Morgan May Treuil [00:00:00]:
All right, welcome back to Am I Doing this Right? We are your hosts, Morgan and Leslie. Leslie and Morgan. Either way. And this is kind of a fun episode because. Well, this is one of our last ones apart, actually, because I come back.
Leslie Johnston [00:00:16]:
Thank God.
Morgan May Treuil [00:00:16]:
This week. This next week.
Leslie Johnston [00:00:17]:
Yes.
Morgan May Treuil [00:00:18]:
And I'm super excited to be back. And then also, it's actually our 100th episode of the Am I Doing this Right? Podcast.
Leslie Johnston [00:00:26]:
I know. I can't even believe that.
Morgan May Treuil [00:00:30]:
Like, 100 episodes to me.
Leslie Johnston [00:00:32]:
No, I mean, in a weird way, it feels like we've been doing this podcast forever. Like, in my mind, it feels like, oh, my gosh, we've been doing this. Like, I can't think of a time that we weren't doing it. I mean, I can, but I can't, so. But, like, 100 just feels like, oh, wow. I'm proud of us. We are so consistent.
Morgan May Treuil [00:00:49]:
I know. And we haven't missed, like, a single week of podcasting, which is funny.
Leslie Johnston [00:00:55]:
No, I think we've had, like, one repeat episode, but that's it, So.
Morgan May Treuil [00:01:00]:
I know. That's pretty crazy.
Leslie Johnston [00:01:02]:
I know.
Morgan May Treuil [00:01:02]:
And it's. It's funny because I feel like when we started this, it started as. I think, like, this is how all things start. You start with an idea, and you think you kind of have it somewhat, well, flushed out, and then over time, it kind of evolves and becomes something totally different than what you thought it would be.
Leslie Johnston [00:01:19]:
Yeah.
Morgan May Treuil [00:01:19]:
And I just feel like you can see as you scroll through our. I was scrolling through our Instagram, and I was, like, looking at all of our episodes, and you can just see how God took something that we just had, like, a small idea about, and then he built it out and created something that was just beyond, I think, what either of us expected for it to be. And so it's kind of fun. This is, like, a cool. I feel really thankful that it's been 100 episodes and that we've gotten to be a part of something so special, because not everybody gets to do this. That's pretty fun.
Leslie Johnston [00:01:50]:
That's true. I'm so. It's been so fun. Like, this is genuinely one of, like, the best, most fun things that feels like. It feels like one of those things that when we first started it, both of us were like, wait, is this gonna actually, like, are we gonna have fun with this? Is this gonna feel natural? This has felt like one of the most natural things I've ever done.
Morgan May Treuil [00:02:11]:
Yeah, I 100 agree. It's.
Leslie Johnston [00:02:13]:
I mean, it's just talking, and we're Basically talking to each other so.
Morgan May Treuil [00:02:17]:
Well, talking to each other. And then there's also, like, the guest component of it. And then it's. I don't know, we'll get into all of this. But it's all about learning. And I think that the thing. The thing that's funny about it is, like, we're not. We never set out to educate people on something or to help to be the people that are growing other people.
Morgan May Treuil [00:02:36]:
We set out to be like, okay, well, we want to learn and we want to grow for our own development. Health, spiritual lives, those kinds of things.
Leslie Johnston [00:02:44]:
Yeah.
Morgan May Treuil [00:02:44]:
And then we learn and then bring people along to learn with us. And that's kind of what makes the beauty of it, I think, is that. And that. That's what I think has been so helpful for me, is I look back on the last hundred episodes, and I feel less like I'm proud of us for the consistency, but I feel more so, like, wow, we've learned and grown so much as people more than I feel like, oh, wow, look at what we've accomplished. I'm like, man, like, this has been so good for me as a person. Oh, I can't believe it. I, like, I feel like we are different people than when we started because of this podcast 100.
Leslie Johnston [00:03:19]:
I feel like we. I remember when we first started the podcast, one of my things that I thought of was like, okay, is kind of like, is God gonna, like, give us enough to say, like, you know what I mean? I wanted it. I didn't want it. Obviously, we have the component that everybody knows where it's, like, unpopular opinions and fun, and we just, like, chat and don't take ourselves too seriously. But something I was a little bit like, oh, gosh, like, I don't have, like, a, you know, all this schooling in, like, theology and all of those things, and that's not really what we were trying to tackle. But in a way, it felt like, oh, gosh, is like, am I gonna have enough to talk about or feel like I have enough, like, wisdom to bring to the podcast? But what I've found is that it's like, I think God I've learned is like, I kind of just want willing people and, like, I will speak and do things in your life. I mean, he'll speak and do things regardless. But, like, even more so when you actually put yourself in a scenario where you need wisdom from God, like, I think it's one of those things where it's like, a lot of times, like, I had found myself being like, why Is God not speaking to me? Or why do I feel like I'm not learning anything right now? And then when we started the podcast, it was like, oh, I felt like I was being, like, flooded with things to talk about and things that I felt like God was teaching me.
Leslie Johnston [00:04:42]:
And part of me felt like God was like, well, yeah, because you're doing something. Like, I'm gonna help you because you're actually putting yourself out there and taking like a step of faith in something. And so I'm gonna provide for that because you're actually doing something, because, like, why would I be, you know, teaching you all these things and doing something if you're just going to, like, keep it to yourself? So that was really cool.
Morgan May Treuil [00:05:03]:
It kind of feels, I mean, I. Look, I'm. I'm going through my mind all the different, you know, Old Testament, New Testament heroes that were asked to do something by God. And all of them were asked to take a step of faith forward into whatever the thing was before they were like, fully downloaded with all the wisdom or all the skills, all the talents to be able to do the thing right. Like, you think about Moses and what he had to go through with Pharaoh to get the Israelites out of Egypt. And he was asked to do the thing and take a step forward in faith before he was fully equipped with like all of the, the tools, the miracles, even like the skill set of having a voice like David, Abraham was asked to leave his home. And I'm not saying that we are, by doing this podcast, that we're like Abraham and Moses.
Leslie Johnston [00:05:47]:
We are biblical heroes.
Morgan May Treuil [00:05:49]:
We are not. We are not biblical heroes.
Leslie Johnston [00:05:51]:
We, we might be because most of them were messed up up.
