Priorities on Purpose: Get Out of Survival Mode, Eliminate Distractions, Find Your Focus, and Grow With Jesus – Details, episodes & analysis

Rejection doesn’t have to define you. In this episode of Priorities on Purpose, Melissa sits down with award-winning author Tracey Mitchell to talk about overcoming fear, finding courage, and cultivating a victorious life with Jesus at the center.

They dive into how God uses rejection as redirection, why courage is a choice, and how to move forward even when you're discouraged or tired of getting knocked down. Tracy shares her story of writing Becoming Brave in the middle of five life-altering tragedies—and how those painful moments turned into purpose.

💡 This episode originally aired earlier this season, but it was too powerful not to share again. If you missed it the first time—or need the reminder—this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways:

• [00:00] - Meet Tracey Mitchell & the Story Behind Becoming Brave Melissa shares how this book helped her break free from fear and victimhood.

• [05:00] - When God Calls Introverts Into Public Roles Tracey reflects on saying yes to God—even when it feels uncomfortable.

• [08:00] - Writing Through Crisis: 5 Tragedies in 28 Days Why Becoming Brave wasn’t written from theory, but from the trenches.

• [12:00] - Courage vs. Fearless What’s the difference—and why do they go together

• [15:00] - Letting Go of Resentment & Bitterness Practical insights for when you're not ready to forgive but know you need to.

• [21:00] - Rejection as a Gift How God uses rejection to protect and position us for His purpose.

• [26:00] - “Daughter Over Doing” A powerful reminder for high-achievers trying to earn God’s favor.

• [30:00] - Baby Steps & Mailbox Moments Melissa shares the simple step that got her out of bed—and changed her life.

• [38:00] - Encouragement for the Woman Who Wants to Give Up Tracey offers a heartfelt word and prayer for the woman who feels done.

🌟 Want to win a free coaching call with Melissa?  https://bit.ly/freecallforchristianwomen

🎯 Ready to say YES to 1-on-1 support and get a coaching package? Click here:  https://melissabatt.com/breakthrough-coaching

Connect with Melissa:

• Website: melissabatt.com

• Instagram: @melissabattofficial

• Book a consult to see if we are a good fit: Book Consult

Connect with Tracey Mitchell:

• Website: www.traceymitchell.com

• Tracey's books: Becoming Brave, Fearless, Downside Up

Subscribe & Share: If this conversation spoke to you, share it with a friend who needs encouragement. Your review helps more women find the hope and healing they need.

In this powerful and timely episode of Priorities on Purpose, Melissa sits down with Bri Stensrud, author of Start with Welcome and Director of Women of Welcome, for a conversation that every Christian needs to hear—especially those who call themselves pro-life.

Bri shares her journey from traditional pro-life advocacy into a deeper, more biblical understanding of whole-life advocacy, challenging listeners to care for the unborn and the immigrant, the orphan and the refugee, the poor, the widow, the imprisoned, and the unseen.

This conversation isn’t about politics—it’s about conviction, compassion, and obedience to what Scripture actually says. If you're ready to let go of fear, stop othering people, and start loving your neighbor like Jesus does, this episode will stretch and encourage you in the best way.

✨ Key Takeaways:

• [00:00] - Holy Spirit-Led Conversation Begins Melissa shares how this episode took a different turn than expected—and why it’s exactly what we need.

• [05:20] - Reading Start with Welcome Melissa reflects on how Bri’s book opened her eyes and changed her perspective on immigration.

• [07:42] - What It Means to Be Whole Life Bri explains how her pro-life work expanded into a broader biblical call to care for the vulnerable.

• [18:31] - God's Call to the Church We revisit what Scripture says about the “quartet of the vulnerable”: the orphan, widow, sojourner, and the poor.

• [29:18] - Real Stories That Shifted Everything Bri shares heart-wrenching experiences with young migrant girls that reshaped her view of advocacy.

• [36:00] - Where Do We Start? Simple, practical first steps for Christians who feel convicted but overwhelmed.

