Couch Conversations by Hummingbird Journeys

"Your Truth" vs "God's Truth"

"My Truth" , "Your Truth" popular terminology that encourages that we embrace, accept, live, our own persuasion. As popular as this teaching is, however, it's major flaw lies in the fact that our persuasions are fueled by our experiences, individual preferences, emotions, and circumstance. None of these are final authorities, neither are they solely/ consistently reflective of God.

When pursuing "Our Truth" where do we place God? and what do we do when "God's Truth" directly opposes  ours?

This week, Pastor Mrs. Valerie Charles Chike Nezianya gives us a reality check about truth, and submitting our truth to the authority of God.
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It's common for people to attach labels and titles to each other. These are often a reflection of how we see each other or the significance and social/ relational status we have ascribed to each other. 

These days, it seems as if the introduction of new labels is increasing. Whether positive or negative, these labels have the potential to shape how we view ourselves and set expectations for ourselves and others.

In the need to be accepted and recognised, many not only adopt these titles and labels, they live in pursuit of them. With life becoming almost a performance to be validated.

The danger lurking here is that true identities can become blurred as individuals become engrossed in 'doing' and not 'being'.


As believers, some of the fundamental questions to be pondered are:

Are the labels and titles you're aspiring to, a reflection of your true identity?

By adopting these titles, who are you giving authority to define you?

What really is the meaning behind these titles? Do they have a Biblical reference? are they recognised by heaven? 

Would God use these same titles to introduce you?

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These are some of the questions we examined during this Couch Conversation with Pastor Valerie Charles Chike Nezianya, co-pastor of the Cornerstone African House of Praise, Singapore.

Even When We Feel Invisible Or Forgotten...God Sees Us

She answered God by name, praying to the God who spoke to her, “You’re the God who sees me! [El Roi] “Yes! He saw me; and then I saw him!”  (Genesis 16:13)

It's the only time we see God referred to by this name in the Bible, which speaks to how profoundly intimate and personal the encounter was. Here it was that Hagar, a mere maidservant, despised and overwhelmed with despair, has an encounter with God that helps her recognise that no matter how invisible or insignificant she may be to the world, God still sees her. 

Our guest this week, Ms. Joanna Hioe, has a conversation with our host - Kareem O J Lee, about her own intimate encounters with The God Who Sees Us. She highlights how, just as in the days of Hagar, God is still touched by our individual struggles, and intentionally comes alongside us with care and compassion, even in the obscure places.

Joanna Hioe is a creative from Singapore, who has been uniquely crafted by the Creator. Having experienced God's transforming love, she seeks to express His wonders through words, songs, and videos. She is currently pursuing a PhD focused on disaster management. She loves a good adventure!
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Our mandate at Hummingbird Journeys is to create safe spaces where women heal emotionally, grow spiritually, and are equipped and emboldened to live victorious, impactful, Christ-centered lives.

This podcast is one of the platforms through which we accomplish our mandate. For more information,  visit our website: www.hummingbirdjourneys.com

Stay connected with us on social media @hummingbirdjourneys
@kareemojlee

In this episode of our Couch Conversations podcast, Ms. Shavonne Strachan joins our host, Kareem O J Lee, to share what's on her heart about embracing God's Definition of who we are.

Shavonne is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who is making waves in the nonprofit sector and business community, but more importantly she is a woman of faith who is intentionally nurturing her personal relationship with God.

Shavonne Strachan grew up in poverty in the inner cities of Grand Bahama and was considered a troubled youth, after many struggles and personal battles both mentally and emotionally, Shavonne has accepted that her experiences were not wasted and that God had a purpose for her all along. She now dedicates time to advancing inner city communities and transforming lives.

Shavonne Strachan is the founder of the NPO WeLife Foundation and has a track record of making an impact wherever she is present.

Connect with Shavonne and learn more about her here:

Instagram/Facebook: Shavonne Strachan (Personal)

WeLife Foundation (NGO)

That’s_So_Lazy (Clothing Business)

Websites:

www.welifefoundation.org  www.thatssolazy.com

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Our mandate at Hummingbird Journeys is to create safe spaces where women heal emotionally, grow spiritually, and are equipped and emboldened to live victorious, impactful, Christ-centered lives.

This podcast is one of the platforms through which we fulfil our mandate.

