Today’s episode is all about the holidays — the traditions we grew up with, the ones we’re building now, and the ones we’re deciding to leave behind. I share some of my favorite nostalgic childhood memories and the new ones we’re building with our family. And now, with my own family, I’m learning that traditions only work when there’s buy-in. You have to cast vision, set the culture, involve everyone, and make it feel special and memorable. 

But then we go deeper, because the holidays also stir things up — triggers, old wounds, insecurities, and familiar coping mechanisms. I talk honestly about the years when I used my triggers as an excuse to shut down and hide, even though all my self-awareness wasn’t actually leading me to freedom. We look at what a trigger really is, how it connects back to past pain, and why our triggers need Jesus more than they need another journaling session. I share the story of the woman caught in adultery and how Jesus didn’t shame her — He empowered her to walk differently. And I open up about burning down the “island” I used to escape to every time I felt overwhelmed. My prayer is that this episode helps you recognize the places you’ve been excusing, validating, or idolizing your triggers, and invites you to let Jesus heal them fully — even if that means burning a bridge you’ve leaned on your entire life.

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