• [52:32] - Breaking Through Fear and Inaction Melissa and Bri challenge listeners to get out of their comfort zones and do something with their compassion.

• [59:10] - How to Join Women of Welcome Learn how to plug into a nonpartisan, Christ-centered community of women passionate about biblical hospitality and justice.

Grab the Book: Start with Welcome: The Journey Toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation  Explore Women of Welcome: www.womenofwelcome.com

 Connect with Melissa:

• Website: melissabatt.com

• Instagram: @melissabattofficial

• Want to learn more about working together 1 on 1: https://bit.ly/3RbfwJf

In this powerful episode of Priorities on Purpose, Melissa Batt sits down with Christy, whose life was marked by deep trauma, addiction, and cycles of generational pain—until God met her in the middle of her darkest moment.

From surviving childhood abuse and the broken foster care system to struggling with addiction and searching for love in all the wrong places, Christy shares how Jesus radically turned her life around in 2022. This is part one of her testimony, where she opens up about the years of hurt that led her to cry out to God—and how that desperate prayer began her journey to healing.

If you’ve ever felt too far gone, unworthy, or unsure if God could still use you, this story is for you. Christy’s transparency and transformation will stir your heart and remind you that nothing is impossible with God.

Key Takeaways:

• [00:02] - How Melissa and Christy met at church in Indiana

• [02:31] - Christy opens up about generational trauma and childhood abuse

• [04:31] - How alcohol and drugs played a role in her father’s and her own story

• [06:16] - Foster care, broken systems, and how trauma shaped her

• [09:41] - The relationships and addiction cycles that followed

• [14:22] - Why she turned to men for love and how her childhood shaped that pattern

• [23:31] - The moment in 2022 that changed everything—her cry to God

• [25:25] - Sobriety, surrender, and her first days of walking with Jesus

• [29:06] - Learning to pray, study the Bible, and start healing

• [34:56] - Confessions, apologies, and reconciling with her daughters

• [38:44] - The hands and feet of Jesus through her ex’s family

• [43:15] - Finding a church, getting baptized, and standing strong in her faith

 

🌟 Feeling overwhelmed or stuck in survival mode?

It’s time to reset your life and realign with what matters most. Join Operation Reset, a free 5-day workshop designed to help you reclaim your time, renew your focus, and move forward with purpose.

👉 Sign up here: melissabatt.com/operation-reset

💬 Want support on your journey? Book a free Breakthrough Blueprint Session with Melissa: Book Here

Connect with Melissa:

• Website: melissabatt.com

• Instagram: @melissabattofficial

 

  I'm acknowledging all the elephants and sharing some of my own personal experiences about feeling as if attending church was pointless. I know it sounds harsh, but it appeared that most church attendees were going through the motions. I wanted no part of it until my friend convinced me to try one more time. Because of Natasha, I gave attending a local church one more chance and I'm grateful for her push. 