For more information visit our website: www.hummingbirdjourneys.com

Stay connected with us on social media @hummingbirdjourneys
@kareemojlee

Charmaine helps us understand why discovering your true identity is a critical step in the journey to freedom and fullness. She also shares how an individual's true identity and divine purpose are intrinsically linked.

Charmaine Wright Orr is an integrator, thought partner, strategic voice, and spiritual midwife. As an unapologetic and uncompromising woman of faith, her core belief is that foundation matters. In other words, having clarity about who you are, being synergistically engaged in the relationships with people you should be joined to, and developing the grit that it takes to execute a sound strategy is the formula for success. She is anointed in the marketplace as a trusted partner to women Visionaries who are stewarding God ideas that will have a transformative impact on the world, produce generational wealth, and leave a legacy of inspiration and empowerment.

Beyond this, Charmaine is most passionate about her family. Her husband, seven children and extended family are the fuel of her inspiration and nucleus of her existence. 

Connect with Charmaine via email: WBMpartner@gmaiI.com

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Our mandate at Hummingbird Journeys is to create safe spaces where women heal emotionally, grow spiritually, and are equipped and emboldened to live victorious, impactful, Christ-centered lives.

This podcast is one of the platforms through which we fulfil our mandate.

For more information visit our website: www.hummingbirdjourneys.com

Stay connected with us on social media @hummingbirdjourneys
@kareemojlee

In this episode of our Couch Conversations podcast, Reverend Denise Hinkson Lawrence joins our host, Kareem Lee, to speak about the power of being naked and unashamed before God.

Reverend Denise shares how women can tap into new dimensions of liberty and power by unmasking. What is unmasking? It's removing pretense and excuses and standing before God. By doing this, she dismantles the weight of human opinion, limiting beliefs, guilt, pride, and shame and allows Him to help her discover her true self.

Reverend Denise H Lawrence is a Mindset-Shifter, with a passion for transforming lives. Her signature program 'ReBirth' allows women to overcome imposter syndrome, discover their identity, increase confidence, and eliminate comparison and perfectionism for a purposeful life. Denise is a Wife, Mother, Evangelist, Global Podcaster, Author, Writer, Conference Host, International Speaker, Coach, and Mentor with a mandate to empower women in personal, spiritual, and leadership development. Denise guides women in navigating difficult experiences, dismantle harmful messages about self-worth, pivot their pain to purpose, and become empowered. Reverend Denise strongly believes that "There is therapeutic value in shared stories".

Connect with Reverend Denise via the following platforms:

Facebook

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Our mandate at Hummingbird Journeys is to create safe spaces where women heal emotionally, grow spiritually, and are equipped and emboldened to live victorious, impactful, Christ-centered lives.

This podcast is one of the platforms through which we fulfil our mandate.

For more information visit our website: www.hummingbirdjourneys.com

Stay connected with us on social media @hummingbirdjourneys
@kareemojlee

In this episode of our Couch Conversations podcast, our host, Kareem Lee speaks about how important it is for women to acknowledge and address the issues caused by absent fathers or unpleasant experiences with fathers.

Using her own experience as a reference point, Kareem shares how a daughter's relationship with her father sets the tone for every other relationship she will engage. She highlights how social, professional and spiritual relationships are influenced by the residual effects of problematic or nonexistent father-daughter relationships and zeros in on how paying attention to reoccurring themes in relationships could lead women to begin the process of healing.

Kareem is a woman of faith who is intent on seeing the Word of God come alive in her own life and in the lives of those she comes in contact with. She is spends time engrossed in studying the Word and welcomes opportunities to share its truth, especially with women. Kareem hosts the Couch Conversations podcast by Hummingbird Journeys. She is also a multi-passionate entrepreneur and published author/faith Writer.

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Our mandate at Hummingbird Journeys is to create safe spaces where women heal emotionally, grow spiritually, and are equipped and emboldened to live victorious, impactful, Christ-centered lives.

This podcast is one of the platforms through which we fulfil our mandate.

For more information visit our website: www.hummingbirdjourneys.com

Stay connected with us on social media @hummingbirdjourneys
@kareemojlee

Bianca is a phenomenal woman with a huge heart for helping others. She is a motivational speaker, author, business owner, travel agent, social worker, Air Force veteran and wife.

Bianca obtained her Associate of Arts (2012), Bachelor of Social Work (2015), where she graduated with honors and as a member of Phi Alpha, her Master of Business Administration- Healthcare Management (2020), and a Ph.D. in living her best life!

