Blessed + Bossed Up

This episode wraps up the book club discussion of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry with the remaining ten practices for slowing down, plus a personal, unscripted reflection on trusting God through uncertainty.The episode opens with a raw moment about navigating law school as a non-traditional student, including a candid conversation with God about wanting to see the bigger picture before feeling secure in obedience. The takeaway: God often withholds the full plan on purpose, not to withhold comfort, but to keep us dependent on Him rather than on our own self-sufficiency.From there, the conversation returns to the list of 20 practices for slowing down, picking up at number 11 and continuing through number 20. Topics include setting boundaries around email and social media, the debate over cutting out television entirely, the case for single-tasking over multitasking, taking a regular day of silence and solitude, journaling, mindfulness and meditation through a Christian lens, taking real vacations, and the value of slowing down around food, whether that means cooking at home or being intentional while eating out.The episode closes out the book club pick with a reflection on the book's epilogue and an open question about what to read next.Key HighlightsA personal reflection on asking God for the "big picture" and what He said in responseWhy God sometimes keeps the full plan hidden, even when you are being obedientPractices 11 through 20 for slowing down, including thoughts on which ones felt useful and which felt overly rigidA respectful disagreement with the author's stance on cutting out TV entirelyWhy single-tasking, not multitasking, is the one non-negotiable on the listThe value of a monthly day of silence and solitude, and a smaller, more realistic version of itMindfulness and meditation reframed through scripture rather than secular practiceClosing thoughts on the book's epilogue and an open call for the next book club pickOur Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Bilt and use my code joinbilt.com/blessed for a great deal: https://www.biltrewards.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out NetSuite and use my code netsuite.com/BLESSED for a great deal: https://www.netsuite.com* Check out Super.com and use my code super.com/credit for a great deal: https://super.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of the Blessed + Bossed Up Book Club, we continue wrapping up The Spirit-Filled Life by Charles Stanley by exploring one of the most important markers of living in step with the Holy Spirit: the Word of God.If you want to know what the Holy Spirit is saying, you must know what He has already said. The Bible is not just a collection of stories—it is the Holy Spirit’s thoughts on paper. It is objective, timeless truth that anchors us when our emotions, desires, and circumstances try to pull us in different directions.In this episode, I share why Scripture is the most reliable way to discern God’s will, the difference between subjective and objective study, and how to approach the Word in a way that produces spiritual maturity. I also share personal reflections on discipleship, parenting, and how God uses everyday moments to redirect us back to His truth.We also announce our next Blessed + Bossed Up Book Club pick: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer—a powerful follow-up that will help us establish a pace of life that keeps us aligned with the Spirit.Key TakeawaysThe Bible is the Holy Spirit’s most objective tool for revealing God’s willScripture is not just stories—it is a living, relevant, and authoritative guide for our livesMany believers rely too heavily on subjective feelings instead of objective truthSpiritual maturity requires balancing personal application with disciplined, objective studyPrinciples in Scripture provide timeless guidance for decision-makingEliminating hurry is essential to maintaining sensitivity to the Holy SpiritDiscipleship begins at home and in everyday conversationsScripture References2 Peter 1:20–21 — Scripture inspired by the Holy SpiritGalatians 6:7 — You reap what you sowProverbs 13:20 — The influence of your associationsProverbs 12:1 — Correction produces wisdomProverbs 12:19 — Truth endures2 Corinthians 9:6 — Generosity produces increasePhilippians 4:19 — God provides for His peopleBook Club Announcement: Our Next ReadOur next Blessed + Bossed Up Book Club selection is:The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark ComerThis book addresses one of the greatest threats to our spiritual sensitivity: hurry. It will help us establish rhythms that allow us to remain emotionally healthy, spiritually alive, and aligned with God’s pace.Get your copy and read along with us. https://a.co/d/0cBAB6G0Resources MentionedThe Spirit-Filled Life by Charles Stanley: https://a.co/d/0cBAB6G0The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer https://a.co/d/0cBAB6G0Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Bilt and use my code joinbilt.com/blessed for a great deal: https://www.biltrewards.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out NetSuite and use my code netsuite.com/BLESSED for a great deal: https://www.netsuite.com* Check out Super.com and use my code super.com/credit for a great deal: https://super.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of Blessed and Bossed Up, Tatum reframes commitment from a biblical perspective. Rather than defining commitment as discipline, motivation, or consistency, she defines it as spiritual restraint—the willingness to restrict your freedom of action in order to fully submit to God’s way.This teaching explores why commitment is a distinguishing mark of believers and how inconsistent restraint can quietly lead us from dependence on the Holy Spirit into self-sufficiency.Episode HighlightsA biblical definition of commitment as restraintWhy commitment is a marker of spiritual maturityHow good intentions can still lead to compromiseThe difference between good ideas and God ideasWhy God cares about how we start, continue, and finishBiblical Foundation: Asa and Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles)Tatum examines the lives of King Asa and King Jehoshaphat to show how waning commitment and partial obedience produced long-term consequences.Both kings were generally faithful but inconsistent in restraint:Asa obeyed God early in his reign but later relied on alliances rather than the Lord.Jehoshaphat followed God in major decisions but compromised in daily and strategic ones.Their stories reveal that partial obedience and strategic compromise can open doors we never intended to open.The Five Core Competencies of CommitmentCommitment to the Lord should be distinguishable. These five competencies serve as markers of true spiritual commitment:A Clear and Clean Heart Commitment begins with the inner condition of the heart. Unaddressed pride, bitterness, anger, and self-reliance hinder obedience. Scriptures: Matthew 5:8; 1 Samuel 16:7Courage Courage is the spiritual strength to obey God despite fear, risk, or opposition. Obedience often requires moving forward without certainty. Scripture: Joshua 1:9Diligence Diligence is steady, faithful obedience over time. Longevity in calling, business, and ministry is built on faithfulness, not motivation. Scripture: Proverbs 21:5Precision Precision means doing exactly what God said—no more and no less. Dependence on God is required to walk out assignments with accuracy.Contentment Contentment is an inner sufficiency rooted in trust in God’s sovereignty, independent of external circumstances. Scriptures: Philippians 4:11–13; 1 Timothy 6:6–8Faith and Human BehaviorResearch shows that commitment bridges the gap between intention and action. Many people struggle not because they lack desire, but because they lack commitment.This biblical framework for commitment not only produces consistency in action, but also spiritual fruit, deeper intimacy with God, and alignment with His will.Closing ThoughtCommitment is not about productivity alone. It is about pleasing the Father, finishing the assignment, and stewarding the life God entrusted to us.If this episode blessed you, please leave a five-star review. Thank you for listening to Blessed and Bossed Up.Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Bilt and use my code joinbilt.com/blessed for a great deal: https://www.biltrewards.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out NetSuite and use my code netsuite.com/BLESSED for a great deal: https://www.netsuite.com* Check out Super.com and use my code super.com/credit for a great deal: https://super.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today’s episode is a special one—Tatum sits down with Raevyn Hokett, a longtime friend and fan-favorite guest who first entered Tatum’s life as her business coach back in 2014, helping her transition from employee to full-time entrepreneur. Their relationship has grown over the years into genuine friendship (Tatum even officiated Raevyn and her husband Tim’s wedding!), and in this conversation they go deep on what it really means to build a legacy God’s way.Together, they unpack legacy and longevity in entrepreneurship, how to steward influence and resources, and why “doing business God’s way” often includes wilderness seasons that teach dependence, humility, and true alignment.Want to watch the interview? This episode is also available on YouTube (link in the show notes).In This Episode, We Talk AboutWhy Raevyn is an OG guest and always a listener favoriteWhat legacy looks like when you’re building with eternity in mindThe difference between being self-made vs. submitted to GodHow success without God can become a “cocktail for danger”Learning to trust God in manna seasons—daily provision and dependencyWhen obedience doesn’t look like immediate overflowThe moment God told Raevyn to shut down a lucrative coaching businessHow God uses closed doors as protection (including a major 2020 “dodged bullet”)How spiritual gifts (especially prophecy + discernment) protect and guide in businessWhy business models must evolve—and how God leads transitions ahead of timeGuarding your gates: distraction, comparison, AI “busy work,” and spiritual compromiseThe power of abiding—stillness, hearing God, and resisting hustle cultureResource Mentioned + Listener DiscountRaevyn is currently offering Rich Disciples Academy, specifically the Calling to Cash Flow Starter Kit, designed to help believers turn their God-given calling into sustainable income.Blessed + Bossed Up listeners get 50% off with code: BLESSED(Link: https://stan.store/richdisciples/p/the-calling-to-cashflow-starter-kit)Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Bilt and use my code joinbilt.com/blessed for a great deal: https://www.biltrewards.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out NetSuite and use my code netsuite.com/BLESSED for a great deal: https://www.netsuite.com* Check out Super.com and use my code super.com/credit for a great deal: https://super.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and podcast fave Kristen Hopkins Vincent—and yes, we’re talking about the Vincent part today! Kristen returns with powerful updates on her life (she’s a wife and a mom now!) and on the incredible work happening through Black SEL.We dig into Kristen’s transition from Dangers of the Mind to Black SEL, why culturally-rooted social and emotional learning is essential for Black communities, and what it looks like to build a mission-driven organization with radical obedience to God. Kristen shares moments where obedience didn’t make sense—like moving forward with a major conference during a hurricane—and how God confirmed the vision through provision, research, and undeniable fruit.We also talk about the very real emotions that come up when you’re following God’s timing: shame, guilt, feeling unseen, and learning how to embrace seasons of being hidden. And Kristen’s testimony around marriage and motherhood is such a needed reminder: it’s not too late, and God is always intentional.Before we get into it: Kristen and her husband received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award—and she forgot to mention it in the conversation because that’s what happens when you’re focused on obedience and doing the Lord’s work.In this episode, we cover:What Black SEL is and why it’s necessaryKristen’s transition from Dangers of the Mind to launching a nonprofitThe 5 core competencies of social-emotional learning (and how Black SEL frames them)Why SEL must be culturally affirming to truly serve Black students and communitiesBuilding “God’s way” vs. building in your own mightThe difference between a “me” assignment and a “we” assignmentNavigating shame, guilt, and the pressure to be seenSeasons where God hides you—and why that protection mattersKristen’s hurricane conference testimony and how God made the wayThe research that revealed how little SEL scholarship centers Black communitiesWaiting on God for marriage and motherhood—and what it means to pray for alignment with your assignmentA word for the woman juggling purpose, business, love, and obedience“The position of your mind determines the posture of your life”Connect with Kristen + Support Black SELVisit: BlackSEL.orgDonate + learn more about the mission and programmingGet involved / volunteer (especially if you’re in North Carolina)Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Bilt and use my code joinbilt.com/blessed for a great deal: https://www.biltrewards.com* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com* Check out NetSuite and use my code netsuite.com/BLESSED for a great deal: https://www.netsuite.com* Check out Super.com and use my code super.com/credit for a great deal: https://super.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy