ANSWERING YOUR MOST ASKED QUESTIONS!

Summary

Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt

Episode: Answering Your Most Asked Questions!
Release Date: May 4, 2026
Host: Madison Prewett Troutt
Guest: Leah Gregory
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Episode Overview

This episode takes a different turn from the usual guest interviews—it's an open, heartfelt Q&A with host Madison (“Maddie”) Prewett Troutt, facilitated by her trusted right-hand, Leah Gregory. Leah brings questions sourced from Stay True’s community, prompting Maddie to share candid reflections on faith, discipline, insecurity, hearing God’s voice, seasons of spiritual dryness, mentorship, decision-making, and more. The tone is warm, vulnerable, and practical, blending spiritual insights with real-life stories, offering listeners encouragement to “stay true” in their own journeys.

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Main Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. Introducing Leah Gregory & The Stay True Team Dynamic

[02:09 - 06:29]

• Leah, normally behind the scenes, joins Maddie as the episode’s co-host and interviewer.
• Leah recounts how she got hired—a story about taking initiative (“send that email!”), which encourages listeners to “go for it.”
• Maddie celebrates Leah’s fearless joy and boldness, underlining the importance of friendship, mentorship, and taking risks in career paths.
• The two reflect on their evolving roles and friendship, showing the synergy and genuine care fueling the podcast’s mission.

Quote:
“I just loved you so much from day one because there was such…a joy and a shamelessness that marked your life.” – Maddie [03:26]

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2. Birthday Reflections: Best Days, Habits, & Staying Present

[07:48 - 12:25]

• Turning 30: Leah kicks off with birthday-inspired reflection questions.
• Maddie talks about presence, cherishing ordinary days, and living out childhood dreams (“twirling outside with Hosanna”).
• She shares about returning to her prayer closet as a disciplined spiritual habit and the peace found in praying in a consistent, dedicated space.
• Illustration of her prayer closet: “It looks like you spend time in there…photos, written-out prayers, scriptures all on the wall.” – Leah [12:03]

Key Practice:

• Making time for stillness outdoors (“Holy Spirit, speak, for your servant is listening”).
• Reinstituting the prayer closet—visually organizing prayers and intercessions for others.
• Praying not just for personal needs but for “the lost, leaders, the global church, the orphan, and the widow.” [13:26]

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3. Advice to Younger Selves & Navigating Insecurity

[14:17 - 19:42]

• Maddie reflects on her struggles at 22: comparison, waiting, performance mentality.
• Her advice: Stop striving for approval—“It’s not your works and your efforts that determines your worth and your value. It’s the finished work of Jesus Christ.” [15:54]
• Maddie emphasizes receiving God’s love as the foundation for joy, relationships, and peace.

Coping with Insecurities Practically

[19:42 - 23:47]

• Leah asks: “When you’re faced with insecurity—in that moment, what do you do?”
• Maddie’s method:
  • Flip the script: Instead of focusing on outward appearance, review your heart’s condition.
  • Use the spiritual discipline of “remove the lie, replace it with truth.”
  • Bring accountability/confession into the light—tell someone, invite prayer.
  • “Go do something nice for somebody else. Get my eyes off myself.” [21:52]
  • Pray Colossians 3: “Lord, help me to set my eyes and my mind and my heart on things above.”

Quote:
“As soon as you bring it into the light and as soon as you confess that to an accountability partner…we’re just giving the enemy this massive playground to work with.” – Maddie [21:20]

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4. How to Hear God’s Voice & Make Big Decisions

[23:47 - 35:46]

• Leah: “How do you know it’s the Holy Spirit speaking, or just your thoughts?”
• Maddie reframes the common prayer for clarity:
  • “Don’t pray for clarity, pray for faith…for more of God and less of you.” [24:14]
• She illustrates through moves to Waco and Nashville: Sometimes God gives overt signs (like “red roses” before The Bachelor), sometimes just a growing peace.
• Key wisdom: Lean on godly community, scripture, peace, and trust God’s ability to reroute you.
• Analogy from Leah: “God’s will is like a playground…as long as you’re not living in sin, there’s freedom in your choices.”
• When there’s silence, prioritize stillness and presence: “If we don’t take time to silence the noise, to quiet our soul and to be still…we’re not going to know his voice…or will.” [30:41]
• Maddie shares: Learning God’s voice is lifelong—“You will know what feels like, this is God and this is not, as you spend more time with Him.”

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5. Growing Through Spiritual Dry Seasons

[35:46 - 43:27]

• Leah: “What do you do in a ‘dry season’ with God?”
• Maddie pushes for discipline over motivation:
  • “Motivation is about feelings, but discipline is about devotion. The delight will often follow, but you have to choose the discipline first.” [36:35]
• It’s not a single “quiet time,” but a whole-life relationship:
  • “Your quiet time is your everyday moment with the Lord…not just a part—Jesus is meant to be your life.”
• She makes prayer and word a daily non-negotiable, even in spiritual ruts:
  • “Don’t give up. If you don’t give up, you will reap a harvest.” (Galatians 6:9)
• Practical: Even if she doesn’t “feel it,” she prays, “hits her knees,” and usually finds peace follows.

Memorable Moment:
“We did [pray] right before the podcast…my Bible says, ‘Don’t be anxious about anything, but instead pray about it.’” [42:44]

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6. Finding a Mentor & the Power of Intentional Relationships

[45:02 - 54:03]

• Many listeners ask: “How do you find a mentor?”
• Maddie’s advice:
  • Start local—someone in your city, preferably your church.
  • Pray consistently for God to reveal the right person.
  • Have the courage to ask: “Don’t wait for an angel to come out of the sky…” [45:52]
  • Be open—consider different mentors for different areas (faith, marriage, parenting).
  • Come to meetings prepared—ask intentional questions, learn by watching their lives, not just listening to words.
  • True mentors “push you to the Word of God,” challenge and encourage in your faith.

Leah adds:
“When I moved to Nashville, I needed to find a mentor…so I started watching—who do I want to become in this room?” [50:28]

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7. The Difference Between Gossip and Venting

[54:03 - 61:16]

• Leah: “Is venting a sin? Where’s the line with gossip?”
• Maddie’s filter:
  • “Is it helpful? Is it fruitful? Is it going to build up those around me?” [54:28]
  • Words should be “pleasing to God,” not idle, grumbling, or negative.
  • Lead with prayer before sharing offenses: Often, after prayer, the need to “vent” dissipates or gets reframed.
  • Follow scripture: “If someone offends you, go to them, not to others.”
• In friendships, create accountability for direct communication—not triangulating or talking behind backs.
• Maddie is “very anti-gossip”—prefers direct, loving confrontation for unity and peace.

Quote:
“I hope I have people who are like, ‘Hey, don’t share that with me; have you shared it with her?’” [59:58]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Security in God’s Love:
  “It’s not your works and your efforts that determines your worth and your value. It’s the finished work of Jesus Christ.”
  — Maddie [15:54]

• On Praying in Uncertainty:
  “We pray for clarity—but maybe we should be praying for faith.”
  — Maddie [24:14]

• On Discipline Over Feeling:
  “Motivation is about feelings, but discipline is about devotion... The delight will often follow, but you have to choose the discipline first.”
  — Maddie [36:35]

• On Direct Relationships:
  “If you offend me in any way…I’m not going to other people. I’m coming to you.”
  — Maddie [60:13]

• On Practical Prayer:
  “Before you talk about it, pray about it. Before you complain about it, pray about it…”
  — Maddie [56:30]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:09] — Leah’s journey to joining Stay True
• [08:31] — Birthday reflections and favorite days/habits
• [11:53] — The visual of Maddie’s prayer closet
• [14:35] — Advice Maddie would give her 22-year-old self
• [19:42] — How Maddie navigates insecurity and negative self-talk
• [23:47] — Making big life decisions by faith, not just clarity
• [30:24] — How to discern God’s voice amid uncertainty and waiting
• [35:46] — What to do in spiritually dry seasons
• [45:24] — How to find and pursue godly mentorship
• [54:03] — Gossip vs venting: how to process conflict biblically
• [61:49] — Wrapping up and encouragement to reach out with questions

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Final Thoughts

Maddie and Leah close by reiterating their heart for community—the “Stay True” podcast seeks to equip, encourage, and walk alongside its listeners with practical wisdom for every season of faith. Listeners are urged to submit more questions and ideas for future episodes. The central message: staying true isn’t about striving for perfection but remaining anchored in God’s love, consistent discipline, and authentic relationships.

