WHOA That's Good Podcast

Episode: Why Would I Gatekeep the Best Thing That’s Ever Happened to Me? | Sadie, Ally Yost & Ashley Hetherington
Host: Sadie Robertson Huff
Guests: Ally Yost & Ashley Hetherington
Date: September 1, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of "WHOA That's Good" dives deep into personal faith journeys and the transformative power of discovering purpose and identity in Jesus. Sadie sits down with social media influencers Ally Yost and Ashley Hetherington—creators of the hit YouTube show "Jesus Freaks"—to discuss how both women moved from insecurity and emptiness to boldness and joy through their relationships with God. The conversation is honest, vulnerable, and full of practical encouragement on growing in faith, stewarding a public platform, and cultivating life-giving friendships.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Story Behind "Jesus Freaks" and Building Friendship

• Sadie’s Admiration for Jesus Freaks

  • Sadie shares that discovering "Jesus Freaks" during a tough pregnancy season brought her joy and conviction ([01:00]).
  • She enjoyed the authentic portrayal of girls discovering faith and health together, drawing parallels to her own experiences with her best friend in Nashville.

• How Ally and Ashley Met

  • Ashley: Felt prompted by God during a skincare routine to reach out to Ally, whom she’d seen sharing new faith content online ([03:49]).
    • “You know when God gives you a thought— the only way to get rid of the thought is to just do the thing.” —Ashley [04:43]
  • Ally: Was intimidated, as she was only about six months into her faith journey at the time ([06:32]).
    • “I was just really intimidated… she seemed so, like, mature and established in her faith. I probably was only walking with Jesus for six months.” —Ally [06:35]
  • Their friendship blossomed after a three-hour coffee date in Nashville, followed by Ally moving and joining Ashley’s church. The friendship became central to Ally’s spiritual growth ([07:47]).

• Encouragement for Initiating Christian Friendships

  • Authenticity and honesty about intimidation and insecurities led to deeper connection.

From Influencer to Christian Influencer: Ally’s Journey

• Ally’s Social Media Roots

  • Early days as a content creator on Vine, TikTok, etc., with a heart for encouragement but not centered on Christ ([10:13], [14:04]).
  • Felt fulfillment was still missing despite social media success, independence, and outward happiness.

• The Turning Point

  • After a period of “fun” but increased emptiness, moving to LA became a catalyst for reflection and seeking God ([15:59]).
    • “I felt that I, at that point, too, like, a lot of my friendships and romantic relationships had failed. My foundation was people, and that's just not a sturdy foundation.” —Ally [16:41]

• Discovering the Bible and Relationship with Jesus

  • A clear “give me a chance” prompt from God led her to buy a Bible and dig into scripture for the first time ([18:43]).
    • “I Googled everything. Google was my disciple.” —Ally [18:43]
  • Reading the Gospels, especially the Book of Matthew, became life-changing ([21:31]).
    • “Once you get a taste of what Jesus truly can offer you, you're done. I was done. I was so sold out.” —Ally [21:31]

• Boldness in Sharing Faith Online

  • Transformation was visible online; people noticed the “glow” of joy, not just happiness.
  • Ally quickly began speaking openly about Jesus, referencing how God can swiftly change a life, much like Saul turned Paul ([22:50]).

Christian Community & the Power of Encouragement

• On Not Judging or Gatekeeping Faith

  • Sadie highlights how believers often wrongly discourage new Christians from speaking out; instead, Christians should support and pray for them ([24:06], [28:34]).
    • “You don't know what's happening behind closed doors… All you can do is testify.” —Sadie [27:16]
  • The guests celebrate those who saw past their rough edges and prayed for them even before they were living for Christ ([29:14]).
    • “That is actually being a Christian—seeing people and seeing past, because there were a lot of things to look past with that version of me.” —Ally [28:34]

• Friendship and Discipleship in Action

  • Ashley recounts teaching Ally to pray over her first home ([08:21]), modeling discipleship and vulnerability.