Morgan May Treuil [00:05:55]:
Actually, we do fit the criteria in that way.
Leslie Johnston [00:05:58]:
Yes.
Morgan May Treuil [00:05:58]:
But it's just, I don't know, like, and I, I just thought of this and I don't know if this is for whoever's listening, but I think one of the cool things about this podcast is that this was something that we had talked about wanting to do for a while before we did it. We both kind of felt like God was pressing in this direction, but didn't have any, you know, practical plans to make it happen. This is not necessarily an easy thing to fit into our schedule either because this is not our full time job. So it's like not to give us praise or a pat on the back, but it's not like an easy natural. It's natural in the sense that it feels like we're stepping into gifts that God's given us, but it doesn't feel natural in the sense of like, man, this is actually really hard work and this does not come easy. Right. And so what I think is cool is that there are probably people that are listening to this and you have some kind of a dream, a project, a step of obedience that God's asking for you to walk into. And maybe it's a little bit more like creative like this would be and you're nervous to make it happen.
Morgan May Treuil [00:06:57]:
Maybe you don't have all of the things lined up that you think it takes to make it happen, but God's still asking you to take a step forward and to encourage you. That's kind of what this podcast was like. We felt like God was saying to do it more than we felt like we had all of the answers or the content lined up to do it. And so if you go back and you listen from the beginning, you will find that we started and what it's become is way different than what it started as. Because sometimes the obedience thing is to just start and then allow God to fill in the rest. Right?
Leslie Johnston [00:07:29]:
Yeah.
Morgan May Treuil [00:07:29]:
And so I don't know, I feel like hopefully that encourages somebody who's sitting there being like, I know that God's asking me to like start this thing, but I just don't have all of the tools yet. Well, I don't necessarily know if that's the faith move is to like. I think that would be the easier thing to do actually is to start with all your ducks in a row. It's. It's a harder thing to do to start when your ducks are all over the place and you've got to get them in line as you go.
Leslie Johnston [00:07:56]:
Exactly.
Morgan May Treuil [00:07:57]:
All your ducks are being crazy. Yeah.
Leslie Johnston [00:08:00]:
Oh, that's funny. No, this podcast is so. It's so fun too. Like even on like the light hearted end are unpopular. What have been some of. Wait. Okay, I actually have an unpopular opinion. We totally forgot that.
Leslie Johnston [00:08:12]:
But I have one.
Morgan May Treuil [00:08:13]:
We can't forget that for the 100th episode. That would be so bad.
Leslie Johnston [00:08:16]:
So this is kind of a weird one. And I don't know if everyone is even going to know this, but you know, like influencers, how they do those like Sunday resets or they like clean their houses. So I think that nobody actually like influencers who clean their house. Nobody actually makes and undoes their bed the way that influencers do. I don't even think they do that. I think it's 100% performative because for this exact reason, this is so niche. But I've watched all these videos of these girls cleaning their houses. And the way they, like.
Leslie Johnston [00:08:57]:
Like, the way they make their bed and undo their bed is they sit in the middle of the bed. Have you seen this before? And they, like, grab all the sides, and it's like they're just sitting on their bed while they're, like, making it. Because obviously, like, looks cute to do that, but I'm like, nobody's doing that in real life.
Morgan May Treuil [00:09:13]:
So you think that they're just doing that for the camera 100%.
Leslie Johnston [00:09:17]:
Which, again, this is such a niche on popular opinion. I don't even know if anybody knows what I'm talking about, but I saw that the other day, and I was like, nobody's doing that. Like, nobody's making their bed like that.
Morgan May Treuil [00:09:27]:
They don't make their bed. You don't think they make their beds at all, or.
Leslie Johnston [00:09:30]:
No, no, no. They make their beds. They make their beds, but nobody is making a bed the way that they do it.
Morgan May Treuil [00:09:36]:
Yes. Yeah. Or, like, have you. I feel like all of my content right now is like, mom's breastfeeding, basically. And it's like they do their whole. They do their whole, like, nine to, you know, or like 6am to 6pm whatever. My whole day as, like, a. As a mom.
Morgan May Treuil [00:09:52]:
Right. Like, the newborn. And it's like everything that they do is for. It feels like it's like, I'm gonna get up, go set my phone up, and then I'm gonna get back into bed, and then I'm gonna wake up, pretend like I'm waking up, and then start everything, and I'm like, how much of this is, like, your authentic day? And if this is actually how your day looks, I feel really bad about myself because our day does not look like this. It is not that polished.
Leslie Johnston [00:10:17]:
Do you ever feel like. Do you ever feel like you watch so many of those videos that when you get up and go about your day, it almost feels like someone's filming you? Yeah, I feel that way because there's a couple influencers I watch that do, and I love watching them. They're just, like. So, like, you could just. I don't know why it's fun to watch someone else clean their house or someone else get ready and do their workout or something. But then sometimes I feel like I get up and I, like, grab my stuff out of my closet, and I'm like, for some reason, I feel like someone's filming me do this.
Morgan May Treuil [00:10:48]:
There's a camera crew watching me. I need to do this in a certain way.
Leslie Johnston [00:10:51]:
But, yes, it makes me Feel bad for influencers because I'm like, it's like, I just want to, like, get up and do my morning routine.
Morgan May Treuil [00:10:59]:
And.
Leslie Johnston [00:10:59]:
And it's like they're all sacrificing their morning routine to make sure we all get content. And so I'm like, man, that sucks. They don't, like, they're not actually living those lives and. And just getting to enjoy it because you're right. They got to get up, set up the camera, go back and do it again. They do it like four or five times so that then they can have the edit, which I guess that's their. Yeah, they have to think about it. Like, I guess that's their job.
Morgan May Treuil [00:11:21]:
Yes. I feel like. I feel like if you have a hobby that you love, you should not make it your influence and content because it's going to kill it for. It's got to. It's got to kill it for you. For all these people that are like, get ready with me. And they love whatever it is that they love to do, they're broadcasting. It's like, I just feel like when it becomes the thing that you have to do and it's all about cameras and filming and those kinds of things.
Morgan May Treuil [00:11:50]:
The only reason why we are successful at this is because there's a team that actually helps us make this happen. If there was not a team that helped us make this happen, we would. We would just stop talking for the rest of life because it would just be too hard.