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This summary offers listeners a comprehensive overview of the episode’s spiritual depth, practical advice, and engaging conversations—all with “vibes and values” at the heart of Stay True.

Transcript

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

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[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

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[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Wayfair Every style, every home we pray this prayer of God give me clarity. And I don't think that's the prayer we should be praying. I think the prayer we should be praying is God, increase my faith. We live in such a noisy, loud world. We also live such busy, full lives. And if we don't take time to silence the noise, to quiet our soul and to be still and know that he is God, we're not going to know his voice, we're not going to know his will, we're not going to know what to do. If what matters most is that I want to love God with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul, with all my strength, that changes everything. You know, motivation is all about feelings, but discipline is all about devotion. The delight will often follow, but you have to choose the discipline first. If you are fully submitted to God and you are in relationship with Him, I really don't think you can mess it up. Is it helpful? Is it fruitful? If I share what I'm going to share, is it actually going to promote the kingdom of light or the kingdom of darkness? It's not your works and your efforts that determines your worth and your value. It's the finished work of Jesus Christ. What's up guys? And welcome back to another episode of Stay True Podcast. I'm your host, Madison Pruitt Trout, kind of your host today because we actually have our very own Leah Gregory today in the Stay True podcast studio. You guys, she's normally behind the camera.

[Leah Gregory]

I know it feels weird being in front now. I'm usually behind the camera, so this is weird for Me.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Leah runs Stay True podcast. Everything Stay True Instagram. She's behind the cameras. She's coordinating the guests. She's answering the emails. She's doing everything. I mean, planning events. I mean, you name it. Stay True. Leah is doing it.

[Leah Gregory]

It's the best job ever. I get people to ask me all the time. They're like, how in the world did you get this job? And I'm like, you. I literally got this job by sending you an email.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

No, let's talk about it. Because it's actually crazy. It's crazy. So you send an email.

[Leah Gregory]

I. So it was so funny. I was in college and I was like, what in the world am I gonna do with my life? And so I just sent an email to a bunch of. A bunch of people. And I'm so thankful Maddie responded. And so I tell all my friends, I'm like, go for it.

[Ad Sponsor Voice]

Go for it.

[Leah Gregory]

Send that email. You never know what's gonna happen. So then.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

No, literally. And I had so my girl who was working for me at the time, Sydney, Shout Out Sydney. She got Leah's email. She responded. Leah came to a mother daughter event that my mom and I were throwing, and I was like, she's so cute. Well, actually, I think we had already decided we were going to work together.

[Leah Gregory]

Yeah, I was already hired, but I was hired as, like, kind of just like you were. This is in your Waco season. So we've talked about your Waco season on this podcast before, but you were, like, just moving to Waco, and I think you hired me as, like, your personal assistant.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Yeah.

[Leah Gregory]

And then you were like, hey, like, I actually need social media help. And I'm like, hey.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

I was like, actually, sos, My social media is struggling. Can you help me? And she goes, yeah, sure. I don't really have experience. And so Leah is my intern. She moves to Waco. And I just. I just loved you so much from day one because there was such. And I've told you this so much, but there was such a joy and a shamelessness that marked your life. Leah carried this, like, unashamed boldness, confidence, spirit of joy about her. She would, like, walk on Baylor's campus and walk up to strangers and be like, you want to be friends? You want to go to coffee? And I just like, I love sharing that with people because I'm like, that just so speaks to, like, your outgoingness, but also, just like, your shamelessness. You're like, oh, I don't really fear rejection. Like, want to go to coffee? No. Okay. I'll ask the next person. And I just love that. And so you moved to Waco. You didn't know anybody. You started, like, getting plugged into the church. You interned for me. And then at the end of the internship, I was like, drop out of college. Come on, no one needs college. Like, just, like, for me, who needs it? I'm kidding. I'm not endorsing drop out of college. But you did finish. And then I see you again at Tyr Lee Cobble. The Bible recap.

[Leah Gregory]

That's what it was.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Shout out Bible recap.

[Leah Gregory]

Yep. We love it here.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

And you were, like, going through a breakup, looking for next steps. No, actually, I think no. Was it Grant that brought it up and he didn't know?

[Leah Gregory]

Yes. Grant straight out of the gate, was like, how's your relationship?

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

I'm like, you're like, immediate cry.

[Leah Gregory]

You're like.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

I'm like, sorry, I haven't told him yet.

[Leah Gregory]

It was in such a weird space. I was just post grad. I was figuring out, like, what I wanted to do with my life, and it was the perfect moment. Maddie was like, I'm moving to Tennessee and I'm here. And I'm like, well, if you ever know of any jobs, like, I'm kind of. You never know what I'm. I have no idea what I want to do. And this is still post grad. So this is another reminder. If you're post grad and you have no idea what you want to do, like, that that's okay. And so then it all worked out, and you called me one day.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

She's like, I don't know what I'm gonna do. I'm looking for jobs. And I'm like, I know what you're gonna do. I'm gonna hire you. And I did. And now you're. Because you started out part time with Stay True and now you're full time. And again, podcast world, you were like, having to learn podcast world, and now you're crushing it. I feel like other people with podcasts are, like, asking you for advice. I mean, we, like, wanna continue to have, like, interns and people, like, come under you. So you're just absolutely, absolutely crushing it. And I'm so proud.

[Leah Gregory]

I have the best boss in the world. I get asked. It's. It's such a funny question people ask me. They're like, what's Maddie like actually? Like, I'm like, y' all, like, she. Seriously, what you see on online, what you see on this podcast is exactly like how you are in real life. You are genuinely just, like, the most kind, caring, like, person ever. Like, you will just drop anything for anyone. But also, like, in a leadership way, I feel like I get to see you, like, in a cool way because you're a mentor and a friend, but you're also, like, my leader. And, like, you are just such, like, a gracious and kind boss, but you also are just, like, so confident, and, like, you just inspire me to, like, do well and excel, and you want the best for me, too. So it's seriously my dream job. People are like, do you want to do this for, like, how long? And I'm like, forever.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

I'm like, you're not allowed to leave me, Leo.

[Leah Gregory]

No.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

And I promise this podcast isn't going to be us just, like, talking about how much we love each other, but we. I was like, I want to do an episode, we. Where I just have on you to ask me questions. And, like, it just feels like I'm sitting across all of you guys listening, and just, like, we're having coffee. We're at lunch, and this is just, like, we're just having conversation. Because so often I'm interviewing other people, and I'm like, I know.

[Leah Gregory]

It's time.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

It's time to get interviewed.

[Leah Gregory]

I know. I don't think we've done, like, an actual episode like this of a Maddie Q and A.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

So, no, Grant's done kind of.

[Leah Gregory]

Yeah, he's. He's kind of played that role. Y' all did one about relationships and stuff like that. But I'm excited because I. Y'. All. Some of y' all might have seen this, but I took over the Instagram, and I just asked a bunch of questions on what y' all want to know. So Maddie, we. I was like, I don't know if y' all can, like, fully understand this. We're, like, looking straight at each other. This feels like a real.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Like, if you're not watching on YouTube, you need to be, because this is, like, really working on Leah and I's eye contact. I told her. I said, listen, when we started, like, the new setup with sitting across, like, from each other with the guests, I was like. I'm like, you know, it's low key, intimidating. You're, like, looking into the soul of the person that you're like.

[Leah Gregory]

Y' all probably are, like, seeing my eyes. I'm, like, looking everywhere. But Maddie, I'm like.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

She's like, I'm sweating. Yeah, she's doing great, guys. Give her some claps. She's doing great. No, but I do not know a single question you're going to ask me. And so we'll see how this goes.

[Leah Gregory]

Here we go. But one thing y' all might not know. This is your birthday week. When we're recording this, it's your birthday week. When it's coming out, it won't be your birthday week anymore. But I want people to hear. So my best friend Vivian and I, we do birthday questions every single year of, like, just recap of the year. So I'm going to ask you some of our birthday questions since you are turning 30 years.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

This is, like, what Grant does to me every time, like, on my birthday, and I'm like, oh, gosh, my brain's not even there yet. So we'll see what my answer is, because I haven't thought about it.

[Leah Gregory]

Okay, we'll start you out easy. Well, I say this is easy, but this is kind of a loaded question. What was your best day of your 29th year of life? This past year, you stepped into motherhood. Like, what has been your favorite day from this past year?

