Leading from Wholeness | Boundaries, Faith, Identity, Coach

Audrey Shelby - Leadership Coach, Christian
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Does a lack of validation make you question your call to leadership? Is fear of rejection preventing you from being your authentic self? Does imposture syndrome hold you back from leading with power versus fear? Do you want to serve in a meaningful way? I am so glad you're here, friend. I’m Audrey Shelby, and I’ve been leading in the public sector for 20 years. I struggled with anxiety and thinking I wasn’t worthy to be in the roles I occupied. But through intentionally seeking God in prayer and His affirmation of who I was created to be, I now lead with confidence, joy, and purpose. This podcast will help you identify the barriers that keep you from leading well. God has chosen you to shepherd over the job you’re in, the people you supervise, those children you’re raising, and the partner you have. Through the spiritual strategy of prayer and evidence-informed practices, together, we will tear down the lies that are keeping you from being free and successful as a leader. Grab your hot chocolate, your journal, and let’s go!

  1. 3d ago

    Ep 41 | Weariness — When Spiritual and Physical Depletion Catch Up With You

    Show Notes Are you worn out from trying to do it all on your own? In this episode of Leading from Wholeness, I share an honest part of my story: I had a vision for my life, and I kept asking God to bless my plans instead of partnering with Him on His. Some of that was pride. Some of it was simply not knowing that God had a plan for me at all. I only knew what I wanted, and I pushed until my body made me stop. But what the enemy meant for evil, God turned for good. If you're running on empty spiritually and physically, this conversation is for you. We'll talk about where weariness comes from and what it looks like to rest on purpose. We'll also cover how to pursue the peace God promises. And if you need to hear this today: God is good, His plans for you are good, and He loves you.    Key Takeaways: 4 Ways to Overcome Weariness Pray and ask God what is causing your weariness. Before you fix it, find it. Invite God to show you the root of your exhaustion, whether it's overcommitment, striving, fear, or trying to carry what was never yours. Build in a rhythm of rest. Rest doesn't just happen. It requires intentionality, and it looks different for each of us. What does rest look like for you? Where are you intentional about pouring into yourself? Trust that God will take care of you. (Exodus 16:29–30) When God gave Israel manna in the wilderness, He gave a double portion on the sixth day so they could rest on the Sabbath. Rest was an act of trust. God calls us to work (Genesis 2:15; 3:19). But our job is not our provider. God is. Don't elevate a job or a salary above God. It can quietly become an idol that costs you your family, your health, and your dreams. Your identity is rooted in Christ, not in your title or the company you work for. Pursue peace by seeking Him first. (Matthew 6:33; 1 Peter 3:11) No matter how busy life gets, keep your priorities straight. Make time for God. Don't get lost in the things, the relationships, or even the promises God has given you: your children, your spouse, your job, your retirement. Shift your focus back to Him. Seek Him first, and the rest will follow. Focus on gratitude: Celebrate the little things Scriptures Referenced Galatians 6:9 — "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (ESV) Exodus 16:29–30 — God provides a double portion so His people can rest on the Sabbath Matthew 6:33 — "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (ESV) 1 Peter 3:11 — Turn from evil, do good, and seek peace and pursue it Reflection Questions What might God be revealing as the true source of your weariness? Are you asking God to bless your plans, or seeking to partner with Him on His? What would a realistic rhythm of rest look like in your current season? Has your job, title, or paycheck become a source of identity or security that belongs to God alone? What is one thing you can shift this week to seek Him first? Connect With Us If this episode spoke to you, share it with a woman who's running on empty. Subscribe to Leading from Wholeness so you never miss an episode, and leave a review to help others find the show. 📧 Email: hello@praywithoutceasingministries.com 📱 Instagram:@AudreyTShelby 🌐 Website: www.praywithoutceasingministries.com 🎙️ Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts

  2. Sep 30

    Ep 40 | Ready for the Fight: How to Prepare for Spiritual Battles Before They Come

