Can We Ask You This?
By Can We Ask You This Podcast
Can We Ask You This?Apr 02, 2024
Ep. 15 Forgiving Your Abuser, Overcoming Childhood Sexual Abuse, and Discovering Hope
What does it look like to forgive your abuser? How do you recover from sexual abuse that you kept hidden for most of your life? Is the hope to be found after abuse?
On this episode, Kathleen bravely shares her story of discovering healing and forgiveness after major childhood trauma. Listen as she shares how she has been able to forgive her abuser, and what that has meant for her today. This episode will leave you feeling encouraged and inspired by the redemptive work of Jesus.
Special thanks to our Editor, Ryan, who not only made this episode sound so smooth, but also guest co-hosted!
For information about Celebrate Recovery: https://www.faccalgary.com/our-groups/celebrate-recovery
Emails us: podcast@faccalgary.com
Ep. 14 Leaving the Occult and Finding Healing in Jesus
Rachel was born and raised in the Occult, and was trained for a life of wickedness. On this episode, she shares the story of what it was like to exist in the kingdom of darkness, and how God rescued her from the depths of it all.
"When He calls you by name it's as though everything inside you, no matter how resistant, has to say, "yes!" He called me through everything - through all the muck, the mire, the false, the ugliness. He called me by name and I heard it."
This episode is a great reminder that there is a spiritual battle at place, and we need to keep our eyes on our Commander, Jesus.
Want to get in touch with Rachel?
Email: rachelmckenziebooks@gmail.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rachelmckenziebooks/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rachelmckenziebooks/
YouTube - www.youtube.com/@AuthorRachelMcKenzie
Books available: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738009025?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_WA654P25KXCTNBMVY4YZ
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/173800905X?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_MMJK1FH9MTPKD6QT18KM_1
Want more info on Inner Healing Ministry? Click here: https://www.faccalgary.com/our-groups/innerhealing-ministries
Thank you to our podcast editor, Ryan, as he poured so much time into smoothing out this episode! We couldn't do this without you!
If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to subscribe, rate, and review! For more information/to contact the show, email podcast@faccalgary.com Thank you for listening!
Ep. 13 Gen Z and the Church
What is Gen Z all about? What is their relationship with the Church? Who is God to them? Are they even interested in a relationship with Jesus?
Listen in as our resident Gen Z-er, Angel Castillo, unpacks what it was like to grow up as a digital native, how the presence of technology and social media impacted her childhood, and what she (and other Gen Z's) are looking for in a church community (and if that's even something they want!). This is a conversation that is full of amazing insights and will leave you feeling hopeful for the next generation.
Special thanks to our special guest, Angel, for offering her insights on this topic. Thank you to our podcast editor, Ryan, as he poured so much time into smoothing out this episode! We couldn't do this without you!
If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to subscribe, rate, and review! For more information/to contact the show, email podcast@faccalgary.com Thank you for listening!
Ep. 12 The Big "C" ... Is There Hope After A Cancer Diagnosis?
What happens when your doctor sits you down and says the word, "cancer" in reference to you? Maybe there's moments of fear, sadness, anger, hopelessness. For Fern, it was a moment of relief. After months of knowing something was wrong, she felt instant relief when she heard her diagnosis of Stage 3 Oral Cancer. After an 8 hour surgery, 11 days alone in the hospital, and many days of radiation, Fern has discovered what it means to have enduring hope amidst all circumstances.
Fern is a retired counsellor and pastor, with a wealth of knowledge and experience to share ways to cope when life gets really difficult, and how to have hope through it all.
Check out her book, "Embrace Life, Embrace Hope," by Fern Buszowski here: https://www.amazon.ca/Embrace-Life-Hope-Cultivating-Resilience/dp/1486623697
Find Fern on Instagram: @hope.blooming
Find Fern on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtHopeBlooming
Special thanks to our amazing editor, Ryan, for putting this episode together! We could not do this without you!!
Thank you, Fern, for coming on to share your story and inspire us to discover enduring hope in all circumstances! Your story is powerful!
If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to subscribe, rate, and review! For more information/to contact the show, email podcast@faccalgary.com Thank you for listening!
Ep. 11 Healing from Church Hurt and Rediscovering Identity
What do you do when the future you'd always planned on is quickly ripped out from underneath you, and the calling you were sure you had is suddenly the source of immense pain and trauma?
For years, Zach had felt sure of the calling God had placed upon his life - to serve as a youth pastor in a church. Not long after graduating from University, he was offered what he thought was his dream job, and he and his wife moved across the country to pursue this ministry opportunity. The dream quickly became a nightmare, and Zach found himself questioning the faith he'd always known, the calling he had been so sure of, and his overall sense of identity.
