Season 2, Episode 18: A Soft Place to Land: Finding Hope in the Hard Seasons with Tanner Olson

Description: What does hope sound like when life gets heavy?

In this gentle and grounding episode, Amber sits down with author, poet, and friend Tanner Olson—the beloved voice behind Written to Speak—to talk about his newest book, Getting Through What You’re Going Through: Notes and Poems for Hoping and Becoming (Zondervan Gift, releasing February 17, 2026).

Tanner writes for the in-between moments—between heartbreak and healing, fear and faith, burnout and becoming. His short, powerful reflections create a soft place to land for anyone walking through a hard season. Together, Amber and Tanner talk about mental health, slowing down, infertility and grief, hope, creativity, poetry, and the courage it takes to keep going when you’re not sure you can.

If you’re tired, overwhelmed, or unsure how to take the next step—this conversation is for you.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

✨ Tanner’s story and the heart behind Getting Through What You’re Going Through
✨ Why slowing down is essential for mental health—especially for Gen Z
✨ Honest conversations about anxiety, grief, infertility, adoption, and hope
✨ How poetry creates space to breathe when words feel hard
✨ What it really looks like to honor the in-between seasons

Takeaways:
✨ Faith that doesn’t rush healing—but walks with you through it
✨ A special reading from Tanner’s new book
✨ A rapid-fire round that includes Pancake the dog 🐶

✨ Hope doesn’t have to be loud to be real
✨ You don’t have to fix everything to take the next step
✨ The in-between seasons still matter
✨ Slowing down is not failure—it’s wisdom
✨ You are not alone in what you’re going through

Resources Mentioned:

📚 Getting Through What You’re Going Through: Notes and Poems for Hoping and Becoming — Tanner Olson (Zondervan Gift, Feb 17, 2026)
📚 Walk a Little Slower — Tanner Olson
📚 All the Things I Say to God — Tanner Olson
💻 Website: https://writtentospeak.com
📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/writtentospeak

💻 Website: ⁠https://AmberGinter.com⁠
📸 Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/amberginterauthor⁠

Reminder: Sometimes getting through what you’re going through starts with slowing down and taking one gentle step forward.

Season 2, Episode 17: Loving Through Addiction — Supporting Recovery and Finding Hope After Loss with Caroline Beidler

Description: What does it mean to love someone caught in addiction—or to grieve someone you’ve lost to it? In this deeply personal and hope-filled episode, Amber sits down with author, speaker, and recovery advocate Caroline Beidler, MSW, to talk about loving well through addiction, supporting recovery without losing yourself, and holding onto faith after loss.

Drawing from lived experience, professional insight, and faith, Caroline shares wisdom for families impacted by addiction, overdose loss, relapse, and long-term healing. Together, Amber and Caroline explore boundaries, grief, shame, recovery, and the redemptive power of community and story.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Caroline’s personal journey through addiction, recovery, and calling
✨ How to love someone in addiction without enabling or self-abandonment
✨ What to say—and what not to say—to someone grieving an overdose loss
✨ Healthy boundaries rooted in love, not guilt
✨ Why recovery involves families, faith, and emotional healing—not just sobriety
✨ How storytelling breaks shame and creates belonging

Takeaways:
✨ You are not responsible for someone else’s addiction or recovery
✨ Grief and hope can coexist—even when the outcome isn’t what you prayed for
✨ Boundaries can be compassionate and Christ-centered
✨ Recovery is holistic: spiritual, emotional, relational, and physical
✨ Your story, even the painful parts, can bring healing to others

Resources Mentioned:
📚 https://whenyoulovesomeoneinrecovery.com/— Caroline Beidler
📚 You Are Not Your Trauma — Caroline Beidler
📚 Downstairs Church — Caroline Beidler
💻https://www.carolinebeidler.com/
📸 Instagram: @carolinebeidlerofficial
🌿 Circle of Chairs Community
🌐 Recovery.com

Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: ⁠AmberGinter.com⁠
📸 Instagram: ⁠@amberginterauthor

Reminder: Addiction doesn’t get the final word—grace, healing, and hope do.

