In this episode of the Care to Change Podcast, April Bordeau sits down with therapist Jean Crane to close out the Gratitude Series. Together, they unpack the life-giving practice of mindfulness and stillness in a culture that glorifies busyness.

Jean shares her personal journey of learning to slow down and be fully present, even in the middle of a full and demanding life. She explains how mindfulness connects with gratitude, how it helps regulate emotions, and why checking in with ourselves—even for just a minute—can have a lasting impact on our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

From morning routines to simple grounding techniques, Jean offers practical ways anyone can build stillness into their daily rhythms. You’ll come away with encouragement that stillness is not only possible, it’s essential—and you are worth the check-in.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why our culture’s pace makes stillness a “lost art”
• How mindfulness and gratitude work together to change perspective
• The science behind negative bias—and how gratitude rewires our brains
• Practical tools for busy people: body scans, grounding exercises, and daily gratitude check-ins
• How to start and end your day with mindfulness for better rest and focus
• Why even small moments of stillness can deposit into your overall well-being

Resources & Mentions:

• Spiritual Practices for the Brain by Anne Kertz Kernion
• Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest by Ruth Haley Barton
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry and Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
• The How We Feel App for daily emotional check-ins

Closing Note:
As we close this series on gratitude, reflection, and self-awareness, remember: you don’t need hours or a retreat to practice stillness. You can begin with small steps today. And if you find yourself struggling, Care to Change is here to walk alongside you with practical solutions for positive change.

In this episode of the Care to Change Podcast, April Bordeau welcomes back Teresa Land, therapist and clinical supervisor at Care to Change, for an inspiring conversation on the practice of gratitude journaling.

Teresa shares how she first leaned into journaling during the difficult days of COVID, discovering it as a God-led practice that shifted her focus from anxiety to hope. She explains how journaling is more than making a list—it’s about slowing down, engaging both sides of the brain, and allowing gratitude to shape our perspective.

Together, April and Teresa explore practical ways to begin, prompts that make reflection meaningful, and how gratitude journaling can transform not only how we see ourselves but also how we connect with God and others. This practice, though simple, has the power to bring calm, deepen faith, and build resilience.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why gratitude journaling is more than “making a list”
• How writing can help slow racing thoughts and steady your heart
• Practical prompts to guide reflection (using all five senses, people, places, and ordinary gifts)
• How gratitude shifts our perspective from scarcity to sufficiency
• The overlap of Scripture, science, and gratitude in shaping peace of mind
• Why journaling is personal—your practice can be as unique as you are
• Simple tips to make gratitude a daily rhythm in your life

Resources & Mentions:

• In All Things Give Thanks by Charles Stanley (gratitude journal)
• Spiritual Practices for the Brain by Anne Kertz Kernion
• One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
• The YouVersion Bible App (gratitude devotionals and reading plans)

Contact us online here. 

In this episode of the Care to Change Podcast, April Bordeau sits down with returning guest Kristi Easley, Director of Operations and therapist at Care to Change. Kristi shares her powerful journey of growth through the practice of self-awareness and reflection. Together, April and Kristi explore how looking back at our stories with honesty and curiosity—not judgment—can unlock healing, growth, and better decision-making.

They discuss the role of truth-speakers and community in shaping change, the courage it takes to pause in a busy culture, and the importance of aligning our choices with our values. Kristi also shares practical reflection practices, the influence of faith and therapy, and the wisdom she’s gained from thought leaders like Brené Brown.

This heartfelt conversation reminds us that caring for our future selves means courageously owning our past—both the triumphs and the pain—so we can step into freedom and live in alignment with who we are meant to be.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why self-awareness is essential for personal and professional growth
• How defining moments can shape change in our lives
• The importance of community and having trusted truth-speakers
• How to practice self-reflection without falling into harsh self-criticism
• Questions you can use daily to reflect with curiosity and kindness
• How faith, therapy, and vulnerability foster lasting growth
• Practical first steps if you want to begin your own journey of self-awareness

Resources & Mentions:

• Kristi’s powerful redemption story (linked in previous episodes)
• Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability and authenticity
• Contact Kristi at [email protected]
   or through our Care to Change website
  
  

Next Episode:
Join us next week as April talks with Teresa Land about the practice of gratitude journaling—how writing can deepen reflection and help you discover new insights about yourself.

In this deeply personal and compassionate episode, April and Larry begin a new series exploring The Power of Gratitude. As the season of Thanksgiving approaches, they talk candidly about what it means to practice gratitude—especially when life doesn’t go as planned.

April shares vulnerably about walking through loss and grief, inviting listeners into an honest conversation about how gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is okay. Instead, it’s about choosing to notice what’s still good, even in the midst of pain. Together, they discuss how gratitude can transform perspective, renew hope, and bring a small measure of peace, one intentional moment at a time.

