in Taiwan - two women from very different cultures and backgrounds, brought together at exactly the right moment. At the time, neither of us knew how much the other truly needed the friendship we were stepping into. We talk about how we met, how connection can feel ordinary at first, and how God quietly places people in our lives before we even realise we’re about to need them. Crissy shares her journey through experiences she did not deserve - loss, disappointment, and seasons of pain that arrived uninvited. We speak honestly about what it means to keep going after hurt, how faith can feel fragile but persistent, and how growth often comes slowly, quietly, and without spectacle. Together we reflect on: friendships that arrive through divine timing surviving things we never should have had to carry learning the difference between what we were given and what we deserve rebuilding life with tenderness, boundaries, and faith trusting God while creating something beautiful after disappointment This episode is a conversation between friends - gentle, honest, and full of grace - about choosing healing, allowing growth, and believing that new life is possible even after what broke us for a little while. Keywords / Hashtagswomen’s stories · women rediscovering God · friendship and faith · healing after hurt · emotional healing · women’s faith journey · rebuilding life · divine timing · chosen family · personal growth · life after disappointment · adult women and spirituality · learning self-worth Music Credithttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Molerider/Borough/

    45 min
  8. Bible Stories: Chats with Nicole & Hagar/Hājar – Girl Not Quite Overlooked

    Jan 7

    Bible Stories: Chats with Nicole & Hagar/Hājar – Girl Not Quite Overlooked

    Conversations with Nicole: Hindsight, Hard Things, and the Stories That Change Us In this episode, we sit with the story of Hagar — Hājar in Islamic tradition — a woman pushed to the margins, sent into the wilderness, and yet repeatedly seen by God. Reading: Genesis 15–17, 21 · Galatians 4:21–31 · Qur’an Surah 14:37; 2:125–127; 2:158 · Hadith & Midrash ReflectionsWe read her story across traditions: Genesis tells us of exile, survival, and a God who hears the cry of a child. The Qur’an places her in a barren valley, where trust, movement, and endurance lead to life-giving water. Midrash and Hadith fill in silences — her origins, her dignity, her strength — reminding us that what looks like abandonment often becomes the birthplace of something sacred. Nicole and I chat about how relationships, choices, and experiences that felt painful or “wrong” at the time quietly reshaped us for the better - we couldn’t see it then, but now it makes sense. Reflecting on: being sent into seasons we didn’t choose relationships that hurt, but later clarified who we are how hindsight changes the story we tell ourselves faith, resilience, and learning to trust the process after the dust settles the quiet truth that growth often looks like loss while it’s happening We also touch on Paul’s allegory of Hagar in Galatians, questioning how stories are interpreted, simplified, or used — and what it means to return to the original woman behind the metaphor. This episode is for women who are: making peace with past relationships learning that not all “bad chapters” were mistakes discovering that survival itself is sacred and realizing, slowly and gently, that they were never truly overlooked Texts Referenced Bible: Genesis 15–17 – Promise, covenant, and context Genesis 21 – Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness Galatians 4:21–31 – Paul’s allegory of Hagar and Sarah Qur’an: Surah 14:37 – Ibrahim’s prayer for his family in the barren valley Surah 2:125–127 – Ibrahim and Ismāʿīl raising the foundations of the House Surah 2:158 – Safa and Marwah, linked to Hājar’s search for water Hadith: Hājar given to Sarah by the Egyptian ruler Hājar running between Safa and Marwah The emergence of Zamzam and God’s provision Midrash: Hagar as Egyptian nobility Reflections on her dignity, exile, and survival Keywords / Hashtags women rediscovering God · spiritual growth for women · Bible and Qur’an stories · Hagar · Hājar · hindsight and healing · emotional healing · women’s faith journey · rebuilding faith · scripture reflections · survival and growth · adult women and spirituality · faith after heartbreak · learning from relationships Music Credit https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Molerider/Borough/

    47 min
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About

For many years, I heard the stories of the Word of God through others. But what we take from a story depends on who tells it — and what we are open to receive. This is a journey of spiritual and personal rediscovery, including stories from the Bible, Qur’an, the Torah, Hadith, and Midrash — and reflecting on the meanings they carry for real life. Alongside this, I sit with women in my life as we talk honestly about what has shaped us - faith, relationships, challenges, and how we’ve grown. If you’re ready for conversations that feel like voice notes to the soul, come join us.

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