Season 2, Episode 16: Good Enough — Anxiety, Hustle, Faith, and Letting Go of Earning God’s Love with Felicia Joy

Description: What if your anxiety isn’t a sign of weak faith—but a sign you’ve been trying to earn God’s love? In this honest conversation, Amber and Felicia Joy talk about the pressure to do all the things, never feel good enough, and how that mindset quietly turns faith into performance. Together, they explore anxiety, perfectionism, counseling, and the freedom that comes from remembering you don’t have to earn grace.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Felicia’s faith journey and the church messages that shaped her early beliefs
✨ How anxiety and pressure to “get it right” impact our relationship with Jesus
✨ The difference between hustle faith and grace-filled faith
✨ Why anxiety doesn’t mean you’re failing God
✨ Honest conversation about counseling and mental health as a Christian

Takeaways:
✨ You don’t have to earn God’s love by being calmer, better, or more put-together
✨ Anxiety is not a spiritual failure
✨ Counseling can be a healthy, faith-honoring step
✨ A bad therapy experience doesn’t mean you should give up on getting support
✨ Rest and grace are part of healing—not rewards for getting it right

Resources Mentioned:
📚 Felicia Joy
💻 Website: https://iamfeliciajoy.com/
🛍️ Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/iwearhope
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamfeliciajoy/

Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: ⁠AmberGinter.com⁠
📸 Instagram: ⁠@amberginterauthor⁠

Reminder:
You are not behind, broken, or failing—God’s love is not something you have to earn.

Season 2, Episode 14: Calling, Change, and the College-to-Career Leap — Interview with Lillian Chung

Description: The leap from college to the “real world” can feel exciting, overwhelming, and uncertain all at once. In this episode of Authentically Amber, I sit down with Lillian Chung, a recent college graduate who moved to Florida to begin an internship with Cru’s Jesus Film Project. Together, we unpack calling, transition, identity, anxiety, adulthood, and what it means to walk with God into a brand-new season. Whether you’re graduating soon, navigating your first job, or unsure where God is leading, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone—God is already in your future.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Lillian's story: graduating, moving states, and starting with the Jesus Film Project
✨ What the college-to-career transition really feels like—emotionally, spiritually, and mentally
✨ How calling often unfolds step by step, not all at once
✨ Navigating anxiety, loneliness, pressure, and uncertainty as a young adult
✨ Practical tools for trusting God through major life changes
✨ Encouragement for Gen Z stepping into adulthood with courage, faith, and grace

Takeaways:
✨ You don’t have to have your whole future figured out—just the next faithful step.
✨ Calling is less about the job you have and more about who you’re becoming in Christ.
✨ Big transitions often bring big emotions—and that’s human, not a sign of weak faith.
✨ God is faithful in the unknowns, and He walks with you as you grow into adulthood.

Resources Mentioned:
🎥 Jesus Film Project (Cru) — learn more at: https://www.jesusfilm.org

📚

Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor

Reminder: You don’t have to know the whole map to take the next step—God is already in your future, guiding you right where you are today.

Season 2, Episode 13: Heartbreak, Healing, and Hope — Ryan Holland on Relationships, Breakups, and Mental Health

Description: Breakups hurt—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In this episode of Authentically Amber, I sit down with Ryan Holland, host of the Holy Heartbreak podcast, to talk about navigating the messy, complicated world of relationships and loss. Ryan unpacks how relational pain can trigger anxiety, impact self-worth, and shape our spiritual lives. Together, we look at coping strategies, faith-based resilience, and how heartbreak can actually become a doorway to deeper healing. Whether you’re currently heartbroken or untangling wounds from the past, this conversation will remind you that God meets you in heartbreak—and leads you toward hope.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Ryan’s story and how Holy Heartbreak was born
✨ How breakups affect anxiety, sleep, confidence, and identity
✨ Why unrequited love can feel physically painful
✨ Faith-based ways to cope with heartbreak
✨ Mental health tools to regulate emotions after relational loss
✨ Lessons you can’t afford to miss from your breakup
✨ Encouragement for Gen Z + young adults navigating relational confusion

Takeaways:
✨ Heartbreak isn’t weakness—it’s evidence of your capacity to love.
✨ Faith + mental health practices can coexist and strengthen one another.
✨ God doesn’t waste relational pain; He reshapes you through it.
✨ Healing is slow, sacred, and absolutely possible.

