Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlyn Watkins.
Ashlyn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up as a “preachers kid” I mastered pretending and wearing a mask. I wanted to keep my good church girl image and I knew if I just looked the part, people would leave me alone and not recognize my flaws. I made many bad decisions that landed me in many embarrassing and shameful situations.
When I became pregnant as a teen, I had to stand before the entire church and tell them my wrongs. Instead of being faced with grace I found a lot of rejection and judgment. I realized no one was willing to talk to me about the truth of sex, they just shamed me for my curiosity within exploring it. So, in my mid 20’s I changed my life and decided not to blame God for the messed up behavior of people. I learned of His kindness, acceptance, forgiveness, and grace and it sparked a determination in me to reintroduce the very taboo subject of sex.
I got married and realized there was no one willing to teach me how to now understand sex in a positive light. So I began a podcast called Spiced Wife which talks about every intimate subject you can imagine and I help wives to enjoy the bedroom Gods way and still remain sexy. I teach wives that believing in God does not mean that you become stiff and boring in your marriage bedroom and I make sure I welcome every wife with acceptance and never judgment.
In less than 20 episodes the show hit 20 countries and thousands of downloads without any paid advertisements! The podcast is still growing by the thousands each month and now has branched into an online store where wives can shop for bedroom items with the confidence that they are still living to please God. They are able to spice up their bedroom without the judgment and rejection that is often paired with the subject of sex in church.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting off, many of the struggles I faced were within myself. I was very fearful because of the rejection I experienced in the past. I was also fearful that my level of transparency would be negatively criticized. I was presenting a very hush-hush topic to one of the hardest crowds to change and for a while, I felt very hesitant. To have a show that addressed “R” rated topics, while under the category of “religion” “faith” “Christianity” etc. is not normal. People often judge before listening or understanding and I did not want to face that battle.
Additionally, I did not have any experience with podcasting. I was never even interested in podcasting but through prayer and different forms of confirmation, I felt God lead me to start one anyway. I had no equipment or any training so I made a few mistakes with purchasing the wrong items but I was determined to just keep trying. I told myself that I would rather move forward in faith than to stay stuck in regret. I figured both fear and faith were equally invisible but only one had a high success rate, so I decided to buckle up and chose faith. Facing every single fear is the day I found my freedom to such an amazing life!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Spiced Wife – what should we know?
My business is providing one on one counseling to wives on their inability to feel free to enjoy the bedroom because religion has made them feel bad about being sexy. I also have an online toy and lingerie business for wives.
I specialize in teaching wives that God wants them to enjoy sex and to be confident in it. I am known for helping wives to take religion out of their bedrooms and connect to Gods approval over their marriage. I am most proud of the wives who have found their spice! I am so happy to see marriages flip and strengthen! To see the podcast grow by the thousands really excites me because those are all potential hearts that can be touched in a new way. Many marriages and wives have been completely transformed and the show is truly making an impact in an area untouched for believers.
What sets me apart is my transparency and honesty. I speak about everything with the truth coming from a place of humility. I value setting a tone that has no condemnation but acceptance and kindness. I keep God in the middle of the most uncomfortable topics. I only seek for Gods approval and in that, I am able to connect to women all over the world in a very real and lasting way. No fluff, just a girl with crazy faith who turned on a mic to share uncomfortable truths.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe humility contributed to the success of Spiced Wife. I come from a place of wanting to serve rather than be served. I deeply just want to see women free to enjoy their husbands. I care more about people than protocols, so I am able to be free in the authority I feel is given to me by Jesus. I am more concerned about making a difference than gaining approval and I feel this is why the show and online store has seen success and growth in less than a year.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.spicedwife.com
- Phone: 619-755-5773
- Email: info@spicedwife.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spicedwife/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spicedwife/
Image Credit:
Nikki Roberts Photography
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