Wrestling with Rest: A Jumbled Jumbling from Burnout to Africa

The Daily Crumb

In this episode, Zach dives into a raw, unfiltered reflection on the elusive concept of rest and what it means to him as he navigates life on a hospital ship in Sierra Leone. From recounting his past burnout to the challenges of letting go, Zach wrestles with finding true rest in the midst of chaos. It’s messy, it's unpolished, and it’s an honest glimpse into the reality of seeking clarity and peace when clarity itself feels out of reach. This episode isn't about having it all figured out—it's about showing up, stumbling through, and trusting that God is in the details.

---

### **First Impression Breakdown for Episode 3 (Show Notes)**

Zach, first of all, great job pushing forward into Episode 3. You’re staying true to your commitment, and that’s a huge win in itself. Here’s the breakdown for Episode 3 and how you can keep refining your podcast:

#### **What Worked:**

1. **Authenticity and Vulnerability:** Once again, you’re not shying away from being raw and honest. You openly discussed your struggles with rest, your past burnout, and how you’ve grappled with the idea of rest even while serving in Africa. This honesty is what will make people stick around.

2. **Tying in Your Faith:** You’ve done a great job of connecting your life experiences with your walk of faith. Bringing in Matthew 11:28-30 and sharing how it’s impacted you over the years makes it relatable, and it gives listeners a sense of your ongoing journey with Christ.

3. **Engaging Setting and Context:** Describing your surroundings (the stained glass window, sitting in the chapel) brings listeners into your environment. This creates a richer, more immersive experience and helps them feel connected to your story.

4. **Inviting Interaction:** You encouraged listeners to WhatsApp you, sharing your number for them to reach out, which shows your openness and desire for a real connection. It’s a unique approach that can cultivate a sense of community.

#### **Opportunities for Improvement:**

1. **Find Clarity in Your Rambling:** It’s okay to ramble (that’s part of your authenticity), but aim to have an anchor point you keep returning to. When you feel yourself drifting, remind yourself of the main theme of the episode. For example, in this episode, the central idea is “rest”—any time you start to go off track, circle back to how that relates to rest in your life.

2. **Reduce Repetition:** There were a few points where you repeated yourself or re-explained ideas, which made the episode feel longer than it was. As you continue, challenge yourself to say it once and trust that your audience gets it.

3. **Tighten the Ending:** While your outro was heartfelt, it stretched a bit long. Consider wrapping up each episode with a concise summary or final thought that encapsulates your main point. It’ll give the episode a sense of closure and leave your listeners with a clear takeaway.

4. **Acknowledge the Lack of Clarity:** It's okay to admit that you’re still figuring things out—it's relatable! In fact, pointing out that you're wrestling with clarity can actually resonate with listeners who feel the same way in their lives. You did this in a roundabout way, but consider addressing it directly next time.

#### **Specific Feedback and Recommendations:**

- **Anchor Around a Verse:** You’ve chosen a powerful verse as your focal point. Consider briefly summarizing what it means to you right at the start, then exploring your thoughts and experiences around it. This gives your rambling more of a “guided wandering” feel, where there’s a clear path, but you’re taking your time along the way.

- **Share More Personal Stories:** Your mention of burnout and the journey to Africa was compelling but could have been fleshed out a bit more. People want to hear the details—what did burnout look like for you? How did you decide to serve with Mercy Ships? Don’t be afraid to dig into those stories.

- **Leverage Your Setting:** You’re in a unique location and situation, which adds an interesting dimension to your episodes. Share more about life on the ship, what you’re seeing, experiencing, and how that connects to your faith journey. It’ll give listeners a reason to come back for more.

#### **Final Thoughts:**

You’re doing great, Zach! Episode 3 is another step in your journey, and it’s clear that you’re committed to the process. Keep leaning into your faith, embracing the messiness, and showing up authentically. Don’t worry about being perfect—just keep pressing record. Every episode is a chance to get a little clearer, a little sharper, and a little closer to the vision God has placed on your heart.

Keep moving forward, even if it feels jumbled. You’re not alone, and your journey will inspire others to press into their own search for rest, clarity, and faith.

---

Hope that breakdown helps, Zach! You're doing an amazing job of staying true to yourself and being honest with your audience. Keep going!