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Okay. Because I was about to say Hosanna's birth, but I was like, wait, I was 28. Okay. My best day of 29. Honestly, it's so hard, and this is, like, so cheesy to say, but I'm like, truly, every day is, like, better than the day before.

[Leah Gregory]

Oh, Maddie.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

No, I really mean that. Like, every day. Okay. Because not one day just, like, really, like, sticks out, but every day that I legit, like, prioritize my time with the Lord. And now that I've, like, descaled and come off, and I've been way more present, like, these dreams and these hopes that I had of, like, twirling around outside under a tree and, like, laughing and feeling so free and being able to just, like, pick up and go whenever I want. Like, I'm able to do that now. And I'm just, like, spending so much good time with Hosanna, so, like, not an actual day comes to mind. I'm trying to think, like, this birthday week is gonna be really fun because

[Leah Gregory]

you have quite the lineup this week.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

I have quite the lineup, starting with a good old massage, which we love.

[Leah Gregory]

We love that.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

And then for no one, for everyone who doesn't know this, that Hannah Montana was, like, my absolute favorite show. And I used to, like, literally channel my inner Miley Cyrus. Like, people would be like, you remind me of Miley Cyrus. You look like her. You laugh like her, you talk like her. And I'm like, there's never been A better compliment. I mean, that's how we should be. When people are like, you remind me of Jesus. Like, you. You live like Jesus. I'm like, that's more of what should have excited me. But I was like, I am Miley Cyrus. I mean, this is like 13, 14 year old Maddie. And so there's about to be, like, the. What is it, like the Rerun or the 20th anniversary? I don't remember what it is, but some Hannah Montana thing is happening and I'm getting some girls together. And you.

[Leah Gregory]

Aren't you wearing a costume? And did I hear that?

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Oh, I'm dressing up as.

[Leah Gregory]

Okay, we're going to look at that.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Well, it's a double life. It's like half Miley Cyrus. I'm showing up as Miley Cyrus. But I did get a Hannah wig.

[Leah Gregory]

Okay, so we'll have to pop up the picture of it since this is it. So you have to take one this week.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Oh, no.

[Leah Gregory]

Because I need to see you dressed up as smiley Miley plus plus Hannah. I don't.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

I know. I try to convince some of the girls to dress up as, like, Billy Ray and Lily and, like, different, like, you know, Hannah versions. So we'll see what this. But it's like a group of my favorite girls, and I'm really excited for that. That'll be really fun. Grant's planned a sweet date night, and then I'm going to the beach with like, like, our community group here, some of my best friends. This is 30. I'm so excited. This is 30.

[Leah Gregory]

That's great. Okay, this is more of a reflection question as well. What's a habit that you started doing this year that you want to keep doing in this following year? What is something that you started picking up this year?

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

I really started going outside. I've talked about this on the podcast, actually, I've started going outside and I do this with Hosanna. And I just say, holy Spirit, speak for your servant is listening. And then we'll just take really deep breaths and we'll just sit there. And sometimes we close our eyes. Other times we, like, look up at the sky, look at the birds, listen to the trees. I mean, just listen to the wind. And sometimes I walk away and I'm like, I got this verse, I got this word. I saw this picture. And other times I'm just like, I just feel peace in my soul. Like, I just feel closer to the Lord. But that has been one of my favorite things that I've started doing lately. And then I would just say, I started back with my prayer closet. That was something I had in Waco. And then I kind of got away from it for a little bit and having a consistent place to pray and to, like, run to the Lord. Because when I didn't have that, it was kind of like, you know, shower, car, whatever. And those places are still nice. But to have a place where I have, like, my scriptures all on the wall.

[Leah Gregory]

Yeah. I was like, paint the picture. Like, your prayer closet is unreal. Like, when you think prayer closet, like, you're thinking, like, a chair, like Maddie's prayer closet. So I haven't peeked in there. Don't worry. But I do.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

She's like, I saw every prayer.

[Leah Gregory]

I'm like, oh, no, don't worry. But she has, like, pictures of people hanging up in the wall. She has these long prayers you've written for people. You even had this back in Waco. You had, like, a whole room with, like, a candle and, like, pillows and blankets. Like, you. It looks like you spend time in there. And so, like, that's that. I think that's so cool that a lot of people don't incorporate into their life, but it's changed your life.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

It's so good to have a consistent place to pray, because I think when we don't have that, it can be so easy to kind of, like, be forgetful or negligent in our prayer life. But for me, knowing I have my prayer closet, it's like I have now. Before I, like, had it all up, it was kind of just like, I don't. I don't like things when they're unfinished. So when I was just, like, looking at it and there were, like, a few pictures up and a few prayers up, I was like, it's not a place of rest for me. Like, I feel stressed because it's not finished. But once I, like, finished it and I had all the photos up and listen, it's like, mainly Christmas cards from everyone. Your family's Christmas cards in there. And then, like, you know, my families and friends and whatever. And then if I didn't get people's Christmas cards, I printed out pictures like, my grandma's in there. And, like, you know, but. And then I have just, like, written out prayers for people. I have different prayers we actually can include a link to. We did, like, a prayer guide with Dare to Be True, my last book release that we worked on, and I have some of those prayers, like, printed out. And it's just super helpful to go through, like, the Lord's Prayer. I love going through the Lord's Prayer and just kind of like pausing and going through that. And so I have like these different prayers up and, and people to pray for and even like ministries, non profits, my church. I think it can be so easy to just be so inward focused with our prayer life. But if we really say like, I want to be like Jesus and I want my heart to break for what breaks Jesus's heart, then it's like I can't just be praying for myself. Like I gotta be praying for what breaks his heart. I gotta be praying for what he cares about. And so praying for the lost, praying for leaders and those in authority, praying over other ministries, nonprofits, churches, pastors all around the world, the big C church, the global church, the unity of the church, praying for our nation and our government, praying for those who are abused and abandoned, for the widow, for the orphan. I mean just like covering kind of all of those different types of people has been super helpful. So yeah, I mean those would be. That wasn't really a short way of answering, but those would be some of my favorite things.

[Leah Gregory]

That's really, really helpful. And I heard you ask this question to one of your best friends the other day, Erica, but you never answered this. So I'm 22, like what could, what do you wish you could have gone back and told 22 year old Maddie, like, what is something you would say to me? I was really curious you asked Erica that, but you never answered. So I was like, what would you tell?

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

22 year old Maddie was coming out of college, she was going through a breakup and was in a really hard season of watching. A lot of people feel like they were getting their prayers answered and their dreams coming to fruition. And it felt like I was in the wilderness season and I was in a hidden season asking what is my purpose? What am I here for? Who is my person? And that was a really like low and hard season. I also think I naturally am a, like perform like I am a competitor and I'm a performer and I want to like perform well and I want to do well. Even for God? Oh gosh, even for God. And I think that even comes out naturally, like in my relationship with him sometimes that I have to really push against and it can be really easy for me to fall into this. Like, you know, I got to work hard to get God's pleasure. I got to work hard to get God's proudness. I got to work hard to get God's love. I got to work hard to get God's blessing as if it's up to my works. And so I would just tell 22 year old Maddie, it's not your works and your efforts that determines your worth and your value. It's the finished work of Jesus Christ. It's his work, it's what he did for you. And receiving that and resting in that and actually believing it. Like if we actually believed that God's love is enough, if we actually received God's love and fullness for us, how much would that change the dynamic of our relationships with other people, how we view ourselves, how we operate in day to day life, the joy we have, the peace we have. And if we are supposed to be like Christ, we're not supposed to look like the rest of the world worried, like the rest of the world is worried, you know, worked up, like the rest of the world is worked up performing like the rest of the world. There's supposed to be something different about us. And so I would just encourage that version of myself, like, stop trying to win the approval of people, stop trying to earn God's pleasure and proudness, Just delight yourself in him. Just spend time enjoying him and receiving his love. And then from that place, like everything else is gonna take care of itself, you know, Matthew 6:33, when we seek him first, everything else will take its rightful place and fall into place.

