The Wounds Of The Faithful

Tanya Gioia Tanya knows that for every addict, 5 people are impacted. Working with women heals a generation. She’s been through all the challenges you’re familiar with: • Striving for a career to make her whole • Chasing a man to fulfill her • Jumping unhealed into a second marriage • Managing new babies and addicted husband as well as her own codependency • Running her own business thinking enoug...

Dana S. Diaz is a wife, mother, and author of the best-selling book GASPING FOR AIR: THE STRANGLEHOLD OF NARCISSISTIC ABUSE. Dana has had life-long experience with narcissistic abuse, beginning in childhood. Her education in journalism and psychology at DePaul University in Chicago gave her the ability to accurately verbalize and express how narcissistic abuse creates confusion and conflict within...

Derick is mixed and growing up in the south, he saw hate from both sides but used it as fuel along with the dark upbringing in a home of alcoholism and rage. Derick used fitness as an escape and quickly was able to stay calm in most moments people would break down or snap. He used these experiences to thrive in the US Army along with his coaching career. Derick healed himself and teaches others ho...

Many survivors suffer unspeakable abuse in their childhood and never tell another soul about it. It is very common to not have the words to even describe what happened to their bodies, their minds, and emotions. My guest Mark McNear is here to talk about his book Finding My Words: A Ruthless Commitment to Healing Gently After Trauma. Mark candidly talks about his painful childhood, the long term f...

Writing your story can be a huge tool for healing from abuse. My guest Kiesa Kay talks about her new writing workshop series for abuse survivors that is free to join! We have a wonderful conversation talking about her children's books, poetry, and other writing projects. This is a refreshing look into the realities of the abuse in the world, but the enduring hope of the Lord's healing! Join us! We...

My guest Suzy Ryan is no stranger to childhood abuse, feeling unloved, and devastating tragedy. She is here to talk about her new book, Saving Summer, which is a fictionalized account of her life. We have a wonderful conversation about being a teacher, the love of Jesus, and how she keeps the memories alive of her late brother and one of her students in her book. Suzy's joy is infectious and you e...

What if you had to leave an abusive situation in a hurry? You can take your children with you, but what about your pets? Many victims of abuse don't escape because of not wanting to leave a beloved dog or pet behind. Where could you go with your pets that would be a safe place? Introducing Orazie Cook, owner and founder of Praline's Backyard Foundation, who is passionate about providing safe place...

Welcome back to Part Two of our discussion on Reconstruction. We talk about some podcast recommendations, focusing on the real person of Jesus, and exploring Why did God let this happen to me? Join me for some more thought provoking content. Link Tree Website: https://dswministries.org Email: diana@dswministries.org Social media links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DSW-Ministries-230135337033...

How do you pick up the pieces of your faith when the dust clears from your trauma? What do I believe on my own? What are the pitfalls to look out for during this journey? How do I discover the truth about God for myself? These questions and more in this two part series. Join me! Website: https://dswministries.org Email: diana@dswministries.org Social media links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com...

We're back with the second part of our discussion about deconstruction. We have even more topics to discuss as to the reason for abandoning the faith after trauma or abuse. This episode seeks to encourage you and be thought provoking at the same time. Join us for an important conversation. Link Tree Website: https://dswministries.org Email: diana@dswministries.org Social media links: Facebook: htt...

We're talking about deconstruction, what it is and why survivors choose to go down that road. We discuss many reasons that people give for abandoning their faith or turning their backs on God altogether. We'll be exploring in a non judgmental, compassionate way, so join me for an encouraging episode. This is Part One of a Two Part series. Link Tree Website: https://dswministries.org Email: diana@d...

Can a counselor help me in my situation? What are the qualifications to be a licensed professional counselor? What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist? My guest this week is Johnny Sanders, a Christian counselor, who answers these questions and more when seeking counsel. What should I look for when choosing a counselor, and what are the red flags? What if I don't like my co...

What do you think of when you hear the words "human trafficking"? Far away Asian countries? Young women? Kid knapping by strangers? Amanda Blackwood is my guest this week to dispel all these incorrect assumptions and define what trafficking really is. She also tells her harrowing story of being trafficked multiple times by people she knew, including her fiancée. Not to worry though, after her esca...

