Episode 21: Kindness as a Catalyst: Overcoming Struggles & Building Resilience with Kendall Olsen of Kind Minds
Description: What if kindness wasn’t just something nice to do, but a powerful tool for overcoming life’s hardest seasons? In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with Kendall Olsen, founder of Kind Minds, a faith-based organization dedicated to using kindness as a bridge to healing and resilience. Kendall shares her personal journey of mental health struggles, loss, and recovery — and how she turned her pain into a movement that equips others with compassion, courage, and hope.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Kendall’s story of resilience and the moments she had to fight for hope.
✨ The mission behind Kind Minds and how it grew from her own struggles.
✨ Why kindness is more than a “nice gesture” — it’s a lifeline in seasons of pain.
✨ Practical ways to make kindness a daily, resilience-building habit.
✨ A special “Kindness Challenge” for you to try this week.
Takeaways:
✨ Small acts of kindness can spark big change — for you and those around you.
✨ Choosing resilience is a daily decision that can lead to healing and growth.
✨ Community rooted in kindness and faith can carry you through the hardest seasons.
Resources Mentioned:
📚 Connect with Kendall on Instagram: @kind_minds_org
📚 Shop Kind Minds apparel, resources + mentoring: here
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder: Kindness isn’t wasted — it’s a catalyst for resilience, healing, and hope.
Episode 20: Brave Women, Bold Faith: Mental Health & Resilience in Scripture – Interview with Laura Smith
Description: Can you struggle with anxiety or trauma and still live a brave, faith-filled life? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with author Laura Smith to explore how Scripture invites us to care for our whole selves—mind, body, and spirit. Drawing from her books Holy Care for the Whole Self and Brave Woman, Mighty God, Laura shares how biblical women modeled courage in the midst of suffering and why you don’t need credentials to speak truth and offer hope. Whether you’re walking through burnout, carrying trauma, or just feel spiritually weary, this episode will remind you: healing isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Laura’s story of writing and why she’s passionate about holistic care
✨ How God calls and equips us—even when we feel unqualified
✨ Lessons of resilience from biblical women like Sarah, Ruth, and Abigail
✨ Practical ways to care for your whole self in seasons of burnout and overwhelm
✨ How spiritual disciplines can nurture mental health when done with grace, not guilt
✨ Why you don’t need perfection to walk in faith, healing, and courage
Takeaways:
✨ You don’t need credentials to offer encouragement—just a heart willing to show up.
✨ The bravest women in the Bible were often the most broken, and God used their weakness as strength.
✨ Whole-person care means tending to mind, body, and spirit together.
✨ Spiritual practices like prayer, rest, and Scripture can also serve as mental health tools.
✨ Brave faith isn’t about having it all together—it’s about showing up with God in the middle of the mess.
Resources Mentioned:
📚 Holy Care for the Whole Self by Laura Smith
📚 Brave Woman, Mighty God by Laura Smith
📚 The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
📚Laura's free resource for everyone—the first chapter of Brave Woman, Mighty God. Download it HERE.
🌐 laurasmithauthor.com
📸 Instagram: @laurasmithauthor
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder:
Healing isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence.
Episode 19: Faith, Therapy & the Whole Person: Hope for the Hurting – Interview with Laura Lewis
Description: In this powerful episode of Authentically Amber, I sit down with licensed counselor, educator, and suicide prevention expert Laura Lewis to unpack what holistic wellness truly means. We discuss the integration of faith and mental health, the ethical role counselors play in addressing spirituality, and how the Church’s view of suicide has shifted over time. Whether you’re walking through pain yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers both practical insight and hope for healing.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ What holistic wellness really looks like (body, mind, and soul)
✨ Why faith and mental health aren’t enemies—but essential partners
✨ How counselors ethically address spirituality in clinical care
✨ The Church’s evolving theology of suicide and why it matters
✨ Practical ways faith communities can help, not harm, those who are struggling
✨ What a mentally healthy, emotionally safe church looks like
Takeaways:
✨ You are more than just your thoughts or body—you’re a whole person, and healing must honor that.
