Episode 6: Jon Kelly (Part I)

Anne Polencheck is the Executive Director of New Name NFP, a ministry founded in 2009 that reaches out to women sexually exploited and trafficked in the Chicagoland area.  Anne has served with New Name since the beginning and has been leading the ministry since 2010.  Anne has a bachelor of science in Electrical Engineering and worked as a software engineer for over 20 years.  In 2013, she left her corporate job to stay home with her youngest daughter, allowing her more time to serve with New Name.  Anne has a heart for women to know how much Jesus loves them, right where they are at, and that they have great worth and value.  

In this episode, Anne shares her personal story of overcoming alcohol abuse and an eating disorder. Anne received a new mind and a renewed heart through the power of Christ and His love. She shares what sparked her passion to walk with women who are sexually exploited and trafficked. Anne provides insight into how women enter trafficking, the signs of trafficking, the process of healing, and practical tips for individuals and churches who desire to love women in the sex industry. 

Connect with Anne:

• New Name

• Bridal Boutique by New Name

Resources Mentioned:

• Terrify No More: Young Girls Held Captive and the Daring Undercover Operation to Win Their Freedom by Gary A. Haugen

• National Human Trafficking Hotline  1-888-373-7888

• Unlocking the Wounded Heart by Priscilla Lack

• Escaping the Devil’s Bedroom by Dawn Herzog Jewell

• International Justice Mission

• Scars & Stilettos by Harmony Dust

This Week’s Belt of Truth:
“The base of the cross is flat. Anyone can come to Jesus. The gift is free and is not based on you. The only thing based on you is to accept the free gift right where you are at. There is nothing you have to do in this moment differently. 

He does not make mistakes. God created you in His image. I care what's happened to you. I am sad about the suffering that you've been through, but that does not define who you are. Know that Jesus bore all of that on the cross.  

We can't understand this because we're human. But when He died on the cross, He died for every situation that you've been in, every torture, every abuse you’ve had to endure. He knows exactly what you are feeling and how it's affecting you. He knows the path out of darkness, and that is the truth.”- Anne Polencheck

Want to contact me? 

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Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com

Megan Bloedel is a Christian writer and podcaster currently living in Wisconsin with her husband. She graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a Ministry to Women and Bible degree. Megan enjoys writing and speaking about mental health and faith. She co-hosts her podcast, Let's Talk About It, with her friend Jacque Anderson. The heart of the podcast is to talk freely about messy, "awkward," hard, or controversial topics to shine light in areas of darkness and find healing. The podcast also hopes to promote godly and fruitful discussion & disagreement.

In this episode, Megan speaks candidly about her struggle with anxiety and sexual shame and how it impacted her faith and relationship with others. She talks about the Lord used the potential of a called-off engagement and therapy to help break her free from areas of bondage. God's hand is evident throughout Megan's journey as you listen in. 

Connect with Megan:

• Megan’s Instagram

• Megan’s Blog

• Let’s Talk About It Podcast 

• Let’s Talk About it YouTube

Resources Mentioned:

• The Place We Find Ourselves Podcast with Adam Young

• Eve's Revenge: Women and a Spirituality of the Body by Lilian Calles Barger

This Week’s Belt of Truth:
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Want to contact me? 

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Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com

Aasha Marie is a Christian Hip hop artist curating clean content for the culture based in the city of Chicago. From Englewood, she focuses on physical and spiritual transformation by using her musical gifts of song, poetry, rap and rhyme to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ. Her heart is for evangelism and discipleship within the local church and she is committed to using her gifts to serve the body of Christ. She is currently promoting her album entitled WYWS (While You Were Sleeping) and her upcoming gospel EP. 

In this episode, Aasha invites us into her healing journey from the pain of molestation and her parent’s divorce. She discusses how these experiences impacted her relationship with God. Aasha’s story is one of hardship but one of redemption.

