Alcoholism and abuse.  And then there was love and life transformation… Laura Padgett grew to adulthood without any idea of what love was. She didn’t know you could have relationships that didn’t involve screaming and hitting. As a child she woke up every morning wondering what would happen that day. Before day’s end, would there be police at the door? Alcoholism and domestic violence informed her childhood, loss of her father to a brain tumor and then abandonment by her mother defined her late teens. She learned to take care of herself and her younger sister by becoming tough. Laura says she developed a blackbelt tongue. In her mid-twenties, everything began to change for Laura when she met a woman named Dolores who gently led her to the love of Jesus. A Savior she had believed didn’t have any interest in her at all. She believed she was invisible to him, to God, because she had been excluded by some religious people as a child who told her so. (Laura explains in this podcast episode).   No matter how broken we are, or to what degree we have been abused or addicted to alcohol or another substance, when we open our hearts to God – life transformation is possible. Laura’s wisdom and insight provide hope and encouragement for all of us. She has a quick wit and embraces life with exuberance and a passion to teach and help others.

“I needed to stop running away from God and allow Him to run to me. I finally realized it wasn’t about my worthiness – God wanted to lift me up.” Sarah was running from shame and guilt and the belief she was unworthy, even though she had invited the Lord into her life. As she shares her story, you will discover: How Sarah became able to receive unconditional love What happened that released her from shame and guilt How God slowly, tenderly, relieved her depression and feelings of hopelessness What Sarah learned that helped her to stop rehearsing toxic thoughts How forgiveness played a dual role in Sarah’s journey to freedom For a time, Sarah didn’t want to have children. Fear that what had happened to her as a child could be repeated in a new generation was the catalyst. As her relationship with God grew deeper, she and her husband agreed they wanted to start a family. The Lord cut the ties to the past in Sarah’s life and gave her a new heart song. She not only has a beautiful and precious little girl; she has joy in freedom and hope for the future. Her favorite scripture, one she says knocked her over, is Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Healing from an abusive relationship takes focus, courage, and commitment. Healing, and the releasing of trauma, doesn’t ‘just happen’. Listen as Karen DeArmond Gardner shares wisdom about what it takes not only to survive, but to heal. If we leave an abuser but don’t make the commitment to understand what happened and why, we leave ourselves vulnerable to yet another abusive relationship. • What does it mean to truly heal? • Learn to recognize God’s relentless pursuit of your heart. • Find out how to gain courage to release the trauma of your past. • Regain life, hope, and wholeness in Jesus’s healing love. Join Karen and me for our continued conversation in this second episode, hear evidence of how God pursues you, loves you, and will walk with you through the process. Resources mentioned in Episodes 9 and 10: Mending the Soul.org The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Sean Pratt, Bessel A. van der Kolk, et al. Proverbs 6: 16 -19 Galatians 5:1

“God loves you more than he hates divorce.” Karen is a survivor of a decades-long abusive marriage. What she eventually discovered is that God loves her more than he hates divorce. There is biblical evidence all throughout scripture that God does not condone abuse. “Leaving an abuser is the beginning,” says Karen.     Healing from abuse is what must come next. It isn’t an overnight experience, but a journey, the beginning of finding the freedom God intends for each of His daughters. Karen De Armond Gardner sheds light for us, ‘full disclosure’, on the process of healing from long-term abuse. It was a long road for Karen, abuse wasn’t a topic of discussion in our culture at the time and she didn’t have the resources that are becoming available today. It’s why she has written a book, the book she didn’t know she needed. Her heart is for women suffering the effects of abuse, if this is you or you know someone who is suffering, and you want to come alongside but don’t know how to help, please listen in as we discuss the realities of recovery. Resources mentioned in Episodes 9 and 10: The Body Keeps the

“We are transformed when we are willing to partner with God in the work of completing who we are.”  Lisa Lewis In this episode you will meet Lisa Lewis, Certified Christian Life Coach, Transformational Leadership Coach for Women, and survivor of multiple types of abuse. I talk with Lisa about how to think rightly. What does that mean for abuse survivors? How is it possible? What is the truth about who I am? We discuss the importance of learning to discern truth from the lies we believe and tell ourselves, and the necessity to overcome self-limiting beliefs. Nothing in your experience disqualifies you from pursuing your dreams and fulfilling your divine purpose. ~ Jilliann Woods “All things are possible for one who believes.”  Jesus, Mark 9:23 Resources mentioned in this episode:   Romans 12:1-2 and Mark 9:23-24 Try Softer by Aundi Kolber Lisa also suggests this book by Dr. Caroline Leaf Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking

Recovering from the Abuser is addressed in this episode as Charlene shares how we can gain a new perspective and how to overcome the effects of trauma. Listen in to hear about: The renewing of your mind Trauma bonds and how to break them How to break free from fear, doubt, and anxiety Practical steps: prayer, Bible reading and journaling Building community and establishing healthy boundaries   Receive encouragement from Charlene at the end of today’s episode. Connect with Charlene Follow

Removing the Abuser from our lives can be a tremendous challenge complicated by confusion, guilt, fear, shame, lack of knowledge, and lack of confidence. In today’s episode we discuss: Why women stay You can’t change him (statistics show abusers almost never change) Why Christian women can be especially vulnerable to abuse The spiritual battle is not what you think The armor of God Each of these topics is covered in depth in the second section of Charlene’s book (pictured below). Connect with Charlene Follow

Recognizing the Abuser is the topic in this first of three episodes with Charlene Quint where she provides valuable insight and information about how to identify abusers and the underlying personality disorders that drive them. You will hear: Why many churches and pastors are not effectively recognizing and dealing with the issue of abuse, allowing victims to remain vulnerable The definition of the acronym SNAP which stands for Sociopath/Narcissist/Abuser/Psychopath, in reference to a person with one or more of these personality disorders A description of the three phases of A Romantic Abusive Relationship Each of these topics and more are covered in depth in the first section of Charlene’s book (below). Connect with Charlene Follow

“It’s possible to find joy, even in tough times. We just have to be intentional about drawing from the joy that walks alongside the sorrow and disappointment in our lives.”  Jill Baughan In this episode with podcaster Jill Baughan, we discuss what she is uniquely gifted to help us do: to find and savor joy in the hard places. It may sound like something impossible to you right now but listen in as Jill shares concrete steps to take along with stories that prove you too can do this with success. She even explains how to capture special moments to enjoy them over, and over again. Plus, Jill demonstrates how to redeem an opportunity and retrieve a joy moment you missed in the past. It will look different for each of us, but if we are seeking joy, God may just provide an occasion to re-capture it. Even if you are in a difficult place today, well, especially if you are, join us for inspiration, encouragement, and a dose of joy to lift your spirit. Along with me, you may even laugh out loud a time or two. Did I mention the chicken suit or the chimp? “And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b Connect with Jill Follow

“I’m willing to bet you could list for days your fatal flaws and weaknesses. But what if they were actually your greatest strengths and superpowers?” Lori Young  How would you complete this statement? “If you really knew me…” Today we hear from Lori on the topic of how you see yourself, the importance of authenticity, and why it’s important to discern what is true about you and what it means to enter the ‘no judgment zone.’ Lori also shares her Three T’s of Authenticity. Three foundations upon which to build your personal truth and live as the woman God created you to be. What is your truth? Do you trust God and the authority He has given you? How is your territory defined? Lori has a unique perspective with universal application. Please join us for this valuable conversation. Connect with Lori