Hope Realized

In this final episode of The Lies of Singleness series, I’m joined by my husband, Josh, for a heartfelt and honest conversation. Together, we reflect on our individual journeys through singleness, the lessons we learned along the way, and how God was shaping us long before we met each other.We also confront one of the lies many singles wrestle with: “God is not enough.” Josh vulnerably shares how he faced that lie in his own story and how, over time, he came to a place of exchanging it for the powerful truth that God truly is all you need.Whether you're single, dating, or married, we hope this episode offers you hope, encouragement, and a reminder that your worth and fulfillment are found in God alone.Order Megan's Book: The Lies of Singleness

In this special episode of Hope Realized, we continue our series The Lies of Singleness with a heartfelt conversation that’s close to home. I’m joined by two very special guests—my parents—as we explore what it was like for them to parent and encourage a single adult child.Together, we reflect on the differences between the dating culture of their generation and the complexities of modern relationships. They share honestly about how they’ve navigated understanding my journey, how they’ve supported me through seasons of hope and heartache, and how they’ve had to let go of expectations shaped by their own early marriage story.Whether you’re working through singleness yourself or you're a parent walking alongside an adult child in that journey, this episode offers a unique and compassionate perspective on love, support, and trust in God’s timing.Order Megan's Book: The Lies of Singleness

In this powerful continuation of our panel discussion, we dive deeper into the hearts and minds of three men as they share their honest perspectives on singleness, dating, and marriage. This episode is shaped by questions submitted by single women—real, vulnerable, and often unspoken.Together, we tackle sensitive but essential topics like pornography, purity, and setting boundaries in relationships. The conversation is raw, respectful, and full of insight for anyone navigating the journey of singleness with faith and hope.Join us for Part 2 of this important dialogue in our ongoing series, The Lies of Singleness—where we confront cultural narratives and discover truth through real stories.

In this special episode of Hope Realized, we’re flipping the script and giving the mic to three men to answer the questions single women have been asking.This honest, insightful, and sometimes humorous conversation dives into the male perspective on Christian singleness, dating and marriage. From understanding the signs that a woman is interested, to spotting red flags, and navigating the ever-complex world of online dating — no topic was off limits.If you’ve ever wondered what men are really thinking when it comes to relationships, attraction, and faith, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and hope straight from the source.Order Megan's Book: The Lies of Singleness

In this powerful episode of Hope Realized, we continue our series The Lies of Singleness with a personal conversation featuring Lucy Zielinski. Lucy, who is single through divorce, vulnerably shares her journey of battling with the lie: "I don't belong."This narrative didn’t begin in adulthood—it was rooted in childhood as the daughter of immigrants, where she often felt like an outsider. As life unfolded, that sense of disconnection only deepened, especially when her relationship status changed.But Lucy’s story doesn’t end in isolation. She invites us into her movement toward healing and truth—one marked by intentional stillness and a growing confidence in God’s presence and promises. Through learning to be still, Lucy discovered that true belonging isn’t found in status or circumstance—it’s found in Him.Whether you're navigating singleness, questioning your place, or longing for deeper connection, Lucy’s story will speak to your soul.Order Megan's Book: The Lies of Singleness

In this week’s episode of Hope Realized, we continue our powerful series, The Lies of Singleness, by confronting the deeply personal lie: "I am not worthy."Our guest, Taylor Heatherly, joins us to share her courageous journey through the emotional landscape of dating, past mistakes, and the silent shame that tried to steal her sense of self-worth. With vulnerability and grace, Taylor reflects on how her past experiences shaped her identity—and how healing, faith, and truth are reshaping it.Whether you’ve ever questioned your value or struggled to let go of the past, this conversation offers hope, freedom, and a reminder that your worth is not defined by your history.Tune in for an honest and redemptive dialogue that will encourage you to see yourself through the eyes of grace and love.Order Megan's Book: The Lies of Singleness