Listen in as Aasha shares how she went from practicing empty religion to using her gifts to create for God’s glory.

Connect with Aasha:

• Aasha’s Website
• Listen to Aasha’s Music
• Instagram
• Watch Aasha on YouTube

Resources Mentioned

• Check out Aasha’s latest single, For Everything
• Aasha’s video that inspired me to return to podcasting
• WWYS Mini Documentary on Aasha Marie
• Punch and The Bee
• Water to Wine Song
• Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua by Barb Roose
• Morning and Evening Daily Devotional by Charles Spurgeon

This Week’s Belt of Truth:

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

Want to contact me?

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Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com

6 Reasons Why We Don't Finish

1. We focus more on our doubt or our lack of skill instead of the God who called us. (Check out Moses in Exodus 3)
2. We diminish the task and think it is beneath us. (Check out the life of David. Start in I Samuel 16 and read Psalm 78:72.)
3. We are too busy comparing or competing with others.
4. We are afraid of people or desire their approval instead of God’s approval.
5. We lack discipline or we are lazy.
6. We are trying to be perfect. (Check out Hebrews 12:2 and Galatians 3:3)

6 Ways We Can Move Forward

1. Identify one task God has given you that you have neglected. Identify the reason why you have not finished.
2. Spend time in confession and repentance.
3. Ask God for help to complete the task and for His strength to empower you.
4. Make a plan to obey. What is one small step you can make today?
5. Get a scripture to hold onto for encouragement and to help renew your mind.
6. Share your plan with someone who will help you walk in obedience and keep you accountable.

Want to contact me? 

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Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com

I originally recorded this video for my Instagram account and I didn't plan on posting it as a podcast episode. However, I realized that many of my podcast listeners don't follow me on Instagram. I wanted to provide a brief update on my plans for the rest of 2020. 

Want to contact me? 

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Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com

Dianna continues sharing her journey in this episode around the shame she experienced having a premature baby. Kaden, her miracle baby, was born at 23 weeks into the world covered in prayer. The power of prayer and community helped Dianna cling to the Lord. Becoming a mother, gave Dianna the continued courage to heal so that she could provide a better life for her son. 

Dianna is saved by God, a wife, mother of two amazing sons, an advocate for women and children, budding entrepreneur, and writer.  She is currently completing her degree in psychology as she champions for mothers of premature babies and families of children with special needs.

Be on the lookout for her new blog Dee’s Hang Out Suite, a safe place for moms! 

Connect with Dianna:

• Blog
• Instagram: Personal and Be Bold Business Account

Resources Mentioned

• Episode 17: Slave Minds 
• Scriptures Mentioned: Hezekiah facing the wall (Isaiah 38:2-5, 2 Kings 20:2-3), Joshua 1:9, Hebrew 10:25
• This Week’s Belt of Truth: “The promises of God are true. He will never leave you nor forsake you. You are His child. You are loved and His grace and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life.” - Dianna Tymes

Want to contact me? 
Follow me on Instagram
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Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com

Today, my friend Dianna Tymes shares her struggles with shame from molestation and past sexual sin. Shame first entered Dianna’s life when she was molested as a young child and resulted in her keeping negative secrets and increased her feelings of insecurity. Not knowing how to deal with this shame and other complex things going on in her life, Dianna struggled with anger and fighting. Listen in as Dianna shares how salvation transformed her and how Jesus is continually exfoliating her shame. 

Dianna is saved by God, a wife, mother of two amazing sons, an advocate for women and children, budding entrepreneur, and writer.  She is currently completing her degree in psychology as she champions for mothers of premature babies and families of children with special needs.

Be on the lookout for her new blog Dee’s Hang Out Suite, a safe place for moms! 

Connect with Dianna:

• Blog
• Instagram: Personal and Be Bold Business Account

Resources Mentioned

• Dianna’s Blog
• Shady Grove Fertility 
• Episode 10&11: Laying Aside Sexual Sin (Part I&II) 
• Scriptures Mentioned: Proverbs 3:5

Want to contact me? 

