Amanda Davison Podcast

In this episode, Amanda Davison sits down with Pastor Ian Simpkins to discuss how to recognize unhealthy leadership in the church, the importance of humility and accountability among leaders, and how the church can better reflect the heart of Jesus through love and community. They explore red flags, the significance of living out the gospel, and practical ways to foster genuine belonging.

Grab Ian's new book, Every Table an Altar, here: https://iansimkins.com/every-table-an-altar

Follow Ian on Instagram, here: https://www.instagram.com/iansimkins/

SIGN UP for Amanda’s Friday Emails: https://ministry.myflodesk.com/theamandadavison

FOLLOW Amanda on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theamandadavison/

SHOP on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/theamandadavison?ccs_id=db86b309-316f-42c6-945e-ba9325724e8a

Support the show

In this episode, Amanda Davison talks with Kate Willsey about the impact of church culture on women, spiritual bypassing, coercive control, and how to reconnect with our true selves and bodies in faith. They explore how fear, shame, and control influence spiritual and emotional health, offering insights for healing and wholeness.

FOLLOW Kate Willesey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katewillsey/

Check out Kate's website, here: https://katewillsey.com/

FOLLOW Amanda on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theamandadavison/

SIGN UP for Emails: https://ministry.myflodesk.com/theamandadavison

SHOP on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/theamandadavison?ccs_id=db86b309-316f-42c6-945e-ba9325724e8a

Some topics covered in this episode include:

• Impact of church culture on women's trust and expression
• Spiritual bypassing and its effects on emotional health
• Distinguishing church hurt from people hurt
• Understanding coercive control versus biblical submission
• The importance of body awareness and self-trust in faith
• Healing from spiritual anxiety and OCD
• Theological perspectives on sin, goodness, and identity
• Practical steps for reconnecting with oneself in faith
• The role of community and accountability in healing
• Challenging harmful messages about shame and control

00:00 Introduction to the conversation
02:00 Bridging psychology and spirituality
06:17 Church hurt versus people hurt
15:42 Coercive control versus biblical submission
35:48 Why women fear trusting themselves
50:23 The role of sin and goodness in identity
55:32 Using faith as avoidance
59:12 The depth of theology and the body

Support the show

In this episode I chat about the deep human desire for safety, honesty, and authenticity, especially in faith and relationships. She shares personal experiences and biblical insights to encourage women to seek safety with God and become safe spaces for others. Oh—and how does this relate to Lindsay Clancy?

Support the show

Amber Smith shares her profound journey through grief after losing her son, River, and how her faith helped her find hope and purpose in suffering. This episode offers deep insights into trusting God amid pain, the process of healing, and the transformative power of faith.

Grab Amber's book, here: https://a.co/d/00nho32w

FOLLOW on Instagram  /   https://www.instagram.com/theamandadavison/

SIGN UP for Emails: https://ministry.myflodesk.com/theama...

SHOP on Amazon: https://a.co/d/00QKtsI8

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Amber Smith's story of loss and hope
00:27 Amber shares her journey of losing her son River
00:46 The healing power of faith after tragedy
02:30 Living with hope after grief
03:42 Wrestling with questions of God's goodness in suffering
04:36 Seeking God through scripture and prayer
05:45 How grief has changed Amber and her perspective
07:24 Understanding God's sovereignty and purpose in pain
10:08 River as an idol and finding fulfillment in God
11:22 God's preparation before tragedy strikes
12:31 Beacons of hope in the midst of suffering
14:18 Praying for healing and difficult decisions in organ donation
15:11 Encouragement for those stuck in despair
17:34 How grief has transformed Amber and her husband
19:43 The hope of eternal life and God's plan of redemption
21:01 Final thoughts and encouragement to trust God in suffering

Support the show

In this episode, Monica DiCristina shares insights on the importance of naming our pain, understanding our pain narratives, and coming home to ourselves to find healing and freedom in Christ.

Monica's website: monicadicristina.com

Monica's Instagram: @monicadicristina

FOLLOW Amanda on Instagram: @theamandadavison  

SIGN UP for Amanda's Emails: https://ministry.myflodesk.com/theama...

SHOP Amanda's Amazon: https://a.co/d/00QKtsI8

Monica DiCristina is a therapist in Atlanta, where she runs a private practice serving individuals and couples. She became a therapist after one changed her life. Monica shares therapeutic content through her Still Becoming podcast, newsletter, speaking, and her book, that is being translated into 9 different languages: Your Pain Has a Name: A Therapist’s Invitation to Understanding Your Story and Sorting Out Who You Are From What Hurts.

We dive into:

The importance of naming pain for healing
How pain stories shape our identity
Curiosity as a tool for self-discovery
The role of faith in processing pain
Sharing pain and the risk of invalidation
Unwinding identity from pain
Coming home to oneself in Christ

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Context
02:08 Why Naming Our Pain Is Crucial
03:19 Examples of Pain Stories and Their Impact
04:10 How to Name Your Pain and Its Significance
05:01 Curiosity as a Key to Self-Understanding
06:27 Recognizing and Naming Childhood Pain
07:44 The Impact of Not Naming Pain
09:08 Honesty and Safety in Facing Pain
10:13 Pain as a Namer, Not a Definer
11:21 Sharing Pain and Its Challenges
12:43 Christian Culture and Pain
14:15 Jesus and the Model of Suffering
15:12 Unwinding Identity from Pain
16:24 The Process of Healing and Self-Discovery
17:23 Pain as Experience, Not Identity
18:48 Living Beyond Pain in Christ
21:20 Coming Home to Yourself
22:28 The Goal of Knowing God and Ourselves
23:15 Encouragement to Practice Self-Discovery and Healing

Support the show

In this episode, Amanda Davison and Jordan explore the deep issues within the church, including abuse, systemic dysfunction, and the importance of women finding their voice. They discuss how faith can be reconstructed and the need for authentic discipleship and accountability.

