Soul Grit

You may have heard this buzzword among church circles in the past few years. But what does deconstruction mean? Can people still hold onto faith while going through the hard questions? Ann is joined by Brenna Rubio, a pastor in Southern California who works with people in the margins of Christianity. Along with her co-pastor, she offers a safe place for people to explore their questions. Be the fi...

How can we continue to love the church even when we have been hurt? Heather Sanford was in pastoral ministry when the Covid-19 pandemic hit and she had to help her church shift how church was done. She was let go from her position and continues to desire unity and love among her former church family, despite going through her own doubts and depression. In this episode, Ann and Heather talk about c...

So far in the Church Hurt series, we've been hearing stories of people who have been hurt by the church--primarily by pastors and leaders. But what about the pastors who get hurt (as most do)? Scott Distler experienced "the Cave," where ministry turns into misery, but he trusted God, got some counseling, and made his way back to a flourishing ministry. Listen in as he shares what he learned about...

As a counselor and church leader, Sovann Pen has encountered many people struggling with church hurt. Then, his own family had to go through the pain of leaving a church when they sensed that God had something else for them. In this episode, Ann and Sovann chat about the pain of leaving a church, choosing a healthy church environment for your kids, and how discipleship really happens in small grou...

How can we move forward when we've been hurt by the church? Can we ever feel safe to connect with church again? What do I do in the meantime while I'm hurting? In this short episode, Ann shares six strategies to help you move through your own hurt without deserting the faith altogether. If reading is easier for you or someone you'd like to share this with, you can also find this content over on th...

Is church hurt more prevalent now post- (or mid-) pandemic? How does counseling help people walk through church hurt? Ann talks with Dawn, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and host of the Living by Heart channel on YouTube. Both women are therapists, moms, and Jesus lovers. Both experienced the pain of separating from a church family and looking for a new one during the pandemic. Listen in...

Why does it hurt so badly when a pastor or church leader disappoints you? Do all Christians go through church hurt at some point? How can we continue to live in Christian community if it hurts? In this short episode, Ann shares her story of church hurt and why she is passionate to help other Christians stay connected to Christ through this pain. This is Part 1 of a series on church hurt. Tune in o...

Dena Dyer is a writer and speaker who struggled with her mental health from young adulthood. When she was writing about women in the Bible who wrestled with big wounds, she discovered that El Roi, the God who sees, also saw her in her mental health journey. In this episode, Ann talks with Dena about post-partum depression, panic attacks, medications, and how God worked through Dena's counselor to...

What is it like to have a bipolar diagnosis? Can we really just "choose joy"? Is the Church helping people with mental health diagnoses? Ann talks with Joe Dea, host of the Buddy Walk with Jesus podcast, about his bipolar diagnosis and how he continues to practice the daily rhythms of inviting God's Kingdom here on earth. Trigger Warning: if suicide is a sensitive issue for you, maybe skip this on...

How does God minister to us through our friendships when we're depressed? How does God use people to draw us close to Him? What kind of friends do you need when you're depressed? Catch this mini-episode with a clip all about friendships between Ann and her friend of 20 years, Rebecca Lee. This is an outtake of last week's episode, where Ann and Rebecca talked about chronic depression and treatment...

What if you've tried therapy and meds? What if depression and anxiety seem to follow you throughout your life? What in the world is TMS? How can you see God at work when you just never feel that happy? Listen in on the conversation between Ann and Rebecca Lee as they talk about chronic depression and treatment with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Have a question for a Christian counselor? Email...

Faith-based counseling is NOT just slapping a Bible verse on a therapy session. A therapist who is excellent at faith integration can weave the truth of Scripture into the clinical interventions in a way that is healthy and appropriate and builds people up. Listen in for Ann's TOP 10 Bible verses that guide her approach to counseling. Want to know more about faith integration? Ann offers a course...

What are intrusive thoughts? Who gets them? and why? What can we do personally and clinically about intrusive thoughts? What does the Bible say about managing intrusive thoughts? Join Ann for a solo episode covering these questions and more! This episode was inspired by a listener question. If you have a question for a Christian therapist or a suggestion for a show topic, email info@soulgritresour...