💬 Key Topics Discussed

• Why gratitude matters most in hard seasons
• The difference between toxic positivity and genuine gratitude
• What it means to hold space for grief and gratitude at the same time
• How our brains are wired to notice problems—and how gratitude helps reframe them
• 7 practical ways to cultivate gratitude:
  1. Start a simple gratitude journal
  2. Express one thank-you a day
  3. Reframe challenges with a grateful perspective
  4. Practice mindfulness in everyday routines
  5. Create gratitude rituals with family, friends, or coworkers
  6. Use gratitude as a reflective tool at the end of the day or week
  7. Balance being real with being positive

🕊️ Memorable Quotes

💡 Takeaway

If life feels heavy right now, this conversation is an invitation to pause. Breathe. Let gratitude look like giving yourself permission to rest. Healing begins not by ignoring the darkness but by noticing even the smallest glimmers of light.

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• Care to Change Counseling
  
  
• Follow Care to Change on Facebook
  and YouTube for more conversations on mental health and personal growth.

How do we take life’s hardest moments and turn them into something that brings growth, purpose, and even impact for others? In this episode, April is joined by returning guest Katie Goar, CEO, leader, mom of many (including two with special needs), and most recently a TEDx speaker.

Katie shares her powerful personal story of experiencing homelessness as a child, and how what could have been a life sentence instead became a defining moment that fueled her lifelong passion for affordable housing. She opens up about breaking the silence on her past, the lessons she carried forward, and how she now uses her story to advocate for families across the country.

Together, April and Katie discuss:

• Why hardships don’t have to define you—they can refine you
• The three stages of growth: preparation, delivery, and impact
• How to view difficult seasons as chapters rather than your whole story
• Practical steps to cross the “bridge” from hardship to healing
• Why accessing support systems and making intentional decisions is key to lasting change
• How to turn pain into purpose so others can benefit from your journey

Call to Action

No matter what challenge you’re facing—grief, broken relationships, financial struggles, or past trauma—your story doesn’t have to end there. Begin with the decision that something must change, take one step toward support, and trust that your pain can be transformed into a powerful legacy.

Resources & Next Steps

• Watch Katie’s TEDx talk 
• Connect with Katie on LinkedIn: Katie Goar
• Learn more about support available at caretochange.org
  
  

In this heartfelt and practical conversation, Larry and April continue Care to Change’s “Bouncing Back” series by exploring what it means to build resilience in marriage. Whether you’re in a difficult season, recovering from one, or simply wanting to strengthen your relationship, this episode offers ten powerful, grace-filled practices to help couples reconnect and thrive.

April draws from 30 years of experience working with families, biblical principles, and real-life stories from her own marriage to share tangible ways to move from frustration to unity. With honesty and warmth, she reminds listeners that resilience starts not with fixing our partners—but by tending to our own hearts, habits, and spiritual health.

Key Takeaways: 10 Practices for a Resilient Marriage

1. Start with Yourself – Care for your body, mind, and spirit. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
2. Stay in Your Yard – Be a spouse, not a parent, savior, or accountability partner.
3. Choose Win–Win Strategies – It’s not about 50/50. Bring your best 100% and seek what works for both.
4. Honor with Words and Actions – Speak respectfully about and to your spouse, even when it’s hard.
5. Pray for Your Spouse – Pray for their growth—and for the wisdom to avoid being a stumbling block.
6. Make Marriage a Priority – In a world full of distractions, protect your relationship time.
7. Be Their Biggest Cheerleader – Encourage, appreciate, and express gratitude often.
8. Call Out God’s Best in Them – Acknowledge where you see them growing and becoming who God made them to be.
9. Use Your Strengths for Good, Not as Weapons – Appreciate differences instead of resenting them.
10. Respect Yourself and Maintain Boundaries – Healthy boundaries build trust and clarity.

Bonus Tip #11: Remember Your Legacy – The choices you make in your marriage shape the legacy your children and others will see.

Favorite Quotes

If your marriage feels stuck or strained, remember—it’s never too late for transformation. Seeking help isn’t failure; it’s wisdom. Don’t wait until your relationship is “wrapped in cloth and in a cave.” Reach out now.

Connect with Care to Change

• Website: caretochange.org
•  Facebook: facebook.com/caretochange
•  YouTube: Care to Change Counseling

Need counseling or marriage support? Call Care to Change today 317-790-9396 to schedule an appointment and begin building resilience in your relationship.

Life comes with seasons—times of joy, growth, loss, and transition. In this episode, April is joined by therapist and Community Care Lead Jean Crane to explore the metaphor of life’s seasons and how each one offers unique challenges and opportunities for growth.

