Pain to Passion Live

In this episode, I discuss the struggle of making decisions and trusting oneself. I share personal experiences and insights, highlighting the importance of regaining your voice and learning to trust your intuition. I offer practical tips for making small decisions, reflecting on how your personal story have impacted your ability to make decisions, and talk about how you can give yourself disconfirming experiences that allow you to believe something new. I encourage listeners to have faith in the process, to invest in their healing, and to show up for their own well-being and growth.

Connect with Gabi:

In this episode, I am joined by Jael Anker-Lagos as we dive into a journey of self-discovery, embracing our purpose, and the power of community. We discuss the importance of trusting ourselves, expanding our dreams, and finding healing through faith. Jael shares her personal experience of moving from people-pleasing to embracing her identity as a child of God. She beautifully highlights the significance of community in navigating life's transitions and finding support along the way. Join us in this inspiring conversation about self-discovery, faith, personal growth, and community. You won't leave the same! More about Jael: Jael Anker-Lagos is a God-Girl and she loves experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit by connecting with people like you! Community has carried Jael through life’s transitions time and time again. Now, she loves to serve in communities and help others create life-giving communities.

Connect with Jael:

Sign up for Nov. 27 workshop - https://beyondreal.mn.co/landing/plans/344598

Website - https://beyondreal.mn.co/

In this episode of Pain to Passion Live, I'm diving deep into a heart-to-heart conversation with Rachel Havekost, a remarkable mental health advocate and writer. Rachel's story is about resilience, transformation, and hope, and I can't wait to share it with you!

In our chat, Rachel takes us back to her early years and opens up about her struggles with an eating disorder. She shares how she didn't have many people to relate to during those challenging years, but then how things took a positive turn when she found support through group therapy and hearing others tell their stories. She shares how this experience reshaped her path to healing. As we chat, you'll learn how she found herself on a unique journey of becoming an influential mental health advocate. Rachel's storytelling prowess is remarkable, as you'll see as she breaks down stigmas around depression, eating disorders, and divorce. We dive into her personal journey of self-discovery, learn more about how she's learned to truly value herself, AND hear the coolest story about invitation to the Harvard Mental Health Summit! This episode is a testament to the transformative power of sharing personal stories and its immense impact on the mental health landscape. So, get ready to gain valuable insights and feel inspired to embrace your unique self!

More about Rachel: Rachel is the bestselling author of "Where the River Flows," and has built an online presence devoted to de-stigmatizing mental health. She aims to facilitate a new age of wellness that is rooted in empowered education rather than profit from pain, and hopes to carve out spaces online and offline where folks feel seen, understood, and represented.

Connect with Rachel:

In this special episode of Pain to Passion Live, I sit down for a heart-to-heart with special guest, Tiffany Reese, host of the award-winning true crime podcast, Something Was Wrong. We explore the world of genuine human connection, empathy, and resilience. Tiffany's genuine warmth and her powerful ability to create safe spaces have been the driving force behind her her podcast's incredible success.

From Tiffany's own journey as a child survivor of an abusive home to her experiences as a true crime documentarian, we delve into the strength and inspiration she has drawn from her own life. With a candid conversation that touches on breaking free from trauma, the art of holding space for others, and the profound impact of sharing survivor stories, this episode offers an uplifting perspective on the beauty of finding purpose in helping others heal. Join us in this engaging chat as Tiffany Reese and I navigate the complexities of the human spirit, the power of resilience, and the dream of creating a world of genuine connections and safe spaces for all.

More About Tiffany:

Tiffany Reese, host of the Something Was Wrong podcast, is an abuse survivor, digital creator, body-positivity stylist, victim advocate, and author based in California. After launching Something Was Wrong in 2019, the show has flourished and is currently in its 17th season. Tiffany has published two books, Strong Women Rising (2020) and Everything Sucks: A Gratitude Journal for People Who Have Been Through Some Sh*t (2019). She is the founder & CEO of Broken Cycle Media, a survivor-led, victim-centered multimedia company focusing its time and resources advocating for crime survivors and change within our systems, lives, and laws.

More About Something Was Wrong:

Something Was Wrong is an award-winning true-crime audio docuseries about the discovery, trauma, and recovery from shocking life events and abusive relationships. SWW aims to uplift and validate abuse victims and educate listeners on important topics such as emotional, physical and sexual abuse, coercive control and gaslighting.

