How do you support someone you love when they’re struggling with mental illness? It starts with being there for those challenging conversations, having a strong support system, being present to listen, and stepping in as a caregiver when needed. Remember, you are not alone. 🦋 In Season 3, Episode 12 of the Madness & Grace Podcast, hosts Matthew Stanford, Ph.D., and Madeline Stiers, Ph.D., LCSW-S, dive into this heartfelt conversation about Supporting a Loved One with Mental Illness. Tune ...

How do you engage with someone who shows no remorse, lacks empathy, and manipulates others—while still setting healthy boundaries and avoiding enabling harmful behavior? These are tough, emotional questions people face when navigating relationships affected by Antisocial Personality Disorder or Psychopathy. In Season 3, Episode 11 of the Madness & Grace Podcast, hosts Matthew Stanford, Ph.D., and Madeline Stiers, Ph.D., LCSW-S, dive into a deep and compassionate conversation about these...

🤝 Have you ever felt truly understood by someone who’s walked a similar path? In Season 3, Episode 10 of the Madness & Grace Podcast, hosts Matthew Stanford, Ph.D., and Madeline Stiers, Ph.D., LCSW-S, dive into The Benefits of Support Groups: Finding Strength in Community. Support groups are safe spaces where people with shared experiences provide each other with encouragement, support, comfort, and advice. They’re a vital part of recovery and care, and a powerful reminder that you ...

How do I know if I'm depressed? It's one of the most common conversations we have. People want to know how to recognize depression in themselves, a friend, or a loved one. In Season 3, Episode 9 of the Madness & Grace Podcast, hosts Matthew Stanford, Ph.D., and Madeline Stiers, Ph.D., LCSW-S, dive into the topic of How Do I Know If I’m Depressed? Signs and Spiritual Insights. We'll explore the clinical signs, emotional and behavioral symptoms, and spiritual impacts of depression. W...

Tune in to a special episode of the Madness & Grace Podcast! Have you ever wondered how your faith community could make a real difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health challenges? Don’t miss this powerful conversation with our host, Matthew Stanford, Ph.D., and guest speakers Kathy Smith and Tanya Melendez, as they share their journey behind a thriving mental health ministry. Together, they explore how you can make a lasting impact in your own faith community or org...

Can faith and therapy work together to bring healing to the body, mind, spirit, and relationships? In Season 3, Episode 8 of the Madness & Grace Podcast, hosts Matthew Stanford, Ph.D., and Madeline Stiers, Ph.D., LCSW-S, dive into Faith vs. Therapy: Can They Work Together? Both faith and therapy share the same goal of alleviating suffering and helping us find purpose and meaning in life. If you have a question or topic you'd like for us to address in an upcoming episode, please email us a...

Is social media helping or harming your mental health? In Season 3, Episode 7 of the Madness & Grace Podcast, hosts Matthew Stanford, Ph.D., and Madeline Stiers, Ph.D., LCSW-S, dive into Mental Health in the Digital Age: The Impact of Social Media. Learn how to create a healthier, more balanced digital environment that protects and supports your mental and emotional well-being. Remember: Moderation is key! If you have a question or topic you'd like for us to address in an upcoming e...

Have you ever been hurt by a faith community? You are not alone, and your faith journey matters. In Season 3, Episode 6 of the Madness & Grace Podcast, hosts Matthew Stanford, Ph.D., and Madeline Stiers, Ph.D., LCSW-S, dive into Religious Trauma: Healing from Harmful Church Experiences. This heartfelt conversation offers insight, compassion, and hope for those on a path to healing. If you have a question or topic you'd like for us to address in an upcoming episode, please email us a...

Tune in to a special episode of the Madness & Grace Podcast. Join Dr. Madeline Stiers, Chief Clinical Officer at the Hope and Healing Center & Institute, on The Wayside Podcast as she provides expert insight on how to support children after traumatic events—like the recent Texas floods. ________________ HHCI The Hope Line Are you in need of free mental health support? Call our Hope Line to receive up to 30 minutes of free mental health coaching over the phone and receive referra...

Feeling Hopeless? You're not alone! 🦋 In Season 3, Episode 5 of the Madness & Grace Podcast, hosts Matthew Stanford, Ph.D., and Madeline Stiers, Ph.D., LCSW-S, dive into Rebuilding Lost Hope—even when life feels overwhelming. How would you define hope? What does hope mean to you? If you have a question or topic you'd like for us to address in an upcoming episode, please email us at contact@hhci.org. ________________ Gateway to Hope University Mental Health Coach Training Explore Mat...

