Week four of the Ending Well series lands right at the halfway mark. This episode is a look back over a three-year road (starting in 2022) of how God helped me fight inflammation, feel like myself again, and regain my "glow." This is not a weight-loss talk, not a quick-fix list, and not medical advice. It's a redemption story about healing from the inside out — spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." — 3 John 1:2

Key Themes

• Redemption doesn't just cover salvation; it keeps working through sanctification and healing.

• Inflammation wasn't just a food problem — it was also a soul and nervous system problem.

• Real health change is slow, layered, and personal. Your timeline will not look like mine.

• The glow came as a byproduct of feeling better and living freer, not chasing beauty.

Important Disclaimers

• This episode is descriptive, not prescriptive.

• Not medical advice. Always talk with a qualified professional for your situation.

• Do not try to do everything at once. This was a year of foundations plus a total three-year process.

• One percent better beats perfect overnight.

The Story: How the Dominoes Fell 1. August 2022: Stepping Back From Fear-Driven "Crunchy" Culture

• I was drowning in rules, guilt, and constant fear of what might be harming me.

• The anxiety and striving became more toxic than the ingredients I was avoiding.

• First domino: I quit trying to do it all perfectly and started living with grace, budget reality, and peace.

• Lowering my standards for myself lowered my inflammation.

"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28

2. October 2022: A Major Boundary With a Toxic Relationship

• I set a serious boundary with someone whose presence fueled self-hatred.

• Went no contact for about six months.

• The inner tape of shame and criticism began to quiet.

• I learned that giving up self-hatred is profoundly anti-inflammatory.

Recommended resource mentioned:

• When to Walk Away by Gary Thomas (plus podcast interview)

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." — Proverbs 4:23

3. Early 2023: Changing How I Worked Out

• I stopped high-intensity workouts that were spiking cortisol daily.

• Switched to lifting heavy and slow, more functional strength training.

• Worked out less, recovered more.

• Energy improved, inflammation eased, confidence rose.

• Current favorite: Nourish Move Love workouts on YouTube.

Big takeaway: exercise is a gift, not punishment.

4. February to May 2023: Going Gluten-Free and Cutting Back on Alcohol

• Grain Brain by Dr. David Perlmutter was a turning point.

• I tried going gluten-free (cold turkey, not ideal but it worked).

• Brain fog cleared, bloat dropped, inflammation noticeably reduced.

• Cutting alcohol alongside gluten made a huge difference.

• I don't need to understand every mechanism to honor what clearly helps my body.

Reminder: everyone has a "thing" — gluten, dairy, sugar, alcohol, stress. Find yours with grace.

5. August 2023: Getting Off SSRIs After 15 Years

• A massive milestone with a full story in episode 267.

• For me, SSRIs were not helping inflammation or overall vitality anymore.

• The drop in facial inflammation from August to December was dramatic.

• I'm not shaming anyone on SSRIs — I was on them a long time. This was my path.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." — Galatians 5:1

What Actually Healed Me

This part matters: the glow wasn't mainly from products.

• Lowering impossible expectations

• Creating boundaries

• Learning to like myself

• Getting out of fight-or-flight

• Moving my body in a gentler way

• Removing gluten and minimizing alcohol

• Walking in obedience even when it felt backwards

Healing was spiritual and emotional first, physical second.

"Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." — Romans 12:2

Simple "Glow Back" Skin Habits

These are the practical, easy wins that helped the outside catch up to the inside.

1. Dermaplaning at home

   • Removes dead skin and peach fuzz.

   • Skin care and makeup apply better.

   • Big difference in glow and smoothness.

   • Learn carefully through YouTube tutorials and use a quality razor.

2. Stopping skin picking

   • Picking was aggravating redness and irritation.

   • I prayed about it and replaced the habit.

   • New habit: brush my hair when the urge hits.

   • Asking God for help in small things counts.

Sponsor Spotlight: PreBorn

• A free ultrasound can double a mother's chance of choosing life.

• PreBorn offers ultrasounds plus ongoing support for mothers for up to two years.

• It costs 28 dollars to sponsor one ultrasound.

• Donate at preborn.com/speakeasy.

Takeaways to Sit With

• If you're overwhelmed, start with one domino.