Connect with Tiffany Reese and Something Was Wrong:

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with the incredible Michelle Hsu, who truly embodies the transformation from pain to passion. Michelle is an abundance mindset coach, motivational speaker, mother of two, and a strong mental health advocate. She opened up about her personal journey, which has led her to a deep commitment to child and youth advocacy.

Michelle shared how her challenging childhood, marked by difficult family dynamics and abusive experiences, ignited her passion for helping others navigate their own struggles. Her academic background in psychology, with a specialization in developmental and cognitive psychology, reinforced her dedication to understanding the human mind and the potential we all possess. Michelle's story is a powerful reminder that we can break free from the chains of our past and create a brighter future for ourselves.

We delved into her transformation, the moment when she realized she needed to take control of her own life and well-being. Michelle's awakening came when she couldn't ignore the weight of her own excuses and the realization that she had been living to please others for far too long. Her journey toward self-discovery and empowerment serves as a beacon of hope for anyone feeling stuck or unfulfilled. Michelle's message is clear: you don't have to be fearless or ready to make a change, but you do need to be fed up with the way things are. She encourages us all to take those first steps, even if it means moving forward with fear.

Connect with Michelle:

Heyyyy friend! I have some AMAZING guests and episodes coming up right around the corner, and as we get ready for that I wanted to post this replay of the most popular solo episode of this podcast to date! Enjoy!

---- Today I wanted to talk with you about the dangers of getting caught up in a healing vortex. Something we trauma survivors can often end up doing is becoming soooo focused on our healing journey that it actually becomes detrimental. Let's chat about some of the warning signs of being so consumed with how we are healing that it's hindering our healing. Should be a good chat! (oh, with some funny interruptions from my dog along the way. #reallife) Did you like this episode? Shoot me a message and let me know! ALSO - *very important* - your ratings and reviews are what get this podcast out into the world, so if you can take a moment to leave a rating and review, it would mean so much. Thank you! 

Connect with Gabi:

Welcome back to another episode of Pain to Passion Live! In this episode, I find myself in the familiar setting of a Starbucks parking lot, where inspiration always seems to strike. It's funny how our ideal podcasting setup doesn't always match the locations where we feel most inspired, right? But hey, even in the show "Only Murders in the Building," their podcasting success comes from recording on their phones, so we're in good company. ;)

Now, let's dive into the heart of today's discussion: success. We often associate success with external outcomes, like financial achievements or business milestones. But what if we shifted our perspective? What if success was defined by the integrity of keeping promises to ourselves and taking action, regardless of the immediate results? In this episode, I explore this paradigm shift and how it can lead to a more fulfilling and sustainable sense of success.

I also share a powerful concept called "body doubling," especially helpful for those with ADHD, and how it ties into redefining success. So, if you've ever felt stuck in a cycle of chasing results that never seem to satisfy, join me in reshaping our understanding of success. And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend and don't forget to subscribe for more exciting guests and discussions coming up soon. Thanks for tuning in!

Connect with Gabi:

Hello, lovely friends! Gabi here, excited to chat with you. Today, let's explore the idea of healing and emotional responses.

Did you know that it's incredibly important to allow our natural reactions to trauma, reactions like shaking, crying, or even screaming? Suppressing these responses can lead to long-term issues.

These physical reactions to difficult or traumatic experiences can be an example that, as we heal, it may feel like we're going backward because we're finally feeling our emotions again. But remember, this is progress, not regression.

Feeling anger when faced with injustice is valid; it's your body's response to something wrong. Grieving when trust is broken is healing, so don't hold back.

Healing and success go hand in hand. Trust your intuition, be authentic, and watch your growth. Sometimes, having to wait a bit longer for opportunities to open up can be a gift. It allows for more healing and growth, so when you do enter those spaces, you're truly yourself.

Stay tuned for exciting guests, and if you're interested in one-on-one coaching, check the show notes for more info. Thanks for joining me, and take a moment to savor your coffee or tea. Talk to you soon!

Connect with Gabi:

I'm back after a brief hiatus! In this episode I delve into the concept of "Good Girl Syndrome" and how it has affected my life and how it may be affecting yours. I share a story about a therapy session revelation (IYKYK;)) and how it freed me from the constraints of conforming to specific societal expectations.

