An all new, solo episode of Thriving Beyond Belief, with Cheryl Scruggs!

Laura L. Smith is an author who intertwines her personal experiences, biblical truths, and creative practices to address mental health struggles through a faith-based lens. Her latest work emphasizes the importance of self-care as a biblical principle, advocating for a holistic approach that includes therapy, medicine, movement, healthy boundaries, and more. Her book aims to show the depth of Jesus' love in the midst of fear, anxiety, and depression, providing practical tools for mental health care. For more about Laura and her work, you can visit her website.

Related Links:

• WEBSITE: LauraSmithAuthor.com
• INSTAGRAM: @laurasmithauthor
• FACEBOOK: /LauraLSmithAuthor

The first episode of 2024!

• WEBSITE: Jeff & Cheryl Scruggs
• INSTAGRAM: @CherylScruggs
• AMAZON: Book: Thriving Beyond Belief

In "A Child Called 'It'," author Dave Pelzer recounts a profoundly shocking personal history of childhood mistreatment, marking it as one of the most extreme cases of child abuse recorded in California. The memoir garnered significant attention, staying on the New York Times best-seller list for an extended period and earning a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize.

The narrative begins with Pelzer's early school years, highlighting the onset of abuse by his mentally unstable and alcoholic mother. From first through fifth grade, he endured severe physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. His mother's cruelty escalated to the point of denying his identity, referring to him as "it" rather than his name. The constant abuse nearly led to his death, until intervention by authorities. Despite the harrowing experiences, Pelzer's resolve to survive and his faith were undiminished, driving him to not only overcome these challenges but to share his story with the world.

Born on December 29, 1960, in San Francisco, Pelzer is recognized for his autobiographical and self-help writings. His 1995 memoir reached significant commercial success, staying on The New York Times Best Seller list for numerous years and selling over 1.6 million copies within five years. The publication of this book brought Pelzer widespread fame, though it has also been the subject of debate and skepticism, with some family members and journalists questioning the authenticity of certain events depicted.

Related Links:

• WEBSITE: David James Pelzer

Meet Chuck and Ashley Elliott, a dynamic duo in the realm of relationship guidance, active since 2009. Their journey began with Community Marriage Builders, where they honed their skills in conducting both intimate and large-scale workshops. With certifications in eight diverse Psycho-educational programs, the Elliotts specialize in fostering relational triumphs.

Their portfolio includes the creation and instruction of various marriage enrichment programs, and they are passionate advocates for discussing all facets of relationships.

Chuck brings a unique perspective as a pastor at Bethel Church in Evansville, Indiana, enriching lives with spiritual insights. Meanwhile, Ashley's expertise as a counselor at Auxilium Psychological Services is complemented by her academic prowess. She notably led the Psychology and Addictions Counseling Program at Oakland City University for over a decade. There, she developed an impressive array of Psychology courses, engaged in groundbreaking research, and even formulated a unique Communication Theory. This theory, a joint effort with Chuck, has been showcased across numerous universities and business platforms nationwide.

Outside their professional lives, Chuck, Ashley, and their three sons cherish the outdoors with activities like hiking and mountain biking. And let's not forget those rare but memorable family dance parties that add rhythm to their lives!

Related Links:

• WEBSITE: ChuckandAshley.com
• INSTAGRAM: @chuckandashleyelliott
• FACEBOOK: /chuckandashley
• YOUTUBE: Chuck and Ashley

Are you thriving beyond your wildest dreams? Want to do this together? Listen in to this episode and challenge yourself to THRIVE!

In this episode we deal straight up with FEAR!

LINKS:

• WEBSITE: Jeff & Cheryl Scruggs
• INSTAGRAM: @CherylScruggs
• AMAZON: Book: Thriving Beyond Belief
• AUTOGRAPHED COPY: Order here

Are you thriving beyond your wildest dreams? Want to do this together? Listen in to this episode and challenge yourself to THRIVE!

• WEBSITE: Jeff & Cheryl Scruggs
• INSTAGRAM: @CherylScruggs
• AMAZON: Book: Thriving Beyond Belief
• AUTOGRAPHED COPY: order here

Kia Stephens is a wife (of 19 years) and a mom of two who is literally in the trenches of motherhood.  Most days are spent driving her teen and tween around like an overworked and underpaid taxi driver.