✨ Counselors have an ethical duty to consider spirituality as part of care.
✨ The Church’s view of suicide has shifted, but more growth and compassion are still needed.
✨ Faith communities can offer safe, supportive spaces instead of judgment.
✨ Hope isn’t found in avoiding pain, but in walking through it holistically—with God.
Resources Mentioned:
📚 Learn more about Laura Lewis: laurajlewiscounseling.com
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder:
Faith and mental health are not opposites—they’re partners in healing.
Episode 18: Overcoming in the Dark: A Conversation on Mental Illness & God’s Grace with Dr. Terry Powell – Interview
Description: What do you do when the darkness doesn’t lift? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Terry Powell—author, professor, and long-time mental health advocate—to talk about finding God’s grace in the middle of depression, not just on the other side of it. His decades of ministry experience and personal honesty will encourage anyone walking through the shadows.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Why Christians can still struggle with mental illness
✨ Biblical hope in depression (not just after it)
✨ Practical ways to build spiritual and emotional resilience
✨ How to walk with others through the darkness
✨ Encouragement for those who feel like giving up
Takeaways:
✨ Depression doesn’t disqualify you from God’s purpose
✨ Sustaining grace can be as powerful as immediate healing
✨ Spiritual resilience is built through daily, intentional practices
Resources Mentioned:
📚 Penetrating the Darkness by Dr. Terry Powell – PenetratingTheDarkness.com
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder: When the darkness doesn’t lift, God’s sustaining grace meets us in the middle of our pain, not just after it’s gone.
Episode 15: Healing While Adulting: Faith, Trauma, and Therapy with Stephen Duraney – Interview
Description: Adulting is hard—especially when you’re carrying unresolved trauma, struggling with emotional health, or trying to follow Jesus in a world that doesn’t pause. In this episode, I sit down with Stephen Duraney, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and trauma therapist, to talk about how faith and therapy (including EMDR) can help us heal as we grow into healthy, whole adults.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ How unresolved trauma shows up in adulthood—relationships, work, and even faith
✨ Why many young adults feel shame over “not being over it by now”
✨ What EMDR therapy is (and why it’s not as scary as it sounds)
✨ How faith and prayer can be integrated into trauma healing
✨ Lies young adults believe about emotional health—and the truth that sets us free
✨ Encouragement for anyone struggling with trauma while navigating adult responsibilities
Takeaways:
✨ Healing is possible—even if it feels slow, messy, or incomplete
✨ Faith and therapy are not at odds; they can work beautifully together
✨ Trauma impacts the brain and body, but with the right tools, we can feel safe again
✨ You don’t have to be fully healed to start walking in freedom
Resources Mentioned:
📚 Trauma/PTSD Checklist (PCL-5): Download Here
💻 Stephen’s Website: lumin-therapy.com
📧 Connect with Stephen: stephen@lumin-therapy.com
🙏 Prayer, therapy, and EMDR as tools for Christian healing
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder: Faith and therapy aren’t enemies—together, they can heal your trauma and transform how you adult.
Episode 16: When Elderberry, Embarrassment & Anxiety Collide – Solo
Description: Ever had one of those moments that went from slightly awkward to full-blown meltdown in seconds? So there I was—sticky, confused, bleeding… or so my husband thought. Elderberry was everywhere, and so was my shame.
In this episode, I share the hilariously mortifying story of how elderberry syrup ended up on my head, my floor, and nearly sent Ben into panic mode—while I was on my period.
But what started as a mess turned into a mental health moment I didn’t know I needed. We’re talking about how quickly embarrassment can spiral into shame, and how to meet ourselves with compassion when we feel like crawling under a blanket. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by something small, this one’s for you.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ The story I never thought I’d share publicly 🙈
✨ How shame can hijack our minds (even over elderberry)
✨ Why embarrassment often leads to anxiety and perfectionism
✨ A reminder that God doesn’t cringe at our mess—He steps into it
Takeaways:
✨ Small moments can spark big spirals—and it’s okay to slow down and laugh
✨ Shame tries to define us, but grace redefines us
✨ God meets us in our mess with empathy, not judgment (Hebrews 4:15–16)
✨ You’re not alone in your spirals, your spills, or your sticky seasons
Resources Mentioned:
📚 Hebrews 4:15–16 (NIV)
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses…”
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder:
I want to hear your most hilarious mess-up or embarrassing mental spiral—DM me on Instagram or leave a comment! And don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode with a friend who needs a giggle and some grace, and stay tuned for our next episode on Overcoming Struggles & Building Resilience.
