In this powerful episode, we sit down with licensed professional counselor and author, Gina Birkemeier, to explore the complex but crucial topic of generational trauma. Gina's new book, Generations Deep, offers a roadmap for understanding how our past can impact our present and future.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Understanding Generational Trauma: What is it, and why do our bodies and minds keep repeating unhealthy cycles from our family's past?

• The Nervous System & Familiarity with Dysfunction: How our nervous systems can get wired to feel comfortable in chaos, and what that means for our well-being.

• Faith and Therapy: We challenge the myth that being a Christian and going to therapy are at odds. Gina explains how faith and professional counseling can work together to bring about profound healing.

• Defining Trauma: A clear and helpful breakdown of "Big T" versus "little t" trauma, and why both are valid and deserve attention.

• Emotionally Corrective Experiences: Learn what these are and how they can help rewire your brain and body for healthier responses.

• Attachment Styles: A quick guide to understanding your attachment style and how it influences your relationships.

• Emotions and Bodily Sensations: Practical advice on what to do with overwhelming feelings and physical sensations, and how to process them in a healthy way.

Connect with Gina Birkemeier:

In part 2 of the interview, hear Grace and RJ candidly share the hardships they endured, including:

• The Emotional and Physical Toll of a House Fire: Hear firsthand about the immediate impact and long-term consequences.

• Navigating a Complex Legal Battle: They open up about the exhausting and often disheartening legal struggles.

• The Huge Task of Renovating an Old House: Learn about the sheer grit and determination required to renovate and rebuild the abandoned house.

• Blessings and Stress: Grace and RJ bravely discuss how their faith in God was their anchor throughout these trials. However, they emphasize that God didn't remove the difficulties; instead, He provided the strength and perseverance needed to endure.

  
  

See photos of the Grace and RJ's journey on FB and Instagram @aliolynn and on YouTube @honestlyalicia-75

Imagine sitting in your car in the freezing, Kansas winter with your 5 kids, ranging from toddlers to a preteen..watching smoke pouring out of your home while firefighters work to put out the fire. That's what happened to today's guests, Grace and RJ. In 2016 an electrical fire changed everything in a matter of hours. RJ and Grace were working hard, living their lives serving God in their circles of influence, through work, parenting, adoption, and eventually foster care. But that day in February took them on a difficult journey, soon found themselves plunged into a nightmare of fighting insurance companies, navigating a complicated legal battle, and living with their entire family in a friend's basement, and eventually renovating an abandoned house. Just as they were grappling with these immense challenges, a routine surgery took a terrifying turn when RJ contracted MRSA and nearly died.Through it all, Grace felt an unwavering sense of God's presence, a consistent message that He would sustain them even if He didn't remove their trials. Today, Grace and RJ are here to share how they navigated a season of extreme stress, witnessed miracles, and learned that sometimes, God meets us in the fire, not by extinguishing it, but by carrying us through.

In this episode I'm revisiting a special Mother's Day blessing that touched many hearts last year. And exciting news! This year, I've also created a visual version of this blessing on my YouTube channel! So, whether you're listening here or prefer to experience it visually, this offering is for you. It's a reminder that no matter your path to motherhood, your work is seen by God and is incredibly important. Be sure to check out the YouTube version! www.youtube.com/@honestlyalicia-75

Today, we're getting an update on the guest of our most downloaded episode. Two years ago, Andrew, shared his heart-wrenching story of losing his wife to suicide while navigating life as a single father to his then 4-year-old son. We're catching up to see how his journey of grief and recovery has evolved, and how he's building a beautiful new chapter. You'll want to share this episode with anyone who might benefit from hearing Andrew's story of resilience and hope.

-Healing Differences: Andrew shares his insights into how his healing process differs significantly from his son's, highlighting the delicate dance of what is his own grief versus his son's.

-The Pool of Grief: We revisit one of my favorite metaphors, the "pool of grief".

-Building a Healing Environment: Andrew and his current wife, Alexis, have intentionally created an environment that fosters emotional awareness and healing. He shares practical strategies and insights into their approach.

-The Necessity of Revisiting the Past: Andrew offers a powerful perspective on why revisiting past trauma and life-altering circumstances is crucial for healthy forward movement and emphasizes the dangers of minimizing or ignoring these experiences.

-Finally; the "What is Happening?!"Segment: We lighten the mood with a funny story from Andrew's son.

Thank you for joining us on this deeply personal and inspiring journey with Andrew. We hope his story offers comfort and hope to anyone navigating their own path of grief and recovery.

Helpful Links:

Andrew's Original Episode Part 1-https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s1-e7-resilience-and-recovery-in-the-wake-of/id1663015428?i=1000602036969

Andrew's Original Episode Part 2-https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s1-e8-resilience-and-recovery-in-the-wake-of/id1663015428?i=1000604090909

EMDR Explained-https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a form of psychotherapy designed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions related to traumatic experiences. 

How EMDR Works: EMDR involves the patient focusing on a traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as: Eye movements, Tapping on opposite sides of the body, and Alternating sounds in the two ears. This stimulation is believed to help the brain process and desensitize the traumatic memory, reducing its emotional impact and distress. 

