Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast

Episode Summary: If you’ve ever put off a task, knowing it needs to get done, but found yourself scrolling social media, reorganizing your closet, or doing anything but the thing you should be doing, this episode is for you. But here’s the twist: we’re not just talking about procrastination from a behavioral standpoint. Today, we’re diving into the neuroscience behind procr...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper shares her powerful story of how a rare neuromuscular disorder abruptly ended her 20-year career as an OB/GYN, transforming her life in an instant. From delivering thousands of babies to becoming a patient herself, Vickie opens up about the pain of losing her identity as a doctor and battling bitterness. Yet, in the midst of her struggle, sh...

Episode Summary:  If you’ve ever struggled with forgiveness—whether that’s forgiving others, forgiving yourself, or even struggling with feeling forgiven by God—then this episode is for you. Jessica and I talk about The Role of Forgiveness in Healing the Brain and Heart.  Quotables from the episode: Science and scripture both affirm that forgiveness is vital for e...

Episode Summary: On this episode, I talk with Janet McHenry, who shared her painful wound of walking with her husband through a very unjust situation that happened to him which caused her much shame. Yet, she also shares how God revealed himself to her, and answered her prayers in a way that she didn’t expect, producing a beautiful sacred scar.   Quotables from the episode: My wound goe...

Episode Summary: The inner critic can be a constant and discouraging presence, stealing our joy and hindering us from walking in the confidence God intends for us. It often disguises itself as self-improvement or humility, but in reality, it holds us back from embracing our identity in Christ. In today’s episode, we’ll uncover the sources of this voice, explore how Scripture equips us...

Episode Summary: In this week’s episode, I’m talking with Dawn Ward, who shares her painful story of being a mother to two sons who have struggled with addiction. Dawn shares how God has used those wounds, healed them, and given her purpose in her pain to encourage us that God never wastes our pain.   Quotables from the episode:   I was a Christian and I thought that if I too...

Episode Summary:  If you’ve ever struggled with relating to God as Father—maybe you’ve been hurt by an earthly father or a church leader and carry a misunderstanding of God’s heart for you-- then this episode is for you. Rev. Jessica Van Roekel and I talk about Relating to God as Father and Understanding God’s Love When Earthly Fathers Fail. Relating to God as Fa...

Episode Summary: In this episode, guest Tammy Kennington shares the deep wounds she experienced as a survivor of childhood sexual trauma—and the heartbreak of watching someone she loves endure the same pain. Through her journey, she shares how God met her in the midst of that suffering, redeemed even her most painful experiences, and gave her sacred scars as beauty for her ashes.   Quot...

Episode Summary: Today, we're exploring a topic that feels counterintuitive but profoundly transformative:  "How to Rekindle Your First Love.” Together with Pastor Jessica Van Roekel, we’ll examine why this is important, how it helps us live our lives in Christ, the warning signs of losing it and how to get back to it. We’ll offer biblical wisdom, personal stories, and pract...

Episode Summary: This month is  Mental Health Awareness Month , and I want to take some time to talk about something that is  so important  but often misunderstood—mental health, especially in the context of our faith. For too long, mental health struggles have been shrouded in stigma—especially in Christian circles. Maybe you’ve heard things like: “You just...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, Rhonda Stoppe shares her Sacred Scar Story of finding hope in the midst of postpartum depression and hormonal imbalance. What began as a season of silent suffering—marked by deep shame, emotional exhaustion, and the sense that no one understood—eventually led her to the help she desperately needed. Now, Rhonda offers enc...

Episode Summary:  In this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective , we continue our Sacred Scar Story Series, where we talk with individuals who have experienced deep pain, but have also seen God bring healing and redemption. My guest, Phylis Mantelli, shares her journey of growing up with a narcissistic, alcoholic mother in a chaotic and abusive environment—facing stress, shame, and se...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective , author Rachel Wojo joins me to share how prayer sustains us through life’s hardest challenges. From heartbreaking loss to seasons of silence, Rachel opens up about the desperate prayers that carried her through—and the surprising power of just three simple words. You’ll be encouraged to let go of prayer perfection...