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[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

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[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

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[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

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[Leah Gregory]

That's so good. I feel like that is going to help so many people. I know. That is so encouraging for me to hear in a conversation I've been having with some of my friends recently. Like, and I feel like a lot of people my age really struggle with this question of just like, okay, for a lot of girls, they'll look in the mirror and they don't like what they see. Or they'll start thinking a lie of I'm too much. And I think you've talked about that before. Like, for a while. Like, you have such a strong, like, confident personality. Like, you, the enemy would try and plant that lie in your head of like, I'm too much. And I feel like I've been hearing that from some of my friends recently of they look in the mirror, don't like what they see, or they hear a lie of I'm too much, I'm not enough. Like, what do you do when you're faced with an insecurity like that? What do you do with your insecurities? Like, practically in that moment? So you're looking in the mirror and that thought comes through your mind. Like, what do you do? Do you like how do you fight that insecurity?

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Yeah, it's different every time. I think there are moments where I have the courage to. When I look in the mirror and I don't like what I see, to say, no, I'm not gonna choose to believe that lie, or I'm not gonna choose to put my worth in what I look like on the outside. Because God says, you know, man's concerned with outward appearance. But I look at the heart, and so am I as concerned about what my heart looks like as I am concerned with what my body looks like or what my face looks like. And so often we look in the mirror and we're only concerned about what we look like on the outside. But I'm like, but how beautiful is my heart? Like, how. How much am I spending time on my heart? And I even get convicted about that sometimes when I. I mean, this is a silly, like, example. But when I spend a lot of time on, like, my hair and my makeup and my outfit, and I'm so concerned, like, I have an event or I have something going on, and I'm so concerned about what I look like, I'll get so convicted by the Holy Spirit of, like, did I spend this much time making sure my heart was beautiful? Did I spend this much time being filled with the word of God? So that whatever event or whatever situation I'm about to walk into, they're getting God's word, they're getting God's spirit, they're getting God's presence. And I just think so often we can be so consumed with outward appearance and what we look like on the outside. So I think just a good kind of, like, moment to just, like, flip it and, you know, use a different tactic of what the enemy's trying to come at you with, of just getting you so obsessed with outward appearance is almost just be like, okay, if. If the enemy's gonna try to get me so obsessed with the outward appearance, let me just, like, focus on the inward beauty. Like, what do I. What is my. My heart look like? And am I spending time just cultivating a beautiful heart? Is my heart pure? Is my heart blameless? Is my heart righteous? So I would say that, of course, you know, we've heard the. Remove the lie or renounce the lie, replace it with the truth. And as cheesy Christian as that is, like, it is true. You know, we. Our minds are like, you are what you think. And so if you just continue to think about that same thing again and again, as soon as you catch yourself and thinking about that Lie. If you sit on it, if you allow it to become a belief and a part of your belief system, if you continue to ruminate on it and you let it, like it's going to direct the rest of your day, it's going to continue to bleed out into relationships. It's going to bleed out into all these other things and avenues. And so for me, it's like, okay, I recognize you lie. I acknowledge that you're there. But now I'm going to choose to speak God's truth, and I'm going to choose to pray right now in this moment, because I know I don't have the strength to receive this or believe this truth for myself. But I believe that the Holy Spirit can give me new eyes. I believe that the Holy Spirit can give me a new heart. I believe that the Holy Spirit can give me a new perspective on why I'm here and what really matters. And then I would say, like, just inviting an accountability. Like, that's. That's where I believe confession is so powerful. Because the enemy's kingdom is one of darkness. And so what we keep in the dark, like, when we believe a lie like that and we keep it inside and we keep it within, we're just giving the enemy, like, this massive playground to work with. We're giving him this foothold to just continue to. Again, like I said, it's going to bleed into all these other areas. But as soon as you bring it into the light and as soon as you confess that to an accountability partner and you say, hey, I'm believing this lie about what I look like, you know, when my face starts breaking out and I get all this acne on my face, or my hair, like, is thinning out, or I have all these baby hairs, you know, coming out, or when I was postpartum and I was, like, gaining way more weight than I thought I was going to be and not losing it as fast as I thought I was going to be, whatever it is, I would just confess that either to Grant or to my community. And I would just say, hey, like right now I'm really struggling with what I look like. I feel insecure. I can't fit into any of my clothes. I don't love what I'm seeing. When I look in the mirror and I just have that moment, I confess it. I ask them to pray for me. And then I really like to go from there and go do something really nice for somebody else, like just go encourage somebody else and get my eyes off of myself and go focus on what really matters. And I Love praying Colossians 3 of Just, Lord, help me to set my eyes and my mind and my heart on things above and not on earthly things. Help me to. To focus on what you care about and not on what humans care about and what my flesh cares about. And I think those are kind of the practicals that I go through when I'm going through something like that.

[Leah Gregory]

That's so, so helpful. Okay, switching gears a little bit. So I heard you say this the other day. Someone asked you why you moved to Nashville. And he said, the Holy Spirit. And I was like, I need to ask her more about that, because that. I feel like there's so many big decisions people are making right now, whether that's to move, whether to quit a job and take a new job. Like, how do you know it's the Holy Spirit speaking to you? Or how do you know those are just thoughts in your heads? Like, how do you make those big decisions with confidence?

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Yeah, you don't. But it's faith. Yeah, that's where faith comes in, you know, And I think so often we pray this prayer of God, give me clarity. And I don't think that's the prayer we should be praying. I think the prayer we should be praying is, God, increase my faith. God, increase my vision. God, increase my dependence upon you. God, increase my perspective. God, incredible. Whatever it is that you fill in the blank of God, give me more of you and less of me. I want to see what you want me to see, and I want to have the faith to take the step, even if it's not all known before me, even if I can't see the path before me. I think about Abraham. Abraham, you know, God called him to leave everything and to go into this unknown land. And Abraham was like, okay, all right, let's go. And he had no idea where he was going. There wasn't, quote, unquote, clarity. God just said, go, pick up everything. Leave, go. You know, when Jesus calls us to follow him, he says, you know, deny yourself. Pick up your cross. Follow me. He doesn't say, here's the path. Here's what it's going to look like. Here's where you're going to go. Like, that's part of faith. That's part of exercising our dependence upon God. And I think so often we put so much pressure on ourselves, and I just don't think that God's up there, like, well, you better get it right. If you don't go here, you're not going to meet your spouse. If you don't go here, you're not going to get God's best. You know, you're not going to get your best. And I think we have to take the pressure off of ourself and do the work of, of course, like, getting quiet before the Lord, praying in faith, asking the Holy Spirit, like, reveal what needs to be revealed. Give me peace where I need peace. Give me vision where I need vision. Increase my faith to go where I feel like you're calling me to go. But even, like, moving to Nashville, I mean, it wasn't written in the clouds. There wasn't this massive sign. And I've had other seasons where it felt like the signs were clear and blatant and obvious. For example, when I was praying through going on the Bachelor. Now, this is silly. And some people may be like, maddie, you're cuckoo. You're looking into things way too close. And maybe it's just the family I grew up in because they love some signs. But when I was praying through going on the Bachelor, I'm not kidding. I kept saying, like, God, give me signs. Give me signs. Give me signs. And I would see a single red rose in the most random of circumstances. I would be on a beach, and, like, there was a red rose painted on the sand. I would be. My mom. My parents were in Israel, and they saw a single rose carved into this, like, wooden bench that they were sitting on. It would be the most random. I'd be, like, at the mall, someone would come up and hand me a single red. I mean, it would be, like, time and time and time again on top of other, like, you know, the. The piece that I had or the pull that I felt and the affirmation I got from my family members. So it wasn't like I was just going off of, like, seeing a single red rose. Like, I had peace in my spirit. I felt the pull to say yes, but I felt like that was like an extra layer of kind of, like, confirmation for me. So there have been seasons where I felt like God spoke very clearly through a person or through some type of sign on top of, you know, feeling just a peace in my spirit and it not being, you know, blatant sin or going against God's word. And then there's other seasons where I just feel this, like, peace, but it's completely unknown. There's no signs. There's no, like, clarity. There's nothing like that. It's just like, okay, God, I'm gonna trust you. And moving to Waco was that, you know, God gave Grant the peace laid it on Grant's heart. But listen, anyone there? For me, I was like, what? You mean Waco, Texas? Like, I don't wanna live in Waco. But I just, you know, I was like, I'm gonna trust Grant's leadership. And as I prayed about it and continued to give it to God, like, I got more and more peace. But there wasn't this, like, like, obvious thing. And moving to Nashville was kind of the same thing. It was like, okay, it practically makes sense, you know, we're pregnant. I'm pregnant, and my family lives in Alabama. My sister's here in Nashville. My cousin's here in Nashville. I've always loved Tennessee. Let's just pray about it and see if we feel peace. At first, Grant was super resistant. He was like, no, everyone moves to Nashville. Every Christian influencer is in Nashville. I was like, okay, listen, if it's of God, like, he's going to align our hearts, you're going to feel a peace. I'm not going to have to convince you. And literally weeks later, Grant's like, hey, I really feel like we're supposed to move to Nashville. And I'm like, wonder where you got that idea. I'm kidding. I was like, huh? Wonder where that came from. But, man, that's the power of prayer. And also just, like, just trusting peace. And sometimes you're led by a spirit of peace into the unknown, and, you know, it doesn't make sense, but you just trust it. And then there are other seasons where it feels like way more quote, unquote, clear. But I wouldn't say rely on clarity. I would say rely on godly community. I would say rely on, you know, what you feel in your spirit as you pray about it and spend time in God's presence. Rely on God's word. Make sure that nothing you're doing is a sin or a contradiction to the word of God. And then, yeah, just like. And then just go for it. And I believe if it's not God's, you know, plan for your life, he will redirect you. He will reroute you. And you can't mess up God's plan for your life. I mean, you can if you live in sin, but, like, if you are fully submitted to God and you are in relationship with him and you are constantly asking, like, God, I want to. I want to accomplish your will for my life. Like, I want to be led by your spirit, and you're spending that time in his presence and spending your time with godly community. Like, I really don't think you can mess it up.

[Leah Gregory]

That's really, really good and so helpful. I heard this analogy the other day that's like. It's like a dad sitting at a. On a playground, and, like, he's letting his kids play on this playground. He's sitting on the park bench watching his kids play on the playground, and he's like, as long as you stay in this playground, like, go and climb up the climbing wall, go down the slide, you can, like, play on this playground. And it doesn't matter if you choose this job or another one. Like, as long as you're in the middle of, like, the playground, as long as you're in the middle of God's will and, like, not living in sin and, like, you can go down the slide, you can climb up the climbing wall. Like, he's giving you the freedom to do that. And I love what you're saying about, like, letting, like, listening to the peace and, like, having that peace. But also, like, feelings are great indicators, but not great leaders. I think you said that of, like. And so that was really, really helpful. And I think on the opposite point of that, like, say someone's been praying for something for a while, and they're just, like, not getting anything. Like, they're just not hearing anything. They don't. Like. They just don't know, like, what are practical ways? How do you hear God? Like, if they're just not hearing anything and they've been praying about this thing for a while, like, what do you do then?

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Yeah, I think about this story in the Old Testament of Elijah, and he is trying to hear from God, and brother's just been through some stuff. He's, like, running from Jezebel, this woman who wants to kill him, and he's on the run, and he's trying to figure out, like, where am I supposed to go? God, have you forsaken me? Is there anybody left on this earth that still loves you and follows you? I feel like I'm the only one. And he has this moment where it says, like, there were. There were winds and there was an earthquake, and there was all these things happening. And it's like, but God was not in the way. But God was not in the earthquake. But God was not in. And then it finally says, there was a gentle whisper, and God was in the whisper. And I think about that so often as we live in such a noisy, loud world, and we also live such busy, full lives. And if we don't take time to silence the noise, to quiet our soul and to be still and know that he is God. We're not going to know his voice. We're not going to know his will. We're not going to know what to do. And I would say learning God's voice, like I have, I feel like I'm still learning God's voice. I feel like we're always going to still be learning God's voice. And there's going to be moments where it's like, was that God or was that the pizza ate? Was that the weird, like, random thought that popped in my head? I don't know. And I think there's some times where you just go for it. Like, there's times where I'm encouraging someone and I'm like, hey, the picture God gave me for you was this. And it's of course always something encouraging. I'm never like using that in a like, horrible, manipulative way. But like, using that as an opportunity to like, exercise that faith of like, I think that's from the Lord. And if it's not, I hope it was just like encouraging to you. Like, I don't know, like, discern that up with God. But there's gonna be moments like that in our day to day life too. And John 10 tells us, like, the shepherd, he, he is the good shepherd. We are his sheep. Like, we know him, we know his voice. And in the same way he that I know Hosanna's voice, in the same way that I know Grant's voice, in the same way that I know your voice. Like, I have a relationship with you guys. So I know what feels right now. It's not going to be this audible voice, most likely that we're going to hear from God. And I think that's where it's hard for people. It's like, oh, yeah, but Maddie, you can hear Grant's voice. Like you can hear Leah's voice, but I can't hear audibly God's voice. But as you spend more and more time in God's word, as you spend more and more time in God's presence and he becomes your favorite place to be. Like, he becomes your dwelling place. He becomes the you run to for comfort, security, joy, peace, you name it, he is that for you. You will know what feels like, this is God and this is not. And I would just say for me, I've learned over the years, like, and it's trial and error. There's times where I'm like, I think this was the Lord. And other times where I was like, ah, I don't know. And times where you sit in the tension of, like, man, like Grant, I would say even Grant's in that tension right now of, like, I feel like I've received this word from the Lord, but it doesn't feel like it's time yet. So I'm in this waiting season of just waiting upon the Lord. And I also think there's so much power in that. Like, if you're in a place of uncertainty, you know, just sitting and being like, okay, Lord, your word says that those who wait upon the Lord, you will renew our strength. You will. We will mount up on wings like eagles. We will run and not grow weary. We will walk and not be faint. So I'm going to choose to wait upon you. I'm going to choose to. To dwell in your presence and to rest in your goodness and to just trust. Like, there's going to be an open door or you're going to give me this unshakable, restless peace that I have, that I'm gonna go, that I have to go. And so I just think we live in a culture where most people honestly don't find themselves in a waiting place because everyone wants to just, like, manipulate their way there. Like, we want to just, like, create our own door, create our own path, you know, create our own platform, make our own brand, do our own thing, all for our own glory. And it's like, in the name of God for some of us, but really it's for the name of ourself. And I think we have to ask ourselves, you know, what is the end goal in all of this? Is the end goal is the reward? Jesus. Like, if this is all for Jesus, then quote unquote. Waiting in the long run is not really waiting. Like, it's not idle. It doesn't mean that I'm not walking out my purpose right now. There's something God wants to do in this season. I think about Moses's life. You know, I just finished going through the book of Deuteronomy, through the first five books of the Bible. And it's like it says, there was no other prophet like Moses. But Moses had lots of seasons of wilderness and waiting and wondering. And I mean so much that you're just like, how did bro stay faithful? Like, but he did. I mean, there was no other prophet like him. I mean, it says that he had such a relationship with the Lord that they spoke face to face, like, they had such an intimate relationship that it was like speaking to a friend. And I'm like, man, I want to have Such an intimate relationship where I know God's voice. It's like we're speaking to each other in such an intimate way. And. Yeah, and a lot of times it's like you just feel something laid on your heart. Like, it's just like, okay, I feel this thing laid on my heart, or I sense this, and that'll happen. Oftentimes when I'm in my prayer closet, I'll just like, feel a name that God puts on my heart, and I'm like, I should reach out to that person. Or I feel a verse on my heart and I just, like, turn to the verse. Or I feel, you know, this idea that comes to my mind, and I'm like, okay, God, I'm just gonna write this down. And if this is something that's of you, breathe life onto it. And if it's not, like, I pray, I have no desire for it. I pray that it just is forgotten. And so that's kind of like how I operate. And then a lot of times, just running things by again, Godly community and wise counsel being like, hey, is this. What do you think about this?

[Leah Gregory]

That's really good. I love that you touched on seasons, because you asked me a few weeks ago. You. You got me. And you're like, all right, what season are you in? And I'm like, I don't know. But that's. That's so true of just like, we go through seasons, and I've been a Christian my entire life. I mean, I've known and loved Jesus since I was. Was seven years old. So with that, I feel like I've gone through several different seasons, especially, like, with. With the Lord and my relationship with him. Like, I feel like there's some seasons where I'm like, oh, yes, like, I'm on fire. Like, this is awesome. But there's also been some seasons where, I mean, I. I've. I've always loved God, but then it's like there's somewhere. It's like, okay, like, I don't have a desire to read your word. Like, I don't have a desire to pray. And I always call those, like, my dry seasons. Like, what do you do? Like, if you're in the middle of a. Of a dry season with God and you're trying to re. Spark that flame and like, like, just nothing seems to be working. Like, what do you do in that?