Leslie Johnston [00:12:03]:
It would be very difficult. No, they're the best we have. We have.
Morgan May Treuil [00:12:06]:
I remember starting to do, like, cooking content because I love cooking food. I. I'm like, maybe I should, like, make an Instagram account and film it and post it, whatever. And it immediately ruined my love for that. It's just the worst 100.
Leslie Johnston [00:12:23]:
I know I tried to, like, I don't know, I felt very confident. Like, you know what I love? Like, I love, you know, outfits and putting things together and all of that. I enjoy that. And so I was like, I'm gonna. I'm gonna do it on Tick Tock so I can start getting free clothes. Like, I'm just gonna make this, like, a thing. And immediately when I started filming stuff, I was like, I, like, it took every ounce of fun out of it. I hated the outfits I put on.
Leslie Johnston [00:12:49]:
I was like, this is not fun. So now I feel like if I'm going to post something, especially like on TikTok, to me, I'm like, I'm just going to take a photo, a couple of photos, post It. Yeah, they get like 25 likes and then we're done.
Morgan May Treuil [00:13:03]:
It's got to be super low maintenance. It's got to be. Or else how, like in the, in the heyday of Half Baked Harvest, which I think she's placed still in her heyday, but there was a time when she was posting full on recipes on her stories, like videos of her making food on her stories. Different recipe every single day. And that wasn't even real content, like R E E L. It wasn't even like, for her main page. It was literally just stories that I looked forward to watching every single day. And it was beautifully produced.
Morgan May Treuil [00:13:34]:
The lighting was awesome, all the sounds. It was like. But I'm thinking, like, how does it. Did she possibly have the time or the energy to. To do this? And I think she was doing it mostly by herself because it was not like professionally shot angles. It was like, you know, whatever.
Leslie Johnston [00:13:51]:
That's why I think you have to, like, love editing, love, like video. If you're gonna be like a true influencer, you have to, first of all, love talking to the camera and you have to love the editing side of it, because I think it's. It's so much more than we think. And so now, even trying to do it for like a hot second, I was like, oh, yeah, I don't think I can do this. Like, this is too.
Morgan May Treuil [00:14:13]:
This is too much.
Leslie Johnston [00:14:14]:
And it takes the fun out of it. It reminds me of when I was little and Christy was getting into, like, photography. And we would go out. We're like, in middle school, we had this field out next to our house, and we would walk out there and Christy's like, let's go take some photos. So I'm like, this is awesome. Like, we're just gonna go have fun, take photos, then she'll edit them and I'll have all these great photos. And so we would post them and the photos would look. She was always like, actually really good.
Leslie Johnston [00:14:38]:
Now we laugh because we looked so young, but I have like all these photos of me from, like, middle school through high school. But every single time we would go out there, we would be fighting by the end of it because we're like, this was supposed to be fun. And she's like, don't do that with your arm. Like, don't do this. We would be like, fighting back and forth. I'm like, I don't want to do this anymore. Like, we just ruined it. But then we had all these photos.
Leslie Johnston [00:14:59]:
We were like, see, look how perfect this is. I think of that with influencers, where I'm like, I'm sure there's just like, there's so much frustration behind the camera and just like, this ruins the moment. Like, this is no longer fun. This is just like now work. But hey, with the amount honestly that they get paid, it's probably worth the work. So.
Morgan May Treuil [00:15:19]:
Yes. Yeah. I have, I have three questions for us to kind of like, I don't know, like to kind of commemorate 100 years. And this is kind of putting. Putting us on the spot, but I think we can go back and forth so we'll have time to. To talk about all three of them. The first question would be, what's your favorite part about making the podcast? The second question is, what's the hardest part about making the podcast? And then the third question is, what do you feel like? What do you feel like you have either learned, like the biggest key takeaway from our full 100 episodes, or is there a certain way that you feel like you have changed as a person because of the podcast? So favorite part about making it, least favorite part about making it or hardest part? And then what's been your biggest, like, life or spiritual or whatever? Takeaway?
Leslie Johnston [00:16:10]:
Yeah.
Morgan May Treuil [00:16:11]:
I can start by saying that my favorite part about making this podcast is I feel like you and I get. We are friends in like all areas of life because we live together first and then we have. We're in the same, like friend circle. So we're constantly like socially together and then we also work together and we get to work on a lot of projects together. So I feel like you and I are constantly around each other and hanging out. But this is like a weekly built in time to our schedule, where the conversation goes from. Not that we're ever surface level, but you know what I mean? Like, when you're doing life with somebody, you don't always get into like the deeper stuff because you're kind of just like existing together.
Leslie Johnston [00:16:49]:
Yeah.
Morgan May Treuil [00:16:50]:
And this is like a weekly thing where we sit down and we tackle some of the bigger things of life. And I just feel like having that kind of a moment built into your friendships has been so healthy and fun. It's just like a new layer of friendship. I feel like that I've been encouraged to include in my other friendships just by the fact that we have this podcast too. So it's like the built in, intentional time to talk about stuff that's not just like your everyday stuff, like the bigger things.
Leslie Johnston [00:17:23]:
Yeah, I mean, it's been like one.
Morgan May Treuil [00:17:25]:
Of my favorite parts.
Leslie Johnston [00:17:26]:
I love that. That probably that's probably my favorite thing, too. But I'll. I'll pick a different one since you.
Morgan May Treuil [00:17:31]:
Since you took that one. I. I meant to go first to be like, I'm going to give you time to think about it, because I.
Leslie Johnston [00:17:38]:
Needed time to think about. But as you're saying, I'm like, yeah, that actually, I think is my favorite part is doing it with you. Like, if I was doing it by myself, it just would not be as fun. It would not.
Morgan May Treuil [00:17:47]:
Yeah.
Leslie Johnston [00:17:47]:
Like, it wouldn't be what it is. And so I think that has been so fun. And I feel like I learned a lot from you where I'm like, oh, my gosh. Like, that is like, Morgan's so smart. She's so like, you just know your Bible. Like, it inspires me to do that more. So that's been.
Morgan May Treuil [00:18:02]:
I feel the same way about you. I was looking at reels that you. That reels of you talking, and I'm like, gosh, Leslie's so wise, and I learned so much from how you talk, too.