Resources Mentioned:
🎙️ Holy Heartbreak Podcast — hosted by Ryan Holland
📸 Instagram: @holyheartbreak.podcast and Ryan's personal channel here.

Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor

Reminder: Heartbreak is hard—but you’re not alone. God sees your pain, and with Him, healing and hope are possible.

Season 2, Episode 12: Boundaries, Rights, and Biblical Wisdom in Counseling – Interview with Dr. Luther Smith

Description: What happens when you step into a counseling session—whether as a counselor or as someone seeking help? In this episode of Authentically Amber, I’m joined by Dr. Luther Smith, host of The Re(Nyoo)ed Mind Podcast and Department Chair of Biblical Counseling at Calvary University, to explore the often-overlooked dynamics of counseling: how counselors protect themselves, what rights clients have, and how Scripture equips us to navigate both. Dr. Smith also shares his personal journey into counseling and offers wisdom for Gen Z navigating faith, therapy, and mental health.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

✨Luther's personal journey to counseling.

✨How can counselors and clients protect themselves in counseling sessions?

✨Where do we see biblical support for counselor and client rights?

✨Why does this matter to Gen Z?

✨Practical next steps you can take: What if I'm scared to go to counseling?

Takeaways:

✨Counseling doesn't have to be scary and overwhelming.

✨ You do have rights as a counselor and counselee.

✨The first session might be awkward, but you can advocate for yourself.

Resources Mentioned:

📖 Contagion by Erin Bowman

Connect with Luther:

💻 Spotify

📸 Website

💻 [email protected]

📸 IG

Let’s Connect:

💻 Website: AmberGinter.com📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor

Reminder: Counseling is not just about healing our wounds—it’s about walking in the freedom Christ desires for us. Faith and counseling, when combined, can bring holistic transformation.

Season 2, Episode 11: Grief Without Band-Aids: Navigating Loss Honestly— Interview with Jordan Lamar

Description: Grief isn’t linear, and it doesn’t follow a tidy timeline. In this heartfelt episode of Authentically Amber, I sit down with Jordan Lamar, Director of Strategic Accounts at WebMD Health Services, to talk about facing grief head-on—without rushing the process or pretending to be okay. Jordan opens up about losing her sister-in-law and what it’s taught her about authenticity, faith, and healing. Together, we unpack what it looks like to grieve honestly, support others through loss, and lean into God’s presence when life hurts most.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Jordan’s story of loss and how grief reshaped her faith and perspective.
✨ Why it’s so important to feel pain fully instead of masking it with “I’m fine.”
✨ How to process grief honestly through prayer, community, and emotional awareness.
✨ Practical ways to support others walking through loss—what to say and what not to say.
✨ Encouragement for anyone balancing grief with daily life, work, or responsibilities.
✨ A reminder that Jesus Himself wept—and that it’s okay for us to do the same.

Takeaways:
✨ You don’t have to rush grief—healing isn’t on a schedule.
✨ God isn’t disappointed by your sadness; He meets you in it.
✨ The most loving thing you can do for someone grieving is to simply be there.
✨ “I’m not okay” can be a holy and healing place to start.

Resources Mentioned:
📖 John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.”
💻 WebMD Health Services

Connect with Jordan:
📸 Instagram: @jmlamar

Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor

Reminder: God sees your grief. You don’t have to hold it together—He’ll hold you through it.

Season 2, Episode 10: Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic — Finding Freedom and Faith —Interview with Jon Seidl

Description: What does it look like when faith and addiction collide? In this powerful and deeply vulnerable episode of Authentically Amber, I sit down with Jon Seidl—author, speaker, and storyteller—to talk about his journey as a Christian who became an alcoholic and found redemption through honesty, therapy, and faith. Jon’s new book, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic, is a raw and redemptive look at how grace meets us in our darkest places. Together, we unpack the reality of addiction, how Christians can wrestle with shame, and why telling the truth about our struggles is one of the most powerful ways to heal.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Jon’s story of faith, addiction, and rediscovering God’s grace.
✨ How addiction can take many forms—and why Christians aren’t immune.
✨ The power of radical vulnerability and storytelling in the healing process.
✨ Practical tools and spiritual steps for overcoming hidden habits and addictions.
✨ Hope for anyone who feels trapped, ashamed, or disqualified by their struggle.

