By Dr. Richelle Whittaker
Brave Women Series - Richelle's Story
Have you ever created something to share with others but when it came time to share you were reluctant, apprehensive, hesitant? If so, then you will definitely understand my struggle.
During the pandemic, I created a podcast that was centered around motherhood. I brought on moms and had them share their ups and downs of motherhood. But in 2021, I started to feel uneasy like maybe this wasn’t it. I started to lose my zest and zeal for it but I really didn’t understand why. So, I kept the podcast going and continued to pray and ask God for direction.
By January of 2022, I knew that podcast was over, but I wasn’t quite sure what would replace it. During those months, little God winks began to happen (that’s what I call things presenting themselves in a new way) and the idea of a podcast on raising sons began to arise.
A little back story here… I’m the mom of 2 boys and have a heart for boys and men dating back to my post graduate school days when I was in a psychology and law doctoral program, so that I could help decrease recidivism rates in the prison system for men. It made sense but I began to ask myself who am I to do this. What qualifies me? I have 2 boys, not 5 or 6 like some other moms. A friend reminded me that God does not call the qualified. He qualifies those He calls (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).
"God does not call the qualified. He qualifies those He calls."
However, the idea would not die, so I decided to work with a podcast production team to help me get the podcast started and off the ground. That portion was seamless but the most challenging part was yet to come. All episodes were recorded and we were ready to go. My part in all of this was to share it with others, let people know that it was out, and share on social media. It took me weeks to do it and my podcast coordinator really had to hype me up.
By choice, I’m a pretty private person and I’ll share some things about me but not much about my family. You won’t find a picture of my boys on social media where you can tell who they are. They either have on a sports uniform or you can only see them from the neck down. That is intentional.
The podcast, however, gives people access to my sons, stories about them, stories about how I parent. I felt vulnerable and reluctant to bring others into that part of my world. It’s crazy I know and doesn’t make much sense, since I had already recorded all the episodes. And yet, God reminded me He had not given me a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). I needed to be strong and courageous, not afraid, not discouraged, because God was with me wherever I went, including the walls of my own home. (Joshua 1:9)
"I felt vulnerable and reluctant to bring others into that part of my world... And yet, God reminded me He had not given me a spirit of fear. I needed to be strong and courageous, not afraid, not discouraged, because God was with me wherever I went, including the walls of my own home."
I chose courage over caution and shared it on social media and with others. I became comfortable telling others about the work God had called me to and I let them see inside my parenting life. As a result of my obedience, I began to get positive feedback from those that listened.
During the slow season of podcasting my numbers continued to grow. The podcast was in position #1 in Parenting and # 3 in Kids & Family in Botswana (a country in S. Africa) in January. This was after having released only 6 episodes. People were listening and not just in Houston where I live, but on an entirely different continent. I’m still mesmerized by God’s faithfulness to steadily grow the podcast during its first season.
I try to practice what I preach and that summer my oldest son had decided not to let fear control him or the things he did. I knew I should take on the challenge with him. The enemy uses doubt and fear to keep us inactive because if he can get us on the hamster wheel of doubt and fear, he knows he’s won the battle. But as God’s children, fear and doubt are not our portion. God is our portion and He will help us past our hesitancy.
"The enemy uses doubt and fear to keep us inactive because if he can get us on the hamster wheel of doubt and fear, he knows he’s won the battle. But as God’s children, fear and doubt are not our portion. God is our portion and He will help us past our hesitancy."
If I can take the first step and get off the wheel, you can too!
Brave Woman Manifesto
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About Richelle
As a speaker and trainer, Dr. Richelle Whittaker has the privilege of educating audiences around maternal mental health, parenting children with disabilities, trauma-informed care, and more. Not just a speaker; Dr. Whittaker is a storyteller, a catalyst, and a motivator. With 20 years of experience as an educational psychologist, Dr. Whittaker creates opportunities for her audience to connect, and join a shared journey toward positive changes. She is an author and host of the Raising Sons podcast.
Connect with Dr. Richelle Whittaker on her website richellewhittaker.com and Instagram. You can also find her on TikTok and YouTube.
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