Leslie Johnston [00:18:11]:
That's sweet. I think one of my favorite parts has been having a bunch of different guests on and, like, finding the golden people a little bit. Like, I think it's so fun because a lot of our guests, we already know, or we've actually a lot of them we didn't know. I would say it's half and half. Like, some people we know really well and we've brought them on, and some people, they're brand new to us, and we're like, we don't even know who you are. Let's, like, find out more about you. But it has taught me that there is so much good, good, and so much, like, I just keep thinking of, like, golden people that I feel like this podcast has helped kind of bring out and then how much finding out about somebody helps other people. And so I think I.
Leslie Johnston [00:18:57]:
I'll always remember even us in the car. I think it was Yumi and maybe Jake or something. No, maybe it was somebody else. And they were like, I feel like I'm on your guys podcast right now because we were just, like, asking them questions and talking and laughing. And I, first of all, love that we are the same on the podcast as we are not on the podcast. At least I think we are. And I love, though, that it has taught me, like, even in real life to, like, when I'm talking with people to be like, oh, there's something. There's so much more beneath the surface.
Leslie Johnston [00:19:27]:
And I'm really excited to find out what that is. And to, like, help bring that out of people and help go, oh, I'm asking them, because a lot of the people that come on our podcast, they're not like, you know, talk show host. Like, they're not like, oh, I've been on this. I know exactly what I'm gonna do and say. A lot of people go, like, you really want me on your podcast? And then they come and they sometimes don't even know all the things that they've kind of gone through and learned. And when we get to bring it out of them, it's like, the coolest thing to watch them go, oh, my gosh. Like, I don't think there's ever been someone who left our podcast and felt like, oh, that wasn't an awesome experience. And not.
Leslie Johnston [00:20:06]:
Not because of us, but just because they got to kind of, like, discover what God was doing in their life the whole time.
Morgan May Treuil [00:20:13]:
Yeah.
Leslie Johnston [00:20:14]:
And unveil some things that maybe they hadn't even thought about. And I just think. I love that. Like, I love when people are like, that was so fun to be on your podcast and talk about those things.
Morgan May Treuil [00:20:23]:
Because that's a great way of putting it.
Leslie Johnston [00:20:25]:
So that's.
Morgan May Treuil [00:20:26]:
Wait, finish. Finish what you're saying.
Leslie Johnston [00:20:27]:
Oh, no, I was just going to say, because I think a lot of times people, they're not asked about themselves in real life, and they're not. People don't take the time to really dig deeper into that. And I feel like it's just been so fun, whether it's like, Gabe, who was just on a few weeks ago, or getting, like, Christie on talking about her miscarriage this last episode, like, getting people who just are like, wait, what am. Like, what kind of, like, what are we going to even talk about? And it's like, no, there's so much that we can kind of bring out of them. So it's just fun to watch them leave and go, wow, that was so much fun. I would totally do that again.
Morgan May Treuil [00:21:08]:
You know, it's such a good point because we have had a few authors or speakers that have reached out and they've come on to kind of, like, talk through some of their stories. And those are the people that you listen to. And you're like, man, you know exactly what God was doing during the hard time of your life. And you've come on to encourage people who are walking through that same thing. But then we've had a lot of guests come on, too, that I don't know that they recognize what the hard season or the challenging season was for in their life. And you talk about Gabe, and I'm even thinking, like, my sister Kristen and a few other guests who come on, and you're like, oh, you're like, you're discovering in this moment where what your story and your hardship could mean and your redemption could mean for other people. And it's like they leave almost like having that full circle moment of this is what God did in my life, and then me getting the chance to communicate about that to this audience of people and help other people. Man, this is God's redemption and God's sovereignty that he would allow for this to happen.
Morgan May Treuil [00:22:13]:
And it's cool to watch people leave the podcast and they feel that, like, sense of. Not that they're a superhero, but just like that wind beneath people's wings of man. Me and God are doing something with this part of my story that I didn't think, yes, it would ever be used for something good. That's a great point.
Leslie Johnston [00:22:33]:
I know. It makes me wish that we could literally have all of our friends, every person we know on our podcast, because it really does help bring out, like, hey, what is God doing in your life? And not a lot of people get asked that, which is really sad.
Morgan May Treuil [00:22:47]:
But there's lots of stuff to uncover, too, in places that you wouldn't expect. And that's been, I think, another favorite part of the podcast is some of my favorite episodes have been with people that were just unsuspecting.
Leslie Johnston [00:23:01]:
Right.
Morgan May Treuil [00:23:01]:
Like, some of the greatest pearls of wisdom came from places that. Not that I didn't know they were wise, but just, like, didn't know that that kind of just didn't expect certain things to come out of certain people. And it kind of just reminds me, I think sometimes in Christian culture, and especially in, like, Christian church culture, we're used to gathering value from, like, a select few voices because they're the voices that are already established. But there's so much to be learned from the people that are, like, living faithful, quiet lives with God almost more sometimes to be learned from those people because they're not doing it so that they can have something to show for it. Right. Like, even you and me, sometimes I'll be, like, living life and, you know, having a conversation or an argument or a work challenge or something. And in the back of my mind, I'm like, oh, I need to remember this, because this would be really good to have on the podcast, too, right?
Leslie Johnston [00:23:56]:
Yes.
Morgan May Treuil [00:23:57]:
And not that that's a bad thing. That's sometimes just the role of, you know, what we do, but we have people on that. They're not learning things for the sake of, like, teaching them to other people. They're just learning things for the sake of growing with God. Yeah, those are the, those are the best people to learn from because there's nothing in it for them besides just becoming more and more like Jesus. And those are the people that we want to be like.
Leslie Johnston [00:24:20]:
That's so good. That's so good. Okay, wait, what was your, what was your next question?
Morgan May Treuil [00:24:24]:
The hardest part?
Leslie Johnston [00:24:25]:
The hardest part, other than like, probably looking tired sometimes when these lights are so bright. This morning I'm like.
Morgan May Treuil [00:24:36]:
I was thinking about like, what I feel like, because I, I feel like the classic answers would be, you know, like, well, it's, it's hard with the schedule, which is true. You know, like we both have full time jobs and that's. It's hard to prioritize it sometimes, even though we're at 100 episodes. So we figured it out somehow.
