Catching Your Breath

Welcome to Episode 32 of Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin! In this episode, we're talking about what shame is, how it can impact your daily life, how to share it, and how to heal it. Keep scrolling for more great shame resources, plus my free workbook!

Healing from shame isn’t something you can do overnight. It’s a process that can take months or even years. The good news is that you don’t have to take the journey alone. Many professionals have written insightful guides that can guide you on this journey. Here are a few books you may want to pick up…

Self Care for the Wounded Soul: 21 Days of Messy Grace (by Steve Austin, with Kate Pieper, LMFT)

If you have ever felt hopeless, if you have ever believed that all the bad things in your life were beyond redemption, if you have ever felt unworthy of being loved or accepted, if you have ever feared what would happen if people found out whatever it is that haunts you - I get it. I have been there, too.

Maybe you are recovering from abuse, addiction, or a suicide attempt like me. Maybe you are struggling with anxiety or depression and don’t know why yet. No matter what your starting point is, the tools in this journal will help you begin to answer the question, “Now what?”

You’re tired of living this way. You want to change your life, and you don’t know where to begin. I hope this 21-day self-care journal will help you answer that question. It’s time to take ownership of your life, and that begins with good self-care. It’s hard work, but you can do it. No more running, no more hiding, no more masks. No matter what your journey has looked like so far, recovery is possible. I am living proof.

Healing the Shame that Binds You by John Bradshaw

One book that can be helpful for you’re dealing with shame is Healing the Shame that Binds You. In this book, the author discusses shame, how it develops, and what to do about it.

Much of the book has been influenced by the author’s own experience with alcoholism. He shares many of the same concepts found in the 12-step program. So if you’re dealing with an addiction as well as shame, you may find this resource the most helpful.

I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn't) by Brene Brown

Brene Brown’s book, I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t) isn’t just about shame. It’s about living authentically and letting go of the need for perfection. She encourages readers to embrace their flaws and imperfections and release their guilt.

Although anyone can benefit from reading this book, many of the stories and interviews inside it are related to motherhood. If you’re struggling with being a parent, this can be an eye-opening read.

If you want to learn more shame and how it’s affecting you, consider watching Brene Brown’s TED Talk titled Listening to Shame. It’s both educational and inspiring.

The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves by Curt Thompson

In The Soul of Shame, psychiatrist Curt Thompson, invites you to take a look at how shame is affecting your life. He explores the different ways shame enters your life and how to experience true and lasting freedom.

The author is an expert in interpersonal neurobiology, so some people found his book can be a bit academic in parts. He’s also a Christian and much of his content stems from a Christian worldview, so you can expect to encounter some theology in this book as well.

Living with Your Heart Wide Open by Steve Flowers and Bob Stahl

When you carry shame with you, it’s easy to hold onto negative thoughts. That’s why in Living with Your Heart Wide Open, the authors spend much of the content focusing on mindfulness and self-compassion.

Many reviewers loved that the book was good for self-discovery and healing of internal wounds. There’s a heavy influence on meditation and Buddhist principles. The authors discuss common scenarios and recommend healing meditations for them.

Reading about how others are affected by shame can be freeing. It’s freeing to realize that you’re not alone in your pain and that healing can be found. It may not be easy but it is a journey you’ll never regret taking.

How is shame affecting your life? Find out when you download your free workbook! (Just click here.)

Read Steve's article for USA Today on how churches should look more like psych wards. (Just click here.)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fplusmh.substack.com

Welcome to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast. Following the recent death of Pastor Jarrid Wilson by suicide, in Episode 31, Steve shares several recent articles and thoughts on pastors and suicide.

Articles:

1. USA Today: Jarrid Wilson's Suicide Forces Church to Confront Mental Illness


2. I was a pastor with a broken brain.


3. Pastor's and Suicide: How Do We Keep this From Happening Again?

FREE RESOURCES:

1. Free book: From Pastor to a Psych Ward


2. 10-Day Love Your Life Challenge


3. Mental Health Getting Started Guide

Are you in a dark place? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.

Leave a review on iTunes.

Support the show on Patreon.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fplusmh.substack.com

In the final episode of this "Exploring Grief" series, we talk with Scott Watkins who is a hospice chaplain. We ask Scott what life might look like a few years into the grieving process. We also read a Ute poem that can serve as mantra for us as we move forward in the grieving process.

 
You can connect with Brandon at: meaningfulagain.com 
We will be discussing each episode in the Catching Your Breath community on Facebook, you can join here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fplusmh.substack.com

In episode 3 of Exploring Grief, we examine a letter written by Ram Dass to Steve and Anita who are grieving the loss of their daughter Rachel. This letter has become a resource for many who find themselves grieving. It's full of wisdom and grace, let's see what it has for us!
 
Ram Dass' letter to Rachel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03yOaKJqRtI
 
You can connect with Brandon at: meaningfulagain.com 
We will be discussing each episode in the Catching Your Breath community on Facebook, you can join here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fplusmh.substack.com

In episode two of our four episode series on grief, guest host Brandon Carleton sits down with Sarah Stevens from the Beautifull Project to examine the power of making and holding space for people to grieve. Also, have you ever felt like you can't describe how you're feeling? Brandon offers a practical tip to help us develop our ability to put names to our emotions.
 
You can connect with Brandon at: meaningfulagain.com
 
Connect with Sarah & the Beautifull Project here: thebeautifullproject.com 
We will be discussing each episode in the Catching Your Breath community on Facebook, you can join here: patreon.com/iamsteveaustin

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fplusmh.substack.com

In the first episode of our four episode series on grief, guest host Brandon Carleton sets the ground work for the series by exploring why we find grieving so hard. Are we broken? Or have we been poorly trained? Brandon also reads a poem (you're going to love it) and offers a practical tip for those of us grieving.
 
You can connect with Brandon at: meaningfulagain.com 
We will be discussing each episode in the Catching Your Breath community on Facebook, you can join here: patreon.com/iamsteveaustin

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fplusmh.substack.com

*TW: suicide

When a someone dies by suicide, do they go to hell? In this episode , Alex and Jason interview Robert Vore and me about faith and mental health. We explore that question through the stories of Andrew Stoecklein, Amy Bleuel, and Matthew Warren, three notable Christians who’ve recently died by suicide.

This bonus episode is thanks to a generous offer by Jason Duncan.

Listen and subscribe to Not Your Pastor's Podcast. Just click here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fplusmh.substack.com

A look ahead at our upcoming series!
 
Guest host, author Brandon Carleton, explores the facets of grief in this four episode series. Each episode will include stories, poems, interviews, and practical tips...all to helps better understand the difficult terrain of grieving our losses.
 
Follow Brandon at meaningfulagain.com
 
Follow Steve at catchingyourbreath.com
 
Support the show! Just click here.
 
Leave a review. Click here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fplusmh.substack.com

Welcome back to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin. This episode is a conversation Steve had with a coaching client, Amelia. In this episode, we'll ask the following questions:

1. Is God actively, intimately involved in the details of your life?


2. Can God be both all-powerful and all-loving (at the same time)?

Show notes:

1. Download the FREE Chaos to Calm app by clicking here.


2. Get info on Steve's coaching and spiritual direction right here.

See ya next week!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fplusmh.substack.com

Welcome to this bonus episode of Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin. This episode is a talk Steve gave on June 30, 2019, at Unity of Birmingham. It's a timely, necessary message, considering the cold and polarized time we are living in.

Follow Steve's blog at iamsteveaustin.com

Download the Chaos to Calm app by clicking here

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fplusmh.substack.com