Real Talk With Rachael Podcast

A few weeks ago, my husband and I did a vision retreat in Mexico where we answered questions that challenged us to reflect and hear God for the next year for our family. The resounding word that we walked away from that time with was simple but powerful - "follow the peace, not the pressure." In our home, we talk often about the following peace because Jesus is peace. But with "not the pressure" God reminded us to slow down and stop letting pressure that’s not from Him lead us astray. Where do you need to follow the peace instead of the pressure? Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This episode of Real Talk with Rachael is a bit different because I'm sharing parts of a podcast panel I was part of with author Jess Connolly about her new book Breaking Free from Body Shame. Jess Connolly is a woman who wants to leave her generation more in awe of God than she found it. She is passionate about family, God's Word, and seeing women take their place in the kingdom. She loves communicating, coffee, color, and the local church. Jess and her husband Nick live in Charleston, SC where they've planted Bright City Church. They have four wild and hilarious kids: Elias, Gloriana, Benjamin, and Cannon. They also have an unruly dog named Deacon. Key Points from Our Conversation: We need different perspectives on body image. Each person offers something unique and freedom will look different for everyone. The first step in finding freedom from body shame is admitting that we don't feel okay with our bodies. Jesus came to offer abundant life; there is freedom and healing available through Him.  We must ad

This is the final episode in this series to reclaim & restore your body image. You will need the Biblical body image coloring book I created especially for you. To download it for free, head to rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage. This week we're going through the sheet about apologizing to our bodies.  If you don’t have them yet, no worries, you can still glean nuggets of wisdom from this episode. We spent all last month teaching so these episodes are more focused on reflecting and leaning into what God wants to say to us.  It’s time for a ceasefire on our bodies and it starts by making an apology. What has your body done for you? We are going to thank her. But first, let’s apologize. 

This is the third episode in this series to reclaim & restore your body image. You will need the Biblical body image coloring book I created especially for you. To download it for free, head to rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage. This week we're going through the emotions maze. If you don’t have them yet, no worries, you can still glean nuggets of wisdom from this episode. We spent all last month teaching so these episodes are more focused on reflecting and leaning into what God wants to say to us.  Last week we challenged our thoughts. This week let’s feel our feelings. Reflect on your thoughts about your body. What feelings arise? Lean into them. Don’t dismiss them.

This is the second episode in this series to reclaim and restore your body image. You will need the Biblical body image coloring book I created especially for you. To download it for free, head to rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage. This week we're looking at the coloring sheet that helps us put our thought on trial.  If you don’t have them yet, no worries, you can still glean nuggets of wisdom from this episode. We spent all last month teaching, so these episodes are more focused on reflecting and leaning into what God wants to say to us.  Today I'm talking about the importance of reframing our thoughts because our thoughts affect our feelings and feelings affect our behaviors. Put your thoughts on trial. What thoughts have you said internally or out loud about your body?

This is the first episode in this series to reclaim and restore your body image. You will need the Biblical body image coloring book I created especially for you. To download it for free, head to rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage. This week we're reviewing the coloring sheet for our temple. If you don’t have it yet, no worries, you can still glean nuggets of wisdom from this episode. We spent all last month teaching, so these episodes are more focused on reflecting and leaning into what God wants to say to us.  In order to reclaim body image, we have to know what we are restoring. Let’s take some time to challenge what we know to be true about our bodies.  Body image defined:  the subjective picture or mental image of one’s own body.  Subjective defined:  based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions.  Who or what defines body image for you? Does it line up with the truth from God’s word? 

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with artist, podcaster, and writer, Michelle Acker. Her mission is to create an uprising of calm and pretty in God's creation, both people and places. She has a passion for teaching women how to take Simple Steps toward taking control of their mental wellness. She shares those tips on her Simple Steps to Thrive Podcast. She also creates art that reflects the beauty of God's creation using beeswax and a blowtorch. Key Points from Our Conversation: Michelle says that fitness is the key to keeping her mental health on track and God has used her joy to help set other people free from depression and anxiety.  It's the little actions that add up. Go on a short walk, get enough sleep, eat real foods, address chaos happening in your home or relationships.  Our body isn't the enemy, it's alerting us to things that need to be addressed and healed.  There isn’t a formula to develop a healthy body image, but it’s a very real struggle. We break free through conversations an

