Episode 15: Healing While Adulting: Faith, Trauma, and Therapy with Stephen Duraney – Interview

Description: Adulting is hard—especially when you’re carrying unresolved trauma, struggling with emotional health, or trying to follow Jesus in a world that doesn’t pause. In this episode, I sit down with Stephen Duraney, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and trauma therapist, to talk about how faith and therapy (including EMDR) can help us heal as we grow into healthy, whole adults.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ How unresolved trauma shows up in adulthood—relationships, work, and even faith
✨ Why many young adults feel shame over “not being over it by now”
✨ What EMDR therapy is (and why it’s not as scary as it sounds)
✨ How faith and prayer can be integrated into trauma healing
✨ Lies young adults believe about emotional health—and the truth that sets us free
✨ Encouragement for anyone struggling with trauma while navigating adult responsibilities

Takeaways:
✨ Healing is possible—even if it feels slow, messy, or incomplete
✨ Faith and therapy are not at odds; they can work beautifully together
✨ Trauma impacts the brain and body, but with the right tools, we can feel safe again
✨ You don’t have to be fully healed to start walking in freedom

Resources Mentioned:
📚 Trauma/PTSD Checklist (PCL-5): Download Here
💻 Stephen’s Website: lumin-therapy.com
📧 Connect with Stephen: [email protected]
🙏 Prayer, therapy, and EMDR as tools for Christian healing

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

Reminder: Faith and therapy aren’t enemies—together, they can heal your trauma and transform how you adult.

Episode 16: When Elderberry, Embarrassment & Anxiety Collide – Solo

Description: Ever had one of those moments that went from slightly awkward to full-blown meltdown in seconds? So there I was—sticky, confused, bleeding… or so my husband thought. Elderberry was everywhere, and so was my shame.

In this episode, I share the hilariously mortifying story of how elderberry syrup ended up on my head, my floor, and nearly sent Ben into panic mode—while I was on my period.

But what started as a mess turned into a mental health moment I didn’t know I needed. We’re talking about how quickly embarrassment can spiral into shame, and how to meet ourselves with compassion when we feel like crawling under a blanket. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by something small, this one’s for you.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ The story I never thought I’d share publicly 🙈
✨ How shame can hijack our minds (even over elderberry)
✨ Why embarrassment often leads to anxiety and perfectionism
✨ A reminder that God doesn’t cringe at our mess—He steps into it

Takeaways:
✨ Small moments can spark big spirals—and it’s okay to slow down and laugh
✨ Shame tries to define us, but grace redefines us
✨ God meets us in our mess with empathy, not judgment (Hebrews 4:15–16)
✨ You’re not alone in your spirals, your spills, or your sticky seasons

Resources Mentioned:
📚 Hebrews 4:15–16 (NIV)
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses…”

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

Reminder:
I want to hear your most hilarious mess-up or embarrassing mental spiral—DM me on Instagram or leave a comment! And don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode with a friend who needs a giggle and some grace, and stay tuned for our next episode on Overcoming Struggles & Building Resilience.

Episode 15: From Stuck to Steady — Healing Anxiety One Small Step at a Time—with Sofia Fiotaki


Description: Has anyone ever told you to heal anxiety by doing handstands on the wall—or to just “pray more and worry less”? We’ve all heard the extremes. But anxiety isn’t always panic attacks—it’s often the numbness, the overthinking, the exhaustion that won’t lift.

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with holistic anxiety coach Sofia Fiotaki to explore why traditional coping often falls short and how slow, soul-level healing is possible through holistic practices, small steps, and steady faith. If you’re tired, stuck, or spiritually discouraged, this episode will offer real hope and practical tools for walking toward peace.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ The hidden ways anxiety shows up in daily life
✨ Why faith-based clichés often fail to support real healing
✨ How to begin holistic healing when you're too tired to try
✨ Breathwork, grounding, and nervous system tools that work
✨ Encouragement for the soul who feels distant from God

Takeaways:
✨ You are not broken—you are not alone
✨ Healing is slow, sacred, and deeply personal
✨ Safety (emotional, spiritual, and relational) is foundational
✨ Faith and practical tools can coexist
✨ One small step can begin your transformation

Resources Mentioned:
📚 Unmask Your Anxiety Podcast by Sofia Fiotaki
📱 Instagram: @holistic_anxiety_coach

📱Facebook Group: Link to her profile

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

Reminder: Slow, soul-level healing is possible—one small step at a time.

Episode 14: Scrupulosity and the Christian Mind – Interview with Tori Peyton

Description:Being a young adult is hard enough—but what happens when your faith becomes one more thing to obsess over? In this raw and hopeful conversation, Tori Peyton shares what it’s like to navigate adulthood with OCD, PTSD, an eating disorder, and scrupulosity—a form of OCD tied to religious fear and shame. If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at faith, overwhelmed by your thoughts, or unsure what “healthy spirituality” looks like in your 20s, this episode is a gentle guide back to grace.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Tori’s honest story navigating OCD, eating disorders, PTSD, and depression as a young adult
✨ What scrupulosity is—and why it’s more than just “being a good Christian”
✨ How mental health struggles shape your view of God, self, and spirituality
✨ Ways to seek help, embrace grace, and let go of shame
✨ Practical encouragement for anyone silently battling spiritual anxiety

Takeaways:
✨ Your thoughts are not your worth.
✨ Just because you think something doesn’t mean it’s true.
✨ God is not disappointed in your struggle—He is present in it.
✨ Grace isn’t earned. It’s received.
✨ Mental health and faith are not enemies—they can work hand-in-hand.

