Everyday Joy

"Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God. Run from evil." Proverbs 3:7 What if pride isn't always loud, obvious, and arrogant? In today's episode of Everyday Joy , Ash Couchman and Shaylee unpack a challenging truth: pride doesn't have to take over your whole life to impact your relationship with God. Sometimes it's found in the small ways we resist correction, hold tightly to our own opinions, refuse wisdom, or struggle to submit our plans and preferences to God. Together, they explore the tension between healthy authority and unhealthy control, the importance of humility in the Christian life, and why Jesus consistently calls us to lay down our own agendas in order to follow Him. They also discuss the difference between asking hard questions and assuming we know better, along with the dangers of allowing pride to quietly shape our decisions, relationships, and faith. If you've ever found yourself thinking, "I've got this handled," or "I don't really need help," this conversation is a powerful reminder that humility isn't weakness. It's the starting point of a healthy relationship with God. Get Connected: Follow Ash & Everyday Joy on Instagram! Subscribe to Everyday Joy Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Join the conversation on Facebook: Everyday Joy Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Romans 12:15 When does empathy become something unhealthy? In today's episode of Everyday Joy , Ash Couchman and Shaylee unpack what it really means to walk alongside people in difficult seasons without taking on burdens, anger, and offence that were never yours to carry. Together, they explore the difference between healthy empathy and emotional overload, why so many of us absorb other people's hurts, and how second-hand offence can quietly damage our relationships, our peace, and our perspective. They also discuss the importance of living in harmony, choosing our words wisely, and learning to support others without carrying what belongs to them. If you've ever found yourself angry on someone else's behalf, weighed down by other people's problems, or struggling to know where compassion ends and unhealthy emotional responsibility begins, this conversation is a powerful reminder that we're called to walk with people, not become them. Get Connected: Follow Ash & Everyday Joy on Instagram! Subscribe to Everyday Joy Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Join the conversation on Facebook: Everyday Joy Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I am the Lord your God. I am holding your hand. So don't be afraid. I am here to help you." Isaiah 41:13 What would change if you truly believed God was with you right now? In this thought-provoking conversation, Ash Couchman and Shaylee unpack Isaiah 41:13 and wrestle with one of the biggest challenges of faith: surrendering control. Together, they discuss why it's so easy to trust God with some areas of our lives while holding tightly to others, and what it looks like to live as though God's Kingdom is already here. From fear about the future to the desire to stay in control, this episode explores the tension between knowing God's promises and actually living like they're true. If you've ever struggled to trust God fully, felt overwhelmed by life's uncertainties, or found yourself relying on your own strength, this conversation is a powerful reminder that God is already holding your hand, already going before you, and already inviting you to experience His peace today. What would your life look like if you truly believed God's Kingdom wasn't just coming one day... but was available right now? Get Connected: Follow Ash & Everyday Joy on Instagram! Subscribe to Everyday Joy Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Join the conversation on Facebook: Everyday Joy Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." Lamentations 3:22-23 What if you've been living in one of two unhealthy extremes: excusing your sin or drowning in shame? In today's episode of Everyday Joy , Ash Couchman and Shaylee unpack one of the Bible's most encouraging promises: God's mercy is new every morning. As they explore the context of Lamentations 3:22-23, they discuss the tension many Christians face between living in condemnation and becoming comfortable with sin. Together, they reflect on the stories of Samson, David, and Israel, highlighting a powerful truth: God doesn't disqualify imperfect people, but He does call us to repentance. His mercy isn't a licence to stay the same, and His grace was never meant to leave us trapped in shame. If you've been wrestling with guilt, feeling distant from God, or wondering whether you've messed up too many times, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that God's heart is always for redemption. His mercies are new today, and His love for you has never changed. Get Connected: Follow Ash & Everyday Joy on Instagram! Subscribe to Everyday Joy Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Join the conversation on Facebook: Everyday Joy Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The Lord is the one who is going ahead of you. He will be with you. He won't abandon you or leave you. So don't be afraid or terrified." Deuteronomy 31:8 What do you do when the future feels uncertain and you're not sure what's waiting around the corner? In today's episode of Everyday Joy , Ash Couchman and Shaylee unpack one of the Bible's most comforting promises: God goes before us. Looking at the moment Moses passed leadership to Joshua, they explore what it means