Confidence and Coffee

What if intimacy isn’t something you “get back”… but something you rebuild?In today’s episode of Confidence and Coffee, I’m joined by Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith, who share their powerful story of healing after betrayal, recovering trust, and learning how to build true intimacy again.They introduce the concept of the Intimacy Pyramid, showing that intimacy isn’t just physical, it’s a thriving connection built on honesty, safety, trust, vulnerability, and only then, real intimacy.If you’ve been walking through betrayal, marriage pain, or rebuilding after broken trust, this conversation is full of truth, grace, and practical hope.What you’ll learn in this episodeWhy intimacy is a thriving connection that brings lifeThe Intimacy Pyramid and why honesty is the foundationHow betrayal damages safety and trustWhy shame and guilt block healingWhat rebuilding trust actually requires (not just promises)The role of vulnerability in restorationWhy individual healing matters for relationship healingHow grace makes room for recovery and forgivenessKey Quotes“Intimacy is a thriving connection.”“Hope is possible even after betrayal.”“Trust is built through consistent, trustworthy actions.”Episode Keywordsintimacy, relationships, healing, betrayal, honesty, trust, recovery, marriage, communication, graceChapters00:00 The Power of Connection and Intimacy 04:52 Understanding the Intimacy Pyramid 10:42 Facing Addiction and Shame 16:29 The Impact of Honesty on Relationships 22:28 Healing Through Vulnerability 31:58 The Gift of Being Chosen 37:01 The Importance of Individual Responsibility 47:00 The Journey of Healing and Restoration 53:58 The Power of Hope and Grace 01:01:40 OutroIf this episode encouraged you, leave a review and tell me what part spoke to you, I read them and they matter more than you know 🤍Support the showIf this encouraged you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe on YouTube. It helps more women find hope, healing, and bold faith.DisclaimerConfidence and Coffee is a Christian centered podcast. All conversations are approached through a faith based lens that honors Jesus and biblical truth.Connect with Ashley:Order Ashley's New Book Confidence Is An Inside JobApply for Coaching with AshleyConnect with Ashley to be your Next Speaker!Subscribe to Confidence and Coffee here

 Bravery is not the absence of fear, it’s obedience while your hands are shaking. Today I’m joined by missionary and author Heidi Nicole Elizarraraz, who shares how God called her to Mexico, how fear tried to stop her, and what it looks like to keep saying yes to Jesus anyway.Heidi and her husband founded Open Arms Mexico, a Christ centered nonprofit fighting to keep families together by providing no cost childcare to vulnerable families so kids stay out of orphanages and off the streets. In this episode we talk about: • Why you can be brave and still be afraid • How disobedience can quiet God’s voice, and how obedience restores peace • The David and Goliath mindset, your ending is not here • Practical biblical guidance to overcome fear • How the Church can actually protect families, and what sponsorship can doLinks and resources • Open Arms Mexico, learn more and get involved • About Open Arms mission and work: openarmsmexico.org/who-we-are-copy • Heidi’s book on Amazon: Unleash Your Bravery: Saying Yes to Jesus Even When You’re Afraid Call to action If this episode challenged you, leave a review and tell me what brave thing you’re doing this week. I read them, and we celebrate them.SEO keywords for the episode field Christian bravery, faith over fear, overcoming fear as a Christian, obedience to God, hearing God’s voice, Christian confidence, saying yes to Jesus, missionary story, faith and courage, Christian women podcast, breaking fear, trusting GodSupport the showIf this encouraged you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe on YouTube. It helps more women find hope, healing, and bold faith. Disclaimer Confidence and Coffee is a Christian centered podcast. All conversations are approached through a faith based lens that honors Jesus and biblical truth. Connect with Ashley:Order Ashley's New Book Confidence Is An Inside JobApply for Coaching with Ashley Connect with Ashley to be your Next Speaker!Subscribe to Confidence and Coffee here

What if real confidence is not loud, not performative, and not fighting for attention, but calm, grounded, and unshakable? Ashley sits down with Tara LaFon Gooch, host of Grasp Confidence, to talk about confidence that comes from Christ, identity rooted in God’s approval, and how to stop listening to the voice of fear, scarcity, and comparison.This conversation also gets practical about protecting your marriage and legacy by closing the small “gaps” the enemy uses, how gratitude becomes a living prayer, and why surrendering your will can unlock the breakthrough you have been praying for.What you will learnWhy calm confidence is often the strongest kindThe difference between arrogance and depth, the money jar analogyHow to recognize the voice of fear vs the whisper of GodWhy comparison steals confidence, and how to break the cycleCollaboration creates legacy, gatekeeping shrinks your impactA practical way to close “space” in marriage and rebuild connectionGratitude as prayer without ceasingWhat surrender actually looks like when the math is not mathingFavorite Quotes“Confidence is calm knowingness.”“If the jar is full, it doesn’t shake.”“The voice of God is a whisper, the opponent is loud.”“The enemy creates space, close the gap.”“God backed confidence is not worried about a giant.”“I no longer want what I want for myself.”Scripture mentioned or referenced1 Corinthians 13Proverbs 18:21 life and death in the power of the tongue1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasingJames 2:17 faith without works is deadJob 1 and 2David and Goliath 1 Samuel 17Armor of God Ephesians 6Connect with Tara Website: TaraLaFonGooch.com Podcast: Grasp Confidence LinkedIn: Tara LaFon GoochLeave a review If this episode encouraged you, leave a rating and review. It helps other women find these conversations and keeps the show going.Support the showIf this encouraged you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe on YouTube. It helps more women find hope, healing, and bold faith. Disclaimer Confidence and Coffee is a Christian centered podcast. All conversations are approached through a faith based lens that honors Jesus and biblical truth. Connect with Ashley:Order Ashley's New Book Confidence Is An Inside JobApply for Coaching with Ashley Connect with Ashley to be your Next Speaker!Subscribe to Confidence and Coffee here

