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Welcome to the first episode of 2026! My name is Crystal Sutherland, your host for the Journey to Heal Podcast. If you are listening today, I want you to know this first: you are safe here, you are seen, and you are deeply loved by God. As we step into a new year, many voices tell us to “move on,” “start fresh,” or “leave the past behind.” But for survivors of sexual abuse, the new year doesn’t automatically erase the pain, the memories, or the questions. And God does not ask us to pretend those things never happened. Instead, Jesus invites us to walk forward with Him—at His pace, with His presence, and with His healing. At Journey to Heal Ministries, we believe healing happens in the presence of Jesus, through faith in him - with trauma informed support, education and community We do not rush the process. We honor each woman’s story. And we trust God to lead each step.Starting the year forward doesn’t mean leaving your story behind. It means inviting Jesus into it more deeply—and allowing Him to guide your healing one step at a time. I hope this episode will help you take a fresh step forward in faith and healing this year! ________ For available Journey to Heal Women's Groups visit us at: https://www.journeytohealministries.org/programs/groups Book recommendations (via Amazon or wherever books are sold): Journey to Heal: Seven Essential Steps of Recovery for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse by Crystal M. Sutherland The Journey to Heal Companion Guide by Crsytal M. Sutherland Voices of Hope: 21 Devotions for Healing by Survivors for Survivors Healing Everyday by Mary DeMuth On the Threshold of Hope by Dr. Diane Langburg Scritpures shared in this episode: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” —Psalm 34:18 “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning.” —Lamentations 3:22–23 “He tends His flock like a shepherd… He gently leads those that have young.” —Isaiah 40:11 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” —John 8:32 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” —2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” —Exodus 14:14 “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” —Philippians 1:6 Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing. We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter: IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org WEB:  www.journeytohealministries.org Be sure to hit "subscribe" to this podcast so you don't miss the next episode!  Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.  Thank you again for listening!

Hello Friend! I'm so glad you're tuning in today for this special episode.  On the podcast with me today is my friend, Dr. Jordan Martine, PT, DPT of Salt & Light Physical Therapy and Integrative Wellness in Wilmington, NC. This is Part 2 of a two-part Physical Health Series for survivors we're doing during the month of April. Jordan has partnered and collaborated with Journey to Heal Ministries in various ways over the years, and most recently took part in a Conversation of Hope event we hosted last year, to help survivors learn more about some of physical effects of abuse and avenues available for healing. In this episode Jordan shares her expert insight and experience in working with survivors to help them listen to their bodies and address the physical effects of unhealed trauma - from IBS to pain in sex! I hope you find this episode insightful and helpful in your healing journey. __________________ Resources and web links from this episode: Books The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Besser Van Dur Kolk When Sex Hurts: Understanding and Healing Pelvic Pain Research Articles  Trauma-informed management of patients with prior sexual trauma in pelvic health physiotherapy clinical practice  IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME: Relationships with Abuse in Childhood  To get in contact with Dr. Jordan or Salt & Light PT: Phone: 910-970-4023 | Fax: 910-970-4022 Email: [email protected] | Web: www.saltandlightpt.com Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing. We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter: IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org WEB:  www.journeytohealministries.org Be sure to hit "subscribe" to this podcast so you don't miss the next episode!  Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.  Thank you again for listening!

Have you met Adrianne Simeone , Founder of The Mama Bear Effect The Mama Bear Effect? Tune into this episode and you'll get a chance to "meet" and hear about her passion for empowering parents and caregivers to protect children from sexual abuse! Adrianne founded the Mama Bear Effect in the fall of 2012. She is a resident of Massachusetts, with her husband, John, and their four children. A graduate of Babson College of Business, Adrianne spent most of her professional career working for her father’s business in marketing and sales. After the birth of their first child, she decided to take a break from working full time. It was after reading one too many stories about a child being sexually abused, that Adrianne felt a calling to utilize her professional skills and make a positive contribution. She believes that with the power of social media and a down-to-earth approach, The Mama Bear Effect can create change and encourage people to protect children from being sexually abused. Adrianne has partnered with us as a Hope Run Sponsor, #END1IN10 event speaker, and advocate of our mission through the years in various ways. We're delighted to have her jump on a podcast episode to help raise awareness and equip our community, especially during April - Child Abuse Prevention Month. To connect with Adrianne and The Mama Bear Effect go to https://www.themamabeareffect.org. You can also find more resources and insights from Adrianne via IG and FB at @mamabeareffect.  You can also view this episode via our YouTube channel at : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfxa32clPjk60G4JKJlx9Ew Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing. We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter: IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org WEB:  www.journeytohealministries.org Be sure to hit "subscribe" to this podcast so you don't miss the next episode!  Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.  Thank you again for listening!

