EP 28 - Today's guest is Erika Kelly, and her story is gonna interest you, because it isn't the typical one.  Erica grew up in a safe and almost idyllic Home, one that's described by her as from the Nick at night show. She was raised in the church and found comfort and faith in Jesus at an early age.  Despite not having a tragic or traumatic upbringing, Erika's unique story has shaped her into the person she is today. 02:19 Erika's Personal Life: Family, Career, and Passions 04:10 The Athlete's Struggle: Performance Anxiety and Identity 10:43 The Battle with Alcohol: Recognizing the Problem 13:05 Quitting Alcohol for Family and Self 17:04 The Impact of COVID-19 on Drinking Habits 21:47 Rebuilding Life, Marriage, and Health 26:10 The Impact of Alcohol on Physical Appearance 26:48 The Surprising Age Reversal After Quitting Alcohol 28:48 The Interplay Between Alcohol, Mental Health, and Stress 31:32 The Challenge of Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey 32:00 The Power of Support and Overcoming Shame 33:04 Embracing Publicly and Its Challenges 36:20 Finding Strength in Gratitude   In this podcast, we invite you to step into a world where freedom from the psychological slavery of alcohol and other substances isn't just a dream—it's a reality. Through the power of shared stories and unfolding faith, God reveals the amazing gifts and promises waiting for us all when we stop drinking or remove something toxic from our lives.    Through Say Goodbye And Imagine you are invited into a Christian community where triumph over alcohol or other substances is not only possible… it's happening every day through faith and the power of God’s Word! Feel a profound connection with others who have walked the same rocky path yet found solid ground by putting biblically-based principles and God at the center of their journey to freedom.     Imagine replacing the weight of guilt and isolation with the lightness of grace and companionship through a shared Chirstian community seeking alcohol freedom. Through the testimony of our podcast community, you can discover how the Holy Spirit moves powerfully in the lives of those who have surrendered their struggles and embraced a journey of true transformation with God at the helm.     Witness the transformative power of Jesus Christ while you gain insight into the lies of the enemy. Through each episode, you'll be equipped with biblically based strategies that others have used to prioritize their spiritual well-being and expose the lies embedded in a toxic habit that is also trying to control your life. Ultimately, each episode guides you to a place where being alcohol-free is just the beginning of your newfound freedom--showing you the amazing world of promise and possibility through God’s grace when alcohol is successfully set aside.    Say Goodbye And Imagine shares the firsthand victories of those who have broken free from the psychological slavery of alcohol or other substances. Our greatest hope is to share these stories of triumph so you can draw inspiration and courage from their stories. But our podcast doesn't just offer hope—it showcases the real, tangible outcomes of lives transformed by faith and the collective strength of a community that believes in second chances.    Warning: our Say Goodbye And Imagine podcast is a little different. We don’t use words that create shame or a negative identity. So, in our podcast we don’t use vocabulary like alcoholic or alcoholism, alcohol addiction or alcohol recovery, recovery or recovering, sober or sobriety, addict or addiction, powerless or powerlessness, and other words that take away our identity in God. Since we are remade in the image of God, we seek an identity that is empowering through Him. Although we respect and honor groups like AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), Celebrate Recovery, and sober rehabilitation centers, our topics tend to be very individual, focusing on the unique journey of each participant.    If you desire to quit drinking or have been searching for ways to reconnect with God, then please tune in. Hear the amazing success stories of Christians just like you who decided to choose freedom from alcohol or other substances. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”    Rose Ann Forte is the host of Say Goodbye and Imagine. Rose Ann had reached a point in her own life when she realized that alcohol was stealing from her and understood that God had a much better plan for her. Today she is the bestselling author of The Plans He has for Me Daily Devotional. Through her podcast, blog articles, books, public speaking, Choose Freedom Program, YouTube and TikTok videos, and Choose Freedom coaching and church mentor programs, Rose Ann loves to share her experience of transformation with others and discuss the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s foundational principles behind renewing your mind.