Listen in as Zach, now a Psycho-Spiritual Practitioner, shares his story of church hurt, and how he has discovered healing through it all.
If you'd like to reach out to Zach to learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, email him here: zhair1993@gmail.com
Special thanks to our editor, Ryan who makes these episodes sound so good!!!
For more information/to contact the show, email podcast@faccalgary.com
Ep. 10 Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Finding Hope
Jim had it all; a well-paying job, a stable relationship, and a place to call home ... until one night at a party, where he experimented with drugs and suddenly found himself hooked. Within a matter of months, he lost his job, house, and relationship. He wound up living in his truck, addicted to drugs, and hopeless.
In this episode, Jim shares what it was like to hit rock bottom repeatedly, and how God rescued him from the cycle of addiction and homelessness.
If you've ever felt hopeless or wondered where God is in the midst of the hard things of life, this episode is for you!
Special thanks to our producer, Ryan, for all of his hard work putting this episode together and making it sound so smooth!
Don't forget to subscribe and review our podcast! Thanks for listening!
Ep. 9 The Rwandan Genocide, Pain and Suffering, and Is God Good?
In the face of suffering and trials, we are often faced with the question ... is God actually good?
Listen along as special guest, Sherri shares her experience of being a social worker with Samaritan's Purse during the Rwandan Genocide, and how she reconciled what she said she'd always believed, with the terrors that were confronting her face-to-face. In this episode, Sherri speaks openly about an experience that shaped her life and faith and shares an honest perspective on suffering. If you've ever wondered why God allows pain and suffering, and what to believe in the midst of it, this episode is for you.
Thank you Sherri, for sharing your powerful story and for giving us a glimpse into a life that is totally marked by the hope found only in Jesus.
Thank you as well to our producer Ryan - we could not do this without you, and are so thankful for the hours you pour into making each episode sound so smooth and listen-able!
For questions/comments, email podcast@faccalgary.com
Ep. 8 Life as an Incomplete Quadriplegic and Rethinking the Term, "Disability"
At age 15, Erik found himself in a tragic car accident that resulted in him becoming an incomplete quadriplegic, and his mother losing her life. It was a devastating accident that completely shifted the trajectory of his entire life. Now, more than 25 years later, he's sharing what it was like to adjust to his new reality, cope with the grief, and discover God's path for him. Listen along as he shares some practical ways that we can make space for people who face physical disabilities, and how we can learn to truly see each person as invaluable in the eyes of God.
As mentioned in the episode, here are Alan Hirsch’s 4 P’s for Embracing People with Disabilities:
• Presence – Make room for those who have disabilities to be part of your life & vis versa (tear the roof down if you have to!).
• Proximity – What are your disabilities? Look at your journey through your descriptive self, defended self, & deeper self. How do these things shape your relationship & connection with those who have visible disabilities?
• Powerlessness – You are not in relationship with those with disabilities to cure them or serve them. You are in relationship with them because you love them.
• Proclamation – The more time you spend with those who have disabilities gives the open door for an invitation to share truths about one another’s lives & what transformations can happen. We don’t make proclamation happen… we let it happen.
Check out the disability conference happening on June 10: https://mcmasterdivinity.ca/creativejusticeconference/
Special thanks to our producer Ryan, who makes sure this episode plays well and runs smoothly! We could not do this without him!
If you want to chat more about today's episode or have questions, send us an email at podcast@faccalgary.com
Ep. 7 Identity, Labels, and Embracing Single Parenthood
In this episode, Robert shares his story of trying to live up to society's definition of "success," and how that ultimately impacted his mental health. Listen in as he shares his journey of experimenting with drugs, alcohol, and workaholism, all in the name of searching for an identity that had been placed on him by others. As his work life continued to improve, his personal life took a hit, and he suddenly found himself alone in his home, while his fiance and son had moved out. In this episode, Robert shares what it has been like to have everything that had previously made up his identity stripped away and to discover his true identity in Christ. He talks about what life is like now, as a child of God who is also embracing the realities of single parenthood. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they had to wear a mask or live up to an expectation to fit in. Robert's story is honest, compelling, and full of wisdom.
*Trigger warning - alcohol & drug use, suicidal ideation*
For questions/comments, email podcast@faccalgary.com
Special thanks to our producer, Ryan, for co-hosting this episode and doing all of the sound editing to make this podcast sound the way it does! We could not do this without you!