Ashley's Testimony: From Lukewarm to On Fire

• Ashley's Background

  • Raised without much Christian influence, initially drawn to “new age” thinking while searching for purpose in her teens ([36:52]).
  • Introduction to the Purpose Driven Life book at 16 was a pivotal moment ([38:11]).
    • “The first line is, ‘This book is not about you. This book is all about God.’ And that was my Bible for a year.” —Ashley [38:49]

• Seasons of Lukewarmness and Suffering

  • College brought heartbreak, family breakdown, and spiritual coldness ([39:40]).
  • A year of “craziest I’ve ever been” led to a breaking point and surrender in her childhood bedroom ([41:38]).
    • Felt God’s presence urging her: “I need you to try again, but try with me. I need you to heal, but heal with me.” ([41:59])

• Solitude, Healing, and True Transformation

  • COVID lockdown became a season of deep Bible study and intimacy with God ([42:26]).
  • Starting blogs/social media for Jesus (Honey Scoop) eventually led to a full-time role as a Christian content creator ([44:12]).

The Bible: Key to Real Heart Change

• Real-Life Testimony of Transformation

  • Both Ally and Ashley emphasize that reading Scripture daily, not just religious activity, is what changed their desires and identity ([48:18]).
    • “People would look at me a year after seeing me go out till 2am, and then they see me. I'm a completely different person. And all I had done was be in the Bible every day. That's all I did.” —Ashley [48:31]

• Being Authentic and Letting God Work

  • Sadie underscores the importance of consistency and authenticity, not striving for numbers or instant results ([45:06]).
  • The renewal of the mind and heart happens as an overflow of time spent with God, not self-effort ([49:09], [51:38]).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Stepping Out Boldly

  • “When you get on your TikTok with a million followers, knowing you had everything to lose, and going, ‘I'm just going to tell y' all, Jesus Christ is the only way,’ like… People are like, whoa, that was bold.” —Sadie [24:06]

• On Feeling Unqualified

  • “It's actually a cool and good place to be dependent on the Lord.… I don't got this. It has to be God.” —Sadie [32:18]

• On Spiritual Growth

  • “Sometimes I just feel… like, hey, I had a dream about this demonic doll, and I told it to get out in Jesus' name.” —Allie [51:13]
  • “If you're like, 'I can't stop doing this. I can't stop doing that. What's wrong with me?' You're shaming yourself. Might as well give up on Jesus. No, that's not what you should do… Go be with the source of who changes you.” —Ashley [51:46]

• Letting God Renew Desires

  • “You won't even desire it… Over time, that desire just begins to die. It really does. It's amazing.” —Sadie [52:26]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro, Sadie discovers Jesus Freaks: [01:00]
• How Ally & Ashley met, friendship forms: [03:49]
• Ally's journey from influencer to follower of Christ: [10:13] – [18:43]
• Ashley leads Ally in first prayers at her home: [08:21]
• Ally’s testimony of Bible changing her life: [20:37] – [21:31]
• Talking about bold witness and not gatekeeping faith: [22:50] – [28:34]
• Ashley’s testimony—searching for purpose, hitting bottom, and surrender: [36:52] – [42:26]
• How reading the Bible transforms identity and desires: [48:18] – [52:26]
• Advice to those struggling to change their habits/desires: [51:19]

Conclusion

This episode is a raw and uplifting conversation about transformation, community, and the centrality of God’s Word. Ally and Ashley’s stories encourage listeners that true change comes through honest seeking, being vulnerable, and consistent time with God—not self-effort. Sadie, Ally, and Ashley inspire believers to drop the shame, embrace real friendship, and step boldly into sharing what God has done—never gatekeeping "the best thing that's ever happened" to them.

Key Takeaway:
Don’t underestimate how much God can change your heart and life—regardless of your past or platform—when you pursue Him through His Word and in authentic community.