to trust God through change, uncertainty, disappointment, and seasons where life doesn't go according to plan. Together, they discuss why it's so easy to place our confidence in people instead of God, how to remain faithful when circumstances shift, and why we can face the unknown with confidence knowing that God is already there. If you've been feeling anxious about what's next, discouraged by change, or fearful of the future, this conversation is a powerful reminder that God has never left you before, and He's not about to start now. Get Connected: Follow Ash & Everyday Joy on Instagram! Subscribe to Everyday Joy Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Join the conversation on Facebook: Everyday Joy Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 What if the very thing keeping you stuck is the thing you've been trying to carry on your own? In this powerful conversation, Ash Couchman and Jacquie Scott unpack Galatians 6:2 and the biblical call to carry one another's burdens. Together, they explore why so many of us isolate ourselves when life gets hard, how shame and pride can keep us trapped in our own thoughts, and why healing often begins when we allow trusted people into our struggles. From sin and temptation to grief, anxiety, relationship breakdowns, and seasons of doubt, this episode is a reminder that God never designed us to do life alone. Sometimes the breakthrough we're praying for starts with simply being honest about what we're carrying. If you've ever felt stuck in your own head, overwhelmed by life's challenges, or reluctant to ask for help, this conversation will encourage you to let others walk alongside you and discover the freedom that comes when burdens are shared. Get Connected: Follow Ash & Everyday Joy on Instagram! Subscribe to Everyday Joy Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Join the conversation on Facebook: Everyday Joy Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Plow your fields, scatter seeds of justice and harvest faithfulness. Worship me, the Lord, and I will send my saving power down like rain." Hosea 10:12 What if the biggest thing holding you back in your faith isn't your church, your circumstances, or your past... but the responsibility you've been avoiding? In this challenging and deeply practical conversation, Ash Couchman and Jacquie Scott unpack Hosea 10:12 and the powerful image of ploughing the soil of our hearts. Together, they explore what it means to actively pursue God, deal with the areas of our lives that have become hard and unfruitful, and take responsibility for our own walk with Jesus. This episode is a reminder that spiritual growth doesn't happen by accident. Just as a farmer prepares the ground before the harvest, we're invited to seek God, repent, grow, and create space for Him to work in our lives. If you've been feeling spiritually stuck, distant from God, or hungry for more, this conversation may be the wake-up call you didn't know you needed. Get Connected: Follow Ash & Everyday Joy on Instagram! Subscribe to Everyday Joy Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Join the conversation on Facebook: Everyday Joy Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So be content with who you are and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you. He'll promote you at the right time." 1 Peter 5:6 Have you ever felt like you needed to be different to be more effective, more successful, or more important? In this encouraging conversation, Ash Couchman and Jacquie Scott unpack what it really means to walk in humility, trust God's timing, and find contentment in who He created you to be. Together, they explore the pressure to compare ourselves to others, the temptation to chase recognition, and the freedom that comes when our identity is rooted in Christ instead of achievement. Jacquie shares a powerful reflection on discovering that the very things she once saw as flaws were actually part of God's design and purpose for her life. If you've ever questioned your worth, compared yourself to others, or wondered whether you're enough, this episode is a beautiful reminder that God's hand is on your life, and His timing is always better than striving for your own promotion. Get Connected: Follow Ash & Everyday Joy on Instagram! Subscribe to Everyday Joy Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Join the conversation on Facebook: Everyday Joy Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning." Psalm 30:5 What if the reason so many of us feel disappointed in our faith is because we've confused happiness with joy? In this thought-provoking conversation, Ash Couchman and Jacquie Scott unpack one of the biggest misconceptions Christians often wrestle with: the difference between happiness and true joy. Reflecting on Psalm 30:5, they explore why joy isn't the absence of pain, hardship, or unanswered questions, but a deep confidence in God's goodness that remains even when life feels difficult. Together, they discuss what it means to find joy in salvation, why life's circumstances can never fully satisfy us, and how a deeper relationship with Jesus becomes the foundation for lasting hope. If you've ever wondered why the Bible talks so much about joy when life can be so hard, this episode offers a perspective that might change the way you think about faith altogether. Get Connected: Follow Ash & Everyday Joy on Instagram! Subscribe to Everyday Joy Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Join the conversation on Facebook: Everyday Joy Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Observe