The Speakeasy

Wife, mom, counselor, and owner of BBC Health, Rachael Gilbert joins Blake to discuss restoration from the inside out when it comes to our body image. In her book, she talks about being a safe and soft landing space for women and getting their body image restored, but not in a striving way. Rachel, a counselor and trauma-informed therapist, blends personal experience with professional insight, emphasizing the impact of trauma on body image. They discuss how trauma, whether big or small, shapes beliefs, and identity, urging listeners to confront and heal from these experiences for personal growth and freedom. Rachel's work and insights offer a pathway towards restoration and a healthier relationship with one's body.

In this episode, you'll be able to:

• Explore the intricate connection between trauma and body image, understanding how past experiences shape self-perception.

• Gain insights into the complexities of identity, belief systems, and the profound impact they have on one's relationship with their body.

• Uncover strategies for healing and restoration, discovering pathways towards a healthier view of one's body and self-worth.

Rachael is the author of Image Restored – available everywhere now!

To connect with Rachael:

Website: rachaelgilbert.com

Instagram: @rachaeljgilbert

Facebook: @rachaeljoygilbert

Podcast: Real Talk with Rachael

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Pastor, author, and speaker Scott LaPierre joins Blake to discuss his experience with marriage and how he overcame challenges with his relationship. In his book, he addresses the importance of assuming the best in one another, addressing mental health issues through counseling, and the transformative power of faith in rebuilding a marriage. He emphasizes the role of prayer in supporting marriages, debunking misconceptions about God's desire for prosperity, and advocating for the strength and health of marital bonds. Join them as they focus on the concept of submission in marriage, challenging stereotypes and emphasizing the biblical perspective on mutual respect and support in the husband-wife relationship.

In this episode, you'll be able to:

• Explore a personal story of a marriage on the brink of divorce transformed into a thriving partnership through faith and intentional efforts.

• Gain insights into the importance of assuming the best in one's spouse, fostering open communication, and addressing mental health aspects in marriage.

• Delve into a discussion about the biblical perspective on marriage, submission, and the role of husbands and wives, challenging common misconceptions within Christian circles.

To connect with Addison:

Website: scottlapierre.org

Instagram: @pastorwcc

Facebook: @scottlapierreministries

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Author, speaker and poet, Addison Bevere joins Blake to discuss his personal journey with prayer, highlighting the different approaches to prayer he observed within his own family. He emphasizes the need to move beyond scripted and rehearsed prayers to develop a more intimate and authentic connection with God. In his book, he addresses the challenges of prayer and offers insights on how to transform it into a meaningful experience. The conversation explores the concept of silence in prayer and the idea that God's silence can be an invitation to deeper connection rather than a sign of disapproval or anger.

In this episode, you'll be able to:

• Gain insights into the diverse approaches to prayer,, from structured to spontaneous.

• Explore the concept of silence in prayer and how it can be an invitation to deeper connection with God.

• Discover the importance of moving beyond formulaic prayers to create a more authentic and meaningful relationship with God.

To connect with Addison:

Website: addisonbevere.com

Instagram: @addisonbevere

Facebook: @addisondbevere

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Author, co-founder and Executive Director of The 410 Bridge, Kurt Kandler joins Blake to share his passion for breaking the cycle of poverty within communities. In this episode, he emphasizes the importance of shifting the mindset of both the impoverished communities and those wanting to help, moving away from a victim mentality and material solutions. Join them as they discuss the role of empathy and how it can coexist with the shift in mindset, and the importance of asking the right questions when supporting organizations that aim to help the impoverished.

In this episode, you'll be able to:

• Understand the mission and approach of the 410 Bridge organization in alleviating poverty in developing countries.

• Explore the need for a mindset shift in how both impoverished communities and those offering help view poverty and empowerment.

• Gain insights into the importance of empathy, asking the right questions, and avoiding transactional aid when supporting charitable organizations.

To connect with Kurt:

Website: kurtkandler.com

Instagram: @kurtkandler

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Creator, artist and Blake's very own best friend, Kyleigh Rose joins her to share a part of her own story and how she and Blake became friends in an expected but beautiful way. They both discuss their experiences with friendship breakups and how they navigated them, emphasizing the importance of open communication and mutual respect. In this episode, they also touch on supporting each other through personal struggles and how their friendship has been a source of strength during challenging times. Join them as they encourage taking risks in love and emphasize that their close friendship developed unconventionally and grew through vulnerability and chances they took on each other.

In this episode, you'll be able to:

• Gain insights into navigating the challenges of friendship breakups.

• Learn about what it looks like to support each other through every season of life and personal struggles and how you can be a source of encouragement to others in your own life going through similar challenges.

• Understand the importance of investing energy in positive and fruitful relationships while maintaining a long-distance best friendship.

