Wonderfully Made

Harmony Grillo joins us to talk about the path to healing from trauma —whether it's from a one-time event or trauma experienced over a period of time. Harmony has overcome tremendous abuse and exploitation which she writes about in her memoir "Scars and Stilettos." She is also the Founder of Treasures, a faith-based survivor-led outreach and support group to women in the sex industry and survivors of sex trafficking. Harmony breaks down the difference between a traumatic event and chronic trauma and covers the three natural responses we experience and how they each affect us. Harmony shares powerful insights from her own recovery journey and offers practical tools you can use to help deal with trauma in a healthy way. We believe no level of trauma is insignificant and God wants us to be made well as we invite Him into the hard and painful parts of our lives. Resources Mentioned: Scars and Stilettos 5 Ways to Cope When You Are Triggered Getting Past Your Past (Free download) The Body Keeps the Score

Rebekah Lyons, bestselling author and speaker joins us to talk about a practical approach for decreasing anxiety and experiencing more peace in your life. Rebekah opens up about her own battles to overcome anxiety and depression which ultimately led her to implement four life-giving rhythms into her life. She shares how these rhythms — "rest, restore, connect and create" can help you begin an intentional lifelong journey toward greater spiritual, emotional and relational health. Rebekah shares what it looks like to intentionally integrate these four rhythms which bring peace and purpose to your days. If you are burnout, tired, stressed and anxious, we hope this conversation will help you find the deep soul rest you need and help you thrive. Become an insider in our community and get our free Wonderfully Made guide "Whole and Free" here. Hit the share button on this episode to encourage a friend by forwarding her our podcast.

Cambria Joy, author, YouTuber, nutrition coach and personal trainer joins us to talk about a faith-filled approach to finding radiant health from the inside out. Cambria shares her story of struggling with binge eating disorder and the journey God took her on to find true freedom and wholeness without dieting, restriction or rigid get fit plans. Allie and Cambria share the mindset that by setting eyes on our relationship with God first and foremost and surrendering perfection we can find wholeness and become healthy in mind, body and spirit. Cambria shares some profound insights on having an ideal body image and how you can trade your ideal body in for something so much better. If you're looking for lasting freedom in the areas of food and body image, this conversation is for you. Become an insider and get our free Wonderfully Made guide "Whole and Free" here. Hit the share button on this episode to encourage a friend by forwarding her our podcast.

Join Allie Marie Smith for this time of guided scripture reflection as we meditate on John 15. Discover how to truly bloom whatever season you are in. You are invited to set aside this time as you reflect on your life and the things that are keeping you from living fully alive. May you bloom as you abide in God's extravagant love. This reflection is best done during a set aside time free of distraction and interruption.

Hannah Brencher, encourager and author of the new book "Fighting Forward: Your Nitty Gritty Guide to Beating the Lies that Hold You Back" joins us to remind us to stay in the fight no matter how hard life gets. Hannah shares her story of experiencing a nervous breakdown which in a moment turned her from fully functioning to a severe depression that left her hospitalized and fighting for her life. She opens up about the journey God has taken her on to daily push back the darkness and gives insights on how to develop daily rhythms and a sustainable faith in a culture of hustle. This conversation is filled with practical tips and hope for difficult days and will encourage you to keep moving forward one day at a time no matter what you are going through. Thanks for listening, we are so glad you are here! Become an insider and get our free Wonderfully Made guide "Whole and Free" here. Take time for yourself and explore what it means to live whole and free with encouraging words and reflection.

Every time a new year comes around we are bombarded with products or programs that promise to change our lives and transform us into our ideal selves with our ideal lives. We are often tempted to pursue perfection, setting ourselves up for failure and cycles of guilt and shame. In this episode, Allie Marie Smith invites you to pursue wholeness over perfection this new year as you find true rest for your soul. Experience a time of guided reflection and be encouraged to surrender perfection for wholeness this new year. Truth Declarations: I am complete in Christ I am choosing wholeness over perfection I don’t need to perform for my worth Reflection Questions: What are some unrealistic expectations you have placed on yourself or might be putting on yourself this new year? In what ways are you living at war with yourself or living an undivided life? What are some areas of your life you want to experience change or breakthrough this coming year that reflect the abundant life God desires for you? What would it l

Holley Gerth, life coach, counselor and author of "The Powerful Purpose of Introverts" shares everything you need to know, from brain science to the psychological, relational, and spiritual aspects of being an introvert. Holley shares why being an introvert is actually your superpower and is an integral part of the way God made you. She also reveals exactly what will help you beat your struggles and maximize your God-given strengths so you can live with clarity, courage, and confidence in a world that needs what only you can give. If you're not sure whether you're an introvert or extrovert, Holley will help break it down for you as she shares differences between introversion and extroversion. Discover some of the strengths of introverts so you can step into your full potential. Join us for this fascinating conversation! Visit us at wonderfullymade.org for more encouragement and resources. If you are enjoying our podcast we invite you to be one of our supporters and help it continue by making a tax-deductible

Christie Dondero Bettwy, Executive Director for Rock Recovery, a nonprofit that helps people overcome disordered eating joins us to talk about how we can experience more peace around food this holiday season and in this coming New Year. Is your relationship with food chaotic or complicated? Are food and body image issues taking too much space in your head? As we get into the holidays it can be an especially difficult time for those struggling with eating issues and COVID can add a whole additional layer to these struggles. Learn how to have grace with yourself and discover life-giving principles that can transform the way you interact with food. Christie shares her own recovery story from disordered eating and why freedom from food issues is possible. We talk about how dieting and restriction can keep us in bondage and explore practical steps for moving forward. Discover resources to help you on your journey so you can experience wholeness and live into your true identity. You were made to live free!

Cheryl Scruggs is an author, podcaster and Biblical marriage counselor. If you are single, dating, engaged or in a difficult marriage this conversation is for you. After years of frustration in her marriage, Cheryl’s longing for emotional fulfillment led to an affair and, finally, a divorce that left her husband Jeff utterly devastated and seething with anger. Yet, incredibly, seven years later, Jeff and Cheryl once again stood at the altar, promising to “love, honor, and cherish” one another. Having experienced restoration in their relationship, Cheryl and Jeff now mentor and counsel couples on the Biblical principles of a healthy marriage. Cheryl shares what she wishes she knew before she first said I do and reveals some of the secrets that destroyed their marriage. She also dives into some of the lies young women believe about marriage. We hope this conversation encourages and equips you whether you are single, dating, engaged or currently married. Visit us at wonderfullymade.org for more encouragement and

Jamie Grace, a Grammy-nominated recording artist was diagnosed with anxiety, Tourette Syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit disorder as a young girl. Jamie shares about her life-long struggles with mental illness and her dependence on Christ to help her discover moments of silence in a noisy, chaotic world. Whether or not you face a mental health challenge, Jamie's story and insights will help you fight anxiety by learning to get quiet and find rest. Jamie shares ideas for experiencing joy in the midst of hard times and her story will inspire you to overcome the challenges you are facing in your own life. Visit us at wonderfullymade.org for more encouragement and resources. If you are enjoying our podcast we invite you to be one of our supporters and help it continue by making a tax-deductible donation here. We're so glad you're here!

Margaret Feinberg, Bible teacher and author of "More Power To You" teaches us how to examine the lies we believe and replace them with a Biblical affirmation of truth that will restore us with peace and joy. The lies we believe keep us from living into our true God-given identity. Margaret helps us identify self-sabotaging beliefs and how to overcome them. Learn practical strategies for breaking free from the negative thoughts that keep you stuck and step into the joyous life God wants for you. Visit wonderfullymade.org for more encouragement and resources. If you are enjoying our podcast we invite you to be one of our supporters and help it continue by making a tax-deductible donation here. We're so glad you're here!

Alli Worthington, speaker and author of "Standing Strong" joins us to talk about how we can be resilient in the face of adversity and become unbreakable women who draw our strength from God. Alli reflects on how for far too long women have downplayed their strength and their contribution to the world. In these difficult and uncertain times, be encouraged that you are stronger than you think you are and are worth more than you can ever imagine. While collectively we are facing difficulty, God is calling us to a new level of strength in Him. Learn practical strategies for rising above self-sabotage and find the confidence to say yes to God's call on your life. Visit our website at wonderfullymade.org for more encouragement and resources. If you are enjoying our podcast we invite you to be one of our supporters and help it continue by making a tax-deductible donation here. Thanks for being a part of our awesome community. We're so glad you're here!

Mary Marantz, author of her memoir "Dirt" shares her story going from a single-wide trailer in the mountains of rural West Virginia to the halls of Yale Law School — a journey about remembering our roots while turning our faces to the sky. Mary shares her experience about feeling broken and disqualified and how her struggles became the foundation on which God wrote her redemption song. We all have things in our stories we feel make us unworthy, ashamed or disqualified but oftentimes these are the things God can use to make beautiful things grow and open doors we never dreamed of. She shares how being vulnerable with our stories and struggles actually makes people lean in closer and creates genuine connection. If you are feeling unworthy or disqualified, may you soak in the truth of Mary's words and have the courage to dig in rather than give up. Visit wonderfullymade.org for more encouragement and resources. If you are enjoying our podcast we invite you to be one of our supporters and help it continue by maki

Kayla Stoecklein lost her husband, Andrew—megachurch pastor of Inland Hills Church in Chino, California to suicide in August 2018. In the wake of the tragedy, she embarked on a brave journey to better understand his harrowing battle with mental illness and, ultimately, to overcome the stigma of suicide. Andrew was open about his depression and Kayla became open about his suicide. Kayla shares how what she has learned through her journey and what we can do better as a society and the church in identifying and treating mental illness. Kayla shares how her deep wounds have led to deeper joy amidst her grief and reflects on how joy and sorrow can co-exist. We hope this conversation sheds light on suicide and mental illness and that if you or loved one is struggling that you reach out for professional support. If you are having suicidal thoughts know that hope is available and please call the suicide hotline number at 1-800-273-8255. Visit wonderfullymade.org for more encouragement and resources. If you are enjoyi

Sex trafficking is a major issue affecting over twenty million trafficking victims globally and is the fastest growing crime today. American children are bought and sold every day for sex. Gain a better understanding of what sex trafficking is, who is at risk, warning signs and how you can join the fight against it. We welcome Jessica Munoz, Founder and President of Ho`ōla Nā Pua, a Hawaii-based non-profit committed to the prevention of sex trafficking that provides care for children who have been exploited. We also welcome Tammy Bitagna, who shares her powerful redemption story about rising out of the circumstances of early childhood abuse that led to being in “the system,” being a chronic runaway and being trafficked. We hope this episode sheds light on the travesty of sex trafficking and inspires you to join the fight against this injustice. Visit wonderfullymade.org for more encouragement and resources. If you are enjoying our podcast we invite you to be one of our supporters and help it continue by makin

Allie's close friend Christie shares her story of how she found true beauty, purpose and worth in Christ after years of looking for significance in the wrong places. From the time she was a little girl Christie believed beauty and romance was her ticket to a perfect life and at the age of six she developed an eating disorder. In high school Christie began partying and became promiscuous. By the age of eighteen she had had two abortions. Christie started modeling and continued to build her identity in her appearance until God gave her an opportunity through a difficult experience to discover her true worth in Him. Christie's healing came through a period of pain that God used to transform her from the inside out and give her a life of freedom and wholeness. Be encouraged that even in your darkest moment God loved you still and has good plans for your life.

Katherine Wolf shares her journey of surviving a massive brain stem stroke at the age of twenty-six which left her with life-long disabilities. Katherine believes that in our deepest wounding our healing can come. She shares what it means to suffer strong and how she and her family have redefined suffering. Katherine reflects on how we all have "invisible wheelchairs" or challenges that often no one would know about. Whether it's trauma, mental illness or grief we each have hidden wounds and yet hope for our suffering is available to all of us. Instead of looking at long-term suffering as something to be fixed or cured, Katherine shares that there is a way to embrace it and live with it well. May you be encouraged to believe that in your deepest suffering God is at work and has called you there to refine you for good, that one day all will be redeemed and hope is still alive.

Laura Smith, author of "How Sweet the Sound" talks about the timeless beauty and power of hymns and how singing them can bring comfort and peace into our lives. Laura shares how making hymns the soundtrack of our lives can help us memorize scripture and rise above anxiety and fear. Regardless of your musical style, there are many ways to invite hymns into your worship time. Laura shares some common misconceptions of hymns and gives playlist ideas to try different styles of hymns. Be inspired to invite hymns into your life and let them transform you with their truth. Playlists to Try: How Sweet the Sound Playlist Old and New Mix Josh Garrels The Isaacs

Megan Fate Marshman, author of "Meant for Good," shares why even in this hard, uncertain time you can trust that God is working for your good. Megan takes a fresh look at the beloved scripture Jeremiah 29:11 and challenges us to better understand this verse in its context. Megan shares why even though God's plans may not be what you expected or hoped for they are still good. She shares practical tips for fighting anxiety and cultivating resilience in times of uncertainty when we don't know what's ahead. As you embark on the journey of trusting God, be encouraged today that redemption and purpose is unfolding — you are in God's loving grip.

In this HerStory episode, we invite Tara Royer Steele on to share about God’s grace, redemption and new beginnings. Tara is the owner of a famous pie shop called Royer’s Pie Haven in Brenham TX. Tara opens up with us about her story of dealing with body image issues, being in an abusive relationship and growing up fast working in her family’s restaurant. Listen to Tara as she shares her journey with us and let it encourage you in your own life.