Speak Out Loud

This "Best Of" Episode is a selection from a 3-part series Stacee and Doug recorded in Season 1 of the Speak Out Loud podcast talking about Stacee's lengthy battle with chronic anorexia. Anorexia's roots go back into Stacee's teenage years and have been a life-long struggle for which she continues ongoing outpatient therapy.

This segment is a conversation between Stacee and Doug about a critical season in her eating disorder recovery journey, entering a four month in patient eating disorder program, and how she and Doug found hope and healing out of some of the lowest points of both Stacee's mental and physical health.

This "Best of" segment is from SOL#11, originally shared in April of 2021. The 3 part series focused on Stacee's battle with anorexia is shared in episodes 10, 11 and 12 of the Speak Out Loud podcast. To hear more of the story of Stacee's eating disorder recovery journey, we invite you to listen to the original 3 part series.

You can learn more about Stacee and Doug and the resources of hope offered through Speak Out Loud at www.speakoutloud.me.

Let's experience hope together!

In the month of April, we're going to be sharing several "Best Of" Episodes - selecting several key selections from some of our most impactful episodes to date. If you're new to the Speak Out Loud podcast and would like a taste of some of our content or if you'd like a refresh on some of our previous content, we'd love for you to listen!

Today's "Best Of" episode selects about 25 minutes from one of most popular and downloaded episodes, Episode #41 "Brain On Fire." In this episode, friend and LPC Phoebe Barron interviews Stacee and Doug on Stacee's diagnosis and experience with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Often resulting from extensive trauma, Borderline can be a painful and debilitating experience for those who suffer and for those who love them.

In this episode, Stacee and Doug share with authenticity and transparency the challenges Borderline has brought to Stacee's mental health, their marriage and family. But they also share the hope and recovery they've discovered and experience along the BPD journey.

If you'd like to listen to the full "Brain on Fire" episode you can find it on most podcast platforms - it's Speak Out Loud podcast episode #41, released in early 2023.

The Speak Out Loud podcast is bringing hope and encouragement to those who struggle with mental health and for those who love and support them.

Learn more about Stacee and Doug's mental health journey and the resources offered through Speak Out Loud at www.speakoutloud.me.

In this episode, Doug and long-time friend, Richard Covington, conclude the SOL Podcast series on the intersection of faith and mental illness.

Richard serves as the Executive Pastor of the Heights Church in Richardson, TX. His background includes a Masters Degree in Counseling and over 35 years in church and pastoral ministry serving youth, families, leading missions, pastoral care, and administration for several churches in Texas.

Richard has a heart for people and for helping those struggling with mental health to find hope and healing and to discover God's deep love and care for them.

Richard and Doug talk about how churches, pastors, and church leaders can help individuals and families struggling with mental illness, why it's ok for Christians to pursue therapy and professional medical treatment alongside their relationship with God, and words of wisdom from years of experience for both pastors and church members for healthy pastoral counseling relationships.

Throughout their conversation, Richard and Doug conclude Speak Out Loud's series of episodes exploring deep questions of faith and mental illness. If you've struggled with how to intersect your faith and your mental health journey, if you've been hurt or if you've doubted, in light of your pain, that God loves and cares for you - this episode and series are for you.

You can learn more about Richard and the Heights Church at www.theHeights.org. The Heights Church is located at Hwy 75 and Renner Road in the DFW metroplex.

Learn more about Speak Out Loud and the resources of hope offered by Stacee at Doug at www.speakoutloud.me.

The mission of Speak Out Loud is to bring hope and encouragement to those struggling with mental health and to those who love and support them.

We invite you to be a part of this journey - let's experience hope together!

In this episode, Stacee and Doug continue their series focused on the intersection of faith and mental illness as they share a conversation with LPCs, friends and frequent guests Brenda Elledge and Phoebe Barron.

Phoebe and Brenda join with Stacee and Doug to answer questions about pursuing authentic help and recovery while integrating faith in all areas of life including the mental health journey.

This is a rich conversation shared from years of experience both as counselors and those pursuing mental illness recovery - sharing the hope of experiencing a deeper and more authentic relationship with God in the midst of much mental pain.

Brenda and Phoebe not only bring years of practical experience and insights as mental health professionals but also share wisdom, insights and hope from their personal faith journey.

If you've struggled with how to intersect your faith and your mental health journey, if you've been hurt because of the path you've chosen or if you've doubted, in light of your pain, that there can be a God who loves and cares for you, we're glad you're here - this episode is for you!

You can learn more about Phoebe and her practice in greater OKC at phoebebarron.com and you can follow her on Instagram @phoebekate.

Learn more about Brenda and her practice in the DFW metroplex at elledgecounseling.com and find her Facebook and Instagram at Elledge Counseling Associates.

Learn more about resources available from Speak Out Loud and how to connect with Stacee and Doug at www.speakoutloud.me. Speak Out Loud exists to share hope and encouragement for those who struggle with mental health and for those who love and support them.

Let's experience hope together!

We are so thrilled in today's episode to be joined by friend and mental health advocate, Susie Gurley!

Susie is the host and creator of the "Just A Mom Podcast" where she talks with other parents and guests about the mental health issues kids face. Susie's voice on this topic began in some of the darkest days of her and her family's lives but have ended with hope - and that's the hope she seeks to share.

Today's episode is a conversation with Susie about the role her faith has played in her family's mental health journey and the ways her family's mental health journey has deepened her experience and trust in God.

Maybe you'd had thoughts or questions like the ones we talk about in this episode:

I'm a Christian yet I struggle with mental illness. I love God and want to follow Him, yet my mental health is often dark, depressed, anxious and overwhelmed. What should I do?

Is it ok for a person of faith to also include therapy, medicine and other professional treatment as part of their mental health journey?