Episode 15: From Stuck to Steady — Healing Anxiety One Small Step at a Time—with Sofia Fiotaki
Description: Has anyone ever told you to heal anxiety by doing handstands on the wall—or to just “pray more and worry less”? We’ve all heard the extremes. But anxiety isn’t always panic attacks—it’s often the numbness, the overthinking, the exhaustion that won’t lift.
In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with holistic anxiety coach Sofia Fiotaki to explore why traditional coping often falls short and how slow, soul-level healing is possible through holistic practices, small steps, and steady faith. If you’re tired, stuck, or spiritually discouraged, this episode will offer real hope and practical tools for walking toward peace.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ The hidden ways anxiety shows up in daily life
✨ Why faith-based clichés often fail to support real healing
✨ How to begin holistic healing when you're too tired to try
✨ Breathwork, grounding, and nervous system tools that work
✨ Encouragement for the soul who feels distant from God
Takeaways:
✨ You are not broken—you are not alone
✨ Healing is slow, sacred, and deeply personal
✨ Safety (emotional, spiritual, and relational) is foundational
✨ Faith and practical tools can coexist
✨ One small step can begin your transformation
Resources Mentioned:
📚 Unmask Your Anxiety Podcast by Sofia Fiotaki
📱 Instagram: @holistic_anxiety_coach
📱Facebook Group: Link to her profile
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder: Slow, soul-level healing is possible—one small step at a time.
Episode 14: Scrupulosity and the Christian Mind – Interview with Tori Peyton
Description:Being a young adult is hard enough—but what happens when your faith becomes one more thing to obsess over? In this raw and hopeful conversation, Tori Peyton shares what it’s like to navigate adulthood with OCD, PTSD, an eating disorder, and scrupulosity—a form of OCD tied to religious fear and shame. If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at faith, overwhelmed by your thoughts, or unsure what “healthy spirituality” looks like in your 20s, this episode is a gentle guide back to grace.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Tori’s honest story navigating OCD, eating disorders, PTSD, and depression as a young adult
✨ What scrupulosity is—and why it’s more than just “being a good Christian”
✨ How mental health struggles shape your view of God, self, and spirituality
✨ Ways to seek help, embrace grace, and let go of shame
✨ Practical encouragement for anyone silently battling spiritual anxiety
Takeaways:
✨ Your thoughts are not your worth.
✨ Just because you think something doesn’t mean it’s true.
✨ God is not disappointed in your struggle—He is present in it.
✨ Grace isn’t earned. It’s received.
✨ Mental health and faith are not enemies—they can work hand-in-hand.
Resources Mentioned:
📚 Keep Growing Podcast by Tori Peyton📱 @growwithtori on IG
📚 Exposure Response Therapy
📚 ERP OCD Workbook on Amazon
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder:
Adulting is hard, but you don’t have to figure it out alone—especially when your mind makes things feel impossible. It’s okay to seek help. It’s okay to not be okay. You are not broken. You are not disqualified. You are not too much for God. Grace is still yours—even on the days when it’s hard to believe it. Even on the days it’s hard to think straight.
Our God is not a God of disorder or chaos, but a God of peace. The Word He brings speaks peace over you.
Episode 13: “What Am I Even Doing With My Life?” — Purpose, Pressure & the In-Between - Solo
Description: Ever stare at the ceiling at night and wonder, What am I even doing with my life? Like… what’s the plan here, God? Where am I headed? Since leaving my teaching job to write full-time, I’ve felt this way often. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the “in-between”—between what was and what’s next—this episode is for you.
