Do you feel emotionally overwhelmed—like you’re carrying more than you can handle and one more hardship or problem might break you? Have stress, anxiety, or burnout caused you to react in ways that don’t feel like you?

In this episode of Faith Over Fear, Jennifer Slattery and Carol McCracken talk honestly about emotional overwhelm, emotional capacity, and why prolonged stress and hardship can push even faithful, capable people past their limits. Through personal stories of caregiving, trauma triggers, disrupted sleep, ministry pressure, and relational strain, they explain why “pushing through” often leads to exhaustion, shame, and broken connections.

Turning to Scripture, they explore the life of David—a man after God’s own heart—who also experienced seasons of intense fear, grief, and emotional overload. His story shows us that overwhelm is not a spiritual failure and that God meets us with grace, not condemnation, when we’re in survival mode.

This conversation offers biblical encouragement and practical tools to help you recognize when your emotional capacity is maxed out, calm anxiety throughout the day, reduce unnecessary stress, and reconnect with Christ’s presence in the middle of overwhelming seasons.

If you’ve been feeling worn down, reactive, or ashamed of how you’ve been coping, this episode will remind you: you’re not weak, you’re human—and you’re not alone.

Download a free resource designed to help you experience the peace of Christ in Your Most Emotionally Overwhelming Seasons.

Reflective/Discussion Questions:

• Where do you currently feel emotionally overloaded?
  What circumstances, responsibilities, or unresolved stressors might be adding weight to your “emotional bridge”?

• How do you typically respond when your emotional capacity is exceeded?
  Do you tend to withdraw, lash out, numb, overwork, or push through—and what has that response cost you?

• What stood out to you about David’s responses to overwhelm?
  How does his honesty with God challenge or free you in the way you pray, lament, or express emotion?

• Are there stressors in your life that could be reduced, paused, or removed—at least temporarily?
  What might it look like to honor your limits instead of judging them?

• What helps calm your body and mind throughout the day?
  Which practices—movement, rest, prayer, breathing, joy, community—might God be inviting you to return to or begin?

• Is there an area where shame has followed your past reactions to stress?
  How does this episode reshape your understanding of God’s grace toward you in survival seasons?

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If the holidays leave you overwhelmed, overstretched, or anxious, you’re not alone. In this episode of Faith Over Fear, Jennifer Slattery and guest Kelly Hall unpack the story of Mary and Martha to reveal practical, grace-filled ways to reduce holiday stress, avoid codependent patterns, set healthy boundaries, and re-center on what matters most. Whether you’re navigating grief, family tension, perfectionism, or people-pleasing, this conversation offers gentle guidance to help you enter Christmas with more calm, clarity, and joy.

You’ll learn how to:

• Recognize your emotional capacity
• Resist the pressure to meet everyone’s expectations
• Simplify your celebrations
• Experience deeper peace by staying aligned with Jesus rather than holiday chaos

Scripture discussed:

Luke 10, Mark 1:35-39

Resources Recommended: Courageous Faith by Kelly Hall

Free Bible Reading Plan: "Embracing Your True Self: Living in Your Christ-Centered Identity"

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Unshakable Hope Podcast

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Discussion/Reflective Question:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode

2. Where do I feel the most pressure during the holiday season—and whose expectations are driving that pressure?

3. What signs tell me I’m reaching or exceeding my emotional capacity? How can I respond with grace rather than reacting from overwhelm?

4. In what situations do I tend to “Martha”—trying to control people or outcomes rather than pausing to sit at Jesus’ feet?

5. Where might I be slipping into codependent behavior (fixing, appeasing, rescuing) instead of allowing others to own their emotions?

6. What boundaries do I need to set this holiday season to protect peace, joy, and emotional/spiritual health?

7. What one simple shift could help me keep “the most important thing” at the center of my celebrations?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this inspiring conversation, Jennifer Slattery and guest Dawn Cazedessus explore how God heals the generational wounds, shame, and limiting beliefs to create a life of influence, purpose, and freedom. Dawn shares her journey from a trailer park in rural Louisiana to leading thousands as a CEO and regional director. Her story reveals how early adversity shaped her work ethic—but also how God transformed survival-driven striving into purposeful, Spirit-led leadership.

Listeners will hear Dawn’s vulnerable reflections on her positive and challenging childhood influences, scarcity versus abundant mindsets, and the emotional work required to renew her thinking and embrace her true Christ-centered identity. She speaks honestly about the discomfort of stepping into unfamiliar environments, the power of God-given hope, and the role of community in healing. Together, Jennifer and Dawn unpack how Scripture, neuroplasticity, and intentional growth plans help us move from “trailer park thinking” to the abundance mindset God desires for His children.

Whether you’re navigating hardship, battling internal lies, or longing to step into God’s purpose for your life, this episode offers practical wisdom, biblical encouragement, and life-changing hope.

Resource Referenced: Trailer Park CEO: 12 Leadership Cornerstones to Become a Godly Woman of Influence – A Diverse Leadership Tool Kit for Christian Women in Business by Dawn Cazedessus

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. Dawn shared how leaving the trailer park immediately didn't remove her "trailer park thinking". Where do you feel free externally but still stuck mentally or emotionally?

2. What limiting belief from your past most affects how you see yourself today? What does the truth of Scripture say regarding that belief?

3. What recurring thought patterns in your life need to be held up to God’s truth?

4. When have you felt uncomfortable entering a new environment or opportunity? What helped (or could help) you stay present and keep moving forward?

5. Who in your life models the kind of thinking, stability, or faith you want to grow into? What are some ways you can actively learn from them?

6. What situations trigger a scarcity mindset for you?
   What would it look like to adopt an “included” or abundance mindset based on Ephesians 3:20?

7. Dawn said Jesus was the first Person she could fully trust. How has trusting—or struggling to trust—God shaped your own story of growth?

8. What's one action step God might be inviting you to take having listened to this episode?

Find Dawn Cazedessus:

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Find Jennifer Slattery:

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Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.