Today I’m joined by filmmakers and Christian parents D’Lytha and Nathan D. Myers, creators of the musical comedy Aria Appleton Shines. We talk about why entertainment is shaping your kids more than you think, how to set real boundaries with tech, and what it looks like to create culture relevant stories that honor Jesus without being cheesy.What you’ll hear in this episodeWhy “clean” content is not the same as pro God contentThe moment God called them to step out in faith and create the filmWhy parents have to check themselves first before blaming cultureTech boundaries that actually work, and why doom scrolling is discipling your homeHow to build a relationship where your kids tell you the truthWhat Aria Appleton Shines is about, and why kids get it even when adults do notWhere to watch the film and how to grab the Parents and Leaders Guide00:00 Intro and who today’s guests are 02:50 How God reconnected a friendship and weaved the story together 06:40 The radical faith step, selling the house, and starting from scratch 09:20 “I think I’m writing a screenplay” and the creative download 14:45 Five loaves and two fish faith, how the movie got funded 16:45 Why entertainment targets the vulnerable, and why it matters 20:35 The content gap, why kids content is not truly for kids 23:00 Relevancy matters, modern stories that still tell truth 29:35 Parents need lines, doom scrolling is discipling your kids 33:40 Big sacrifices that protect the family 42:50 The mother daughter relationship, having hard conversations early 49:15 What the movie is about, and what it teaches 50:20 Why it’s funny, satirical, and not safe for anyone 53:10 It’s a musical, original songs, and how it’s structuredWatch Aria Appleton Shines and find everything in one place via the Aria Appleton link hub Connect with Nathan D. Myers and his official link hub Follow D’Lytha on Instagram Parents and Leaders Guide donation link is included in their link hub resources If this episode hit home, share it with a parent friend. And if you’re rebuilding what comes into your home, leave a rating and review so more families can find conversations like this.Support the showIf this encouraged you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe on YouTube. It helps more women find hope, healing, and bold faith. Disclaimer Confidence and Coffee is a Christian centered podcast. All conversations are approached through a faith based lens that honors Jesus and biblical truth. Connect with Ashley:Order Ashley's New Book Confidence Is An Inside JobApply for Coaching with Ashley Connect with Ashley to be your Next Speaker!Subscribe to Confidence and Coffee here

In this episode of Confidence and Coffee, Ashley sits down with Michelle Doane, founder of Imani Vegan Cosmetics, for a conversation that is equal parts powerful and practical. Michelle shares her story as a Vietnamese American refugee, raised by a single mother, and how surviving unimaginable hardship shaped her resilience. She opens up about living with cystic acne, how it affected her confidence, and the moment that sparked her mission to create clean beauty products that actually work for acne prone and sensitive skin.They also break down what most people never learn about skincare, including comedogenic ingredients, why product labels are often hidden, how misinformation spreads online, and the simple mindset shift that changes how you see yourself.What you’ll hear in this episode Michelle’s refugee journey and the resilience passed down through her mother Cystic acne, self image, and the “ugly duckling syndrome” many women carry Comedogenic ingredients, what clogs pores, and why ingredients matter The 3 P’s of skincare, potency, penetration, proven How to simplify your skincare routine without wasting money Mindset, confidence, and the voice in your head that tries to sabotage you A real conversation on faith, receiving, and the power of wordsFavorite quotes “Do you have a roommate in your head” “What happens to a weed when you stop feeding it, it dies” “It can be your darkest moment right now, dawn is coming”Connect with Michelle Imani Vegan Cosmetics, shop online and learn ingredients: imani.com Also available on AmazonConnect with Ashley Follow Ashley for coaching, faith based confidence, and new episodes weekly Subscribe on YouTube and leave a review on Apple PodcastsLove the episode Send this to a friend who is tired of feeling stuck in her skin or her thoughts Leave a rating and review, it helps more women find the showSupport the showIf this encouraged you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe on YouTube. It helps more women find hope, healing, and bold faith. Disclaimer Confidence and Coffee is a Christian centered podcast. All conversations are approached through a faith based lens that honors Jesus and biblical truth. Connect with Ashley:Order Ashley's New Book Confidence Is An Inside JobApply for Coaching with Ashley Connect with Ashley to be your Next Speaker!Subscribe to Confidence and Coffee here