• God often heals from the root, not just the symptom.

• Your body listens to your beliefs.

• Peace, obedience, and self-kindness are deeply practical health tools.

• The goal isn't prettier; it's freer, healthier, and more whole.

Reflective Questions

• What is one area where fear or perfectionism is inflaming your life?

• Who or what might need a boundary so you can heal?

• What small change feels like the next right step, not the whole staircase?

• How would your health shift if you treated yourself like someone God deeply loves?

Closing Encouragement

This glow-back story is really a "come back to life" story. It wasn't a sprint; it was obedience in baby steps. If you're in the thick of it today, don't despise the slow fade. God redeems years, bodies, minds, and hearts — and He's patient in the process.

"He restores my soul." — Psalm 23:3

The day before Thanksgiving, we hit pause together for a short "FaceTime-style" heart-to-heart. Whether you're bracing for tricky family dynamics or you're the holiday superfan, this mini-episode gives you a simple, grace-filled plan to enter the day grounded, intentional, and at peace—without pretending or performing.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." — Proverbs 3:5–6

What We Talk About

• Two honest camps we tend to fall into for Thanksgiving (dreaded & pressured vs. excited & overamped) — and how intention bridges both.

• The 2023 burnout story that led to boundaries, fewer yeses, and clearer expectations.

• A 5–10 minute grounding ritual you can do today (journal-optional) to shape tomorrow.

• Why your presence > performance — and how to carry peace into complicated rooms.

• Gratitude as an anchor, not a performance — practical ways to spot "small gifts."

• Navigating family roles, old wounds, and people-pleasing without losing your growth.

• "Touch grass" breaks and mini-Sabbaths that reset your nervous system mid-chaos.

Scripture Anchors

• Proverbs 3:5–6 — Trust > understanding; acknowledge > control.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 — "Rejoice… pray… give thanks… for this is God's will."

• Philippians 4:6–7 — Prayer + thanksgiving → peace that guards your heart.

• Colossians 3:15 — "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… and be thankful."

The 5–10 Minute "Pre-Game" (Do this today)

1. Name it honestly. Write how you actually feel about tomorrow (the good, the hard, the mixed). No bypassing.

2. Three clarifying questions:

   • What do I want to carry into tomorrow?

   • What do I need to leave behind?

   • What kind of presence do I want to bring? (peace, presence, wholeness, gentleness, curiosity, simplicity)

3. Gratitude that isn't performative. List 3–5 specifics:

   • Where has God sustained me lately?

   • What tiny gift have I been overlooking?

   • Where can I choose wonder over worry today?

4. Pray it in. "Jesus, I acknowledge You here. Set my pace. Guard my tone. Keep me rooted."

"Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10

Day-Of Rhythm (Quick Guide)

• Before you step in: step outside, touch grass, breathe, pray a verse (Prov. 3:5–6).

• Alarms as mini-Sabbaths: try 11:45 / 2:30 / 6:00 — step out, breathe, reset.

• Protect your growth: You can show up as who you are now, not who you used to be or who they expect.

• Boundaries are love: You're not responsible for others' perceptions; you are responsible for your presence.

Gentle Prompts for the Table (or your journal)

• Where did I see a small mercy today?

• What pressure can I lower by 20% without harming the moment?

• If peace walked into this room, what would it sound like from me?

Sponsor Messages PreBorn

An ultrasound can double the chance a mom chooses life. This year alone, more than 38,000 babies were rescued through PreBorn's work, with moms supported through counseling and tangible help for up to two years after birth. $28 sponsors one ultrasound. Be the first voice of hope: PreBorn.com/Speakeasy

CrowdHealth

Open enrollment got you stressed? CrowdHealth is an alternative: pay a monthly advocacy fee for bill negotiation, affordable labs/prescriptions, and a trusted network of low-cost, high-quality doctors. If something big happens, you pay the first $500; the crowd helps with the rest. Start for $99 for your first 3 months with code speakeasy at joincrowdhealth.com. Disclaimer: CrowdHealth is not insurance.

Welcome back to week three of our Ending Well series — a journey to close out 2025 by reclaiming what's been hard, remembering what God has done, and letting Him renew our perspective before the year ends.

