In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, I sit down with grief educator and author Jerry Woodbridge to talk about what healing really looks like after the loss of a spouse.After her husband passed away, Jerry did something unexpected… she took up ballroom dancing.What began as movement became ministry.We talk about:• How grief can leave you feeling out of control• Why rage often shows up in adults and children• Psalm 68:4–5 — God as Father to the fatherless• Deuteronomy 10:18 — God defending the vulnerable• How children grieve differently (and how we sometimes miss it)• Why trauma can emotionally “freeze” someone at the age of loss• Simple, beautiful ways to walk children through remembering their loved onesJerry is the author of:📘 Trading My Sorrows and the Joy of the Lord📘 Joy Overcame Sorrow (Children’s book)📓 Joy’s Journal (Companion grief journal for kids)Her work helps families process grief with faith, honesty, and resilience.🔗 Visit Jerry: https://jerrywoodbridge.com🌐 Visit Tonya: www.tonyabruton.com💛 Support the podcast: Venmo Tonya-BrutonPart 2 drops soon.If you’ve experienced loss, this conversation is for you.#GritAndGrace #ChristianGrief #WidowhoodHealing #FaithAfterLoss #GriefSupport #HealingThroughFaith

What if the reason you’re struggling isn’t spiritual attack — but misplaced identity?In this powerful episode of Grit & Grace Podcast, Cameron Garner joins Tonya Bruton to unpack what it really means to live from your identity in Christ. Too often in the church, identity is taught intellectually — but not lived practically. The result? Believers who know truth… but don’t walk in freedom.Cameron challenges common Christian assumptions about spiritual warfare, dominion, and deliverance, reminding us that truth — not experience — is what sets us free.In this conversation, we cover:• Why spiritual attack is not proof you’re in God’s will• The difference between positional identity and lived identity• “The truth we walk in should trump our experience”• How believing lies keeps us in bondage• Renewing your mind according to the Word of God• Life and death in the power of the tongue• Dominion before and after the fall• Breaking chains through truth and belief• A clear presentation of the GospelIf you’ve ever felt stuck, constantly attacked, or unsure why freedom feels distant — this episode will challenge and equip you.Freedom isn’t something we strive for. It’s something we learn to live from.🔔 Subscribe for weekly faith-based conversations on mental health, identity, recovery, and real transformation.#IdentityInChrist #ChristianFreedom #RenewYourMind #SpiritualGrowth #GritAndGrace

When was the last time you truly rested — without guilt?

In this episode of Grit and Grace Podcast with Tonya Bruton, we talk about choosing grace over grind, learning how to rest the way God intended, and creating space to receive what I call a divine reset, divine recharge, and divine download.

This is a Christian mental health and recovery conversation for anyone who is tired, overwhelmed, burned out, or quietly wondering if slowing down means they’re failing. Spoiler: it doesn’t.

God commands rest — not as punishment, but as protection. In this episode, we explore why rest is spiritual, how burnout disconnects us from clarity, and how stillness helps us hear God’s voice again.

✨ What you’ll hear in this episode:
• Why rest is biblical, not lazy
• The difference between quitting and surrendering
• What a divine download really is
• How to hear God without striving
• Letting grace lead instead of hustle

📖 Companion blog + reflections:
👉 https://www.TonyaBruton.com

💛 If this podcast blesses you and you’d like to support the work:
👉 Venmo: @Tonya-Bruton

If this episode resonates, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment, share your experience, or tell me where you’re choosing grace over grind right now.

Motherhood is sacred — and it is also complicated.

In this deeply personal episode of Grit & Grace Podcast, I open my heart and invite listeners into a conversation shaped by decades of motherhood, loss, faith, and God’s sustaining grace.

For 33 years, I raised children in my home. I am the mother of seven living children and one precious baby in heaven, who passed away at three months old on Mother’s Day in 1997. I also raised children with chronic illness, navigated years as a young and often single mother with little support, and carried the weight of generational mental health struggles.

For many years, Mother’s Day was painful for me — filled with grief, resentment, and unanswered prayers. But through journaling prayers, pouring out my heart to God, and walking daily through uncertainty, I encountered the unbelievable grace of God in ways I never expected.