Episode Summary:  In this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, we are continuing the Sacred Scar Story Series during which I’ve had the blessing to interview many people who have experienced some very painful wounds, but then saw God heal and do a redemptive work and bring about beautiful sacred scars.  Maureen Miller shares about her devastatingly painful wound when she had dr...

Episode Summary: In this episode, my co-host, Rev. Jessica Van Roekel and I reflect on the journey from the darkness of Good Friday to the redemption of Resurrection Sunday. For Jesus’s disciples and followers, Good Friday marked a day of despair, while Saturday felt like a wilderness of uncertainty. Yet, Resurrection Sunday brought the hope of resurrection, redemption, and purpose. Together...

Episode Summary: A recent survey of 15,000 workers across 15 countries found that a quarter of all workers experienced burnout symptoms, but many don’t recognize it for what it is until after the crash has occurred. Join me with Dr. Jonathan Hoover, author of  Stress Fracture: Your Ultimate Guide to Beating Burnout . Together, we will unpack the root causes of burnout and explore how it...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective , I’m joined by my friend, Pastor Jessica Van Roekel, as we talk about something so many of us are facing today—the growing challenges of stress and a work-life balance that feels anything but balanced. Together, we share from our personal stories, our professional backgrounds, and, most importantly, from a place of faith...

Episode Summary:  When we talk about wounds, pain, and scars, we need to remember that those come in the form of physical, emotional, relational, spiritual, grief and loss. This week’s guest, Kimberly Joy, shares of severe physical pain she endured after being hit by a car when she was out for a run, and the excruciating recovery she endured, but how she experienced God has her comfort...

Episode Summary: In honor of International Happiness Day, join me as I sit down with Rev. Jessica Van Roekel to explore what it really means to count it all joy .  As we reflect on personal experiences and biblical examples, we’ll highlight the distinction between circumstantial happiness and the deep, steadfast joy that comes from trusting God through trials.   You’ll gain a...

Episode Summary:  Mothers of children with special needs experience a wide range of emotions: fear, disappointment, guilt, grief, despair. They have a yearning for relief but often feel isolated and inadequate as they look at the parenting experience of others. As you pour your energy and resources into raising a special needs child, it’s easy to struggle with feelings of isolation, com...

Episode Summary:  In celebration of International Women’s Day, a time to honor the achievements and contributions of women across the globe, this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective shines a light on some of the most inspiring women in the Bible.  From Leah’s resilience in the face of rejection to Deborah’s fearless leadership, these women modeled faith and hope tha...

Episode Summary: When alcohol addiction enters a family, it can bring heartache, uncertainty, and difficult choices. Sonja Meyrer shares her deeply personal journey of navigating her husband’s battle with alcohol addiction and his tragic loss. Through grief and unanswered questions, she discovered God’s presence in the midst of pain. Now, she helps others find healing, set healthy boun...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Your Hope Filled Perspective, we honor National Caregivers Month by shining a light on the often unseen challenges and rewards of care-giving. Whether you’re a caregiver yourself or know someone who is, this conversation will provide encouragement, practical tips, and faith-based hope to navigate the emotional, physical, and spiritual toll of caregiving. C...

Episode Summary:  In this heartwarming episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, we explore how to love God, yourself, and others as I welcome author Rachael Adams. We discuss why she wrote her devotional, Everyday Prayers for Love, and what she learned while writing it. Inspired by a moment in a church pew, Rachael shares how God called her to be His “love offering” and to help others experience H...

Episode Summary:  When you marry, your heart overflows with enthusiasm, exhilaration, and optimism. You can’t wait to start a new life with this one whose mere presence or voice causes an abundance of feel-good neurotransmitters to your brain. But soon after, differences in temperament, gender, family of origin, and marital expectations collide. You discover that the characteristics and behaviors...