Dream Brave

The Ache Beneath Achievement: When My Body Quit | Season 4 (Tender & Wild) 01.07.2026 33p

At the peak of my life, my life ground to a halt. I found myself in the ICU after major spine surgery through my neck. Back then, I was working a medical job, running a nonprofit, writing my book, preaching on weekends, clocking 20 miles a week, going to the gym once to twice a day, cooking all our meals from scratch… I FELT LIKE A MACHINE. We'd made epic plans for me to quit work in a month, relocate to Tanzania in 3 months, and launch a brand new book in the States in 4 months. Then everything changed. The neurosurgeon told me I would not run, lift, or work like I used to for a very, very long time. And on the exact day I was supposed to return to normal living, my left knee meniscus was torn during physiotherapy. During those months of rehab, I struggled with chronic pain — pain that not only escalated, but spread to my other arm, chest, and left me sleepless night after night. As the pain drained me out, I slowly lost the will to live. But it didn't end there. The harder part was not finding hope to recover from pain. It was failing to understand why I was spiraling from fear, grief, people-pleasing, performing, pushing through — and calling it faith. In medical spaces, my pain was reduced to "just anxiety." In some spiritual spaces, my pain was called "lack of faith" or "all in my head." But it was only through moving to Tanzania, stepping away from some unhealthy dynamics, and eventually discovering trauma therapy, that I realized: My pain had a story. And so did my body. That is how Tender & Wild was birthed. This first episode is a glimpse of my story. And as the season unfolds, I'll be sharing some of the most tender parts of my life that I've never shared publicly before. How I slowly came to leave a spiritual community I had once called home for 18 years. How I disentangled faith from fear, honor from control, and submission from self-erasure. How complex trauma, emotional flashbacks, chronic pain and nervous system dysregulation are far more common than we think. How childhood wounds shape our reactions, relationships and lives more than we realize. This season is for the one who has ever felt: your reactions feel larger than they "should" be exhausted from carrying baggage from childhood with no one to turn to uncomfortable in spiritual spaces but unable to pinpoint why hopeless and struggling with chronic pain physical or emotional challenged trying to reconcile faith with therapy, science with prayer, healing with agency This is a season of conversations with experts, clinicians, survivors and thinkers from around the world — exploring trauma, chronic pain, spiritual harm, coercive relationships, emotional neglect, complex family dynamics, nervous system healing, faith, discernment and hope. Some guests are Christians. Some are not. And that's intentional. My hope is to create a space where science meets soul, where psychology and faith can walk hand in hand, and where we gently untangle spiritual truth from spiritual twisting. To anyone who has been scarred by family dynamics, disillusioned by those you trusted most or hurt by the church—I hope this space feels like an invitation. This isn't a substitute for therapy, of course. But it is a reminder that you are not alone. You can heal. You can trust God. And you CAN dream bravely again. Join me and some of the most insightful voices from around the world as we explore what it means to break free from cycles of harm and rebuild lives that are both tender and wild. Because true healing is not a return to who you were before the pain. It is the audacious becoming of who you were always meant to be. Welcome to Tender & Wild.

What if You're One Try Away?: The Risk of Trying Again (with Julius Mwimo) 18.06.2026 54p

Have you ever pursued a dream wholeheartedly…only to keep falling short? Maybe the opportunity came…but not the funds for it. The door opened…but not quite enough. Your dream felt so near, yet painfully out of reach. My friend Julius knows that feeling. Our story began by what felt like an accident. We met at a medical conference during a short visit to Tanzania years ago. At the time, Julius was a young doctor working at one of the best hospitals in the city, trying again and again to pursue his dream in global health. Oxford. UCL. LSHTM. Commonwealth. Duke University. Shortlisted. Rejected. Accepted—but only with partial scholarships that still left the dream financially impossible. And maybe you know that feeling too—the ache of wondering: How many times can I keep trying and hoping…and still fall short? 💡 But one thing Julius said in this conversation stayed with me: "One of the most powerful words is the word again." Apply again. Hope again. Trust again. Try again. Because sometimes the breakthrough comes after the moment you almost stop. And somehow—through a series of deeply improbable events—God made a way for Julius to pursue his Master's at Duke University on a FULL scholarship. Obedience can look foolish. Persistence can feel exhausting. But maybe your story isn't over yet. In this final episode of the Risk Season on Dream Brave, Julius and I talk about: how to keep going when doors keep closing the hidden cost of pursuing a dream what faith looks like when nothing makes sense why sometimes the bravest thing is simply to try again

