The Whole Mess
Season 1
by Abigail Theobald and Katie Underhill
we often want God to change our circumstances, our habits, or our outcomes as quickly as possible. but what if He's after something deeper? in this episode, we're talking about formation... the slow, often uncomfortable process of being shaped into who God created us to be. we explore what it looks like to surrender control, trust God's timing, and embrace the seasons that feel like breaking instead of becoming. because the pressure isn't pointless. you're just being formed by the Potter. journal prompts: what could God be forming in me in this season? what areas of my life am I trying to control instead of surrender?
we thought growth would feel more straightforward than this. that we'd make progress, learn the lesson, and move on. instead, we find ourselves revisiting the same struggles, dropping the ball, extending grace, receiving accountability, and discovering that transformation is a lot less linear than we expected. in this episode, we're talking about the messy process of becoming and the tension between who we are and who we're growing into. we unpack what it looks like to disappoint yourself without letting it define you, why the mess is an invitation to be seen rather than to hide, and how learning to depend on Jesus often happens most deeply when we've run out of our own strength. the process isn't broken. the mess isn't evidence that we're failing. it's where God does some of His deepest work. journal prompt: where have I believed that growth should look perfect or linear?
what if rest isn’t something you earn… but something you’re invited into? in the first episode of our summer of becoming season, we’re unpacking the discipline of rest: why slowing down can feel uncomfortable, what our culture glorifies, and how true rest goes far deeper than just taking a break. we talk about the tension between striving and stillness, the fear of falling behind, and the reality that rest with God often looks different than what the world tells us it should. we also explore play, creativity, and joy as forms of rest… and how learning what genuinely restores you is part of growing in wholeness. because maybe rest isn’t about doing nothing. maybe it’s about discovering what truly refills you, not just what looks restful from the outside. journal prompt: what am I afraid will happen if I slow down?
italy made us question more than just travel. in this episode, we talk about slowness, presence, ambition, community, beauty, and what happens when another culture makes you reconsider the way you’ve been living your life... we recorded this conversation while hiking through the mountains, so consider the traffic noise, heavy breathing, and occasional chaos part of the experience. march 9, 2026
welcome back to the whole mess podcast. in this episode, we explore what it really means to be whole. Abby and Katie share their personal journeys with wholeness, how their definitions have changed over time, how those journeys have shaped them, and how they continue to be shaped as they lean in. we talk about the space that needs to be created in order to truly see ourselves and recognize the many ways the Lord is moving within us. Wholeness isn’t something you arrive at, it’s a continual process of surrender, growth, and transformation. it’s about learning to pivot, to stay open, and to allow the Lord to fully transform every area of our lives. we don’t have all the answers, but we’re learning as we go, and we’re excited to share this space with you. let’s dive in. reflection question: where are you demanding wholeness from yourself instead of allowing formation? feb. 2, 2026
this episode is a beginning... not a polished one, but an honest one. in our very first conversation, we share the heart behind the whole mess: why we felt called to start this podcast, why curiosity has mattered more to us than certainty, and why faith has often looked less like solid ground and more like stepping onto moving water. we talk about our open-handed “yes” and invite you to join us in learning to trust Him in the deep. a little bit chaotic and a whole lot messy, this episode is an open invitation into our faith and health journeys. if you’re standing at the edge of something new — unsure, hopeful, and a little scared — you’re not alone. we’re stepping out there too. jan. 19, 2026