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Stay disciplined. You know, motivation is all about feelings, but discipline is all about devotion. So if you stay disciplined and you're like, hey, I'm going to choose to spend my time with Jesus, whether I feel it or not. I'm gonna, I'm gonna choose to spend time in God's word today, whether I feel it or not. I'm gonna choose to spend time today meditating on scripture and praying scripture and encouraging someone. The delight will often follow, but you have to choose the discipline first. And I think so often, because we're so feelings based creatures, we want to always have that feeling there. We want to always feel the fire, we want to always feel the good, you know, goosebump moments, tear filled moments, and that's just not life. Like there's moments in, in my marriage, there's moments in friendships where it's not like I have this overwhelming sense of, you know, emotional love or extreme excitement or whatever it may be, whatever the feeling may be, but there's this devotion of like, I'm not going anywhere. Like, hey, I'm Grant, I'm here with you till the end. I'm going to choose to show up and love you whether I feel like loving you or not. I'm going to choose to show up for my friends whether I feel like showing up or not. And so I think we have to rewire our thinking of, you know, I'm, I'm going to be disciplined in my relationship with the Lord. I'm going to be devoted, I'm going to be all in, committed and I'm not going to base it off of what I think feel that day. You know, we have to, we have to measure, like, what do I want most over what do I want right now? So often we're like, I'm so focused on what I want right now or so often I'm focused on what I feel right now and it's like, no, no, it's not about what you feel right now. It's what matters most. If what matters most is that I want to love God with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul, with all my strength, then that's going to reframe how I choose my time, like what my priorities are, how I spend my money, what I, what my relationships look like. Like that that changes everything. That's the foundation on which I build my life. And I also think in the world we live in, it's easy to have a compartmentalized faith where it's like we have, you know, the set aside time, quiet time with God in the morning, and then we kind of just like go about our day. It's like, oh, I had my quiet time. Like I made myself do it. Checked off the box. Listened to my, you know, audiobook this morning and then I, you know, flipped through my devotional page today. Check. Did my quiet time. It's like, no, no, your quiet time is not just this reserve set aside 45 minutes. Like your quiet time is your everyday moment with the Lord. Like it should go into every moment of, of the day. You know, it's not just a part of your life. Jesus is not just meant to be a part of your life. Jesus is meant to be your life. Jesus is meant to be your whole life. It's meant to bleed into everything that you do, every conversation that you have, the, the non verbals you have. The way you are when you're in the car and someone cuts you off or honks at you. The way that you are when you're waiting in a long line at Chick Fil A. The way that you are with. The way that you are with your spouse, the way that you are with your roommate who, you know, said they were going to clean and they didn't clean. Whatever it is, it's like how you act in those moments matter. And are you staying all throughout your day connected to the vine? Are you staying all throughout your day in this mindset of like, I'm wholeheartedly devoted to you. And I will say, like, truly, it is so often that you make yourself do something and then the delight follows. Like, there's been, I can't tell you how many times, like, to be so real. I'm like, nothing in me wants to pray. Nothing. Like I, I want to scroll or I want to turn on a movie or I want to take a nap or I want to, you know, go shopping. I want to, whatever it is, I want to veg out and eat some junk food. Like, whatever it is, fill in the blank. There is often times where I, like, make myself do it, where I'm like, no, I'm gonna hit my knees and pray. And even with Grant and I, like, there are nights where we take communion and we hit our knees and we pray like for an hour and together. And I wouldn't say that that's just like on the, like desired, like, you know, what are we excited to do today? We can't wait to hit our knees and pray. Like that's not always the case. But what happens after is like, I'm so filled up, I'm so refreshed, I'm so rested. I'm so at peace. I feel closer to the Lord. I feel more whole and satisfied in my own soul. And what ends up happening so often is we allow our motivation or our feelings, you know, to lead, and we follow that. And because we don't feel motivated to open up God's word, because we don't feel motivated to spend time in prayer, because we don't feel motivated to show up to church, whatever it may be, we don't. And then we feel distant from God. And then we feel not as whole and more insecure with ourselves, and we feel like we kind of get in these ruts throughout our day. And then we wonder why we feel. You know, and it's like. But if we flipped that. And we're like, okay, I know. I don't feel it, but I'm gonna choose. Even though this is my motivation level right now, and it's at like, a zero or maybe a ten. And I'm gonna choose to do this anyways. I'm gonna choose to spend this time with God. I'm gonna choose to make this decision and trust that my feelings are gonna follow. And even if the feelings don't follow in the moment, like, they will just keep showing up. Like, just keep showing up. I think about in Deuteronomy, you know, God is encouraging the Israelites, like, this is my command to you. Love me, obey me, and then hold fast to my commands. And I love that he says that, because that hold fast or that clinging to his commands is like. Like, keep at it. Like, don't. Don't stop. Like, keep showing up. And I think about Galatians. I think it's like, 6, 10 of don't grow weary in doing good. Like, at the proper time, you will reap a harvest. Like, just don't give up. If you don't give up, you will reap a harvest. That harvest may be a soul coming to know Jesus. That harvest may be peace for your day. That harvest may be a restored relationship in your life. Like, don't grow weary. Keep showing up. Keep praying, keep interceding. Keep fighting for your faith and trust that even when you don't feel it. Like, you have Jesus who is interceding on your behalf, and you have the Holy Spirit, who is your advocate. And sometimes you just got to make those choices, even if you're. You're not feeling it.

[Leah Gregory]

Man, that's really, really good, Maddie. And I feel like it's cool. Like, I get to see you do that. Like, you'll be in the middle of a busy day, and, like, there's so many other things that are pressing for your time, and, like, you still are. Like, no, this is like a non negotiable like. Like, no matter how I'm feeling, no matter what's going on, like, this is going to be something that I do every single day, whether you feel like it or not. So that's so good that, like this, that's great advice. And honestly what I expected you to say, because I get to see.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

We did it right before the podcast. You know, I was like, hey, there's this thing that was a new element to my day today and it's creating a little bit of anxiety. Like, I'm, I'm truly feeling anxious. Like, this is right before we started this podcast, guys. And I was like, I'm feeling a little anxious. And you know what my Bible says to do is don't be anxious about anything, but instead pray about it. Like, pray about everything. And so that's what we did. And we just, we prayed and it really did. It flipped like, and then it was like the feelings kept following. Like in the moment, as soon as the prayer ended, like, maybe I didn't feel this crazy shift, but I was like, okay, I feel a little bit better. And then as, like we continue to go as we started the podcast, like, I've just felt God's presence. I've felt God's peace. Like, I haven't even thought about that situation one time. And so I think that's what we have to do is just make the choice and the feelings will follow.

[Leah Gregory]

That's really good.

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[Leah Gregory]

Okay, this next question is. Honestly, I was really shocked that this was a question when I asked this on Instagram, but several people had this question. And you've talked about it a lot of mentorship, and you've talked about it in different seasons of your life. And like, Jenny Allen was your mentor when you lived in, like, Texas. And like, how, like, how do you get a mentor? You talk about the importance of one. Yeah, but how in the world do you find a mentor? Like, where do you go?

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

I know.

[Leah Gregory]

What do you do? How do you find a mentor?

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

So my encouragement, one would be find someone locally. Find someone that most likely is at your church or in your same city. We just live in such a time where everything is digital and so we're being like, I hope you guys are being so mentored and encouraged and discipled by this podcast. But I would say don't let me be your mentor. Like, find someone that you can sit down, that you can ask questions to, that you can have pour into you.