As Scripture reminds us:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

In this episode, I share how God gave me enough grace to mother children with vastly different needs — and how humility before Him (James 4:6) became a lifeline.

At 23:15, my husband Josh joins the conversation as we reflect on our journey raising triplets, walking through postpartum depression, and my first mental health diagnosis of bipolar disorder — and how God remained faithful through it all.

This episode is for anyone who loves motherhood, struggles with it, grieves through it, or feels unseen within it.

✨ Subscribe to Grit & Grace Podcast for faith-based conversations about mental health, trauma, healing, and hope.

🔗 More episodes & resources:
👉 https://www.tonyabruton.com

In this episode of the Grit & Grace Podcast, Tonya shares a specially curated January Mental Health Toolkit, offering practical strategies and insights to help you navigate the winter blues and maintain your mental wellness. Then, join host Tonya Bruton and special guest Julie Rebboah as they explore the themes of faith and resilience. Discover how Julie’s personal journey of overcoming trauma and adversity can inspire you to find your own strength.In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Practical tips for maintaining mental health during the winter months. How to use faith-based tools and practical resources for emotional well-being.Julie Rebboah’s inspiring story of resilience and faith.Download Your Free January Mental Health Toolkit! [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mkzHPlaDs-xBfBmuC93gSksmMRO4V6Y7/view]Connect With Us:Subscribe for more episodes and updates.Comment below and let us know how you’re using the toolkit!

Recovery programs can save lives — but only when they honor the whole person.In this episode of Grit & Grace Podcast with Tonya Bruton, we explore recovery programs through the lens of faith, mental health, trauma, and personal dignity. Not every recovery path fits every person, and healing should never require you to lose yourself in order to belong.Tonya breaks down different recovery options, including 12-step programs, SMART Recovery, mindfulness and yoga-based recovery, and faith-centered approaches. She also discusses why some programs help people heal while others leave them feeling ashamed, silenced, or stuck in survival mode.This episode is for anyone navigating addiction recovery, relapse, mental health challenges, trauma, or faith-based healing — and for those trying to find a recovery path that actually supports long-term growth.Topics include:• Recovery programs• Addiction recovery• Mental health and recovery• Trauma-informed healing• Faith and recovery• 12-step recovery• SMART Recovery• Mindfulness and yoga for healing• Grace over shame• Choosing the right recovery pathA free Recovery Program Reflection Guide is available in the show notes to help listeners evaluate recovery spaces with wisdom, not shame.New episodes of Grit & Grace Podcast release every Thursday.#podcast #recovery

In this episode, I define bipolar disorder and explain it's phases, how it affects those we love and what helps us cope.

Free Worksheet:👉 Download it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfL4wBU17fqE1kW1U-Z_pjE7qMfqdPj-Fjop8NanWd97wp57Q/viewform?usp=header When you download the worksheet, you’ll also be added to my email list so you’ll get a notification every Friday when a new blog post goes live. This week on Grit & Grace, we’re talking honestly about relapse — the kind that brings shame, self-doubt, and the feeling that you’ve undone all your progress. Whether the relapse is emotional, mental, or behavioral, this episode is about separating who you are from what you did, and learning how to rebuild without punishment, perfectionism, or fear. We talk about: Why relapse doesn’t erase your growth, The difference between conviction and shame, How faith meets us in the messy middle, What it looks like to begin again with grace. Thank you for showing up honestly, staying in the process, and choosing grace — even on the hard days.#podcast #recovery #relapse

In this episode, we dive into the world of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder. I share my own journey of living with DID, introduce you to one of my alters, Rory, and explain what it means to navigate relationships and healing with this condition. We also define key terms like alters, fronting, and switching, and discuss the challenges in finding proper support. Join us for an honest conversation about mental health, inner healing, and spiritual encouragement along the way. #mentalhealth #podcast #did

This episode focuses on the mental health journey. Today we're discussing DID. We'll go over some definitions, and I'll introduce you to my favorite author Rory. I'll go over relational implications, trauma bonding, access barriers and provide helpful resources for more information on the topic. Thank you for listening today. Please like, subscribe and share with a friend if it resonates with you. I welcome your comments!

#podcast #mentalhealth #did