Join me for Part 1 of a two-part Health Series I'm doing with local practioners that serve my local community, but more importantly large number of survivors of sexual abuse.  My first guest you'll hear from in Part 1 today is Dr. Austin Strickland. Dr. Strickland is the founder and the primary practioner of Halo Method: Wilmington's cornerstone in healing neuropathy, hormone imbalance, and other chronic conditions. Dr. Strickland found us online and reached out earlier this year to connect on how we could collaborate to better serve survivors in our community. After learning that he serves a significant number of women who have experienced sexual abuse, I was delighted to have him come on the podcast and share some insight for you! Did you know that your trauma responses could be indicators of essential vitamin deficiencies due to hightened levels of cortisol (the primary stress hormone) in your system? Like, vitamin C...which our body often is craving after stressful situations, but the craving feels like your body wants sugar (donuts, carbs, sweets) instead.  This explains much of my weight battle for the past 30+ years! In this eposide we're diving into how the trauma of sexual abuse can have long term effects on a person's body and ways he helps survivors address those effects in a holistic way.  I hope you'll find this episode helpful in your healing journey. To learn more about Dr. Strickland and his services, you can connect with him via this website at https://www.myhalomethod.com or via his business address below! Dr. Austin Strickland, DC, CFMP, PAK, NET The Halo Method Team 1612 Harbour Dr. Wilmington, NC 28401 ____________________________ Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing. We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter: IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org WEB:  www.journeytohealministries.org Be sure to hit "subscribe" to this podcast so you don't miss the next episode!  Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.  Thank you again for listening!

What is your New Year's Resolution? Or, are you like me and resolutions aren't your thing? Today I'm talking about moving forward in faith and healing, My One Word for this year, and inviting you to consider where you need to make some intentional shifts towards better...and more... Better living, healing, and relationships...and more faith, hope, and healing in this new year. My One Word for this year is "Pray" and in this episide I'm taking time to pray for you. I'd love to hear from you. You can email me at [email protected] and share your One Word, resolution, or ways I can pray for you this year. Walking alongside Crystal Sutherland ************** Book shared in episide: My One Word by Mike Ashcraft Key Scritpures: Mark 11:24 Phillippians 4:6,7 1 Peter 5:6,7 Suggested reading: Practicing the Way by John Marc Comer Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing. We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter: IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org WEB:  www.journeytohealministries.org Be sure to hit "subscribe" to this podcast so you don't miss the next episode!  Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.  Thank you again for listening!

Everyone struggles at some point in knowing who they are and what their purpose in life is. This is a part of the human condition.  For anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, it is easy to slip into a the identity of "abused", "broken", or "damaged goods." It's easy to listen to the lies we've been told about ourselves or the ones we've perceived because of the abuse we've experienced.   But, if we want to heal and move forward in faith we need to learn the truth of who we are, according to God's Word, and choose to begin to see ourselves as God see's us. In today's episode I'm picking up from my last episode to share some fundamental Biblical truths about who we are and Whose we are. My hope is that these truths will help to shift your persepective and encourage you to accept your true identity as a deeply loved, image-bearer, of God.  Some of the Scriptures I share in this episode are found in: Genesis 1 and 2 Psalm 139:13-16 Romans 5:8 Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing. We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter: IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org WEB:  www.journeytohealministries.org Be sure to hit "subscribe" to this podcast so you don't miss the next episode!  Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.  Thank you again for listening!

Well it's been a minute since my last episode in February! We have been super busy at Journey to Heal Ministries with all the things: groups, mentoring, and our 5th Annual Hope Run event in April - and so much more. I'm delighted to hop back on here to pick up where I left off with some encouragement and wisdom for your healing journey. In this episode I'm talking about identity and where it stems from. This month I'm going to be sharing a series on our true identity - our God-given identity.  I'll be talking from some of what I share in my book, Journey to Heal: Seven Essential Steps of Recovery for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, as well.    For anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, you know how that form of trauma  can damage your sense of identity and worth. In this first episode of my identity series I share some very fundamental Biblical truths about how God made us, what He gave us to do, and how these truths should shift our focus from our trauma stories to our God-given identity and purpose. Thank you for tuning in today! If this was helpful to you be sure to subscribe to the podcast for future episodes, and if you really liked it drop me a comment or share it with others! Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing. We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter: IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org WEB:  www.journeytohealministries.org Be sure to hit "subscribe" to this podcast so you don't miss the next episode!  Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.  Thank you again for listening!

