The Speakeasy

the Girl Named Blake
  • 4.8 (3.4K)
  • CHRISTIANITY
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The Speakeasy Podcast is a place to have underground conversations out loud. Whether we're diving into theology, politics, culture, real life, or the way they often all intersect, we're going to do it together, with kindness and curiosity. Hosted by Blake Guichet (known as @thegirlnamedblake online) - the best-selling author, Instagrammer, wife, & homeschool mom - the Speakeasy has a place for you, if you want it. The Speakeasy Podcast was formerly the Confessions of Crappy Christian Podcast.

  1. How the Heck Should We Pray? | Addison Bevere

    9H AGO

    How the Heck Should We Pray? | Addison Bevere

    In this powerful and practical conversation, I sat down with Addison Bevere to unpack one of the most common struggles in the Christian life: prayer. If you've ever felt like you're "bad at prayer," distracted, or unsure what to say, this episode meets you right there and gently reframes everything. You're Not the Only One Struggling Here's a surprising truth: Nearly 98% of Christians feel like they're bad at prayer Many compare themselves to others and feel inadequate The enemy uses that insecurity to isolate and discourage Addison shares that even growing up in a spiritually strong family, he felt like he didn't measure up. His journey into understanding prayer began from a place of deficiency, not mastery. Prayer Isn't Performance, It's Participation One of the biggest mindset shifts: Prayer is not a performance. It's not about saying the right words. It's not about praying long enough. Instead, prayer is: A relationship A posture of surrender A way of participating in what God is already doing "Prayer is not a religious exercise. It's how we participate in what is most real." This reframing alone can free you from pressure and invite you into something much deeper. The Real Problem: Self-Reliance Many of us approach prayer like this: "God, tell me what to do so I can go do it." But that mindset removes relationship. Instead of walking with God, we try to: Get answers Stay in control Avoid making mistakes This leads to: Anxiety Analysis paralysis Fear of doing the "wrong" thing But God's design is different. Faith Looks Like Movement A powerful biblical principle: "We will obey, and we will hear." (Exodus 24:7) In other words: You don't always get clarity first You take a step in faith Then God guides you along the way This removes the pressure of perfection and invites trust. God Is Not Waiting to Condemn You A core belief that needs to change: God is not looking for a reason to punish you. He is more invested in your life than you are. This matters because so many people: Avoid prayer out of shame Feel like they've already failed Believe God is distant or disappointed But Scripture tells a different story. "There is now no condemnation…" (Romans 8:1) Prayer is not where you're judged, it's where you're restored. Why Mornings Matter So Much One of the most practical takeaways is about how you start your day. Your brain is most receptive: Right when you wake up Before distractions take over But most people: Grab their phone within minutes Flood their mind with noise, stress, and comparison This shapes your entire day. Instead, consider: Staying off your phone for at least 30–60 minutes Sitting quietly with God Letting your mind and spirit settle This creates space to: Hear more clearly Receive rather than react Start from peace instead of pressure The Power of Stillness You don't need a perfect routine. Sometimes prayer looks like: Sitting quietly Lying still Letting thoughts surface Simply being aware of God's presence Even small moments of stillness can: Bring clarity Reveal truth Calm your mind A Simple Way to Start Praying If you don't know what to say, start here: 1. The Lord's Prayer (Slowly) Take it line by line: Reflect on each phrase Let it guide your thoughts Don't rush it 2. A Simple Prayer: "I Am Here" This three-word prayer is powerful: I am, I am present Here, I'm not in the past or future With God, I acknowledge His presence It centers you in: The moment The relationship The surrender Repentance Is a Gift Repentance isn't about shame, it's about freedom. It means: Turning away from self-reliance Returning to God Receiving grace again It's not a one-time event, it's a daily invitation. Prayer Changes How You Live As you grow in prayer, you'll notice: More clarity Less anxiety Greater awareness of God Increased sensitivity to others You begin to: Respond instead of react Listen instead of strive Walk with God instead of chasing answers Final Takeaway You don't need to: Be perfect Say the right words Have it all figured out You just need to: Slow down Show up Stay present Prayer isn't about doing more. It's about being with God. And that changes everything. Sponsors CrowdHealth An alternative to traditional health insurance that gives you: Lower-cost prescriptions and labs Access to vetted doctors A team to help manage bills You pay the first $500, and the community helps cover the rest. Get started for $99 for your first three months with code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com. Just Thrive A clinically proven probiotic designed to: Support gut health Improve digestion Strengthen immunity Try it risk-free for 90 days. Get 20% off your first order at justthrivehealth.com with code BLAKE.

