What happens when everything you've been taught about God is challenged by your own life experiences? When April Nevels found herself divorced and rejected by her church community, she faced a choice: remain in familiar pain or take a leap of faith into the unknown. Her decision to pack 19 trash bags into her PT Cruiser and drive to Dallas with no concrete plan became the first step in a profound journey of healing and rediscovery.

Growing up as the youngest of five children in a pastor's home, April faced the unique pressures that come with being a PK (Pastor's Kid). Constantly reminded that "people are watching," she navigated the weight of expectations, including being told she couldn't sing despite coming from a musical family. This early messaging created wounds that would take years to heal, especially when her decision to divorce was met with complete rejection from her church community—the only support system she'd ever known.

In this raw and honest conversation, April shares how this rejection led to her darkest moment—a suicide attempt that unexpectedly became a pivotal encounter with God. "That's when I learned who He was on the bed of suicide, when He refused to leave," she reveals, describing how God began showing her His true nature through unexpected provision and grace that contradicted everything she'd been taught about how He would respond to her choices.

April's story takes us through her miraculous transition to Dallas, where within three months she found employment at The Potter's House under Bishop T.D. Jakes—beginning a 12-year journey of healing that transformed her understanding of ministry and herself. Now leading Virtual Enhancement Company, which helps churches build effective online ministries, April demonstrates how stepping into the unknown can lead to unimagined purpose.

Whether you're a PK, have experienced religious trauma, or are simply facing a moment of transition, April's testimony reminds us that sometimes our greatest healing comes when we're brave enough to leave what's familiar—even when we don't know what's next. As she powerfully sings at the episode's conclusion: "I'm standing here only because You made a way."

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Emmy award-winning writer, actress, and comedian Ashley Black joins Thee PK Pod for a soul-stirring conversation about growing up as a pastor's kid and forging her own path in Hollywood. With warmth and candor, Ashley reveals how her unique upbringing shaped her creative journey, from believing God would report her childhood misdeeds directly to her pastor father, to navigating the expectations of being in the "first family" of the church.

Ashley's story illuminates the powerful intersection of faith and creativity. While her parents hoped she might pursue something more conventional than entertainment, Ashley's unwavering passion for acting and comedy eventually led her to phenomenal success – including winning an Emmy Award in just her second year working in television. Her frank admission that "God wouldn't have to yell at you if you would listen the first time" resonates deeply as she describes the discomfort of trying to force herself into practical career paths before embracing her true calling.

The conversation takes a profound turn as Ashley discusses her father's passing and the ongoing influence of his legacy. Musicians and church members across the country continue to share how John Black impacted their lives, revealing dimensions of his influence Ashley hadn't fully appreciated. This reflection prompts her to consider what brings true peace and purpose, questioning "what would allow me to go that way?" as she evaluates her own creative path and what she wants to leave behind.

For creators struggling to find their voice, Ashley offers liberating advice: "Get fired as soon as you can. Show them exactly who you are." Rather than chasing trends or playing it safe, she encourages authentic self-expression, even when it risks rejection. This commitment to truth-telling extends to her insights on faith-based entertainment, where she identifies how avoiding necessary conflict and complexity undermines storytelling potential. Her refreshing perspective invites listeners to embrace the fullness of their stories – messiness and all.

Ashley's resume includes some of our favorite series whether your a fan of Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Bad Monkey or recognize her from A Black Lady's Sketch Show, this episode will leave you inspired. Listen now to discover how Ashley Black found her purpose beyond the pulpit and why being true to yourself might be the most powerful ministry of all.

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What happens when you faithfully steward what seems like a mundane season? For Roman Collins, washing cars at Enterprise Rent-A-Car became the unlikely foundation for his journey to American Idol, touring with CeCe Winans, and releasing his debut album.

In this soul-stirring conversation, Roman shares the raw truth about losing his mother at 18 and how that profound grief awakened his calling as a psalmist. "I feel like that's when I woke up," he reveals, describing how pain became the catalyst for authentic ministry. With disarming honesty, Roman discusses how therapy helped him finally process his grief years later during the pandemic: "I realized I never really met me. I was busy taking care of everyone else."

The episode unpacks the viral moment that changed everything—performing with gospel legend CeCe Winans on American Idol, amassing over 120 million views. Yet Roman emphasizes that this "overnight success" came while he was already working faithfully on his music: "Due to me already working, the Lord provided the unimaginable to promote what He had already given me." His father's wisdom echoes throughout: "The Lord won't give you the next step until you finish this step."

Perhaps most powerful is Roman's charge to fellow creatives: "Don't wait to see the storm to build the ark. Build anyway. They're not going to understand because they're not supposed to." His partnership with Compassion International further demonstrates how true worship extends beyond singing into tangible acts of compassion.

Ready to sponsor a child and make a difference? Text 83393 with "ROMAN" to join this life-changing mission. And don't forget to follow @theePKpod on Instagram and TikTok to continue the conversation!

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What happens when the path your parents envision for you doesn't align with the calling God has placed on your heart? In this deeply personal conversation, stylist and entrepreneur Teaira opens up about her journey from reluctant church leader to fashion industry professional, revealing the unique challenges preacher's kids face when discovering their true purpose.

Growing up in a small Seventh-day Pentecostal congregation, Teaira's world changed overnight when her parents announced they were starting their own church. Suddenly thrust into leadership as a teenager—leading worship, counting offerings, and eventually even preaching—she embodied the classic PK experience of being "voluntold" into ministry roles. When her father suffered a devastating stroke, the family's ministerial dreams were cut short, forcing Teaira to step up in ways she never anticipated.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Teaira shares her revelation about purpose: "Just because I'm good at something doesn't mean I need to invest in it to be my future." This distinction helped her move beyond trying to please her parents through a teaching career and instead pursue her passion for fashion styling. Starting with almost nothing, she built her reputation by styling friends and family before landing celebrity clients—a move that finally earned her parents' validation and support.