    Show Notes The battle is coming. It could be a hard diagnosis, a betrayal, a business setback, or a season when everything seems to fall apart at once. The question isn't if the fight will come. It's whether you'll be ready when it does. In this episode, we walk through Ephesians 6:10–18 and the armor of God. Audrey shows why you should prepare for battle before it arrives. You don't train for the fight in the middle of the fight. Get ready now through daily prayer and time in God's Word, so when the hard day comes, you can stand your ground. For women who lead in business, ministry, and at home, this episode is a call to stop waiting for a crisis and prioritize your spiritual life. Your strength for tomorrow's battle is built in today's quiet time. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why spiritual preparation has to happen before the battle, not during it What each piece of the armor of God means for your life and leadership How prayer and Bible reading work together as your daily training Why Paul ends the armor passage with a call to pray at all times How to tell whether you're spiritually ready for the fight ahead Key Scripture: Ephesians 6:10–18 Paul calls believers to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, and to put on the full armor of God so they can stand firm when the day of evil comes. The Armor of God: Armor What It Means for You Belt of Truth Anchor yourself in what God says, not the lies of fear, shame, or comparison. Breastplate of Righteousness Guard your heart by living with integrity. Feet Fitted with the Gospel of Peace Stand steady and ready to move, grounded in God's peace. Shield of Faith Block the fiery arrows of doubt, discouragement, and attack. Helmet of Salvation Protect your mind with the security of who you are in Christ. Sword of the Spirit Fight back with the Word of God, your only offensive weapon. Prayer (v. 18) Stay alert and pray on every occasion.  Key Takeaways 1. The battle will come. Scripture doesn't say if the day of evil comes. It says when. Hard seasons are part of life and leadership, and being a believer doesn't exempt you. 2. Preparation happens before the fight. A soldier doesn't learn to use her weapons on the battlefield. If you wait for the crisis to start praying and reading your Bible, you'll be scrambling for armor you never put on. 3. The Word is your weapon. The sword of the Spirit is the only offensive piece of armor. You can't fight back with Scripture you don't know. Reading your Bible daily is how you sharpen your sword. 4. Prayer holds it all together. Paul ends the passage with prayer: in the Spirit, on every occasion, staying alert. Praying without ceasing isn't extra. It's how you stay battle-ready. 5. Stand. The goal isn't to avoid the fight. It's to still be standing when it's over. Reflection Questions If a battle hit your life tomorrow, how ready would you be, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally? Which piece of the armor of God have you been leaving off? What does your daily prayer and Bible reading look like right now? Is it enough to sustain you in a hard season? What Scripture could you use as your sword right now? If none comes to mind, where can you start? Who in your life is praying for you, and who are you praying for? This Week's Challenge: Suit Up Daily For the next seven days, put on your armor before you pick up your phone: Pray first. Spend at least ten minutes in prayer before starting your day. Read the Word. Read Ephesians 6:10–18 this week. Memorize one verse. Choose one Scripture as your sword for the week and commit it to memory. Stay alert. When stress or attack shows up during the day, pause and pray right then. Connect with Audrey Podcast: Leading from Wholeness Instagram: @AudreyTShelby Website: praywithoutceasingministries.com Email: coach@leadingfromwholenesspodcast.com If this episode encouraged you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a woman who needs to get ready for her fight.

  3. Sep 23

    Ep 39 | Leaders and Mental Health: Why Surrender, Not Striving, Is the Path to Wholeness

    Show Notes 42.5 million U.S. adults lived with an anxiety disorder in 2025 — and leaders are far from exempt. In this episode of Leading from Wholeness, we explore what it really means to lead from a place of health rather than hustle. Jesus died so we could enjoy the abundant life He promised in John 10:10. So the question is: are you enjoying yours? Drawing from Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 and Philippians 2:12-13, this episode unpacks why healing and wholeness are a process, not a one-time event — and offers four practical, faith-rooted steps every leader can start applying today. What You'll Learn in This Episode Surrender — Why naming your real feelings to God ("this isn't fair," "I don't deserve this") is the first honest step toward healing. Acceptance vs. Complacency — The critical difference between being content with your lot in life and becoming complacent about growth. Seeking Support — Why counseling, coaching, and community aren't a sign of weakness but a strategy for sustainable leadership. Renewing Your Mind — How to identify and replace the lies you've believed (not good enough, behind schedule, not doing enough) with the truth of God's Word. Key Scriptures Referenced John 10:10 — Jesus came to give life, and life abundantly Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 (NLT) — Enjoying your work and your lot in life as a gift from God Philippians 2:12-13 (AMP) — Working out your salvation with awe-inspired fear and trembling Romans 12:2 (NLT) — Be transformed by the renewing of your mind Psalm 23:1 (AMP) — The Lord is my Shepherd who supplies every need Philippians 4:19 (KJV) — God shall supply all your need Proverbs 16:33 — The lot is cast, but its outcome is from the Lord "When we can truly be content with where we are in life, we can begin to be happy." Reflection Questions What do you need to release to God today? Where in your life have you confused contentment with complacency? What lie have you believed about yourself that God's Word contradicts? Who is in your support system — and when did you last actually use it? Resources & Further Reading Forbes: "Mental Health Crisis: Why Leaders Must Listen First Before Assuming" — Julie Kratz (2026) Connect With Leading from Wholeness Pray Without Ceasing Ministries |  Whole-person wellness for women — Spiritual, Emotional, Mental, Physical, and Financial Health Seeking individual coaching? Email me at: coach@leadingfromwholenesspodcast.com 📱 Instagram:@AudreyTShelby 🌐 Website: www.praywithoutceasingministries.com 🎙️ Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts

  4. Sep 16

    Ep 38 | Leaving Margin for Error: Break the Busyness Cycle

    Show Notes  We tell ourselves we've dealt with something — that the therapy session, the training, the self-help book finally closed the loop. Then it shows up again, wearing a different outfit. In this episode, I get honest about a moment when I was running late (again) and realized the real issue wasn't my calendar — it was a pattern of tying my worth to performance and running from what that pressure actually costs me. If you've ever kept yourself so busy there's no margin left for life, this one's for you. Here's what I uncovered underneath it: I've tied performance to perfection, and perfection to acceptance. And somewhere along the way, "running" became my normal — staying so busy that there's no margin left for actual life. So come here, my fellow workaholic. We're starting a support group. First question: what are you running from? Sometimes we think we've dealt with an issue, and then it resurfaces — in a new job, a new relationship, a new season — wearing a slightly different face. Sound familiar? You leave one company because of a conflict, only to find the same conflict waiting for you at the next one. At some point, wisdom stops looking outward for the cause and starts looking within. There's no shortage of self-help resources promising to fix our habits — time management systems, organizational hacks, certifications, trainings. And those tools have real value. But if we never shift the mindset underneath the behavior, we won't see lasting change. We'll just get better at managing the symptom. Shifting a mindset requires awareness and introspection — and Scripture already named this tension long before modern psychology gave it a vocabulary. "For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]." — Romans 7:15 (AMP) Read it here Paul is describing exactly this experience: doing the thing you don't want to do, even after you know better. Awareness alone doesn't change us — but it's the necessary first step toward the introspection that does. Your Action Steps Start by identifying the real issue. For me, the busyness was tied to performance and excellence — but from a place of needing to be perfect and acceptable, not from a healthy drive. Ask yourself why you're running. What's the underlying issue beneath the behavior? What would it look like if I stopped running? What void is this filling? What do I really need that I'm not getting? (For many of us — it's validation.) Do the analysis. If you notice you keep repeating a behavior you genuinely don't want anymore, start here: really examine what is getting in the way of the change you want. Is it avoidance? Are your decisions being run by fear?      4. Pray ask God to heal you in this area Reflection Questions What's an issue you thought you'd already resolved that's shown up again in a new season of your life? If you stopped "running" today, what would you have to sit with? What are you really chasing when you chase perfection — and what would it feel like to have it without earning it? "At some point, wisdom starts to look within." Connect With Us We'd love to hear from you!   Pray Without Ceasing Ministries |  Whole-person wellness for women — Spiritual, Emotional, Mental, Physical, and Financial Health Seeking individual coaching? Email me at: coach@leadingfromwholenesspodcast.com 📱 Instagram:@AudreyTShelby 🌐 Website: www.praywithoutceasingministries.com 🎙️ Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts

  5. Sep 9

    Ep 37 | Being a “Strong Independent Woman” Might Be Ruining Your Prayer Life

    Show Notes What happens when the very trait people praise you for — your independence, your resourcefulness, your ability to "figure it out" — is quietly keeping you from a deeper relationship with God? In this episode, Audrey gets honest about a lifelong "I'll figure it out" mindset, and the moment she realized it wasn't strength — it was self-sufficiency standing in for faith. If you've ever prayed about something for years while also trying to fix it yourself, this episode is for you. What You'll Learn Why self-reliance can quietly crowd God out of situations you're technically "praying about" The difference between healthy responsibility and a self-sufficiency that operates without God Why hitting your human "ceiling" isn't failure — it's an invitation What it really means to "tarry" (and why the mothers of the church knew something we've forgotten) Three practical steps to shift from performing your way through life to trusting God with it. Key Scriptures Referenced Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) — seek first the kingdom of God Matthew 6:25–34 — Jesus's teaching on worry Proverbs 1:7 — the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge Proverbs 16:3 — commit your works to the Lord Proverbs 3:5 — trust in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding Numbers 23:19 — God is not a man that He should lie Jeremiah 29:11-14 — God's plans for you are for good, not evil The 3 Steps  Pray First — Go to God first. Ask Him what you should do. Bring your worries, your cares, and your concerns to Him first before you call anyone else. Surrender — Surrender your way and your wants before you strategize. Let go of your plans and trust God's plans over your own (Jeremiah 29:11). Learn to Tarry — Learn to wait patiently on the Lord. Longer than planned doesn't mean forgotten. Fix your eyes on who God is while you wait. "It was totally reliant on me. And when you rely on yourself to make things happen... you eventually get to the point when you hit a ceiling." Reflect this Week Where in your life have you been praying and quietly running the backup plan at the same time? What would it look like to actually tarry instead?   Subscribe & Share: If this episode spoke to you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it — and leave a review to help more women find this show. Connect With Us Website: www.praywithoutceasingministries.com  Email: hello@praywithoutceasingministries.com Instagram: @AudreyTShelby