Are you a survivor struggling in your marriage? Especially in the area of physical intimacy? Tune in today for Part 2 of a conversation with our host, Crystal Sutherland, and her husband Wes as they share very openly about their story as a married couple navigating marriage and intimacy in the journey of healing from  childhood sexual abuse. This episode is the  second part of a two part conversation that Wes and Crystal share to help offer some insight and hope for married couples who have experienced similar trauma in childhood or adulthood. Thank you for tuning in today! We hope this episode is helpful to you. Resources shared in this episode are: When the Woman You Love was Abused: A Husband's Guide to Helping Her Overcome Childhood Sexual Molestation by Dawn Scott Jones When the Man You Love was Abused: A Woman's Guide to Helping Him Overcome Childhood Sexual Molestation by Cecil Murphy Additional resources can be found on our website at https://www.journeytohealministries.org Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing. We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter: IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org WEB:  www.journeytohealministries.org Be sure to hit "subscribe" to this podcast so you don't miss the next episode!  Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.  Thank you again for listening!

Are you a survivor struggling in your marriage? Especially in the area of physical intimacy? Tune in today for a conversation with our host and CSA survivor, Crystal Sutherland, and her husband Wes as they talk about their story as a married couple navigating the unknown of how to do life together in light of unhealed wounds of childhood sexual abuse. This episode is the first part of a two part conversation that Wes and Crystal share to help offer some insight and hope for married couples navigating the healing journey together. Thank you for tuning in today! We hope this episode is helpful to you. Resources shared in this episode are: When the Woman You Love was Abused: A Husband's Guide to Helping Her Overcome Childhood Sexual Molestation by Dawn Scott Jones When the Man You Love was Abused: A Woman's Guide to Helping Him Overcome Childhood Sexual Molestation by Cecil Murphy Additional resources can be found on our website at https://www.journeytohealministries.org Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing. We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter: IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org WEB:  www.journeytohealministries.org Be sure to hit "subscribe" to this podcast so you don't miss the next episode!  Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.  Thank you again for listening!

On the podcast today we're chatting with our friend Michelle Viscuse about healing, hope, and preventing sexual abuse. Michelle is a survivor, blogger, writer, and Bible teacher. She has a Masters in Biblical Counseling and a passion to inspire women to find courage, hope, and freedom from their past. Michelle says, "Jesus delivered me from a past filled with secrets and shame...and I want to help others experience the same freedom." In this episode, Michelle shares insight on what it was like for her to establish boundaries in her family in order to create a safe place where she could heal, and the conversations and strategies she and her husband have had to implement in their home in order to become trusted adults for their own children. Thank you for tuning in today! We hope this episode is a helpful resource for you. Some of the resources we discuss are: Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend Darkness to Light The Mama Bear Effect Journey to Heal You can connect with Michelle on her website at https://www.journeypink.com Or via Instagram at @journeypink  Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing. We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter: IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org WEB:  www.journeytohealministries.org Be sure to hit "subscribe" to this podcast so you don't miss the next episode!  Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.  Thank you again for listening!

Are you a college student? Do you love someone who is? If so, this episode is for you! In this episode you'll hear from Madison Hartley, a senior at UNC Wilmington studying Psychology and Neuro Science. Madison recently joined our team at Journey to Heal Ministries as an intern for Summer and Fall. She share's her heart for helping young women like herself, who have experienced sexual assault during their college years. Sadly, like so many college age women, Madison was sexually assaulted by someone within her circle of trust. In this episode Madison shares part of her story as we talk about navigating friendships with the opposite sex, setting healthy personal boundaries, staying alert to red flags in relationships, and what her healing journey has looked like so far. I first met Madison two years ago when she joined one of our Journey to Heal Women's groups, and have had the privilege of watching her take brave steps in healing along the way. Wherever you are in your healing journey, I have no doubt this episode will inspire and encourage you. Thank you for listening today! ________________________________________ If you or someone you love experienced a situation like Madison, please know you are not alone and there is hope for healing. Visit our website to learn more about our free support groups, 1:1 mentoring services, or mentor training at https://www.journeytohealministries.org Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing. We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter: IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org WEB:  www.journeytohealministries.org Be sure to hit "subscribe" to this podcast so you don't miss the next episode!  Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.  Thank you again for listening!