Watching online, settling for a podcast with your favorite preacher's messages... (Still love a good Steven Furtick message!) God wants more for you and that is what this podcast is all about! In this episode, you will be challenged to: •Acknowledge personal fears, rejections, and past hurts that could have you self-protecting and avoiding
 •Recognize your need for local believers to pray and connect with
 •Stop living offended and instead use it as an opportunity for intentional conversations
 •Recognize when avoidance of what is uncomfortable gets in your way of spiritual growth
 •Trust in God's guidance and provision, remembering my favorite bible verse; Matthew 6:8: Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
 •Be courageous and take steps to go back to church, even if it's terrifying.
 •Reflect on any past church hurt, remembering that people hurt you, not God and that it's important not to put the church on a pedestal. The church is full of broken people who are in need of a Savior and help.
 •Research churches in your area, considering factors such as location, denomination, and community involvement, and pick three to try out.
 •Attend a church service or if you are really uncomfortable, start with a smaller step like a Trunk or Treat or special service churches offer throughout the year, keeping an open mind and heart.
 •Get involved in a church community by joining a small group, or ministry, or volunteering in an outreach program.
 •Reflect on any past experiences of rejection or abandonment and how they may be influencing your feelings about attending church
 •Remember that God is calling you back to the church not only for your own growth but also to be a part of a community of believers and serve others.
 Re: Recognizing Triggers
Triggers are specific cues or situations that cause an emotional reaction or flashback from past traumas or hurt. Becoming aware of one's triggers allows for better management of emotions and reactions to challenging experiences. Identifying these triggers and working through them ensures past emotional baggage does not hinder your growth. In this podcast, Melissa Batt discusses the concept of triggers and their potential impact on rejoining a church community. She confesses that previous experiences of rejection may lead to negative emotional responses when contemplating attending a new congregation. Melissa suggests working through these emotional triggers, analyzing the root causes, and seeking support as needed to overcome them. Doing so will enhance the individual's ability to develop a healthy church experience free from the influence of past emotional scars. God is calling you to get involved. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Not only do you need the church, but the church also needs you. - Melissa Batt   Reminder: The next Breakthrough Challenge is open now.  Want to start serving in a specific ministry? Find a church to call home? Spend more time in God's word and actually understand what you are reading? Build a Nonprofit? Whether you have business, faith, or life goals, it can be as simple as cutting through the noise and finding time for the main priorities, networking to get outside of your circle, or improving relationships. I've coached dozens of clients through this process over the last year and watched them achieve so much more than they ever thought possible. I'm confident I can help you, too! 
 
Book a consult to learn more and let's chat: 
https://calendly.com/melissabattcoaching/30min
 

Let's connect:
 

https://www.instagram.com/melissabattofficial/  

https://www.facebook.com/melissabattofficial/

https://www.youtube.com/@prioritiesonpurpose


https://www.melissabatt.com

In this episode of Priorities on Purpose, I am talking to those who are ready to monetize their God-given gifts and passion to help others. Some of you were born to coach and are finally understanding you can make money doing it. Spoiler alert: You are already coaching. You just may not be getting paid for it YET. 

In this episode, I'll be sharing a few things I wish I would have known when I was getting started. Knowing this now can help you save time, money, and your sanity. 

 

Top Takeaways: 

 

• Show up in person and online as your best self. Always be willing to leave your comfort zone.

 

• Become clear and consistent in communicating your message online and in person. 

 

• Magnify your energy online for better audience engagement and deeper connections getting viewers to stop their scroll and pay attention.

 

• Find your loyal lifers & connect with them regularly even if they aren't yet paying you.

 

• Focus on value-driven connections and coaching without allowing your lack of clients to distract and/or derail you. Don't expect someone to hire you a week after you start serving consistently. Feeling entitled won't get you anywhere.

 

• Don't fall for all the gimmicks. Shortcuts will not give you sustainability. 

 

• Improve your social media captions to make them more engaging and informative, encouraging users to pay attention to your content and stop scrolling.

 

• Be intentional in your actions, recognizing that if you want people to pay you for your services, you must provide value and build trust. Give 10x the value of what you want people to pay you. 

 

• Be patient with yourself and your business growth, understanding success takes time and dedication. Commit to the process.

 

• Consider seeking feedback and guidance from a mentor or coach to help you improve and grow your business. (I'd love to work with you!)

 

• Remember your journey is unique, and comparing your progress to others can be unproductive and discouraging. Focus on your growth and success.

 

 

Are you ready to make progress toward those God-sized dreams? Want to start a podcast? Build a nonprofit? Maybe you have been wanting to launch your own coaching business to help those who are going through similar things you have gone through. Your goals can be as simple as cutting through the noise and finding time for the main priorities, building your audience, or improving relationships. I've coached dozens of clients through the last 4 rounds of the challenge and watched them achieve so much more than they ever thought possible. I've helped them and can confidently say I can help you, too! Sign up now and let's get started!