Join me as I discuss the pressures of being a "good girl" and the belief that I must only express positive emotions. I challenge the notion that complaining is sinful and emphasize the importance of speaking one's truth, even when it involves acknowledging frustration or annoyance.

This episode invites you to break free from the limitations of Good Girl Syndrome and embrace the power of honesty and vulnerability. I hope my personal journey serves as a beacon of hope for anyone else learning to speak up and tell the truth, even when it's not pretty.

Tune in to this empowering episode of Pain to Passion Live as my journey inspires you to break free from the confines of Good Girl Syndrome and embrace the truth within you.

Connect with Gabi:

On this episode of Pain to Passion Live, I have a very special guest: Tasha Hunter, a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, survivor, writer, speaker, and a fierce advocate for child abuse survivors and those who have struggled with thoughts of ending their lives.

In this episode, Tasha shares some of her incredible journey of self-discovery and healing. She opens up about her struggles and how she found her true calling in becoming a therapist. Tasha reveals the pivotal moment when a therapist told her, "There's nothing wrong with you; it's trauma," and how this simple statement changed her life forever.

Through raw vulnerability, Tasha takes us on a profound exploration of her childhood experiences, trauma, and the lasting impact it had on her ability to trust others and speak her truth. She shares how therapy became her safe space and a catalyst for her transformation.

Join us as Tasha reflects on the power of healing, the strength of the human spirit, and the beauty of showing up for others in their pain. We learn that the journey to self-discovery is ongoing, and even though Tasha has come a long way, she candidly shares that there are still parts of her that are still in the process of learning to trust others and know herself.

This episode will resonate deeply with anyone who has faced trauma or struggled to find their voice. Tasha's story reminds us of the importance of compassion, connection, and the profound healing power of therapy.

More about Tasha:

Speaker, author, therapist, and host of the When We Speak podcast.

I believe healing comes when we have people in our lives who hold space for us, allow us to show vulnerability, offer hope, and encouragement. I believe that we can manage almost anything if we have people in our lives to walk with us through the insurmountable circumstances that come our way.
I believe many of the world’s problems exist because of relationship and communication failures. I believe that healing cannot happen without fully acknowledging what hurts, who hurt us, and how it’s impacted our lives. I believe that we should all find our voice and live in our own truth—whatever that might be.

Connect with Tasha:

For today's episode of Pain to Passion Live, I had an incredibly insightful conversation with Marcie Alvis Walker, an amazing writer who shares her personal experiences as a Black woman in this world. Marcie's journey as a storyteller is truly inspiring, and you can feel her passion for storytelling in every word she shares.

We dived deep into her book, Everybody Come Alive, where she poignantly describes growing up between two different worlds, with her grandparents on one side (who presented a more assimilated image to the world) and her mother on the other (who embraced her Black identity with pride). This contrasting environment exposed her to the complexity of racial dynamics from an early age.

We discussed how race is often more about people's feelings and perceptions than actual facts. It's something Marcie experienced as a child when she watched "Roots" with the rest of the world. The show brought the subject of race to the forefront, but back then, there was little language or understanding to discuss it openly. This lack of language and education about racism only perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misconceptions.

Marcie also touched on the impact of systemic racism and how it affects children, especially in their early developmental years. It's essential for parents to acknowledge the larger public conversation about race and engage with their kids to create a more inclusive and empathetic world.

We talked about the power of storytelling in shaping perspectives and changing lives. Stories have the ability to transform our views of the world and build bridges of understanding between people from different backgrounds.

Throughout the podcast, Marcie's insights are truly eye-opening, and her personal experiences shed light on the importance of having open conversations about race and its impact on all of us. I'm grateful to Marcie for sharing her story and inspiring us all to create a more compassionate and inclusive world.

This is a conversation you won't want to miss!

As always, please rate and review this podcast, and share with a friend! Let's get these empowering and encouraging episodes out to as many people as we can. Thank you, friends!

More about Marcie: Marcie Alvis-Walker is a writer and the creator of the blog and Instagram feed, Black Coffee with White Friends and the author of EVERYBODY COME ALIVE: A MEMOIR IN ESSAYS.She is passionate about what it means to embrace intersectionality, diversity and inclusion in our spiritual lives.She recently moved to Chicago, Illinois with her husband, daughter, and their dog Evie where she reads a lot of books, watches a lot of movies, and drinks a lot of tea and coffee.

