Exploring Soul Care: A Journey Towards Deeper Connection with God

We journey alongside grief survivor Mike Nappa, who graciously opens his heart, sharing his profoundly moving journey of loss and healing after the death of his wife, Amy. His personal revelations on the terrain of grief and his granddaughter's own journey awaken a broader understanding of the grieving process and the importance of allowing ourselves the space to grieve.

Our conversation is intimate as Mike recounts the cherished moments of helping his wife fulfill her bucket list. His account underscores the significance of living fully even when faced with loss, a testament to the enduring power of love. Mike's reflections amplify the importance of cherishing our time with loved ones, making each moment count, and recognizing that grief can coexist with joy and acceptance. 

Poignant, enlightening, and deeply human, this episode offers solace and understanding while reassuring us all that grieving is a natural response to love, and experiencing all the emotions that come with it is perfectly okay. Listen in as we traverse the emotional landscape of grief and loss together.

Resources 

Connect with Mike 

Website: https://www.zondervan.com/p/reflections-for-the-grieving-soul/ 

Pick up a copy of Mike’s book - Reflections for the Grieving Soul: Meditations and Scripture for Finding Hope After Loss

Let’s connect: 

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week! 

Melissa 

Have you ever been caught in the hustle culture, feeling lost and struggling to find your purpose? This happened to our special guest, author Kelly Needham, and she's not alone. Imagine you're standing on the precipice of what society deems successful, yet you feel a deep void. Frustrated and desperate, Kelly embarked on a journey to re-examine the real source of purpose.

In our candid conversation, Kelly delves into her personal experiences, revealing how her marriage and life were affected by jealousy and insecurity. She shares some intriguing insights about the impact of social media on our sense of purpose. The culture of comparison, she says, has heightened with the rise of social media, leaving us feeling dissatisfied, envious, and perpetually lacking. We explore this issue further, discussing how our relationship with God might solve the dissatisfaction brought on by this toxic culture.

Whether you're searching for purpose or already on the path, Kelly's fresh perspective will inspire you to redefine your understanding of purpose. Join us on this journey to escape the hustle, connect with God, and discover a life of deep purpose and rest.

Connect with Kelly

Website: https://www.jimmyandkelly.com/ 

Instagram: @kellyneedham

Pick up a copy of her book! - Purposefooled: Why Chasing Your Dreams, Finding Your Calling, and Reaching for Greatness Will Never Be Enough

Let’s connect: 

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week! 

Melissa

Get ready to transform your perspective on life's challenges as we engage in an insightful conversation with the ever-inspiring Nick Nilson.

Ever wondered how to hold onto joy amidst hardships? Nick guides us through his life's journey, sharing wisdom on shaping our feelings through our thoughts and harnessing the power of the present moment to experience peace, joy, and contentment.

In this chat, we dive deeper into techniques to overcome self-doubt and focus on the possibilities, not the problems. With Nick's guidance, we learn how to utilize the grace given by God to chase our dreams fearlessly and how acknowledging and rejecting the falsehoods we've accepted about ourselves can lead us to our true purpose. We also delve into the nitty-gritty of bringing our dreams to life, embracing the sacrifices it might require.

Tune in for this wholesome conversation that promises to inspire you to embrace your life's journey with joy and purpose.

Connect with Nick

Website: https://www.nicknilson.com/ 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/nicknilson 

Pick up a copy of his book!

Let’s connect: 

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week! 

Melissa 

Are you craving self-improvement, a fresh perspective, or simply an honest and heartfelt conversation? That's precisely what you'll find in my latest podcast episode featuring Jason VanRuler. Drawing from a hard upbringing, Jason bravely confronts his past and the trials of running from unresolved traumas. He lays bare the turning point that led him to face his reflections in the mirror without external support, sparking a profound journey of self-awareness and transformation.

Jason's insights don't stop at personal history. We also delve into the intricate realm of emotions and their undeniable part in our self-confidence. Jason shares wisdom about embracing our feelings, even when contradicting our beliefs. His insights about how expressing our feelings can facilitate healing and personal growth are not to be missed. 

This episode is an enriching journey toward healing, acceptance, and self-confidence. Tune in to be moved, challenged, and, ultimately, inspired.

Resources

Connect with Jason 

Website:https://www.jasonvr.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason.vanruler

Pick up a copy of his book!

Let’s connect: 

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week! 

Melissa

Could you imagine the power of the right language and tools in transforming life struggles into blessings? That's what we're unpacking with our guest today, Travis Thompson, as he shares his captivating journey through the thorny path of addiction. Drawing from his battle, Travis sheds light on addiction in the United States. He underscores the crucial need to accurately represent the addiction spectrum to ensure people get the support they need.

Addiction is not just about the individual; it's also about the people and the society around them. We look closer into the role of boundaries in addictive relationships and the concept of trauma bonding, laying bare the treacherous impact of alcohol deeply ingrained in our social fabric. However, Travis brings forth a beacon of hope amidst this bleak reality - vulnerability and emotional intimacy. He shows us how to create emotional intimacy within relationships, offering practical tips on fostering self-care and supporting loved ones grappling with addiction.

Tune in to this powerful and insightful discussion on the many facets of addiction, the path to recovery, and the life-altering power of emotional connections and personal accountability.

Resources

Connect with Travis : 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/travis_t_media 

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-thompson-lmft-100685153/

Website: https://www.travisthompsoncounseling.com/

Pick up a copy of his book!

Let’s connect: 

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week! 

Melissa 

Ever wonder how nurturing your soul can lead to a healthier, more connected life? We're pondering this question with our returning guest, Amber Albee Swenson, as we navigate the concept of soul care versus the well-known self-care practice. Together, we explore how prioritizing our divine connection and acknowledging when the soul feels off-balance can significantly impact our overall well-being.