My wonderful guest this week is Melanie Goodwin, who shares her story of childhood illness and trauma. We talk about her upcoming book, Resurrected Roadkill, trauma recovery, and CS Lewis-inspired approach to the imagination as a recovery tool. Join us for an informative and enjoyable conversation! Biography Melanie is an Amazon Best Selling Author (under a different name), a multi-awarded Singer-...

Deborah by Charles Landelle, 1901 Perhaps you came from a church background that recognized the valuable contributions of the women of the Bible, but for most Christians, they don't ever get to hear about prominent women in the Bible, with the exception of Mary. Deborah, one of the Judges of Israel, is an godly example of a prophetess, military leader, judge, and minstrel that few hear about. We a...

We are continuing our series of character studies in the Bible in the perspective of an abuse survivor. Today we are talking about a very difficult passage of Scripture: Judges 19, which is the story of the Levite and the concubine. Why is this horrific story included in the Bible? Why did they go to war with their own people? Did God condone these events? What practical application can we get out...

We're talking about the latest hot topic, the documentary Shiny Happy People. It exposes the Duggar secrets and the Bill Gothard's fundamentalist cult, the IBLP. What do they believe? What did Josh Duggar go to prison for? What's it like growing up on a reality show? How do you heal from such a religious cult? All these answers and more on our episode today. This week has sensitive content about r...

We are discussing the story of Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac on this week's show. Is there another perspective on this difficult narrative? Is Abraham a horrible parent? Why would God ask them to do this? These questions and more we will explore, with a few alternative views presented. Be brave and join me on some challenging passages in the Bible. Link Tree Website: https://dswministries.org...

We are continuing our character studies in the Bible in the perspective of an abuse survivor. We are covering this week, patriarchs Abraham and Lot. We explore such questions such as: Abraham's treatment of his wife Sarah, Lot offering up his virgin daughters to an angry mob, an example of female sexual abuse in the Bible, and the timeless question: Is God loving and merciful in the Old Testament?...

What do you do when you have been abused, betrayed and abandoned by your own church? Pastor Scott Distler is all too familiar with that scenario and talks about his journey in his book, The Cave: When Ministry Becomes Misery. Scott uses examples of Bible heroes, fresh encouragement, and proven practical strategies to help others towards healing. He is passionate about helping pastors, ministry lea...

Welcome back to Part Two of our bible study of Joseph. We continue with Joseph testing his brothers and being reunited with his family again. We see how Joseph saves the lives of the whole region during the great famine. Find out what God did through Joseph's suffering and how Joseph was able to forgive his family. Join us for the rest of this exciting story. Link Tree Website: https://dswministri...

What would you do if your family sold you into slavery just for being jealous of you? That is what happened to Joseph, one of the 12 sons of Jacob. Follow Joseph as he is also put into prison for false charges, forgotten, and how his gifts of dream interpretation dramatically change his life one day. Through his abuses, we explore his faith in God and enduring hope. This is Part One of an exciting...

We are continuing our stories in the bible about people who have suffered abuse and trauma. We are looking into the Jacob's background and the violation of his daughter Dinah by one of the neighboring Hivite men. How did her family respond? Did they believe and protect her? Was the way that Dinah's brothers handled the situation sanctioned by God or not? We also find out why you should keep your w...

Most people can recite Jeremiah 29:11, but what does the rest of the book of Jeremiah have to offer us today? Why was Jeremiah called The Weeping Prophet? Well, you are going to find out on this week's episode. Jeremiah has lots of reasons to weep during his days of warning the Israelites of the coming judgement of God for worshipping false gods. He has the hardest job in the world, preaching to t...

Bio: Summarized, my story begins from adolescence. I chose to consume alcohol; what was always in my home life. Instantly I decided this would be what I espoused because it gave me confidence and helped with being able to interact. It supported many things, although it increased very fast with tolerance and soon indulging into several drugs. For so many years I aimed at finding "functional" addict...