In this episode Ann is joined by Roslyn Rene from the "Therapy as a Christian Podcast" to talk about all things mental health and Christ. Some questions covered: Why is it so important that we talk about mental health in Christian circles? How is the approach to mental health different for African-American Christians versus others? How does God work through trials and even motherhood to draw us cl...

What is yoga therapy? How can gentle movement help me process difficult emotions? How can I find a trauma-informed yoga instructor? Is yoga ok for Christians? Christian yoga therapist Cynthia Newton shares with Ann about how God moved her from trauma to transformation by using yoga. Now Cynthia is helping others experience healing through yoga therapy! Find out how it might supplement your mental...

Should I see a coach? or a counselor? What's the difference? How much training does each have? What's the focus of coaching vs counseling? Ann chats with Sue Bidstrup, coach and founder of Great Big Yes, about when it's best to find a counselor and when you really need a coach. If you've ever wondered which type of professional could be the most help for you, listen in on this fun conversation! Yo...

What's it like to be a Christian living with chronic anxiety? How is therapy and daily practice helpful for anxiety? How does prayer and worship bring perspective to struggles with anxiety? How can I trick my friend with social anxiety into hanging out with me? J/K Join Ann and Christy, long ago college roommates, for a conversation that reveals what it feels like to have anxiety, the unexpected i...

What would you do if you were living overseas during quarantine? Learn how this missionary and seminary professor found herself in a pandemic-related depression and how she used her own experience of healing to bring soul care to women across Asia. Christine Virtue was Ann's mentor in college! She has been on staff with Cru for 21 years. You can read her bio here . Have a question you’d like a Chr...

What does it take to become a counselor? What do I need to know about grad school and the licensure process? Is there a specific way to become a Christian counselor? Ann and Kate talk through these questions and lay out a pathway for those who want to care for others through counseling psychology or social work. Special thanks to Kate Ordway for being the "guinea pig" for this type of episode. Fin...

What can we do when life throws us a huge curve ball? What if God never gives you all the things you thought you'd have when you were younger? How does God use unexpected circumstances to bring new hope? Ann and Josette talk through these questions and marvel at how God restores hope despite dark moments in life. Find more about Josette: www.josettelangevine.com Have a question you'd like a Christ...

Why is sleep so important to our mental health? How can we get better sleep? Does God care about our sleep? Ann and Ibi talk through these questions and a powerful, drug-free solution for banishing insomnia. Have a question you'd like a Christian counselor to answer? Submit it to info@soulgritresources.com with Subject Line "Podcast Question." Follow Soul Grit on FB and IG @soulgritresources.

You are a busy therapist, and you may only have a few minutes between sessions to listen to this bit of encouragement. Put in your ear buds while you stuff that protein bar in your mouth and run to the restroom. You're about to be spurred on to loving Jesus more in your capacity as a counselor. Have a question you'd like a Christian counselor to answer? Submit it to info@soulgritresources.com with...

Why do Christians prefer to talk to their pastors instead of a mental health counselor? What are the differences between clinical counseling with a Christian therapist or biblical counseling with a pastor? How can pastors know it's time to refer to a therapist? Ann and Jessica talk through these questions and reveal the power of good faith integration in therapy. Have a question you'd like a Chris...

How has the perception of mental health changed over the years in the Church? What has the Church done well in regards to mental health, and where has it done damage? How can Christians work with God for their wellness? Ann talks with Lindsey Hornkohl, Revelation Wellness Instructor and pastor's wife about these questions and more. We talk about raising challenging kiddos and regulating our emotio...

If you love Jesus but you also wonder about therapy and mental health, you're in the right place. Have you ever wondered about a relationship question or a mental health concern? If you didn't have a Christian counselor in your life to ask your questions then, you do now! Join Ann Taylor McNiece, LMFT for a weekly episode where real people get to ask real questions about mental health from a Chris...