In this episode, we're talking about something that hits close to home for so many of us — the addiction to productivity. This one is for the hustlers, the people-pleasers, and the high achievers who have built their worth around being useful, helpful, or constantly "doing." You're in good company, friend.

Blake shares honestly about how God revealed her own dependence on productivity — how the need to "produce" had quietly become an idol — and how He's been peeling back layers of identity, performance, and striving to reveal something better: rest, surrender, and abiding.

This conversation is a gentle but powerful reminder that:

Rest isn't laziness — it's obedience.

You are loved apart from what you produce.

Productivity can serve you, but it was never meant to define you.

God doesn't need your performance — He wants your presence.

Through scripture, reflection, and a few hard-won lessons from this past year, Blake unpacks what it means to live from overflow rather than output. From redefining success in motherhood and work to learning that obedience sometimes looks like slowing down, this episode will meet you right in the tension between doing and being.

"We were never meant to live as output machines. We were created to work from rest, not for it."

If you've been running on empty, struggling to stop striving, or wondering why slowing down feels unsafe, this episode will help you rediscover the peace that comes when you let God set the pace.

This episode is brought to you by:

PreBorn — Every $28 you give sponsors an ultrasound for a woman considering abortion. When she hears her baby's heartbeat, everything changes. This year alone, over 38,000 babies have been rescued through PreBorn's work, and mothers receive the support they need through counseling, financial aid, and care for up to two years after birth. Be the first voice of hope. Sponsor an ultrasound today at PreBorn.com/Speakeasy

Subscribe to The Speakeasy YouTube Channel for more faith-filled conversations that inspire reflection, rest, and renewal: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtqJ8I4hmCH-w3Cw4XzFZoQ

Welcome back to The Speakeasy Podcast! In this episode, I'm joined by one of my closest friends—and one of my favorite people to learn from—Amy Bernhardt. I call her my "continuing education friend" because she's always learning, growing, and sharing wisdom that hits deep. Amy recently shared something online that stopped me in my tracks:

"What if your weight loss journey isn't about losing weight at all, but about God teaching you about yourself and preparing you for what's next?"

That idea launched one of the most honest and powerful conversations we've had—about what happens when we stop chasing perfection and start letting God use our health journey to heal our hearts, renew our minds, and strengthen our spirits.

Amy shares her story of going from extreme fitness culture and burnout to walking in balance, fasting, and freedom. She opens up about breaking cycles of self-sabotage, learning discipline through small daily choices, and discovering that getting healthy can be one of the holiest things you ever do.

We also talk about:

• The false identities that keep us stuck in shame and failure

• How fasting revealed spiritual strongholds, not just physical habits

• The connection between physical healing, emotional renewal, and obedience

• What it means to start before you "feel ready" and trust God with the process

This conversation is both real and redemptive, reminding us that God cares about every part of us—body, mind, and spirit—and He's in the details of your healing journey.

This episode is brought to you by:

PreBorn — Every $28 you give sponsors an ultrasound for a woman considering abortion. When she hears her baby's heartbeat, everything changes. You can be the voice of hope that helps save a life and support a mother in need. 💛 Give today at PreBorn.com/Speakeasy

CrowdHealth — It's open enrollment season, and if health insurance makes you want to scream into a pillow, you're not alone. CrowdHealth is the better way—no insurance, no hidden fees, just a community that helps cover medical costs together. Pay a low monthly fee, get transparent pricing, and take your power back. Get started for just $99 for your first three months with code SPEAKEASY at joincrowdhealth.com

Subscribe to The Speakeasy YouTube Channel for more faith-filled conversations that blend real life, healing, and hope: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtqJ8I4hmCH-w3Cw4XzFZoQ

In this episode, we continue our Ending Well series by diving into what it really means to go a different way—to stop running on self-reliance, striving, and noise, and instead return to the quiet confidence of walking with God.

This has been one of the hardest years of my life, but also one of the most redemptive. Through heartbreak, pruning, and wilderness seasons, God has been dismantling old patterns and showing me that His way—the quiet, trusting, restful way—isn't weakness. It's strength.

God led me to Isaiah 30:15:

"In returning and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength."