Leslie Johnston [00:24:52]:
Yeah.
Morgan May Treuil [00:24:53]:
And then I was like, maybe it's like the, like the, the criticism piece of it. But then I feel like, why do I feel like that hasn't really. Either we're not watching it that much or we're not at the point where it's actually that bad yet. I don't know.
Leslie Johnston [00:25:09]:
Yeah, I feel like it's like we're almost not popular enough to, to have that much criticism.
Morgan May Treuil [00:25:13]:
But there's been, there's been like some things.
Leslie Johnston [00:25:15]:
There has been some.
Morgan May Treuil [00:25:16]:
Oh, there's a lot of people that are commenting on this.
Leslie Johnston [00:25:19]:
Uh huh. Yeah.
Morgan May Treuil [00:25:22]:
Maybe it's like, I don't know, because one of my favorite things that I've, that I've loved about our podcast and what I think sets it apart from other podcasts is that we walk with a lot of authenticity. And like you said, we're the same people on camera as we are off camera and we tend to bleed in front of people. But also like, we want this to feel really unpolished. Like, this isn't your typical, you know, women's ministry podcast. This is like real stuff. I think sometimes it's hard to, I don't know, like maybe like with wisdom distinguish what is good for everybody to hear and like maybe what's not good.
Leslie Johnston [00:26:02]:
For everybody to hear. Yes.
Morgan May Treuil [00:26:05]:
I don't know, like just speak with Wiz in, in more planned and polished podcasts, you really consider everything you're saying and whether it's good for building up or whether it tears down. And I feel like because of the nature of our podcast being Very authentic and meant to be, like, pretty vulnerable. Maybe sometimes I struggle a little bit with figuring out, like, was that actually helpful or was that actually good to. I don't know.
Leslie Johnston [00:26:31]:
I mean, I think it's also part of the brand. It's part of the brand, so we gotta do it. I think you, you're so good at doing that. Of being honest and vulnerable. I don't think there's ever been a moment I'm like, oh, you shouldn't have shared that. You know, Like, I think it's always good and it's always, like, helpful for people. I think for me, the hardest part would be like, if, which. And maybe this is just like being a Christian.
Leslie Johnston [00:27:04]:
Everybody kind of struggles with this, but. Or anybody who's kind of in like a leadership type platform. But to me, it's. Am I willing to take my own advice that I'm giving everybody else? I think sometimes that's hard. When it feels like we're talking about so much good stuff. There's so much good wisdom. Like, and sometimes it's hard for me to like, sometimes be like, man, I'm telling other people to do this, and it's still so hard for me. And not feeling and kind of feeling I not even going to say guilty, because it's not like I'm like, oh, I'm living in sin and there's something that I'm not willing to do, but it's more just like, even just like wisdom stuff of like, dang, we just talked about this on the podcast and I'm still struggling with that.
Leslie Johnston [00:27:46]:
Or I'm still like, not. I don't have that down. So I think sometimes it's the, like, being hard on myself and going, okay, I'm talking on this podcast about this and I'm like, easily when someone's sitting here like a guest or something, it's like, oh, my gosh, yeah, this and this and that and this is what you should do and whatever. And then it's like, oh, my gosh. But I sometimes don't even have the. The thing to do that. Or feeling a little bit like a hypocrite sometimes if, like, we talk so much. Like, in the last hundred episodes, there's been times where I'm like, I am like, in my Bible, I'm praying, I feel so close to God.
Leslie Johnston [00:28:22]:
And then there's times where I'm like, I have not opened up my Bible in weeks. And it's like, I just feel like I'm so out of sync with my relationship with God. But feeling like. But you know what? Like, an episode has to come out Monday. But what I do love is that I feel like we haven't pretended to be somebody we're not. Like, I think this is just a podcast more for, like, the Es and flows of, like, kind of walk. Like your walk with Jesus. And that sometimes it's going to feel like, oh, yeah, you know what? I actually do feel like I'm in the best spot spot ever.
Leslie Johnston [00:28:55]:
And then there's times where you're like, man, I am just barely hanging on, or I'm really struggling, or I'm, you know, not doing what I should be doing. And. But then I. I'm actually like, you know what? I'm glad that we do keep it as honest as possible, you know?
Morgan May Treuil [00:29:12]:
But, yeah, I would say that's hard for me. I. I've been. I've listened several times where I hear you say something like, yeah, I've kind of fallen off my Bible reading. Or I, you know, whatever. It's like, it's. It's sharing a moment of.
Leslie Johnston [00:29:24]:
They lost me in Leviticus. Yeah.
Morgan May Treuil [00:29:26]:
Yeah, they lost. Lost me in Leviticus. And it's like, I think. I think those are the moments that people listen to it, and they're like, oh, my gosh, it's a. It's a breath of fresh air. Because you tend to watch the people you look up to, and the people you look up to tend to lead from a place of like, okay, here's how you do this. And whether they say it explicitly or not, you tend to think, oh, they have it all together, right?
Leslie Johnston [00:29:49]:
And.
Morgan May Treuil [00:29:50]:
And I'll never be like them, or I'll never have the things that they have because I'm not as disciplined or focused or whatever. And I. I feel like you especially do such a good job of sharing wisdom as you learn it, but also not pretending to have it all together. And I think people find so much freedom in that. Right. Of like, okay, well, she got lost in Leviticus. I got lost in Leviticus. But I look up to her.
Morgan May Treuil [00:30:13]:
So I. I'm. I'm capable of good things, too. Like, I. But I also resonate with that sometimes I'll listen to a podcast and I'll hear myself say something, and I'm like, shoot, I'm an. I'm an absolute fraud. Because I told them that to do this. And I was like, I literally apply that in no area of my life.
Morgan May Treuil [00:30:33]:
And I say that not to mean that I don't want to, but just sometimes it's just A constant evidence of life, like you said. Yeah, that's funny. I resonate with you that one, too.
Leslie Johnston [00:30:43]:
So funny.
Morgan May Treuil [00:30:44]:
We're not perfect.
Leslie Johnston [00:30:45]:
We're not perfect. Which I honestly think has helped us with the criticism. Like, I actually can't. I can think of a couple times that people that we know and love have criticized our podcast or criticize us, and those were painful, but I don't think we have a ton of it. I think because we're so honest and because we. People know, we're like, this is kind of us like this. I. I mean, I'm like, I'm not trying to.