On the podcast with me today is my pastor and friend, Mike Ashcraft - senior pastor at Port City Community Church in Wilmington, NC. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the journey ahead, and in need of hope and a sense of purpose for the pain you've been through, this episode is for you! In this episode we're diving deep into his latest book, To Be Concluded: How to Prevent Your Past from Piling Up and Find Hope for Your Future . Tune in as Mike shares about the  heart behind his message and what inspired him to write it. You'll be encouraged our conversation, no matter where you are in your healing journey, because it is all about hope and moving forward in faith. One of my favorite quotes from his book is, "Hope is the thing that compels us to risk the unknown and endure the path, even when we cannot see the way forward." That is the essence of our journey of faith and healing, friend. Thank you for tuning in today! Crystal To connect with Mike & his book: I encourage you to pick up a copy of To Be Concluded either on Amazon or at your favorite bookstore! I also encourage you to pop over to https://www.portcity.church to check out more of Mike's messages and devotions. You can also find him on Instagram at @mikeashcraft ! Mike Ashcraft serves as the Senior Pastor at Port City Community Church which he helped start in 1999.  He married Julie, his high school sweetheart, in 1992. They grew up in Atlanta and relocated near the beach in southeastern North Carolina.  He enjoys family time with his two daughters and one son-in-law.  The beach is his happy place and surfing is the only hobby he needs.  Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing. We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter: IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org WEB:  www.journeytohealministries.org Be sure to hit "subscribe" to this podcast so you don't miss the next episode!  Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.  Thank you again for listening!

Do you have one of those crazy childhoods? The kind you shy away from sharing with friends because there are parts to it that are either just hard to explain, that are hurtful, or perhaps parts you’re not very proud of… Maybe certain parts are painful to remember? If so, then you've tuned into a  great episode today! Today I’m talking about seeds planted and early roots that can establish in our lives, and how they can impact us positively or negatively. I'm asking you to take a look your roots and where they've taken you, and  inviting you to lean into the healing work of being rooted and established in Jesus Christ.   Thank you for tuning in with me today! Crystal Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing. We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter: IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org WEB:  www.journeytohealministries.org Be sure to hit "subscribe" to this podcast so you don't miss the next episode!  Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.  Thank you again for listening!

Welcome to the 12th Episode of the Journey to Heal Podcast! We took a brief break from recording, and we're thrilled to be back again to share hope and encouragement for your journey of faith and healing. In this new episode I have the privilege of chatting with a new friend about trauma, healing, and the healing power of helping others . Her name is Gahlia Brogneri and she is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Adonis Musati Project - a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the refugee community  in South Africa. Gahlia has worked in the education and NGO sectors for over 25 years, more specifically with refugees and asylum seekers for the last 10 years. She is passionate about developing sustainable and empowering programs for vulnerable people, and holds an Honors Degree in Psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education. Listen in as Gahlia shares about  her mission and heart for helping the survivors heal through support, community, and the hope we have in Jesus Christ.  To connect with Gahlia: Visit her website at https://www.adonismusatiproject.org Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing. We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter: IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org WEB:  www.journeytohealministries.org Be sure to hit "subscribe" to this podcast so you don't miss the next episode!  Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.  Thank you again for listening!

How do you establish and maintain healthy relationships  when you've experienced past abuse?   What does it look like to trust again, when trust has been broken for you?  Can you have a healthy marriage as a survivor, and how do you navigate that?  What about intimacy with your spouse? Is it possible, really? Today I'm talking about the hope we have for establishing healthy relationships - in spite of experiencing past sexual abuse.  Over the next several episodes I'll be sharing about ways I've learned to navigate this part of the journey, and talking with some of my friends and family members to hopefully provide you some helpful insight and wisdom for you or someone you love. Thank you for listening! Scripture references I share in this podcast are: The Gospel of John John 3:16 Romans 5:8 For more resources on healing from past abuse, visit us at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/resources  Thank you for tuning in today! I hope you were encouraged in your journey of faith and healing. We invite you to stay connected with us on our social media pages or via our monthly newsletter: IG/FB: @journeytohealministries.org WEB:  www.journeytohealministries.org Be sure to hit "subscribe" to this podcast so you don't miss the next episode!  Journey to Heal Ministries is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit based in NC. Our mission is to help women heal from past sexual abuse by leading them to hope in Jesus Christ through providing trauma informed support, education, and community. If you would like to give towards our mission to help support our work, you can do so at https://www.journeytohealministries.org/donate.  Thank you again for listening!