Part of discovering mental wellness is learning to get honest with yourself, others, and God about the un-named things in your life - the things that are uncomfortable to talk about, painful to remember, and that carry with them so much embarrassment, shame, and guilt. Today's guest has personal experience with this on a level most of us couldn't imagine. She's a college student, a rape survivor, and a beautiful soul who's proof that you can emerge from your tragedy stronger, braver, and more resilient. Rachel Redman joins the podcast today to share her story and inspire and inform you on how to get real with the hidden stuff in your life and, by bringing it into the light, find your own way to healing. 

Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter: @opentograce2015 Instagram: @opentogracealaska Parler: @Opentogracealaska MeWe: Katherine Singer

Most of us have moments when we just don't like ourselves. We get tired of dealing with our own drama and the complicated inner workings of our deepest souls. We get discouraged at ourselves, angry at ourselves, impatient with ourselves and this frustration can spill over into how we treat those around us too. In a word, we can often feel - untamed. Like untrained animals with wild sides we don't know how to control and are at the mercy of. This episode gets real and honest as we talk about how to deal with the complicated parts of ourselves, how to give ourselves grace to be human along the way, and why blaming others for your own problems is never the answer.  

Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter: @opentograce2015 Instagram: @opentogracealaska Parler: @Opentogracealaska MeWe: Katherine Singer

Handling criticism and judgmental attitudes plays a big role in mental health. If we trend toward being critical or judgmental toward ourselves and, especially toward others, that's a reflection of some unhealthy patterns in our brain and emotional well-being. If we've been the recipient of it, it can cause damaging effects on our self-confidence, peace of mind, and overall quality of living. Knowing how to work through criticism and judgmental behavior is essential to having a healthy mental and emotional attitude. Understanding how to let certain things go and to become more curious about others and their stories is vital if we are to maintain vibrant relationships throughout our lives. This episode helps you learn how to become more gracious and openminded toward others' differences as well as forgiving when others don't tolerate and understand your own. 

Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter: @opentograce2015 Instagram: @opentogracealaska Parler: @Opentogracealaska MeWe: Katherine Singer

Surprises are fun when it involves something pleasurable or desired. But when surprises come in the form of tragedy, loss, or unexpected pain, we often look for a way of escape. We like the unanticipated when it's something we find enjoyable but we'll fight it just as quick when it arrives in a way we don't like. Seems our response to surprise is mixed. But what if we began to look at all of it - both the fun as well as hard surprises - as ultimately good? What if our approach to the sudden could determine whether we viewed life as an adventure or a threat? This episode focuses on how God uses the unexpected to grow our faith and why surprise is necessary for a complete and enriched life. 

Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter: @opentograce2015 Instagram: @opentogracealaska Parler: @Opentogracealaska MeWe: Katherine Singer

Everyone gets discouraged sometimes, particularly when it comes to how they think they're doing in their walk of faith. Falls and fails happen to us all the time, and it's easy to think that God's love or acceptance fluctuates with our performance. Believe this long enough, and doubt and hopelessness can start to sink in. Perhaps this is you, and you need some real, down-in-the-bones inspiration today to remind you that God keeps you, loves you, and upholds you through all the twists and turns of life. Today's episode will hopefully encourage you that you are safe and secure in Him, fully and forever and that nothing you do or anything that happens can ever change His love for you or remove you from His care. 

Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter: @opentograce2015 Instagram: @opentogracealaska Parler: @Opentogracealaska MeWe: Katherine Singer

Mental health has become an increasingly bigger topic in recent years and well it should! We definitely need more awareness out of there of the emotional struggles people go through and to let them know it's okay to not be okay and to talk about their difficulties. There certainly should be more conversation around finding solutions to these issues, and Christian circles are primed to be on the front lines in fighting the mental health stigma. After all, God intended His Church and His family to be a place where broken people can be heard and healed. But in order for this to happen, compassion needs to be accompanied by action. It's not enough to just recognize the problem... especially if God has equipped you on some level to help. Today's episode talks through Jesus's way of meeting needs and why one-at-a-time love is the way to solving the mental health crisis in the long run.  

Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter: @opentograce2015 Instagram: @opentogracealaska Parler: @Opentogracealaska MeWe: Katherine Singer

In many cases, our perceptions go beyond just shaping our reality to actually BECOMING our reality and sometimes, inhibiting us from the life of bold faith and trust that God wants us to have. We look at situations and come to false conclusions that, in the moment, seem real but ultimately keep us from noticing God's sovereignty, care, and control. Fear is easy, but faith can be hard... because fear is our default and faith must be learned. In this episode, you'll be reminded about what it means to check your perceptions at the door and take a hard look at what is REALLY going on - to look up instead of pay attention automatically to your internal "Look Out!" and be willing to see your circumstances as God sees them and not just what it looks like from your personal perspective. 

Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter: @opentograce2015 Instagram: @opentogracealaska Parler: @Opentogracealaska MeWe: Katherine Singer

Have you ever thought about the role quiet (or lack thereof) plays in your mental health? Scientific research shows that even just a few minutes a day of solitude does wonders for helping the human brain process and properly store information, thus greatly affecting your overall wellbeing and the shape of your thoughts and actions. Sadly, our society doesn't encourage quiet, and most of us are at a deficit when it comes to having enough stillness in our daily life to really effect any positive change. In this episode, we're going to look at both medical and biblical proof of why quiet matters and how we can not only incorporate it but also learn to cherish it as a way of life. 

Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter: @opentograce2015 Instagram: @opentogracealaska Parler: @Opentogracealaska MeWe: Katherine Singer

What do you do with the perceived (or actual) negatives in your life? Do you detest them? Avoid them? Resist them? Or do you incorporate them as a vital aspect of your personal growth? Challenges and trials of any kind are never fun and often, in the moment, it's hard to see how they can produce any lasting good in our lives. But what if those very things we deem worthy of avoidance at all costs are actually the things that can't be avoided if we're to become people of strength and resilience and hope? Today's episode uncovers the secret power of hard things and, with some metaphoric help from old photography,  why supposed negatives can actually lead to positives. 

Visit and subscribe to my blog at: www.graceopens.blogspot.com Twitter: @opentograce2015 Instagram: @opentogracealaska Parler: @Opentogracealaska MeWe: Katherine Singer