True Comfort

Can questioning your faith actually make you physically sick?

In this episode of the True Comfort Podcast, Teasi Cannon sits down with Dr. Tanya Paynter, a naturopathic doctor who discovered a profound connection between our spiritual struggles and our physical well-being. After experiencing a devastating "year of doubt" that caused her health to plummet, Dr. Paynter found that studying Christian apologetics didn't just heal her mind—it healed her body.

We discuss the tension of holding subconscious doubts, how unresolved theological questions raise our cortisol levels and trigger physical symptoms, and why finding a community where you can openly discuss your spiritual struggles is essential for holistic healing. Dr. Paynter also shares how discovering the Kalam Cosmological Argument and the minimal facts for the resurrection rebuilt her faith from the ground up.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: Meet Dr. Tanya Paynter

00:48 – The connection between our relationship with God and our physical health

03:46 – Growing up in church but struggling with science vs. faith

06:28 – A traumatic law enforcement shooting that led her back to the Bible

16:18 – The devastating "year of doubt" that ruined her health

37:02 – How unresolved spiritual crises manifest as physical disease

56:48 – Why most health-related doubts are emotional, not factual

01:07:00 – The apologetics evidence that rebuilt her faith

01:15:06 – Final advice: Don't struggle with your doubts alone

#TrueComfort #ChristianPodcast #Apologetics #FaithAndScience #HolisticHealth #NaturopathicMedicine #ChristianWomen #Deconstruction

What if repentance is not something to be dreaded, but an occasion for joy?

In this episode of the True Comfort Podcast, Teasi Cannon sits down with Pastor Chris Brauns, author of The Way of Repentance and Unpacking Forgiveness. We dive deep into why modern culture cringes at the word "repentance," and how we can reframe it as a beautiful, life-giving gift from God that leads to ultimate healing and sanctification. We discuss the distinct difference between worldly sorrow (just being sorry you got caught) and genuine godly grief, and explore what true fruit of repentance looks like in relationships. Chris also shares a deeply personal look at how the "ordinary means of grace" sustained him and his wife through a harrowing battle with cancer.

If you are feeling stuck in your sanctification, weighed down by guilt, or navigating a difficult relationship, you do not want to miss this transparent and encouraging conversation!

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: Meeting Pastor Chris Brauns

01:10 – Welcoming Chris & the impact of "Unpacking Forgiveness"

05:58 – The biggest misconceptions about repentance

12:06 – Godly grief vs. worldly sorrow

17:05 – Why repentance is a lifestyle, not just for conversion

19:49 – Understanding repentance as a gift from the Holy Spirit

35:48 – How to look for the fruit of genuine repentance

39:57 – A critical conversation on restoring fallen pastors

50:17 – Finding strength in the "ordinary means of grace"

1:05:49 – Final encouragement: A practical assignment in Luke 15

#ChristianPodcast #TrueComfort #ChrisBrauns #Repentance #SpiritualGrowth #Sanctification #ChristianFaith #TheWayOfRepentance

What happens when the one thing you've always feared becomes your reality?

In this episode of the True Comfort podcast, Teasi Cannon sits down with apologist, scientist, and author Jacob Vazquez, who shares what happened when two medical tests told him he was infertile. Becoming a father had been one of Jacob's deepest desires for as long as he could remember—and suddenly the future he had always imagined seemed impossible.

As a relatively new Christian who was still investigating whether Christianity was actually true, Jacob had to learn what it meant to trust God when he couldn't see how his story would end. He shares how apologetics gave him confidence in the God he was being asked to trust, why even good desires sometimes have to be surrendered, and the remarkable family story that taught him God's providence can reach far beyond anything we can see in the moment.

Teasi and Jacob also talk about infertility, the difference between biblical hope and the New Age beliefs he once practiced, the value of every human life, and why a firm foundation matters before suffering comes.

Discover what it means to trust God without knowing the outcome—and why His goodness doesn't depend on getting the answer to prayer we desperately want.

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#ChristianApologetics #TrueComfort #InfertilityJourney #ImagoDei #ProLife #NewAgeToJesus #FaithInSuffering #JacobVasquez

How do you heal when the person who was supposed to protect you was the one who handed you over to be abused?

In this episode of the True Comfort podcast, Teasi Cannon sits down with author, Christian life coach, and longtime broadcaster Stacy Lynn Harp, who shares the heartbreaking story of being sexually trafficked by her own mother as a child. Stacy endured years of abuse, betrayal, abandonment, and lies that profoundly shaped the way she saw herself, relationships, and even what she believed she deserved.

But Stacy’s story didn’t end there.

After years of therapy and decades of immersing herself in Scripture—including five years spent memorizing all 176 verses of Psalm 119—Stacy began to see herself and her story differently. She shares how knowing the character of God helped replace deeply rooted lies with truth, why God’s Word became an essential part of her healing, and why the evidence for Christianity gives her confidence that the God who rescued her is real.

Discover how truth can reach even the deepest wounds, why knowing who God is changes the way we understand who we are, and how Stacy can still trust His goodness after all she has endured.

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#TrueComfortPodcast #ChristianTestimony #HealingFromTrauma #SpiritualAbuse #ChristianApologetics #Psalm119 #TeasiCannon #StacyLynnHarp

What do you do when going to church just isn't easy anymore?

In the season premiere of the True Comfort podcast, Teasi Cannon opens up about something deeply personal: navigating church after spiritual abuse, disillusionment, and the loss of a place that once felt like home. For decades, church meant family, belonging, community, and safety. But painful experiences—and the stories of others who have been wounded in the church—changed something in her.

And yet, she still goes.

In this episode, Teasi shares why. She explores why gathering with God's people matters to God, why “together” is something we simply can't do by ourselves, and how apologetics has given her something sturdier than her feelings to lean on when church is hard.

She also shares what she now looks for in a healthy church—and offers encouragement to those who have been deeply wounded by one. Sometimes leaving a particular church is the wise and biblical thing to do. But the failures of people do not change who God is.

People fail. Churches fail. Jesus doesn't.

SUBSCRIBE for more honest stories of suffering, hope, and the reasons we can still trust God and His promises.

#TrueComfortPodcast #ChurchHurt #SpiritualAbuse #ChristianFaith #HealingJourney

In this very special and emotional 34th episode of the True Comfort podcast, Teasi Cannon shares a major update and a deeply personal announcement. After over a year of interviewing incredible guests—from renowned apologists to those who have endured unimaginable loss and physical suffering—Teasi reflects on the profound comfort and hope those conversations have brought her and her listeners. The big news is that Teasi is officially launching her new book! Titled Counterfeit Forgiveness: How a Modern Myth Betrays Victims, Protects Abusers, and Corrupts the Gospel, the book will be released on August 28th. She explains how her previous deep-dive episodes into biblical forgiveness inspired her to write this crucial message for the body of Christ. To dedicate her time and resources to the book launch, Teasi will be pausing the True Comfort podcast for the next few months. She shares her heartfelt gratitude to her listeners, shedding tears as she thanks them for their tenderness, solidarity, and encouragement throughout this journey.

SUBSCRIBE and stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to catch up on any past episodes you may have missed!

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: A special 34th episode

00:25 – Reflecting on a year of incredible guests and stories of suffering

08:26 – Finding safety and hope in the evidence of the resurrection

11:18 – The Big Announcement: My new book is launching!

11:32 – The title and focus of the new book: "Counterfeit Forgiveness"

11:42 – Why I wrote this book and previous episodes on forgiveness

13:48 – Pausing the True Comfort podcast for the book launch

14:31 – An emotional thank you to the listeners and viewers  

#TrueComfort #CounterfeitForgiveness #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalForgiveness #FaithJourney #ChristianAuthors

What do you do when you are terrified that Christianity might not be true, but you are too ashamed to tell anyone?

In this episode, Adam Lloyd Johnson (founder of Convincing Proof Ministries) opens up about the severe anxiety and panic attacks that nearly derailed his life in his twenties. Despite an insatiable appetite for studying the Bible and actively serving in his church, Adam was secretly battling intense doubts about his faith. He shares how a desperate search for the "silver bullet" of absolute certainty led him to a breaking point, and how discovering the works of Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer finally set his mind free. We discuss the true relationship between faith and reason, why God does not demand 100% certainty, and how to find deep peace when you have questions.

If you have ever struggled with the fear of doubting your faith or felt isolated by your questions, this episode is a lifeline.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: Meeting Adam Lloyd Johnson

02:31 – From partying in high school to hearing the true gospel

07:07 – The insatiable appetite to learn and a call to ministry

08:52 – The skeleton in the closet: Secretly battling severe doubt

10:28 – Spiraling into depression, anxiety, and panic attacks

14:46 – The turning point: Bringing people into the circle of trust

24:02 – How Francis Schaeffer's apologetics rescued his mind

26:25 – The myth of absolute certainty and finding peace

31:58 – Why faith and reason are not opposites (The Marriage Analogy)

38:22 – Turning a season of pain into a lifelong apologetics ministry

#ChristianApologetics #Deconstruction #FaithAndReason #FrancisSchaeffer #OvercomingAnxiety #TrueComfort #SoundDoctrine

What happens when you grow up in the church but secretly battle a paralyzing lack of assurance in your salvation?

In this episode, Karen Patrick—a pastor's wife of almost 40 years and writer for Women in Apologetics—shares her powerful story of battling lifelong insecurity and how discovering the intellectual side of her faith completely transformed her. We discuss the heavy weight of comparison, the profound impact of studying God's attributes, and the C.S. Lewis analogy that finally set her free. Karen also opens up about a devastating season of acute grief, where she faced her mother's severe injury, the loss of her grandmother, the dismantling of her husband's ministry, and the sudden death of her stepdad all in rapid succession. Discover how a robust biblical worldview and the tangible love of the local church sustained her through her darkest days.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: Meeting Karen Patrick

02:27 – Discovering apologetics and the "Youth Exodus"

04:51 – Hosting college students to study the evidence

12:49 – A lifelong secret: The struggle for salvation assurance

17:21 – The heavy burden of comparison as a pastor's wife

21:25 – How A.W. Tozer and the attributes of God cured her insecurity

24:26 – C.S. Lewis's "Meditation in a Toolshed" analogy

31:15 – A season of intense trials and sudden grief

40:25 – How God's character and the local church carry us through heartbreak

47:04 – Final encouragement: Look at creation and consider the lilies

#ChristianApologetics #TrueComfort #FaithJourney #GriefSupport #WomensMinistry #ChristianWomen #SoundDoctrine

How do you hold onto faith when the people who claim to have the truth cause you the most pain?

