Wrestling With Life

Down the Charlie Kirk rabbit hole? Drowning in the Epstein files? Freaking out about recent headlines in America? You're not alone. When powerful people fall, corruption surfaces, and headlines leave you questioning everything...it’s easy to spiral into anger, distrust, and confusion. So let's zoom wayyyy out, baby. We can’t control governments or institutions. But we CAN guard our homes, worship, and attention. So let's wrestle with how we can do that. If you’re feeling disillusioned but still hungry for truth, this episode is for you. Follow Wrestling With Life Listen to Content Without The Chaos (my new podcast!)

Have you ever felt like a walking contradiction? Wanting to change, be better, honor God...but continuously back track? Same. In this episode, we dive into the apostle Paul’s surprisingly relatable inner tension between desire and action, flesh and spirit. We talk about performance Christianity, how to tell shame apart from conviction, and why putting on a spiritual or "perfect" facade helps nobody. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is something wrong with me?”—this one’s for you. Learn more about Ledbetter Marketing Book with The Revolving Chef Follow Wrestling With Life

Getting offended is basically a national pastime at this point LOL. Today we’re unpacking the “spirit of offense,” how it quietly wrecks relationships, and why forgiving people who don’t deserve it might actually be the most powerful thing we can do. Follow Wrestling With Life Book with The Revolving Chef

I'm getting real about a season that feels…confusing. Lonely. In-between. I'm missing the version of myself who was the life of the party: the girl doing the worm on the dance floor, roasting her friends, and laughing until her stomach hurt. She feels far away. But maybe following Jesus doesn’t have to mean losing her. Maybe it means redeeming her. Let’s talk about what it looks like to chase God when He feels distant, why so many Christians accidentally become less fun, and how to let joy, humor, playfulness, and personality be part of your walk with Jesus again :) #MakeReligionFunAgain Follow Wrestling With Life

Ever feel like your faith is stuck on cruise control? We’re talking about lukewarm Christianity — the kind that’s comfy, convenient, and doesn’t ask too much of us. No shame, no finger-pointing… just an honest conversation about what happens when following Jesus becomes more of a vibe than a commitment, and how to wake our faith back up. Follow Wrestling With Life

Some days feel heavier than they should — and it’s not just because you need more coffee. We’re unpacking spiritual warfare in a grounded, not-weird way: how it shows up in your thoughts, your emotions, and your everyday life, and why not every battle is meant to be fought with self-help. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why does this feel so hard?,” this one’s for you. More from Wrestling With Life

Final episode of this series y'all! Since I came back to my faith a year ago, God's convicted me of SO many habits, choices, and perspectives that ultimately pull me away from him and steal my peace, purpose, and joy. From the words that come out of my mouth to the TV I watch and everything in between. Through this specific series, the convictions have only continued, but now in a different and unexpected way in the context of body image and beauty standards. Tune in to hear more about those convictions and how I'm currently wrestling through them :) Thanks for tuning in to an amazing series!! Follow Wrestling With Life Ledbetter Marketing Services  

Hi men <3 Of course you get your own episode too!! I brought in three amazing men (Ben Dawson, Josiah Collins, and Tyler Yaw) to shed some light on several big physical insecurities SO many men struggle with -- and also how to make peace with them & overcome them. We're talking: PEDs/creatine use Height insecurities (being short) Fitness insecurities (being "too skinny") Marketing messaging targeted at men in the media How to make peace with your body type and control the controllables What women really care about I think men get overlooked with this topic a lot, so we're gonna shed some light on it!! Follow Wrestling With Life Ledbetter Marketing Services

This is for the girlies <3 We're talking about: How pornography has shaped the current standard of beauty for women Pressure to get cosmetic procedures like Botox, lip filler, BBLs, etc. How Satan infiltrates our minds as women and distracts us by getting us to hyper-focus on our beauty How media consumption shapes this Redefining our beauty & worth by asking ourselves very real questions If you are a woman, sick of the pressure and weight to look a certain way, and want to feel beautiful in your own skin, this episode is for you. Follow Wrestling With Life Ledbetter Marketing Services  

