What's God Got To Do With It? With Leanne Ellington

In this Soulful Sitdown Session, we're circling back to the powerful crossover discussion from What’s God Got To Do With It? and Outweigh series. This time Scott Stephens is joining us, and we're diving even deeper into the fusion of faith, science, food, and body image—peeling back the layers to explore how these interconnected themes can lead to profound, lasting change.

Join us as we go deeper into integrating a God-centered perspective with a science-driven approach. We'll also break down why our brains seem to work against us, why old habits die hard, and how scripture and neuroscience together can offer a blueprint for true transformation.

This session is about inviting God into the nuances of your mind, body, and spirit journey. We’ll reflect on how aligning your thoughts with a higher spiritual perspective can reshape your self-image and catalyze real change.

HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington

To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back for Part 6 of the official crossover series of the "What’s God Got To Do With It?" and Outweigh podcasts.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the game plan for success—how to carve out your own winning strategy, while also addressing a crucial piece of the puzzle: earning back your own trust. 

You see, even if you had the perfect plan and the most ideal steps laid out, what good would it do if you couldn’t trust yourself to follow through? That’s why we dive deep into earning back your own trust so you can live in alignment and integrity WHILE you go after your health goals.  

We often think the alternative to dieting is losing control, but the true alternative is freedom—freedom to nourish your body and soul, to wave the white flag, and declare peace. This episode is about shifting from the mindset of restriction and "repair" to one of  healing and "care". We’ll explore how to truly partner with your body and align your mind and heart to create a sustainable, peaceful life. We’ll also tackle those sneaky “Never-Gonna” inner voices that sabotage your success before you even begin. Together, we’ll reframe your approach so that you can build self-trust, stop the self-sabotage, and finally play a game that’s designed for you to win.

HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington

To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back for Part 5 of the official crossover series of the "What’s God Got To Do With It?" and Outweigh podcasts.

This week we’re diving deep into a crucial part of the food and body image conversation—what Leanne likes to call your “body brain.”

If you’ve been following along, you know we’ve been exploring how faith intersects with our struggles around food and self image. Today, we’re turning our focus to the physical side of things, and how your body (and your perception of it) are deeply intertwined.

We’ll be looking at this from both a nervous system and physiological perspective, but we can’t ignore the importance of how you view your body and your relationship with it.

This episode isn’t about offering a quick fix; it’s about helping you understand the deeper layers that contribute to your struggles.

Leanne also shares her personal journey of overcoming her own body image (and chronic pain) battles, so you can see that real, lasting change is possible...but it starts with breaking the chains of your own harsh self-criticism, guilt, and shame.

The hope is that by the end of this episode, you’ll feel empowered to start dismantling your own beliefs and step into a new story about your body. Remember, this isn’t just about what you weigh or how you look—it’s about freeing yourself from the heavy burden of judgment and stepping into a place of peace and self-compassion.

 

HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington

To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back for Part 4 of the official crossover series of the "What’s God Got To Do With It?" and Outweigh podcasts.

If you’ve been struggling with disordered eating patterns, restrictive diets, or feeling chained to unhealthy eating habits, this conversation is for you. We talk about how inviting God into your journey can help break those chains, allowing you to step into a new identity rooted in peace, love, and TRUE freedom.

We explore the concept of the "food brain" and how it’s wired to seek comfort and connection through unhealthy coping mechanisms like overeating, mindless scrolling, or other habits that distract from what your soul truly needs.

This episode isn’t about quick fixes or surface-level solutions; it's about understanding the root of your struggles and learning to meet them with compassion, solution-focused care, and faith.

If you’re ready to shift your focus from fighting with your body to truly healing your relationship with food, this conversation will guide you toward that transformation, with God right by your side.

HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington

To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back for Part 3 of the official crossover series of the "What’s God Got To Do With It?" and Outweigh podcasts.

Last week, we explored the big picture of this conversation, and this week we narrow the focus to the self-image and identity piece of this food and body puzzle. We discuss the necessity of stepping into a new version of yourself if you really want to achieve true health and freedom in your relationship with food and your body.

We talk about WHY transforming your self-image is crucial on a neuroscience level, and how it's not about what you eat--  but who you truly believe yourself to be.
Only this time around, you're invited to address the roots of your identity and self-image in a way that aligns with God's view of yourself, instead of worldly and societal standards.

And of course, we get a little 'geeky' and explore the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC), and its significant role in self-perception, emotional and physical pain, and your coping mechanisms, AND how this is particularly important for women, whose ACCs are more active than men's. Throughout the episode, you'll hear scripture AND evidence-based research that supports the transformative power of faith.

Dive on in to learn how integrating faith and science can lead to building YOUR new identity, free from the burdens of shame and self-rejection, and discover what it truly means to see yourself as God sees you.

HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington

To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back for Part 2 of the official crossover series of the "What’s God Got To Do With It?" and Outweigh podcasts.

Today, we're diving deep into the intersection of faith, science, food, and body image. This is the big picture conversation -- where these themes overlap, so you can simply understand this connection between neuroscience and faith...and how it can lead to meaningful, lasting transformation in our lives.

Leanne shares (for her) how embracing this dialogue meant confronting her skeptical, science-driven mindset and inviting a God-centered perspective into areas she was  previously tackling through her own might, and how this approach completed her story and aligned with her fascination with the brain and nervous system.

She addresses topics like: Why do our brains play tricks on us? Why do we do what we do? Why can't we seem to shake life-long habits?

With references to biblical scripture and modern neuroscience studies, Leanne highlights the transformative power of aligning your thoughts with a higher spiritual perspective.

And of course you are invited to invite God into the conversation, recognizing that true transformation involves cultivating a new identity rooted in faith and understanding the profound connection between mind, body, and spirit...and self-image.

 

HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington

To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.

 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Tale of 2 Roots Infographic

Dr. Lee Warren Episode Part 1: Beyond the Scalpel: A Neurosurgeon's Tale of Loss, Faith, and Hope

Dr. Lee Warren Episode Part 2:  From Neuro-Hope to Neuro-Faith: Rewiring the Brain with God as the Surgeon

And here's Leanne's interview on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast: Break Free from Self-Doubt

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are so excited to bring you the first official crossover series of the "What’s God Got To Do With It?" and Outweigh podcasts.

If you have been listening to Outweigh, you know that THAT podcast is all about helping women break themselves out of the food and body prison, end the dieting madness, and take control of their health for good, but without all that restriction, obsession, and shame…and without dragging it out for years to address it.

And if you’ve been listening to "What’s God Got To Do With It?", you know that it's all about the fusion of where science meets Faith and where faith meets transformation and miracles.

So this crossover series is a beautiful opportunity to talk about the crossover of where science meets food…& body image… & self image struggles…AND where THAT intersects FAITH (or what’s God got to do with allll of that?)

And that’s exactly what this 6 part series is all about:

Part 1 is an introduction and setting up this massive topic.

Part 2 is all about the big picture of where faith meets science meets food & body image.

Part 3 goes deep into the self image and identity that you need to actually step into the version of you that would have THAT health, that would have THAT relationship with food and her body, who would actually be at peace and feel free….…and of course how that fuses with this faith-brain conversation.

Part 4 dives deeper into What God has to do with (what Leanne calls) your ‘food brain’ and disordered eating patterns, and filling voids in your head, heart, and spirit with food (or whatever your drug of choice is)…and it’s a hole that will never be filled by those things.

Part 5 dives into the complicated relationship that women have with their bodies and their body image (and physical pain – a topic often avoided), and how to heal all of that from a faith-meets-science perspective.... AND invite God into the conversation.

And then wrapping it up in part 6, we get into the strategy side of things. As in, what does it look like to use what you’ve learned about neuroscience and faith and healing your relationship with food and your body image to go create a winning game plan that sets you up to win AND one that your brain just learns so you can go live your life, food can be food, and you can feel comfortable in your skin and free from the chains of restricting or punishing your body.

So let’s dive in! Enjoy Part 1.

 

HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington

To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us for an intimate conversation as we sit down with Amber Smith, wife of Granger Smith, a country music star who dedicated his life to ministry, as Amber opens up about their heart-wrenching journey following the tragic loss of their youngest son, River.

On June 4th, 2019, Amber's family's life changed forever when River drowned in their family pool. The devastating tragedy sent their family into a dark and painful journey, filled with grief, guilt, and criticism from the outside world. Despite his efforts to carry on with his career, Amber's husband Granger was dying inside, and Amber was trying to balance being a wife and mom...and deal with her own inexplicable grief. Little did she know how much she was going to need to lean on God, and her everlasting bond is what lifted her out of despair and led her to find purpose in her suffering.

In this episode, Amber shares her vulnerable testimony and the profound lessons she learned including the deep truths about God and faith that emerged from River's passing, navigating grief and the struggles she encountered while trying to support her family through their collective grief, and how this all shaped her newfound relationship with Christ.

Join us as we navigate Amber's touching story of her family's new life birthed out of tragedy, and how to connect to God— even when you're in your darkest season. Be prepared for an inspiring conversation filled with hope, faith, and the power of allowing God to do the heavy-lifting in your healing journey.

GUEST: @AmberEmilySmith

Amber's Website: arisewithamber.com

Learn more about the book "Like A River"!

 

HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington

To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are back with another installment of "Ask the God Pod" where we dive into a vulnerable question from Amy, a 38-year-old woman grappling with the fear that she may never find her life partner.

She asks, "How do I ask God to help me find my husband when I'm so afraid it will never happen?"

We explore the emotional complexities and the spiritual journey of desiring a partner while battling fears of lifelong 'singleness', emphasizing the importance of honesty in prayer, encouraging you to approach God with your deepest desires and fears.

Leanne shares her own story and experiences dealing with the uncertainty of dating (and the fears that she wouldn't ever meet her person), sharing how a period of "Dating Jesus" was transformative, helping her connect with the version of herself that felt worthy of receiving unconditional love. This phase of deepening her relationship with God provided the foundation for a future relationship built on faith and self-worth, and she believes is what prepared her to meet her now-husband.

Additionally, we revisit a previous episode, "How God Helped Me Heal My Fears About Being Alone the Rest of My Life," (linked below) where we discussed the gradual shift in self-belief and integrating faith with science for emotional healing.

Amy’s question and the discussion it opened offers hope and guidance for anyone navigating the often challenging path of waiting for a life partner, and reminds us of the power of growth, faith, and the transformative power of God’s love....even in the waiting. 

Resources Mentioned: 

How God Helped Me Heal My Fears About Being Alone the Rest of My Life

HOST: @LeanneEllington

To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are back with another installment of "Ask the God Pod" where we dive into a heartfelt and relatable question from one of our listeners, Shelby, who asks how to explore her own spirituality and faith when her friends and family aren't interested. 

We share practical advice and personal anecdotes about navigating this delicate situation. We'll discuss the importance of giving yourself grace, approaching faith with childlike wonder, and finding supportive communities outside your immediate circle. We also emphasize the power of keeping your spiritual journey personal and private, allowing yourself the freedom to explore without the pressure to explain or justify it to anyone else. Whether you're curious, confused, or just beginning your faith journey, this episode is all about embracing the process and finding the courage to pursue your own path.

Remember, there's no right or wrong way to seek out God, and you are never alone on this journey. Your spiritual exploration is uniquely yours, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

HOST: @LeanneEllington

To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.