In this episode, former atheist turned Christian apologist Mary Jo Sharp opens up about her personal journey. From encountering the profound beauty of the universe in the Pacific Northwest to facing devastating hypocrisy and "church hurt" as a brand new believer, Mary Jo shares why the bad behavior of Christians almost made her walk away from God. We dive deep into the problem of evil, how Jesus equips us to handle hypocrites, and why the Christian worldview is robust enough to withstand our deepest doubts and pain.

If you have ever been wounded by the church or struggled to trust God because of the actions of His followers, this episode will offer true comfort and a clear path forward.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: From atheist to Christian apologist

06:43 – Finding the meaning of life in beauty and cosmology

08:24 – The high school band director who handed her a Bible

11:06 – The devastating first experience inside a church

13:50 – Surviving "death by a thousand hypocrisy cuts"

15:11 – Why Christian behavior isn't the litmus test for truth

20:40 – The problem of evil: A human problem, not just a Christian one

25:01 – How Jesus teaches us to live with hypocrisy and evil

31:47 – "I believe, help my unbelief": Being honest with God

41:19 – Practical advice for those experiencing church hurt

About True Comfort: It is our desire to live out 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, assuring us that we have a God who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we may share that comfort with others. We explore the reasons for the Biblical worldview while holding space for heartbreak and healing.

To learn more about Teasi Cannon or to invite her to speak check out www.teasicannon.com

To get started on your own study of apologetics check out these recommended resources: https://www.teasicannon.com/general-a...

For an incredible 50% off deal on 200 educational slides from the late Norman Geisler (a tremendous way to get started learning philosophy, theology, and apologetics): go to https://ngim.org/store/ and use promo code NorMTeasi25 

If you need help around these topics, call or text 988  

If this conversation encouraged you, please:

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COMMENT below

SHARE this with a friend who needs to hear that they aren't alone in their pain.

#ChurchHurt #MaryJoSharp #ChristianApologetics #ProblemOfEvil #Deconstruction #FaithJourney #TrueComfort

How do you find the will to live when your entire worldview is a lie?

In this powerful conversation, Naomi (Founder of Be Emboldened and Licensed Clinical Social worker) opens up about her harrowing journey growing up in a polygamous doomsday cult where her father was the "Prophet." After surviving years of extreme abuse and a three-year "perfect storm" of loss, Naomi reveals why she transitioned from blind belief to a faith built on history, science, and evidence.

If you have ever struggled with suicidal ideation, spiritual abuse, or the feeling that God is silent, this episode is a lifeline. Naomi challenges the "myth" that hope is a feeling and provides a clinical and biblical roadmap for those walking through the dark.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: Meeting Naomi

06:56 – Life inside a polygamous doomsday cult

09:06 – The science of dissociation: How the brain survives trauma

11:18 – The "Perfect Storm": Losing a father, a spouse, and a mother in 3 years

15:57 – Facing the "Dark Pit": Dealing with suicidal ideation as a Christian

24:36 – Romans 5: How suffering actually produces hope

29:48 – A Clinician's perspective: Safety planning and mental health support

35:40 – The Marriage Analogy: Why hope is a "knowledge," not a "feeling"

41:20 – The Evidence: Using biology and archaeology to rebuild faith

48:24 – Finishing the Race: What "Hope" really looks like at the finish line

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Be Emboldened: https://www.beemboldened.com/ (Support for victims of spiritual abuse)

Naomi’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beEmboldened

ABOUT THE GUEST

Naomi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Be Emboldened, a ministry dedicated to the prevention of revictimization and the healing of those who have experienced spiritual abuse. She holds a Master’s in Social Work and a degree from Denver Seminary.

About True Comfort: It is our desire to live out 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, assuring us that we have a God who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we may share that comfort with others. We explore the reasons for the Biblical worldview while holding space for heartbreak and healing.

To learn more about Teasi Cannon or to invite her to speak check out www.teasicannon.com

To get started on your own study of apologetics check out these recommended resources: https://www.teasicannon.com/general-a...

For an incredible 50% off deal on 200 educational slides from the late Norman Geisler (a tremendous way to get started learning philosophy, theology, and apologetics): go to https://ngim.org/store/ and use promo code NorMTeasi25 

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)  

If this conversation encouraged you, please:

 SUBSCRIBE for more stories of true comfort and faith.

COMMENT below

SHARE this with a friend who needs to hear that they aren't alone in their pain.

#CultSurvivor #MentalHealth #ChristianApologetics #SpiritualAbuse #FaithAndScience #BeEmboldened #HealingTrauma