    1h 17m
  2. Why Are Christian Women So Disconnected From Their Bodies | Brooke Rozmenoski

    APR 29

    Why Are Christian Women So Disconnected From Their Bodies | Brooke Rozmenoski

    In this episode, Brooke and I dive into a struggle so many Christian women share: feeling disconnected from their bodies, overwhelmed in their lives, and genuinely unsure why their health is suffering. What often shows up: Constant stress and urgency Snapping at loved ones Poor health or confusing symptoms Feeling unable to slow down The root issue isn't just physical, it's a whole-person misalignment. Why "Healthy" Efforts Aren't Working So many women are trying: Diet changes Supplements Exercise plans But still feel stuck. The missing piece? The "why" behind the dysfunction. Your body responds to: Chronic stress Emotional wounds Spiritual disconnection Without addressing those, surface-level fixes just won't last. Living in Survival Mode A key theme we talk about is the nervous system. So many women are stuck in fight-or-flight, which looks like: Everything feeling urgent Inability to rest Constant distraction Burnout and irritability Your body was designed to handle stress briefly, not live in it daily. When it does, both physical and emotional health begin to decline. Emotions Are Signals Instead of suppressing emotions, Brooke reframes them as signals: Anger → often rooted in fear Anxiety → often tied to overload Irritation → unmet needs Learning to name emotions helps calm your body and understand what's really happening. Biblically, emotions aren't sinful, they're human. Even Jesus experienced deep grief and distress. The goal isn't to avoid emotion, but to remain obedient within it. Connection Before Correction This applies to both parenting and personal growth. Instead of immediately fixing behavior: Pause Attune Understand When you feel seen (and help others feel seen), real change becomes possible. Why You Feel Overwhelmed The issue often isn't effort, it's capacity. Your nervous system determines how much you can handle. If it's overwhelmed, adding more habits only makes things worse. Healing expands your capacity over time so you can handle life differently, even if your responsibilities don't change. The Work That Changes You Real transformation requires deeper work: Processing emotions Facing past wounds Letting go of control Surrendering to God It's not easy, but it leads to lasting peace and clarity. Getting Back Into Alignment So many women are living out of order: Work and responsibilities first God and self last True alignment looks like: God Family Self-care Everything else When God is first, everything else begins to fall into place. Self-Care Isn't Selfish Neglecting yourself leads to burnout and disconnection. Taking care of yourself allows you to: Show up fully for others Respond instead of react Live with more peace and joy You weren't designed to run on empty. Final Takeaway Your body, mind, and spirit are connected. Healing starts when you: Slow down Pay attention Process what's beneath the surface Reorder your life around God It's not about doing more. It's about living aligned. Connect with Brooke: Join the Faithfully Nourished Community: CLICK HERE Book a FREE 30 Minute Consultation (first 30 people!): CLICK HERE Follow Brooke on IG @brookerozzie Follow Faithfully Nourished on IG @faithfullynourished_ Podcast: Faithfully Nourished Sponsor: CrowdHealth CrowdHealth is an alternative to traditional health insurance. Members get: Lower-cost prescriptions and labs Access to vetted doctors A care team to help manage bills For major needs: You pay the first $500 The community helps cover the rest Get started for $99 for your first three months with code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com.