Connect with Marcie:

Hello, my friends! Thank you for listening to this important solo episode of Pain to Passion Live.

In this episode, I share my personal journey with spiritual abuse and open up about the impact it had on me. I delve into the dark reality of spiritual abuse, where individuals in positions of authority manipulate and control others using their relationship with God. While acknowledging the complexity of the topic, I offer validation and support to those who may be facing spiritual abuse in their lives. Together, we explore the definition of spiritual abuse and the harmful effects it can have. I provide insights into my upbringing in a conservative evangelical home, highlighting the patriarchal rules and authority dynamics I encountered. Drawing from my own experiences working for a well-known Christian couple, I shed light on the manipulation tactics used to silence and coerce me and others. I address the trauma responses I faced and the lasting scars it left behind. Throughout the episode, I emphasize the importance of recognizing spiritual abuse and seeking help. I offer resources and a compassionate voice to those who may be struggling in similar situations. It is my hope that through this episode, listeners find validation, support, and the courage to prioritize their well-being.

**Episode Highlights:**

- I introduce the topic of spiritual abuse and explain my personal motivation for discussing it.

- We explore the definition of spiritual abuse, emphasizing its manipulative and controlling nature.

- I discuss the ways in which spiritual abusers use a person's relationship with God and religious beliefs to coerce and manipulate.

- I reflect on my upbringing in a conservative evangelical home, sharing the patriarchal rules and authority dynamics I experienced.

- I recount a specific instance of working for a well-known Christian couple, detailing the spiritual abuse I endured.

- I describe the manipulation tactics used against me, such as silencing, guilt-tripping, and threats of job loss.

- I share the trauma responses I experienced and the lasting impact of the spiritual abuse on my well-being.

- I highlight the importance of recognizing spiritual abuse and seeking help.

- I provide resources for those who may be facing spiritual abuse and offer guidance on navigating these challenging situations.

- I acknowledge the difficulty of leaving a community associated with spiritual abuse and encourage listeners to prioritize their own well-being.

- I conclude the episode with a message of validation, self-care, and the reminder that making mistakes is part of being human.

Connect with Gabi:

Welcome back, friends! Today I'm REPLAYING the most popular episode of Pain to Passion Live to date - I have also heard from so many people about how this episode has touched their hearts and lives! If you have experienced or are experiencing loss of any kind, this is a must-listen. Enjoy this amazing conversation I had with Morgan Cheek...and please share with anyone who needs this message!

April 4, 2023: I feel so honored to be sharing Morgan Cheek’s story with you all on today’s episode of Pain to Passion Live!

Morgan is an incredible human who I’m so grateful to have met in the wilds of Instagram. Her story has moved me deeply on so many levels, and I know it will move you as well.

On this episode we talked about Morgan’s beautiful twin daughters, Bailey Grace and Ally, who were born with a very rare disease and who left this earth at the ages of 6 and 7. We talk about how their lives changed Morgan and the way she sees the world and about the beauty of just being and knowing you are loved exactly as you are. Morgan also shared how she’s changed since losing the girls - how it’s made her look hard at her life and want to live more freely and authentically. It’s caused her to see God in a new light and realize that a life of performance is not a life lived fully awake and alive. To be known, loved, authentic, and free is how life is meant to be lived.

Join us for an inspiring episode of Pain to Passion Live as my friend Jillian Riddell opens up about her transformative personal journey.

From discovering a shocking secret at a young age to overcoming challenges as a teenage mother, Jillian's story is a testament to resilience and the pursuit of healing and self-worth. You will be so inspired as you hear Jill share how she confronted her deepest wounds, embraced therapy, and found healing through authenticity.

In this episode, you will also learn how Jillian's experiences as an ER trauma nurse inspired her to create the Life Without Secrets podcast, a platform for authentic conversations and self-discovery. Explore the transformative power of self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-compassion in forging meaningful connections and breaking free from the past.