how God loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us, but to give everything of himself to us. Wow. Love like that." Ephesians 5:1-2 How do you love people extravagantly without completely burning yourself out? In this honest and practical conversation, Ash Couchman and Jacquie Scott explore the tension between living a sacrificial life and looking after yourself. As they unpack Ephesians 5:1-2, they discuss what it really means to imitate Christ, why rest is more than just self-care, and how being filled with God's love enables us to love others well. Together, they wrestle with boundaries, burnout, serving others, and the surprising truth that we can't pour into others if we haven't first allowed God to fill us. If you've ever felt torn between helping everyone around you and taking care of yourself, this episode offers a refreshing and biblical perspective on living a life of purpose, generosity, and wholehearted love. Get Connected: Follow Ash & Everyday Joy on Instagram! Subscribe to Everyday Joy Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Join the conversation on Facebook: Everyday Joy Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..." Galatians 5:22-23 Why is self-control so hard... even when we know exactly what we should be doing? In this honest and relatable conversation, Ash Couchman and Shaylee unpack one of the most challenging fruits of the Spirit: self-control. From endless scrolling and phone addiction to discipline, distraction, and the habits that quietly shape our lives, they explore why so many of us struggle to choose what we know is best. Together, they reflect on the modern world's constant noise, the things competing for our attention, and the uncomfortable question every Christian eventually has to ask: has something taken God's place in my life? If you've ever felt stuck in unhealthy habits, frustrated by your lack of discipline, or challenged by the amount of time you spend on your phone, this conversation is a practical and encouraging reminder that spiritual growth doesn't happen by accident. It happens one choice at a time. Get Connected: Follow Ash & Everyday Joy on Instagram! Subscribe to Everyday Joy Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Join the conversation on Facebook: Everyday Joy Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The Lord is my protector; he is my strong fortress. My God is my protection, and with him I am safe. He protects me like a shield; he defends me and keeps me safe." Psalm 18:2 Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, trying to plan every detail of the future? In this honest conversation, Ash Couchman and Shaylee Stansbury unpack the pressure of making big life decisions, navigating financial uncertainty, planning for the future, and wrestling with the feeling that everything depends on getting it right. Together, they explore the reality of anxiety, our desire to control what's ahead, and the freedom that comes when we trust God with the things we were never meant to carry alone. Reflecting on Psalm 18:2, this episode is a powerful reminder that God isn't distant from our worries. He is our protector, our fortress, and our source of hope, even when the future feels uncertain. If you've been overthinking, stressing about what's next, or struggling to trust God in the unknown, this conversation will encourage you to take a breath, release control, and remember that God is already holding tomorrow. Get Connected: Follow Ash & Everyday Joy on Instagram! Subscribe to Everyday Joy Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Join the conversation on Facebook: Everyday Joy Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope. So we’ll all be together in this. No one left out. No one left behind.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11 What if the encouraging thing you're thinking about saying could completely change someone's day? In this episode of Everyday Joy , Ash is joined by Shay for a conversation about the power of our words, the importance of encouragement and what it looks like to intentionally build the people around us up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 reminds us that encouragement isn't just about being nice. We're called to build up hope, strengthen one another and make sure no one is left behind. Ash and Shay talk about how easy it is to keep a compliment to ourselves, assume someone already knows what we think of them, or focus on what's frustrating rather than what's good. But sometimes the simplest words— "I love that about you," "I'm proud of you," "You're doing a great job" —can make an enormous difference. They also have an honest conversation about how easy it is to become our own worst critics. We can walk around assuming people are disappointed in us, that we've upset someone or that others see us far more negatively than they actually do. Sometimes we need someone else to speak truth and encouragement into our lives. But there's a deeper challenge too: are we genuinely encouraging people, or are we only being nice to their face? Ash and Shay unpack the difference between simply being "nice" and allowing God to change what's happening in our hearts, so that our encouragement is genuine both publicly and privately. The conversation also explores what it means to live out God's Kingdom right now . We don't have to wait for everything to be fixed or for Jesus to return before we start building people up, growing in maturity and bringing hope into the world around us. Because we are surrounded by enough negativity. We don't need to add to it. We can choose to be people who build up hope, speak life and make sure the people around us know they aren't alone. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the thing you’re struggling with isn’t something you have to overcome on your own? In 2 Peter 1:3, we’re reminded that God has already given us everything we need to live a life that pleases Him. That doesn’t mean we’ll never struggle, get frustrated or get things wrong — it means we never have to face those things alone. Ash and Shay unpack what it looks like to rely on God in the middle of the struggle, stay aware of His presence and allow Him to challenge us and grow us — even in the small, everyday moments. Because following Jesus isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about continually becoming more like Him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever." — Daniel 12:3 What if you don't need a big platform to make a big difference? In this episode of Everyday Joy , Ash is joined by Shay for a conversation about influence, faithfulness and what it really means to shine like the stars . Daniel 12:3 was written in the context of a difficult future. God's people would face persecution, suffering and trouble—but Daniel was reminded that faithfulness would not be wasted. Those who remain wise, follow God and help others move towards Him would shine. Ash and Shay unpack what it means to be someone who points others towards Jesus—not necessarily through a massive social media following or a public platform, but through the ordinary influence we already have. Our families, friendships, workplaces and everyday conversations all give us opportunities to influence the people around us. They also talk honestly about the tension of sharing your faith publicly without making everything about yourself. How do you use your platform without becoming self-promotional? How do you point people towards Jesus while still being authentic? And what does it look like to keep shining when life gets difficult? The conversation explores why some of the wisest and most influential people aren't necessarily the loudest people in the room. They're the people who are consistent —people whose faith doesn't completely change depending on what's happening around them. Because shining for Jesus doesn't mean having a perfect life. It means continuing to trust Him, obey Him and point people towards Him—even when life gets hard. If you've ever wondered whether your influence really matters, felt uncomfortable about sharing your faith, or questioned whether the ordinary way you're living your life is making a difference, this episode is a reminder: your faithfulness is not wasted, and you don't need a huge platform to shine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Proverbs 15:1 ERV A gentle answer makes anger disappear, but a rough answer makes it grow. What usually comes out of me when I'm hurt, frustrated or angry? Is there a person I need to respond to differently — not because they deserve it, but because I want to become a different kind of person? God, what would a gentle response look like in the situation I'm dealing with right now? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James 5:12 MSG Just say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Just say what is true. That way, your language can't be used against you. Do my words match who I actually am? Is there somewhere in my life where I've been saying “yes” when I really mean “no” — or saying what someone wants to hear instead of telling the truth? God, is there somewhere you want me to become a person whose words people can genuinely trust? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Titus 3:14 ERV Learn to use your life for doing good and helping anyone who has a need. Then you will not have an empty life. Today's episode is another more reflective episode on Titus 3:14, take the time to think, reflect and wait on God as you think about these questions. 1. Who has God placed around me right now who might need something I can give? 2. When I look at the way I'm spending my time, what is actually making a difference — and what is just keeping me busy? 3. What is one thing I might need to let go of in order to focus on things that truly matter? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trying something different today! A quick reflection on Proverbs 29:23, with some time to wait and reflect on these questions... 1.Where in my life am I finding it hardest to admit that I might be wrong? 2.God, is there something you're trying to teach me that my pride is getting in the way of hearing? 3.God, where in my life, do I believe I don’t need you? WHere I am good at taking control, is it work, Family, career, church? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if helping others doesn’t have to mean solving every problem? Joel A'bell National Director of Convoy of Hope Australia, joins Ash to talk about serving people in need, the life-changing impact of access to clean water, and what it really means to live out the gospel. Joel shares heartbreaking stories from communities without reliable water, but also the incredible transformation that happens when people are given the opportunity to build a better future for themselves. And his challenge is simple: “Do the next kind thing in front of you.” Because we might not be able to change the whole world—but we can all do something. Donate Here: https://convoyofhope.org.au/water-for-life/thelight/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.