Authentically Amber: Navigating Life's Anxious Moments & Everything In-Between

Season 2, Episode 14: Calling, Change, and the College-to-Career Leap — Interview with Lillian Chung Description: The leap from college to the “real world” can feel exciting, overwhelming, and uncertain all at once. In this episode of Authentically Amber , I sit down with Lillian Chung , a recent college graduate who moved to Florida to begin an internship with Cru’s Jesus Film Project. Together,...

Season 2, Episode 13: Heartbreak, Healing, and Hope — Ryan Holland on Relationships, Breakups, and Mental Health Description: Breakups hurt—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In this episode of Authentically Amber , I sit down with Ryan Holland , host of the Holy Heartbreak podcast, to talk about navigating the messy, complicated world of relationships and loss. Ryan unpacks how relational pa...

Season 2, Episode 12: Boundaries, Rights, and Biblical Wisdom in Counseling – Interview with Dr. Luther Smith Description: What happens when you step into a counseling session—whether as a counselor or as someone seeking help? In this episode of Authentically Amber, I’m joined by Dr. Luther Smith, host of The Re(Nyoo)ed Mind Podcast and Department Chair of Biblical Counseling at Calvary University...

Season 2, Episode 11: Grief Without Band-Aids: Navigating Loss Honestly — Interview with Jordan Lamar Description: Grief isn’t linear, and it doesn’t follow a tidy timeline. In this heartfelt episode of Authentically Amber , I sit down with Jordan Lamar , Director of Strategic Accounts at WebMD Health Services, to talk about facing grief head-on—without rushing the process or pretending to be okay...

Season 2, Episode 10: Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic — Finding Freedom and Faith —Interview with Jon Seidl Description: What does it look like when faith and addiction collide? In this powerful and deeply vulnerable episode of Authentically Amber , I sit down with Jon Seidl —author, speaker, and storyteller—to talk about his journey as a Christian who became an alcoholic and found redemption...

Season 2, Episode 9: Learning to Live Loved: Healing Fear, Faith, and Family in the Journey of Adulting— Interview with Janet Newberry What if growing up — or “adulting” — wasn’t about becoming more independent, but learning how to live more loved ? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Janet Newberry, host of the Love is Fearless podcast and founder of John 15 Academy, to explore how our...

Season 2, Episode 8: Generations Deep — Healing From Inherited Trauma Through Faith and Therapy— Interview with Gina Birkemeier Description: Do you ever feel stuck in patterns you didn’t choose—habits, reactions, or beliefs that seem to run in your family? In this powerful episode of Authentically Amber , I sit down with Gina Birkemeier , licensed professional counselor, trauma therapist, and awar...

Season 2, Episode 7: Managing Emotions with Science and Scripture: Finding Peace with Alicia Michelle Description: What if emotional control wasn’t about suppressing feelings—but understanding them through both faith and neuroscience? In this practical and hope-filled episode of Authentically Amber, I sit down with Alicia Michelle (pronounced Alesha), certified NeuroCoach, author, and host of The...

Season 2, Episode 6: Holy and Healing — Trauma, Faith, and Finding Hope in Christ (Interview with Esther Smith) Description: What does it look like to walk with Jesus while carrying the wounds of trauma? In this deeply honest episode, I sit down with Esther Smith —licensed therapist, trauma-informed counselor, and Christian author—to talk about how faith and therapy work together in the process of...

Season 2: Episode 5: From Silent Struggles to Speaking Hope – Interview with Felicia Caid Smith Description: What if your mental health struggles didn’t disqualify you—but actually became the place where God does His greatest work? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, I sit down with Felicia Caid Smith, wife, mom, and First 5 writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries , to talk about her journey t...

Season 2: Episode 4: Flourish Anyway: Faith, Friendship, and Building Sacred Spaces – Interview with Rachel Earp Description: What does it look like to keep growing when life doesn’t go as planned? In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with my sweet friend Rachel Earp—author, podcaster, business leader, and founder of the upcoming Flourish community—to talk about how faith, friendship, and sacred...

Season 2, Episode 3: Rewiring Your Mind: Faith, Neuroscience, and the Art of Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. W. Lee Warren Description: What if you could literally rewire your brain — not with surgery, but through the power of your mind? In this transformative episode of Authentically Amber, I sit down with Dr. W. Lee Warren — neurosurgeon, Iraq War veteran, trauma survivor, and award-winning author —...