It's a verse that has completely reframed my year and the way I view obedience. In this conversation, we unpack what those four words—returning, rest, quiet, and trust—look like in real life. From letting go of the need to hustle, to learning to rest when it feels unsafe, to finding courage in stillness, this is a roadmap for ending the year not just reflective—but renewed.

If you've been wandering, striving, fighting, or doubting, this episode will remind you that God's invitation is simple: Come home. Rest. Be still. Trust Me.

Because the way you've always done things isn't the way God is asking you to end this year. He's calling you to go a different way.

This episode is brought to you by:

PreBorn — A ministry rescuing babies and supporting mothers in crisis. Every $28 you give sponsors an ultrasound for a woman considering abortion—and when she hears her baby's heartbeat, everything changes. Be a voice of hope. Sponsor an ultrasound today at PreBorn.com/Speakeasy

CrowdHealth — Healthcare shouldn't be confusing or crushing. CrowdHealth is a community-based alternative to insurance that helps you take back control. Pay a simple monthly fee, get your bills negotiated, and join others sharing costs when life happens. Get started for just $99 for your first three months with code SPEAKEZ at joincrowdhealth.com

Subscribe to The Speakeasy YouTube Channel for more faith-filled conversations about surrender, strength, and walking with God: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtqJ8I4hmCH-w3Cw4XzFZoQ

In this episode, I sit down for the third time with one of my all-time favorite authors, Gary Thomas, whose books have radically shaped my faith and perspective on life, relationships, and spiritual growth. From When to Walk Away to Sacred Marriage and Sacred Pathways, Gary's writing has helped countless believers understand what it means to live a life rooted in truth and grace. His newest book, The Life You Were Reborn to Live, takes that even deeper—calling out the spiritual lies that keep us buried beneath the surface of God's best.

These lies are subtle, familiar, and often sound like wisdom—but they quietly rob us of peace, purpose, and abundance. In this conversation, Gary and I unpack three of the most powerful lies from his book that hit me straight in the heart (and probably will for you, too). We talk about:

• Dismantling Restlessness — learning to live in peace, not panic.

• Dismantling the Comfort Lie — seeing affliction as God's loving pruning, not punishment.

• Dismantling Complacent Ignorance — rekindling a hunger for wisdom that transforms how we think and live.

Gary helps us see how many of these lies have even slipped into church culture—convincing us to chase comfort, control, or comparison instead of the freedom and renewal Christ offers. This episode will help you identify where the enemy has kept you "underground" and remind you that you were reborn to live in the light.

It's the perfect conversation to help us end the year well—tearing down what's false and walking boldly into the truth.

This episode is brought to you by:

PreBorn — A ministry rescuing babies and supporting mothers in crisis. Every $28 you give sponsors an ultrasound for a woman considering abortion—and when she hears her baby's heartbeat, everything changes. Be a voice of hope. Sponsor an ultrasound today at PreBorn.com/Speakeasy

CrowdHealth — Take your power back from broken health insurance. For a simple monthly fee, CrowdHealth connects you to a community that shares medical costs while negotiating lower bills on your behalf. With CrowdHealth, you can finally get quality care at a fair price—no surprises, no insurance middleman. Get started for just $99 for your first three months with code SPEAKEZ at joincrowdhealth.com

Subscribe to The Speakeasy YouTube Channel for more faith-filled conversations that challenge, encourage, and inspire: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtqJ8I4hmCH-w3Cw4XzFZoQ

In this special bonus episode, we close out the year by slowing down and reflecting on what it means to end well — not by hustling harder, but by listening closely to the voice of God. After a year marked by pruning, change, and growth, [Host] shares how the Lord has used silence, stillness, and surrender to shape her faith and restore her peace.

This heartfelt conversation is an honest look at what it's like to walk through a season of refining — where God asks you to lay things down, quiet the noise, and trust His timing. From learning to discern His voice through Scripture and the Holy Spirit's promptings, to recognizing His confirmation in everyday moments, this episode will help you reclaim ground that's been lost and realign your heart with His for the year ahead.

If you've ever wrestled with the question "How do I know it's God's voice?" or felt weary from a year that didn't go as planned, this episode will meet you right where you are. Together, we'll end the year well — remembering His faithfulness, celebrating His pruning, and preparing to hear Him more clearly in the new year.

