Spark Directory

Dana Grindal welcomes breathwork expert Maria Donnelly to share her journey of healing chronic illness through the science and spirituality of functional breathing. Together, they explore trauma, its effects on breath, and practical ways listeners can reclaim health and wholeness—spirit, soul, and body.

Outline:     
00:00 – Introduction & Guest Welcome  

02:00 – What Is Functional Breathing?  

05:00 – Maria’s Healing Journey: From Illness to Wellness  

10:00 – Breathing Dysfunction: Signs & Symptoms  

14:00 – Breath, Trauma, and Emotional Healing  

21:00 – The Theology of Breath: Biblical Perspective  

28:00 – Trauma’s Impact on the Body & Breath  

34:00 – Using Breathwork to Restore Voice & Identity  

43:00 – Taking Back Territory: Health and Spiritual Authority  

51:00 – How to Connect With Maria & Free Resources  

54:00 – Final Thoughts & Prayer

Guest Insights/Recommendation:

Book a Discovery Session: Free consultations at yourlivingbreath.com.
fearlessandfreecommunity.com
danagrindal.com

SUMMARY:

- The conversation centers around grief, faith, and healing, featuring Dr. Amanda McNeil, an associate pastor and counselor.

- Amanda shares her journey, raised in a blended family and losing her father as a teenager, impacting her deeply and leading her to her current path.

- She speaks on the intersection of the Bible and science in understanding grief, discussing her book, "Overcoming the Overcast: Navigating the Storms of Life with God."

- The dialogue explores the concept of grief as a journey that can coexist with hope, emphasizing the importance of community and support.

- They discuss the role of childhood perceptions and shame in shaping adult grief experiences, highlighting the need for honest engagement with personal stories.

- The transformative power of God in grief is emphasized, with insights into how God’s presence can provide comfort and healing.

- Amanda stresses the importance of allowing oneself to feel both joy and grief simultaneously, a duality that can aid in healing.

- The discussion touches on identity shifts due to grief and how the church can better support those suffering.

- Amanda’s book serves as a practical guide combining scripture, neuroscience, and personal insights to help navigate grief.

- The conversation concludes with the notion that despite the storms of grief, the constant presence of God offers hope and healing.

PODCAST INTRO:

Grief is a universal experience. As I’ve often shared with you, there are many types of grief so if you’re listening today and you haven’t lost a significant person but you’ve been separated from something that you held near and dear to your heart then you’ll be able to apply what Dr. McNeil shares in this message to your pain/your life. I say Dr. McNeil because she’s certainly earned her credentials but I found her to be so down to earth I caught myself addressing her as Amanda.

Dr. Amanda McNeil, is mom, wife, counselor, pastor, speaker, and an author and I’ll share a little bit about her most recent book in just a minute.

A Personal Journey of Grief and Faith

Her journey with grief began at a young age after unexpectedly losing her father. And this personal tragedy began to shape her path, leading her to become a strong voice and advocate for those who grieve.

The Interplay of Grief, Mental Health, and Faith

During our discussion, Amanda highlighted how grief impacts mental health and how both the Bible and science provide insights into navigating this difficult journey. She emphasized the importance of understanding how grief can be traced through family history and how it affects us on multiple levels—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Story Work and Healing

Amanda advocates for engaging in "story work" to process grief. This involves reflecting on our life experiences and understanding the narratives we've formed, often from childhood. By doing story work, we can identify and challenge lie-based beliefs that might be rooted in shame or guilt. The purpose for bringing those emotions to the surface is because now you have a target to work with in regard to healing and wholeness.

Joy and Grief Can Coexist

A common struggle in grief is reconciling moments of joy with the pain of loss. Dr. McNeil reassures us that experiencing joy does not betray our grief or love that was attached to our loss. Instead, it is part of the healing process, allowing us to live fully even amidst sorrow.

Overcoming the Overcast

As mentioned she’s an author and her latest book titled "Overcoming the Overcast: Navigating the Storms of Life with God," is her book that she describes as a “love letter” to those experiencing loss. It combines scripture, neuroscience, and counseling principles to provide a practical guide for navigating grief. She emphasizes that, like a storm, grief can feel overwhelming,

Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In this inspiring episode, host Doris Swift sits down with Robin Gerblick, an award-winning author, biblical life coach, and founder of the Exodus Women’s Retreat. Robin shares her powerful story of redemption, from a painful past marked by abortion and decades of wandering, to finding healing and purpose through Jesus. Together, Doris and Robin discuss the real, raw, and redeemed journey that led Robin to embrace forgiveness, launch a transformative women’s ministry, and write her book, Giving Up Grace: A Spiritual Rebranding of the Soul.

Robin opens up about the challenges she faced, the grace she found after hitting rock bottom, and how God used her story to impact the lives of other women. Whether you’re struggling with regret, searching for healing, or just needing a reminder that it’s never too late to step into your calling, Robin’s testimony will encourage you to trust God’s timing and reclaim your joy.

Plus, discover how Robin’s retreats empower women to encounter God in the wilderness and take the next steps toward spiritual wholeness.

Tune in for an honest, hope-filled conversation about surrender, restoration, and stepping boldly where passion, compassion, and conviction intersect!

00:00 “Surrendering Joy Stealers”

05:17 “Real, Raw, Redeemed Journey”

09:27 Regret Over Missed Adoption Choice

11:53 “Seeking Identity Before Faith”

15:31 “Giving Up Grace Explained”

17:54 “Believing Is Seeing: Trusting God”

22:52 Abortion’s Lasting Impact on Fertility

24:41 Volunteering at Crisis Pregnancy Centers

28:33 “Grace: Healing and Reflection”

31:43 Grace, Stories, and Comfort

36:51 “Faith-Driven Success and Leadership”

39:48 Post-Abortion Support and Encouragement

42:49 Forgiveness Journey and Healing Resources

You can connect with Robin at robingerblick.com where you’ll find her book, social media links, the Exodus Women’s Retreat, and more! She’d love to hear from you and continue the conversation!

In the first episode of our summer series recapping the 2024 Christians Engaged Conference, we kick things off with a moving message from Arkansas State Representative Alyssa Brown—the youngest person ever elected to the Arkansas Legislature. Just two years ago, she joined our Young Adult 1630 Initiative and took a life-changing trip to Washington, D.C. What followed was a miracle: a journey from intercessory prayer to stepping into the race herself—filing with just 22 minutes to spare—and ultimately, winning with over 63% of the vote.Alyssa shares how God called her to confront fear, challenge the status quo, and embrace a bold, biblical leadership. Alongside her story, you’ll also hear from Abby Sexton, our Young Adult Director, and inspiring testimonies from Ryan, Josh, Kaedon, and Lea—young leaders rising in this generation.

Learn more about 1630 and connect: https://www.ce1630.orgThis is more than a political story—it's a faith story. One that proves God still raises up Esthers, Daniels, and Davids to face the giants of our day. Watch now and be encouraged to answer the call.We exist to awaken, educate, and empower believers in Jesus Christ to:▪️ PRAY for our nation and elected officials regularly▪️ VOTE in every local, state, and national election to impact our culture ▪️ ENGAGE our hearts in civic education or involvement for the well-being of our local communities and our nation Learn more about Christians Engaged: christiansengaged.org Support our mission: christiansengaged.org/donate Take the Pledge to PRAY, VOTE, & ENGAGE: christiansengaged.org/pledge