Season 2: Episode 2: Breaking Stigma, Finding Grace – A Conversation with Tabitha Yates Description: What if mental health struggles weren’t a mark of weak faith but an invitation to experience God’s love in deeper ways? In this heartfelt episode of Authentically Amber, I sit down with Tabitha Yates — mental health advocate, speaker, writer, and best-selling author of Jesus and Therapy. Known as T...

Season 2: Episode 1: Living Beyond Your Label: Finding Wholeness in Mind, Body, and Spirit – Interview with Erin Kerry Description: What if the labels you’ve been given—whether from a diagnosis, circumstance, or even yourself—weren’t the final word on your identity? In this episode of Authentically Amber, I sit down with @sparkingwholeness — integrative health coach, podcast host, and author of Li...

Episode 25: Still Here, Still Healing: Season 1 Reflections- Solo Description: In this episode, Amber wraps up season 1 of the Authentically Amber podcast. She talks about her favorite episodes, behind-the-scenes moments, and what’s in store for season 2.  What You’ll Hear in This Episode: ✨ A special recap of season 1 ✨ What God taught Amber this year ✨ Hope for this holiday season Takeaways:...

Episode 24: Taking God Steps: Trusting Him When Life Feels Scary and Uncertain – Interview with Tiffany Tutu Description: What does it look like to say “yes” to God when life feels scary, unpredictable, and overwhelming? In this episode of Authentically Amber, I sit down with my friend, children’s author, and mom of three, Tiffany Tutu (Coryell). Tiffany and I first connected at Camp for Creatives...

Episode 23: Therapy, Jesus, & You: Can I Love Jesus and My Therapist, Too? – Interview with Becky Kopitzke Description: Therapy doesn’t have to be a bad word in Christian circles. In this episode of Authentically Amber, I sit down with my “author mom” and mentor, Becky Kopitzke, to talk about how you can love Jesus and your therapist. Together, we’re debunking myths, breaking down stigma, and...

Episode 22: You’re Not Too Late: Living Faithfully in God’s Timing – Interview with Rebecca George Description: Have you ever wondered if you’ve missed your chance—or if it’s too late to do what God put on your heart? In this special episode of Authentically Amber, I sit down with my dear friend, author, and speaker Rebecca George to talk about her newest book, You’re Not Too Late. Together, we di...

Episode 21: Kindness as a Catalyst: Overcoming Struggles & Building Resilience with Kendall Olsen of Kind Minds Description: What if kindness wasn’t just something nice to do, but a powerful tool for overcoming life’s hardest seasons? In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with Kendall Olsen, founder of Kind Minds, a faith-based organization dedicated to using kindness as a bridge to heali...

Episode 20: Brave Women, Bold Faith: Mental Health & Resilience in Scripture – Interview with Laura Smith Description: Can you struggle with anxiety or trauma and still live a brave, faith-filled life? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with author Laura Smith to explore how Scripture invites us to care for our whole selves—mind, body, and spirit. Drawing from her books Holy Care for th...

Episode 19: Faith, Therapy & the Whole Person: Hope for the Hurting – Interview with Laura Lewis Description: In this powerful episode of Authentically Amber , I sit down with licensed counselor, educator, and suicide prevention expert Laura Lewis to unpack what holistic wellness truly means. We discuss the integration of faith and mental health, the ethical role counselors play in addressing...

Episode 18: Overcoming in the Dark: A Conversation on Mental Illness & God’s Grace with Dr. Terry Powell – Interview Description: What do you do when the darkness doesn’t lift? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Terry Powell—author, professor, and long-time mental health advocate—to talk about finding God’s grace in the middle of depression, not just on the other side of it. His decades of m...

Episode 15: Healing While Adulting: Faith, Trauma, and Therapy with Stephen Duraney – Interview Description: Adulting is hard—especially when you’re carrying unresolved trauma, struggling with emotional health, or trying to follow Jesus in a world that doesn’t pause. In this episode, I sit down with Stephen Duraney, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and trauma therapist, to talk about how f...

Episode 16: When Elderberry, Embarrassment & Anxiety Collide – Solo Description: Ever had one of those moments that went from slightly awkward to full-blown meltdown in seconds? So there I was—sticky, confused, bleeding… or so my husband thought. Elderberry was everywhere, and so was my shame. In this episode, I share the hilariously mortifying story of how elderberry syrup ended up on my head...

Episode 15: From Stuck to Steady — Healing Anxiety One Small Step at a Time—with Sofia Fiotaki
 Description: Has anyone ever told you to heal anxiety by doing handstands on the wall—or to just “pray more and worry less”? We’ve all heard the extremes. But anxiety isn’t always panic attacks—it’s often the numbness, the overthinking, the exhaustion that won’t lift. In this heartfelt episode, I sit do...