Real Talk Real Change Podcast

Understanding your identity in Christ is essential for healing, confidence, purpose, and spiritual growth. In Part 3 of the six-part series Understanding Your Identity in Christ, we explore what the Bible says about who you are in Christ and why knowing your true identity as a believer changes everything. In this powerful episode of the Real Talk Real Change Podcast, Tonya Reese sits down with Minister Deborah Washington for an honest, wisdom-filled conversation about biblical identity, spiritual maturity, and why so many Christian women struggle with self-worth, confidence, and purpose. This discussion speaks directly to women navigating healing, leadership, motherhood, business, and faith while learning how to walk boldly in who God has called them to be. Throughout the conversation, we unpack what it truly means to find your identity in Christ, why you are not what you do, what you’ve been through, or what others have called you, and what Scripture means when it declares that you are the righteous. We also explore how to separate trauma, trials, and life experiences from God-given identity, how understanding your identity in Christ impacts healing, confidence, leadership, decision-making, and faith, and why life challenges and spiritual warfare do not redefine who God says you are. Sis, this episode is a reminder that you are seen, you are chosen, and you still belong, your identity is not found in feelings, titles, or seasons, but in Christ.
Website: www.RealTalkRealChangepodcast.com | Get Girl P.U.S.H.: www.realtalkrealchangepodcast.com/faith-resources | Follow on Instagram: @RealTalkRealChangepodcast | Butterfly Tribe: https://www.skool.com/thebutterflytribe | Luxe Life Planner/Prayer Journals/Resources: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyDigitalteekay

In Episode 32 of Real Talk, Real Change, Tonya is joined by trauma counselor Dr. Melissa Taylor-Grazette for a powerful conversation on identity in Christ, emotional healing, and effective communication. Together, they explore anhedonia, the loss of joy and motivation many people overlook, along with how unresolved trauma quietly shapes behavior, relationships, and self-worth.
This episode challenges the mindset of “I just keep it real,” revealing why true communication requires speaking in a way others can actually receive. You’ll also learn how accountability brings freedom, why consequences still exist even in healing, and how anchoring your identity in Christ transforms the healing journey.
If you’ve felt numb, disconnected, or unsure of who you are, this conversation will meet you right where you are and point you toward wholeness.

A new year doesn’t require a new you; it requires a willing heart and a faith-filled yes. Let this be your moment to reset, release, and walk forward knowing God is already ahead of you.
Website: www.RealTalkRealChangepodcast.com | Get Girl P.U.S.H.: www.realtalkrealchangepodcast.com/faith-resources | Follow on Instagram: @RealTalkRealChangepodcast | Butterfly Tribe: https://www.skool.com/thebutterflytribe | Luxe Life Planner/Prayer Journals/Resources: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyDigitalTeekay

In this special Christmas encouragement episode of Real Talk, Real Change, Tonya Reese pauses the six-part series to create space for reflection, honesty, and rest during a season that can feel heavy for many women. While Christmas is often presented as joyful and celebratory, this episode gently acknowledges the quiet grief, unanswered prayers, emotional weariness, and loneliness that can surface when the noise fades. Through the Christmas story, Tonya reminds listeners that God does not wait for perfection or polished faith, He meets us in the waiting, in uncertainty, and in places that feel overlooked. Jesus’ birth in a humble manger reveals a powerful truth: God is not intimidated by our mess, and He enters spaces that others ignore. This episode is not about teaching or fixing, but about breathing, unpacking, and remembering that you are seen, known, deeply loved, and not behind. With a heartfelt prayer and words of reassurance, Tonya encourages every woman listening not to rush joy, healing, or becoming, and to rest in the truth that Emmanuel (God with us), is still present, even in the middle of unanswered questions.
Timestamps/Chapters:
00:00 Embracing the Christmas Season
02:56 Navigating Unanswered Questions and Emotions
04:04 The Christmas Story: A Lesson in Surrender
Website: www.RealTalkRealChangepodcast.com | Get Girl P.U.S.H.: www.realtalkrealchangepodcast.com/faith-resources | Follow on Instagram: @RealTalkRealChangepodcast | Butterfly Tribe: https://www.skool.com/thebutterflytribe | Luxe Life Planner/Prayer Journals/Resources: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyDigitalTeekay

Faith isn’t just about what you believe; it’s about who you think you are in Christ. In this episode of Real Talk Real Change, we engage in the conversation every woman needs to have about Christian faith, identity, and personal transformation. We explore how understanding your identity in Christ shapes your decisions, strengthens your faith, and anchors you in God’s purpose, regardless of age, past mistakes, or perceived delays. This episode speaks directly to women who feel behind, uncertain, or in need of clarity about who they are and where God is leading them. Through transparent dialogue and lived experience, we discuss the importance of accountability, obedience, and acceptance in the walk of faith. We unpack the powerful distinction between conviction and condemnation, revealing how conviction draws us closer to God and fuels growth, while condemnation keeps us stuck in shame and distraction. This conversation highlights God as the Redeemer of time, reminding listeners that no season is wasted when we surrender to Him and that spiritual growth expands our capacity to receive, heal, and move forward in purpose. As the episode unfolds, we address common struggles surrounding God’s timing, self-worth, and acceptance, emphasizing how settling into your God-given identity brings healing, peace, and confidence. This episode is both an encouragement and a call to alignment, reminding every woman that understanding who she is in Christ is essential to fulfilling her purpose and walking boldly in faith. The conversation concludes with closing reflections and prayer, offering spiritual grounding and renewed hope for the journey ahead.
Chapters / Timestamps
00:00 – The Importance of Identity in Christ
03:00 – Personal Journeys and Transformation
10:00 – God’s Design and Purpose for Our Lives
17:04 – Overcoming Age and Time Constraints
24:01 – Conviction vs. Condemnation
29:47 – Navigating God’s Timing and Capacity
37:05 – Acceptance, Healing, and Purpose
42:56 – Closing Reflections and Prayer
Website: www.RealTalkRealChangepodcast.com | Get Girl P.U.S.H.: www.realtalkrealchangepodcast.com/faith-resources | Follow on Instagram: @RealTalkRealChangepodcast | Butterfly Tribe: https://www.skool.com/thebutterflytribe | Luxe Life Planner/Prayer Journals/Resources: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyDigitalTeekay

In this episode of Real Talk Real Change, hosts Shymia Lee and Tonya dive deep into the ongoing journey of understanding personal identity, hearing God’s voice, and embracing transformation. This transparent and faith-centered conversation unpacks how relationships, social media, expectations, and obedience shape who we become. Together, they explore why identity isn’t a one-time revelation, but a daily unfolding, something God grows within us as we listen, obey, and intentionally show up for our own healing. The hosts discuss how real talk fosters authentic change, why success looks different for everyone, and how hearing God becomes clearer through practice and obedience. They reveal the subtle ways in which relationships and social media can distort identity and why self-awareness is essential for personal growth. This episode sets the stage for a six-part series on women’s identity, promising powerful stories, diverse perspectives, and transformative insights. If you're navigating identity, longing to hear God more clearly, or craving real conversations that inspire inner growth, this episode will meet you right where you are. "Real talk, real change" isn’t just a tagline; it's a lifestyle of becoming who God always intended you to be. Chapters / Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to Real Talk, Real Change
06:01 – The Journey of Identity
11:45 – Hearing God’s Voice and Obedience
17:38 – Anticipation for the Upcoming Identity Series
23:27 – The Impact of Relationships on Identity
29:13 – Navigating Social Media and Self-Perception
35:07 – The Importance of Expectation in Personal Growth
Website: www.RealTalkRealChangepodcast.com | Get Girl P.U.S.H.: www.realtalkrealchangepodcast.com/faith-resources | Follow on Instagram: @RealTalkRealChangepodcast | Butterfly Tribe: https://www.skool.com/thebutterflytribe | Luxe Life Planner/Prayer Journals/Resources: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyDigitalTeekay

In this heartfelt episode, we explore the journey through anhedonia (emotional numbness), depression, and the feeling of being disconnected from yourself, shedding light on feelings of emptiness and emotional numbness. If you’re struggling with mental health, know you're not alone; we offer grief advice and practical steps on how to feel emotions again. Tune in for insights and support! In this episode of Real Talk, Real Change, Tonya Reese delves into the profound effects of loss on personal identity. She opens up about losing her entire immediate family and the deep loneliness that followed—loneliness not just of missing people, but of missing pieces of herself. Tonya shares how loss rearranged her identity, pushing her into survival mode and leaving her functioning through life while emotionally disconnected. Through transparent storytelling, she explores how childhood instability, painful experiences, and performing in relationships shaped her sense of self in ways she did not recognize at the time. As Tonya walks listeners through her journey, she unpacks the reality that loss is not only emotional, it is identity-shattering. Some losses take more than people; they take your history, your belongings, your sense of home, and the versions of yourself you once knew. But in the middle of that brokenness, Tonya reveals how God began to rebuild her piece by piece, reminding her that identity in Christ is the only identity that cannot be shaken by grief, abandonment, or trauma. This episode is an invitation to every woman who has survived on autopilot, performed for love, or lost parts of herself in the process. It is a reminder that even in the deepest loss, God is restoring every single piece of who you are. You are not just surviving—you are becoming. Loss is not just sadness; it rearranges you. Some losses take pieces of who you used to be. Family holds your identity and history. Survival became my personality out of necessity. I learned to function dysfunctionally after my losses. I didn't know how to receive love or trust it. I was performing instead of connecting in relationships. In the depths of loss, God began to rebuild me. Embracing identity in Christ is crucial for healing. God is restoring every single piece of who I am. When Loss Takes More Than People: Rediscovering Identity After Grief. "Loss rearranges you." "God began to rebuild me." "We rise from our story."
Timestamps/Chapters
00:00 The Impact of Loss on Identity
02:04 Personal Stories of Loss and Loneliness
07:42 Rediscovering Self Beyond Survival
10:21 Embracing Identity in Christ
Website: www.RealTalkRealChangepodcast.com | Get Girl P.U.S.H.: www.realtalkrealchangepodcast.com/faith-resources | Follow on Instagram: @RealTalkRealChangepodcast | Butterfly Tribe: https://www.skool.com/thebutterflytribe | Luxe Life Planner/Prayer Journals/Resources: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyDigitalTeekay

Not every woman feels joyful during the holidays. Some are grieving someone who won’t be at the table this year. Some feel forgotten by the very people they’ve poured into. Some will sit in a room full of family and still feel painfully unseen. In this Thanksgiving episode of Real Talk Real Change, Tonya Reese speaks directly to the woman experiencing holiday loneliness, grief, rejection, emptiness, or silent heartbreak. She gently reminds you that just because you feel unseen does not mean you are unseen, just because you feel alone does not mean you are abandoned, and just because someone walked away does not mean you are unlovable.
Through Scripture-based truths, identity declarations, gentle reflection, prayer, and affirmation, Tonya invites you to reconnect with your identity, not the one shaped by pain, but the one rooted in God’s truth. She shares that being unseen by people does not mean being unseen by God. She also reminds us that identity is not proven when we are celebrated, but when we are disappointed. Healing is deeper when we grow through it, together.
This episode reminds you that you are still the daughter who is valued, seen, chosen, purposeful, and deeply loved, right here, right now, even in the valley. You are still His. You still belong.
 