Ep. 6 Mental Health, Trauma, and A Story of Healing
What happens when it feels like there is no safe place for you?
In this episode, Lisa shares her story of the day her "brain broke," after being sexually assaulted as a child by a deacon in her church, and how she has come to finally discover healing and restoration. Listen in as Lisa unpacks what it was like for her to be the youngest of 9 children, a victim of various forms of abuse, all while growing up in a legalistic church context.
If you've ever been told that your mental health struggles are because you "haven't prayed hard enough," or you "have a lack of faith," this episode is for you. As a mental health ministry leader, Lisa talks about what mental health healing can look like in its various forms, and how God was with her through every step of her personal healing journey.
***Trigger warning: physical abuse, sexual abuse, suicide***
To check out Lisa's blog & brain scans: https://lisamayleblanc.com/category/neurofeedback/
Renewing Hope Mental Health Ministry: https://www.faccalgary.com/our-groups/mental-health-ministry
For the Father's Love Letter: https://www.fathersloveletter.com/
For questions/comments, email podcast@faccalgary.com
Special thanks to our producer, Ryan, for pouring so much time and energy into making this podcast sound and feel the way it does!
Ep. 5 Recovering From Childhood Physical & Sexual Abuse
In this episode, Nancy is vulnerably sharing how the physical and sexual abuse from her past has and continues to impact her today, and how she is finding healing in Jesus. Whether you've experienced trauma or not, this episode is an important opportunity to gain perspective and a new level of understanding for people in all stages of a healing journey. *NOTE: redactions added to protect individual's identity in relation to Nancy's story*
Special thank you to our podcast producer, Ryan, for putting hours and hours into putting this episode together and making it sound so smooth!
*trigger warning - physical & sexual abuse, suicide*
If you or someone you know is dealing with abuse of any level, don't be afraid to reach out to local authorities, and send us an email at podcast@faccalgary.com to get connected to other supports that are available.
Ep. 4 Sexual Addiction, Recovery, and Discovering Freedom in Jesus
On this episode, Cory and Rosalind chat with special guest, Brett, as he talks about his battle with sexual addiction, and how he discovered Jesus in the midst of his recovery. Listen as Brett describes how the addiction began, what lead to him seeking help, and what tools he uses to continue living in a state of recovery. This conversation is important for everyone to listen to - whether you've personally faced addiction or not. Catch a glimpse into what life is like for someone battling addiction and learn practical tips for how to help someone towards recovery. This is an episode you'll want to listen to, and then re-listen to ... and then share it with someone who may need to hear it.
If you are someone who is battling addiction, don't be afraid to reach out for help. You can always send us an email at podcast@faccalgary.com, and we'd love to connect you with organizations that are equipped to help.
If you want to learn more about Celebrate Recovery, click here: https://www.celebraterecovery.ca/
Thank you to Brett for so vulnerably sharing his story on this episode. Thank you to our producer, Ryan, for the incredible editing work that goes into each episode!
Ep. 3 !BONUS! Christmas Episode - Was it really a silent night?
Was it really a silent night, or was there a little more to it than that? In this special episode of the "Can We Ask You This?" podcast, Rosalind and special guest, Kristen, sit down to talk about the possible realities of that one holy night, and how it applies to all of our stories today. This conversation is thought provoking, fun, and definitely festive!
Special thanks to our producer, Ryan, for making tons of tweaks, putting this episode together, and even contributing to this special episode's conversation!
Merry Christmas!
Ep. 2 Unexpected Pregnancy, Single Motherhood, and Finding Community
On this episode, Kristen shares her story of an unexpected pregnancy, single motherhood, and finding Jesus in the grey areas of life. It's an episode that will challenge you to listen first, and love people wherever they're at.
Thank you to Kristen for bravely sharing her story on this episode, as well as to our volunteer producer, Ryan, who puts this show together and makes each episode sound so smooth!
Ep. 1 Gender Identity, Pronouns, and Growing Up In the Church
Listen in as Tolu shares what it was like to struggle with issues around gender identity as a child and young adult, and how that impacted her relationship with God. What was it like to truly feel as if you were made in the wrong body from a young age, while simultaneously hearing that "God doesn't make mistakes"? You're invited to lean into the discomfort and questions that this episode may bring up, and discover how Jesus fits in the midst of this story and others like it.
So, Tolu, can we ask you this?
Huge thank you to our amazing volunteer producer, Ryan Danforth, for putting this show together and making us sound like we might actually know what we're doing!
For questions or comments about the show, feel free to email us at podcast@faccalgary.com.