In this solo episode, we’ll dive into the pressure to have it all figured out, how to find peace in uncertainty, and why your purpose is still unfolding, even when you feel like you’re standing still.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Why Gen Z feels “behind” in life
✨ The myth of the linear path and how God leads differently
✨ Real stories from my own confusing transitions
✨ Biblical encouragement from Joseph, David, and Paul
✨ Practical tools for navigating seasons of waiting
Takeaways:
✨ You’re not too late, too lost, or too far gone—God is still writing your story
✨ Your purpose is not a job title; it’s who you’re becoming
✨ The in-between isn’t a waste of time—it’s preparation
✨ You don’t need clarity to be obedient
✨ Peace is found in God’s presence, not perfect plans
Resources Mentioned:
📚 Rebecca George — “You’re not too late. There is hope for your heart in the middle of a world that would love to convince you that you’re running out of time.”
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder: You are not behind. You are not failing. You are not forgotten. God is forming something beautiful in you—even here, even now.
Episode 12: The Summer I Turned Confused: Love, Expectations & Anxiety – Solo
Description: Have you ever finished a show and thought, Why isn’t my love life like that? Same. For the past few weeks, I’ve been watching The Summer I Turned Pretty—and let me tell you, I’ve got all the feels. This Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad love triangle has stirred something in me, not just as a viewer, but as a woman navigating real relationships in the real world.
In today’s episode, I’m opening up about how TV shows like TSITP (and social media too!) can shape our expectations of love and create emotional spirals filled with comparison, confusion, and anxiety. From my own personal “why doesn’t my love story look like that?” moments to the deep heart work God is doing in me, I’m inviting you into a conversation about what happens when fictional love meets our real-life longings—and how to find truth and healing beyond the screen.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Why we get emotionally hooked on fictional relationships✨ The connection between media, mental health, and unrealistic expectations✨ How shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty trigger anxiety, comparison, and grief✨ My personal confession: what I learned (and unlearned) from watching✨ A reframe of what real, God-centered love actually looks like✨ Journal & prayer prompts to process your own expectations and emotional triggers
Takeaways:
✨ You’re not too much for longing deeply✨ Real love isn’t chaotic—it’s peaceful, patient, and grounded in truth✨ God can handle your emotions, your questions, and your grief✨ It’s okay to enjoy stories—but your real story is still worth living
Resources Mentioned:
📚 Journal prompts + prayer reflections shared in the episode at the end:
1. What are the stories—on screen or in real life—that have shaped how I view love?
2. Have I ever compared my relationship (or lack of one) to what I see on TV or social media? How did it make me feel about myself?
3. Do I equate emotional intensity with value or love? Why?
4. What kind of love am I longing for—and what do I hope it will fix in me?
5. Where do I feel anxiety, shame, or disappointment around relationships right now? What would it look like to offer that to God?
6. What does healthy, God-centered love actually look like to me?
7. Where might I need to grieve a fantasy—and begin accepting peace?
📺 The Summer I Turned Pretty (TV show reference)
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder:
You were created for love that’s steady, not chaotic. Love that reflects the heart of God—not just the highlight reels or plot twists on a screen. Keep healing. Keep hoping. Keep being authentically you.
Episode 11: Adulting in the Modern World — with Hannah Reager, LPC
Description: Let’s face it. Adulting is hard. Between paying bills, managing anxiety, realizing no one taught you how to do taxes, and figuring out relationships, it’s no wonder so many of us feel confused, overwhelmed, and burdened. In this episode, I sit down with licensed Christian counselor Hannah Reager, LPC, to talk about what mental health really looks like in your 20s.
Together, we dive into anxiety, emotional health in dating and marriage, faith struggles, and real tools for adulting with purpose. Whether you’re struggling to manage stress, communicate in love, or just want to feel a little less alone—you’ll leave this episode feeling seen and supported.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨ Why anxiety feels different in your 20s (and how to tell if it’s clinical)
✨ How to navigate emotional health in dating, marriage, and singleness
✨ What SYMBIS and Gottman therapy are—and how they can help you grow
✨ Faith struggles in adulthood and how counseling makes space for hope
✨ Red flags in relationships and communication tools for deeper connection
✨ Rapid-fire favorites: Hannah’s top resources, habits, and her #1 advice for Christian adults
Takeaways:
✨ Your 20s are a pressure-cooker of transition—therapy can offer real support.