One of the biggest lies we get from culture is that our worth is chalked up to our beauty -- how young, fit, and flawless we look. And when we believe these lies and operate as if they are truth, we get caught in a trap that leaves us feeling ugly, worthless, and stuck in comparison. But what if I told you the secret to feeling beautiful doesn't lie in another diet plan, makeup product, or squeezing another hour of gym time into your schedule? The biggest way we can break free from these feelings of insecurity is by healing the root of them: our belief system. While so many things make up our belief system, the foundation of it lies in our faith and our values. In this episode, we get deep about: Why many of us define our value based on the lies of the Enemy and culture How to break free from the lies Inserting God's voice and truth into our heads How to get real about your own faith & values if you're unsure. Follow Wrestling With Life Ledbetter Marketing Services

The voices around us often become the voice within us. If we’re constantly surrounded by negative body talk, comparison, or unrealistic expectations, it’s only natural we start to internalize it all as truth.  The good news? Insecurity is contagious, but so is confidence. In this episode, we break down: The psychology and dangers of groupthink How your social circle is programming your internal self-talk, what matters to you, and how you see yourself Exactly how to set boundaries, choose better friends, and be a confident leader in your social circles in order to change insecure group dynamics What genuinely wholesome and good friends feel like If the people around you are playing the comparison game, judging books by their covers, and hyper-focused on their beauty... it may be time to find new friends. Follow Wrestling With Life Ledbetter Marketing

Whether there is one nasty comment that has stuck with you for over a decade or you have a painful history of abuse, bullying, or toxic relationships -- all of us have been negatively impacted by relationships in our past in some way. You are not alone. This episode details: A painful relationship from my past that I am still healing from 10 years later Ways I have worked to let go of painful comments and situations from the past How you can validate your past experiences and choose to heal from them, rather than internalize them forever It's not your fault what happened to you, but it IS your responsibility to heal from what broke you. Let's dive in on how <3 Follow Wrestling With Life Ledbetter Marketing Services

Today, we're getting super vulnerable on the pod. You'll hear from your host (me, EmLed!!) along with three different guests who open up about their biggest physical insecurities and how they've worked to make peace with them.  We cover how to overcome insecurities like: Body dysmorphia Long nose/tribal nose Carrying weight in midsection Being too big Acne struggles Being too skinny Under-eye bags Being too short Small boobs Being too small Not fitting the beauty standard And so much more! Thanks to our special guests Sully, Cait, and Kaylei for opening up and sharing their experiences!! In today's day and age, we've got two main extreme schools of thought when it comes to body image: Ultra self-care to the point of perfecting ourselves and giving no grace to our human bodies Ultra self-acceptance to the point of neglecting our self-care totally and "letting ourselves go" Most of us fall into one extreme or the other, but both land in the same feeling: hatred of our bodies. The goal of this episode is to help you fall somewhere in the middle of these instead, offering yourself more grace, love, acceptance while ALSO giving you a push to take care of your health if you aren't. Tune in if you need a reminder that you are not alone in struggling to love your body <3 Follow Wrestling With Life Ledbetter Marketing Services  

Ever wondered why you feel crappy after scrolling through social media, listening to certain music, or watching that one TV show? The easy explanation: our eyes are the portal to our souls and deeply impact the people we become. AKA -- crap in, crap out.  This episode covers: How marketers sell by playing on human shame, fear, and insecurity Statistics that will blow your mind AND piss you off The truth about how our consumption impacts our self-perception How to change your media intake and your own internal world And so much more If you're feeling exhausted trying to keep up with beauty trends and feel good in your own skin, this episode is for you <3 Follow Wrestling With Life Ledbetter Marketing Services