Can I truly separate and isolate my mental health from my spiritual life? Does God care about my mind and my mental pain?

Join us as Susie helps us answer these questions and more.

If you've struggled with how to intersect your faith and your mental health journey, if you've been hurt because of the path you've chosen or if you've doubted, in light of your pain, that there can be a God who loves and cares for you, we're glad you're here - these episodes are for you.

You learn more about Susie and follow the "Just A Mom Podcast" at www.thejustamompodcast.com or follow on most podcast platforms.

Learn more about Speak Out Loud, the podcast, and how to connect with Stacee and Doug for speaking engagements and all the resources Speak Out Loud offers at www.speakoutloud.me

I'm a Christian yet I struggle with mental illness. I love God and want to follow Him, yet my mental health is often dark, depressed, anxious and overwhelmed.

Is it ok for a person of faith to also include therapy, medicine and other professional treatment as part of their mental health journey?

Can you truly separate and isolate your mental health from your spiritual life? Does God care about my mind and my mental pain?

In this episode, Stacee and Doug wrestle with these questions and share their story and the stories of trailblazing friends and guests as they kick-off a series of episodes focused on the intersection of faith and mental illness.

Stacee and Doug share of navigating the pursuit of professional mental health treatment with counselors, doctors and in-patient hospitalizations while also deepening their relationship with God and trust in Him along the way.

If you've struggled with how to intersect your faith and your mental health journey, if you've been hurt because of the path you've chosen or if you've doubted, in light of your pain, that there can be a God who loves and cares for you, we're glad you're here - these episodes are for you.

Merry Christmas to all of the listeners and followers of the Speak Out Loud podcast!

We are so thankful for you and that you are a part of our mission to share hope and encouragement for those who struggle with mental health and to those who love them.

Christmas has not always been an easy or merry time for Stacee or our family throughout the mental illness journey. Traumatic experiences, difficult memories, and unmet expectations (of ourselves and others) can all make the holiday season difficult for many people. What is billed as a "joyous" season for many is filled with increased depression, heightened anxiety, and loneliness.

In this episode, Stacee talks about struggling with difficult memories during the Christmas season, and how she has been able to work through those to establish new traditions and new memories for herself and our family.

The apostle John beautifully summarizes the entry of Jesus into the world this way: "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5). This Christmas we celebrate that Jesus brings His light and hope to the darkest places in our world and our lives, and certainly to the darkness of mental illness.

We invite you to listen to this episode as we walk through this Christmas season together and not alone. May the grace and love and joy of God and Savior, Jesus, be yours this Christmas season and into the New Year.

Blessings to each of you our listeners and friends.

--Stacee and Doug

In this episode, Stacee shares a conversation with Hope Johnson. Hope has experience with depression and suicidal ideation. By walking through great trials and suffering, Hope has found an immense amount of healing and hope in writing, community, and the Lord’s presence.

In this conversation, you will find yourself invited into what it truly means to experience the goodness of God, amidst pain and suffering. Both Hope and Stacee provide insight into what it truly means to invite the Lord into pain.

You can follow Hope Johnson on Instagram at @hope_jaazaniah and check out her website at www.hopeunyielding.com.

Follow Speak Out Loud @speakoutloud.me and check out our website with multiple resources at www.speakoutloud.me.

In this episode, Stacee and Doug share a conversation with self-injury support advocate, Brittany Tinsley. Through her writing and authentically sharing her experience and story, Brittany is helping to raise awareness and normalize the conversation around self-harm.

In this episode, Brittany shares about the traumatic experience which led to her first experience with self-harm, the behavior "turning the tables" and becoming an out of control part of her life, and her journey of finding help and living in authentic recovery.

Brittany and Stacee both shine light into this struggle which thrives in the darkness of our secrets and hidden world. As difficult and scary as it may be for both those who struggle with self-harm and for those who love them, having the courage to bring this struggle out of the darkness and into the light of conversation is the beginning of experiencing hope and finding true relief.

Brittany and Stacee share insights and experience on live in recoverying and encouragement for those who love someone struggling with self-harm.

Brittany Tinsley is a wife, a mom, a writer, and one walking the self-harm recovery journey. You can find Brittany and her writing on Instagram @brittanytinselywrites and at brittanytinsley.substack.com.

Learn more about Stacee and Doug's mission to share hope and encouragement for those who struggle with mental health and for those who love and support them at www.speakoutloud.me and on Instagram @speakoutloud.me.

An eating disorder is a severe mental health condition characterized by abnormal eating habits and a preoccupation with food, weight, and body image. People with eating disorders often have a distorted perception of their body shape or weight and may engage in extreme behaviors related to food, eating, and exercise. Ultimately, individuals with eating disorders need professional help, as treatment typically involves a combination of therapy, nutritional counseling, and sometimes medication.

In this episode, Stacee and Doug are joined by Gracie Evans and Rebecca Brumm, who along with Sarah King, form Whole Hive Counseling in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Whole Hive Counseling focuses on creating a space for individuals to find healing while providing authentic, expert therapy. Both women are exceptionally passionate and trained to walk with struggling individuals and families surrounding them.

Along with counseling services provided, Whole Hive also offers a resource and coaching program called "Parenting Through Eating Disorders." These resources and contact information for Eating Disorder treatment can be found at their website and at the link below.

Check out resources at Whole Hive Counseling: ⁠Whole Hive Counseling ⁠

Follow Speak Out Loud on Instagram: @speakoutloud.me

Check out our Website: Speak Out Loud

Order Stacee's newest book: You Are Worth Saving

Website Mention: National Eating Disorder Association - www.Nationaleatingdisorders.org

Additional Resource: Oklahoma Eating Disorder Association - www.okeatingdisorders.org