    1h 4m
  3. Where Do I Start? (Bible Reading, Journaling, & Staying Rooted)

    APR 15

    Where Do I Start? (Bible Reading, Journaling, & Staying Rooted)

    In this solo episode, I'm answering two of the most common questions I get: where to start in the Bible and how to journal in a way that actually helps you grow. I'm not giving you a rigid formula here. Just some simple, practical rhythms that have helped me stay grounded in my relationship with God. Where to Start in the Bible Whether the Bible feels overwhelming or overly familiar, my recommendation is the same: Start with the book of John and the Psalms. The Psalms are raw, emotional, and deeply human. They show you how to bring real feelings, fear, doubt, anger, grief, all of it, before God, while consistently returning to truth. They're a model for processing life honestly while anchoring yourself in who God is. John, on the other hand, focuses on who Jesus is. While the other Gospels emphasize events, John emphasizes identity. It offers a clearer, more relational picture of Christ and helps you connect personally with Him. Together, these two books give you both emotional honesty and theological clarity. A Better Way to Read the Bible I'm a big believer in slowing down rather than rushing through Scripture. Reading the Bible in a year can be valuable, sure, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially if you're just starting out. Instead, I recommend staying in smaller sections longer and actually letting them shape your thinking and behavior. A helpful next step after John and Psalms is the book of Colossians. It offers practical guidance for how to live as a Christian. It's short but dense, which makes it perfect for slow, intentional study. Journaling: What It Actually Looks Like Journaling is not about structure or perfection. At its core, it's just a conversation with God. A typical journal entry for me might include: Writing out a passage of Scripture Taking notes or observations Processing personal thoughts or convictions Turning those thoughts into prayer Praying for others Reflecting on the day or expressing gratitude Not every entry includes all of these elements, but this general flow helps me connect Scripture, personal reflection, and prayer in a natural way. The Freedom of Messy Journaling One of the biggest barriers to journaling is the pressure to do it "right." Letting go of perfectionism was a huge turning point for me. Journaling doesn't need to be neat, organized, or even fully readable. It doesn't require a specific notebook or pen. What matters is honesty. Some entries are structured and thoughtful. Others are rushed, emotional, or scattered. Both are valuable. God is not concerned with how it looks, He's concerned with your heart. Daily Anchors That Keep You Rooted Rather than relying on a single quiet time, I build small points of connection with God throughout my day. These include: Morning Bible reading and journaling Prayer while starting the day Brief moments of prayer before beginning work Gratitude while completing daily tasks Reflection and journaling at night These "anchors" aren't meant to be burdensome. They're simple reminders that keep me connected to God in the middle of everyday life. Why These Practices Matter I want to be really clear, these habits are not about performance. They exist because we're naturally forgetful and prone to drift. Without intentional reminders, it's so easy to rely on yourself, lose perspective, and become overwhelmed. These small, consistent practices help re-center my mind on truth and keep my relationship with God active throughout the day. Sponsor: CrowdHealth If you are looking for an alternative to traditional health insurance, CrowdHealth offers a different approach. With CrowdHealth, you pay a monthly fee that gives you access to lower-cost prescriptions, lab testing, and a network of vetted doctors. If a major medical need arises, you pay the first $500, and the community helps cover the rest. You can get started for $99 for your first three months by using code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com. CrowdHealth is not insurance.

    48 min
  4. Communication, Expectations, & Life in the Trenches | Jeremy Guichet

    APR 8

    Communication, Expectations, & Life in the Trenches | Jeremy Guichet

    In this episode, I sat down with my husband Jeremy to talk about 15 years of marriage, the early struggles, the growth, and how we got to where we are today. Because what you see now? It didn't always exist. And that's kind of the whole point. We laughed, we got vulnerable, and we talked about the stuff a lot of couples deal with but don't always say out loud, especially in those early years. What This Episode Is Really About This isn't a "we've figured it all out" conversation. It's more like a "we stayed, we worked, and God changed us" kind of story. At the core, we unpacked three major tension points that shaped our marriage: 1. Communication Struggles Jeremy is an external processor. I'm an internal processor. And for years, that dynamic created so much conflict we didn't even realize we were having. Silence, fear, assumptions, all of it just piled up until we finally learned to talk before the conflict, not just during it. We had to build safety so honesty didn't feel like an attack. Turns out, miscommunication wasn't really the issue, misunderstanding each other's intentions was. 2. Expectations (The Hidden Pressure) Our upbringings shaped so many unspoken expectations we didn't even know we were carrying into our marriage. I was loving Jeremy the way I wanted to be loved, not the way he needed to be loved. Learning each other's love languages was a massive turning point for us. Because so many of our frustrations weren't actually about behavior, they were about unmet, unspoken expectations. 3. Life in the Trenches (Small Kids + Stress) Early marriage plus young children is just exhausting. We were both drowning in stress but completely misunderstanding each other's, provider stress vs. caregiver stress. It felt like a perfect storm, and honestly, sometimes growth doesn't feel like progress. It just feels like survival. But pushing through that season together is what built the long-term strength we have now. Key Takeaways Healthy marriage requires individual growth first → when we both worked on ourselves, everything changed You can't learn communication in conflict, you build it before Assume the best about your spouse, not the worst Different roles carry different weight, learn to honor both Your "recovery time" matters more than your conflict → ours went from days… to hours… to minutes Seasons matter → what feels overwhelming now won't last forever The Big Picture Marriage isn't about avoiding hard seasons, it's about growing through them together. You are not defined by the season you're in, you're defined by the God over it. Whether you're newly married, in the thick of parenting, or feeling stuck in communication patterns, I hope this episode reminds you that strong marriages are built, not found.   Sponsor: CrowdHealth CrowdHealth is a health insurance alternative that puts you back in control. Get started for $99 for your first 3 months using code SPEAKEASY at: joincrowdhealth.com CrowdHealth is not insurance—it's a better way to pay for healthcare.   Final Encouragement If you're in a hard season right now… You're not behind. You're not broken. You're building something that lasts.

    44 min
  5. Spiritual Habits That Actually Change You (Without Burning You Out) | Hanna Seymour

    APR 1

    Spiritual Habits That Actually Change You (Without Burning You Out) | Hanna Seymour

    In this episode, I sit down with author and Bible teacher Hanna Seymour to talk about what it really looks like to grow spiritually in the middle of real life with busy schedules, motherhood, exhaustion, and all. We unpack Hanna's book Everyday Spiritual Habits and tackle one of the most common questions believers wrestle with: How do I actually stay consistent in my faith without feeling overwhelmed or burnt out? This conversation blends practical wisdom, biblical truth, and even habit science to help you build rhythms that truly last. Throughout our chat, we share our personal journeys from checkbox Christianity and inconsistent routines to discovering life-giving rhythms with God that are flexible, sustainable, and deeply transformative. After this conversation, I hope you'll walk away encouraged that spiritual growth isn't about perfection, it's about connection. In this episode, we cover: why spiritual "discipline" can feel overwhelming and how to reframe it as life-giving habits how to build habits that stick using simple, realistic steps the power of starting small (even 30 seconds counts) how to connect with God in everyday moments (laundry, dishes, driving, etc.) habit stacking and identity-based growth (who you're becoming vs. what you're doing) how different life seasons require different rhythms and that's okay lesser-talked-about disciplines like gratitude, celebration, silence, and solitude practical ways to memorize Scripture and stay rooted in truth why shame has no place in your spiritual journey If you've ever felt like you're failing at reading your Bible, praying consistently, or "doing enough," this episode is a breath of fresh air. It's not about adding pressure, it's about discovering a better way to walk with Jesus in your everyday life. Sponsor: CrowdHealth CrowdHealth is a health insurance alternative designed to give you more control and transparency. Get started for $99 for your first 3 months with code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com. CrowdHealth is not insurance.

    1h 9m
  6. Radical Restoration, Forgiveness, & the God Who Makes It Possible | Guest: Stephen McWhirter

    MAR 25

    Radical Restoration, Forgiveness, & the God Who Makes It Possible | Guest: Stephen McWhirter

    In today's episode, I sit down with Christian artist and author Stephen McWhirter for a raw, hope-filled conversation about redemption, forgiveness, and the transforming power of Jesus. Stephen shares the powerful story behind his music and about his book, Radical Restoration, where he talks about how he grew up in a home marked by abuse, spiraling into deep addiction, and ultimately encountering God in a life-changing moment that set him on a completely new path. His testimony is a reminder that no one is too far gone for grace and that restoration is possible even after years of pain and brokenness. We dive into the difficult but freeing topic of forgiveness: what it truly means, what it doesn't mean, and how God calls us to release the debts others owe us without minimizing real wounds. We talk honestly about the tension between forgiveness and reconciliation, the healing that comes through surrender, and the way God's love can transform even the deepest bitterness into freedom. In this conversation you'll hear about: Stephen's journey from addiction to worship ministry how encountering grace reshapes identity and purpose why forgiveness is both a command and a gift the difference between forgiving someone and allowing access to your life how asking God for His heart toward others changes everything practical first steps toward healing from past hurt If you've ever struggled to forgive, wondered whether real change is possible, or needed hope that God can restore what feels permanently broken, this episode will deeply encourage you. Sponsor: CrowdHealth CrowdHealth is a health insurance alternative helping families step outside a confusing system. Get started for $99 for your first 3 months with code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com. CrowdHealth is not insurance.