More about Jill: Jillian Riddell is a former teen mom turned Valedictorian and current certified leading expert in trauma and emergency nursing, She is highly regarded by those needing hope when obstacles seem too great to overcome. Her insights have been honored by the Daisy Foundation and featured on ABCnews. Being a trauma nurse and podcast host of Life Without Secrets with Jillian Riddell, she understands our basic human needs to love and to belong. As someone who lived her entire childhood as a secret, Jillian is on a mission to help people feel more connected by diving deep, getting real, and growing together.

Connect with Jill:

Welcome back to Pain to Passion Live! In this special episode, I am thrilled to announce the launch of the brand-new Pain to Passion Coaching Program!

If you've ever felt like your dreams have died or faced roadblocks in pursuing your goals, this unique 12-week journey is designed for you. I will guide you through healing, creating beautiful relationships, and achieving success with joy and authenticity. With personalized one-on-one calls, daily Voxer access, and transformative homework worksheets, you'll rediscover who you truly are and unleash your full potential. Join Gabi for a free 30-minute consultation to see if this program is the right fit for you! Link is below in the show notes. Plus, when you book a call, you'll receive an incredible 50% off the coaching program.

Don't miss this opportunity to unlock your dreams and step into your purpose. Visit the show notes for the consultation link or DM me on Instagram. Rise up, heal, and embrace a life filled with passion. Feel free to email me at Gabi[at]paintopassionlive.com with any questions.

Get ready for breakthroughs that will change your life. I am so excited to connect with you!

"I'm going through a lot right now." I've been hearing so many people say this recently, including myself.

Truth is, life is tough! But I've found myself feeling really grateful in the midst of the tough things because I've recognized some signs that the healing work I have done is actually impacting my life in profound ways. That's what I want to talk with you about on today's episode of Pain to Passion Live!

You'll start to gain an understanding of how much you've grown and healed when...

• You feel your feelings when they come up, allow them to be expressed, and don't get stuck!
• You go through something really hard and it doesn't take you out (like it would have in the past).
• You don't feel guilty about setting and maintaining boundaries with people for your well-being.
• You make decisions for your wellness based on self-compassion and self-worth instead of guilt or shame.

Do you recognize any of these markers of healing in your own life? Let me know!

Thank you for listening to the podcast! Please take a moment to rate and review - it will help a ton!

xx- Gabi Ruth

Fear is tricky. It's a very natural emotion, but it can make you feel like you should avoid things that maybe you should actually be engaging in.

I know for me, I've been prone to fear and anxiety for most of my - like most survivors of early childhood trauma and CPTSD! Again, like I said, it's so normal to feel fear. But over the years I have really learned that some of life's greatest gifts are on the other side of fear. So how do we move through fear without betraying our bodies and our hearts? How can we reframe what we think about fear when we encounter it? And what might we find on the other side of fear if we learn how to move through it more regularly?

These are some of the questions I am answering in this short and sweet episode. I'm so excited for you guys to grasp these concepts and be able to courageously move into some of those things you may have stayed away from because you've been afraid.

Tell me your story about moving through fear - I'd love to hear it! Shoot me a DM on Instagram or email me at gabi@paintopassionlive.com!

And as always, if you are enjoying this podcast, please rate and review. Thank you so much!

When's the last time you thought about whether or not you actually love yourself?

On today's episode of Pain to Passion Live, I am so honored to share a conversation with my beautiful friend, Lori McAfee, who is a QUEEN at helping others understand what it means to truly love themselves.

I am so grateful for Lori's willingness to share her own story of learning to love herself - a story that includes an unexpected teen pregnancy, the grief of her church community asking her to leave, and of understanding that love is a vulnerable thing - that is so so worth it.

Have you ever asked yourself any of these questions: Is it right to love myself? Is it safe to be seen? Do I know and appreciate who I truly am? Do I believe I have intrinsic value? If I don't fully love myself, am I still able to fully love others?

If you have, this episode is for you. You will be SO blessed and encouraged, my friend!!

And remember - you are LOVED.

More about Lori:

 Lori McAfee is a sought-after life coach, speaker, and podcast host of “Get Your Rear in Gear with Lori.”  

Lori is a professional certified life coach, an emotional intelligence practitioner and a behavioral consultant with DiSC assessment with marriage certifications. 

As one that believes life is a choice, she learned the hard truth of losing oneself and what it means to get your rear into gear to get to know and love who she truly is.  