 

Find out more about the challenge:

 

https://www.melissabatt.com/breakthrough-coaching

 

Let's connect:

 

• https://www.instagram.com/melissabattofficial/  

• https://www.facebook.com/melissabattofficial/

• https://www.youtube.com/@prioritiesonpurpose

• https://www.melissabatt.com   

 

 

One of the things most churches don't do well is facilitate conversations around hard and sensitive topics. Why is the word sex taboo in most churches?  Today we are going there! Join me for a real talk conversation about porn, bitterness, lack of intimacy, and most importantly HOPE.  My friend, prayer partner, and previous coaching client, Natasha Pharis joins me to talk about the lessons she learned when she found out her husband was struggling with an addiction to pornography. 

 God taught Natasha a ton in this season and she is sharing it all with us on this episode.    Natasha Pharis is an author and speaker who has experienced God's transformative power in her own marriage. She has learned to trust in Him through difficult times and has used her story to help other women in their relationships.   You can find her journal book here: Hey Honey! Conversations with God to a Better Marriage by Natasha Pharis   Coaching women in life and business is my passion! I'd love to offer you a free consult to see if working together could be beneficial for you. You don't have to know what you need help with, you just have to book the call. It takes courage. Just DO IT.  
 Book a consult and let's chat! https://calendly.com/melissabattcoaching/30min

Let's connect:
 

https://www.instagram.com/melissabattofficial/  

https://www.facebook.com/melissabattofficial/

https://www.youtube.com/@prioritiesonpurpose


https://www.melissabatt.com Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/priorities-on-purpose-leveling-up-in-life-business/id1652197036

A few years ago I started working intentionally to live out my dreams. And, today, I'm a successful Christian Life & Business Coach who had already surpassed last year's profits within the first 2 months of this year. In this podcast episode, I am talking about God-sized dreams and how we can move forward when life is crazy chaotic with lots of twists and turns. {No hustling necessary just intentional hard work.🙌} 

Want to know how I did it?  Listening to this episode will not only provide you with valuable steps to pursue your God-sized dreams but will also inspire you to take action and rely on God more.

 

I have always had a burning desire to help women, but until a few years ago, I didn't know I could make money doing it. One day, I asked myself a life-changing question - if I could do anything without worrying about money, what would it be? The answer was crystal clear: coach women all day, every day. That epiphany led me to create a thriving business where I can combine my passion and impact the lives of others AND make money doing so.

Looking back, I can see how God has been the driving force behind my achievements, providing me with the gifts and opportunities to live out my purpose. I had to learn to trust in His plan, even when faced with challenges and distractions along the way. From setting boundaries to finding the right support system, the journey has been a test of faith, persistence, and overcoming my fears.

Investing in my dream, both financially and emotionally, has also been a crucial part of my success. My path toward coaching women began in 2019, although I had been coaching for years without realizing I could earn a living from it.

 

Main takeaways from this episode:

• Keep the long-term vision in front of you and create boundaries to protect it.

• Be prepared to say no to distractions and opportunities that don't align with your goals.

• Recognize the journey will not always be easy, but don't give up.

• Develop a battle plan for overcoming obstacles and staying focused on your goals.

• Surround yourself with supportive people, including prayer warriors and mentors.

• Get involved in a local church community to find like-minded individuals and support.

• Use worship music for encouragement and motivation.

• Be willing to spend money and understand the value of investing in your goals.

• Remember that if you aren't willing to invest in your dream, it's unreasonable to expect others to do so.

 

Want to know more about how to do a life audit? Click here 

 

Book a consult and let's chat! https://calendly.com/melissabattcoaching/30min

Coaching women in life and business is my passion! I'd love to offer you a free consult to see if working together could be beneficial for you. You don't have to know what you need help with, you just have to book the call. It takes courage. Just DO IT.    Let's connect:   https://www.instagram.com/melissabattofficial/   https://www.facebook.com/melissabattofficial/ https://www.youtube.com/@prioritiesonpurpose https://www.melissabatt.com

 

 

 

 

Unmasking the Pain: Finding Freedom from Childhood Trauma Through Faith

Have you heard these myths about facing childhood trauma head on?