A few years ago, however, she acted on her desire to become a writer and created The Father Swap Blog to help women exchange their father wounds for the love of God the father. Five years later she is a contributor for iBelieve and Proverbs 31 Ministries and the host of the Hope For Women With Father Wounds Podcast. Her writing has been featured on Ann Voskamp’s Blog, Christianity Today, Crosswalk, Beloved Women, and Incourage.

GUEST LINKS:

• WEBSITE: Kia Stephens

Words matter. Our words matter. And Well Said* explains why they do, how to make the most of them and why doing this can change our lives. Most importantly, Sarah’s practical tips intertwined with personal life stories are grounded in Biblical truth and convey God’s love for each person. Choosing to use our words to speak life allows the Lord to work in ways we never imagined or could dream for ourselves. It’s not easy and it’s not instant but it will be life-challenging and life-changing.

GUEST LINKS:

• WEBSITE: Sarah Molitor
• BOOK: Well SAID

"My husband and I own a charming historic home, Hillside Farm, just outside Philadelphia. It’s a lovely property with giant trees and rolling hills, an enormous barn, a chicken coup, and a constant stream of friends and family. groups, her passion is in small-group settings."

Really? Write about my life at Hillside? I chuckled and put the idea in my back pocket, never expecting to take it out again. But, like a persistent seed, the idea refused to stay buried. Instead, it took root and sprouted straight up. And before I knew it, one page after another, a book was born. It took all of us working together. My daughters did the calligraphy and illustrations, and Bob cheered me on.

Like Hillside, the book is a representation of Bob and me. We have flipped many homes, but Hillside is the apex of our rehab adventures.

For one year, we documented our life at the farm through words and photographs. In spring, we planted bulbs and threw garden parties. We gathered eggs and baked quiches. We celebrated new life and growth and all the color that comes with it. In summer,  the fun and games went on from morning till night. Family and friends flowed in and out, and the BBQ never stopped. In autumn, we picked bushels of apples, baked crisps and pies, shut our garden down, and remembered why we are thankful for one another. In winter, as the snow covered the fields, we stayed warm inside with soups and stews and favorite books read by the fire. The monotony of the cold was broken by holiday parties and the promise of a new year. From our favorite traditions and time-earned wisdom, to family recipes, gardening ideas, and hosting tips, for one year, we captured what “home” means to us. It is our hope that you will feel at home in its pages and be encouraged to make your house a home for others as well.

Welcome to Hillside Farm.

GUEST LINKS:

• WEBSITE: RUTH MCKEANEY
• BOOK: Hungry For Home

Dr. Daniel Emina is a child/adolescent and adult psychiatrist and Associate Medical Director of Amen Clinics—a chain of nationally recognized outpatient healthcare clinics that has pioneered innovative techniques in mental health diagnosis and treatment. He’s experienced in treatment for anxiety, suicidal ideation, mood disorders, addiction, ADD/ADHD, impulsive/disruptive behavior disorders, autism spectrum, psychotic disorders, OCD, PTSD, and TBI. Dr. Emina is a board member of the University of San Francisco’s Center for Child and Family Development and a member of the One Hit Away Advisory Council. He’s also a board member and treasurer for the Extended Arms Initiative in Los Angeles, a nonprofit organization focused on homeless outreach and overseas medical missions. Dr. Emina is married to Emily and has one daughter.

Rick Lawrence is an award-winning author, journalist, cultural researcher, editor, and national speaker. He’s been executive editor of GROUP Magazine for 32 years. He creates and leads interactive learning experiences for church and cultural leaders, parents, and teenagers. Lawrence has authored hundreds of magazine articles and is the author, co-author, or editor of 39 books and curricula. He’s the general editor and chief contributor of the bestselling Jesus-Centered Bible. He hosts the popular podcast Paying Ridiculous Attention to Jesus, now in its fifth year. He and his wife, Beverly Rose, have two daughters.