Lori is a wife to the love of her life, a mother, and Mimi to an all-girl gang. She is a lover of sunsets over a lake, the echoes of laughter, and the tender warmth of love, and she is an unapologetic disciple of Jesus. 

Connect with Lori:

If you're anything like me, you have struggled throughout your life to believe that you actually matter as much as anyone else.

Personally, I was raised in a conservative Christian environment with messages like "always put others before yourself" and "what you want doesn't matter" and "always give to others." Don't get me wrong - I absolutely believe in serving others, in being generous and giving, and not living selfishly. But so often, these "Christian" teachings (I say that in quotes because I do NOT think they reflect Jesus) become harmful because we don't value ourselves and can get to the point where we will do anything that anyone else wants or needs, even if it actually hurts us.

It's been a process for me to deconstruct this, and maybe it's been the same for you. In this brief and vulnerable episode, I share a bit about the revelations I've been having about this in the past few weeks. It's been revolutionizing my world, and I thought you all may benefit from these thoughts, too.

Thank you so much for being here with me! Would you mind taking a moment to rate and review the podcast? Also if you could share about it on social media or send to a friend or two, that would be amazing! I want as many people as possible to receive the encouragement available here on this show. Thank you so much!!

For months I have been eagerly anticipating having this conversation with Rachel Luna about her new book, Permission to Offend!

This book is amazing and our conversation was a BLAST. I love Rachel's heart and her energy, and I know you will too!

There's SO much goodness in the book, including these topics that we chatted through for this episode:

- What's the difference between beliefs and values, and why are these things important for understanding your identity?

- What are personal truths, why are they important, and how can we respectfully hold others' personal truths without compromising our own?

-Being an Empathetic Offender (y'all, this is JUICY!)

-How does increasing your permission to offend and to be offended help create deeper and more authentic relationships?

-Boundaries and being your own boundary bully!

-How dreaming and permission to offend go hand-in-hand.

...and so many other wonderful nuggets!!

Make sure you go snag a copy of Rachel's book, Permission to Offend, and leave a review on Amazon!!

If you're enjoying this podcast, please take a moment to rate and review. Thank you sooooo much!

More about Rachel:

Rachel Luna, author of Permission to Offend, is a highly sought after international speaker & Certified Master Neuroscience Coach to 6 and 7 figure earning entrepreneurs. Named by Forbes as one of The 11 Most Inspiring Female Entrepreneurs To Follow On Instagram, this former US Marine has a reputation for inspiring confident action and helping her clients double, triple and quadruple their income. Her clients often referred to her as their “secret weapon.”

Rachel calls herself a magnet for miracles because despite losing both her parents to AIDS, struggling with eating disorders in her teens and battling alcoholism and depression in her early 20’s, Rachel has never allowed herself to be limited by life circumstances. Instead, she persevered and when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in the summer of 2019, Rachel tackled it the same way she does everything - with confidence, faith and love.

Within 30 days she was cancer free and today she continues to thrive, teach, and activate confidence in others. Through her top-rated podcast, Permission to Offend - which has listeners in over 90 countries around the world - social media platforms, email list, courses, her live event Confidence Activated, and journaling membership - The Faith Activated Journaling Experience, Rachel is on a mission to help 11 million women step into faith, worth and wealth.

Standing only 4 feet 11 inches tall, Rachel is a tiny but mighty firecracker who lights up the room and galvanizes her audiences all around the world. An international speaker, Rachel has been invited to share her powerful talks all across the globe from the US to Europe to Japan and has been featured in Forbes twice, The Huffington Post, Success Magazine and Latina Magazine among many others.

If you’re ready to return to your truth, own it, and live fully self-expressed without fear of judgment, rejection or defamation - so that you can step into your next level of elevation, Rachel Luna is the girl you call.

Connect with Rachel:

Welcome to another Coffee with Gabi episode of Pain to Passion Live!

Let's have a little chat about getting the courage up to do the things you're scared to do but that you know you're supposed to do. It's pretty likely that you've been called to do something that seems a little (or a lot) scary for you. Resistance to what you're meant to do is really really normal. What isn't normal is intentionally walking into that fear and moving through it to do the thing…that’s what will set you apart.

What might you miss if you don’t do that scary thing? What might you find out about yourself if you DO?