The Accidental Entrepreneur (with Ee-Ling Fock) 01.06.2026 52p

One of the things I love most about this conversation is that it's not just an interview—it's a friendship. I still remember the first time I encountered Ee-Ling's work. I was preparing for a calligraphy exhibition and needed something elegant to wear. Someone recommended her brand, and I stepped into her store not expecting much…but walked out with something that felt like more than just an outfit. Over the years, Ee-Ling has become a dear friend. She's interviewed me, cheered me on, and even clothed me for some of my shows—once telling me she sees what she does as giving women armor before they step out to speak, to lead, to show up. And that's exactly who she is. Ee-Ling is the founder of The Missing Piece, a homegrown Singaporean fashion label known for its elegance, versatility, and deep sense of community. But more than that, she's a mother of three, a quiet woman of faith, and someone who has built her life not on ambition—but on obedience. In this episode, we talk about: — why she left her corporate career to become a stay-at-home mum — how her business grew organically without a blueprint — what it looks like to let God lead, even in the small decisions — and the quiet cost—and beauty—of choosing family over ambition If you've ever wondered what it looks like to build something meaningful without losing what matters most, this conversation is for you.

The Risk of Disappointing Your Family (with Bronwyn Lea) 07.05.2026 30p

One of the riskiest things we can ever do is disappoint family—isn't it? Not move countries. Not quit your job. Not start something new. But to confront the truth and draw a boundary that our loved ones might never agree with. In this episode, Wai Jia is joined by Ps. Bronwyn Lea—pastor, Bible teacher, and coach at Propel Women, a ministry founded by Christine Caine. Ps. Bronwyn is trained in law and theology, is a licensed pastor, and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary. In other words, Ps. Bronwyn understands both the theological weight and the relational cost of what she's talking about. She shares that one of the greatest risks she's taken was confronting family…and losing a relationship for over a year because of it. No applause. No clear reward. Just the cost of choosing integrity and obedience to God first. They talk about: why "honoring your parents" doesn't always mean obeying them the guilt of disappointing people you love how to be clear, kind, honest… and still be misunderstood and the freedom of realizing: we are not responsible for their response If you've ever felt torn between honoring your family and being truthful, this one is for you.

The Ambition of a Quiet Life (with Ang Hern Shung) 17.04.2026 36p

Some risks look dramatic. Some look admirable. But some risks look like choosing a quieter, less self-promoting life in a world that rewards visibility. In this episode, Dr. Wai Jia interviews a good friend, Hern Shung. He chose a path that looked "behind" by the world's standards, and shares honestly about the wrestle with comparison, ambition, recognition, and obedience over the years. Not all risk is loud. Sometimes the deeper risk is to live faithfully, quietly, and wholeheartedly before God—without needing to be seen. In this episode, we talk about: •⁠ ⁠what it means to choose obedience when others seem to be moving ahead •⁠ ⁠why faithfulness in small things matters more than platform •⁠ ⁠the danger of treating God like risk = reward •⁠ ⁠what it means to "aspire to live a quiet life"

$5 Became a 5-Million Cupcake Calling (with Mignon Francois) 02.04.2026 43p

What do you do when you only have $5…and six mouths to feed? In this powerful episode, Mignon Francois—founder of The Cupcake Collection and bestselling author of Made From Scratch—shares how she went from having no electricity and overwhelming debt to building a multi-million dollar cupcake business grounded in faith. 🧁 But this isn't just a story about success. It's about obedience and risk. From waking up at 3:17am to hear God's voice… To saying yes to an opportunity she had no resources for… To building a thriving business that refuses to open on the Sabbath… Mignon reveals what it really looks like to trust God when nothing makes sense. In this episode, we explore: How to take your "only $5" and start anyway Why God's instructions are simple—but require bold faith How to hear God's voice in the middle of uncertainty Why failure in one season may be preparation for the next If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure if you can turn things around—this conversation will remind you: God doesn't need what you don't have. He works with what you're willing to give.