  6. Sep 2

    Ep 36 | Stop Making Excuses: What Moses Teaches Us About Overcoming Self-Doubt and Fear

    Show Notes We've all been there — God puts a calling in front of us, and instead of stepping into it, we start building a case for why we can't. In this episode, we look at Moses in Exodus 3:11–4:11 and the five excuses he gave God during his commissioning. Each excuse sounds reasonable. Each one gets answered. And each answer points to the same truth: it was never about Moses's qualifications — it was about God's presence with him. If you've been stuck behind an excuse — "I'm not enough," "I don't know enough," "no one will listen to me," "I'm not equipped," "please send someone else" — this episode is for you. Scripture Focus Exodus 3:11–15; Exodus 4:1–11; Acts 17:24 The 5 Excuses We Use to Avoid Our Calling "I'm not the one for this." (Incorrect theology / self-focus) Moses hid behind the belief that he had to be the deliverer. God's answer: I don't want to do this through Me alone — I want to do it through you. The excuse: it's not about carrying the weight alone. "I don't know enough." (Insufficient knowledge) Moses questioned what he'd even say. God's response reframes the issue: it's not what you know, it's who you know. "I'm not qualified enough." (Inferior self-concept) Moses doubted his own credibility. God's countered: it's not about who you are — it's about who God is. "I don't have the ability." (Inadequate skill — Moses's speech) Moses pointed to his weakness. God's answer: it's not your ability that counts, but His. "Send someone else." (Incomplete trust) The final excuse — outright avoidance. God's response: this isn't a request. Key Takeaways for Listeners Excuses often sound like humility, but they can actually be a form of self-protection or distrust. God doesn't remove the calling when we make excuses — He answers each one. Every excuse we raise has already been addressed by who God is, not by who we are. We're not disqualified by inadequacy — we're actually positioned for God to show up through the inadequacy. Reflection Questions Which of Moses's five excuses do you find yourself using most often? What is one thing you've been putting off because you've decided you're "not the right person" for it? If God answered your excuse the way He answered Moses's, what would He say back to you? Call to Action Stop waiting until you feel ready, qualified, or equipped. Take one step today toward the thing you've been making excuses about — and trust that the ability was never supposed to be yours alone to carry. Leading from Wholeness is a production of Pray Without Ceasing Ministries (PWCM), helping women lead and live from a place of Spiritual, Emotional, Mental, Physical, and Financial wholeness. Subscribe & Share: If this episode spoke to you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it — and leave a review to help more women find this show. Connect With Us Website: www.praywithoutceasingministries.com  Email: hello@praywithoutceasingministries.com Instagram: @AudreyTShelby

  7. Aug 19

    (BONUS EPISODE) Ep 35 | The Thief You Don't See — The Thievery of Fear

    Show Notes Fear doesn't always announce itself — sometimes it disguises itself as "just who I am." In this episode, we unpack what happens when ordinary, God-given fear (the kind that protects us) turns into an illusion that rules our decisions instead of our discernment. Drawing on Scripture, neuroscience, and a very real encounter with a bear at a wedding, we explore how fear quietly steals three things from us: our time, our peace, and our purpose — and what it looks like to take our thoughts captive and walk in obedience anyway. Listen to the message Audrey shared at the 2026 Pray Without Ceasing Conference. What You'll Learn The difference between real fear (a normal, protective response) and the illusion of fear that overrides truth with feeling How the thought → feeling → behavior cycle shapes our automatic beliefs about ourselves Why an estimated 80% of our automatic thoughts aren't true — and why we tend to repeat the same thoughts day after day The three things fear steals: time, peace, and purpose What it means to "take every thought captive" (2 Corinthians 10:4–5) and pull down mental strongholds Five disguises fear wears: catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, hypervigilance disguised as caution, shrinking language, and control-seeking A practical exercise for identifying and replacing a negative thought pattern with Scripture Key Scriptures Referenced John 10:10 John 8:44 Proverbs 23:7 Ephesians 4:23 Ephesians 2:10 Psalm 139:16 Jeremiah 29:11 Joshua 1 2 Timothy 1:7 Isaiah 9:6 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 Genesis 3 Matthew 28:19 John 15:16 Memorable Quotes "If you want to change your life, change your thoughts." "Courage isn't the absence of fear — it's the awareness that something else is more important." "Your story is still being written, and you have to make the decision to star in the show." "Don't let what you see talk you out of what you've heard." Reflection & Action Steps Pray. Ask God to help you renew your mind.  Take inventory. Write down one or two negative thoughts you find yourself repeating. Search for the opposite truth. Look up a Scripture that directly counters that lie. Carry it with you. Keep the verse somewhere visible — your mirror, your car, your wallet — and speak it out loud when the old thought resurfaces. Take the thought captive. Read 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 and ask God to help you identify the stronghold behind the lie. Move anyway. You don't need the full blueprint — you need the next step and the certainty that God goes with you. Join Us for 2027 Missed this year's conference or want to make sure you're in the room next time? Sign up for updates on the 2027 Pray Without Ceasing Conference: 2027 Conference Interest Form Pray Without Ceasing Ministries | Live Life on Purpose 2026 | Whole-person wellness for women — Spiritual, Emotional, Mental, Physical, and Financial Health Seeking individual coaching? Email me at: coach@leadingfromwholenesspodcast.com Connect With Us Website: www.praywithoutceasingministries.com  Instagram: @AudreyTShelby

  8. Aug 19

    Ep 34 | Live Life on Purpose: Inside the 2026 Pray Without Ceasing Prayer Conference

    Show Notes Event Overview On August 15, 2026, women gathered at the DoubleTree Hotel in Buena Park, CA for the 2026 Pray Without Ceasing Annual Conference: "Live Life on Purpose," anchored in John 10:10. This annual Christian women's wellness conference brings women together across PWCM's five pillars of whole-person health — Spiritual, Emotional, Mental, Physical, and Financial — for a day of teaching, worship, and community. If you're looking for a faith-based women's conference in Southern California focused on real transformation — not just inspiration — this recap will give you a look inside the day, plus practical takeaways you can apply right now. Keynote Message: "The Thief You Don't See" — The Thievery of Fear The centerpiece of the day was a keynote message on how fear — left unchecked — moves from a normal, protective response into an illusion that overrides truth with feeling. The message unpacked three things fear quietly steals: our time, our peace, and our purpose. Key Takeaways on Overcoming Fear The difference between real fear (a normal, God-given protective response) and the illusion of fear that overrides truth with feeling How the thought → feeling → behavior cycle shapes our automatic beliefs about ourselves Why an estimated 80% of our automatic thoughts aren't true — and why we tend to repeat the same thoughts day after day The three things fear steals: time, peace, and purpose What it means to "take every thought captive" (2 Corinthians 10:4–5) and pull down mental strongholds Five disguises fear wears: catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, hypervigilance disguised as caution, shrinking language, and control-seeking Scriptures on Fear and Renewing Your Mind John 10:10 · John 8:44 · Proverbs 23:7 · Ephesians 4:23 · Ephesians 2:10 · Psalm 139:16 · Jeremiah 29:11 · Joshua 1 · 2 Timothy 1:7 · Isaiah 9:6 · 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 · Genesis 3 · Matthew 28:19 · John 15:16   Join Us for 2027 Missed this year's conference or want to make sure you're in the room next time? Sign up for updates on the 2027 Pray Without Ceasing Conference: 2027 Conference Interest Form Pray Without Ceasing Ministries | Live Life on Purpose 2026 | Whole-person wellness for women — Spiritual, Emotional, Mental, Physical, and Financial Health   Seeking individual coaching? Email me at: coach@leadingfromwholenesspodcast.com Connect With Us Website: www.praywithoutceasingministries.com  Instagram: @AudreyTShelby

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Does a lack of validation make you question your call to leadership? Is fear of rejection preventing you from being your authentic self? Does imposture syndrome hold you back from leading with power versus fear? Do you want to serve in a meaningful way? I am so glad you're here, friend. I’m Audrey Shelby, and I’ve been leading in the public sector for 20 years. I struggled with anxiety and thinking I wasn’t worthy to be in the roles I occupied. But through intentionally seeking God in prayer and His affirmation of who I was created to be, I now lead with confidence, joy, and purpose. This podcast will help you identify the barriers that keep you from leading well. God has chosen you to shepherd over the job you’re in, the people you supervise, those children you’re raising, and the partner you have. Through the spiritual strategy of prayer and evidence-informed practices, together, we will tear down the lies that are keeping you from being free and successful as a leader. Grab your hot chocolate, your journal, and let’s go!

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