We are taking a break from our normal guest interviews this summer to dive into the topic of body image. These episodes aired originally on this podcast two years ago and God dropped it on my heart to release them again this summer, so if you listened before, I highly encourage you to listen again. Today we are chatting about simple steps to have a strong body. This is not going to be rocket science. These are principles you can apply immediately with no tricks, gadgets, or gimmicks! Resources Mentioned: Renewed: 21 Day Faith & Fitness Plan Revelation Wellness Faster Way to Fat Loss The Back & Body Clinic Be sure to download our Biblical body image therapeutic coloring book at rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage! Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

We are taking a break from our normal guest interviews this summer to dive into the topic of body image. These episodes aired originally on this podcast two years ago and God dropped it on my heart to release them again this summer, so if you listened before, I highly encourage you to listen again. This week we are chatting about the power of a submitted heart and a sound mind when it comes to having a Biblical body image. Be sure to download our Biblical body image therapeutic coloring book at rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage! Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

We are taking a break from our normal guest interviews this summer to dive into the topic of body image. These episodes aired originally on this podcast two years ago and God dropped it on my heart to release them again this summer, so if you listened before, I highly encourage you to listen again. In this episode, we dive into 5 reasons I believe we struggle with body image issues. Be sure to download our Biblical body image therapeutic coloring book at rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage! Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

We are taking a break from our normal guest interviews this summer to dive into the topic of body image. These episodes aired originally on this podcast two years ago and God dropped it on my heart to release them again this summer, so if you listened before, I highly encourage you to listen again. In this episode, we dive into 5 reasons I believe we struggle with body image issues. Be sure to download our Biblical body image therapeutic coloring book at rachaelgilbert.com/biblicalbodyimage! Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm speaking with singer, songwriter, and author Ginny Owens about finding hope - the topic of her new book Singing in the Dark. Ginny became a household name as the Gospel Music Association’s 2000 New Artist of the Year. Growing in notoriety as both a singer and a songwriter, winning 3 Dove awards and multiple ASCAP Awards along the way, Owens has sold over a million records over the course of her career. A top performer on the Christian radio charts with hits like “If You Want Me To,” “Free” and “I Wanna Be Moved” among others, Owens has released no less than 11 full albums and 3 EPs, and her music has also impacted mainstream audiences at Lilith Fair, the Sundance Film Festival and the White House. Key Points from Our Conversation: Her experience of living with blindness helped inspire her new book. We all live with an element of darkness in our lives on this side of heaven that distorts our view of God and therefore our hope in Him. Singing in the Dark talks about what

This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I'm chatting with bestselling author and speaker, Nicki Koziarz. As a part of Proverbs 31 Ministries, she speaks nationally at conferences, retreats, and meetings and hosts her own podcast. An evangelist at heart, Nicki inspires others to become the best version of who God created them to be. Nicki and her husband and three girls run a small farm just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, which they affectionately call The Fixer Upper Farm. Key Points from Our Conversation: “The timing of God is never rushed by the impatience of man.” Although the idea for Flooded was the concept for her first book, it was rejected several times. Instead, she wrote it in the midst of deep loss, grief, and stress. After losing her mom to cancer and her brother to suicide just two years apart, Nicki's faith was shaken. Doubt started stirring inside of her and she wondered how she could trust God again. When it comes to our faith, we have to be intentional about making decisions that strengt

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with author Jeannie Cunnion about her new book Don’t Miss Out: Daring to Believe Life is Better with the Holy Spirit. Jeannie is well known for writing stories that make much of the wild love of Jesus because of how her life has been rescued by it. She is also a beloved Bible teacher and sought-after speaker who has been featured on outlets such as the TODAY show, Fox News, The 700 Club, and Focus on the Family. Jeannie, who holds a master’s degree in social work, worked as a counselor and trainer in the adoption field before writing. She is a wife to Mike and a mama to five boys she is crazy about. Key Points from Our Conversation: God equips us for what He's called us to do. If we let our feelings of inadequacy stop us from pursuing our God-given dreams, we forfeit the supernatural work in our lives. The Holy Spirit is undervalued in the church, but He is equal to God and Jesus and essential for a thriving faith. When we view Him as such, we become open to Hi