Myth #1: Time will heal all wounds.

Myth #2: Ignoring it will make it go away.

Myth #3: You just have to toughen up and move on.

 

Here's the truth: God wants to set you free from the trauma you have experienced. And, it starts with leaning into hard things and choosing to have the courage to face them. I share more of what God's been doing in my personal life and let you in on how God has shown up & showed out when I made the decision to take obedient action when it would have seemed easier to stay silent. This will give you encouragement, guidance, and hope as you move forward toward saying yes to what God is asking you to do. 

In this episode, we will talk about:

• What it looks like to lean into God and surrender to trust Him in hard things when you don't want to

• Childhood Trauma including sexual abuse, grooming, and the cycle in families that keeps repeating

• Speaking up even when you are worried someone can't handle it 

• Becoming free so we can help others become free

• Creating space to process, rest, and take care of yourself while in the midst of hard seasons

Sometimes it would seem so much easier to do what everyone has always done and just pretend it didn't happen. But I knew that God was calling me to speak up. - Melissa Batt Coaching

 

Book a consult and let's chat! https://calendly.com/melissabattcoaching/30min

Consider booking a coaching session with me to get personalized guidance and support in achieving your goals and living a fulfilled and sustainable life. 

 

Share this podcast episode:  If you know someone who could benefit from this podcast episode, please share the link with them. This is a powerful message that others need to hear & I could use your help to get the word out!

 

Let's connect:   https://www.instagram.com/melissabattofficial/   https://www.facebook.com/melissabattofficial/ https://www.youtube.com/@prioritiesonpurpose https://www.melissabatt.com

 

 

Unlock Your True Potential: Aligning Desires and Values for Goal Setting Success

Does this sound familiar? You set goals for yourself, but no matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to achieve them. You've been told that the key to success is simply setting goals, but you're feeling the pain of disappointment when those goals remain out of reach. It's time to uncover the missing element that no one told you about: aligning your personal desires and values. In this episode, we'll explore the importance of synchronizing your ambitions with your convictions. Get ready to break free from the cycle of unfulfilled goals and discover the true path to achievement.

In this episode, you will be challenged to:

• Stop flying by the seat of your pants so you can be more intentional

• Align your personal ambitions and convictions with the goals you set

• No longer allow other people's expectations to define the goals you set

• Set goals you actually want to achieve

• Be courageous and share your dreams with someone you trust for accountability

• Recognize your excuses so you can flip the script and overcome them

If that's not God's plan for you, it's okay if you don't want it. It doesn't mean you suck. It doesn't mean  you're a failure. It just means you are called for something else, and that's okay. - Melissa Batt Coaching

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• The free coaching workshop starts July 24th, 2023. Sign up now and get in on free coaching at https://www.melissabatt.com/registerfor12weeks

• The best website for Christians who love cute graphic tees (not an ad, just obsessed with this amazing company): https://www.beaconthreads.com/

 

Book a consult and let's chat! https://calendly.com/melissabattcoaching/30min

Coaching women in life and business is my passion! I'd love to offer you a free consult to see if working together could be beneficial for you. You don't have to know what you need help with, you just have to book the call. It takes courage. Just DO IT.    Let's connect:   https://www.instagram.com/melissabattofficial/   https://www.facebook.com/melissabattofficial/ https://www.youtube.com/@prioritiesonpurpose https://www.melissabatt.com

 

The Impact of Saying Yes: Sonya's Lessons in Setting Boundaries & Prioritizing - Priorities on Purpose Podcast Episode

Today you get a BTS (behind the scenes) of a laser coaching session I did with someone participating inside of my free 12 Weeks to Success Workshop. Sonya has gigantic goals and knows where she wants to go. However, her constant need to say yes to everything and over-committing leads her to neglect her well-being and limits her time to work on her God-sized dreams. During this laser coaching session, I work with her on setting boundaries and rebalancing her life to prioritize what matters most.