Resources Mentioned:
📚 Keep Growing Podcast by Tori Peyton📱 @growwithtori on IG

📚 Exposure Response Therapy

📚 ERP OCD Workbook on Amazon

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

Reminder:
Adulting is hard, but you don’t have to figure it out alone—especially when your mind makes things feel impossible. It’s okay to seek help. It’s okay to not be okay. You are not broken. You are not disqualified. You are not too much for God. Grace is still yours—even on the days when it’s hard to believe it. Even on the days it’s hard to think straight.
Our God is not a God of disorder or chaos, but a God of peace. The Word He brings speaks peace over you.

Episode 13: “What Am I Even Doing With My Life?” — Purpose, Pressure & the In-Between - Solo

Description: Ever stare at the ceiling at night and wonder, What am I even doing with my life? Like… what’s the plan here, God? Where am I headed? Since leaving my teaching job to write full-time, I’ve felt this way often. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the “in-between”—between what was and what’s next—this episode is for you.

In this solo episode, we’ll dive into the pressure to have it all figured out, how to find peace in uncertainty, and why your purpose is still unfolding, even when you feel like you’re standing still.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Why Gen Z feels “behind” in life
✨ The myth of the linear path and how God leads differently
✨ Real stories from my own confusing transitions
✨ Biblical encouragement from Joseph, David, and Paul
✨ Practical tools for navigating seasons of waiting

Takeaways:
✨ You’re not too late, too lost, or too far gone—God is still writing your story
✨ Your purpose is not a job title; it’s who you’re becoming
✨ The in-between isn’t a waste of time—it’s preparation
✨ You don’t need clarity to be obedient
✨ Peace is found in God’s presence, not perfect plans

Resources Mentioned:
📚 Rebecca George — “You’re not too late. There is hope for your heart in the middle of a world that would love to convince you that you’re running out of time.”

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

Reminder: You are not behind. You are not failing. You are not forgotten. God is forming something beautiful in you—even here, even now.

Episode 12: The Summer I Turned Confused: Love, Expectations & Anxiety – Solo

Description: Have you ever finished a show and thought, Why isn’t my love life like that? Same. For the past few weeks, I’ve been watching The Summer I Turned Pretty—and let me tell you, I’ve got all the feels. This Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad love triangle has stirred something in me, not just as a viewer, but as a woman navigating real relationships in the real world.

In today’s episode, I’m opening up about how TV shows like TSITP (and social media too!) can shape our expectations of love and create emotional spirals filled with comparison, confusion, and anxiety. From my own personal “why doesn’t my love story look like that?” moments to the deep heart work God is doing in me, I’m inviting you into a conversation about what happens when fictional love meets our real-life longings—and how to find truth and healing beyond the screen.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Why we get emotionally hooked on fictional relationships✨ The connection between media, mental health, and unrealistic expectations✨ How shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty trigger anxiety, comparison, and grief✨ My personal confession: what I learned (and unlearned) from watching✨ A reframe of what real, God-centered love actually looks like✨ Journal & prayer prompts to process your own expectations and emotional triggers

Takeaways:
✨ You’re not too much for longing deeply✨ Real love isn’t chaotic—it’s peaceful, patient, and grounded in truth✨ God can handle your emotions, your questions, and your grief✨ It’s okay to enjoy stories—but your real story is still worth living

Resources Mentioned:
📚 Journal prompts + prayer reflections shared in the episode at the end:

7. Where might I need to grieve a fantasy—and begin accepting peace?

📺 The Summer I Turned Pretty (TV show reference)

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

Reminder:
You were created for love that’s steady, not chaotic. Love that reflects the heart of God—not just the highlight reels or plot twists on a screen. Keep healing. Keep hoping. Keep being authentically you.

Episode 11: Adulting in the Modern World — with Hannah Reager, LPC

Description: Let’s face it. Adulting is hard. Between paying bills, managing anxiety, realizing no one taught you how to do taxes, and figuring out relationships, it’s no wonder so many of us feel confused, overwhelmed, and burdened. In this episode, I sit down with licensed Christian counselor Hannah Reager, LPC, to talk about what mental health really looks like in your 20s.