To connect with Kyleigh:

Instagram: @bykyleighrose

Shop: etsy.com/shop/bykyleighrose

Podcast: It Gets Good Podcast

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Author, speaker and counselor Clarence Shuler joins Blake to focus on facing loneliness, depression, and anxiety with the power of grace and shares his own personal journey of struggling with depression. In this episode, they explore the challenges of self-worth, self-worship, and the importance of embracing one's mental and emotional well-being. Join them as they emphasize the significance of sharing one's struggles and experiences to help others on their own journeys of healing.

In this episode, you'll be able to:

• Gain insight into overcoming depression and anxiety by hearing Clarence's personal story and how he found hope in dark times.

• Understand the significance of distinguishing between self-worth and self-worship for improved mental and emotional well-being.

• Explore the transformative power of transparency in sharing one's struggles and experiences to connect with and support others in their healing journeys.

Clarence is the author of Finding Hope in a Dark Place – available everywhere now!

To connect with Clarence:

Instagram: @dr_clarenceshuler

Website: clarenceshuler.com

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Freelancer and entrepreneur, Micala Quinn joins Blake to share her journey from being a high school English teacher to becoming a freelancer and working for herself. In this episode, Micala talks about the challenges she faced as a new mother and the desire to stay home with her child, which led her to explore freelancing options. Join them as they emphasize the importance of identifying one's strengths and skills to transition into freelancing successfully and offer resources and guidance for women looking to work from home and create a flexible lifestyle for their families.

In this episode, you'll be able to:

• Gain insights into Micala's personal journey from teaching to freelancing and how motherhood played a pivotal role in her career transition.

• Learn about the challenges and setbacks the guest faced when starting her freelancing career, including the struggle to secure her first paying client.

• Discover practical tips and resources for identifying your strengths and skills, making a successful transition to freelancing, and achieving a flexible work-from-home lifestyle.

To connect with Michelle:

Instagram: @micala.quinn

Facebook: @micalaquinn

Website: micalaquinn.com

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Author and podcaster, Michelle Donnelly joins Blake to discuss the reality that motherhood often doesn't match our expectations. In this episode, they touch on the challenges of single parenting, unexpected life changes, and the anxiety and self-doubt that can arise when life doesn't go as planned. Join them as they talk about the importance of relying on God and embracing vulnerability to find strength and transformation in the midst of overwhelming circumstances.

In this episode, you'll be able to:

• Gain insight into the challenges of motherhood that often don't align with expectations, especially for single parents.

• Discover how faith and vulnerability can be powerful tools for finding strength and transformation in the face of overwhelming circumstances.

• Explore a new perspective on self-care rooted in faith and healing, highlighting its potential for genuine refreshment and enjoyment.

Michelle is the author of Made for More – available everywhere now!

To connect with Michelle:

Instagram: @plusone.parents

Facebook: @plusone.parents

Website: plusoneparents.org

Podcast: The Christian Single Moms

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Join us for today's episode as Blake shares a deeply personal and candid account of her experience with SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), discussing her 15-year journey with these medications and her recent decision to stop taking them. She reflects on her initial decision to start taking SSRIs as a young adult, her family's history of relying on pharmaceuticals, and the challenges she faced when trying to taper off these medications in 2021, highlighting the physical and emotional toll it took on her. Please note that Blake is not a medical professional, this is not medical advice, and she urges listeners not to make any medication changes without consulting professionals.

In this episode, you'll be able to:

• Gain insight into the transformative journey after coming off SSRIs, including the emotional and spiritual changes that can happen.

• Discover how Blake's faith has provided her a sense of belonging, security and reliance on God while navigating this season.

• Explore information and considerations regarding long-term SSRI use, along with details about supplements that may support individuals on a similar journey.

Find the three supplements Blake mentions in the episode here.

To connect with Blake:

Instagram: @thegirlnamedblake

Website: thegirlnamedblake.com

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Biblical and family counselor, Mary Garcia and youth and family counselor, Sarah Garcia join Blake to discuss their new book on biblical insights for godly parenting and shaping future generations. They talk about the challenges of parenting in a changing culture and emphasize the importance of not being stressed by these cultural shifts. The book reflects their background in counseling and biblical principles, aiming to get to the root of family issues rather than offering superficial solutions. Ultimately, their goal is to help families raise children the Jesus way in a changing world.

In this episode, you'll be able to:

• Identify and address generational strongholds and patterns in their families.

• Highlight the significance of understanding one's family history and patterns to prevent passing negative behaviors to the next generation.

• Recognize the importance of discipline being an act of love and transformation rather than mere punishment.

Mary and Sarah are the authors of Raising Families the Jesus Way – available everywhere now!

To connect with Mary and Sarah:

Instagram: @glorifyinternational | @sarahmgarcia | @marybgarcia7

Website: glorifyinternational.org

Special Announcement!

The doors to "Find Your Thing" will close at midnight on Friday. For more information and to sign up, visit TheGirlNameBlake.com/FYT. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via email. Let's dive into the episode together, and let your journey towards fulfilling your dreams begin.

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