Many of us fear that our deepest wounds will permanently define us and we'll never again experience joy. A betrayal. A divorce. A devastating loss. A season that changed everything.

We wonder:

• Will I ever be okay again?
• Will I ever trust again?
• Will I always carry this pain?

In this honest conversation, Carol sits down with her pastor, Jim Kinder, to discuss what healing really looks like and how to live from an identity rooted in Christ instead of an identity rooted in pain.

Jim shares his personal story of walking through betrayal, seeking counseling, leaning on men in his faith community, and ultimately experiencing restoration, a healthy marriage and renewed purpose.

Together, they explore why what is temporary should never define what is eternal.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why our worst experiences don't define us
• How betrayal can distort our identity
• The role healthy community plays in healing
• What healing does and doesn't look like
• How counseling and spiritual growth work together
• How to recognize when you're moving from surviving to healing
• Building healthy relationships after painful experiences
• Practical ways to avoid bitterness
• The first thing someone needs to hear after experiencing betrayal

Find Jim Kinder at Orange Beach Church

Find Carol McCracken:

On her website

On Facebook

On Instagram

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

Life feels okay. So why do you still feel overwhelmed?

Maybe you're constantly on edge. Maybe your body won't relax. Maybe you find yourself carrying the weight of heartbreaking headlines, other people's pain, or experiences you thought you'd already moved past.

If you've ever wondered why you feel exhausted even when nothing seems "wrong," this conversation will help you understand what may be happening beneath the surface.

In this episode, Jennifer's cohost, Carol McCracken, sits down with Rebecca Taguma of the Trauma Healing Institute to discuss why overwhelming experiences affect our minds, bodies, and faith, practical ways to calm our nervous system, and how God gently leads us toward healing—one step at a time.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why you can feel overwhelmed even when life seems okay
• What trauma really is—and why it affects us more deeply than we realize
• Practical ways to calm your body when anxiety rises
• How safe relationships and biblical practices can support healing
• Why you don't have to carry your pain alone

Guest: Rebecca Taguma
Executive Director of Restoring Hope Ministry, Trauma Healing Institute (American Bible Society)

Bible Passages Discussed

• Genesis 2:18
• Psalm 42:1
• Psalm 46:10
• Psalm 34 (lament)
• Job 33:4

Connect with Rebecca Taguma

Trauma Healing Institute

Trauma Healing Basics (Free Resources)

Trauma Healing Institute on LinkedIn

Find Carol McCracken:

On her website

On Facebook

On Instagram

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

What do you do when someone who hurt you never apologizes, never changes, or never acknowledges the pain they caused?

For many of us, that's where forgiveness becomes most difficult. We know we're supposed to forgive, but we wrestle with questions like:

• Does forgiveness mean what they did was okay?
• Do I have to reconcile with someone who continues to hurt me?
• How do I let go when the wound still feels fresh?
• Is it possible to find peace if the relationship is never restored?

In this final episode of our Relational Peace: Loving Others Without Losing Yourself series, Carol sits down with board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and fellow podcaster Dr. Michelle Bengtson to explore one of the most misunderstood topics in the Christian life: forgiveness.

Together, they discuss how unforgiveness often keeps us emotionally tethered to our pain and why forgiveness is about reclaiming freedom not excusing someone's behavior. If you've been carrying bitterness, disappointment, resentment, or unresolved hurt, this conversation offers biblical wisdom, practical tools, and hope that peace is possible even when circumstances never change.

Other episodes in this series:

How to Know if Your Difficult Relationship is Toxic

Healthy Boundaries for Compassionate People

How to Stop Letting Conflict Control Your Emotions

How to Know if Your Difficult Relationship is Toxic

Connect with Dr. Michelle Bengtson:

On her website

On Instagram

On Facebook

Follow her work on Amazon

Find Carol McCracken:

On her website

On Facebook

On Instagram

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