Lifted to Hope Louise Sedgwick

When we are walking it out,  it is so difficult to trust that God would choose to bring good from the darkest moments of our pain. In this episode, I’ve invited my friend Cheryl to share her story of surviving divorce and all its rippling effects, including carrying the shame of her husband’s addiction leading to his arrest. 
While Cheryl would be the first to admit she didn’t always navigate this road of grief and healing with grace, she did remain humble and teachable. You’ll hear how God met her in every season of her journey, providing for many very specific physical and spiritual needs. Her willingness to share these details will fill you with hope. 
In this episode, you’ll learn: 
Why being able to separate from her husband was a gift of God’s grace.  Why Cheryl was thankful that she couldn’t run from a public criminal accusation What it looked like for Cheryl to own her mistakes as she healed The powerful examples of care and concern shown by her community Why Cheryl would encourage you to find a friend safe enough to express your anger with Links Mentioned: 
Waking the Dead:  The Secret to a Heart Fully Alive by John Eldredge
Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Healing for Damaged Emotions  By David Seamands  

Many times when we face relational challenges, it gives us a chance to consider: how might I have contributed to this experience? In this second episode, Mark returns to share how he took time reflect on this question and own the ways his words and actions had led to part of the breakdown in trust in his marriage. He shares how he was able to grieve and heal within the context of a healthy faith community. 
Mark will also talk about how he navigates the messy side of divorce, including intentional co-parenting, navigating a single lifestyle in the church, dating again, and how he works through the insecurity and shame of divorce that inevitably pop up from time to time. 
In this episode, you’ll learn: 
How Mark and his ex-wife battled betrayal in one more than way Why not being rushed to heal was a powerful expression of grace About the miracle moment that God used to show Mark the depth of His forgiveness Why singles in the church are so regularly misunderstood Why we need to extend more compassion to divorced parents 

Divorce is a path no one ever plans to have to travel. Regardless of what circumstances lead a couple to divorce, the journey can come with plenty of grief and shame. In this episode, I’ve invited my friend Mark to share his experience of entering marriage and becoming a parent soon after.
When nurturing the marriage took a backseat to the ongoing demands of raising kids, feelings of loneliness and disconnection drove the decision-making for Mark and his ex-wife. The consequences of those choices were a heavy load to bear, but certainly not beyond what God could- and would redeem.
In this episode, you’ll learn
The desperate circumstances that prepped Mark’s heart to receive accept Christ The ways Mark's hindsight reveals how his loneliness fueled his longing for marriage How shame was used to try to change behavior at the church he attended The shame messages that Mark wrestled with most Why Mark was so desperate to escape his emotional pain  
Grab your copy of Lifted From Shame
Order your eBook or print book on Amazon here.
Print and eBook are available now through the publisher here.

In this second interview with Nicole Hunter, she helps us understand why the need for belonging drives so much of the decision-making that happens in the adolescent years. Instead of connecting students, social media has only magnified the feeling of being left out. More than that, it plays a significant role in increasing their vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and addiction.
Parenting in today’s world is certainly a huge challenge with so many distractions vying for our kids’ attention. Yet Nicole helps us realize it’s also an incredible opportunity for the whole family to practice being present and reflect on how we feel about what we consume. We also dive into how to apply the Gospel to these emotionally fueled topics in practical ways. 
In this episode, you’ll learn: 
Why the pressure to be hyperconnected has so many consequences The shame messages that drive bullying behavior How to create habits that encourage kids to consume media responsibly  Why your kids’ spiritual doubts should be an encouragement, not a concern  How to help young people see why the Gospel is the cure for their shame struggle  
Grab your copy of Lifted From Shame
Order your eBook or print book on Amazon here.
Print and eBook are available now through the publisher here.

As kids enter their teen years, we often recognize some dramatic shifts in preferences, priorities, communication, and decision-making skills to name a few. Without understanding the larger context of how the brain develops during these years, we risk reacting instead of responding as we relate to them. 
In this episode, I’ve invited Nicole Hunter to join me. Nicole has been investing in young people for years, as a youth pastor, a high school Bible teacher, and a parent of four now-adult children. Nicole does an incredible job at helping us understand what motivates teens, especially regarding shame triggers. She has some great suggestions for how to coach them through taking responsibility for their choices and developing more empathy as they connect with others. 
In this episode you’ll learn:
Why a teen’s vulnerabilities may trigger our own shame Why we need to be quicker to coach than criticize young people How often teens are questioning what is wrong with them Examples of behaviors that help teens avoid feeling shame Advice for how to strike a balance in encouraging your teen towards excellence without excessive pressure  
Grab your copy of Lifted From Shame
Order your eBook or print book on Amazon here.
Print and eBook are available now through the publisher here.

The built-up shame of so many years of being teased and misunderstood by adults and peers in Cary’s life had taken quite a toll on his heart. Cary shares what greats lengths he was willing to go to try to escape the pain, which only left him feeling more hopeless. 
Cary will share how some very painful circumstances led him to encounter Jesus, his future wife, and eventually, his children. He also discovered a job that was a good match for his strengths and helped him learn to take pride in himself and how he could help others. All as an employee of the very same school district where he attended school as a child. 
In this episode, you’ll learn: 
Why the impact of drinking to escape pain became life-threatening How Cary became grateful for a tragic car accident  What it has looked like to break shame cycles with his own kids Why Cary was able to thrive in his position at work How he learned to forgive those teachers and peers for being so cruel   
Grab your copy of Lifted From Shame
Order your eBook or print book on Amazon here.
Print and eBook are available now through the publisher here.