Planted in Purpose Podcast

Boots, Babies & Big Moves: Aly Fish’s Journey Through Motherhood and Military Transitions

Today on the Planted in Purpose podcast, I’m joined by my dear friend Aly Fish—U.S. Army veteran, certified nutritionist, military spouse, homeschool mama to five (with one more on the way!), and a woman who carries strength with such grace.
 
We met in South Korea—she lived just two floors above me—and I’ve been inspired by her ever since. In just the past year, she’s made a major international move with five little ones and a sweet baby on the way, bought a home, and continued showing up for her family while her husband continues to serve overseas.
 
She knows transition. She knows motherhood. And she knows the quiet, steady hand of God through it all.
 
If you’ve been feeling stretched, unseen, or in the middle of a big move—this episode is for you. Aly’s story is filled with honesty, humility, and hope.
 
✨ In this episode, Aly touches on:
• Life after active duty
• Homeschooling through transition
• Faith in the chaos
• Building new rhythms
• How to keep showing up, even when it’s hard
 
And most of all—how to trust that God is still weaving purpose in the middle of it all.
Don't forget to subscribe + share.
 
Gentle Reminder: You are not alone. There’s grace for your pace. And there’s beauty and purpose, even here.

The Garden Bench: When God Says No

Sometimes, we carry things so quietly—hopes, hurts, questions we haven’t dared to speak aloud. But here, at the bench, you don’t have to have it all figured out. This space was made for real hearts and honest moments. 
Today’s reflection is a gentle pause—an invitation to breathe deep, lean in, and meet God right where you are. Rejection stings. Whether it’s a door that closed, an opportunity that slipped away, or a place you thought you belonged—no can feel personal. But what if the “no” is actually God’s redirection? 
In today’s Garden Bench reflection, I’m sharing about the moments where what we want doesn’t align with what God is doing—and how He meets us there with wisdom and a better way. If you’ve been wrestling with a closed door or feeling like you missed something good, this one is for you. 

The Garden Bench: Connections Without Conditions

FREE Guided Journal!
I’ve been holding this one close—and today, I finally get to share it with you.
I created something special for your quiet moments: The Garden Bench Guided Journal to Nourish Your Purpose is officially HERE—and it’s completely FREE.
This isn’t just a download—it’s a faith-filled space.Inside, you’ll find:*Thoughtful, scripture-rooted journal prompts*2 personal letters from me to you*Open space to reflect, write, and reconnect with what truly matters
It’s for the woman who’s ready to slow down.To get honest with herself.And to seek God—in the stillness.
Grab your free copy right now on the Planted in Purpose Official Website in the Toolbox! 
This reflection is close to my heart—it’s about showing up in a world where hustle is loud, but heart can be hard to find.
It’s about friendship without performance.Presence over productivity.And remembering that you are already enough—because God said so.
If you’ve been craving something real…If your soul is tired of shallow…Come sit with me for a few minutes.You don’t have to earn your place.You already belong here.
 

The Garden Bench

Something sacred has been quietly blooming… and today, I finally get to invite you in. Introducing The Garden Bench—a gentle space for honest heart-to-hearts. No script. No polish. Just real life and God’s quiet whispers in the middle of it all.
This isn’t a podcast. It’s a breath of fresh air for weary hearts. A soft landing for mamas juggling joy and exhaustion. A reminder that even here—folding laundry, wiping tears, holding it all together—God is still tending to you. So pull up a seat. I saved you a spot.

Episode 8 - Faith, Flights & Foodie Finds: Traveling with Purpose in Military Life – Featuring Reyshelle Yoon

What do you get when you mix a heart full of faith, a passport full of stamps, and a love for all things delicious? You get my dear friend Reyshelle—a fellow military spouse, foodie, and faithful traveler who truly lives out purpose wherever she lands.
 
In this lighthearted, honest and super practical conversation, Reyshelle talks about making temporary duty stations feel like home, her favorite food-inspired travel stories, planning with purpose—even when the Army throws curveballs, how to travel well—without losing your mind or budget, the gift of traveling with community, and real talk for military spouses who want to explore but feel overwhelmed by the pace and unpredictability of it all.
 
Plus—don’t miss our lightning round at the end. It’s equal parts hilarious and relatable.
Psalm 121:8 says, “The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.”
Whether you’re in transition, dreaming of your next adventure, or just trying to make this season feel meaningful, I pray this conversation reminds you: God goes with you. And your purpose? It doesn’t pause just because you’re packing.
 
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Follow Reyshelle on Instagram @__reyshelle for all her food, family, and travel goodness.

Episode 7 - From Witchcraft to Worship: Heather’s Story of Rescue, Redemption, and Revival

I had the incredible honor of sitting down with Heather Salinas—a bold woman of faith, military spouse, homeschool mom of three boys, and living proof that God still saves.
In this powerful and UNEXPECTED GUEST EPISODE, Heather opens up about her journey from childhood trauma to being drawn into witchcraft, and how the loss of her newborn son became the moment that brought her to her knees—and into the arms of the living God.
 
This conversation is raw, redemptive, and real. She talks about the hidden dangers of new age practices, the sacred 46 minutes that changed everything, rebuilding her broken marriage, raising a Christ-centered family after spiritual warfare, and the overwhelming mercy of God in every step of her story
 
If you’ve ever believed your past disqualified you from being used by God—this one is for you. His redemption is real, and it’s available right now.
 
Have you or someone you love ever wrestled with spiritual confusion or encountered things that seemed ‘harmless’ but left you unsettled? What helped you find clarity and truth?
 
Don’t forget to subscribe + share.
Follow Heather on IG at:
@heathersalinas_

Episode 6 - Beauty from Ashes: The Birth of Planted in Purpose

Sometimes the most unexpected seasons plant the deepest roots.
Today, I’m sharing something tender and real—just me and the Lord. Just us—talking through how this podcast came to be. From birthing newborn twins and caring for five little ones in January… to moving across the world to South Korea, four months later… to grieving the greatest loss I’ve ever known…This is the story behind the purpose.
 
No guests. No fluff. Just the honest, winding road that led me here.Through postpartum.Through unexpected doors flung open.Through grief.Through homeschooling.Through God whispering—Start now.
 
If you’ve ever felt lost in your season… if you’ve questioned what God could possibly grow from your pain… this one’s for you. I pray it reminds you that He’s still writing, still redeeming, and still using every broken piece for His glory.
Don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss a moment of Planted in Purpose—new episodes drop every week!

Episode 5 - From Foundation to Fire – A Husband’s Return to Faith: Conversations with my Husband (Part 2)

This episode is deeply personal.
I finally sat down with my husband to walk through his faith journey—from church pews as a child, to wandering, wrestling, and finally returning home to the heart of God.
 
We talk about the in-between seasons, the quiet prayers that covered him, the moment he chose baptism after the birth of our third child, and how spiritual leadership is shaping our home today.
 
It’s raw. Redemptive. And such a reminder that no one is ever too far for God to reach.
 
📖 “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him…” —Luke 15:20
The love that runs toward us, even when we’re still coming back.
 
I pray it blesses you like it blessed us.
Listen + share with someone who needs the reminder that God still pursues.

Episode 4 – From PCS to Purpose: How Mary Montoya Built a Movement

I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Mary Lane Montoya—a powerhouse military spouse, mama to one, digital marketing expert, seasoned entrepreneur, and the visionary behind The OCONUS Project.
 
Mary opens up about how a chaotic PCS, unexpected employment hurdles, and the daily juggle of motherhood became the very soil where God planted her purpose—and how The OCONUS Project grew from that sacred space. This episode is raw, honest, and full of faith. If you’re in a season of transition or quietly asking God, “What now?”—this one’s going to speak to you.
 
Follow Mary and her work on IG at: @theoconusproject. Link 🔗: https://www.instagram.com/theoconusproject?igsh=dXZ4NTk1YjdhM2Fy

Episode 3 - The Power of a Woman’s Words

This episode has been burning on my heart, and I’m so grateful to finally share it with you.
 
We’re diving into how a woman’s words can shape, heal, or harm—in our marriages, our friendships, our parenting, and even the way we speak to ourselves behind closed doors. We’re opening the Word, confronting some hard truths, and breaking down how we can stop repeating the same harmful cycles.
 
Stick around ‘til the end— I’ll be sharing three practical steps to start shifting your speech and I’ll close us out with prayer, so you don’t just walk away inspired, but equipped.
 
I’d love to hear from you: what’s something powerful a woman once spoke into your life—whether it built you up or broke you down?