Together, we dive into anxiety, emotional health in dating and marriage, faith struggles, and real tools for adulting with purpose. Whether you’re struggling to manage stress, communicate in love, or just want to feel a little less alone—you’ll leave this episode feeling seen and supported.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Why anxiety feels different in your 20s (and how to tell if it’s clinical)
✨ How to navigate emotional health in dating, marriage, and singleness
✨ What SYMBIS and Gottman therapy are—and how they can help you grow
✨ Faith struggles in adulthood and how counseling makes space for hope
✨ Red flags in relationships and communication tools for deeper connection
✨ Rapid-fire favorites: Hannah’s top resources, habits, and her #1 advice for Christian adults

Takeaways:
✨ Your 20s are a pressure-cooker of transition—therapy can offer real support.
✨ Emotional maturity is key to healthy relationships—especially in Christian dating and marriage.
✨ Faith and mental health can and should go hand-in-hand.
✨ You don’t have to have it all figured out to be deeply loved and used by God.
✨ Growth is possible, and healing is real—even in the middle of adulting.

Resources Mentioned:
📚 Gottman Card Deck App
📚 The Sacred Search by Gary Thomas
📚 Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
📚 Get Out of Your Head and Untangling Your Emotions by Jennie Allen
📚 Books by Gary Thomas and Jennie Allen on emotions, relationships, and purpose

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

Connect with Hannah:
🧠 Website: Cornerstone Family Services - Hannah Reager

Reminder: If you're feeling overwhelmed, behind, or unsure of your next step—take a deep breath. You’re not the only one who finds this season challenging. Adulting is messy and complicated, but you don’t have to walk through it alone.

Give yourself grace. Start small. And know that asking for help—whether through prayer, counseling, or community—is a sign of strength, not weakness. You are seen, loved, and held—even on the days it doesn’t feel like it.

Episode 9: From Campus to Career – Navigating the Real World After Graduation— Interview with Ian Hudson

Description: Graduating from college is a major milestone—but what happens when the cap and gown come off and you're still unsure who you are or where you're headed?

In this episode of Authentically Amber, I sit down with Ian Hudson to talk about the messy, beautiful, and often overwhelming transition from college life into adulthood.

Ian shares how his post-grad years were marked by spirals of anxiety, panic attacks, and identity struggles—but also by God’s powerful grace.

If you're wrestling with career pressure, post-grad uncertainty, or the fear of not being enough, this episode will remind you that healing and faith can coexist—and that God has a plan for you, even when the path feels unclear.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

Takeaways:

Resources Mentioned:
📚 Therapy

📚 Medication

📚 Psychologists & Psychiatrists

📚 Prayer, Scripture, Community & Family

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

Connect with Ian: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianhudson01/

Reminder:
You are not alone. You are not behind. You are deeply loved—and God’s plan for your life is unfolding even when you can’t see it yet.

Episode 10: Stay in Your Lane: Adulting and Comparison – Finding Peace in Your Own Journey -Solo

Description:It’s easy to compare yourself to others—especially when it feels like everyone else has it all together. But what if God never asked you to run their race?

In this solo episode of Authentically Amber, we’re diving into what it looks like to stay in your lane, trust God’s unique plan, and silence the lie that says you’re behind. I share a personal story of a literal car crash, a biblical perspective from Romans 12 and John 21, and three practical ways to break free from the comparison trap. If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t enough, this episode is for you.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:✨ How to recognize and reshape comparison habits✨ Why your God-given mission matters more than someone else’s highlight reel✨ The truth that she (or he) isn’t your enemy—we’re all part of the same Body✨ How Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 speak into our worth and uniqueness✨ Real-life examples from dance teams, public school talks, and personal reflections

Takeaways:

• Comparison distorts your vision—you can’t see God’s plan for your life when you're focused on someone else's path.

• Your calling is custom-made—you don’t need to copy anyone else to matter or be used by God.

• Everyone has a part to play—your gifts, even the quiet ones, are essential to the body of Christ.

Resources Mentioned:

Episode 8: Adulting in the Digital Age: The Struggle of Constant Connectivity- Solo
Finding Peace, Purpose, and Presence in a World That’s Always “On”

Description:
Have you ever felt like your phone is running your life? Between nonstop notifications, endless emails, and the pressure to stay “always available,” digital overload is real—and it’s leaving many of us drained, distracted, and spiritually depleted. In this solo episode, I’m diving into the reality of adulting in the digital age, the mental and spiritual cost of constant connectivity, and how we can reclaim our time, our minds, and our moments. If you’re feeling burned out by the buzz, this one’s for you.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Why our digital lives are making us tired—and what to do about it
• How Jesus modeled a lifestyle of rest, solitude, and spiritual balance
• Books and Scripture that are reshaping how I view rest and technology
• Practical ways to set healthy boundaries with your phone and socials
• Why solitude is sacred—not scary—and how to embrace it
• Encouragement to seek stillness in a noisy world

Takeaways:

• Your phone isn’t evil—but it might be stealing your peace
• Rest is a holy rhythm, not a luxury
• Digital boundaries help you make room for what matters most
• You become what you give your attention to—choose wisely

Resources Mentioned:
📚 The Unplugged Hours by Hannah Brencher
📚 The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

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

Reminder:If you’re exhausted from always being “on,” you’re not alone. Jesus invites you into a slower, more sacred rhythm—one of presence, purpose, and peace. Unplug, reconnect with your soul, and remember: He meets you in the stillness.