Choosing Surrender Over Success (with Jasmine Chong) 18.03.2026 48p

What if the very thing that made you successful was the very thing God asked you to lay on the altar? That's exactly what happened to Jasmine Chong—founder of Lab Studios, one of Singapore's most influential boutique fitness brands. After years of building a thriving yoga empire, Jasmine sensed a whisper. A stirring. Not to grow bigger. Not to scale faster. But to surrender the yoga arm—her most profitable offering—to God. The practice that once brought peace began to feel spiritually unsettling. The whispers of the Holy Spirit grew louder and more costly, until she did the unthinkable—she let it go. In this episode, we talk about: How to discern God's voice when it feels risky The cost of obedience and why it sometimes means walking away from popularity What intimacy with God through surrender can look like

The Long Spoons Parable: What It Teaches About Marriage, Calling & Risk (with Jason Min) 02.03.2026 36p

What happens when God's call on your life doesn't just affect you, but the person you love most? In this episode, Jason Min, lead pastor of Citizens Church in Los Angeles, shares a deeply honest and moving conversation about what it means to pursue God's calling as a couple, not just as individuals. From leaving behind an Ivy League–shaped future to stepping into music, entrepreneurship, and ultimately church planting, Jason's life has been marked by bold risk. But he reveals that the greatest weight of those decisions was never financial or professional—it was relational. How do you follow God without dragging your spouse behind you? How do you know when a calling is truly shared? What happens when one person feels ready…and the other doesn't? Jason and his wife, Carol, discovered that the purpose of marriage isn't to shape one another into our own image, but to help each other become who God created us to be. He describes marriage not as hierarchy, but as two warriors standing side by side, listening for God together, and refusing to move forward unless both hearts are aligned. Through Scripture, prayer, and hard conversations, they learned that true unity isn't the absence of tension—it's the courage to bring fears into the light and seek God together. If you're navigating big decisions with a partner—whether about career, ministry, relocation, or family—this episode offers rare wisdom, honesty, and hope.

The Risk of Pursuing Love (with Cliff Tam) 11.02.2026 43p

Skydiving is easy. Pursuing a girl? Now that's terrifying. Before Cliff got me, he got rejected…a LOT. 😂 👉 Called a girl 20 times in 5 minutes. 👉 Lost another because her parents thought he'd "die too soon" after his transplant. 👉 Watched his best friend marry the girl he liked. 👉 And (OMG 🤯) I just found out, in this interview, that he once SPRINTED out of a symphony recital mid-show… ran down the street… bought roses… and surprised a girl at dinner to "define the relationship." (Why am I only hearing this after 13 years of marriage?! 🌹🤣) Cringe? Yes. Hopeless? No. Because each "no" shaped him into the man who would one day pursue me with courage and integrity. This convo is hilarious, awkward, and surprisingly profound. Not just for single guys — but for anyone who's ever risked rejection, wrestled with self-worth, or wondered if love is worth the wait. Because the truth is… 🌹 Awkward doesn't disqualify you. 🌹 Regret is heavier than rejection. 🌹 And the best pursuit is never manipulative — it's brave, surrendered, and real.

Color Outside the Lines (with Aiken Chia) 27.01.2026 51p

They told him he wasn't good enough. Not smart enough for Pure Literature. Not good-looking enough for TV. Not fluent enough in Mandarin. Not enough. But instead of shrinking, Aiken Chia—now a well-known content creator—chose risk. In the first guest interview of Season 3: RISK (Episode 29), Aiken shares how every rejection became soil for something deeper, and how God rewrote his story when he dared to begin again. This is what happens when you dare to color outside the lines. 00:00 - Intro 01:50 - Aiken's background and upbringing 06:11 - School life and how it affects self-image 11:05 - Growing up without a father figure 15:40 - How God changed Aiken's life 21:41 - How Aiken climbed out of the valley and became a YouTuber 32:40 - The risk of running a counter-cultural business model 36:44 - God's redemption and holding onto faith 40:12 - How to deal with critics 42:35 - Working with a God-honoring mindset 44:09 - What's the biggest you've taken? 47:20 - What would you tell people who want to take a risk?

The Illusion of Security 12.01.2026 40p

What if the safest place isn't comfort—but obedience? In this opening episode of a brand-new season called Risk, Dr Wai Jia explores what it truly means to live a life of faith-filled risk. Through real stories and hard-won lessons, this episode wrestles with the tension between fear and obedience—and why playing it safe can sometimes cost us more than stepping out. From small, trembling acts of trust to life-altering decisions, this conversation uncovers a powerful truth: faith doesn't eliminate risk—it gives it purpose. In this episode, you'll hear about: Why obedience often feels risky—but leads to deeper freedom How fear disguises itself as "wisdom" and keeps us stuck The difference between reckless choices and faith-led risk Why God's generosity always outweighs what we think we're giving up If you're standing at the edge of a decision, waiting for certainty, or wondering if obedience is worth the cost—this season is for you.