She is an avid traveler who calls herself a xenophile and can always be found loving on or helping children, whether it’s at an orphanage somewhere around the world or home with a collection of kids, somewhere with animals such as swimming with the dolphins or on one of the world’s beaches’! Bianca has proven that her purpose and passion for helping people worldwide through empowerment, mission work, mentoring, and leadership are needed, and God sent her on assignment to deliver.

Today she speaks to us from a place of experience, reminding us we are required to intentionally own our healing journey when it comes to matters of mental and emotional health. 

Follow Bianca on all social platforms @allthingspositive and also be sure to support her new book. More details here: https://www.iambiancashante.com/

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Our mandate at Hummingbird Journeys is to create safe spaces where women heal emotionally, grow spiritually, and are equipped and emboldened to live victorious, impactful, Christ-centered lives.

This podcast is one of the platforms through which we fulfil our mandate.

For more information visit our website: www.hummingbirdjourneys.com

Stay connected with us via social media @hummingbirdjourneys
@kareemojlee

It is often thought that being strong means not needing help and that, if a person does reach out for help, they may be considered weak. This notion is also present amongst Believers who consider that seeking help, especially when it relates to matters of a mental or emotional challenge, could mean that the person is weak in their faith or is lacking in spiritual discipline. Mindsets like these cause mental health concerns to often go unaddressed in faith communities.

Our guest today, Mrs. Feona Charles-Richards, is simply a lover of people. That love has pushed her into seeking ways to make lives better. She is passionate about issues concerning Mental Wellness and Neurodevelopmental challenges.

Feona is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, who holds a BSc in Psychology with Sociology and an MSc in Clinical Psychology. She is also a trained Neurolinguistic and Mental Emotional Release practitioner.

Feona believes strongly that thoughts become actions and in order to have extraordinary outcomes there must be a shift in thinking. She continues to seek opportunities to educate the community about Mental Health challenges across various platforms.
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Our mandate at Hummingbird Journeys is to create safe spaces where women heal emotionally, grow spiritually, and are equipped and emboldened to live victorious, impactful, Christ-centered lives.

This podcast is one of the platforms through which we fulfill our mandate.

For more information, visit our website: www.hummingbirdjourneys.com

Stay connected with us via social media @hummingbirdjourneys
@kareemojlee

Reshaping the narrative about mental and emotional health in our faith communities

The topic of mental and emotional health is generally an uncomfortable one to address. Within our faith communities, the conversation does not become less challenging. The topic is however an unavoidable and highly critical one, especially in the season that we are in.

Our guest today is a woman of faith who is passionate about engaging persons at different levels to help clarify misconceptions, raise awareness, change the narrative, and ensure that structures are in place to provide the support persons may need to better care for their mental and emotional health.

Kimmil Hollis is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist who enjoys working with children, teens, and adults who experience depression, anxiety, psychosis, and crisis. She is passionate about seeing Believers experience emotional healing and freedom through therapuetic techniques and God's Word.

Kimmil loves talking about Jesus and sharing mental health care tips that help Christian women live a better life.

For faith and mental care tips, follow Kimmil's IG page @freedom_awaits_4_you

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About Hummingbird Journeys

Our mandate at Hummingbird Journeys is to create safe spaces where women heal emotionally, grow spiritually, and are equipped and emboldened to live victorious, impactful, Christ-centered lives.

This podcast is one of the platforms through which we fulfil our mandate.

For more information, visit our website: www.hummingbirdjourneys.com

Stay connected with us via social media @hummingbirdjourneys
@kareemojlee

Remember to bless someone else by sharing this podcast with them. 

Are you really ready for marriage? 

Relationship experts say that all problems in relationships, marriages included, stem from unmet expectations. Sadly, even within our Christian circles, such expectations are often unrealistic or have origins outside of the Word of God.

The question, "are you really ready for marriage?" is treated lightly by some. But, others know all too well the heartache, disappointment, and regret that results when readiness for marriage is not properly addressed before making a commitment.

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This faith couple, the Bumhiras, opened their hearts in a transparent conversation, to be a blessing to those who may be considering marriage or the "idea of marriage". 

ps. this series on relationships has been added to our agenda based on the opportunity we have had to see the experiences of women who have been hurt by broken relationships.

Single, Saved, Satisfied?