This episode is brought to you by PreBorn, a ministry rescuing babies and supporting mothers in crisis. Every $28 you give sponsors an ultrasound for a woman considering abortion — and in that sacred moment when she hears her baby's heartbeat, everything changes.

💛 Be the first voice of hope she hears. Sponsor an ultrasound today at PreBorn.com/Speakeasy

Subscribe to The Speakeasy YouTube Channel for more faith-filled conversations that inspire reflection and renewal: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtqJ8I4hmCH-w3Cw4XzFZoQ

In this episode, Hannah Morgan joins the conversation to share her powerful story of faith, suffering, and redemption. Hannah is a wife, mom, and the author of The Vial: A Memoir of Survival and Faith. Her journey began after she experienced a severe adverse reaction to a vaccine in high school—an event that changed every part of her life and led to years of physical pain, unanswered questions, and wrestling with God in the dark.

Through years of illness, misdiagnoses, and loss, Hannah's faith was tested in ways that most of us can only imagine. Yet through every setback, she discovered the unmistakable hand of God—working through her family, her husband, and a relentless hope that refused to die. Her story is a reminder that even when our faith feels fragile, God is still faithful, still near, and still writing redemption into our pain.

This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply moving. It's about finding purpose in suffering, holding tension in controversial spaces, and trusting God when you can't see the way forward. Whether you're walking through your own season of uncertainty or simply need a reminder that hope is real, Hannah's story will encourage you to keep believing when everything in you wants to give up.

This episode is brought to you by PreBorn, a ministry that helps rescue babies and support mothers in crisis. Every $28 you give sponsors an ultrasound that can save a life. In that moment—when a mother hears her baby's heartbeat—everything changes.

Be a voice of hope. Sponsor an ultrasound today at PreBorn.com/Speakeasy

Subscribe to The Speakeasy YouTube Channel for more powerful conversations of faith and redemption: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtqJ8I4hmCH-w3Cw4XzFZoQ

In this episode, Mandy Arioto—CEO of MomCo (formerly MOPS)—joins the conversation to remind us that motherhood isn't just about raising kids. It's about raising the Kingdom. Together, we talk about how motherhood is the holiest ground many of us will ever stand on—where God refines us, redefines us, and shows us what really matters.

From sleepless nights and endless laundry to the deep spiritual work of shaping little hearts, Mandy helps us see that motherhood is not a distraction from important work—it is the important work. We discuss how surrendering control, slowing down, and embracing fun can transform our homes and our hearts. And we explore how to quiet the world's noise and remember that God delights in the details of our daily lives.

Whether you're in the trenches with littles, navigating the tween years, or preparing for an empty nest, this conversation will remind you that God is using every moment to build His Kingdom through you.

Subscribe to The Speakeasy YouTube Channel for more faith-filled conversations that inspire, encourage, and refresh:

👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtqJ8I4hmCH-w3Cw4XzFZoQ

In this episode, Tilly Dillehay joins the conversation to talk about something that touches every one of us—spiritual warfare—and how it plays out in the most ordinary parts of our lives. From our attention spans to our homes to the hidden battles of motherhood, Tilly helps pull back the curtain on how the enemy works to distract, divide, and destroy the good things God has given us.

Tilly is the author of My Dear Hemlock, a reimagining of C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters written from a female perspective. Through that lens, she explores how temptation, distraction, and deception uniquely target women—especially in their marriages, motherhood, and daily habits. Together, we talk about the spiritual war being fought over our focus, our peace, and our homes, and how confession, presence, and awareness become our greatest weapons.

This conversation reminds us that not every hard moment is random—there's a battle for your attention, your joy, and your family. But even more important, we have a Savior who's already won the war.

This episode is brought to you by Angel Studios, creators of films and series that shine light in a dark world. Their newest movie, SKETCH, is a heartwarming adventure that celebrates imagination, family, and faith. Become a Premium Angel Guild member today and get two free tickets to see SKETCH in theaters, plus full access to Angel's inspiring streaming library.

👉 Join today at Angel.com/blake

Subscribe to The Speakeasy YouTube Channel for more faith-filled conversations that inspire and encourage: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtqJ8I4hmCH-w3Cw4XzFZoQ