Anchored by the Sword

In this episode, I’m honored to introduce you to Liza Lovett, someone I connected with through a podcasting group. Liza shares her powerful story of surviving and healing after six years in a Christian cult. Her journey of disentangling her beliefs, rediscovering God’s true character, and finding peace offers hope to anyone navigating spiritual trauma.

Liza now works with survivors of abuse, with a specific focus on religious abuse, providing education, resources, and support to those on their healing journeys. She shares about her experiences with deliverance, the emotional toll of leaving a cult, and the hard work of rebuilding her faith and relationship with God.

We also discuss her book, Whispers of the Lake, and the power of leaning into Scripture during seasons of pain. Liza highlights the importance of practical tools like therapy, faith-based healing, and the kindness of community in the recovery process.

This conversation is raw, healing, and filled with grace for anyone who has faced abuse in a spiritual context. We pray that it will cause you to not only evaluate where you are in your personal relationship with God and what His Word is revealing to you, but also to encourage others to do the same.

Bio:

If you have ever experienced religious or sexual abuse, then you will want to hear Liza’s story about healing from religious and sexual abuse in a relationship with God. 

Liza is a Christian Speaker, writer, author, and founder of The Warriors Community. Liza writes and speaks about her personal experience with religious and sexual abuse, and how God is healer and restorer of all things. Liza uses her trauma training experience to bring awareness to the Christian church about what religious and sexual abuse can look like, how to support someone who has experienced the abuse, and healing tools and resources. 

Liza’s heart is to remind survivors that God did not hurt them, people did. Liza uses her story, trauma training, and scripture to help survivors move along in their healing journey, feel heard and seen, equip the church body, and introduce survivors to a God who loves, heals, and restores.

Anchor Verses:

Psalm 34: 18

Proverbs 3: 24

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On today's episode, we explore the new release of Emotional Confidence by Alicia Michelle. Alicia’s powerful story of overcoming perfectionism and learning to embrace her emotions through a medical crisis led her to develop tools for other women facing similar battles. We talk about:

• The intersection of science and faith in managing emotions.
• Alicia’s personal testimony of healing and how God used her struggles to guide her ministry.
• The three-step ADD method (Acknowledge, Discern, Decide) for navigating emotional triggers.
• The importance of emotional literacy and practical ways to develop it.

Join us to learn how to invite God into the journey of emotional processing and gain confidence in handling life’s challenges with grace and truth.

Bio:

Alicia Michelle, ACC, CPLC is an ICF-certified Christian life coach and NeuroCoach, author of Emotional Confidence, popular conference speaker, and multi-award-winning podcast host of the top-ranked podcast The Christian Mindset Coach with Alicia Michelle. Through her coaching and courses Alicia has equipped thousands of women with practical brain-and-biblically-based tools to manage emotions and rewire toxic thought patterns for more calm, confidence and joy. She loves to travel, cook, draw, paint and savor life with her beloved husband, four kids and four dogs. 

Anchor Verses:

Psalms

Exodus 14

Connect with Alicia:

Today, we’re starting season 15 off by diving into a powerful conversation on mental health, beauty, and the healing power of quietness with Sarah Clarkson, author of Reclaiming Quiet. Growing up in a Christian home, Sarah faced a traumatic diagnosis of OCD at the age of 17 and battled intrusive, troubling thoughts. In the midst of her struggle, she grappled with doubts about God's goodness, especially as the world around her seemed to mirror her inner chaos. Yet, it was through glimpses of beauty—whether in nature, literature like Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, or the touch of a loved one—that she found an anchor for her faith.

Sarah’s journey reveals how God often breaks into our darkest moments in subtle, beautiful ways, reminding us to "taste and see that the Lord is good." She shares her insight into how cultivating quiet isn’t about withdrawing from the world, but about listening for God's voice amid life’s noise. By setting intentional rhythms, practicing liturgical prayers, and honoring her limits as a finite being, Sarah found a way to reclaim her peace and deepen her connection with the infinite God. With anchor verses like Psalm 27 and Psalm 37, Sarah’s story is one of choosing beauty, quietness, and trust in God’s goodness—even when life feels overwhelming.

Be sure to check out Sarah Clarkson’s Reclaiming Quiet, available starting tomorrow. This is a book for anyone longing to find peace amid mental health struggles, busyness, and doubts, and to discover that God is present, creating beauty even in our brokenness.

Bio:

Sarah Clarkson is a writer exploring the realms of beauty and quiet, suffering and imagination. She's the author of seven books, including the upcoming Reclaiming Quiet: Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention. She studied theology (B.Th, MSt in modern doctrine) at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and lives in an old vicarage with her Anglican priest husband and four small children.

Anchor Verses:

Psalm 27

Psalm 37

Connect with Sarah:

In this episode, I am talking with my friend, Melanie Waldman, author of "Look What Love Has Done: My Journey Toward Freedom and Fullness." Melanie shares her incredible story of transformation from a life filled with chaos, trauma, and fear to one marked by the profound love and freedom found in Christ. With raw honesty, she takes us through childhood struggles, tumultuous family dynamics, and the turning point that led her to experience God’s healing and fullness. We explore themes of generational healing, breaking free from lies of unworthiness, and her renewed sense of identity in Christ. Join us as Melanie opens up about her journey toward freedom, and how she now uses her story to guide others to healing and hope.

Bio:

Melanie Waldman is a worship leader, speaker and songwriter passionate about reminding people that God is always at work in their lives. Melanie loves testifying to the amazing miracles God has done in her life. Melanie is in her final year pursuing her Master of Divinity at Liberty University. She volunteers with Churchome praying with people and connecting people with community. Melanie and her husband, Scott, split their time between New Jersey, Florida and Nashville.

Anchor Verses:

John 10:10

2 Corinthians 5:18

Psalm 40: 2-3

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In today’s episode, I sit down with Mikala Albertson, author of the newly released book Everything I Wish I Could Tell You About Midlife. Mikala opens up about the personal challenges that led her to consider faith more deeply, particularly after her husband began struggling with addiction. She shares her journey of seeing marriage differently—not as two people being the same, but as individuals with separate needs and lives.

With her husband now clean and sober for over 15 years, Mikala reflects on how this journey has transformed her into a more compassionate person, learning to see people where they are rather than how we think they should be.

One of the key lessons she discusses is the idea of control—what we have control over and what we don’t. Mikala emphasizes that we can only control ourselves, not others’ reactions, and encourages us to let go of the rest, referencing Matthew 6:25-34, which reminds us not to worry about tomorrow but to trust in God’s provision today.

We have a very open and honest discussion about important women’s issues, including perimenopause and menopause, and share our experiences and insights on how to navigate these life changes with grace.

From body image to learning how to love who we truly are, Mikala offers a vulnerable and refreshing perspective on the midlife journey. Mikala’s new book is an honest and insightful read for anyone navigating the complexities of midlife, marriage, and personal growth. Tune in for practical wisdom and real talk on finding peace and joy in this season.

Bio:

Mikala Albertson, MD is a board-certified family practice doctor and well-being advocate who is passionate about women's health and healing in the middle of our messy, ordinary lives. Author of Ordinary on Purpose, Mikala inspires readers to aim for wholehearted living through a gentle, achievable, sustainable approach. She and her husband have five children and live near Salt Lake City, Utah.

Anchor Verses:

Matthew 6: 25-34

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