[Leah Gregory]

Oh, someone older.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Someone older. Someone that is spiritually sound, someone that is going to push you to the word of God, someone that is going to pray over you, someone that is going to challenge you and encourage you in your faith. It's not easy. Like, I. I am personally, I. It's something I've been praying for in this season since we've moved here and since I've kind of like settled down with mom life. I have such a strong group of friends here that are my accountability. But I've been lacking in the mentorship department. And so it's something I've been praying for. And I think that I may have found my person, which I'm really excited about. But that's something I've been praying about for a while. And so I would just say, number one, pray about it. Like, if that's something that you really desire and want, I think it's something we should all have. Timothy had Paul like, you, you see in Scripture, like, everyone kind of had someone. I just. I believe that that's super important and modeled for us, especially in the New Testament, is to have, like, that level of, like, mentorship in your life. And it's really just. It's wise counsel. But I would say pray about it. Have, you know, spend time, like, write it on your mirror. Write it in your prayer closet. Write it. You know, set a reminder on your phone to, like, every day at 1:15. Like, you're gonna just, like, pray, Lord, please, I. I ask, Lord, that you would send me a mentor, someone that can pour into me, someone that can push me closer to you, someone that can encourage me in my faith journey. And. And so really pray about it. I would say, too, you know, I do believe it's something we should ask. Like, I think so often we're, like, waiting for, like, this, like, beautiful angel to, like, come out of the sky and be like, I want to mentor you. And it's like, that's not really how it works. You know, I think. Think, you know, I would encourage you and listen, someone may look at you and be like, I don't have the time, but let me point you to this other person. But have the courage and the confidence to at least ask, like, go like someone that you admire, someone that you look up to. And you're like, I love the way she lives for Jesus. I love the way she loves her husband. I love the way she loves her friends. I love the way she shows up for other people. I'm so encouraged by watching her life. I'd love to learn from her. And then from there, be like, hey, do you have any, like, margin in your time in life? Even if it's just like, once a month to meet? I'd love to just, like, pick your brain. I'd love to be mentored by you. And this could be, like, you could even have multiple mentors in different areas. You could have a mentor that kind of mentors you. If you're married, kind of in your marriage, if you have, you know, if you have kids and you want to have someone kind of mentor you and how to raise kids, you could have a mentor. And just, like, your faith journey, hey, like, I just want to learn from you in this, like, Walk with Jesus and life. Like, how to become more and more like Jesus every day. You can have different mentors. You can have one, but I would encourage you to find someone that can pour into you and encourage you and be willing to ask them. Be willing to go up and ask them, hey, do you have time for this? And if not, is there somebody you could recommend? Is there somewhere you could point me in the direction? And usually that's going to come from your local church. That's going to be the easiest place to find it. Maybe it's like you join a small group and it's your small group leader. Maybe it's someone that serves at the church and works at the church. Maybe it's like they have a prayer team up front and that you went forward and someone prayed over you, and you're like, man, that was a fire prayer. Will you be my mentor? Like, you know, I don't know. Like, but. But you. But seek it out. Like, I just think too often we're sitting back waiting for it to come to us, and it's like, no, no, you have to seek it out. If you really want it, pray about it. If you really want it, have the courage to seek it out and ask for it. And. And then, like, really let that person speak into you. Like, let that person call you out. Let that person, you know, push you to righteousness. I think that that's what's so beautiful about true mentorship and accountability is that they're not just telling us the pretty things. Like, they're telling us the hard things. They're telling us the hard truths that so often it's easy to not hear. Like, so often it's easy to be hyped up and praised. You know what I mean? Like, your friends are just like, yeah, go, girl. Like, good job. I'm so proud. Like, you cute, you know? Know. But it's like, who are the people in your life that are like, no, that's. That's not cute. Like, that was not a fruit of the spirit. That was. That was an act of the flesh. Like, let's work on this. Like, let's pray. I'm gonna. I'm gonna fast with you. Let's pray and fast together so that this is not something that continues in your life and isn't passed down to your children. Like, have those kinds of people in your life that will run with you or even that are a few steps, like, as a mentor that are a few steps ahead of you. I love to find a mentor that is probably a Decade or two decades ahead of me. It doesn't have to be. You can find a mentor that's, like, five years older than you, a few years older than you. I don't think they have to be decades. I think it's just really your preference and, like, what you would feel most comfortable with and just what you feel like you need in the season.

[Leah Gregory]

That's really, really helpful. I heard on a podcast when it was talking about mentorship, it was like, go up to your pastor and ask you, like, the godliest woman at your churches. And I was like, that's actually great advice, but I don't know if I'm, like, like, bold enough to be doing all that. That. But, like, same thing. Like, I. When I moved to Nashville, I was like, I need to find a mentor that is in, like, a different stage than I am. Like, yeah, the person that I want to. I think when you choose a mentor, like, find someone you want to be like. And so that's what I started doing. I started getting involved at my local church. I. And I watched, like, I was like, who? Of, like, these older women that I respect. Like, I just watched the way they treated people. Like, who did you want? Like, I asked myself, like, who do I want to become in this room? And it turns out, like, that's what I did. I met this girl's daughter, and I saw the way that she loved Jesus and the way she was. And then I was looking at her mom one day, and I just saw the way that her mom just, like, saw people and just, like, was serving coffee with people, but also just, like, being so unhurried. And so I didn't know this woman. And I asked her daughter. I was like, hey, does your mom, like, does she mentor anyone? She's like, no. And so she gave me her number, and I just flat out texted her and said, hey, like, I would love to meet and talk about being mentored by you. She had no idea who I was. But you. Like, you said, like, you have to, like, see. Like, you have to seek it, and, like, just don't wait till it comes to you. Like, prayer is so important, and the Lord will, like, direct the right people to come into your life at the right moment. But, like, you said, like, there's action steps to that that are really, really helpful.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Your eyes have to be open. Like, I love that you shared that, because you were looking for it. You were seeking it out. And then you also had the courage to, like, ask for her number and then to text her. And so there are action steps that we have to take. And I would just say just a little bit more encouragement on that. If you land that one on one meeting with that mentor and you go to coffee or you go to lunch, like, come prepared with questions. Come prepared to ask them questions. Like, hey, how. How. How was, like, your. Your 20s? Like, I'm in my 20s right now. I find myself in a transition season. Or, hey, I'm in my 20s right now and I'm waiting for my spouse. Like, I'm finding myself growing a little weary in the waiting, and I'm wanting this to come faster. Like, what would be your advice? And. Or, hey, like, how do you study scripture? Can I watch you just like. Like, how you would do your quiet time? Can I just, like, watch what that would look like for you? I mean, whatever that is. But, like, you're so good at this. If. I mean, obviously on this podcast right now, but, like, outside of this podcast, like, you ask really good, intentional questions. And I think we've lost that art a little bit in our world today. And so just come curious, come asking questions, be ready to ask questions. And that should bleed into also, just like, friendships. Like, like, you know, be intentional in the relationships that God has placed before you and God has given you. And be ready to ask questions and learn because there's so much to learn, there's so much to grow from. And then I also love that you spoke to just like, watch, like, watch that person's life. Like Grant's mentor who's been like, the biggest, one of the biggest key people in his life, who has changed his life for Jesus. So much of it wasn't even his words. It was watching his life. It was watching how he loved his spouse. It was watching how he loved his kids. It was watching how he showed up when he didn't want to, when he was tired, when he was running on no sleep, how he handled life when he was stressed, what he did when, you know, he was attacked or persecuted. I mean, he just, like, watched this guy continue to. To be faithful to God and faithful to his family and just be a man of God. And that spoke more volumes to him how he lived his life on mission. He made the most of every mo moment and opportunity of the day. And so that spoke more to him than even, like, the words that this guy could have ever said. And so I would just say, watch their life. Learn from what you see, but also come ready to ask questions.

[Leah Gregory]

Yeah, that's really, really good. Okay, this next section is more of like, a Different vibe. This is more questions we got on the Instagram. And so I thought this one was an interesting one. What's the difference between gossip and venting? And it's like, is it okay to vent? Like, say you're having a bad day, it's been a long day, and you get back with Grant, like, is it okay to, like, vent about your day? Is that a sin? Like, how do. What's the difference between gossip and inventing?

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Yeah, Is it helpful? Is it fruitful? If I share what I'm gonna share, is it actually going to promote the kingdom of light or the kingdom of darkness? You know, scripture is so clear about our words have the power of life or death. And there's also another scripture. It's one of my favorite scriptures. Scriptures to pray of. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord. And so just constantly and just even praying, like, Lord, I want every word that I speak not even to be, Like, I don't even want to just focus on. Like, I want it to be good and not bad. Like, I don't even want to speak idle words. I don't want to speak grumbling and complaining words. Like, I don't want to speak negative words. Like, I. I think so often it's like, don't gossip. Don't gossip. Don't gossip. And it's like, yes, don't gossip. But also, like, how many words are we speaking that are just idle words? How many words are we speaking that are just. Just filler words? How many words are we speaking that are just negative or complaining? And it's like, listen, if we don't have anything good to say, as we know, don't say it. But it's also like, if we don't have anything that's uplifting and encouraging, you know, it's what scripture says. Like, don't let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is edifying, only for what is building others up. And so asking the question, you know, I was at the zoo this past weekend. Okay.