Guest Links:

• AMAZON: The Suicide Solution: Finding Your Way Out of the Darkness
• WEBSITE: Ricklawrence.com
• FACEBOOK: /RickSkip
• WEBSITE: https://www.amenclinics.com/team/daniel-emina-m-d/
• INSTAGRAM: @DocEminaMD

Mike Donehey has seen his fair share of the unexpected. Following a potentially fatal car crash as a teen, Mike learned to play the guitar while still in bed recovering from his injuries. Learning the guitar quickly gave birth to songwriting, and that songwriting quickly led to the formation of a band.

That band, Tenth Avenue North, became one of the most loved and successful artists in Christian music. Beginning with their acclaimed national debut, Over and Underneath, Tenth Avenue North’s audience multiplied with each new album and hit song, like radio favorites “Love Is Here,” “By Your Side,” “You Are More,” “Losing,” “Worn,” “I Have This Hope,” and multi-week no. 1 smash “Control (Somehow You Want Me).”

At the beginning of 2020, despite widespread notoriety and a devout following, Tenth Avenue North’s members began to sense they each had their own unexpected and unique roads to follow. Mike has seized this opportunity, reveling in the excitement to expand as a storyteller, communicator and thought instigator wherever his voice is heard.

Mike’s acclaimed book, Finding God’s Life for My Will, was an immediate best-seller upon its release. It is soon to be followed by his next book, Grace In The Gray, releasing in January 2023.

Mike’s podcast, Chasing the Beauty, looks for the joy of God in the places we didn’t think it could be on the AccessMore network.

Perhaps most exciting has been Mike’s writing and producing new music. His acclaimed solo album Flourish is just the beginning of the flow of new music coming our way.

The unexpected has a way of disrupting our lives in ways we might not have ever chosen. For Mike, learning to embrace the unexpected has been the very thing that has brought forth encouraging and soul-healing art time and time again. Looking forward, Mike is trusting to be led in any way that will allow him to continue to serve and inspire.

MIKE'S LINKS:

• WEBSITE: MikeDonehey.com
• INSTAGRAM: @mikedonehey
• AMAZON: Grace in the Gray: A More Loving Way to Disagree

Army veteran Fernando Arroyo considers himself privileged to serve veterans struggling with different issues ranging from PTSD, drug addiction, and homelessness. His job is to provide veterans with pastoral counseling and to walk alongside them as they regain sobriety and control of their mental health.

In his powerful new memoir, The Shadow of Death: From My Battles in Fallujah to the Battle for My Soul, Arroyo details his career in the military, as well as his crisis of faith: “I went from feeling invincible to feeling completely broken. There was only one person to blame for all of this, and it was God. God took the woman I loved away from me, God kept me from getting out of the Army, and God was making me feel miserable. I was angry with God—and meanwhile I had to train for war.”

FERNANDO'S LINKS:

• Book: The Shadow of Death: From My Battles in Fallujah to the Battle for My Soul 

SHOW LINKS:

• WEBSITE: Jeff & Cheryl Scruggs
• INSTAGRAM: @cherylscruggs
• AMAZON: Book: Thriving Beyond Belief

Dr. Kim Allen is an accomplished professional in Information Technology, Education, and Spiritual Leadership. With specialties in planning, professional development, adult education, and small group leadership, she develops and presents curricula, mentors women who need technical skills to return to the workplace and assists other spiritual leaders in facilitating life-changing materials. Dr. Allen has provided curriculum resources worldwide.

Kim is a graduate of the Executive Leadership for Information Technology Excellence (ELITE) program sponsored by the Governor’s Center for Information Technology Professionals in the state of Texas. She also participated in developing the State of Texas Strategic Plan for Network Resources. Dr. Allen participated in the review of the State of Texas high school Computer Science curriculum for textbook adoption.

Through experiences she never believed possible, God used her unique understanding of business principles and attention to detail to advance her career and relationships simultaneously. Her dreams now continue to include adult education and leading small groups. As a Christian businesswoman, God opened many doors and used others to speak truth into her life while mentoring her to bravely face challenges in her educational endeavors, overcome adversity, and help others work toward spiritual transformation. While Dr. Allen has facilitated and presented in large groups, her passion is in small-group settings.