Most times we focus on how the single woman is preparing herself for marriage, giving little focus, if any, to what her male counterpart is doing to prepare. How deep are we really willing to go when speaking about singleness in Christian circles? Can we be honest about what our hearts desire, the unspoken urges, and the internal and external pressure that comes with desiring a life partner? 

Our guest this week, Deji Fatiregun, candidly shares about the experience of navigating singleness as a Christian man. He also gives us insight into the male value system and approach to relationships that are not often disclosed. 

Deji is a single Christian man who is intentional about pursuing God's heart and about fulfilling his Kingdom mandate and making an impact wherever he is present.

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Remember to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a comment, and bless others by sharing it with them. Also, stay connected with us @hummingbirdjourneys

Managing Life's Transitions

Change happens, it's inevitable. Whether we like it or not, whether we've planned for it or not, at some point we are required to face the uncertainty of what it means to move from one state of reality to another.

What better reference is there to draw upon than the current season in which we live where every aspect of life, every sector of society, in every part of the globe has been thrusted into unprecedented experiences; forcing us to deal with the dynamics of change.

Our guest, Mrs. Jiselle Alleyne-Clement, joins host Kareem Lee for this week's conversation, to help us understand the dynamics of change, from a Kingdom perspective, and how to manage life's transitions when they come upon us.

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About Our Guest

Jiselle Alleyne-Clement is a professional of many hats. She is an Academic Librarian, Educator and Researcher. She received her MLIS in Library Science from Dalhousie University, Canada. She also holds an MA in Leadership Studies from the University of Guelph, Canada and is currently reading for her PhD in Gender Studies at the University of the West Indies with focus on Female Leadership Development in Caribbean Organisations.

Jiselle is the lead Empowerment Speaker, Vision Coach and Mentor at her consultancy, Pearls of Great Price.

You may connect with Jiselle on Facebook or via Email

Pearls of Great Price Empowerment Services, through its empowerment sessions undertakes to empower, educate and enlighten women. Teaching women to celebrate who they are and live the more abundant life.

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Remember to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a comment, and bless others by sharing it with them

Loving vs Being In Love

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Owning Your God-given identity

Crystal Daye joins our host, Kareem Lee, for this week's conversation. Together, they examine the concept of God-given identity vs. identity derived from other sources.

Highlighting how past experiences and wrong teachings can cause women to hold on to an identity that is contrary to what God intended, the conversation touches on the need to break free from past experiences. Emphasising that it is possible to overcome limiting beliefs and mindsets, to confidently fulfil God's purpose.

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You may connect with Crystal Daye and her ministry via:

Social handles/links: @CrystalSDaye

Website: www.crystaldaye.com

Are you trying to become the perfect woman?

Is there an image in your mind of what the perfect woman should be?

The quest for perfection is a burden and a form of bondage for many women. But, true perfection is as God defines, not as we might have been conditioned to perceive perfection to be.

During this week's conversation we candidly discuss issues of jealousy, imposter syndrome, insecurity, comparative positioning, and limiting mindsets which many women struggle with.

Our guest, Mrs. Cynthia Kike Ajeigbe, a certified coach, provides practical guidance on moving beyond the barriers of circumstance, culture, past experiences, and the labels of others, to recognize our worth in Christ and become the women He has called us to be. As she shares, she urges us to value ourselves as God values us and to rise with confidence into all that He has purposed.

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About Our Guest

Cynthia Kike Ajeigbe considers herself to be a purpose driven strategic leader with a track record of enhancing the delivery of business outcomes through people. She is a woman who is blessed to be a blessing, and is pressing unto the mark of the high calling by the grace of God. This is a woman who knows, without a shadow of doubt, that her help and her strength come from the Lord.

As a coach, Cynthia Kike Ajeigbe is certified by the International Coaching Federation. You can view her full profile and access her contact details here.

True Worship Unlocks Heaven

True worship has little to do with outward demonstrations and everything to do with the posture of a person's heart. 

It goes far beyond the songs that we sing when we gather corporately. True worship is a lifestyle which is shaped by our personal commune with God. 

When a woman understands this, and understands that she was created for the purpose of bringing God pleasure, then everything that she does flows out of a heart a worship. 

Our guest this week, Mrs. Ogochukwu Bishop Felix, shares intimately about her life as a worshipper. She also challenges us to recognise that God expects us all (even those of us who can't sing) to be worshippers who worship Him in spirit and in truth. 

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How is your prayer life?