✨ Emotional maturity is key to healthy relationships—especially in Christian dating and marriage.
✨ Faith and mental health can and should go hand-in-hand.
✨ You don’t have to have it all figured out to be deeply loved and used by God.
✨ Growth is possible, and healing is real—even in the middle of adulting.
Resources Mentioned:
📚 Gottman Card Deck App
📚 The Sacred Search by Gary Thomas
📚 Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
📚 Get Out of Your Head and Untangling Your Emotions by Jennie Allen
📚 Books by Gary Thomas and Jennie Allen on emotions, relationships, and purpose
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Connect with Hannah:
🧠 Website: Cornerstone Family Services - Hannah Reager
Reminder: If you're feeling overwhelmed, behind, or unsure of your next step—take a deep breath. You’re not the only one who finds this season challenging. Adulting is messy and complicated, but you don’t have to walk through it alone.
Give yourself grace. Start small. And know that asking for help—whether through prayer, counseling, or community—is a sign of strength, not weakness. You are seen, loved, and held—even on the days it doesn’t feel like it.
Episode 9: From Campus to Career – Navigating the Real World After Graduation— Interview with Ian Hudson
Description: Graduating from college is a major milestone—but what happens when the cap and gown come off and you're still unsure who you are or where you're headed?
In this episode of Authentically Amber, I sit down with Ian Hudson to talk about the messy, beautiful, and often overwhelming transition from college life into adulthood.
Ian shares how his post-grad years were marked by spirals of anxiety, panic attacks, and identity struggles—but also by God’s powerful grace.
If you're wrestling with career pressure, post-grad uncertainty, or the fear of not being enough, this episode will remind you that healing and faith can coexist—and that God has a plan for you, even when the path feels unclear.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✨The emotional and mental toll of post-grad life
✨Ian’s honest account of panic attacks, depression, and faith struggles
✨How to navigate uncertainty, identity crises, and pressure to succeed
✨Why men—especially Christian men—need to talk about mental health
✨The role faith, therapy, fitness, and community play in healing
✨Encouragement for anyone feeling lost or behind in life
Takeaways:
✨You don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward.
✨It’s okay for faith and mental health struggles to exist together.
✨Vulnerability is not weakness—it's where healing often begins.
✨Comparing your journey to others will only steal your peace.
✨God is with you—even in the mess. Especially in the mess.
Resources Mentioned:
📚 Therapy
📚 Medication
📚 Psychologists & Psychiatrists
📚 Prayer, Scripture, Community & Family
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Connect with Ian: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianhudson01/
Reminder:
You are not alone. You are not behind. You are deeply loved—and God’s plan for your life is unfolding even when you can’t see it yet.
Episode 10: Stay in Your Lane: Adulting and Comparison – Finding Peace in Your Own Journey -Solo
Description:It’s easy to compare yourself to others—especially when it feels like everyone else has it all together. But what if God never asked you to run their race?
In this solo episode of Authentically Amber, we’re diving into what it looks like to stay in your lane, trust God’s unique plan, and silence the lie that says you’re behind. I share a personal story of a literal car crash, a biblical perspective from Romans 12 and John 21, and three practical ways to break free from the comparison trap. If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t enough, this episode is for you.
What You'll Hear in This Episode:✨ How to recognize and reshape comparison habits✨ Why your God-given mission matters more than someone else’s highlight reel✨ The truth that she (or he) isn’t your enemy—we’re all part of the same Body✨ How Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 speak into our worth and uniqueness✨ Real-life examples from dance teams, public school talks, and personal reflections
Takeaways:
Comparison distorts your vision—you can’t see God’s plan for your life when you're focused on someone else's path.
Your calling is custom-made—you don’t need to copy anyone else to matter or be used by God.
