Refined and Unfiltered

What 2025 Taught Us About Faith

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0600

In this unfiltered episode, I sit down with my sister Allison to reflect on 2025 and step into 2026 with honesty, humor, and faith. We talk openly about losing our grandma, how grief showed up in our lives, and how differently people respond to loss, even within the same family. I share how my faith was stretched during that season, while Allison reflects on the resilience she found while continuing to show up for her family.

We also talk about what we’re proud of from the year, the goals we’re carrying into the new year, and what we’re intentionally leaving behind, especially the need to control everything. From health habits and prayer journaling to travel, relationships, and dating with more intention, this conversation covers both the serious and the everyday.

Along the way, we lean into the lighter moments: our Type A vs Type B personalities, being “on time,” messy cars, travel styles, unread texts, and rapid-fire questions that show just how different (and similar) we really are.

The biggest lessons our grandma left us was showing up for people, making others feel important, and living generously. No matter what season you’re in, trusting God matters more than having a perfect plan.

Retiring Soon? Don’t Do It Without a Plan

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0600

Many people approach retirement without a structured financial plan, which can create uncertainty about the future. In this episode of Refined and Unfiltered, we discusses the value of organizing your finances and understanding your long-term goals before stepping into retirement.

I'll explains what typically happens during a financial planning discovery meeting, why money conversations can feel challenging, and how identifying personal goals; such as travel, relocation, or lifestyle preferences, can help guide planning conversations. I also touch on topics like Social Security considerations, healthcare costs, and running different retirement scenarios to help individuals better understand their options.

This episode offers an overview of what a goal-based financial planning process may look like and provides a helpful starting point for anyone wanting to feel more informed and prepared as they think about their financial future.

Your Identity Might Be Limiting Your Potential

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

In this episode of Refined and Unfiltered, Ashley Rogers breaks down how your identity can quietly limit your potential, especially when it’s rooted in achievement, performance, or success.

Drawing from her own journey, her athletic background, and insights from John Maxwell’s 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Ashley explains:

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why high achievers struggle with hidden identity traps
• How childhood praise shapes adult expectations
• The danger of tying your worth to work or success
• How misplaced identity creates a “leadership lid”
• Why entrepreneurs feel pressure, comparison, and burnout
• Why rooting identity in Christ changes everything
• What your calendar reveals about your real priorities

Ashley challenges you to ask:
Who are you becoming and what are you rooted in?

A simple, powerful reminder that your business, achievements, and reputation aren’t your identity… and freeing yourself from that pressure is where real impact begins.

Faith-Led Business: Grow Slow, Grow Strong

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

In this episode, I sit down with former teacher turned “accidental entrepreneur” Erin Port, the founder of Simple, Purposeful Living. Erin shares how blogging every day for nearly a decade helped her discover her voice, build a no-debt business, and create a brand that empowers busy women to simplify their lives—one small change at a time.

We discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, imposter syndrome, and what it means to lead with faith while balancing business, motherhood, and purpose. Erin opens up about saying no to misaligned opportunities, learning to be “scrappy” in the early years, and why consistency (not perfection) is the real key to growth.

If you’ve ever felt torn between building your dream and keeping your priorities straight, this conversation is an inspiring reminder that small, intentional tweaks can lead to big transformation.

Connect with Erin:
Find her on TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram at Simple Purposeful Living, or visit https://simplepurposefulliving.com/

3 Lessons Every Entrepreneur Must Learn Early

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

In this episode of Refined and Unfiltered, host Ashley Rogers shares the three biggest lessons she’s learned as a business owner—lessons that continue to refine her both personally and professionally.

From discovering that hard work is only the minimum standard, to realizing that effective communication builds trust and lasting relationships, to understanding that time is the great equalizer, Ashley opens up about the real challenges and breakthroughs of entrepreneurship.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or simply looking to grow in your career, these insights will help you stand out, communicate with impact, and make the most of your 24 hours.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

Why hard work alone won’t get you ahead
How humility and teachability create long-term success
The role of communication in building trust
Why time management separates the busy from the effective

📌 Don’t miss this candid look behind the curtain of entrepreneurship—packed with stories, lessons, and practical takeaways you can apply today.

Refined and Unfiltered With Ashley Rogers: Introduction

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

In the very first episode of Refined and Unfiltered, host Ashley Rogers shares the unfiltered truth about starting before you’re ready, chasing big goals, and building a business rooted in faith and real relationships.

Ashley opens up about her journey from signing up for an Ironman with zero experience to stepping out as an independent financial advisor—two challenges that refined her resilience, tested her faith, and shaped the way she now approaches money, business, and life.

This episode sets the stage for what Refined and Unfiltered is all about: honest conversations about money, relationships, faith, business, and personal growth—without the filters of social media perfection.

👉 Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a young professional, or someone navigating the messy middle of life, this episode will encourage you to embrace refinement, stay unfiltered, and keep moving forward.