Drawing from personal stories, biblical wisdom, and years of counseling experience, Jean shares how to recognize the season you’re in, honor it fully, and stay anchored in God’s faithfulness no matter what.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How the four seasons—fall, winter, spring, and summer—mirror the rhythms of our lives
• Why fall invites reflection, evaluation, and letting go
• How to walk faithfully through winter, a season of grief, loss, or waiting
• The fresh hope and courage that spring brings with new beginnings
• How to flourish in summer while balancing busyness with gratitude and presence
• Practical ways to honor your season without comparing it to others
• Spiritual and personal practices that ground you in every stage of life

Resources Mentioned

• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero
• Works by Ruth Haley Barton on seasons, Sabbath, and spiritual rhythms
• Reflective practices such as journaling, seasonal letters to yourself, and community support

Call to Action

Ask yourself: What season am I in right now? Name it, reflect on it, and seek God’s presence in the middle of it. Remember, every season has purpose, and none of them last forever.

If you’re in a hard season and struggling to find your footing, Care to Change is here to walk alongside you. Visit caretochange.org
to learn more.

Change is inevitable—but how we respond makes all the difference. In this episode, April is joined by returning guest Kristi Easley, therapist and Director of Operations at Care to Change, to kick off our new October series: Embracing Change. Together, they unpack what it means to navigate life transitions with resilience, whether those changes are chosen or unexpected.

From graduations and new beginnings to losses and unplanned detours, Kristi shares wisdom and practical strategies for meeting change with courage, flexibility, and hope.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The two main types of life transitions: voluntary and involuntary
• Common emotions we face in times of change (and why they’re all normal)
• Misconceptions about resilience and what it really means
• Seven practical tools for building resilience, including:
  1. Acknowledge the change
  2. Process your emotions
  3. Practice mindfulness and stay present
  4. Set small goals
  5. Maintain healthy routines
  6. Seek support and perspective from others
  7. Show yourself compassion

Call to Action

Take a moment today to reflect on the transitions happening in your own life. Name them, feel them, and choose one small step of self-care as you navigate the season you’re in.

If you’re walking through a change that feels heavy or unwanted, know that you are not alone. Care to Change is here to walk alongside you with practical solutions for positive change.

Connect with us at caretochange.org

In the closing episode of our Suicide Prevention Awareness Month series, April welcomes therapist Jared Jones back to the podcast for a compassionate and practical conversation about what to do when suicidal thoughts arise — either in your life or someone else’s.

Jared offers evidence-based tools, calming strategies, and long-term practices to reduce risk and foster resilience. He explains what emotional crisis looks like from a neurological perspective, how to recognize when someone is in danger, and how to respond with presence, compassion, and confidence.

Whether you’re personally struggling or supporting a loved one, this episode equips you with grounding techniques, mindset anchors, and safety planning strategies — and encourages you to take one small step toward connection and healing.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• What an emotional or mental crisis looks and feels like
• Why suicidal thoughts are a perceived solution — not a desire to die
• Common myths about suicide (and the truth that saves lives)
• Grounding and sensory techniques to manage intense emotion
• How to create a safety plan and why it matters
• Long-term strategies for self-care, resilience, and recovery
• How to help a loved one without taking on the burden alone
• Apps, tools, and resources to keep close — just in case

🧠 Notable Tools Mentioned:

• 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique
• Columbia Protocol App (suicide risk assessment + resource links)
• Journaling, movement, creative expression, prayer, and mindfulness
• Creating “anchor statements” like “This feeling will pass.”
• Safety planning with the help of a therapist or template

📌 Key Resources:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call or text, 24/7)
• Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741
• Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) App
• Support groups, peer networks, and teletherapy options
• Jared’s recommendation: practice self-compassion daily and build your tribe before you need them.

If you’re in pain, please know: You are not alone. You are not a burden. There is hope — and you matter. Start where you are. Take the next right step. We’ll walk with you.

In this deeply personal and powerful episode, April Bordeau sits down with Alice Jordan, statewide coordinator for suicide prevention efforts at Purdue Fort Wayne and longtime mental health advocate. With transparency, vulnerability, and an unwavering commitment to hope, Alice shares her personal mental health journey — including surviving a suicide attempt and the realities of intergenerational pain and cultural silence — and how those experiences now fuel her advocacy across Indiana and beyond.

Alice and April explore the difference between talking about change and taking action — especially in churches, schools, and workplaces, where cultural shifts and safe spaces can be truly life-saving. Alice reminds us that hope is not just a feeling — it's a daily choice and an act of resistance.

🌿 Key Topics Covered:

• Alice’s personal story: surviving, healing, and leading from lived experience
• Cultural and faith-based stigmas around mental health
• The power of storytelling to reduce shame and invite others into healing
• What churches, schools, and businesses can do to make a real difference
• Why “staying in your lane” matters when offering mental health support
• The importance of grace, self-compassion, and community
• Concrete ways to advocate for mental health without a clinical background
• How Alice uses newsletters, bulletin inserts, and local networks to shift culture

💬 Quotes to Remember:

📌 Resources & Contact:

• Connect with Alice:
   📧 [email protected]
  ☎️ 260-481-4184
  Ask to be added to her statewide mental health and suicide prevention newsletter for tools, trainings, and updates.
• Organizations mentioned:
  • Mental Health America of Indiana
  • NAMI Indiana
  • Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
• Trainings referenced:
  • QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • ASIST & CALM trainings