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Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com

Kenya Denise is a young believer in Christ with a passion for changing the standard of beauty through the transparency of her own story and as a licensed Esthetician in Chicago, IL. She recently launched her skincare business Unfading Beauty Skin Care with the mission to encourage beauty from the inside out through skincare services, products, and knowledge. 

In today’s episode, Kenya shares how the seeds of colorism planted a belief in her mind that her skin color was not beautiful. These seeds led to unhealthy relationships, low self-esteem, and constant comparison. Kenya shares how God has led her on a journey of unpacking this lie and affirming her value in Him.

Connect with Kenya on:

• Book a Virtual Skin Consultation
• Purchase Unfading Beauty Skin Care Products
• Unfading Beauty Skincare Instagram 
• Kenya’s Personal Instagram
• Email Kenya at info@unfadingbeautyskincare.com

Resources Mentioned

• The Social Dilemma 
• Kenya's YouTube Video: Insecurity, Make Up & God
• Scriptures Mentioned: 1 Peter 3:3-4, Ezekiel 28:11-19
• This Week’s Belt of Truth: 1 Peter 3:3-4

Want to contact me? 
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Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com

Angie Pryor was the first person I interviewed on this podcast. In 2018, she shared her incredible story of overcoming molestation, domestic violence, and the shame of abortion. She is back with an update on her journey out of shame into freedom. Since our first interview, Angie has lost 80lbs and has gained a new mindset. In this episode, she shares about her lifelong struggles with weight and insecurity. Listen in as Angie testifies about what God has done in her life in the last 2 years. 

Angie was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. She has been married to her husband, Michael (Mike), for 13 years. Angie has two children Patience and Isaiah. She is also the proud grandmother of her beautiful grandchild, MacKenzie. She attends Chicago West Bible Church with her family where she serves on staff as the Ministry Assistant. Mike and Angie also serve as leaders of the prayer team.

Connect with Angie on:

• Facebook
• Instagram

Resources Mentioned

• Episode 3: Angela Pryor
• Episode 4: Mike Pryor 
• The Renewing of the Mind Project by Barb Raveling
• Bright Line Eating 
• Bible Studies Angie Mentioned: Armor of God, Discerning the Voice of God, Breaking Free, Gideon
• Scriptures Mentioned: Luke 10:27, Isaiah 54:10, Romans 12:1-2
• This Week’s Belt of Truth: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Want to contact me? 
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Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com

In today’s episode, I interview Certified Professional Life Coach Janet Pisani about her struggles with shame, bitterness, and private grief around her life long battle with chronic illness. Despite her struggles, Janet has learned to seek the Lord for healing and coaches others on how to move forward through life transitions and chronic illness. 

Janet Pisani was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. She is the youngest of 4 and was born with muscular dystrophy.  Janet attended college and graduate school in Pittsburgh and was later hired as a job coach for the physically disabled. After graduate school, she started her own business as a corporate image consultant. She quit her business to become a caretaker for three years for her mother. She recently became a Certified Professional Life Coach. Janet steers women in transition through the waters of uncertainty so they can become everything God has equipped them to be.

Connect with Janet at:

• Website: www.janetpisanilifecoach.com
• Instagram: @janetpisani
• Email: JanetPisani.LifeCoach@gmail.com

Resources Mentioned

• Episode 21 & 22: Unashamed to Dream (Jamie Miller)
• Episode 32: Darren Greenfield 
• Episode 30: Barb Raveling 
• Christian Coach Institute (The coaching school Janet and I attended) 
• Scriptures Mentioned: Psalm 23, Psalm 91, Philippians 4:13, Psalm 139
• This Week’s Belt of Truth: Psalm 139; “He is Creator, whatever He creates is good. I am good because I was created by God.”- Janet Pisani

Want to contact me? 

Follow me on Instagram
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Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com