In this episode of the BeEncourage Podcast, the microphone gets turned around!

Michelle recently sat down with John Volentine, a Louisiana Wildlife Agent who is currently pursuing graduate studies in Public Safety at the University of Virginia. As part of a course focused on community dialogue and communication, John reached out to Michelle because of her involvement and leadership within her local community.

What began as an informal interview for his coursework became a meaningful conversation about leadership, communication, community involvement, and what it really means to serve the people around you.

For this episode, Michelle invited John to continue the conversation and share it with the BeEncourage audience. Together, they explore leadership beyond titles, the importance of listening and building relationships, and the lessons that can be learned when we are willing to engage with the people in our communities.

Sometimes leadership isn't about being the loudest voice in the room—it's about being willing to listen, learn, serve, and show up.

In this episode of the BeEncourage Podcast, Michelle sits down with Kiara Wickliffe for an honest and heartfelt conversation in an episode titled Babbling Sunday. Together, they explore what it truly looks like to grow in faith while navigating real-life challenges, relationships, community dynamics, and racial tensions.

This conversation is not centered on blame or division, but on understanding, healing, and the importance of listening to one another with humility and grace. Michelle and Kiara discuss the beauty and difficulty of community, the barriers that often separate us, and the role faith plays in helping us love people beyond comfort, assumptions, and personal perspectives.

Through transparency, laughter, reflection, and meaningful dialogue, this episode encourages listeners to lean into growth rather than avoidance, to pursue unity without ignoring hard conversations, and to remember that spiritual maturity often requires us to examine both our hearts and our communities.

Babbling Sunday is a reminder that growth in Christ is a journey—one that calls us to truth, compassion, courage, and deeper connection with both God and people.

Good at having a marriage, learning to hold on to marriage.