Everyone has a part to play—your gifts, even the quiet ones, are essential to the body of Christ.
Resources Mentioned:
📚Romans 12:2, Romans 12:6–8, 1 Corinthians 12:12–27, John 21
📚Podcast: Heaven Meets Earth – “Following God’s Voice” with Jamie Winship
Let's Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder:
You’re not behind—you’re on your way, and the only lane you need to run in is the one God made just for you.
Episode 8: Adulting in the Digital Age: The Struggle of Constant Connectivity- Solo
Finding Peace, Purpose, and Presence in a World That’s Always “On”
Description:
Have you ever felt like your phone is running your life? Between nonstop notifications, endless emails, and the pressure to stay “always available,” digital overload is real—and it’s leaving many of us drained, distracted, and spiritually depleted. In this solo episode, I’m diving into the reality of adulting in the digital age, the mental and spiritual cost of constant connectivity, and how we can reclaim our time, our minds, and our moments. If you’re feeling burned out by the buzz, this one’s for you.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
Takeaways:
Resources Mentioned:
📚 The Unplugged Hours by Hannah Brencher
📚 The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder:If you’re exhausted from always being “on,” you’re not alone. Jesus invites you into a slower, more sacred rhythm—one of presence, purpose, and peace. Unplug, reconnect with your soul, and remember: He meets you in the stillness.
Episode 5: Why OCD Is Not Your Punch Line: Let’s Talk About It- Interview with Ben Johnson
An Honest Conversation About Mental Health, Faith, and Compassion
Description:
Has anyone ever told you you're “so OCD” just because you like things clean or organized? Spoiler alert: OCD isn’t a quirk or a punch line—it’s a serious mental health condition. In this special episode, I’m joined by my husband, Ben Johnson, to talk about his personal journey with OCD, including the challenges, misconceptions, and how his faith has shaped the way he manages it. We’re opening up about religious scrupulosity, how OCD impacts relationships (including marriage), and how we can love those walking through it with empathy and grace.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
Takeaways:
Let’s Connect:💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder:
Mental health isn’t a joke—it’s part of being human. Whether you’re struggling with OCD or walking alongside someone who is, you are seen, loved, and never alone.
Episode 7 : Why Adulting Feels Like Fake It Till You Make It – Solo
Description:
Adulting can feel like a never-ending game of pretending to have it all together. But what if no one really has it all figured out? In this episode, Amber talks about the pressures of adulting, feeling like an imposter, and the messy reality of being in your 20s and 30s while still figuring things out. She also shares how faith can help ground us in the midst of the chaos, even when we feel like we’re faking it.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
The pressure to have everything figured out in your 20s and 30s
How to challenge the myth of perfection in adulting
The story of Moses and how his doubts and struggles resonate with our own
The role of faith in navigating the messiness of life
How to take the next best step in your journey, trusting God along the way
Scripture Highlighted:
Exodus 3:11 – Moses’ doubts and struggles in answering God's call
Proverbs 16:9 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
Key Moments:
[03:45] The pressure to have it all together in your 20s and 30s
[10:20] How Moses felt unqualified, yet still obedient
[14:40] Trusting God with the next step, not the whole journey
[18:50] How faith helps us ground ourselves in the chaos of life
Resources Mentioned:
Tired on the Inside: Finding Hope When You Aren’t Okay by Amber Ginter Johnson (Coming Soon- Updates to come)
Connect with Amber:
Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Website: www.amberginter.com
Reminder:
If you're loving the podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. It really helps me to reach more people who may need this message. And remember, you’re not alone on this journey—one step at a time, we’ll get through it together. Until next time, friends!