Hi beautiful people :) Welcome to S4 of WWL: We're talking body image, beauty standards, and why it is so difficult to feel comfy, confident, and beautiful in the skin that we're in. But more importantly, we're getting DEEP about a problem hitting the gym everyday or getting more Botox just won't solve: our internal belief system and how we truly see ourselves. The good news is that you CAN change the way you see yourself WITHOUT changing what you look like physically. And that's exactly what this series will help you do!! If you're feeling ugly, insecure, or self-conscious in your face, body, skin, etc: 1) you are not alone and 2) this series is for you, baby. I hope you tune in <3 Follow Wrestling With Life Ledbetter Marketing Services

We made it y'all! This is the Season 3 finale of Wrestling With Life, and wow—what a ride it’s been. This season was all about stepping boldly in faith, chasing those God-sized dreams, and trusting Him even when the path felt totally unclear. I got to sit down with some of the most inspiring, faith-filled humans right here in my hometown of Wilmington, NC. We talked about building businesses from scratch, walking through the unknown, and leaning on Jesus through it all. God’s hand has been all over these conversations. I’m just in awe of how He shows up when we choose to trust Him and say yes. We're closing out this series with one last solo episode talking about: Why more money won't actually make you happier How releasing a mindset of lack and stepping into gratitude opens up opportunities The way God has provided in my business in the first 3 months If you’ve been rocking with me all season—thank you. And if this is your first episode, you picked a good one. Thanks to all of the amazing guests who made this season possible! Let’s wrap this thing up together and celebrate what He’s done. 🙌💛 Follow Wrestling With Life Need social media help? Resources mentioned in this episode: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by JMC

In our final guest episode of Series #3 on the pod, I sat down with triathlete Ian Fisher who is currently training to qualify for the Ironman World Championships! Only 21 but wise beyond his years, Ian opens up about the mental and physical challenges of training for triathlons and working towards his ambitious qualifying goal. From balancing daily life with intense training to the mindset shifts required to keep showing up, Ian shares a story of resilience, vision, and faith. Whether you're a runner, dream chaser, or simply in need of motivation, Ian's journey will inspire you to stay committed and push your own limits :) Tune in y'all! Follow Ian on Instagram Follow Wrestling With Life Need help with social media?

This week, I'm sitting down with PR expert and local Wilmington community builder, Alli Rodriguez. She is the founder and CEO of ARPR and she is here to talk about the power of collaboration & community over competition in business!! From her journey into public relations to her commitment to creating spaces where women can thrive together, Alli shares candid insights into building authentic relationships, showing up as your full self, and why choosing community is always a winning strategy. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this conversation will remind you that you don’t have to do business alone!! CONNECT: Follow Alli on Instagram Visit ARPR's Website Follow Wrestling With Life Need social media help?

What's up y'all! In this empowering episode that will give you all the feels, I'm sitting down with certified leadership coach Jennifer Brown to explore the transformative concept that you are not your thoughts. Jen shares her personal journey into coaching, the pivotal mindset shifts that helped her break free from limiting beliefs, and the tools she uses to help clients take control of their mental narratives and thrive in their businesses. Whether you're battling negative self-talk, struggling with imposter syndrome, or just curious about what a life coach actually does—this conversation is packed with relatable insights and practical advice. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The difference between your thoughts and your identity How to recognize and interrupt negative thought loops Jennifer’s favorite tools for self-awareness and emotional regulation The power of curiosity in mindset work Why observing your thoughts (without judgment) is the first step toward change How to integrate your faith into "self-help" Resources Mentioned: Email Jen: [email protected] Journey of Grace Coaching Website Connect with Jen on LinkedIn Follow Wrestling With Life Need help launching a podcast?

This episode is so close to my heart you guys!! I finally got to sit down with one of my best friends, Gillian Scott, a local Wilmington architect who recently launched Arc30 Studio. This conversation is one I’ve been craving for months and let me tell you -- it DID NOT disappoint! Gillian has been such a steady, faith-filled presence in my life since I moved to Wilmington. Walking alongside her as we both build our own businesses as well as grow spiritually has been such a gift :') In this episode, we talk about what it really looks like to release expectations — in our work, our lives, and even our faith journeys. This isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about giving yourself permission to evolve, to trust God in the process, and to embrace the not knowing. If you’ve ever felt behind, stuck, or overwhelmed by the pressure to “get it right,” I know this episode will feel like a deep exhale for you!! Gillian’s honesty, wisdom, and humor will leave you feeling seen, supported, and inspired to keep going :) Thanks for being here y'all!! You are not alone in your wrestling 💛 Contact Gillian: [email protected] Learn more about Arc30 Studio Follow Wrestling With Life Need social media help?