In this episode of Hope Realized, we continue our series, The Lies of Singleness, by exploring a narrative that so many singles carry: "I'm behind."Shelby Wegforth joins us to share her honest journey of wrestling with timelines and unmet expectations. Through her story, Shelby invites us into the tension of disappointment and the slow, sacred work of reframing. As the weight of feeling behind began to lift, she found clarity—a reminder that this season holds just as much purpose as any other.Whether you’ve struggled with feeling delayed, detoured, or disqualified, this episode offers hope that your timeline isn’t broken—it's just different.Order Megan's Book: The Lies of Singleness

In this honest episode of Hope Realized, we're tackling a common and painful lie many singles wrestle with: "Something is wrong with me."I'm joined by Laura and Brittany—two women in their 30s who are walking through singleness with grace, faith, and authenticity. Together, we unpack the weight of this lie and how it too often gets tied to a person's relationship status. Through Scripture, personal stories, and heartfelt conversation, we explore how to replace the lie with God’s truth—and rediscover our identity in Him.Whether you're single or supporting someone who is, this episode is a gentle, faith-filled reminder: you are not broken. You are beloved.Order Megan's Book: The Lies of Singleness

In this episode of Hope Realized, we confront the common and quiet lie that life truly begins only once you’re married. Our guest, Kenzie Yates, shares her story of navigating singleness with purpose, honesty, and faith. Rather than waiting for a relationship to give her life meaning, Kenzie is actively pursuing the woman God has created her to be—right here, right now. Her journey is a reminder that your life, identity, and purpose are not on pause until marriage.Join us as we explore what it looks like to live fully and faithfully in the present, embracing singleness not as a season of waiting, but as a season of becoming.To Order Megan's Book: The Lies of Singleness

Days, weeks, months, and years go by and you are still single. No matter what you do, nothing seems to work out. Eventually you start to believe that marriage is just never going to happen for you. You must have been born without the “I am datable” function because it is obviously missing. This is the lie that our guest, Ashlyn Dixon, wrestled with for years. Join our conversation where Ashlyn vulnerably shares how she went from single, full of doubt, to married and healed.

In this powerful episode of Hope Realized, we continue our series on The Lies of Singleness by tackling the belief that "I am too much." Our guest, Sarah, had it all—she graduated college, achieved her dream of serving in the Army, and was married to a wonderful Christian man. But when a medical diagnosis changed everything, she found herself navigating singleness through divorce, wrestling with the painful lie that she was too much to handle.Join us as Sarah vulnerably shares her journey of restoration, and healing. If you've ever felt like you're too much—or not enough—this episode is for you.🎧 Tune in now for an honest conversation about identity, faith, and finding hope in the midst of change.

What happens when the life you expected doesn’t match the life you’re living?In this episode of Hope Realized, we’re joined by author and storyteller Natalie Brown, who shares her journey of navigating singleness in a season she never anticipated. Late into her 20s, she found herself facing a reality she hadn’t planned for—one that challenged her expectations, identity, and sense of completeness.Together, we dive into the tension between expectation vs. reality, the struggle of pivoting when life doesn’t follow our script, and the freedom found in embracing the present rather than striving for what we think should be.If you’ve ever wrestled with feeling “not enough” or incomplete in your singleness, this conversation is for you. Tune in and discover the hope that’s been there all along.To order Megan's book: The Lies of SinglenessTo order Natalie's books: Bloom, Fifty-Two Cups of Coffee

Welcome to the very first episode of Hope Realized! I’m your host, Megan Salinas, and I’m so excited to begin this journey with you.In this episode, I share the heart behind this podcast and how a personal prompting led me to write a book on singleness—at a time when I wanted nothing to do with the topic. Through conversations with others in the same season, I discovered a powerful truth: the lies we believe about singleness lose their grip when brought into the light.Join me as we unpack the lies that keep us discouraged, isolated, and questioning our faith. This season, we’ll hear real stories, honest struggles, and the unwavering hope we have in Christ—because when we shift our focus from what we think we’re lacking to Jesus, we realize that hope was there all along.Tune in and let’s step into freedom together.To order Megan's book: The Lies of Singleness