Leslie Johnston [00:31:10]:
Mostly people get mad when they feel like someone is not being true to themselves. You see that on social media. People are like, this person's fake. Or this person is like, this isn't true. But to me, I'm like, if you're really honest, what can people argue with?
Morgan May Treuil [00:31:22]:
I'm like, it's a good point. It's hard to criticize somebody who does a great job of criticizing themselves.
Leslie Johnston [00:31:28]:
Like, they just feel bad for us.
Morgan May Treuil [00:31:31]:
They're already doing it.
Leslie Johnston [00:31:32]:
That's so funny.
Morgan May Treuil [00:31:33]:
This kind of goes along with the idea, but I was just thinking about the thing that I've learned the most or maybe has shaped me the most from doing the podcast. And there have been moments kind of throughout. Throughout our hundred episodes, whether it was just you and me talking or a guest came on and blew our minds about something. But I think that the overall consensus of what I've learned and what I've grown in is I think Morgan, at the beginning of Am I doing this Right? Spent a lot of time looking side to side at other people to validate whether her experience was. Was good or fruitful or successful. And I think Morgan now spends way less time looking at other people and way more time looking forward to what God has for her. And I think part of that comes from the guests and the conversations that we've had that have helped our minds focus on the fact that God has something specific for you that is just for you. There's only one you, so stop trying to be other people.
Morgan May Treuil [00:32:37]:
That's been part of it. But I also think that doing the podcast has helped us discover this cool lane of the world and the church that we get to operate in. And seeing God work in it helps you realize, like, oh, okay, if you really do lean into what God has in front of you and lean into the skill sets that God's given you, you and me are not polished, expert theologian communicators that's not our thing.
Leslie Johnston [00:33:04]:
No. I quoted a Bible verse like two weeks ago and it was a CS Lewis quote and they told us that was humbling.
Morgan May Treuil [00:33:13]:
So it's like we could spend all of our time trying to be those people and being mad over the fact that we're not those people.
Leslie Johnston [00:33:21]:
Yeah.
Morgan May Treuil [00:33:22]:
Or you could lean into the lane that God has in front of you. And what I found by doing this podcast and doing it in the way that we have is we've been very true to ourselves, very true to who God has called us to be, and it's way more fulfilling that way. So I feel like I've learned how to temporarily. I don't know if you ever fully defeat it, but temporarily subdue the comparison part of my brain that's just constantly looking side to side. That's probably my biggest takeaway, I think.
Leslie Johnston [00:33:51]:
I love that. I think the biggest takeaway for me has been like discovering or maybe like trusting the side of me that I feel like God wanted me to use but like, I didn't know was there. I think growing up being like a very, like, I grew up in the church, so like, I think as like kids who grow up in the church, I just. Especially when your parents are pastors or you're very involved, I feel like there's a lot of like serving and doing and a lot of things that are like, hey, we should. Especially because like, my mom was such a good example of being very servant hearted and never being too good for anything. So like she, she's out in the, like she's whatever, your pastor's wife. But like, she's like out in the parking lot serving at our kids camp, making sure people are parking okay. Like if there's a need, she fills it like that just nothing is beneath her to do.
Leslie Johnston [00:34:53]:
And so I think growing up, I always admired and loved that about her. So I wanted to be that way. And I think getting into ministry after college and really diving into like events and things, like putting on great things for people and like just working. Like to me, I felt like coming into ministry at a place where I worked with my family. I remember at the very beginning having a couple comments made to me about like, oh, well, you got this job because of your dad. And I'm like 100%. I got this job because of my dad, but I'm going to keep this job and like excel through this job because of me. Like, I'm gonna.
Leslie Johnston [00:35:32]:
I may have gotten this job, but I want to prove that like I am here based off my own merit, not because of just being related to somebody. And so I think I got. Which was a good mindset for me to have, I think. But I just, like, have worked and worked and kind of been like, you know what? I bring value because I work really hard. And that was like, kind of what I felt like was maybe, like, my contribution to ministry. And I think I got caught up a little bit in, like, oh, am I only good for this in ministry? Because I can work really hard and I can. And I'm, like, kind of can make things happen. And I think this podcast has just been kind of God's way of being, like, not that I'm perfect at it or anything, but it just feels like, oh, it's like, opened up this whole other side where I'm like, no, I think, like, leaning into, like, asking God for wisdom and being able to communicate that in a way has been, like, the biggest, like, blessing and fulfillment in my heart that I didn't know existed.
Leslie Johnston [00:36:39]:
And I think it felt like now, obviously, like, none of us are perfect at it. I'm not saying I'm, like, the best podcast host ever, but to me, it fills this thing in me that I'm like, oh, my gosh. There was, like, a whole other part of my heart that was like, no, you love, like, sharing with people and helping them and walking people through things, or even as something as, like, funny, as, like, just, like, giving advice or things like that. It just feels like there's this part of me that I feel like I had kind of dulled down a little bit because I felt like I need to just work really hard. And I don't want anyone to think that I'm trying to just do what my dad does, or which I don't want to do what he does. But I'm like, yeah, I wanted to be different from that, but in that, I think I lost a little bit of that part of myself that was like, oh, no, I can do this. And I actually love doing it. And this fulfills a part of me that I didn't know that I really wanted to do.
Leslie Johnston [00:37:31]:
And so I think that has been probably the biggest spiritual takeaway from this, is that it's like, oh, no, you're not just good because you can work and get things done and be scrappy and all those things. It's like, no, you actually have, like, things. Other gifts that God has given you that he wants to use if you let him.
Morgan May Treuil [00:37:50]:
So I remember our. Our speaking. Our first speaking engagement that we had through the podcast that was at a conference, like, in, like, Southern. Close to Southern California. And I remember listening to you teach and being like, oh, my gosh. Like, I feel like Leslie has this whole gift that's not used as much as it should be. And I think you're exactly right. It's like you have this whole side of you that's a communicator and great at sharing your experience and podcasting and leadership and all this stuff.
Morgan May Treuil [00:38:27]:
And it's like, I think there were certain parts of your job that lended more to that than others, but there are also other part of your jobs that are more like project management and creation of events and creative and those kinds of things, but not always involving your voice. Like, you always do the best job of elevating other people's voices is a part of your job, but your voice maybe wasn't always the one that was getting elevated. And I feel like that's been true for both of us. Like, yeah, and this, this, this. I, you know, I think both of us are pretty humble people, so it probably feels weird even to be like, yeah, I learned that I actually have a great voice that helps other people, and I need to be using it. But I think that was. That's. That's so true.
Morgan May Treuil [00:39:06]:
And I. I'm so glad that through this podcast, you. You're using more of your voice to share with people, because it's really important. And you have said some things that have been. A lot of things, actually, that have been so good for other people to hear, and I feel like that should encourage people that are listening to this, too.
Leslie Johnston [00:39:26]:
Of.
Morgan May Treuil [00:39:27]:
If you feel like there's a part of your. And maybe you only learn it by doing it. If you feel like there's a part of your skill set or your personality or even your hopes and desires, that's just like, not being. Not being utilized to the extent that other things are. Go figure out an avenue to help either learn if that's actually truly something you should be doing, or. Or go figure out an avenue where you can do it, because the world needs what you have.
Leslie Johnston [00:39:55]:
Totally.
Morgan May Treuil [00:39:56]:
I think sometimes your day job doesn't always lend itself to using all the parts of yourself that God would love to use for the kingdom.
Leslie Johnston [00:40:04]:
Oh, yeah, it definitely won't. And to listen to, like, the things that, when you were younger, like, even as something as silly as, like, what did you really want to do when you were younger? Or what was something that at some point, maybe you're in high school, and you're like, wait, this would be so cool to be able to do that. Like, I remember my dream. I remember people being like, oh, what's your dream job? Like, in high school or something? And I was like, I want to be a talk show host. Like, that would be so fun. And I'm not, like, the best at, like, being a talk show. Like, it wasn't even like, oh, I just have this gift to do it. It was just like, I think that would be so fun.
Leslie Johnston [00:40:37]:
Like, I would love to be good at that. Like, I would love to do that. And so it's funny now looking at us starting a podcast, and I'm like, wait, I said that way back then. And again, not that I'm the best at it, but I love it. So I'm like, you know what? Do the thing that's maybe like, oh, you know what? I've always wanted to do this, or I've always loved this. And it's like, try it out and see. Because it's like. And who cares if other people are doing it, too? I think I see a lot of that where it's like, people don't.
Leslie Johnston [00:41:04]:
And that's what held me back a little bit for a while, was like, I don't want to do this because, like, my dad does this, my brother does this. Like, I don't want to be just, like, another person doing something. But it's like, wait, there's nowhere in the Bible that's, like, only one person can have this gift and use it. Like, God wants to use everybody in all the giftings that he's given you, and it's up to you if you actually let him. So to me, it's like, I also have gifts in, you know, project management, leadership, like, those types of things. And it doesn't mean that, like, if I do this, I can't do that. It's like, you can do multiple gifts at the same time. And it's like letting God use you in all your gifts and trying things out and being like, oh, yeah, that didn't work, or, oh, that really did work.
Leslie Johnston [00:41:47]:
So, yeah, I hope that is. I hope that inspires people because it is so fun to live into something that you're like, I deeply enjoy this because I know that God put that inside me.
Morgan May Treuil [00:41:59]:
Yeah.
Leslie Johnston [00:42:00]:
Even if it's not perfect, if the.
Morgan May Treuil [00:42:02]:
Excuse of somebody else is already doing this and they're already doing this. Well, was valid then, like, it's not. If that was actually valid, then the gospel would have already reached the ends of the earth and everybody would already be saved. Right? Like, there's a reason why that excuse does not actually stand up. Because, you know, Billy Graham, Timothy Keller. There are people that did it really, really well, and yet their voices did not reach everybody or didn't reach as far as other voices, or your voice is meant to carry it to a specific place and to a specific type of person. So you. You have to listen to that and lean into that.
Morgan May Treuil [00:42:45]:
Do you have a favorite? Oh, sorry. Go ahead.
Leslie Johnston [00:42:48]:
Oh, no, I was just gonna say I've been thinking about this a little bit because I keep seeing on, like, Tick Tock or Instagram people who are influencers being like. Because I think in the new year, a lot of people want to, like, start up online stuff, like, whether it's a podcast or an Instagram, like, influencer stuff. And some I keep seeing people being like, don't copy other people. Like, it's gonna show and all that. And at first I was like, yeah, it's kind of lame because you probably found inspiration from somebody, and even though you're an influencer, like, you definitely probably were taking some of what other people were doing, which I think is really helpful. But I also think something will never. The thing I agree with them about is that something will never feel fully right to you if you're just trying to be somebody else. So it's like, I think you can find inspiration from other people.
Leslie Johnston [00:43:36]:
Like, I'm even thinking of you and me, Morgan, with this podcast. Like, obviously, it's not like we came up with a podcast and no one's ever done it before. Like, we saw other people doing this and felt like, oh, we could do something like that. But what I do love is that I feel like we have not ever tried to be like, ooh, let's try to emulate this other girl's podcast, or, let's try to emulate that person and how they talk or how they speak about this. It feels like it's been cool to watch. It feels like God's kind of opened up this little space. Space that, like, this podcast is very much just like us figuring it out and having the humor, having the depth, having guests, not having guests. Like, it's just kind of, like, genuinely has just opened itself up into, like, this new little category that I feel like I don't like.
Leslie Johnston [00:44:25]:
See, not that again, the only podcast. But I'm like, I love that. I don't feel like we're copying anybody, but we obviously gained a lot of inspiration from people. So when you're, like, looking into your gifts and you're Going, oh, I really want to do something. Like, don't be afraid to just, like, start it and then see where it takes you.
Morgan May Treuil [00:44:45]:
Yeah.
Leslie Johnston [00:44:46]:
But if you're just like. Like, if I were trying to, like, copy, like, Sadie Robertson, or if I was trying to copy, like, I don't know, some other podcast person, then it would never feel true to me. And you would have that feeling. You're like, oh, I feel like I'm being somebody else.
Morgan May Treuil [00:45:01]:
Yeah.
Leslie Johnston [00:45:02]:
So I don't know.
Morgan May Treuil [00:45:03]:
Just a side note, I feel like it's like, it can't be a copy and paste thing, but it can be, like a copy and fully edit. You know, like, copy the fact that somebody. If somebody else is doing something in a platform that you feel like you could also make ground in that space, copy the fact that they're doing it at all and then change it to make it yours.
Leslie Johnston [00:45:23]:
Yeah.
Morgan May Treuil [00:45:24]:
Do you have a very favorite guest that we've had?
Leslie Johnston [00:45:27]:
Gosh, that's so hard. Obviously, I think just, like, for personal reasons, Christie's podcast that she recently did is probably my favorite podcast we've ever done. The most helpful, the most, like, wise, smart.
Morgan May Treuil [00:45:41]:
Yeah.
Leslie Johnston [00:45:42]:
But I loved, like, I mean, a couple random ones that come off the top of my head. Like Melinda Watts's episode. I just remember being so good. I loved having Kristen on that episode was so good. I also loved Jason Cain's episode about hearing the voice of God. That was, like, mind blowing to me. Gosh, there's so many. I could probably scroll through our Instagram or our Spotify and see.
Leslie Johnston [00:46:13]:
But those are a couple that. Just off the top of my head, Annie F. Downs. Incredible. Also, if you are a single girl, you need to go listen to that episode. Like, at this moment, shut off this one and go listen to that one. Yes.
Morgan May Treuil [00:46:26]:
I was. I was just. I was scrolling through just to see. I think. Yeah. For personal reasons. And also I think just because they've been so helpful. I think Christie's with miscarriage and then Kristen's about singleness have been some of our most vulnerable.
Morgan May Treuil [00:46:42]:
And then most, like, what I hear people tell me is that those have been the most helpful to them. Yeah. Because they're, like, just so vulnerable. But then as far as, like, other guests go, I thought that Annie F. Downs was like, get Annie F. Downs. And then Charles and Abby Metcalf were game changer episodes where I'm like, I feel like my whole world's been kind of turned upside down. And then I'm trying to think of other.
Morgan May Treuil [00:47:11]:
I mean, obviously the Jake Ones have also been super fun. And then there were two flooded after.
Leslie Johnston [00:47:16]:
That, too, for Jake. Yeah.
Morgan May Treuil [00:47:19]:
I feel like there were two professional ones or. Sorry, three of them that I remember walking away from and feeling like, man, this is. This is gonna change how I see, like, professionally and how I do stuff. One was CJ's episode.
Leslie Johnston [00:47:32]:
Yeah.
Morgan May Treuil [00:47:34]:
Wes Davis had a. His first episode with us was great. It was all about, like, productivity, getting stuff done, you know, being the person that your boss wants to lean on. And then Stephanie Kane's counseling episode was also so good too. There have been so many, but those, to name a few.
Leslie Johnston [00:47:54]:
I also, I was almost like, man, for 100th episode, we should have, like, edited all, like the best clips of every episode in the past. Honestly, we should do that. Maybe we'll do that for like our two year anniversary of our podcast or something. But that would be fun to like two weeks. It's in two weeks.
Morgan May Treuil [00:48:11]:
I think it is. We need to check. We check.
Leslie Johnston [00:48:15]:
We should do that. We should take our very best clips and we should bring up what they said and talk about it. I think that would be such a fun episode.
Morgan May Treuil [00:48:24]:
Let's do it.
Leslie Johnston [00:48:24]:
Okay.
Morgan May Treuil [00:48:25]:
My last question before I have to hop off.
Leslie Johnston [00:48:28]:
Yeah.
Morgan May Treuil [00:48:28]:
Is what's one thing that we have been talking about doing for the future that you're excited about?
Leslie Johnston [00:48:34]:
Oh, well, one fourth, by the way, one small thing is we are gonna do merch eventually.
Morgan May Treuil [00:48:42]:
Yeah.
Leslie Johnston [00:48:42]:
So that's gonna be very fun. And am I doing this right line? Man, I would love to do an in person live episode. Like, I would love to have a little studio audience, bring in, like all our favorite people, all the people who love and support our podcast and do like an appetizer night and we can do like a live podcast. I think that would be so fun and so doable. Maybe we do that for our two year anniversary.
Morgan May Treuil [00:49:11]:
That'd be fun. It's March 4th, by the way, so we actually do have time to do that.
Leslie Johnston [00:49:14]:
Great. Okay, maybe we do that.
Morgan May Treuil [00:49:16]:
That'd be really fun. Yeah. I think similar to you, I love the march idea. I think one thing we have talked about doing that I think would be really fun is a retreat of young female leaders where we bring them somewhere fun, do an Airbnb kind of a small retreat of people, and then bring in some guests that they can get some FaceTime with to help them develop people to ask questions to. We've done retreats for other parts of our job with like pastors and leaders, and every time we've done them, I. I'VE just thought, oh, we should be doing this for, like, a group of 20 young female leaders through. Am I doing this right?
Leslie Johnston [00:49:55]:
Yeah.
Morgan May Treuil [00:49:55]:
And I think that would be super helpful. So that's something that I'm excited about doing. Maybe we'll aim for that mid year or end of year, but I just think it'd be really cool.
Leslie Johnston [00:50:05]:
Let's do it. That would be so much fun. Well, we would not be our podcast without our listeners.
Morgan May Treuil [00:50:12]:
That's so true.
Leslie Johnston [00:50:14]:
Thank you, you guys, for listening to all of our crazy stuff and laughing with us, crying with us, probably. I just think this is the best. So thank you for listening so that we have a reason to keep doing it.
Morgan May Treuil [00:50:29]:
So fun. I love it.
Leslie Johnston [00:50:30]:
100 episodes. Love it.
Morgan May Treuil [00:50:33]:
Hundred episodes.
Leslie Johnston [00:50:34]:
Isn't there, like, supposed to be, like, anniversaries of, like, the 50th is a sir? It's like bronze or gold and then silver. We should buy ourselves something for a hundredth episode.
Morgan May Treuil [00:50:45]:
It's like a push present, but for 100 episodes.
Leslie Johnston [00:50:48]:
Honestly, someone should be buying a gift for myself.
Morgan May Treuil [00:50:53]:
Okay, thanks for listening, you guys. We'll see you guys next week.
Leslie Johnston [00:50:56]:
Bye.