Y'all -- put your hands together for my good friend Sam Johnson!! This convo will live rent free in my head for a WHILE because it parallels so perfectly with similar messages the Lord has been sending my way over the last few months. Sam and I dive deep into: How Sam's trust in the Lord to provide has always paid off in both his career and life How Sam has overcome feelings of insecurity and unbelonging What a life of abiding with Jesus looks and feels like If you're not sure where you stand with God or you're wrestling with feelings of not enoughness, this episode is truly for you -- tune in and get your tissues ready :') Reach out to Sam: [email protected] Donate to Vigilant Hope Follow Wrestling With Life Need help with social media?

What's up y'all! Today we’re joined by Nick Rizzo, a video marketer located in Wilmington, NC who helps local business owners get customers with Instagram!!  In this episode, Nick and I dive deep into the mental shifts required to take your business and life to the next level. Whether you're navigating burnout, struggling with imposter syndrome, or hitting a plateau in growth, Nick shares practical strategies and empowering insights to help you rewire your thinking, own your value, and unlock your full potential. We explore how to: Get more comfortable on camera Break free from self-limiting beliefs Determine whether or not being an entrepreneur is your calling Balance mind, body, and soul to build a resilient, success-driven mindset This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals ready to level up with intention and confidence!! Tune in :) Need help with your social media content? Connect with Nick Rizzo Follow Wrestling With Life

Tune in to hear Wilmington local author, podcaster, and business owner, Justin Gates, share his personal journey of entrepreneurship: the highs, the lows, and the moments when trusting God made all the difference. Whether you're a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or someone navigating the intersection of faith and career, this episode offers honest insights, real talk about risk-taking, and a reminder that purpose and profit can go hand in hand. Connect with Justin Gates Follow Wrestling With Life Need help launching a podcast?

In this powerful episode, we're welcoming the inspiring Brittany Wheeler to the mic for a heartfelt conversation about stepping into God-sized dreams with bold faith. Brittany, host of the podcast The Brittany Wheeler Show, shares her personal journey of walking away from the career she thought she wanted, trusting God through uncertainty, and walking courageously towards the vision God called her to. Coolest things we talk through: ✅ How to silence fear and boldly pursue your purpose ✅ Trusting God when the path ahead feels unclear ✅ Embracing the unknown with unwavering faith If you’ve ever felt called to something bigger but were held back by fear, this episode will encourage you to take that next step baby!! Tune in for a soul-stirring conversation that will ignite your faith and challenge you to dream beyond limits. The Brittany Wheeler Show Wrestling With Life Need help launching a podcast?

AMAZING NEWS Y'ALL - your girl is officially an entrepreneur!! What!! As I'm navigating starting my own business for the first time and TOTALLY being pushed out of my comfort zone, it only makes sense to start a podcast series on how to stop playing small and start stepping in faith. Right?? This is the only solo episode in the whole series, which sets the stage for interviews I'm recording with some of the most inspiring and insightful entrepreneurs in my local hometown of Wilmington, NC. In this episode, I'm reflecting on the five biggest lessons I learned during my time working in corporate America. From navigating office politics to mastering leadership skills, I'm sharing real-world insights to help you stop playing small and start stepping out in faith. Whether you're aiming to grow in your career or seeking motivation to make bold moves, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways :) Key Topics: ✅ Overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome ✅ Lessons in leadership and communication ✅ Embracing faith-based decisions in business ✅ Tips for stepping outside your comfort zone 🎧 Tune in and discover how to apply these corporate lessons to elevate your life and career :) My Social Media & Podcast Production Services Follow Wrestling With Life

The results are in: 20% of 22–35-year-olds report they overthink their career more than anything else in life. I can relate! Choosing your life's work is no small decision. But I think a lot of the problem stems from bad advice we've been given on our careers in general. We're closing out our overthinking series by dispelling 5 major career myths that keep us overthinking, limited, and stuck when it comes to finding great purpose and joy in our work. Then we're replacing these myths with 5 fresh perspective shifts that will get us out of our own way and help us step into our calling. Let's go babyyyyy! Follow Wrestling With Life Need help launching a podcast?

