Lifted to Hope

Having hope in God's plans for our lives can fuel us in such beautiful ways. And yet, sometimes without reason, we come face to face with a "not-yet" - or sometimes worse, a "no" for the things our hearts long for most. Join me in this conversation with my friends Rich and Melissa who met in college, married, and became missionaries soon after. As their ministry developed, so did their desire to s...

One of the biggest challenges with grief is that we are never really done with it. Our pain can pop up in so many unexpected ways, even years into our healing journey. So then the question becomes: how do we learn to live with grief? In this episode, Angie Warren returns to share more about the process of grief, the role of the body and the brain in processing trauma, and perhaps most importantly...

Grief is a universal language and part of the human experience, and yet there is so much about the grieving process that is so easily misunderstood. In this episode, I am joined by Angie Warren, a Licensed Social Worker who meets with children, teens, and adults, helping them process their grief and loss.  Angie will share why grief is not linear and how it is as unique as the individual experienc...

When we find ourselves walking through a season of grief or loss, unresolved hurts from the past can surface, making us vulnerable in ways that are hard to anticipate. In this second episode with Mary, she shares the heartbreaking story she lived through when she opened her heart up to a relationship again. Listen to how she had to navigate multiple acts of betrayal and how God showed Mary how to...

If you have become someone who is really well-versed in performing, many times it's because early on, we learned to do it as a means of survival. It's one way we can control the chaos-or at least be sure we don't add to it.  In this episode, my guest Mary is sharing how maintaining an image of perfection in childhood was a practice that followed her into marriage and parenting. And as hard as she...

Healing rarely happens at the rate we would wish it would. Yet it doesn't take long to realize just how different we are. We can see how much God has been at work. In the episode, EJay and Lori will continue to share more about the lies that God exposed in their lives. They will unpack what allowed them to rest and be free of a compulsive need to try to win the favor of each other - and God.    In...

One of the most common traps for people who've been part of the church for many years is believing that saying and doing all the right things will make God and others inclined to love us more. This theology can wreak havoc on our relationship with God and others because there is so little room for grace and forgiveness.  In this episode, I'm joined by EJay and Lori, an incredible couple who invest...

The Gospel may be the most familiar element of your faith, but have you ever stopped to consider: what kind of Gospel have I heard? As we continue this conversation on the transforming power of the Gospel, Caleb is asking us to think about what expectations or perhaps traditions have we added to the Gospel. Unpacking this concept may give us clues as to why it's harder to trust God in the middle o...

As life-changing as the Gospel is when we first receive it, it can be really common for us to set it down in the middle of life's chaos or believe that it will only be completely fulfilled after death. But the beauty is that God's work on the cross means it is relevant to everything we're going through right now.  In this episode, I'm joined by young adult pastor and good friend, Caleb Smith. He s...

Have you ever been encouraged to "get a handle on" or a "get serious" about your sin? It's simple, right? You just need to make it a priority and work really hard. If you're like me, approaching the most troublesome areas of my life with this theology only leads to more hurt, disappointment, and shame.  But there's good news. The reality is that this thinking is flawed because it leaves no room fo...

While you may be preparing for the holiday season that begins this week with coordinating, shopping, or cleaning, I'm inviting you to set that aside for 30 minutes. Together we will explore some ways that you can prepare your heart to engage with family that has a habit of triggering and misunderstanding us.  I'll share how you can use the Serenity Prayer as a guide and consider how you can find t...

In this episode, Ryan shares the path God revealed that led to his healing. He shares with us how he took steps out of hiding into a lifestyle marked by radical honesty. Ryan shares how hesitant he was to trust the principles and community of a 12 Step program. He also talks about the freedom that came with being accepted in the middle of his mess.  Ryan is incredibly articulate about the way God'...

It's easy to classify certain emotions as positive or negative, and yet God designed us with a capacity to feel them all. If no one is available to teach us what to do with our most vulnerable emotions like anger and fear, we quickly learn that expressing these is not welcome. And so we also learn to hide and numb. This was the experience of Ryan, my guest on the podcast this week. I invite you to...