We're traveling beyond the surface, examining how soul care profoundly impacts our relationships with ourselves and the world around us. Amber emphasizes the necessity of carving time out of our day to engage with God through prayer and scripture reading while reflecting on the spiritual influence of financial goals and the potency of contentment found in God.

We encourage you to delve into the Bible, even if it's just for 15 minutes a day. You never know what divine revelations might be waiting for you. 

Remember, your true connection lies in the care of your soul.

Amber Albee Swenson is a wife, mother, speaker, and the author of seven books, including her newest one, Soul Care: Nurturing Your Spiritual Wellness. She is also a blogger and regular contributor to the multimedia ministry Time of Grace and other popular Christian ministries. 

Resources

Connect with Amber - 

Website - https://www.amberalbeeswenson.org/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AmberAlbeeSwenson 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amberalbeeswenson/ 

Let’s connect: 

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week! 

Melissa 

Have you ever glanced in the mirror and wished the reflection looking back at you was a friend rather than an adversary? 

That moment was a turning point for me, and it led me to a fascinating conversation with Alisa Keeton, a fitness crusader and author of The Body Revelation. Alisa is armed with a mighty mission to redefine our relationship with our bodies, seeing them not as obstacles but as allies. 

Alisa unpacks how pain, an energetic chemical charge, can trap us within our bodies and how children, with their hyperactive nervous systems at birth, have a head start in experiencing this pain. We also discuss the detrimental effects our fast-paced, modern world has on our bodies and how chronic stress is an unwelcome guest that overstays its welcome.

Our bodies are more than just vessels; they express our beliefs and how we view the world. Alisa opens up about how our minds and brains coexist, where our consciousness resides, and how our beliefs shape our interaction with the world. 

Trust me, this episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to foster a healthier relationship with their bodies.

Resources 

Website: https://alisakeeton.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/alisakeeton/ 

Atomic Habits 

Let’s connect: 

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week! 

Melissa 

Get ready to unravel the intricate workings of your brain with the enlightening insights of esteemed neuroscientist Dr. Dan Siegel and his handy hand model. 

Today’s episode will provide a simple yet profound understanding of how our brains regulate emotions and manage our reactions. The spotlight shines on the prefrontal cortex, our brain's master controller, and its vital roles in connecting with others, calming our fears, and creating that crucial space between impulse and action.

That's not all. As we continue our exploration of the brain, we'll also touch upon the importance of online regulation and engagement. Don't forget to stay tuned for our next insightful episode, where we continue this fascinating journey into mental health.

Resources

NAMI 

Psychology Today 

Here are 4 parts of the brain we discussed today, based on a model created by Dr. Dan Siegel.

 The brain stem:

• It controls fundamental body functions such as breathing, eye movements, blood pressure, heartbeat, and swallowing

• Responsible for the fight, flight, freeze response

 The limbic stem: the emotional part of the brain,

• When we perceive a threat, the amygdala sounds an alarm, releasing a cascade of chemicals in the body. Stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol flood our system, immediately preparing us for fight or flight

• How do we focus our attention

• How we remember things

  The cortex is the higher part of the brain.

We can call this the executive region - we want this part to remain regulated to maintain a connection with each other. We’ll talk briefly about what happens when we get dysregulated and how this keeps us from connecting with ourselves and others.

• helps you to manage and mention your emotions

• It helps with thinking and planning

 The prefrontal cortex -  also called the “master controller”:

• regulate the body, the ability to tune into someone else, which allows compassion or empathy (what happens when we feel rejected or triggered),

• response flexibility:  allows you to put a space between an impulse and an action,

• the ability to calm fears - teach your upstairs part of the brain to calm fears

Let’s connect: 

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week!

Melissa

Join me this week as I bare a part of my soul and share a deeply personal journey with body image and eating disorders. Drawn from my own experiences, I aim to provide insights and tools to help you nurture a healthier relationship with your body. 

We'll dive into practical strategies that can revolutionize your perception of your body - assuring you that reshaping your body image doesn't always mean reshaping your body. 

Tune into this episode to understand the ripple effect of social media on our mental health and body image. I’ll bust the myths society feeds us about beauty and appearance together, learning to identify and defuse triggers that can compromise our self-acceptance journey. 

Understanding your worth and trusting yourself are key elements in this transformative journey - so don't miss out on this empowering conversation about liberating ourselves and our relationships with social media.

Resources 

If you are in need of counseling, please check out Psychology Today or Nami for helpful resources.

7  practices for a healthier body image:

1. Redefine your definition of beauty

2. Recognize and reject the lies

3. Recognize your triggers

4. Renew yourself with Truth

5. Respect yourself.

6. Redirect your thoughts

7. Remember, you are worthy and valuable.

Let’s connect:

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week!

Melissa

Get ready to forge a happier, healthier you by mastering the power of body language. Today, we promise to equip you with simple yet effective research-backed life hacks that dramatically alter your mood, reduce stress, and boost confidence. As part of our continuing series, Counselor on Call – I walk you through an astounding technique called body posturing, which requires you to raise your hands straight up in the air for 2-3 minutes. You'll discover how this effortless practice can manipulate your hormones, elevate your mood, and align with your spiritual perspectives.

I also delve into the profound impact of non-verbal cues on our self-perception and how conscious alterations can help us evade the dreaded 'fight or flight' mode—ever wondered if your posture or a simple smile could revolutionize your body chemistry?

So, get ready for a transformational journey where a few minutes of daily practice can lead to lasting changes. Equip yourself with these handy tricks, take control of your internal world, and let's march towards a brighter, happier you.

Resources

Dr. Amy Cuddy

Presence by Dr. Amy Cuddy

Let’s connect:

Website

Instagram

YouTube

I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.

Have a great week! 

Melissa