I share a story of how this has played out in my own life that I hope REALLY encourages you - the story of how I started speaking in public. It's really kinda cool :)

Tell me what you're gonna go out and do now! Take courage!

(The song I mention in this episode is The Voyage, by Amanda Cook...it's so good definitely go check it out!)

Suffering is one of those things that happens to every single human. For some of us, it comes and goes, and for some of us, it seems to linger. Either way, what do we do with it? How do we thrive through it?

My conversation with Jennifer Magnano for this episode of Pain to Passion Live hones in on these questions as she shares her own stories of wrestling with pain. I am so honored to be sharing her stories with you all!

Come and listen to this beautiful soul talk about chronic illness, losing her faith, receiving a life-changing diagnosis, finding faith again, and parenting children with unique needs while living with chronic pain. I promise you, you'll find treasure in her words just as she's learned to find treasure in life - not after pain, but in the midst of it.

Thank you for listening! Please take a moment to rate and review!

More about Jennifer: Jennifer Magnano aka The Barefoot Preacher is a mother, writer, and Ayurvedic postpartum (doula) specialist. She honors the wild, holy work of local and global motherhood through resonant writing and speaking, parent and birth worker mentorship, resources & community education. With personal experience of the chaos and complexity to exist throughout the caregiving years, Jennifer’s ongoing work is that humanity knows peace. The kind that begins within and echoes throughout generations to come. Connect with Jennifer:

I am so grateful and honored to have had this amazing conversation with the beautiful and wise Patricia Taylor. I sincerely hope that my listeners will lean in and listen closely to her important story, because it's something we all need to hear.

The fact is, racism is real in America and it's real in church. When toxic theology and unhealthy patriarchal leadership are met head-on with the reality of what it's like and how it feels to be Black in this country, the result can be significant gaslighting and spiritual abuse. That has been the experience of many, and it has been Patricia's experience as well. I'm truly inspired by her commitment to telling the truth in the face of so much resistance and opposition, and by how she has decided to fully show up as herself, even when it costs her.

How can we do better as believers when it comes to racial justice? What can we do to lean in, listen, receive, and grow from hearing and believing the stories of our Black brothers and sisters? Patricia addresses these questions and others in this episode - out of desire for change and the goodness of her heart. Because - as she states early in this interview - "I don't have to...be forward-facing in the advocacy work that I do. And I wholeheartedly believe that... especially for black women, people of color... we do not owe anyone our time, our energy, our efforts, our education. We're not a resource. We are humans." Soak this one in, friends! And I'd love to hear your thoughts.

As always, if you're enjoying the podcast, please RATE AND REVIEW! :) It helps so much with getting the word out and with my ability to get incredible guests like Patricia on the show.

Thank you!

More about Patricia:

Patricia A. Taylor is a wife, mom, and California native turned Texas transplant. She believes in brown Jesus, loving all our neighbors, and having critical conversations around racial justice with clarity and candor. As an anti-racism educator, podcaster, and writer, she has had various speaking and teaching opportunities, including contributing to Sesame Street in Communities through education-based videos and course writing. You may connect with her work on Instagram @patricia_a_taylor and on Facebook at Some Thoughts From Your Black Friend by Patricia A. Taylor. Connect with Patricia:

Have you ever been given advice about something important, and you tried to follow that advice to a T? Maybe it was to help you get a promotion at work, complete a specific project, achieve a certain goal, or parent a special needs child.

It was that last one for me. I got advice from many professionals as I was trying to navigate parenting my son who had a trauma history and needed immense help with his mental health, emotional regulation, and ability to have healthy attachment. I did everything I could to follow the advice they gave me...even when it became clear that it was becoming harmful for me.

Want to know what happened? Or can you relate to this feeling? Listen to the episode to hear what happened and how I got through it. And remember that your healing matters.

Thank you for listening! If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate and review - it helps soooo much!!

Welcome to Season 2 of Pain to Passion Live!!!

What does "HOME" mean to you? Maybe it's a place, or a relationship, or a sense of security. As humans, I think all of us are on a constant search for a sense of safety and homeostasis in a world that is filled with unpredictability and chaos. No matter what we do or how much we think we can control, the truth is that everything is temporary and we can get blindsided by grief, loss, or disaster in the blink of an eye.

So what do we do to maintain a sense of HOME, even if our world is turned upside down? Is it even possible?

