Real Talk With Rachael Podcast

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm chatting once again with my friend, Holley Gerth. Holley is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author of several books, including The Powerful Purpose of Introverts and What your Mind Needs for Anxious Moments. She's also the cohost of the More than Small Talk podcast, which recently passed one million downloads. Holley is married to Mark, a Mama to Lovelle, and Nana to Eula and Clem. Key Points from Our Conversation: It is not a sin to experience anxiety whether it's biological or Biblical. Philippians 4:6 which instructs us to "be anxious for nothing" is meant as a reassurance, not a judgment. God is our ally in helping us understand the root cause of our anxieties.   When experiencing anxiety, start by doing something physical to regulate your brain. Then instead of asking, "What's wrong with me?" reframe and consider what you can do now, at the moment like take deep breaths, get a drink, or walk away.  If you struggle with an inner critic, it's important to be gentl

This month, we're in a series about attachments. We’ve already examined a few attachment types and why I addressed this topic in the introduction of my book, Image Restored. Then we discussed secure attachment to Christ and our call. This week and next, I felt led to give you a glimpse of the private Image Restored podcast, available to those who preorder the book. While the whole book aims to deepen your secure attachment to our Creator, I’ve selected a few chapters that I feel will encourage you to grow in your relationship with Him in a new way. This week we're digging into chapter 8 which deals with emotions. As a bonus, we are giving downloads of the chapter coloring pages that line up with these episodes. To grab those, head to ImageRestoredBook.com, preorder the book, then input your receipt for access to all the goodies so you can use the therapeutic coloring sheet with today’s episode.

This month we're in a series about attachments. Last week, we examined a few of the different types of attachments and why I addressed this topic in the introduction of my book, Image Restored. If you missed that episode, please go back and listen to see the foundation upon which this series is built. For this episode, I felt the Holy Spirit ask me to share a prophetic word He gave me in worship last week and how it applies to our secure attachment to Christ and our call. PROCESS: What area of my life feels heavy? Is it due to wearing armor that’s not mine to wear? MY STONE: Today’s episode is brought to you by my book, Image Restored, which releases next month on March 7th, but you can preorder now and get the special price on Amazon of $13.99 (which is 30% off retail price). When you preorder, you automatically get the lowest price it dips to on Amazon. PLUS, you can access the private Image Restored podcast. To learn more and access preorder bonuses, visit ImageRestoredBook.com.

This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I'm talking with Dr. Mary Dainty. Dr. Dainty is a fully licensed professional counselor (LPC) and a board-approved counselor supervisor. She operates a private practice in Fort Worth that focuses on trauma-related problems using EMDR. Additionally, Dr. Dainty works for Baylor Scott & White All Saints as a PRN intake and assessment clinician and is an adjunct professor at The King’s University in Southlake. When She's not working, she loves to spend time with her husband and son. Her favorite past times include sitting outside with a warm cup of tea and chitchatting with friends in the court, traveling to see friends and family, and any opportunity where she can sit on the beach curling the sand between her toes. Key Points from Our Conversation: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps retrain the brain's response to trauma by unblocking neurological pathways that help us process in a healthy way. EMDR is effective for both "small t traumas" (adverse

It’s February which, to some, means the month of love. This month, I felt God say it’s time to dive into attachment. In this episode, we will look at a few of the different types of attachments and why I addressed this topic in the introduction of my book, Image Restored. In secure attachments, individuals feel safe expressing emotions, communicating with others, and setting boundaries. An insecure attachment style may develop from abuse, abandonment, or a rocky relationship with a caregiver or parent. Bottom line: When we are operating primarily from a place of insecure attachment, we cling to anything and anyone that gives us hope of love and security. The problem is that no man or achievement can ever fill a hole in our soul that only God can fill. PROCESS: How is my attachment style? Is it secure or insecure? If insecure, what have I been clinging to? God, how do you want to improve my attachment to You? RESOURCE My book, Image Restored, releases on March 7th, 2023. When you preorder, you can access the

God put it on my heart to dedicate the first month of this new year by hosting a “First Fruits” podcast series. In this podcast series, we've taken every Monday and given the first of a different area of our lives to the Lord. Last week we gave the first of our time and energy to God. In the last episode of this series, we're dedicating our finances to Him. READ: Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Proverbs 3:9-10, "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." Malachi 3:10, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." PROCESS: Lord, what has my heart? How am I stewarding my finances? Anything I need to change? RESOURCE: The Blessed Life by

This week on Real Talk with Rachael, I'm talking with actor Kevin Sorbo about his new movie Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist. Kevin is most known for the lead role in “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” which became the world's most-watched TV show. Following that success, he has been in over 90 movies and TV shows including God's Not Dead, Soul Surfer, Reagan, “Two and a Half Men,” “Psych,” “Hawaii 5-0," and “The OC”. In this interview, we discuss his heart behind joining the latest Left Behind sequel, what he hopes people will take away from the movie, and the impact his faith-based films have had on audiences. He also shares his salvation story and how he got into acting, as well as some advice for Christians who want to pursue acting as a career.  Let’s Get Real Practical: Read the book of Revelation Connect with Kevin: website | Instagram Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook

God put it on my heart to dedicate the first month of this new year by hosting a “First Fruits” podcast series. In this podcast series, we will take every Monday and give the first of a different area of our lives to the Lord. Last week we gave the first of our health and wellness to God. This week we are dedicating our time and energy. READ: Psalm 143:8, "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." PROCESS What can I do to ensure I give the first of my day to the Lord? What is taking my energy that is not fruitful? What is a time thief in my days? PRAY Lord, I yield to you as my shepherd today. Thank you for your goodness, mercy, love, and supernatural favor and wisdom that follows me everywhere I go. Enlarge my family’s territory in all that we do. Keep your hand upon us and deliver us from evil. Show us the way we should go, for to you we entrust our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen. RESOURCE: This is the fin

God put it on my heart to dedicate the first month of this new year by hosting a “First Fruits” podcast series. In this podcast series, we will take every Monday and give the first of a different area of our lives to the Lord. Last week we gave the first of our health and wellness to God. This week we are dedicating our plans. Just recently I experienced the difference between plans submitted to God and those that aren’t submitted to Him. I prayed about the timing of releasing something, felt peace to move forward, and God blessed it. A few days later I was in a hurry to check something off my to-do list, didn’t talk to God about it, and moved forward, and you could hear the crickets chirping from the lack of response. The difference? One was submitted to God and His timing and the other was not. READ: Proverbs 19:2, Psalms 33:11, Exodus 33:15 PROCESS God, what plans do I need to submit to You? Think of a specific plan you have in mind. Ask God for His timing on moving forward with this plan. God, show me an

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I’m talking with Amanda Pittman. Amanda is the author of Stand in Confidence and the devotional 100 Days of Life-Changing Confidence, speaker, entrepreneur, and the Founder of Confident Woman Co., a ministry that equips women to stand confidently upon the finished work of Jesus. Through Confident Woman Co., Amanda hosts retreats, conferences, online events, podcasts, videos, and more. Amanda lives near Dallas, Texas with her husband, Michael, and her two children, Elijah and Lily. Key Points from Our Conversation: Our job is obedience, God’s job is the outcome. Our job is faithfulness, God’s job is fruitfulness. Clarity leads to confidence and confusion leads to insecurity. Many times we lack clarity because we lack connection to God. We're more connected to the world so we can’t see God or ourselves clearly. The more connected to God we are, the more confident we are. You can find confidence that lasts in a standard that never changes – the sacrifice of Jesus. 4 component

God put it on my heart to dedicate the first month of this new year by hosting a “First Fruits” podcast series. In this podcast series, we will take every Monday and give the first of a different area of our lives to the Lord. We started the series by talking about rest. This week, we are dedicating our health and fitness. I realize this is the biggest area many of you recommitted to this year, but will you join me in doing it God’s way? READ:  1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Romans 12:1-2 PROCESS: Jesus, what does honoring my body look like in this season? What is a simple step you are asking me to take that will improve my health this year? What habit do I need to start or stop this year, as an act of worship to You? Resource: My book launch team is open and I have space to lead a group of women through an early release copy of my book, Image Restored. The first 100 to register get a physical advanced reader copy of my book. Anyone after that will get a digital copy. To learn more and register, head to ImageRestor

Welcome to the first episode of 2023! God put it on my heart to dedicate the first month of this new year by hosting a “First Fruits” podcast series. In this podcast series, we will take every Monday and give the first of a different area of our lives to the Lord. The first area God put on my heart was rest. Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. This is not a religious checklist; rather, it’s a gift from God. PROCESS with these 3 Rs: Repent: "God, I repent for not taking a Sabbath day of rest. Please forgive me for not receiving this gift of rest. I receive your grace and forgiveness today." Rejoice: Thank God for rest. It was His idea. Revisit: What does rest look like for me in this season? Resource: My book launch team is unofficially open and I have space to lead a group of women through an early release copy of my book, Image Restored. The first 100 to register get a physical advanced reader copy of my book. Anyone after that will get a digital copy. We will cap the group so I am giving ti

Back by popular demand is our third annual Process and Pray series. Each December, we spend every Monday morning in a series where we process and pray through the year. Each week the focus will be different, but the theme of processing, praying, and praising will remain the same. I asked the Lord to show me four areas he wants us to process before we move into the new year. In this episode, we're finishing the series by giving God the dreams and desires of our hearts. Process the following questions throughout the week in a journal - What dreams or desires of your heart came to pass this year? What dreams are still in your heart, but don’t seem to be coming to pass? Is it time to let that dream go OR do I need to stand in faith for it? What dream do you want to deposit in my heart for 2023? Resource: I have a private invitation for my podcast listeners only. My book launch team is unofficially open, and I have space to lead 100 women through an early release copy of my book, Image Restored. I am giving time