[Leah Gregory]

I feel like that's never a sentence I would hear.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

What you say, everyone is like, the zoo in Nashville's amazing. And I think I chose the worst time to go. I'm not gonna lie. So we went, like, right around lunchtime. And it was the hottest day we've had so far this year. And there were literally a million people there. And so I am trying so hard to not be negative. Cause I am sweating so hard. My child does not want to be in her stroller. She wants to be held by me. And there are a million people everywhere. She's screaming, you know, she's not having a great time. I'm not having a great time. Grant's not having a great time. And everyone, we're passing by. I also look miserable. So I'm like, why are we here? And I'm just, like, really trying to be like, lord, help, help me carry still a posture of love and grace and kindness and not speaking. And listen, I'm not gonna lie. I still was like, I'm hot. I'm sweating.

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Why are we here?

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

We need to go. Let's go. I'm hungry. She's hungry. You know, I still had those moments for sure, but I was, like, continuously convicted after every one of, like, wait, that's not like. Like, building rant up. That's not encouraging the person next to me. And I'm also sitting here thinking, if I'm called to be set apart, it talks about in scripture that as believers, we are called to be set apart in our speech and our love and our faith and our conduct and in our purity. And, you know, speech is like, okay, is sarcasm a sin? I don't know. Is it edifying and building others up? If everything I say is just, like, this big joke, is that really pointing people to Jesus? I don't know if, you know, I'm just, like, saying all these filler words, and they don't really do anything for anybody. Is it a sin? I mean, I don't think so, but, like, is it building anybody up? Like, I think really taking those things seriously and being like, I don't want to just, like, speak. To speak. You know what I mean? Even James talks about it. Be slow to speak. And so I think so often we want to talk too much. And I can. That. I mean, that is one of my biggest struggles. I think Grant is honestly such a good listener, and it's encouraged me so much of when that scripture says in James 1:19, be slow to speak. Be slow to anger and quick to listen. And I'm like, man, how quick am I to speak? And how slow am I to listen? I mean, that's the reality of so much of my life. But I think just having that moment of asking yourself, is it helpful? Is it fruitful? Is it going to build up those around me? And if not, then I don't think I need to share it. It. I also would encourage, as I had for every question you've basically asked me is just pray first, like, before you talk about it, pray about it before you complain about it. Don't even complain about it, but pray about it before you think about venting it. Like, pray about it. And so take it to God first. Put it before him. Because so often what we see is when we take it to God first, like, it brings so much things into focus, and it's like, oh, actually, maybe I'm not as offended as I thought I was, or maybe I'm not as hurt as I thought I was because maybe this is actually, like, something I need to work on. Maybe that was, like, a blind spot. But, I mean, there was something with a friend that I had for. For, honestly, years, and I was so, like, offended at these multiple little things that she did. Like, she, like, wouldn't invite me to this thing intentionally or whatever, and I was really offended. But then I, like, one day in prayer was really praying, and I was like, God, you know, your word says that if. If we don't forgive, we won't be forgiven. And so, God, I don't want to have any unforgiveness in my heart. Like, I don't want to. You know, I found myself kind of, like, not talking bad about her, but it was just like, if she was mentioned, I was kind of like, yeah, you know, like, and I just, like, could find myself getting in this, like, negative attitude anytime she was mentioned. And I just really started praying about it, and I was like, lord, I don't want to have that heart posture. Like, search my heart. Remove that offense, like, remove that negativity, remove any unforgiveness in me. And it was like, as I started praying that and as I started sitting on it, it was like all these. All these memories and things started coming back to my mind of things I had done. I was like, oh, oh, oh, that's not good. That's not cute. Oh, okay, now I think I need to go apologize to her. Like, I think now I need to, like, have this conversation with her and be like, like, wait, you actually had such a reason to be offended by me and hurt by me. Like, I was a really crappy friend in that season of my life. Like, there were. There were. I was in a relationship I shouldn't have been in. I, you know, was really, like, obsessed with social media and consumed with things that don't really matter for the kingdom of God, and I just need to ask for your forgiveness. And so that's happened to me in multiple moments when I take it to God first. And then there's Other moments where, honestly, like, when you just surround yourself with godly community, I hope that I have people that are like, hey, don't share that with me. Have you shared it with her? And so that Grant's done that to me so many times, and I've done that for friends. Like, I think that's that kind of friend we need to be, and I think that's the kind of friend that we need to have around us, is we're not gonna tolerate gossip here. So if there's something going on in our friend circle and you've offended her or she's offended you and you come to me about it, I'm gonna say, have you talked to her about it? Have you prayed about it? Cause I don't wanna hear about it until you've talked to her about it. And I've told all of my friends, I'm like, hey, if you offend me in any way, I want you to know and I want you to have full trust. And f. I'm coming to you. I'm not going to other people. I'm coming to you if you do something I don't like, if you do something that offends me. And we just. I practice that in my friendships. Like, my friends have come to me multiple times. Hey, Maddie, the way that you said that really hurt my feelings. Hey, Maddie, the way that you did that, like, I didn't like that. It rubbed me the wrong way. I'm like, oh, my goodness, I'm so sorry. Like, I had no idea. But I'm so grateful you came to me. I'm so grateful you didn't go and talk about it to other people. And so. And Scripture's clear about that. Like, if someone's offended, you go to them, you know, and if you can't figure out the problem, bring other people into it.

[Ad Sponsor Voice]

But.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

But still involve them. Like, it's never a situation where you go out and you're talking to other people about someone. And so I'm really anti gossip over here. And it probably helps that I love confrontation, But I think just like, really? And it doesn't have to be like, you want to pick a fight, but just, like, seek peace. That's what we're called to do, is to seek unity and seek peace in the body of believers.

[Leah Gregory]

That's so good, y'. All. She literally did not know any question I was going to ask her, and those are the answers. Okay.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

When we started out, Rocky, she's like, what's your best day of your 29th year? And I'm like, I don't know.

[Leah Gregory]

I don't know that. Seriously. Like, you talk about this all the time, but I just want to say this, like, your quiet life moments, like, really, really matter, because she literally did not know any of those questions. And I'm like, I wish I could have had my journal writing all your answers down. That was seriously so encouraging, and I know it's helped so many people. So we're running out of time. We need to do this again there, people. I had a lot more questions. I mean, y' all can see here.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

We'll go round several.

[Leah Gregory]

On my paper.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

We'll go round two.

[Leah Gregory]

Round two.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

And we have have. We have so many, like, fun ideas for the pod and more and more things that we want to continue to implement. And so if you guys have any ideas, if you guys have any questions, like, feel free to share and send. Like, this is a podcast for you, and we want stay True to not just be a podcast, but to be a community. And so we want to continue to build community. We want to continue to think of creative ways to reach more people. And so be sure to subscribe, like, share, review, like, all of those things are so helpful to get this podcast out to more and more people. But also, if you have any ideas or questions, share them my way. Send it. Leah's like, send it my way. Gosh, I'm so grateful for you. This was so fun.

[Leah Gregory]

This is so fun.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

So fun.

[Leah Gregory]

I love that we got to do this, because this is, like, our conversations off camera. And then I'm like, okay, this is literally what we talk about.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

Listen, when we were in Waco, Texas, and there was nowhere to eat other than chicken salad chick, Leah and I are sitting in there.

[Leah Gregory]

She thinks we went in there.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

She's asking me, like, a hundred questions. I can't even. I can't even, like, ask her a question. I'm like, should I be asking you? I don't know. But she's just, like, asking me all these questions, and I. I love that. I mean, I literally remember going home to Grant, and I was like, I love that she had all of these questions. Like, she came. Cause it's just so easy. And often where it's like you're sitting down with someone, and. And, like, at least for me, like, I'm just. I'm outgoing, so I'm, like, constantly asking the questions. And I was like. It was so refreshing that she just, like, had all these questions, and she was just picking my brain, and she was so curious. And so that's why I even encourage like thinking about you thinking about that moment of like encouraging all of you listening like be curious, like be ready to ask people questions because it makes them feel loved and seen. Yes.

[Leah Gregory]

So this was fun.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

This was fun. I love you.

[Leah Gregory]

I love you.

[Maddie Pruitt Trout]

And guys as always, be sure to stay you stay true. We love you.

[Leah Gregory]

Bye.

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