Have you ever scrolled through social media and felt like everyone is passing you by? Whether it’s a milestone in your personal life or a goal in your business, that nagging feeling of being "behind" can be paralyzing. In this episode, I’m getting real about the "C-word"—comparison—and how it acts as a thief of your joy and a blocker to the miracles God is orchestrating in your current season. I’m sharing my own journey of turning 36 and how I’ve learned to embrace the "darkroom" where God develops our best work before it ever hits the spotlight.

I want to help you shift your perspective from what you lack to what is already in your hand. We’ll talk about why your "5 loaves and 2 fish" are more than enough to create momentum right now, even if you don't have a massive team or a huge budget. Whether you are in a "wilderness" season like Moses or just feeling stuck in a cycle of inaction, this episode is your reminder that God is an on-time God who cares just as much about your internal transformation as He does about your destination.

• The "Step 15" Illusion: Why you might be unfairly sabotaging your progress by comparing your beginning to someone else’s middle, and the specific cycle of inaction this creates.
• The Secret of the Darkroom: Why feeling "hidden" or slow is often a sign of divine preparation, and the dangerous consequences of being exposed to the spotlight prematurely.
• Inventory of the Miraculous: How to identify the "5 loaves and 2 fish" you currently possess—and why ignoring these small resources is the very thing keeping your next level out of reach.
• Decoding the "Burning Bush" in Your Everyday: How to recognize the specific patterns God uses to speak to you in the mundane moments, like the school pickup line or your favorite podcast.

Grab your early bird tickets here for the Firebrand Story Room happening on May 1st and 2nd, and don't forget to download your free 3-step Brand Clarity resource to help you get clear on your messaging for 2026!

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If you feel like you’re putting in massive effort but aren't seeing any momentum or results in your business or calling, you are not alone—I hear this from my clients and community almost every single day. In this episode, we are getting real about the "perfectionism trap" and why more is often actually less when it comes to your impact. I’m sharing four specific reasons why your needle might not be moving and how to discern if you're in a season of quiet, "underground" growth or if you're simply misaligned with where God has called you to be

• The "Needle-Moving" Secret: Why your perfectly curated Canva posts and website tweaks might actually be keeping you stuck, and the one simple "friendship" skill that actually generates real opportunities.
• The Fear of Missing Out vs. The Power of One: How to stop the "throwing paint at the wall" approach and why narrowing your focus to just one platform for six months can lead to explosive clarity.
• The Hidden Growth Season: A shift in perspective for those who feel forgotten by God, revealing how internal character development and "underground" progress are often more vital than external fruit.
• Resistance is Not Rejection: Why a "failed" launch or a difficult path doesn't mean you heard God wrong—it might just mean you're one "tweak" or one "firebrand" connection away from your next level.

Stop letting the "fraud" mindset hold you back. Use this guide to uncover exactly what is driving your imposter syndrome and get the tools to confidently step into the identity God has already given you: https://melissaleahughes.com/authenticity-heart-check

Grab your early bird tickets here for the Firebrand Story Room happening on May 1st and 2nd, and don't forget to download your free 3-step Brand Clarity resource to help you get clear on your messaging for 2026!

Website: www.melissaleahughes.com

Connect with me!

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaleahughes

Melissa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaleahughes/

Rise Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risesocialmediaagency/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.harrington.758

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Welcome to 2026! As we kick off this brand new year, I am feeling so refreshed after a much-needed break spent sledding with my kids and reflecting on how we can show up as exactly who God called us to be. In this episode, I’m diving deep into a struggle many high-capacity women face: that "ugh" feeling of being stuck. If you feel like your momentum has stalled, I want to challenge you to consider that you aren't actually unmotivated—you might just be misaligned with the current season God has you in.

We often try to force "summertime" results during a "winter" season of life, and the result is always frustration and exhaustion. I’m sharing my own journey of learning to trust God’s timing, including the moments I’ve had to surrender successful assignments to simply be a mom. My goal for you today is to help you stop people-pleasing, let go of the "hustle," and start standing boldly in the identity the Holy Spirit has given you.

• The Hidden Value of the "Bare" Seasons: Why feeling like "nothing is happening" is often the most productive time for your soul, and how to identify if you’re currently in a period of underground growth.
• The Identity Shift: The simple question you can ask God today that will completely reframe your calling and release you from the fear of "missing" your purpose.
• The Faith to Quit: Why being "faithful" doesn't always mean staying put, and how to recognize when an old assignment has lost its life so you can move into the new thing God is springing up.
• The Power of the T-Chart: A practical journey to take with the Holy Spirit to identify what is actually draining your energy and how to delegate your way back to joy.

Grab your early bird tickets here for the Firebrand Story Room happening on May 1st and 2nd, and don't forget to download your free 3-step Brand Clarity resource to help you get clear on your messaging for 2026!

Have your content done for you at Rise Social Media Agency: https://melissaleahughes.com/rise

Website: www.melissaleahughes.com

Connect with me!

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissaleahughes

Melissa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaleahughes/

Rise Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risesocialmediaagency/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.harrington.758

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissaleahughes