Beyond Forgiveness

In this powerful conversation, I welcome Cheri Carandanis—U.S. Air Force veteran, former critical care flight nurse, and now artist—whose life was dramatically altered by traumatic brain injuries in 2019. After a 25-year nursing career devoted to caring for others, Cheri suddenly found herself in need of care, facing the painful transition from caregiver to patient. Cheri shares her remarkable sto...

Season Two opens with a story that moved me deeply. In this conversation, I sit down with my friend Garrett — founder of Wisdomwear and host of The Faithful Perspective podcast — to hear how God’s hand was on his life from the very beginning. Garrett’s story starts in Romania, in the wake of communism’s fall. As a baby, he was left in an orphanage where, for the first year of his life, he was neve...

In this season finale, I reflect on the journey of launching the Beyond Forgiveness podcast, the challenges of chronic illnesses, how God’s timing has shaped my path, and the transformative power of faith and renewed courage, knowledge, and wisdom in seasons of doubt. With raw honesty and deep theological insight, I explore what it means to wrestle with belief, lean into divine mercy, and accept h...

In this episode, I open up about some of the deeper wounds I’ve carried—trauma, complex PTSD, spiritual warfare, and the overwhelming weight of shame. It’s one of the most vulnerable conversations I’ve shared on this podcast. I talk honestly about what it’s like to wrestle with God, to question your faith in the aftermath of abuse, and to feel unworthy of love—even in the church. But I also share...

Have you ever felt like you needed a big, clear answer from God, but all you received was silence? Elijah did too. But in his moment of despair, God came—not in fire or wind, but in a whisper. If you’re in a season of waiting, longing, or wondering where God is, this episode is a loving invitation to listen for His gentle voice. Explicit References: 1 Kings 19:11-12 – Elijah’s encounter with God i...

In this episode of Beyond Forgiveness, I explore the compassionate, humble, and empathetic approach Jesus took toward people during His ministry. Exploring key moments from scripture, I highlight how Jesus saw the person, not just their problems—whether it was the healing of the blind, the forgiveness of the adulterous woman, or His interactions with marginalized groups like tax collectors and lep...

Faith, hope, and love—three pillars of the Christian life. But why does Paul say that love is the greatest? In this episode, I explore 1 Corinthians 13 and the deeper meaning of love as the eternal, foundational virtue that transcends faith and hope. Together, we'll reflect on how love shapes our walk with Christ, fuels our relationships, and mirrors the very character of God. Join me as we dive i...

Is obedience to God just about following rules, or is there something deeper? In this episode of Beyond Forgiveness , I explore what true biblical obedience looks like, how it transforms our hearts rather than just our actions, and how God’s love—not fear—fuels our faithfulness. I also share my personal testimony about stepping out in faith, overcoming self-doubt, and experiencing God’s presence i...

Zechariah is a rich but often challenging book, full of vivid imagery and multifaceted messages that can feel overwhelming to unpack. In this episode, I reflect on Zechariah 4:10 and the idea of "small beginnings," a theme that speaks deeply to seasons of waiting, discouragement, and trust. Whether you’re familiar with this scripture or just starting to explore it, I invite you to join me in disco...

Hey everyone! I apologize for the randomness of this video, considering it's not my usual content. This sickness is really trying to stick around! In this video, I'll be putting together Part 1 of the LEGO Bonsai Tree Set. This was such a fun and relaxing build, especially since I've had so little strength. I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed creating it! If I don't get the chance to...

Can’t get out of my head again. Here’s my ongoing testimony.

In this episode, I explore the beauty and challenges of family dynamics, from childhood memories to shifting roles in adulthood. Through scripture, theology, and personal reflections, we delve into the spiritual significance of family, the complexities of broken relationships, and the redemptive power of God’s love. Whether at the kid’s table or the adult table, every stage of family life holds le...

In this episode of Beyond Forgiveness, I dive into the challenges and beauty of trusting God’s plan amid life’s uncertainties. Starting with Psalm 46, we’ll explore what it means to find strength in God as our refuge when facing life’s unknowns. With personal stories and scripture, I share practical insights on how to stay anchored in faith, embrace God’s timing, and find peace in His sovereignty...

Listen in as I reflect on the intersection of faith, humility, and the challenges of staying true to Christ in a world full of distractions. Beginning with a powerful C.S. Lewis quote and a reading from Psalm 25, I explore themes of self-awareness, the recognition of sin, and our identity in Jesus Christ. Diving into the role of women from a biblical perspective, I challenge traditional views of s...

Listen in to hear about some of my (all over the place) story, why Beyond Forgiveness, and more!

In this episode, I dive deep into the profound call to be "holy as He is holy," as outlined in 1 Peter 1:15-16. Join me as we explore the nature of God's holiness, the significance of our union with Christ, and the practical steps believers can take to embody this divine calling. I unpack the multifaceted concept of holiness—understanding it as both a positional status and a transformative journey...

Tune in to Episode 9 to hear about the various and often unexpected ways in which we can receive blessings from God as I share examples from the bible and from my personal walk with Christ.

Join me as I attempt to explore what makes awkward conversations seem so uncomfortable and why we might avoid these discussions in our relationships with one another.

Join me as I explore the role of sorrow in sanctification and how seasons of sorrow can help deepen our faith while inviting us into closer relationship with our Creator. 

Listen in to hear some of my perspective on what it means to truly know someone, how we might encourage one another during difficult times, and the art of gentle, loving correction in our communities of faith.

Back and better? Probably not. Thank you so much to those of you who have stuck around despite my inconsistency. As I re-accustom myself to recording, please be patient with me and my chaoticness in my exploration of this topic and begin to discuss some of my present day challenges.

Tune in to hear Alyssa be a better host than me as we learn about her story of healing and discuss various topics related to compassion, reconciliation, the strength of single moms in the face of adversity, balancing trauma responses at work, and share experiences about the often painful journey of seeking forgiveness from others through a lens of grace.

Join me as we begin to unpack the difference between forgiveness and tolerance and highlight the importance of distinguishing between these two concepts in abusive relationships. In this episode, we will navigate the tender journey of forgiving abusers and develop a better understanding of the fine line between tolerance and forgiveness as we move toward the path of emotional healing and begin to...

Join me as I delve into the complexity of forgiveness and explore why individuals might perceive it in different ways. *Please note that this episode is being released a week early for contextual purposes.