One of the biggest things I used to overthink the most was my past: ways I messed up, people I let down, things I wished I handled differently. And I know I'm not alone in this. In this episode, I'm sharing the three biggest perspective shifts I've made in order to make peace with my past. I also explain how my relationship with God has truly allowed me to do that. If you're feeling lots of shame over your past, you are not alone & this episode is for you :) Follow Wrestling With Life

48% of you guys told me via Instagram (@em_led11) that the thing you overthink more than anything else is your personal relationships. And boy do I fall into this category! But what many of us don't realize is that the way we show up in our relationships is often a reflection of our own inner world and how we see ourselves. When we overthink our own pain, mistakes, or past trauma, we project our perceptions and judgements onto others and start believing that they see us the same way we see ourselves. But this is the work of the devil and is simply NOT true. This episode talks about the psychology behind why we do this. We also discuss how we can stop caring so much about what EVERYONE thinks of us and instead put more weight on how WE see ourselves and how God sees us :) Follow Wrestling With Life

One of the biggest reasons we overthink is because we're waaaaay too focused on the final destination rather than just taking the next right step. This episode is all about learning how to let go of control, trust yourself and your daily choices, and most importantly -- trust God in the unknown. Follow Wrestling With Life   Resources mentioned in this episode: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

This series is all about overthinking: where it comes from, why we do it, how to know if you're overthinking, and most importantly -- how to stop. Spoiler alert: it has a lot to do with us not trusting ourselves or God. I polled 22-35 year olds on Instagram (follow @em_led11) about their own overthinking patterns and... 81% say they are overthinkers 48% say they overthink their relationships the most 71% say they don't always pray before making a big decision 77% say they prefer to be in control most of the time If you fall into these statistics, this episode is absolutely for you baby. Tune in! Follow Wrestling With Life Resources mentioned in this episode: Joe Rogan podcast episode on therapy and Gen Z

We're ending S1 with a bang and keeping it so forreal about how self-improvement and self-help start out as innocent tools to help us get out of low places, but how slowly over time these things can actually end up hurting us more than they help us. We cover: What self-help is When it starts to get dangerous How these tools can hurt us more than they help How we can bridge the gap between self-help and looking to the Lord for help Some amazing book recommendations to help you get started!! Books mentioned in this episode: Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer Humble Roots by Hannah Anderson Humility by Andrew Murray Follow Wrestling With Life

The title honestly says it all. If you struggle to stay off your phone in general, you use social media WAY too much, or you constantly feel down after scrolling online -- this episode is for you. We talk about: How we become what we consume How Satan uses social media to foster pride, comparison, and normalize things that are not normal How we can set healthy boundaries with social media How we can use social media to spread love and positivity instead of glorifying ourselves This is something those of us who grew up with technology & social media ESPECIALLY need to hear. TUNE IN! Follow Wrestling With Life

Let's be honest: we all wanna win, right? The argument, the competition, the promotion, you name it -- we wanna be on top. The hardest thing to do is to choose loving someone else (especially someone you don't vibe with) over our pride. ESPECIALLY when that person is belittling you, insulting you, or straight up attacking you. Sometimes we don't even want to love other people and would rather see them lose more than anything else. But when this is our heart posture and mindset, we actually end up hurting ourselves more than anyone else. In this episode, we're talking how we can shift our heart posture to one of love instead of our default posture -- pride -- and how that helps us to find more peace, purpose, and community in life. Follow Wrestling With Life