As we continue the conversation about sexual addiction, I asked my friend and therapist, Mark Huey some more questions about what is needed to experience healing and recovery for sexual brokenness. We dive into the purpose and role of therapists, support groups, and 12-Step groups. We will also explore how to use wisdom and boundaries to select who you ask to join your support team.    Mark helps...

In our previous episodes, we've explored so many examples of trauma and how shame prompts us to try to hide in our pain. A very common, yet rarely addressed attempt to numb pain is by means of sexual pleasure, which can easily escalate into an addiction.  Join me as my friend and therapist, Mark Huey and I discuss what's at the root of sexual addiction, its impact on our lives, and how God feels a...

  In last week's episode, we heard from Sandra who worked hard to suppress her shame through performance. It wasn't until well into her journey into marriage and parenting that an apology from a trusted family member unleashed a lot of pain Sandra had experienced but never understood its source.  Discover how her courage to say what felt unspeakable began a bumpy but extraordinary journey of heali...

In our last episode, I shared some of the specific strategies we use to keep our shame and failure hidden. Now in today's episode, my guest Sandra shares how shame had a way of causing her to perform and look perfect. As she grew up, she learned that being hypervigilant was the only way she would remain safe. But in the end, all these strategies left her lonely, anxious, depressed, and sure she wa...

Have you ever been shocked at your ability to hurt someone or how badly you could mess up? Whether we intend to or not, we have the capacity to do a lot of harm. And in these moments the most natural thing to do is hide. But then another trap is set for us because the ways we try to hide can lead to even more sin.    Join me in this episode as I share specific examples of the most common strategie...

When it comes to needs related to accessing food, shelter, and clothing, we can easily agree that these needs are valid. But what if I told you that your need for love and respect were just as valid–and even necessary–for you to thrive?  We live in a world that teaches us we can't just be handed love and respect–we have to earn it. Yet the truth is that you crave both of these things because God c...

The fact that it's possible to heal from experiences like Lisa's is a complete miracle. That's exactly why I'm so eager to share these stories of redemption. In this episode, Lisa returns to unpack more of what her healing journey looks like. While you will be encouraged by all the work she has already done, the healing journey continues day by day.    Lisa talks about the mindset shifts God helpe...

Many of us have known someone who has experienced domestic abuse, but what happens when you suddenly realize it is happening to you? When someone who promised to love and protect now only seeks to control, destroy, and instill fear, your whole world can crumble quickly, even if you came from a supportive family growing up.   In this episode, I'm sitting down with Lisa, a brave survivor of domestic...

 In our last episode, Claire Atenian helped us understand what betrayal trauma is and how it impacts our brains. If you can identify with this type of trauma, you are likely feeling more seen and even considering next steps for pursuing help and support.  Listen as we explore specific things to look for as you identify support resources. We talk about why we must take ownership for our own healing...

Do you know if you are a victim of betrayal trauma? If you think you could be, this episode will likely offer you clarity and hope if you've felt stuck. Today I am joined by Claire Atenian, LMFT of Thrive Therapy.  Claire specializes in betrayal trauma and breaks it down into terms and examples that are easy to connect with. We will explore everything from what the brain does with trauma to why be...

In our previous episode, you heard from Kent who shared how God met him in moments of extreme loneliness even at the height of a musical career. In this episode, you'll discover how Kent began to walk out the new life God had called him to.  This is an incredibly honest and powerful testimony of the tender ways God meets us right where we're at. He is faithful to reveal only as much of the path to...

Have you ever managed to achieve a huge dream or goal, and been surprised by how empty you still managed to feel? When we reach new levels of achievement, it's easy to be overwhelmed by new waves of doubt and fear.  In this episode, I'm joined by my dear friend and musician, Kent. He is sharing his sharing of how he chased a dream of making it big as a musician in LA and actually made a breakthrou...