Living Fully with Chronic Illness: An Ironman's Defiant Hope (An Interview with Cliff Tam) 17.12.2025 35p

If you live with chronic illness, you know how strange it feels to look fine on the outside—while fighting invisible battles within. Maybe you learn to smile through pain. Plan your days around fatigue. Wonder if you can do what someone else could easily say yes to. Some days, you might ask yourself, "Does my chronic illness exclude me from pursuing my passion or limit my dreams?" 🎙️ In this Treasures of Darkness episode, Dr. Wai Jia sits down with her husband, Cliff Tam—a liver-cancer-and-transplant survivor, Ironman triathlete, missionary to some of Africa's hardest places, and father—to talk about what it means to live between fear and faith when chronic illness never really "goes away." They talk about: ✨ Cliff's liver transplant at age 10—and the "GREAT!" birthday cake he ate in ICU ✨ Why he calls the Ironman "totally possible—but very boring" 😅 ✨ The health crises that shook our marriage—before our proposal and again in Tanzania ✨ What it means to trust God when healing isn't guaranteed ✨ How faith can transform fear into peace Links: Order your copy of DREAM BRAVE at your favorite retailer here: www.kitedreams.org/dreambrave Connect with @tamwaijia on Instagram Connect with Wai Jia on Facebook

Standing Tall with Dwarfism (An Interview with Tim Muttoo) 08.10.2025 55p

What the world sees as limitation, God calls opportunity. Born with dwarfism, Tim Muttoo never let his height define him. Instead, he chose to believe he was created with purpose and intentionality. When he married Anita in Canada, their wedding story went viral—over 100 million views worldwide—because their love defied expectations and showed the world what it truly means to stand tall in faith, courage, and love. Inside this episode: Growing up with dwarfism and parents who saw only possibility Facing critics with the simple words: "Get to know me" Why everyone—visible or not—carries their own deficits Learning to love yourself so you can love deeply Links: Order your copy of DREAM BRAVE at your favorite retailer here: www.kitedreams.org/dreambrave Connect with @tamwaijia on Instagram Connect with Wai Jia on Facebook

Does Following God Make Me the Enemy's Target? (An Interview with Cameron Walcott) 11.09.2025 48p

Does following God put a target on your back for the enemy? When Pastor Cameron Walcott obeyed God and moved his family across the world to plant a church, tragedy struck. Just days before their launch, his 13-year-old son Caleb died in his sleep. After the previous episode with Ps. Cameron about losing Caleb, Dr. Wai Jia was haunted by deeper questions about spiritual warfare. So Ps. Cameron came back for another conversation. Here we wrestle with: How to discern if setbacks are spiritual warfare or God saying "no" Why the safest place is still in God's will, not in playing it small How prayer + fixing our eyes on Jesus carry us through the darkest attacks Why even the enemy's worst doesn't get the final word Links: Order your copy of DREAM BRAVE at your favorite retailer here: www.kitedreams.org/dreambrave Connect with @tamwaijia on Instagram Connect with Wai Jia on Facebook

Life After Losing My 13-Year Old Son (An Interview with Cameron Walcott) 30.07.2025 49p

What do you do when tragedy strikes while you're walking in obedience? When your faith is real, your prayers are sincere—and still, your world falls apart? In this deeply moving episode of Dream Brave, Dr. Wai Jia sat down with Pastor Cameron Walcott, who lost his firstborn son, Caleb—days before his 14th birthday. Caleb was a vibrant young boy, full of joy and purpose. He was also the page boy at Wai Jia's wedding. His life, and loss, left an indelible mark on all who knew him. But it was watching Cameron's unwavering hope in the midst of unimaginable grief that changed Wai Jia forever. Tune in as they talk about: The night everything changed Grieving as a parent The hope that endures even in the deepest sorrow Links: Order your copy of DREAM BRAVE at your favorite retailer here: www.kitedreams.org/dreambrave Connect with @tamwaijia on Instagram Connect with Wai Jia on Facebook

Unstacking the Grief of Transitions (An Interview with Lauren Wells) 15.07.2025 49p

What if the way we raise our kids today could spare them from the pain we're experiencing today from our childhoods? In this tender, powerful episode of Dream Brave, Dr. Wai Jia speaks with Lauren Wells, founder of TCK Training, an industry leader in intersectional preventive care training and education to help Third Culture Kids thrive. Lauren shares not just as a childhood trauma expert, but as someone who lived it as a missionary kid navigating transition, adventure and unresolved grief. We talk about: 💬 How hidden losses in childhood can silently stack 💬 Why repair matters more than perfection in parenting 💬 How healing your past can change your child's future Whether you're a cross-cultural family living away from your passport country or simply want to break cycles, this episode is full of gentle wisdom and practical hope! Links: Order your copy of DREAM BRAVE at your favorite retailer here: www.kitedreams.org/dreambrave Connect with @tamwaijia on Instagram Connect with Wai Jia on Facebook

What You Find in the Dark (An Interview with Aubrey Sampson) 02.07.2025 50p

So many of us associate darkness with death and pain. But what if I told you, that though darkness is gloom, it is also a womb? That if you walk through grief, you will find a garden? In this episode, Dr. Wai Jia interviews author and pastor Aubrey Sampson, who's not only lived through but has written a number of books on grief, lament and joy. Aubrey has lived through autoimmune disease, being a mother to a baby who had to go through spinal cord surgery, and the loss of her best friend, among other griefs. In her latest book, "What We Find in the Dark" she offers raw, real, and fought-for spiritual wisdom and practical insights for loss, grief, and doubt. Tune in as we unpack what lament is, and why it is absolutely crucial in our relationship with God. You can connect with Aubrey on her website, aubreysampson.com, and on social media @aubsamp. Links: Order your copy of DREAM BRAVE at your favorite retailer here: www.kitedreams.org/dreambrave Connect with @tamwaijia on Instagram Connect with Wai Jia on Facebook

How God Promotes Us Through Pain and Perplexity (An Interview with Bob Sorge) 19.06.2025 52p

What do you do when life never goes back to normal? When a routine surgery left Bob Sorge with a lifelong vocal injury, everything changed. Once a powerful speaker and worship leader, he suddenly couldn't do the work he loved or live life the way he had planned. In this vulnerable conversation, Bob shares his journey through decades of chronic pain, unanswered questions, and the transformation that God orchestrates through suffering. This story will move you, ground you, and remind you that even when life doesn't go back to normal, it can still move forward. Bob's voice may be faint and raspy, but don't let that fool you. There's thunder in his words. This one takes more intentional listening. But if you can lean in, you'll hear a rare kind of wisdom—the kind forged in fire, silence, and decades of wrestling with God.

What Cancer Couldn't Kill: The Long Way Home (An Interview with Marianne Tan) 04.06.2025 48p

What if the worst news of your life becomes the turning point for your greatest healing? Diagnosed with cancer at just 27, Marianne had no family support, no insurance, and a past full of pain. But what followed was a flood of miracles—reconciliation, redemption, and a peace she never imagined. In this raw and honest episode, Marianne opens up about growing up in dysfunction, her battle with cancer, how faith reframed her suffering, and the miraculous reunion with her estranged father—who, without her knowing, had just returned to Christ. We talk about trauma, cancer, breaking up, healing, forgiveness, and what it really means to be seen and loved. ⚠️ Warning: Because of how this story delves into suicide, discretion is advised. Marianne is now pursuing her Master's in counseling to help others heal. If you'd like to sow into her journey, email us at hello@kitedreams.org. This episode is part of Treasures of Darkness—a season exploring how God meets us in our pain and reveals beauty in the broken places. 🎧 Listen. Be moved. And remember: Your story isn't over. — Links: Order your copy of DREAM BRAVE at your favorite retailer here: www.kitedreams.org/dreambrave Connect with @tamwaijia on Instagram Connect with Wai Jia on Facebook

Can You Just Sit With Me? (An Interview with Natasha Smith) 19.05.2025 51p

In this powerful episode, Dr. Wai Jia sits down with Natasha Smith, grief educator and author of Can You Just Sit With Me? Healthy Grieving for the Losses of Life, to explore what it means to grieve well. Natasha has experienced multiple heartbreaking losses—miscarriage, stillbirth, divorce, giving up her first baby for adoption, the loss of her two older sisters and dad to cancer, the murder of her nephew, and the loss of a prestigious engineering career to homeschool her 4 kids. Through it all, she discovered that every loss deserves space and grace to grieve. Together, Dr. Wai Jia and Natasha discuss: Why invisible grief is real and valid How to create safe spaces in community Practical tools to process grief: talking it out, writing it out, and moving it out How grief can manifest physically, and how to release it The myth that Christians can't grieve and still be a witness of faith The comfort of God's presence in our grieving If you've ever struggled with shame around grief, or wondered how to support someone who's hurting, this heartfelt conversation will remind you: you are seen, you are not alone, and God is sitting with you.