Some of her goals include becoming a life coach, creating a course to help women grow in their relationship with Jesus, and writing a book. This episode is a great example of what it is like to work with me. If you are a high achiever, constantly biting off more than you can chew, love to volunteer, and are always known as the 'yes girl', then get a pen and paper; you'll want to take notes.

In this episode, you will be challenged to:

• Understand how important prioritizing self-care and your well-being is in your daily routines.

• Discover the profound impact of balance and boundary-setting for your daily peace.

• Realize the consequences of saying 'yes' to all and its influence on others.

• Grasp the underestimated importance of stillness and reflection in goal mapping.

• Take time to do a life audit to see how you are spending your time and why.

• Prioritize your goals - If you're struggling to figure out your goals or have trouble following through on them, this episode is precisely what you need. It will challenge you to reassess your goals and provide guidance on how to focus on what truly matters.

• Sign up for the next Twelve Weeks of Success workshop - This workshop will help you set and achieve your goals over the next twelve weeks. Look for the sign-up details in the show notes.

My special guest is Sonya Smody from Set4Life.

She's a high-achieving single mom who navigates life with resilience and unwavering determination. Continually pushing the boundaries of her comfort zone, Sonya knows her calling and purpose. However, without realizing it, she often overcommits herself leading her to self-sabotage.

The Oxygen Mask Parable You've probably heard the safety announcement about securing your own oxygen mask before helping others on flights, right? It's a brilliant metaphor to explain why personal care matters. If we can't breathe, we can't help others breathe. This principle applies to our day-to-day lives as well. For those of us who struggle to see our worth the way God does, this lesson is hard to learn and will lead to old habits if we aren't careful.

The Power of Moving Backwards Our culture often romanticizes the notion of always moving forward and depicts taking even a single step back as a failure. But sometimes, you have to go backward to leap forward. It's like drawing back an arrow before letting it fly. Indeed, revisiting past experiences, re-evaluating priorities, and resetting the course of life can seem daunting. But it can also create necessary growing spaces and ultimately leads to healing if you allow God to help. Sonya openly discussed her fear of going backward in the podcast.

The Struggle with Priorities You know that feeling when you keep piling on more than you can physically carry? Well, that's what we're talking about. A lot of people, just like Sonya, get caught up in a whirlwind of responsibilities. They believe they can handle everything that comes their way, from personal commitments to endless volunteering opportunities. Unfortunately, it becomes a vicious cycle of always saying yes, leading them to overlook their health and well-being. As one might imagine, this imbalance can take a massive toll on overall happiness and lead to long-term physical and mental exhaustion. From Sonya's perspective, her constant yes attitude initially seemed like a noble trait, one which made lending a helping hand to others a no-brainer. But, it came at a major cost.

The Martha Syndrome In the biblical account of Martha and Mary, Martha was so wrapped up in serving guests that she missed out on the moment's joy. People, like Sonya, who find it hard to say no, often end up being the 'Martha.' They keep volunteering, serving, and giving until they are spent. While giving back and volunteering are valuable qualities, it's equally important to find space to be still and maintain main priorities. During the podcast, Melissa used the story of Mary & Martha to provide Sonya with a different perspective on her situation. Sonya, as an inherent doer and giver, admitted to being a 'Martha.' The challenge for Sonya now is to balance her 'Martha'-like willingness to serve with the heart posture of Mary.

 

Want to know more about how to do a life audit? Click here 

 

Sign up for the July workshop: https://www.melissabatt.com/registerfor12weeks

 

Book a consult and let's chat! https://calendly.com/melissabattcoaching/30min

Coaching women in life and business is my passion! I'd love to offer you a free consult to see if working together could be beneficial for you. You don't have to know what you need help with, you just have to book the call. It takes courage. Just DO IT.    Let's connect:   https://www.instagram.com/melissabattofficial/   https://www.facebook.com/melissabattofficial/ https://www.youtube.com/@prioritiesonpurpose https://www.melissabatt.com

 

Connect with Sonya: Click here