The place of prayer is a place of power. In the place of prayer, destinies are shaped, battles are won, visions are birthed, lives are transformed.

In the place of prayer, in those intimate moments with God, we are refreshed, strengthened, and rejuvenated. In the place of prayer, we see our lives from God’s perspective and discover what is important. Here, God illuminates our minds as He reveals truth to us. Here we understand Who it is we belong to and believe in; we hear His heart and are drawn into His will. It is in the place of prayer that God reveals secret things to us and equips us to live as women who are truly victorious.

Our guest this week, Pastor Dr. Esther Rex Fubara Manuel, shows up in true form to teach about the discipline of prayer. You will be sure to be blessed and stirred up as you listen.

Because of the depth of the teaching on this episode, we have prepared a summary to specifically address some of the questions many women have been asking about prayer: http://bit.ly/HBJVWPray

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About Our Guest

In Pastor Dr. Esther Rex's words:

" I am Pastor Dr Esther Rex Fubara-manuel,

A privileged CHILD of God,

A student of the Holy Ghost,
WIFE of the general overseer of Revelation ministries,
A blessed MOTHER of three ministers of the gospel,

Mission Director of Children of Promise Christian schools and Prayer Palace & Family Resort.

The Lord has helped me write a few books and Bible games.

I am still a student of the Bible and candidate of heaven."

You may connect with Pastor Dr. Esther Rex on FB and  IG: @esther.rex 

Are you authentic? are you living an authentic life?

Our guest this week, Mrs. Tasha Glover, asked us some tough questions when she sat with us for a couch conversation. We spoke about identity and authenticity and how to live a life that remains true to both of these.

Tasha highlighted that we need to have a revelation of Who God is, for us to truly know who we are! Quite importantly, this woman of faith reminded us that our purpose in life is to please God by staying tuned in to what He is saying and walking in alignment with His greater plan. We are not made to fit into other people's molds!

This episode challenges us to ask and answer some tough questions. Discovering the answers is truly liberating though!

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About Our Guest

In Tasha's words:

"I'm a wife of 11 years and a homeschooling Mom of 3 kiddos. I simply operate in whatever authority my Father releases to me. It looks different in each season of my life. In this season, I am CEO of Tech with Tasha a branding and digital marketing agency where I get to lead a team of spirit-led creatives and introduce the world to the results of branding and marketing with Grace and Excellence. I am Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur Certified and facilitate experiences that lead to encounters with Holy Spirit through training, mentoring, and strategy as a Wisdom in Business Strategist.

I support the entrepreneur who feels a faith tug into something so big it takes the wisdom of God and Kingdom collaboration to get it done. God has given me wisdom to partner in helping point His people to His heart and to remind them of the access they have to His wisdom."

Follow Tasha on IG and Facebook: @TechwithTasha

Suddenly, God changed my story - from barren to a mother of two

What do you do when the doctors have said that it is medically impossible? When friends and family have given up hope, where do you turn? When men and women of God begin to suggest that your situation is dead and it's time to let it go, where do you find the encouragement to go on?

Pastor Mrs. Valerie Charles Chike Nezianya joins us this week to share her own experience of being childless for almost 8 years after marriage. She recounts enduring the shame of being called barren and the physical pain for which doctors could not identify the cause. Until, suddenly, God changed her story.

Psalm 113:9 says "He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the LORD!"

Our prayer is that your faith will be stirred as you listen, and that you will be encouraged to trust the God who is able to make the impossible, possible.

About Our Guest:

Pastor Valerie is an ordained minister of the gospel. She has an evangelistic calling over her life and a burden for raising godly women, marriages and children. She is a certified accountant, by profession, and a published author. She is also the visionary  of the Chosen To Give Life Ministries, an inter-denominational ministry dedicated to stirring the hearts of women back to the Lord.  

Pastor Valerie is the wife of Pastor Charles Chike Nezianya. Together, they pastor The Cornerstone African House of Praise in Singapore. Their marriage is blessed with their double-portion children, Zachary and Juanita, who actively support them in ministry.

Pastor Valerie has a special burden to stand with and support women who are waiting on the fruit of the womb. To avail such support, you may connect with her via chosentogivelife@gmail.com

Stay Connected with Us

Do subscribe to this show, Couch Conversations, leave a review and be a blessing by sharing with others. You can also connect with us on Instagram and Facebook @hummingbirdjourneys and via our website www.hummingbirdjourneys.com