In a world obsessed with highlight reels, it’s rare, and refreshing to find voices that aren’t afraid to talk about what happens in the shadows. In Episode 91 of The Real Deal podcast, “Facing the Impossible,” the Mikesells crack open the door to a conversation many avoid. What do you do when the life you envisioned collides with reality… and it looks nothing like what you hoped?
This isn’t just another “inspiring” episode. It’s a gut-check. A heart conversation. A raw, honest look at what it means to hold onto faith, identity, and purpose when the odds are against you, and the next step feels impossible.
What the Episode Is Really About
At its core, Facing the Impossible is about confronting the seasons we didn’t plan for. The Mikesells speak candidly about their own journey through challenges that felt overwhelming, financial strain, relational tension, and the mental battle of wondering “Did we miss it?”
And they don’t offer neat answers. What they do offer is vulnerability, grounded wisdom, and a reminder that even when you feel like you’re losing, you’re not alone.
They speak to anyone walking through a “middle” season, the space between the promise and the payoff. The season where the excitement has faded, the results aren’t showing, and the voice of doubt grows louder by the day.
Key Themes + Lessons from Episode 91
Here’s a closer look at what Facing the Impossible reveals, and why it matters:
1. Courage Doesn’t Always Look Heroic
Most people think courage is bold and loud. But often, it’s quiet and persistent. The Mikesells talk about the daily bravery it takes to keep showing up, for your marriage, for your calling, for your team, even when it would be easier to quit. Real courage is continuing when there’s no applause.
2. Impossibility Is Often a Perspective, Not a Fact
The episode unpacks how our limitations are often self-imposed. What feels “impossible” may actually be inconvenient, uncomfortable, or simply unknown. The Mikesells challenge listeners to reframe fear, not as a red light, but as a signal that you’re on the edge of breakthrough.
3. Faith Isn’t the Absence of Doubt
One of the most powerful moments in the episode is when they talk about the tension between faith and doubt. They’re honest about the nights they questioned everything. But they also highlight that doubt doesn’t disqualify you, it makes faith deeper and more real.
4. The Power of Small, Consistent Steps
Instead of romanticizing big wins, the Mikesells emphasize faithfulness in the small things. It’s the micro-decisions, the private victories, and the disciplined consistency that build the kind of life that can withstand storms.
5. Community is Essential, Not Optional
They speak with deep gratitude about the people who carried them—emotionally, spiritually, practically through their “impossible” seasons. It’s a reminder that isolation is the enemy of progress. Healing and resilience are forged in real relationships.
Favorite Moments to Listen For
- The “turning point” story where they share the moment they realized they were trying to fix things in their own strength, and what happened when they surrendered control.
- The illustration about being stuck in the hallway between two doors. Not where they started, but not yet where they want to be. It’s a powerful picture of transition.
- Their vulnerable discussion on leadership fatigue, something that many leaders feel but few admit out loud.
This Episode Is For You If…
- You’re in a season of waiting, doubt, or discouragement
- You’ve been working hard but the results aren’t matching the effort
- You feel called to something greater, but fear is holding you back
- You need a reminder that failure isn’t final…and impossible doesn’t mean the end
Whether you’re a business leader, a creative, a parent, or simply someone trying to do life with purpose, this episode will speak to your soul. It doesn’t offer shortcuts. But it does offer truth, grace, and the kind of encouragement that comes from people who’ve walked through fire and lived to tell the story.
Takeaways to Reflect On
After listening to Facing the Impossible, take a few minutes to reflect:
- What “impossible” in your life needs a second look?
- Where have you been trying to carry it all alone?
- Who do you need to let into your process?
- What’s one small action step you can take this week?
Final Thoughts
Episode 91 of The Real Deal doesn’t just encourage, it equips. It reminds us that impossibility isn’t the end of the story; it’s often where the best parts begin. The Mikesell’s lead with humility, honesty, and hope,. and their story will challenge you to do the same.
So if you’re facing something that feels too big, too hard, or just plain unfair, press play. Let this episode speak life into your impossible.