In our fourth episode of Season 3, hosts Matthew Stanford, Ph.D., and Madeline Stiers, Ph.D., LCSW-S, dive into the topic of Religious Delusions and Hallucinations: Where is the Line? This powerful conversation offers clinical and compassionate insights for families, faith leaders, and individuals. Learn how to recognize, understand, and support loved ones navigating these challenging experiences. If you have a question or topic you'd like for us to address in an upcoming episode, please emai...

In our third episode of Season 3, hosts Matthew Stanford, Ph.D. and Madeline Stiers, Ph.D., LCSW-S, dive into the topic of Dealing with Anxiety as a Person of Faith. Matthew Stanford, Ph.D. offers a neuroscience perspective, explaining what anxiety is and how it presents both physiologically and psychologically. If you have a question or topic you'd like for us to address in an upcoming episode, please email us at contact@hhci.org. ________________ HHCI The Hope Line Are you in need of free ...

In our second episode of Season 3, hosts Matthew Stanford, Ph.D. and Madeline Stiers, Ph.D., LCSW-S, dive into a meaningful conversation about The Power of Forgiveness in Mental Health. If you have a question or topic you'd like for us to address in an upcoming episode, please email us at contact@hhci.org. ________________ HHCI The Hope Line Are you in need of free mental health support? Call our Hope Line to receive up to 30 minutes of free mental health coaching over the phone and receive ...

Welcome back to the Madness & Grace Podcast! We're excited to launch Season 3! In our first episode, hosts Matthew Stanford, Ph.D. and Madeline Stiers, Ph.D., LCSW-S, dive into the topic of Mental Health and Ministry Leaders: Preventing Burnout in Church Work. If you have a question or topic you'd like for us to address in an upcoming episode, please email us at contact@hhci.org. ________________ HHCI The Hope Line Are you in need of free mental health support? Call our Hope Line to rec...

Thank you so much to all of our listeners! 💖 If you have a question or topic you'd like for us to address in a future episode, please email us at contact@hhci.org. HHCI Hope Line Are you in need of free mental health support? Call our Hope Line to receive up to 30 minutes of free mental coaching over the phone. Open daily from 5-8 PM CT Hope Line Number: (832) 831-7337 Available in Spanish Reasons People Call: Relational issuesWork stressRecent traumaHelp finding free or affordable mental ...

In today's episode, we welcome Reverend Amy Bezecny from Cultivating Families as she discusses the current state of these areas and how faith communities can support adoption and foster care. Tune in to learn how faith communities can make a difference! www.cultivatingfamilies.org Reverend Amy Bezecny developed Cultivating Families during her Hope and Healing Center and Institute fellowship. Before her fellowship, Amy worked at St. Luke’s UMC, where she launched their Adoption Ministry an...

There’s a big misconception that mindfulness is equivalent to eastern meditation practices, demanding a completely still and empty mind. In reality, mindfulness is the act of consciously focusing your mind on the present moment. In our fast-paced world, we frequently go through our days on autopilot, disconnected from what’s happening around us. In today's episode, we'll discuss the many benefits of mindfulness, such as reducing stress, improving relationships, and increasing self-awareness. ...

Hey Madness & Grace Listeners, We are changing our schedule up a bit and moving to a once a month format. Listen in to our one minute announcement for more details. If you have a question or topic you'd like for us to address in an upcoming episode, please email us at contact@hhci.org. HHCI Hope Line Are you in need of free mental health therapy? Call our Hope Line to receive up to 30 minutes of free mental coaching over the phone. Open daily from 5-8 PM CT Hope Line Number: (832) 83...

In today’s episode, we welcome Alok Madan, PhD, MPH, a clinical health psychologist with more than 20 years of experience developing clinical research and educational programs to improve the quality of care for individuals with chronic medical conditions and serious mental illness. For today’s topic, we will be discussing the gut-brain connection, which has become a hot topic in recent years, capturing the interest of researchers and the public alike. This fascinating relationship betwe...

While often seen as a modern phenomenon, mental illness has been part of human history for millennia. As a matter of fact, many biblical stories contain descriptions of mental health issues. In today's podcast, we will be discussing the portrayal of mental health problems within the descriptions of several common biblical characters. Stay tuned every two weeks for new episodes - now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! ----- Keep up with us! If you have a question you would like Matt to answer ...