Benefits of EMDR: EMDR has been shown to be an effective treatment for PTSD, reducing symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance. It may also be beneficial for other mental health conditions, such as: Anxiety, Depression, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and Chronic pain. 

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline-https://988lifeline.org/

*If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or behaviors please call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline- 988

Did you know Christian individuals give approximately $2.5 billions dollars per year to orphanages and institutionalized care around the world? Today we chat with Stephanie Robinson, an expert in this area, Stephanie has worked in holistic community development and family preservation for 11 years with a focus in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. She holds a Master’s Degree in International Community Development through Northwest University. In the conversation we dive into the complex world of orphan care. Stephanie's journey is far from typical, she shares about what caused her to question the very concept of orphanages after living in Haiti, to building Konbit Haiti, an organization dedicated to family-based solutions. We highlight the root causes of why parents feel pressured to relinquish their children in developing countries, the negative impact of institutionalized care, and the power of community-driven change. We also touch on the opportunities and pitfalls of short-term mission trips. And hear about the work Stephanie is doing with Faith to Action, an organization that serves as a resource for Christ-followers who are seeking to respond to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children around the world...and… well, let's just say, you won't believe her story about a pot-bellied pig, on a motorcycle in streets of Haiti. Get ready to have your heart opened and your understanding challenged.

Helpful Links:

https://www.stephdrobinson.com/ -Writer, researcher, and advocate for children and families around the world.

https://www.faithtoaction.org/ -Faith to Action Initiative seeks to elevate best practices in care for orphaned and vulnerable children, with free educational resources.

https://www.konbithaiti.org/ -Helping Haitian communities thrive

https://www.konbitcollective.com/ -Keeping families together through ethical employment

In this episode, we sit down with Anjuli Paschall, author of the new book Feel: A Guided Journal to Encounter the Heart of God, to discuss the importance of acknowledging and processing our emotions. We delve into how inviting God into our feelings can transform our experience, explore the practical use of the prayers within the book, and discuss the crucial distinction between using feelings as information rather than a guide. Join us for a powerful conversation about emotional health, spiritual growth, and the transformative power of feeling seen and heard by God.

Helpful Links:

Order the book, Feel on Amazon- https://a.co/d/6uDjqEr

Anjuli's Website- https://www.anjulipaschall.com/

Anjuli on Instagram- @lovealways.anjuli

We're kicking off Season 3 of the podcast! We take a moment to reflect on the journey so far.

In this episode we cover:

-The origin story of the podcast

-The purpose of the podcast

-Key lessons learned over the past two years

-A sneak peek at what's in store for season 3

Find Alicia on:

Instagram- @aliolynn

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/alicia.p.osborne.9

Join Jenni and Alicia as they discuss their personal experiences with anxiety. From the initial recognition of its presence to the physical and mental manifestations. Discover the coping mechanisms they've cultivated to manage panic attacks and everyday stressors.

They explore the complex relationship between faith and anxiety, addressing questions like: Is anxiety a result of a lack of faith or a consequence of sin? Join us as we navigate this delicate topic and offer practical insights for those seeking to overcome anxiety.

And for a lighter moment, hear Jenni's "What Is Happening?!" story about pet-sitting two mischievous ferrets.

In This Episode We Cover:

Helpful Links:

Free App: The Pause App. A simple way to connect with God in the middle of your busy day. https://wildatheart.org/apps/one-minute-pause/

4X4 Breathing: https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-box-breathing

Grounding Techniques: https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding-techniques

Apollo Neuro:Experience the best sleep of your life as Apollo quiets your mind and lulls you into a restful sleep each night. Studies show that the Apollo wearable improves your deep sleep, REM sleep, and total sleep time- https://apolloneuro.com/

Today, we're joined by Rouve, a remarkable young woman from Haiti who's found herself at graduate school in Oklahoma. Rouve made the courageous decision to leave her homeland and be the first in her family to study in the US. Being away from the constant chaos and stress that has been part of daily life in Haiti for the last few years has been a relief, however, even though she's found physical safety here in the United States, her journey hasn't been without its challenges.

After years of living on high alert, she experienced a period of profound exhaustion. However, she surrounded herself with healthy community, did counseling, and spent a lot of time saying no to opportunities in order to prioritize rest, she's emerged stronger than ever. Now, she's dedicated to completing her master's degree in counseling with a mission to work in the US in the mental health field, and in time go back to Haiti, uniquely equipped with knowledge and cultural understanding to empower Haitians with mental health resources.

In this episode, we dive into her inspiring story, exploring her experiences, her passion for helping others, find out how many languages she speaks, its a lot..and hear how her foundation for everything is built on an unwavering faith in Christ.

Rouve's Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/iamrouve/

To learn more about Alicia's story and why she keeps talking about Haiti:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s1-e9-insights-from-alicias-adoption-journey-applicable/id1663015428?i=1000606431900

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s1-e10-stories-of-hope-in-haiti-with-angie/id1663015428?i=1000609454610