FOLLOW on Instagram  / https://www.instagram.com/theamandadavison/

SIGN UP for Emails: https://ministry.myflodesk.com/theamandadavison

SHOP on Amazon: https://a.co/d/00QKtsI8

Jordan Tanksley is a Coach with years of experience helping individuals navigate complex life transitions—from goal setting and entrepreneurship to business expansion. As her coaching practice evolved alongside her Master’s studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, she expanded her services to include trauma-informed coaching for individuals navigating or leaving toxic relationships—personally, professionally, and spiritually. Today, this deeply meaningful work forms the core of her practice. You can find her at @reconstructed_faith.

Support the show

In this episode, Sheila Gregoire and Amanda Davison explore the harmful lies about gender roles, marriage, and church teachings that impact women's well-being and spiritual growth. They discuss biblical interpretations, the importance of voice and equality, and how to challenge systemic injustices within faith communities.

Sheila and Amanda dive into:

 - Harmful gender roles in church and marriage
 - Biblical interpretation and misapplication
 - The importance of women's voices in faith communities
 - The connection between theology and health outcomes
 - Challenging patriarchy and systemic injustice in church

FIND SHEILA HERE: https://sheilawraygregoire.com/about-sheila/#

FOLLOW on Instagram  / https://www.instagram.com/theamandadavison/

SIGN UP for Emails: https://ministry.myflodesk.com/theamandadavison

SHOP on Amazon: https://a.co/d/00QKtsI8

Support the show

Toxic teachings can confuse us into believing that enduring pain is a virtue. Many Christian women have been taught to bury their emotions, silencing their true feelings in the name of peace. But it’s time to break free from these harmful beliefs.

FOLLOW on Instagram  / https://www.instagram.com/theamandadavison/

SIGN UP for Emails: https://ministry.myflodesk.com/theamandadavison

SHOP on Amazon: https://a.co/d/00QKtsI8

Suffering doesn’t equal strength. Recognizing our worth means embracing our feelings, not pushing them aside.

We’re on a journey to redefine what true love looks like—one that values boundaries and emotions.

Are you ready to challenge the status quo?

Kris Reece is a counselor, coach, author, and speaker who has spent over 30 years studying toxic relationships professionally, enduring them personally, and discerning them biblically. Today, she helps Christians break free from manipulation, set boundaries that actually stick, and conquer codependency without losing their faith or sanity in the process.

Kris is also the author of her latest book Breaking the Narcissist’s Grip, helping readers break free from emotional control and reclaim their God given life from takers.

FIND KRIS REECE'S RESOURCES HERE:

Grab Kris' new book here.

Link to website: www.krisreece.com

Link to Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kris_reece_/

Support the show

If you've ever struggled to discern and obey God's voice, this episode is for you!

FOLLOW on Instagram  / https://www.instagram.com/theamandadavison/   
SIGN UP for Emails: https://ministry.myflodesk.com/theamandadavison
SHOP on Amazon: https://a.co/d/08AJdsne

In this episode we talk about: 

• Discerning God's voice and guidance
• The role of peace and the Holy Spirit in decision-making
• Obedience to God's call despite opposition
• The significance of baptism and spiritual leadership
• Overcoming fear and religious pressure in faith

Support the show

What if what you’ve been calling obedience… was actually control?

FOLLOW on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theamandadavison/ 

GROW through weekly emails: https://ministry.myflodesk.com/theama...

WATCH on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f87Q8Jpbpl8&list=PLiz_uL6MBQv84IKvQR4XoJ8jW-26-mNO6&index=1

SHOP my Amazon: https://a.co/d/05cg5xoQ
In this episode, we’re unpacking one of the most misunderstood topics in Christian culture—obedience—and how it’s often been taught in ways that lead to fear, pressure, and silence instead of freedom.

If you’ve ever:

• felt like you couldn’t question authority
• struggled to speak up without feeling “rebellious”
• stayed in situations that didn’t feel right because you thought it was “obedience”
• or felt anxious trying to do everything “right” in your faith

...then this episode will help you start making sense of that.

We’re breaking down the difference between:

• obedience vs control
• being led by the Spirit vs being driven by fear
• surrender vs losing your voice

And we’re grounding it in Scripture—looking at how Jesus actually invited people into obedience through love, not pressure.

Because real obedience doesn’t come from fear.
It comes from relationship.

✨ You’re allowed to have discernment.
✨ You’re allowed to ask questions.
✨ And you’re allowed to follow God without losing yourself.

John 14:15-21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...
Romans 8:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...
Matthew 11:28-30 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...
2 Timothy 1:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...

Support the show