In Episode 8 of From Codependence to Christ-Dependence, Dr. Barbara Jean Lowe Sauvé explores the hidden survival strategy of masking—the "safer self" we present when shame tells us we're not safe to be seen. We connect masking to anxiety, anger, and control, expose spiritual bypass as a holy-sounding form of hiding, and return to the core gospel truth: there is no condemnation in Christ. We unpack hesed (steadfast covenant love), rachamim (womb-compassion mercy), and yada (deep relational knowing), and we look at why many believers still struggle with imposter syndrome—a failure of "object permanence in God." We also discuss how masking can live below words in implicit memory and the nervous system, and how addiction and numbing often emerge when lament is lost. This episode includes a gentle Jesus encounter to help you loosen the mask and come home to the true self in Christ—unmasked, unashamed, and held.

In this From Codependence to Christ-Dependence Flashback Friday episode, we're going back to the World Women's Wholeness Summit 2021 for a powerful conversation with Pastor Darlene Zschech—worship leader, songwriter of Shout to the Lord, pastor, wife, mom, and grandmother.

Note: The thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and may not always reflect the views of Dr. Barbara or Heart Journey

Welcome to a Christmas episode unlike anything you've ever heard. Today, Dr. Barbara blends neuroscience, attachment theory, trauma-informed psychology, biblical Greek + Hebrew, family systems, and even physics to help you experience Christmas as a healing event. Learn how Jesus heals: • Fear • Control • Anxiety • Codependent patterns • Family system roles • Attachment wounds • Nervous system dysregulation Topics covered: • Why Christmas is a secure attachment story • The meaning of Emmanuel as divine co-regulation • How light displaces darkness in both physics and the spirit • Attachment styles at Christmas • Why holidays activate childhood patterns • Breath prayers that calm your vagus nerve • Reparenting the inner child with Jesus • Boundaries that protect your peace • Your place of peace is your place of power Download free resources: Self-Parenting Tool → https://drbarbaraministries.org/self-parent Follow Dr. Barbara: TikTok: @drbarbaraministries Instagram: @drbarbaraministries Facebook: Dr. Barbara Ministries Podcast: Heart Journey Podcast / Whole Life Podcast

In this second half of her World Women's Wholeness Summit 2020 talk, Leslie dives into what happens after trust has been broken:

• What actually rebuilds trust (and what doesn't)
• Why God calls us to unconditional love but not unconditional relationship
• How to discern between normal sin and chronic destructive patterns
• What real repentance looks like (beyond "I'm sorry" and bringing flowers)
• How to set wise, biblical boundaries that honor God and protect safety and sanity
• Why you cannot "fix" another person, but you can change your part of the dance

If you've ever asked, "Does God care more about the sanctity of marriage than my safety and sanity?" this episode will help you breathe again. Leslie reminds us that God cares deeply about the well-being of His daughters and sons, not just the image of a relationship.

Note: The thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and may not always reflect the views of Dr. Barbara or Heart Journey

In this powerful and gentle episode, Dr. Barbara guides us into the truth beneath our anxiety, anger, and attempts to manage people, outcomes, and even our own worth. Drawing from Scripture, neuroscience, attachment theory, and physics, she unpacks:

• Why our nervous system clings to control
• How childhood chaos forms lifelong patterns
• Why worry, ranting, ruminating, and image-management are survival strategies—not character flaws
• How shame disguises itself as "humility"
• What God actually says about control (hint: He never told you that you're alone)
• Why surrender is not apathy, but holy dependence
• Resonance, the nervous system, and how your inner peace becomes a blessing to others

The four-part Heart Journey Encounter for healing younger parts of the soul. This episode is full of compassion, conviction without condemnation, and deep relief.

Note: The thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and may not always reflect the views of Dr. Barbara or Heart Journey

• What healthy relationships actually look like
• The difference between normal sin and destructive patterns
• Why you can't be spiritually mature and emotionally immature
• How mutuality, reciprocity, and freedom are essential ingredients in any God-honoring relationship
• Why "pretending," people-pleasing, and over-accommodating actually harm wholeness
• How to begin speaking the truth in love and owning your "yes" and your "no"

Leslie is speaking primarily to women about destructive marriages and relationships, but these dynamics apply to men and women alike. If you've ever wondered, "Is this just hard… or is this toxic?"...this episode will be a lifeline.

Note: The thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and may not always reflect the views of Dr. Barbara or Heart Journey Ministry.