Takeaways:
✨ Addiction isn’t a moral failure—it’s a human struggle that needs grace, not guilt.
✨ Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s a weapon against shame.
✨ Freedom starts with honesty—with God, yourself, and others.
✨ Your story, no matter how messy, can be a ministry.

Resources Mentioned:
📚 Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic by Jon Seidl
💻 Website: JonSeidl.com
📸 Instagram: @jonseidl
🐦 Twitter/X: @jonseidl
🎙️ Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic (Podcast available wherever you listen!)

Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor

Reminder: You don’t have to hide your struggles—God can redeem every part of your story and use it for hope, healing, and purpose.

Season 2, Episode 9: Learning to Live Loved: Healing Fear, Faith, and Family in the Journey of Adulting— Interview with Janet Newberry

What if growing up — or “adulting” — wasn’t about becoming more independent, but learning how to live more loved? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Janet Newberry, host of the Love is Fearless podcast and founder of John 15 Academy, to explore how our upbringing, family systems, and church experiences shape our mental health and sense of self. After losing her mom to suicide, Janet found herself on a journey of healing that redefined her faith, identity, and relationships. Through that process, she discovered that love — not fear, performance, or perfection — is what truly transforms us into healthy adults.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ How childhood and family patterns affect mental health in adulthood.
✨ Why many young adults struggle with performance-based faith and fear of failure.
✨ Janet’s story of losing her mom to suicide and finding healing through love.
✨ The difference between “living afraid” and “living loved” — and how to tell which one you’re doing.
✨ How to form a secure identity in Christ as the foundation for emotional maturity.
✨ Encouragement for anyone wondering if God can redeem their past (spoiler: He can—and does).

✨ Practical tools for building healthy adult relationships rooted in truth and grace.

Takeaways:
✨Needing help is holy work.

✨Setting boundaries isn't just necessary, but healing.

✨Live to "trust" God, not just "please" God.

Resources Mentioned:

📚 Education by Design, Not Default: How Brave Love Creates Fearless Learning by Janet Newberry

💻Website: john15academy.com (Restoring the Lost Art of Being Family)

📸 Instagram: @janet_newberry

Let’s Connect:💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor

Reminder: You don’t have to earn God’s approval or fix everything to be worthy of love. You already are.

Season 2, Episode 8: Generations Deep — Healing From Inherited Trauma Through Faith and Therapy— Interview with Gina Birkemeier

Description: Do you ever feel stuck in patterns you didn’t choose—habits, reactions, or beliefs that seem to run in your family? In this powerful episode of Authentically Amber, I sit down with Gina Birkemeier, licensed professional counselor, trauma therapist, and award-winning author of Generations Deep, to talk about breaking free from generational trauma. Gina’s unique blend of faith, therapy, and science (including the study of epigenetics) helps people understand what’s been passed down—and how to rewrite their stories with God’s help. Together, we explore how to stop repeating cycles of dysfunction and start living out a new legacy of healing, hope, and purpose.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Gina’s personal story of growing up in generational dysfunction and finding her calling in trauma therapy.
✨ What generational trauma really is—and how it shows up emotionally, spiritually, and relationally.
✨ How faith and therapy work together to help us break family cycles and reclaim our identity in Christ.
✨ The science of epigenetics and how trauma can be passed down through generations.
✨ Practical tools to begin healing your family story today.
✨ Encouragement for anyone wondering if God can redeem their past (spoiler: He can—and does).

Takeaways:
✨ You can’t heal what you won’t acknowledge—awareness is the first step to freedom.
✨ Faith and therapy are partners in healing, not competitors.
✨ God doesn’t just want to redeem your story; He wants to redeem your family line.
✨ The past explains you, but it doesn’t have to define you.

Resources Mentioned:
📚Generations Deep: Unmasking Inherited Dysfunction and Trauma to Rewrite Our Stories Through Faith and Therapy by Gina Birkemeier
📚 The Choice by Edith Eger
📚 Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore
💻 Website: www.GinaBirkemeier.com
📨 Substack: https://ginabirkemeierlpc.substack.com/
📸 Instagram: @ginabirkemeier

Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor

Reminder: You don’t have to repeat the story you were born into—with faith and healing, you can write a new one.