Episode two of our first series is still all about how our self-obsession is making us miserable, but now we're talking how we can find purpose and community outside of ourselves. How many times have you heard... "Focus on yourself!" "You HAVE to put yourself first." "Pour all of your energy into your career right now and worry about the rest later." These sound like innocent messages and good ideas, right? But they're actually a sneaky way the enemy isolates and distracts us from attaining our full potential. Let's talk through how we can fight back against these messages from the world and find a deeper purpose in our relationships with others. Follow Wrestling With Life

What's up y'all! I've been talking to God a lot about what our generation needs to hear from Him. I've also been posting a ton of polls on my Instagram (@em_led11) to get an idea of what we're all struggling with. And PHEW. There's a lot to unpack and talk about, but I've boiled it down to one main issue that keeps coming up again and again in all my research: our obsession with ourselves is what's making us all so miserable. Our first series on the podcast is gonna be allll about this!   This series is for you if you are: - Between the ages of 22-35, working full time, and don't have kids - Feeling a lack of purpose, peace, and community in your life - Questioning God, faith, and this whole Jesus thing   We're keeping it real, honest, and vulnerable as always baby. Let's go! Follow Wrestling With Life

We're back baby!! :) In this episode, I cover: Why I took a break from the podcast for a few months How my heart has shifted during this time Why my old episodes are no longer available What you can expect from the pod moving forward & who it's for! A lot has changed, but one thing is always gonna be the same around here: whatever you're wrestling with, you are not alone <3 Follow Wrestling With Life

We are all wrestling with something – especially us twenty and thirty somethings who are navigating the most transitional, confusing, overwhelming times of our lives thus far. We’re doing so many things for the first time: getting started in our careers, living on our own, moving to new places, dating (or marrying) new people, making new friends, and asking the big life questions like “What is the point of all of this?” And on top of all that, our generation is up against something none of our ancestors before us have ever navigated: growing up in a tech savvy world full of constant distractions. We’re more connected than ever before – yet we’re largely lacking purpose, in-person community, and faith in anything besides “quick fixes” to give us relief. Instead we’re overwhelmed with information, addicted to our phones, and desperate for a more meaningful existence. Whether you’re wrestling with your self-image, your faith in God, or your entire life’s purpose – I’m here to tell you that you are not alone and to encourage you to find both beauty and purpose in the midst of your struggle. My name is EmLed and this is the Wrestling With Life podcast :) I’m in my late twenties and spent the last few years in my “healing era” – going to therapy, reading tons of self-help books, and pouring myself into my career ambitions. This is what the modern mental health movement tells us will fix our problems, right? But my obsession with self-improvement slowly morphed into a pursuit of perfection, outperforming my competition, and total self-absorption. Funny enough, all the time I spent “finding myself” left me feeling more isolated, more insecure, and more sad than ever before. Then God brought me to my knees and opened my eyes – I can’t do life without Him. Wrestling With Life is for anyone like me who is tired of trying to play God and rely on themselves to find peace. Together, we’re gonna look to Jesus for inspiration on how to live and love and give and feel. We’ll kick perfection and control and pride to the curb and intentionally seek how God may use our pain for good. We’ll explore how we can build community and lift others up and embrace humility. And above all else, we will strive to accept our beautifully messy, limited human nature and remember that the point of life is learning to unconditionally love one another – not rise above each other. And real quick, before you dive in, let me be very clear on what this podcast is NOT. Wrestling With Life does not exist to judge you or replace the voice of God. I am absolutely NOT a preacher, life coach, or therapist – nor will I ever pretend to be. I am simply a deeply flawed human on a mission to eliminate the messages of perfection, self-reliance, and materialism that the world worships. Because sometimes I can forget the truth – and when I buy those lies, my world never feels darker. And if you’re here, I’m willing to bet you can relate. Whatever you’re wrestling with, you are not alone – let’s Wrestle With Life together. Follow @em_led11 on Instagram for more <3 Follow Wrestling With Life