Now based in Los Angeles and launching The POV Firm (Purpose, Obedience, Victory), Teaira helps visionaries execute their God-given ideas using what they already possess—much like the biblical widow's oil that never ran dry. Her story beautifully illustrates that ministry takes many forms beyond the pulpit, and that finding your authentic purpose often requires the courage to forge your own path while maintaining your faith.

Want to work with Teaira? Follow @thePOVfirm and @theePKpod for a chance to be selected as one of four visionaries for her exclusive program. Hear how self-discovery and obedience to God can coexist as you pursue the purpose He's uniquely designed for you.

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What happens when the expectations of being a pastor's kid collide with your authentic self? Rubi Green, daughter of legendary pastor Al Green, joins us for a soul-stirring conversation about finding her own voice while honoring her spiritual heritage.

Rubi opens up about the unique pressures of growing up in the spotlight of church leadership. Unlike many assumptions, she wasn't born into her father's R&B "Love and Happiness" era, but rather into an established ministry where expectations were already set. With disarming honesty, she shares how the constant awareness of being watched shaped her decisions and how she eventually broke free to pursue her own calling without abandoning her faith foundations.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Rubi reveals her journey into music—a path that initially didn't interest her despite her family legacy. She describes the moment she realized traditional R&B didn't feel authentic to her spirit, leading her to create gospel music with a distinct West Coast vibe that breaks the mold of traditional church sounds. Her approach merges meaningful spiritual messages with tracks that make you want to dance—proving that faith-based music doesn't have to fit in a single box.

Perhaps most moving is Rubi's candid discussion about her path to motherhood. After a decade of marriage to her creative partner Dammo (of 1500 or Nothin'), she faced fertility challenges that doctors claimed were insurmountable. Ruby shares how stepping away from social media distractions and deepening her spiritual practice led to her miracle pregnancy, offering hope to anyone facing seemingly impossible circumstances.

Whether you're navigating faith transitions, pursuing creative callings, or simply trying to find authentic connection in a world of expectations, Rubi's wisdom will resonate. Her powerful closing advice—"Don't let church people get in your head" and "Keep praying, stay focused"—serves as a perfect reminder that your journey is uniquely yours, guided by something greater than others' opinions.

Download, subscribe, and join the conversation with us on social media by following @theepkpod. Your story matters, and this community is here to remind you that authenticity and faith can beautifully coexist.

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What happens when you step out of your parents' spiritual shadow to discover your own calling? Krista Campbell, daughter of gospel legends Warryn and Erica Campbell, invites us into her journey of faith, freedom, and divine purpose on this soul-stirring episode.

Growing up with what she calls "green room church" experience rather than traditional Sunday services, Krista's spiritual formation took a unique path that prepared her for her current ministry Shout Revival. When college freedom threatened to pull her away from her foundations, a moment of self-reflection changed everything: "How would I feel if my mom saw this video?" This pivotal question led not only to personal recommitment but unexpectedly drew her friends closer to faith rather than driving them away.

The heart of this conversation centers on Shout Revival, a movement Krista launched with a friend during a season of fasting. What began as a divine download has expanded to multiple cities, creating authentic worship experiences specifically designed for young adults & college students seeking God. "Things just fell into place," Krista shares, revealing how saying yes to God's call can unlock purpose beyond your imagination.

Beyond ministry, Krista opens up about dating challenges as a PK, her musical influences, and upcoming projects that blend the artistic legacies of both her parents. Her parting wisdom resonates with anyone feeling God's nudge toward purpose: "What you need is already inside of you and it'll surprisingly come out in the times when you need it most."

Ready to discover how God might be calling you? Listen now, follow Shout Revival's movement to discover what city they will pop up in next.

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Can God call you outside the four walls of the church?
In this powerful conversation, Grammy-nominated R&B artist Kenyon Dixon shares his journey from being raised in a COGIC church to embracing his calling as a secular artist. We talk about staying confident in your God-given purpose, fatherhood, and the unique struggles within the gospel music industry. We also dive into the inspiration behind his recent album with Terrace Martin "Come As You Are".

Whether you’re a creative, an artist, or simply someone wrestling with your purpose, this episode will inspire you to step boldly into your calling — no matter what others think.

🎙 About This Podcast:
Thee PK Pod explores the intersection of faith and culture — having real conversations about how to live out your faith in today’s world. We talk about church culture, purpose, relationships, and life through a lens of truth and authenticity.

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Welcome to the first official episode of Thee PK Pod, where I dive into the complex and deeply personal journey of being a PK (pastor's kid) turned Los Angeles creative & music executive. In this solo episode, you'll hear how I wrestled with expectations, spiritual calling, and self‑discovery as I transitioned from “born in the pew” to forging my own path since we all have platforms but they may not be the pulpit!
I unpack the tensions of growing up in ministry, feeling “voluntold,” and questioning if my purpose extends beyond the family biz "church". Now in my 30s, living outside my parents’ ministry, I’m navigating life, faith, and creative purpose in LA—yet still grounded in my PK identity.
This episode sets the tone for what’s to come: heartfelt stories from PKs and even a few church kids (CKs), all choosing purpose and authenticity. Whether you're seeking healing, inspiration, clarity, or just want the raw messy realness of PKs—this is for you.

🔔 Subscribe to follow the journey.✉ Want to be featured? PKs, or CKs, with a story? email us: pkpod@jasmineedwards.com.

Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @theepkpod

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