This is what I want to chat with you all about today, and I'm sharing some of my most precious personal memories as part of this episode. I truly hope it encourages, inspires, strengthens, and grounds you. You can find HOME, my friend. You are loved and you are worth it.

If you're enjoying this podcast, please take a moment to rate and review! Thank you SO very much!

Please tell me I'm not the only one who has stressed out about trying to have a "good" quiet time!!

I put "good" in quotes because - where does the measuring stick for a "good" quiet time even come from? This is a question I've asked myself a lot through the various seasons of my life because I began to realize that I thought there was something specific expected of me when I sat down for a quiet time, and if I didn't do those specific things, I thought that maybe I was a bad Christian! You get it, right? We put these stipulations on ourselves thinking things like, "I need to be up before my kids. My quiet time needs to last an hour. Every moment of my quiet time needs to be engaged in something really spiritually rich and focused."

I wanted to record a little podcast episode about this because time with God should be FREEDOM, not bondage, and yet we as humans are reallllly good an putting ourselves in bondage by creating rules to follow that are actually arbitrary. So how do we get back to freedom in our endeavor to spend time with our Creator? What might that look like as a mom with little kids or in different seasons of our lives? How do we practically set ourselves up to both have time with God and to be realistic about what our day-to-day lives look like in our current season?

That's what we're talking about on today's episode, and I think it will encourage you!

What a JOY it was to sit down and chat with my dear friend from the world of Instagram, Imani Ackerman!

I am so grateful for Imani's incredible authenticity and transparency in sharing her story of brokenness in her family as a child, of feeling jaded toward God in her teens while finding herself in abusive relationships, and how God kept pursuing her heart through it all. Hearing how her faith was reignited as she understood the truth and power of God's forgiveness really took my breath away. Seeing how God has redeemed her story with so much beauty will absolutely bless you, dear listener!

I also love how Imani shared this concept of being FREE to OBEY, and how having the choice to choose the things of God or not is actually so liberating, and how He honors and blessed that obedience while simultaneously giving us much grace for mistakes and missteps along the way. Additionally, He's place His Spirit inside of us, so we can trust that we can make decisions that are in line with His heart, and that in our weaknesses He is always strong!

I know you will relate in so many ways with Imani's story of faith and hope and healing. I can't wait to hear your thoughts!

And, as always, if you are enjoying this podcast - please rate and review!! Thank you times a million!

More About Imani: Imani Ackerman is a serial entrepreneur and homeschool mom who believes that women can have it all. She uplifts and celebrates modern Proverbs 31 women so that they thrive in their calling. She understands firsthand the challenges of living in healing, freedom, success, and purpose after surviving trauma. Imani is an author and sought-after speaker and consultant. In 2023 she graduates with her bachelors degree in English with a minor in Theology. Connect with Imani:

There are some things in life that we never see coming, some tragedies that change us forever in the blink of an eye.

On today's episode of Pain to Passion Live, I am chatting with my dear friend Melissa Ashton about her story, and how tragedy and darkness have impacted her life and her faith.

On this episode, Melissa shares several truly moving stories, including one about her eldest son being in a car accident as a young child that resulted in significant brain damage. I was so moved by her telling of this story, especially when she shared how she got on her knees and told God that if He wanted to take her son home, that He could do that. I can't even imagine how living this felt, but I do know that it is such evidence of the reality of God!!

We also talked about Melissa's beautiful adopted daughter, Olivia, who is blind but who still sees life so clearly, and how she has taught Melissa what love truly looks like. As an adoptive mama myself, this of course spoke to my soul!!

Throughout this conversation, Melissa spoke vulnerably and authentically about how God stays with us when we are in the darkness and when we experience tragedy. He doesn't orchestrate the tragedy, but He still amazingly works through it to create in us the very strength and tools we need for what comes next in our lives. We have both experienced this again and again and have learned the value of trusting this aspect of God and putting one foot in front of the other when all hope seems lost.

You are not alone, my friends! You are seen and held, even in the darkness.

I hope you are so blessed by this episode!!

As always, if you are enjoying this podcast, please rate and review so more people will get the chance to be encouraged, too. Thank you!! More About Melissa: My friends call me Missy:) Executive Leadership CoachSpeaker, AuthorMom to six amazing humans. Connect with Melissa: