Dear God, Unscripted

This week, I’m continuing the series This Ends With Me: The War Against Anxiety. In part two, I share what it was like returning to therapy after almost two years and how I prayed my way through the process of finding a new counselor.

After trying therapy and medication in the past without lasting success, I reached a point where I knew I had to do things differently. I asked God to lead me to the right person, someone who would challenge me, not just listen and send me home with breathing exercises. I prayed for her before I even met her, and when I finally walked into that first session, I could feel that God had gone before me.

In this episode, I talk about how I recognized the signs that this new therapist might be the one God chose for me, what I learned from her analogy about anxiety, and how prayer has become part of my therapy journey. I also share the homework she gave me and how I used ChatGPT to help me think through my anxiety triggers.

This episode is a reminder that healing is both spiritual and practical. We can pray, fast, and still show up for therapy. Faith and mental health are not separate journeys; they work together.

Scripture References:

• Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
• Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."
• James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

If you are searching for a therapist, pray about it. Ask God to lead you to the right person, and believe that healing is possible for you.
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who might be struggling with anxiety or thinking about therapy. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help more people find Dear God, Unscripted.

Connect with Me:Follow Dear God, Unscripted on Instagram and YouTube for honest conversations about faith.
📱 Instagram: @deargodunscripted
▶️ YouTube: Dear God, Unscripted

In this solo episode, I (Kiara) open up about my lifelong struggle with anxiety and the deeper spiritual battle underneath it. I share what it’s been like to live with generalized, social, and performance anxiety, and the moment I realized I had stopped believing that God could heal me.

This isn’t a story of having it all figured out. It’s a story of being in process, learning to separate my identity from anxiety and rediscovering what it means to believe that peace is possible.

If you’ve ever wrestled with fear, unbelief, or the thought that “this is just who I am,” I pray this conversation reminds you that healing is still possible.

In This Episode:

• I share my earliest memories of anxiety and how it shaped how I see myself.
• The physical ways anxiety has shown up in my body: from reflux to jaw pain to pelvic floor tension.
• Why I believe anxiety isn’t just mental but also spiritual.
• How unbelief quietly took root in my life, even as a believer.
• The bold declaration I’m making for healing and peace.
• What I’m doing differently now: therapy, prayer, and deeper time in Scripture.

Scriptures Mentioned:

• “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
• “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
• “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
• “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” — Luke 10:19 (NIV)
• “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” — Mark 9:24 (NIV)

Resources Mentioned:

• The Bible Project (https://bibleproject.com/)— an online platform with Bible study resources and video-based studies for deeper understanding of Scripture.
• Related “Dear God, Unscripted: Episodes
• 33. Medication — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/33-medication/id1810936433?i=1000705087483
• When S3x Hurts — https://youtu.be/qx2Uu-SzLG4?si=KaU43plvsAaePxOp

Reflection Question:

Where in your life have you accepted something as permanent that God might be inviting you to believe can be healed?

Call to Action:

If this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who may be battling anxiety or unbelief. Leave a rating or review wherever you listen to help this message reach more hearts.

You can also connect with me on Instagram or TikTok @DearGodUnscripted for more raw and faith-filled conversations throughout the week.

00:00 — Where I’ve Been and Why This Episode Matters

00:45 — Living with Anxiety: The Story I’ve Been Afraid to Tell

07:39 — When Faith and Fear Collide

17:14 — Drawing the Line: My Plan for Healing and Peace

22:58 — A Prayer for Those Who Are Tired of Being Anxious

Recorded while deciding that enough is enough - I will be delivered from the spirit of heaviness and anxiety and be filled with an endless supply of God's perfect peace.

Hey fam!
We can’t believe we’ve made it to video Episode 10 of Dear God, Unscripted! We’re talking about a topic that’s challenged both of us—submission in marriage 💍🫱🏾‍🫲🏽.

This conversation is real-time growth. We're still figuring it out, still learning, still getting things wrong and going back to God for clarity. Kiara shares what it felt like to hear "wives, submit to your husbands" before she understood the full picture. And Jordan unpacks what it means to lead not by authority, but through sacrifice and service—like Christ did for the Church.

We also opened the Bible on camera for this one. 📖🙌🏾
We read from Ephesians 5, 1 Peter 3, Matthew 20, and Philippians 2, and we’re reflecting out loud on what it all means for us as a married couple. We’re not experts—just two people who love Jesus and each other, trying to walk this thing out with humility and humor.

Whether you’re married, dating, or just curious about the whole idea of submission, we hope this episode blesses you, stretches you, and gives you something to talk to God about.

📖 Scripture We Opened:

• Ephesians 5:21–25 – Mutual submission + sacrificial love
• 1 Peter 3:1–2 – The quiet power of influence
• Matthew 20:25–28 – Leadership through service
• Philippians 2:5–8 – Jesus’ example of humility

Discussion Questions for Couples: 

1. What does submission look like in our relationship right now?Are there moments where it’s difficult to trust or yield? Where have we seen submission (from either partner) bring peace or growth?
2. How are we serving each other—practically and spiritually?Reflect on recent moments where one of you led through service. Are there areas where either of you could be more intentional about serving the other?
3. Are we creating a safe space to ask questions and still trust each other’s leadership?How do we handle disagreements or concerns? Do we feel heard and supported?
4. What does “submission to God” look like for each of us individually?Before we can submit to one another in marriage, are we both actively seeking God’s voice and direction? How can we support each other’s spiritual growth?

🗣️ Jump in the comments and let us know what submission means to you—or what you’re still figuring out 💬👂🏾

🎧 Chapter Breakdown:

00:00 | We’re Back! Episode 10 & Still Unsure (But Grateful)
01:57 | “Submit to Who?!” – Our First Honest Thoughts on Submission
07:20 | Let’s Open the Bible Together (For Real This Time)
15:11 | Not the Boss Metaphor! (Submission vs. Work Culture)
22:43 | From Struggle to Trust – How We’re Learning to Yield
28:34 | Groom Vibes or Husband Heart? A Call to Sacrifice
33:28 | Love Looks Like Service – Celebrating Each Other’s Growth
36:49 | We're Still Learning – And That’s the Point

📺 Watch & Listen:

YouTube ▶️ | Spotify 🎧 | Apple Podcasts 🍎 | Just search “Dear God, Unscripted”

🎵 Vibes (Intro/Outro/Transition Music): Laidback Lo Fi Hip Hop (License Code: ASLC-3D727B89-82AD9A1065)

Thanks for watching!  🙏🏽

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#DearGodUnscripted #ChristianMarriage  #SoftGirlEra #Ephesians5 #christianpodcast  #ServantLeadership

Hey, family 👋🏾 — it’s Kiara and Jordan, and this week we’re diving into a conversation that’s been weighing heavy on both our hearts ❤️‍🔥: church hurt, questioning God, and what it really looks like to wrestle with faith and still hold onto it. 🙏🏽

Jordan shares what it was like growing up in church leadership, watching his parents give everything to ministry — and the cost that came with it 💔. Kiara opens up about her own growing tensions with the modern-day church and why she’s craving deeper, more honest conversations in the spaces that shaped her faith 🧠💭.

This episode is for the person who’s been burned by church 🕊️,the one who loves God but feels distant from His people 🫂,and the one who wants to believe, but also wants to ask why 🤔.

We asked the questions we used to be afraid to say out loud:

• Why does God allow so much suffering? 💔
• Why are churches still silent on sexuality, race, and real-world issues? 🌎
• Can you love Jesus and still struggle with how Scripture has been interpreted? 📖
• What if the church isn’t a safe space — but God still is? 🛐

If you’ve ever felt like you were too much, too different, or too far gone for church — we see you 🤍.

This conversation isn’t neat. It’s not tied up in a bow 🎀.
But maybe that’s the whole point — to learn how to live in the tension and find God there 💬🕊️.

📖 Related Resource We Mentioned:
Check out Dr. Howard-John Wesley’s “PUSH Bible Study: Human Sexuality and the Church”
▶️ Watch here on YouTube

In this powerful and compassionate teaching 🗣️, Dr. Wesley addresses how the church has historically approached human sexuality 🌈 and calls us to move past silence, shame, and division. He reminds us that it’s more important to talk about an issue and not settle it than to settle an issue without ever talking about it 💬💡.

📜 Scriptures We Mentioned:

• Isaiah 55:8 – “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 🧠
• John 13:35 – “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” ❤️

Time Stamps

00:00 – Let’s Set the Stage: Faith, Flaws & All

02:16 – Church Hurt Hits Different for Our Generation

03:02 – Our Stories: Faith, Family, and Sunday Mornings

04:45 – When Church Feels More Like Business Than Bible

07:40 – Balancing Church Commitments and Real-Life Struggles

09:12 – What Happens When Church Breaks Your Heart?

10:40 – Why We Still Need Community (Even When It’s Messy)

11:39 – Can We Talk About the Stuff the Church Won’t Touch?

16:26 – Living in the Tension: Belief Isn’t Always Black & White

26:34 – Why Would God Allow All This Pain?

30:36 – Free Will, the Fall, and God’s Original Design

31:21 – Faith, Doubt, and Finding Your People

34:06 – Still Wrestling... and Still Showing Up

🎧 Catch the episode on:
📺 YouTube | 🎙️ Spotify | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🎧 Amazon Music — just search Dear God, Unscripted

✊🏾 Let’s talk about it:If this episode spoke to you — or challenged you — share it with someone who’s in the thick of it too. Comment 💬. Let us know how God is meeting you in the tension 🤍.

📲 Follow us on IG, TikTok & Facebook: @DearGodUnscripted

🎵 Vibes (Intro/Outro/Transition Music): Laidback Lo Fi Hip Hop (License Code: ASLC-3D727B89-82AD9A1065)

Thanks for watching!  🙏🏽

#DearGodUnscripted #ChurchHurt #christianpodcast 

In Part 2 of this deeply personal conversation, Jordan and his cousin-brother Ashyrii continue to peel back the layers of Black male identity, emotional expression, and the lifelong work of healing. From childhood conditioning to adult relationships, fatherhood, and the journey to mental wellness, this episode is a vulnerable look at what happens when men confront their pain and begin to rewire what manhood looks like.The two explore the long-term impact of emotionally unavailable upbringings, the weight of unspoken family trauma, and the challenge of showing up emotionally in marriage and friendship. They share how therapy, faith, and loss—especially the death of their grandfather—transformed their perspectives and reconnected them after a season of distance. Through it all, they emphasize the power of showing up, having a plan, and giving the next generation something better.Whether you’re a man learning to speak your heart, a partner trying to understand, or a parent hoping to raise emotionally whole children—this episode is for you.🔥 Key Topics:

• Breaking the silence: why emotional expression was taboo growing up
• The myth of the stoic man and how it sabotages relationships
• Learning to name and communicate needs in marriage
• Hitting rock bottom—and finding your way out
• The death of a grandfather and the grief that reshaped everything
• Reconciling after a season of distance between brothers
• Therapy, tools, and telling the truth
• Redefining strength for the next generation of Black boys
• What healthy masculinity, leadership, and legacy look like

• “Don’t you know how bad I want this?” — the emotional shortcut many men take
• Therapy as a mirror: working through blind spots and limiting beliefs
• The 6 Ps: “Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance”
• How low mental health distorts self-worth and decision-making
• Posture, breathwork, and movement as powerful mental resets (shoutout to UPW + Tony Robbins)
• Setting emotional boundaries with love and clarity
• Modeling emotional intelligence for our sons and future generations

00:00 | Growing Up Without Safe Spaces to Feel05:57 | Choices, Consequences, and the Journey to Growth07:26 | Defining Success After You’ve Hit Rock Bottom12:16 | Grieving Together: What Loss Taught Us19:46 | When Faith Meets Mental Health29:54 | How Mental Health Shows Up in Marriage and Friendship34:54 | Teaching Our Sons a New Way to Be MenThanks for watching! 🙏🏽🎵 Vibes (Intro/Outro/Transition Music): Laidback Lo Fi Hip Hop (License Code: ASLC-3D727B89-82AD9A1065)#DearGodUnscripted #ChristianPodcasts #MensMentalHealth

Summary

In this raw and reflective episode of Dear God, Unscripted, Jordan sits down with his cousin—and brother in spirit—Ashyrii Ball, for a powerful conversation about Black manhood, mental health, and breaking generational patterns.

Together, they revisit their upbringing in Southeast Texas, where young fathers were learning how to be men while raising sons who were silently watching. They explore what they learned (and unlearned) about emotional expression, discipline, boundaries, and love—and how those early lessons are now shaping the way they parent, show up in relationships, and care for their mental health.

From funny childhood memories to deeply personal moments of vulnerability, this episode is an unfiltered look at what it means to grow up Black, male, and emotionally silenced—and how healing starts with learning to speak.

Why This Matters:

Men’s Mental Health Month deserves real, honest conversations—not just headlines. This episode is our offering to that space. A reminder that emotional expression is not weakness, that parenting can be redemptive, and that breaking cycles takes more than intention—it takes action.

00:00 – Opening Up: Why men’s mental health matters

05:27 – Manhood Defined: Early messages we learned as boys

08:20 – Learning to Speak: Communication struggles and growth

12:42 – Emotions Are Not Weakness: Reclaiming emotional expression

17:35 – Childhood Reflections: What shaped the men we became

23:29 – Becoming a Man: The transition from boyhood to adulthood

31:00 – Looking Back: Memories that still teach us today

35:25 – The Power of Communication: Why words matter in relationships

42:17 – Creating Safe Spaces: Healing from emotionally distant upbringings

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts📺 Watch full episodes + bonus clips on YouTube📲 Follow us on IG, TikTok & Facebook: @DearGodUnscripted

🎵 Vibes (Intro/Outro/Transition Music): Laidback Lo Fi Hip Hop (License Code: ASLC-3D727B89-82AD9A1065)

Thanks for watching!  🙏🏽

#DearGodUnscripted #ChristianPodcasts  #MensMentalHealth 

Keywords

crazy faith, limiting beliefs, personal growth, prayer, family, generational wealth, mental health, purpose, God, faith

Summary

What if your biggest obstacle isn’t the situation—but the story you’re telling yourself about it?

In this episode of Dear God, Unscripted, we’re talking about crazy faith—the kind that makes no sense—and the limiting beliefs that keep us stuck. From “I’m not enough” to “It’s too late,” we’re naming the lies and choosing to believe bigger.

Jordan shares what it was like to literally walk on fire at a Tony Robbins event—and how that experience unlocked a deeper sense of confidence and purpose. Kiara reflects on navigating uncertainty in her career and learning how to trust God when the vision isn’t fully clear.

We’re getting honest about fear, faith, finances, and what it means to believe for wild things like generational healing, $5 billion family wealth 😅, and purpose-driven careers that don’t require hustling our peace away.

If you’ve ever asked:
“Is this a God thing or just a good idea?”
“Am I enough for what I’m dreaming of?”
...then this episode is for you.

👇 DROP A COMMENT:
What’s one limiting belief you’re trying to evict right now? And what’s your version of #CrazyFaith?

Chapters

00:00 – Kicking things off + showing love to the dads

01:45 – So... what even is crazy faith?

08:12 – Trying to put wild, God-sized belief into words

13:58 – Limiting beliefs? Oh, we got a few

19:30 – Am I enough? And other lies we tell ourselves

24:15 – Our crazy faith ain’t always the same

27:22 – Jobs, purpose, and figuring it all out (together-ish)

29:48 – Being vulnerable... even when it’s uncomfortable

30:39 – God, is this a good thing or a God thing?

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts
📺 Watch full episodes + bonus clips right here on YouTube
📲 Follow us on IG, TikTok & Facebook: @DearGodUnscripted

🎵 Vibes (Intro/Outro/Transition Music): Laidback Lo Fi Hip Hop (License Code: ASLC-3D727B89-82AD9A1065)

Thanks for watching!  🙏🏽

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#DearGodUnscripted #CrazyFaith #FaithOverFear #LimitingBeliefs #ChristianPodcast #MarriageAndFaith #PurposeDrivenLife

In this episode of Dear God, Unscripted, JB and Kiara look back on how their faith has grown—from little kids in church trying to make sense of it all, to grown folks still figuring it out. They swap stories about how they used to see God, what church was like growing up, and how things hit different now. It’s honest, funny, and full of those “dang, that’s real” moments. At the heart of it all, it’s about love—God’s love.

Chapters

00:00 The Evolution of Faith: Childhood Memories

09:45 Teenage Years and Early Adulthood

15:15 Reflections on Personal Growth and Challenges

15:46 Finding Faith Through Family Struggles

22:27 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing

22:50 Navigating Relationships and Spiritual Abuse

27:12 Experiencing Freedom in Faith

30:15 Wrestling with God and Understanding Love

37:55 Embracing Love and Acceptance in Faith

Takeaways

• Faith is not one-size-fits-all—it grows and shifts as life does. 🌱✨
• How we saw God as kids was often shaped by who raised us and the churches we came up in. 🏠⛪
• The teen years? Whew—lots of questions, identity struggles, and trying to make faith our own. 🤔🌀
• Certain life moments hit hard and open us up to a deeper connection with God. 💥🙏🏾
• The people we love (or thought we loved) can really shape our walk with God—for better or worse. 💞👣
• Spiritual abuse is real, especially when faith gets twisted in toxic relationships. 🚩🙅🏾‍♀️
• Finding community can be a game changer for your spiritual growth. 👥💬
• It is normal to wrestle with faith—God can handle your questions and your doubts. 🤷🏾‍♂️💭
• God’s love ain’t going nowhere, even when you are struggling or unsure what you believe. ❤️🛐
• Honest, unfiltered convos about faith help us see each other—and God—more clearly. 🎙️👀✨

🎵 Vibes (Intro/Outro/Transition Music): Laidback Lo Fi Hip Hop (License Code: ASLC-3D727B89-82AD9A1065)

#DearGodUnscripted #BlackAndChristian #FaithJourney #UnscriptedFaith ChristianPodcast #RealTalkRealFaith #GodIsLove #GrowingInFaith #ChurchKids #MillennialFaith #FaithAndHealing #HonestConversations#GraceAndGrowth #SpiritualGrowth #BlackFaithVoices

In this vulnerable follow-up to episode 90 ("Grace for Two"), we (Kiara and Jordan) are opening up about one of the most challenging parts of our marriage: navigating pain with sex due to pelvic floor tension (Vaginismus), wrestling with sexual shame, and learning how to build real intimacy when it doesn’t come naturally.

This conversation is raw and emotional. We’re not experts—we’re just two people trying to love each other well through pain, confusion, and grace. We talk about how our bodies and our hearts have been shaped by unmet expectations, and the slow, sacred work of healing together.

If you’ve ever felt broken, ashamed, or alone in your intimacy struggles, this one is for you. You’re not alone. And you are so deeply loved—even in the hard places.

💬 In This Episode, We Talk About:

• What vaginismus is and how it’s impacted our marriage

• The emotional weight of painful sex and disconnection

• The shame we carried from our past and how we’re unlearning it

• What real intimacy looks like beyond just sex

• The things that have helped—and what hasn’t

• How we’re choosing grace over performance, day by day

🎥 Watch This First

If you haven’t seen it yet, go back and watch our earlier episode "Grace for Two", where we first opened up about the physical and emotional distance we were navigating. When Sex Hurts picks up right where that conversation left off.

▶️ Watch Grace for Two: https://youtu.be/OBhEODvK0c8?si=bjhpw0VAP4x4YlCF 

📲 Stay Connected with Us

We’d love to hear your thoughts, your stories, your prayers—or just know that this resonated.

📩 Email us: [email protected]

📸 Follow us on IG & TikTok: @deargodunscripted

🙏🏽 Dear God, Thank You for Meeting Us in the Tension.

Thanks for listening and being part of this journey with us. If this episode meant something to you, share it with someone else who might need to hear it. And don’t forget to like, subscribe, or leave a review—it really helps us keep going.

🎵 Vibes (Intro/Outro/Transition Music): Laidback Lo Fi Hip Hop (License Code: ASLC-3D727B89-82AD9A1065)

#Vaginismus #ChristianMarriage #SexAndFaith #IntimacyInMarriage #PelvicFloorHealth #MarriagePodcast #DearGodUnscripted #FaithAndSex #ChristianCouples #SexualHealing #MarriageStruggles #HealingTogether #Prayer #ChristianPodcast