    41 min
  7. Navigating Change: How God's Shifted My Entire Life | Episode 407

    MAR 18

    Navigating Change: How God's Shifted My Entire Life | Episode 407

    Today's episode is a long overdue catch-up. I'm finally sharing the fuller story of what happened in 2025: the year God completely flipped my life, my work, my identity, and my priorities upside down. If you've noticed that my content has shifted a lot over the last year, this is the why. For years, this podcast has felt like the most full expression of me. Faith, motherhood, politics, wellness, the Bible, all of it. But Instagram had become heavily political. Eventually, the very work I thought was most important started costing me more than I realized, my peace, my presence, my family, and honestly, my soul. In this episode, I'm sharing the story of how God began asking me to do something that felt harder than any "jump" of obedience He'd ever asked of me before: sit down, pull back, do less, trust Him, and let Him carry what I had been trying to hold together myself. We talk about: how political content became my full-time work the moment I realized my priorities were deeply out of order what disobedience looked like in real time why 2025 felt like my "belly of the whale" year the vision God gave me that changed everything identity, striving, motherhood, and learning to be a daughter before a warrior why I stepped back from politics online what God has been rebuilding in me ever since This one is personal. It's vulnerable. And it's probably the clearest picture I've given yet of the shift God has been walking me through. If you're in a season where God is asking you to slow down, let go, or trust Him in ways you do not like, this episode is for you. Sponsor: CrowdHealth CrowdHealth is a health insurance alternative helping families step outside a broken system. Get started for $99 for your first 3 months with code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com. CrowdHealth is not insurance.

    50 min
  8. The Lies Anxiety Tells & the Truth that Silences Them | Maddie Joy Fischer

    MAR 11

    The Lies Anxiety Tells & the Truth that Silences Them | Maddie Joy Fischer

    Today we're talking about anxiety, not the casual "I'm stressed" kind, but the kind that takes over your body, your thoughts, your sleep, your peace, and your sense of safety. My friend Maddie Joy Fischer joins me to talk about our very real stories with anxiety, panic, fear, and the lies at the root of it all. We both know what it's like to feel trapped by fear and to wonder if this is just how life will always be. But we also know what it's like for God to meet us there, unravel self-reliance, expose the lies, and begin rebuilding something truer and stronger. In this conversation we talk about: how anxiety can start small and slowly take over health anxiety, panic attacks, and feeling unsafe in your own body the lie that says "I'm not safe" and the truth that answers it fear of man, self-protection, and trying to stay in control what it looks like to come to the end of yourself why healing is often not linear how God uses even the darkest seasons for redemption what surrender actually looks like when you're in it This episode is full of honesty, Scripture, and hope for the person still in the thick of anxiety, and for the person who loves someone who is. If you've ever felt like fear was driving the bus, this conversation is for you. There is freedom in Jesus. There is truth stronger than the lies. And there is hope, even here. Sponsor: CrowdHealth CrowdHealth is a health insurance alternative helping families opt out of a broken system. Get started for $99 for your first 3 months with code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com. CrowdHealth is not insurance.

    58 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
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About

The Speakeasy Podcast is a place to have underground conversations out loud. Whether we're diving into theology, politics, culture, real life, or the way they often all intersect, we're going to do it together, with kindness and curiosity. Hosted by Blake Guichet (known as @thegirlnamedblake online) - the best-selling author, Instagrammer, wife, & homeschool mom - the Speakeasy has a place for you, if you want it. The Speakeasy Podcast was formerly the Confessions of Crappy Christian Podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    the Girl Named Blake
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Crappy Christian Co.
  • Show Website
    The Speakeasy

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