EP 27 - Welcome to part two with our guest, Dr. David Jenkins, who is a professor of psychology and is the clinical director of the PsyD in the clinical psychology program at Liberty University.  We get to continue our conversation about languaging and stigma with addiction and also discuss various other topics around how people heal from the psychological slavery of their habit. With over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Jenkins specializes in the integration of Christian faith and clinical practice.  He's worked extensively with addictive, mood, and anxiety disorders in the context  of individual, marital, group, and family therapy. Dr. Jenkins has provided education, consultation, supervision, and training for a variety of churches, ministries, and professionals.  He's also an author and speaker at conferences, seminars, and retreats.  In this two part series, I get to ask him a lot of my burning questions that I've had about the clinical aspect of addiction, the integrative model of addiction, and the history of languaging and stigma surrounding substance use disorder over the decades.  00:00 Welcome Back: Continuing the Conversation on Addiction and Healing  03:22 The Importance of Language in Addressing Substance Use 05:54 Shifting Perspectives: From Labels to Understanding 09:38 Exploring the Complexity of Addiction Beyond Labels 18:09 Denial and the Therapeutic Process: A Deeper Dive 23:33 Self-Determination and Seeking Help: Empowering Choices 24:49 The Role of Community and Financial Considerations in Healing 27:02 The Complex Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption and Life Quality 32:29 The Role of Fear in Recovery and Relapse 36:07 Preparing for Change: The Importance of Readiness Thank you for listening - if you like what you're hearing, give us a five-star rating from your Apple Podcast App so others can find us, and please subscribe so you never miss out on any brand new episodes. Go to www.theplanshehasforme.com today to get 20 fun and easy ways to navigate all social situations alcohol free! You'll also find a link to purchase the daily devotional. If you're interested in being a guest and sharing your story, email us at contactus@theplanshehasforme.com. Thanks for listening, and here's to you and your imagined life.

EP 26 - This week's guest is Dr. David Jenkins, a professor of psychology and the clinical director of the PsyD in the clinical psychology program at Liberty University.  He has served as the clinical director of the International Board of Christian Counselors as part of the American Association of Christian Counselors, and is also on the executive board of the Society for Christian Psychology.  With over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Jenkins specializes in the integration of Christian faith and clinical practice.  He's worked extensively with addictive, mood, and anxiety disorders in the context  of individual, marital, group, and family therapy. Dr. Jenkins has provided education, consultation, supervision, and training for a variety of churches, ministries, and professionals.  He's also an author and speaker at conferences, seminars, and retreats.  In this two part series, I get to ask him a lot of my burning questions that I've had about the clinical aspect of addiction, the integrative model of addiction, and the history of languaging and stigma surrounding substance use disorder over the decades.  03:10 The Personal Story of Dr. Jenkins: A Journey of Faith and Psychology 10:50 Exploring the History and Stigma of Addiction 11:35 The Evolution of Addiction Treatment: From AA to Modern Approach 20:30 Integrating Models for a Holistic Approach to Addiction 24:20 The Role of Spirituality in Overcoming Addiction 27:54 The Power of Forgiveness and Moving Forward 29:30 Rebuilding Trust 30:37 Letting Go and Finding New Beginnings 36:54 The Complexity of Addiction and Recovery 39:14 Integrating Multiple Models for Healing Thank you for listening - if you like what you're hearing, give us a five-star rating from your Apple Podcast App so others can find us, and please subscribe so you never miss out on any brand new episodes. Go to www.theplanshehasforme.com today to get 20 fun and easy ways to navigate all social situations alcohol free! You'll also find a link to purchase the daily devotional. If you're interested in being a guest and sharing your story, email us at contactus@theplanshehasforme.com. Thanks for listening, and here's to you and your imagined life.

EP 25 - This week's episode is with guest Jeff Fellman, who is a coach, trained pastor, and author of a book called Soul Restore, which helps people recover from the traumas of their past, so they can live a life of abundance and hope.  Jeff has experienced personally more trauma than any one human being should have to bear, and so to call him an expert in this subject matter might be a gross understatement.  He experienced, as a child physical abuse and sexual molestation.  His father and younger brother committed suicide. He had another brother who was murdered.  It doesn't stop there because his wife died just two weeks after delivering their fifth child and so Jeff had to raise his five children as a single father.  Trauma and substance abuse can go hand in hand as people mistakenly but understandably use a substance to deal with the hurt of their past.  I thought it'd be helpful and beneficial to have a conversation with Jeff to understand his process of healing. Let's listen in.    Jeff's Website - https://mysoulrestore.com/ Jeff's Book - https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Restore-Integrated-Resilience-Principles/dp/B0C1J9CVR2/ Thank you for listening - if you like what you're hearing, give us a five-star rating from your Apple Podcast App so others can find us, and please subscribe so you never miss out on any brand new episodes. Go to www.theplanshehasforme.com today to get 20 fun and easy ways to navigate all social situations alcohol free! You'll also find a link to purchase the daily devotional. If you're interested in being a guest and sharing your story, email us at contactus@theplanshehasforme.com. Thanks for listening, and here's to you and your imagined life. 04:15 Jeff's Path to Recovery: The Role of Faith and Community 06:15 Understanding Addiction and Shame 07:57 The Workbook 'Soul Restore': A Guide to Healing 08:06 The Power of Identity and Overcoming Substance Abuse 08:06 The Turning Points: Seminary, Identity, and God's Purpose 12:08 The Role of Substance in Coping with Trauma 21:00 Lamenting as a Pathway to Healing 25:53 Finding Hope in the Midst of Adversity 26:07 The Story Behind the Book: Overcoming Personal Struggles 31:47 Embracing Your Own Story to Inspire Others 37:08 Creating a Safe Space for Healing in the Church 40:53 The Importance of Validating Personal Trauma 42:43 Resources and Support for Healing

Kimmy's story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of her faith in God and the healing power of a substance-free life.  Kimmy was challenged with many parts of her life collapsing before her, including a diagnosis of MS.  Her journey of finding God, and developing awareness of our lifestyle choices inspires hope for transformative healing in all areas, including relationships, finances, and mental and physical health. 04:54 The Role of Faith 05:35 Hiding Addiction 09:50 Involvement in the Church and Community 14:56 Reflecting on the Impact of Sobriety 20:19 The Impact of Alcohol on Work Productivity 21:58 The Struggle of Working in a Bar While Sober 22:57 The Power of Choice in Recovery 23:56 Being Unable to Stop at One 25:42 Improvement in Mental Health 26:22 Awakening of Self-Awareness 29:38 The Power of Prayer in Recovery 31:17 Role of Faith in Sobriety 33:01 Joy of Helping Others in Recovery 36:29 The Final Message: It Gets Better Thank you for listening - if you like what you're hearing, give us a five-star rating from your Apple Podcast App so others can find us, and please subscribe so you never miss out on any brand new episodes. Go to www.theplanshehasforme.com today to get 20 fun and easy ways to navigate all social situations alcohol free! You'll also find a link to purchase the daily devotional. If you're interested in being a guest and sharing your story, email us at contactus@theplanshehasforme.com. Thanks for listening, and here's to you and your imagined life.

This week, we're going through the subject of the full armor of God with coach Anthony Covington. This is one of the core concepts that is being delivered through the Choose Freedom program.  I knew about the full armor of God for maybe decades, but I didn't understand exactly how to use it when temptation knocked at my door.  00:54 Understanding the Full Armor of God 01:58 Exploring the Scripture: Ephesians 6, 10 to 13 03:32 The Belt of Truth: A Deep Dive 09:36 The Breastplate of Righteousness: A Practical Perspective 15:30 The Shoes of Peace: Standing Firm in Faith 21:49 The Shield of Faith: A Dual Purpose 26:03 Faith in God: The Ultimate Defense 27:21 Understanding the Fiery Arrows of Deception 28:27 The Power of Truth and Honesty 30:19 Faith in God's Truth as a Shield 32:35 The Helmet of Salvation: Capturing and Controlling Thoughts 33:30 The Dangers of Deceptive Thoughts 40:42 The Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God 46:14 Living in Alignment with God's Word 48:51 The Battle Against Substance Abuse Thank you for listening - if you like what you're hearing, give us a five-star rating from your Apple Podcast App so others can find us, and please subscribe so you never miss out on any brand new episodes. Go to www.theplanshehasforme.com today to get 20 fun and easy ways to navigate all social situations alcohol free! You'll also find a link to purchase the daily devotional. If you're interested in being a guest and sharing your story, email us at contactus@theplanshehasforme.com. Thanks for listening, and here's to you and your imagined life.

In today's episode, I'm interviewing Chrystal Cuellar. She's an alcohol free coach who empowers women to embrace an alcohol free life and find their purpose.  I'm excited about our conversation today because we get to compare our experiences as alcohol free coaches.  In witnessing transformation, in understanding what it takes to stay the course, and in identifying resistances to getting the help they need to change their relationship with alcohol. 02:57 The Impact of Alcohol on Relationships 05:09 The Importance of Coaching in Overcoming Alcohol Dependence 08:04 The Challenges of Social Anxiety and Alcohol 13:53 The Role of Faith in Overcoming Alcohol Dependence 14:43 The Physical Changes Experienced in Sobriety 19:03 The Resistance to Paying for Coaching 23:17 The Financial Impact of Alcohol Dependence 24:28 The Benefits of Sobriety on Personal and Professional Life 33:54 The Importance of Patience in the Journey to Sobriety Thank you for listening - if you like what you're hearing, give us a five-star rating from your Apple Podcast App so others can find us, and please subscribe so you never miss out on any brand new episodes. Go to www.theplanshehasforme.com today to get 20 fun and easy ways to navigate all social situations alcohol free! You'll also find a link to purchase the daily devotional. If you're interested in being a guest and sharing your story, email us at contactus@theplanshehasforme.com. Thanks for listening, and here's to you and your imagined life.   Connect with Chrystal  Linked In:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrystal-cuellar-402b71277/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/klojdfs96/ TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@chrystal.cuellar

Today we're going to talk to Dr. Tom McGinn from Omaha, Nebraska.  Tom is a gastroenterologist  who sees and treats patients on a regular basis with various disorders that come about as a result of excessive alcohol use.  We're going to spend a whole lot of time learning about the effects of alcohol on our bodies.  Tom's Insights, shed light on the concerning rise in alcohol related diseases and deaths.  And he shares some of the key tests and indicators you'll need to find out if your liver is at risk.  Not to worry though, we also discuss some preventative and restorative measures as well.  I get to share some of my health improvements in my own alcohol free journey.  03:53 Alcohol's Impact on Different Types of Cancer 08:48 The Journey of Patients with Alcoholism 09:40 The Rising Issue of Alcohol Consumption 10:49 The Role of Honesty in Patient-Doctor Interactions 17:31 The Connection between Alcohol and Metabolic Health 24:21 The Reversibility of Fatty Liver Disease 26:30 The Importance of Education on Alcohol Consumption 27:38 The Effects of Quitting Alcohol 29:35 Alcohol and Leaky Gut Syndrome 30:36 The Social Acceptance of Alcohol 37:28 The Need for Better Alcohol Awareness and Regulation 43:30 The Benefits of a Healthy Lifestyle 45:27 Conclusion: The Power of Quitting Alcohol Thank you for listening - if you like what you're hearing, give us a five-star rating from your Apple Podcast App so others can find us, and please subscribe so you never miss out on any brand new episodes. Go to www.theplanshehasforme.com today to get 20 fun and easy ways to navigate all social situations alcohol free! You'll also find a link to purchase the daily devotional. If you're interested in being a guest and sharing your story, email us at contactus@theplanshehasforme.com. Thanks for listening, and here's to you and your imagined life.

Today's guest is a special one for me because he was one of my primary coaches when I chose to take a challenge for 90 days and put alcohol to the side.  His name is Kevin Schouweiler, and he is a certified NLP practitioner and executive coach.   NLP stands for Neuro Linguistic Programming and it's a system of alternative therapy intended to educate people in self awareness and effective communication, and to model and change the patterns of mental and emotional behavior.  Today, we're going to share some profound insights into the transformative power of language and choice,  and their impact on personal growth and development.  Kevin put together a short video training for listeners of this episode on how you can identify outcomes or results you've wanted, but can't seem to realize it in your life.  Click the link here https://kev.coach - to access Coach Kevin's free NLP training.  03:16 The Impact of Neuro Linguistic Programming 07:15 The Power and Influence of Language 09:05 Practical Application of Neuro Linguistic Programming 16:26 The Power of 'I Get To' and Choice 26:04 Using Language to Overcome Bad Habits 27:49 The Pitfalls of Negative Thinking 27:59 Envisioning a Better Future Self 36:35 Understanding the Mind's Resistance to Change 41:48 Shifting from Victimhood to Empowerment 44:57 The Journey of Personal Transformation Thank you for listening - if you like what you're hearing, give us a five-star rating from your Apple Podcast App so others can find us, and please subscribe so you never miss out on any brand new episodes. Go to www.theplanshehasforme.com today to get access to the five foundational principles of Alcohol Freedom. You'll also find a link to purchase the daily devotional. If you're interested in being a guest and sharing your story, email us at contactus@theplanshehasforme.com. Thanks for listening, and here's to you and your imagined life.

I wanted to come back on and talk about New Year's resolutions again, all by myself. The last episode, Coach Lanye and I talked about some strategies to be successful with New Year's resolutions, and somebody wrote in to me and pretty validly said since they have been reading the devotional, the reason they have been successful this time is because of God. And that last podcast didn't mention God. And I thought, dang, she's right. And I wanted to share some thoughts on this matter. The reality is,  I definitely would not have been successful in my alcohol free walk if it was not for Jesus and my faith and walking side by side, step by step with him. I would not be where I am today.  - As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be alive today without Jesus, because there was definitely a time in my life  where I had lost my will to live, and only because of my faith did I path one foot in front of the other, trusting that God had a better plan. And therein lies the reason for the devotional, which is called The Plans He Has For Me, because I truly believe in my heart that God has a much better plan for all of us as we remove toxic substances from our life. Thank you for listening - if you like what you're hearing, give us a five-star rating from your Apple Podcast App so others can find us, and please subscribe so you never miss out on any brand new episodes. Go to www.theplanshehasforme.com today to get access to the five foundational principles of Alcohol Freedom. You'll also find a link to purchase the daily devotional. If you're interested in being a guest and sharing your story, email us at contactus@theplanshehasforme.com. Thanks for listening, and here's to you and your imagined life.