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with author Jennifer Dukes Lee about her new book Growing Slow: Lessons on Un-Hurrying Your Heart from an Accidental Farm Girl. Jennifer lives on the fifth-generation Lee family farm in Iowa, where she and her husband are raising crops, pigs, and two beautiful humans. She writes books, loves queso, and enjoys singing too loudly to songs with great harmony. Once upon a time, she didn't believe in Jesus; now he's her CEO. Key Points from Our Conversation: Jennifer has lived a life of "go big or go home," but the problem was more than what was on her calendar, it was her hurried heart. A change in her physical condition required a mindset shift. Once she embraced the mindset, growing slow became her superpower. We don’t always cheer people who grow slow, but overnight success is a myth. Seeing life through the lens of a farmer changed Jennifer's understanding of what it means to grow slow. She paid attention to what God was doing in different seasons. We get distr

This week on Talk Therapy I want to share a story of redemption. Our world is full of heartbreaking news and I wanted to share a story that builds your faith. A fun fact you may not know about me is that my son and I share a birthday (May 4th) and every year it serves as a reminder of the goodness and redeeming power of God. He is my rainbow baby. How about you? What has been lost perhaps even in this last year of the pandemic? Be bold and ask God to redeem it. Start by pouring out how you feel then have faith to believe God will do what he says. John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." When God redeems, he brings healing into the area the enemy brought destruction. Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with recording artist Rachael Lampa. Rachael has been enjoying music industry success since her teen years, yet ask her what her richest accomplishments are, and you’ll hear a lot more about the relationships that have formed her on the road, the fans that have become dear friends, the beauty that has bridged impossible gaps in ministry to the marginalized and the miracle of her own growing family and sense of home. Even while her own story continues to unfold, Rachael’s driving passion is to elevate the stories of those around her, using the vehicle of soul-filled music to help her access hearts in a way nothing else could. Faithful is an organic continuation of Rachael’s journey, connecting the souls of modern women with the heroines of the Bible who birthed their spiritual heritage and proved time and again a God completely devoted. Key Points from Our Conversation: Rachael got a record deal after singing at a Christian festival when she was 14. For the next

Today's episode is a bit different than my regular Talk Therapy. I recently gave a TED Talk for my university that many of you said you were interested in hearing about EMDR and emotional eating. I'm presenting this from an academic standpoint, but it contains great content from professional journal articles. I encourage you to lean in and see the Holy Spirit wants to teach you in this conversation.  Resource mentioned: EMDR International Association Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with Dr. Irini Fambro. She's is a wife and mother, teacher and student, speaker and listener. She and her high school love, Kenneth, have two children: Kalila and Kenneth. Irini's passion is to increase the contributions within organizations through valuing a greater definition of intelligence. Out of that desire, Intelligent Leadership was birthed from her dissertation work on Multiple Intelligence in leadership. Her experience includes a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in management from The University of Alabama, was ordained through the Wesleyan Church, and gained her Masters of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School while being a youth pastor for five years. Following that season, she became a college pastor, curriculum development contributor, and wrote Made for More. She completed her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Ecclesial from Regent University. Currently, she consults into churches on Intelligent Leadership

As a counselor in training, I have discovered that many people suffer from chronic stress and anxiety simply because they do not allow themselves to feel the emotions that arise. Anger and other emotions are normal human responses.  Ephesians 4:26 says: "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger..." You’ve probably heard sermons before that remind us anger itself is not the problem, rather it is the sin that follows that anger. I believe anger gets lodged in our hearts when we fail to process it. It then gets expressed in ways that we don’t even notice….such as passive-aggressiveness, avoidance, and stonewalling, and not letting others in.  Here are four simple ways to feel and release your anger: Talk to God about it.  Journal about it.  Talk to the person about it.  Anger iceberg exercise. The Anger Iceberg represents the idea that, although anger is displayed outwardly, other emotions may be hidden beneath the surface. These other feelings—such as sadness, fear, or guilt—might ca