Back by popular demand is our third annual Process and Pray series. Each December, we spend every Monday morning in a series where we process and pray through the year. Each week the focus will be different, but the theme of processing, praying, and praising will remain the same. I asked the Lord to show me four areas he wants us to process before we move into the new year. In this episode, we're evaluating if our values lined up with our resources in 2022. Resources are anything we have in our hand - time, money, energy, and influence. Values are the core of who we are and what we do. Everyone has values, but we don’t always stop to ask what they are and if they are biblical. Process the following questions throughout the week in a journal - What are my values?  Are those values biblical?  Did my values align with how I used my resources in 2022? God, what values and resources do you want me to take into 2023? Resource: I have a private invitation for my podcast listeners only! My book launch team is unoff

Back by popular demand is our third annual Process and Pray series. Each December, we spend every Monday morning in a series where we process and pray through the year. Each week the focus will be different, but the theme of processing, praying, and praising will remain the same. I asked the Lord to show me four areas he wants us to process before we move into the new year. In this episode, we are looking at what worked and what victories we experienced in 2022.  Jesus cares about our past, present, and future. Let’s welcome Him into this journey. Pray, “Jesus, what victories do you want to remind me of from this year?” Process these questions throughout the week in a journal: What victories or breakthroughs came in 2022? What went well that I want to carry into 2023? Thank God for these victories with your voice Tell someone about the goodness of God Resource: Would you like to hear behind-the-scenes footage and content that didn’t make it into my book? When you pre-order Image RESTored on Amazon or other

Back by popular demand is our third annual Process and Pray series. Each December, we spend every Monday morning in a series where we process and pray through the year. Each week the focus will be different, but the theme of processing, praying, and praising will remain the same. I asked the Lord to show me four areas he wants us to process before we move into the new year.  As a therapist, I like to start by looking back and processing the hard things so we can embrace the present and look forward to the future. In this episode, we are going to start by processing disappointments. We will also look at what didn’t work this year so we can let that go as we move into the new year. Jesus cares about our past, present, and future. Let’s start by welcoming Him into this journey. Process these questions throughout the week in a journal: What disappointments did I experience in 2022? What didn’t work in 2022? Consider schedules, expectations, etc. Have I grieved this disappointment or numbed the pain with passive

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with artist and author Matthew West about his new book The God Who Stays. Matthew is a five-time GRAMMY nominee, a multiple ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner, and a 2018 Dove Award Songwriter of the Year (Artist) recipient. He has received an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, a K-LOVE Fan Award, and named Billboard’s Hot Christian Songwriter of the Year. Apart from his successful career as a musician, he is also an accomplished author, passionate father, and husband. Key Points from Our Conversation: In some seasons it can feel like God is distant, but He is the God who stays. Not only does He stay, He actively desires to spend time with us because He doesn't just love us, He likes us as well. The thing we need, don't deserve, and that gives us hope is the grace of God. He is present in our failures. Our imperfections don’t disqualify us from His perfect love. When we know that God is with us regardless of the situation, we

This month we aren’t in a specific series. Instead, I feel the Lord directing me to share what He puts on my heart for the week. Today’s word is “you are secure.” Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is as follows: physiological needs, safety, love, belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Security is a basic need of all humans, especially women. As a Christian counselor, I see many women, myself included, who do not doubt our salvation, but we doubt our worth. We sing the song, “I am a child of God,” but we don’t act like it. Process: In the introduction of my book, Image Restored, I shared about a study that found a secure attachment to our creator improves body image and other insecurities. Spend some time today evaluating your secure attachment to God. Then start a servant versus secure list and allow God to reveal the places He wants you to trust in Him. Connect with Rachael: website | Instagram | Facebook  

This month we aren’t in a specific series. Instead, I feel the Lord directing me to share what He puts on my heart for the week. Also known as "a word in due season." Today’s word is “expect a miracle.” Here's the Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary definition of a miracle: "The definition of miracle in the Bible, then, is a literary definition: an extraordinary occurrence, attributable to God’s hand (which at times disrupts the order of creation), and which leaves a marked impression in the text; the criteria for determining what is to be considered a miracle are literary in character." I am hungry to see miracles and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This week, try these two prayer prompts: God, open my eyes to miracles all around me. (Consider keeping a “miracle journal.”) God, how can I play a part in a miracle that You want to do in someone else’s life? Open my eyes to people around me who are praying for a miracle. In most miracles, both man and God take part in the performance of the miracle such as in the plague

This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm talking with author Grace Valentine about her book "What Will They Think?". Not only is Grace an author, she's also a blogger, podcast host, and speaker. Her readers love that she is so relatable. They say her fresh voice helps them navigate their own faith and life, which in turn helps fulfill her mission to show others that Christianity is an adventure worth living. After growing up outside New Orleans, Louisiana, Grace attended Baylor University, graduating in 2018 with a degree in journalism. She now resides in Orlando, Florida, where she enjoys running and eating lots of sushi. Grace loves connecting with readers, so send her a message! Key Points from Our Conversation: Most of the younger generation of women don't have a healthy view of women in the Bible. Religion has made us believe that women are less, but there are multiple examples of powerful women in the Bible, some in status and some in faith. We can learn from them about how we are designed to have a voi