Episode 6: Embarrassing Moments with Amber — The Day I Faceplanted in the Front Office: Finding Faith (and Laughter) in Unplanned Moments
Description:
Let’s just say my first year of teaching taught me a lot—like how not to pass out in the front office in front of your coworkers, the AAA guy, and your mom. In this lighthearted episode, I’m sharing one of my most embarrassing moments—complete with faceplants, awkward medical talk, and a whole lot of humility. But more than just a funny story, this episode is about finding God in the mess, learning to laugh at ourselves, and remembering that He meets us in every moment... even the ones we’d rather forget.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
A hilariously awkward story from Amber’s first year of teaching
Why laughing at ourselves is holy and healing
How God shows up in the messy, unplanned, and embarrassing moments
Encouragement through Scriptures like Luke 6:21, Psalm 126:2, and Ecclesiastes 3:4
A reminder that joy doesn’t come after the chaos—it meets us in it
Reminder:
You don’t have to be perfect to be loved. God isn’t waiting for your polished version—He’s already here, laughing with you, loving you, and turning your most cringey moments into stories of grace and growth.
Episode 4: The Guilt of Taking Care of Yourself: Is Self-Care Biblical? - Solo
Description:As Christians, we’re taught to love others and put them first, but what happens when we feel guilty for taking time for ourselves? In this episode, Amber Ginter Johnson explores the concept of self-care from a biblical perspective, discussing how caring for your body, mind, and spirit isn’t selfish but necessary for spiritual, emotional, and physical health. If you’ve ever struggled with balancing the tension of serving others while showing up for yourself, this episode is for you.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
The biblical basis for honoring your body, mind, and spirit
Why self-care is an act of worship, not selfishness
How to manage your symptoms and prioritize well-being without guilt
The importance of listening to your body and mind
Real-life wisdom from Amber’s personal journey and how to care for yourself authentically
Resources Mentioned:
📚 The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
📚 Tired of Being Tired by Jess Connolly
📖 Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder:
Self-care is not selfish; it’s stewardship. You are not weak for needing help or taking time for yourself—you’re wise. Take heart, live authentically, and honor the body, mind, and soul that God created.
Episode 3: Faith, Doubt, and the Journey: Is It Okay to Question God? - Solo
Description:Many of us were taught that doubt has no place in faith. But what if it’s not the absence of doubt that strengthens our faith, but how we navigate it? In this episode, Amber Ginter Johnson explores the beauty of wrestling with questions, fears, and doubts, and how it’s okay (and even necessary) to allow yourself to ask hard questions in your spiritual journey. If you’ve ever felt like you're failing in your faith because you’re struggling with doubt, this episode is for you.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
Why doubt doesn’t disqualify your faith
The importance of being honest with God in your struggles
The biblical example of the father in Mark 9:24 and what it teaches us about belief and unbelief
How faith is about pursuit, not perfection
Practical encouragement for navigating doubt in your walk with God
Resources Mentioned:
📖 Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1, 2 Peter 3:9, Mark 9:24
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder:If you’re struggling with doubt, know this: Jesus sees you, loves you, and is with you in it all. Your doubt doesn’t cancel your faith, and your journey is far from over.
Episode 2: Anxious but Adulting: Is Anxiety a Sin? (And Other Hot Topic Q’s) - Solo
Description:
Have you ever wondered if anxiety is a sin? Or if depression means you lack faith? In this episode, Amber Ginter Johnson dives into some tough questions surrounding mental health and Christianity. Together, we’ll tackle myths about anxiety and depression in the church, explore biblical truths, and discuss what it means to struggle while living out your faith and learning to adult. No shame, no judgment—just an open, honest conversation about faith and mental health.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
Myth #1: "Anxiety means you don’t trust God"
Myth #2: "Depression is a sin"
The three types of anxiety and how to approach each
Why seeking therapy and taking medication is not a lack of faith
How Scripture and faith can support your healing journey
Encouragement for navigating mental health struggles within the Church
Resources Mentioned:
🎁 Download the free resource guide: My Top Resources for Faith + Mental Health
📖 Scriptures: Matthew 6:19–21, 1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 4:6-7, Proverbs 15:22
Let’s Connect:
💻 Website: AmberGinter.com
📸 Instagram: @amberginterauthor
Reminder:
Anxiety and depression don’t define you. You are loved, you are seen, and you are not alone in your struggles. Together, with Jesus and each other, we can build a Church that supports mental health. Keep walking, one step at a time.