Kim and her husband enjoy traveling, fishing, and the beauty of nature found in outdoor activities. However, she considers her most significant accomplishment is seeing transformation in the lives of others.

GUEST LINKS:

• WEBSITE: KimAllenAuthor.com
• AMAZON: Crushing Insecurity: Pushing Boundaries and Pursuing Dreams

Today's episode is about mentally thriving! What does that mean?

You can live an abundant life in every area and in every season. You can practice the lost arts of being a vibrant human being. You can be energized and enjoy more of what matters most spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally, and relationally.

The closer a courageous, rooted, and thriving woman gets to realizing her life’s purpose, the more she understands that abundant living is nothing like what she once thought it was. It’s not perfect circumstances; it’s perfect peace within those circumstances. This book gives women practical tools to improve every relationship they have by doing the hard work of knowing “the real you” and learning to be vulnerable. Deep satisfaction comes from women knowing who they are, overcoming their fears, facing the difficult stuff of life, and making lasting change. And it all starts with the journey of knowing and understanding who God made them.

No matter where you’ve come from, what you’ve experienced in the past, or the mistakes you’ve made—you can learn to thrive the rest of your life.

LINKS:

• WEBSITE: Jeffandcherylscruggs.com
• INSTAGRAM: @CherylScruggs
• BOOK: THRIVING BEYOND BELIEF: BUY

Debra Fileta is a passionate woman of faith, dedicated to Jesus. As a licensed professional counselor, speaker, and author, she specializes in dating, marriage, and relationship issues. Debra has written several books, including True Love Dates, Choosing Marriage, Love in Every Season!, Are You Really Ok?, Married Sex, and RESET. She hosts the Love + Relationships Podcast, offering relationship advice to callers. Her influential blog, TrueLoveDates.com, promotes healthy relationships and reaches millions annually. Debra is also the founder of the Debra Fileta Counselors Network, offering online counseling sessions.

LINKS:

• WEBSITE: DebraFileta.com
• INSTAGRAM: @DebraFileta

Kathy DeGraw is a prophetic deliverance minister releasing the love and power of God. She loves to ignite and activate people, release prophetic destinies and deliver people from the bondage of the enemy. In her meetings, the glory of God appears and people are supernaturally healed and delivered as the Word of God goes forth and is preached!

She is the founder of Kathy DeGraw Ministries and K Advancement LLC. She enjoys traveling internationally, releasing the love and fire of the Holy Spirit, teaching believers how to walk in the fullness of God and release their prophetic potential. She uses her prophetic anointing to deliver people from the powers of darkness and goes deep in the ministry of deliverance eradicating strongholds, exposing the root causes and legal rights of the enemy, and evicting evil principalities.

Kathy hosts a weekly podcast show on the Charisma Podcast Network called Prophetic Spiritual Warfare that has reached hundreds of thousands of people. Kathy is a prophetic voice and writer on The Elijah List, Charisma Magazine, Prophecy Investigators, and Spirit Fuel. She has a clear and unique gift of discernment and operates in a strong prophetic, healing and deliverance anointing. She has published several books including her most recent book, Prophetic Spiritual Warfare! Kathy has also written, Unshackled, Discerning and Destroying the Works of Satan, SPEAK OUT, and more!

Kathy is married to her best friend, Pastor Ron DeGraw, and is a mom to three adult children, Dillon, Amber (son-in-law, Josh) and Lauren (and son-in-law, Alex). She is also fond of her Golden Retriever puppy, Shiloh. They reside in Michigan.

LINKS:

• WEBSITE: Dawn Barton

Rhonda Stoppe is an author and speaker dedicated to helping women live life with no regrets. With over 30 years experience as a mom, mentor, and pastor’s wife, Rhonda’s wisdom and experience will help you:

• Discover significance in God and His specific purpose for your life.
• Connect biblical principles to everyday decisions.
• Develop a loving marriage that others dream about.
• Influence the next generation by raising children with integrity.
• Leave a legacy of a life well-lived with no regrets!

LINKS:

• WEBSITE: Rhonda Stoppe