Website: www.RealTalkRealChangepodcast.com Get Girl P.U.S.H.: www.realtalkrealchangepodcast.com/faith-resources Follow on Instagram: @RealTalkRealChangepodcast Butterfly Tribe: https://www.skool.com/thebutterflytribe Luxe Life Planner/Prayer Journals/Resources: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyDigitalTeekay
 
 
 

Join us for an episode filled with inspiring stories and deep self-reflection, focusing on self-improvement and the challenges of a healing journey. We discuss how to find yourself and live with authenticity on this self-development path. This episode offers motivation for anyone seeking personal growth, identity, purpose, and a more fulfilling life.
Welcome to Episode 25 of Real Talk Real Change — a milestone moment where the mic is turned toward the woman who birthed it all. In this vulnerable and powerful conversation, Tonya Reese opens up like never before, sharing the real story behind the podcast, her journey of surrender, faith, identity, and obedience, and how God used seasons of pain, waiting, and transformation to prepare her for purpose. From moments of self-doubt to the courage to press record, Tonya reveals the emotional process of saying yes to God's call — even when she didn’t feel ready, qualified, or confident.
This episode explores identity in Christ, purpose, perseverance, and the power of transformation. You'll hear about Tonya’s defining “just do it” moment, how God spoke through her own voice, and how she learned to stop running away and instead run forward. She opens up about navigating seasons of hiddenness, waiting, and emergence — the cocoon, the stretching, the becoming — and why transformation is not a one-time event, but a lifelong evolution.
You will be inspired by how Real Talk Real Change grew from a vision into a space where women gather, heal, rediscover who they are, and bloom out loud. Tonya shares how comments from around the world — even Bulgaria — showed her that obedience to purpose reaches further than we ever imagine. And as she looks ahead, she reveals what God is pressing on her heart next: elevating the platform, bringing in expert voices, hosting transformative gatherings, and building a global community of women walking in identity, boldness, healing, and purpose.
If you’ve ever struggled with doubt, waiting, or wondering if it’s too late — this episode is a tender reminder: If you’re watching this, it’s because God is saying, It’s not too late. You have purpose.
Stay until the end for a special announcement about the upcoming giveaway of the Luxe Life Planner 2026.
Keep growing, keep healing, and remember — Real Talk sparks Real Change.

Join us for an episode filled with inspiring stories and deep self-reflection. We explore the winding paths of personal growth and the challenges of a healing journey. Learn how to find yourself and live with authenticity on this self-discovery journey.
Becoming Her is a heart-to-heart conversation about what happens in the sacred space between who we were and who we’re becoming. In this transparent and faith-filled episode, host Tonya Reese shares how fear, timing, and surrender shaped her journey of transformation. Through real stories, scripture, and raw reflection, Tonya reminds us that God’s timing isn’t about delay; it’s about alignment. If you’ve ever felt stuck, weary, or afraid to step into your next season, this episode will meet you right where you are. You’ll walk away encouraged to breathe through the process, trust God’s timing, and believe that everything, yes, even the hard things, are necessary for your becoming. In this episode, Tonya opens up about facing the fear of becoming a different version of yourself, discovering that transformation often happens in stillness, and learning to recognize the difference between alignment and delay in God’s timing. She shares how mistakes can become miracles when surrendered to God’s purpose, and why embracing grace as you grow is one of the most powerful acts of faith you can make.
Chapters/Timestamps
00:00 Embracing Transformation
01:21 The Sacred In-Between
04:28 The Power of Stillness
08:59 God's Timing and Alignment
11:45 Recognizing Fear's Disguise
13:14 Evolving into Our True Selves
14:56 Trusting the Process
17:07 A Prayer for Transformation
Website: www.RealTalkRealChangepodcast.com Get Girl P.U.S.H.: www.realtalkrealchangepodcast.com/faith-resources
Follow on Instagram: @RealTalkRealChangepodcast
Butterfly Tribe: https://www.skool.com/thebutterflytribe Prayer Journals/Resources: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyDigitalTeekay