Have you ever felt you had to put on a mask to fit in or meet others' expectations? In this powerful episode of the "I Used to Think" season, Lisa Whittle sits down with KayDianna MacKenzie, whose journey as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and social media personality vividly illustrates the struggle between societal pressures and authentic self-expression.

What you'll learn in this episode:

(0:45) - Meet KayDianna and how her journey unfolded on social media
(2:50) - The transition from rookie to veteran on the DCC team
(5:00) - KayDianna’s unexpected path to recognizing God’s plan in her life
(7:12) - Growing faith through trials—how obstacles lead to deeper trust
(10:45) - Vulnerability in sharing insecurities and struggles with self-acceptance
(14:33) - Image vs. identity—how KayDianna encourages women to focus on what's inside
(18:01) - The role of mentorship—and how you don’t need to have all the answers
(22:05) - Challenges of maintaining a curated image and the true essence of beauty
(25:27) - Reflecting on the significant misconceptions that shaped KayDianna’s beliefs
(28:45) - KayDianna’s advice to young women

Mentioned in the episode:

Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/Plus

Prep Dish: https://prepdish.com/JOE

The Hard Good: https://www.lisawhittle.com/good

Resources:

Special thank you to this season’s sponsors of the Jesus Over Everything show:

Crossway: “The Story of Jesus: A Guided Journey Through the Gospel of John” shares the gospel message in an inviting, book-like format that's accessible for both nonbelievers and new Christians. Pick up a copy wherever books are sold or visit the link above to learn how you can get 30% off with a Crossway+ account.

Prep Dish: Prep Dish is the best way for busy people to get nourishing meals on the table, without the stress. Listeners of the JOE Show can enjoy a FREE two-week trial of Prep Dish meal plans by visiting the link above.

Connect with KayDianna:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaydiannamackenzie

Connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.lisawhittle.com

Substack: https://letsbeclear.substack.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lisawhittleofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisawhittle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisawhittleofficial