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Six months postpartum and six days after completing my first Chicago Marathon, I’m reflecting on a journey that became about so much more than running 26.2 miles. In Part 1 of this four-part series, I share my experience navigating an unexpected C-section, postpartum anxiety, the shifting identity of new motherhood, and the process of reconnecting with my body and myself. Together, we’ll explore the concept of matrescence, the mind-body connection, and how God uses unexpected seasons to shape us into who He created us to be. Because sometimes the goal isn’t to get back to who we were before motherhood, but to embrace who we’re becoming. You are more than what you accomplish, and your identity has always been rooted in something greater. Learn more about counseling, Christian yoga, and mind-body wellness at: 🌿 https://www.movedbygracecounseling.com

In this episode of the Moved by Grace Counseling Podcast, we talk about what it looks like to pursue peace without pretending differences don’t exist. Inspired by Ephesians 2:15, we explore connection, conflict, emotional regulation, and how we can stop seeing people as “us versus them.” We also talk about the importance of slowing down before reacting, staying grounded during difficult conversations, and remembering that reconciliation doesn’t always mean agreement. Whether you’re navigating tension in your marriage, family, friendships, workplace, or community, this episode is an invitation to consider: What would it look like for me to be a person who creates peace instead of adding to the division? Learn more about Dr. Anna Valentine and Moved by Grace Counseling:
Moved by Grace Counseling⁠ “For he himself is our peace…” — Ephesians 2:14

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Todd Burstain to talk about fear—how it shapes our thoughts, choices, relationships, and willingness to move forward. We explore what keeps us stuck and how greater awareness, faith, and intentional action can help us move toward freedom. Connect with Dr. Todd Burstain:
https://drtoddburstain.com Connect with Dr. Anna Valentine:
https://www.movedbygracecounseling.com Beautiful Ashes Ministries:
https://www.beautifulashesministries.org September Christian Yoga Class:
Join us at March Christian Counseling for movement, Scripture, nervous-system regulation, and time in God’s presence. To sign up, call March Christian Counseling: 601-268-8796

Finding Healing in the In-Between What does healing look like when life doesn’t look the way we expected? In this episode, Dr. Anna Valentine reflects on finding God’s presence in the “in-between” seasons—the places of waiting, uncertainty, transition, grief, and change. She also shares several meaningful opportunities and resources for cultivating healing, hope, and a deeper connection with God. 🌿 Beautiful Ashes Ministries Learn more about Beautiful Ashes Ministries and their Christ-centered retreats designed to help women step away from the noise of everyday life, reconnect with Jesus, and experience hope, healing, and community. Beautiful Ashes Ministries 📖 Even in Exile: Rediscovering Hope and Joy When Your World Turns Upside Down Rev. Susan Eaton’s newest book offers encouragement for anyone walking through disappointment, loss, uncertainty, unanswered prayers, or a season that simply doesn’t look the way they imagined. Learn more about Susan Eaton and Even in Exile 🎙️ Embodied Holiness Podcast I recently joined Rev. Susan Eaton and Cliff Burris on the Embodied Holiness Podcast for a conversation about Susan’s new book, Even in Exile, and what it means to rediscover hope and joy when your world turns upside down. Listen to the Embodied Holiness Podcast 🧘‍♀️ Monthly Christian Yoga Classes Join me for monthly Christian yoga classes combining Scripture, intentional movement, breath, prayer, and nervous-system regulation. These classes are designed to create space to slow down, reconnect with your body, turn your attention toward God, and experience His presence in a deeper way. View the upcoming Christian Yoga Facebook Event 🌿 Connect with Dr. Anna Valentine Learn more about counseling, Christian mind-body wellness, books, speaking, and upcoming offerings: Moved by Grace Counseling Wherever you find yourself today—in the waiting, the wilderness, the ashes, or the in-between—remember that healing doesn’t always require us to get to the other side first. God meets us here, too.

In this episode, I’m reflecting on Netflix’s Don’t Say Good Luck and the ways theater, storytelling, and our everyday roles can help us better understand ourselves. I’ll share a little of my own story, explain what drama therapy is, and talk about three ways I integrate drama therapy into traditional psychotherapy: Role Sort, the Hero’s Journey, and storytelling/externalization. This is a gentle conversation about identity, healing, the stories we carry, and what can happen when we give ourselves permission to see our lives from a different perspective. 🎭💛 Connect with me:
🌿 Website: www.movedbygracecounseling.com
📷 Instagram: @movedbygracecounseling
💌 Email: [email protected] Come as you are. There’s room for your whole story here.

Hi friends! Have you ever wondered why it’s so hard to “just give it to God”? In this episode, we explore how God designed our minds, bodies, and spirits to work together—and why surrender is more than a spiritual concept; it’s a daily practice. In this episode: ​Why your body holds onto stress​Why uncertainty feels so exhausting​What Scripture teaches about surrender​How to recognize when you’re carrying more than God intendedScripture ​1 Peter 5:7​Matthew 11:28–30​Psalm 46:10 Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School spent decades studying the Relaxation Response, finding that practices such as prayer, repeating meaningful Scripture, and slow breathing can help calm the body’s stress response by lowering heart rate and blood pressure and activating the body’s natural relaxation system. His research reminds us that the God who invites us to pray also designed our bodies to respond to stillness and His presence. Learn more: Harvard Health: https://www.health.harvard.edu ​The Relaxation Response by Dr. Herbert Benson Join Me This September! Im honored to be teaching at the Beautiful Ashes Ministries Women’s Retreat on September 18–20, 2026, where I’ll be sharing practical, Christ-centered tools for nervous system regulation and whole-person healing. Learn more or register:https://www.beautifulashesministries.org/retreat/ (Beautiful Ashes) Connect with Me🌿 Website: https://www.movedbygracecounseling.com If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need this reminder today: You don’t have to carry what Christ has already invited you to release.

What if the very thing you’re trying to escape is the place where God is shaping something beautiful? In this guided 5-minute Christian meditation, we’ll slow our breathing, quiet our racing minds, and reflect on the hope found in suffering. Rooted in Scripture and informed by mind-body medicine, this meditation will help you release your burdens to Christ and remember that pain is never wasted in the hands of God. Whether you’re walking through grief, anxiety, disappointment, or simply feeling weary, take a few moments to be still. Together we’ll invite God’s presence into our hearts, rest in His promises, and discover how He can bring purpose, perseverance, and hope through every season. “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” — Romans 5:3–4 Take a deep breath. God is with you. ✨ Connect with me: 🌿 Website: https://www.movedbygracecounseling.com 🎙️ Podcast: https://www.movedbygracecounseling.com/podcast 📖 Devotional: https://amb1028.creator-betterme.com/products 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movedbygracecounseling If this meditation encouraged you, I’d be honored if you subscribed, shared it with a friend, and left a review. Your support helps more people find hope, healing, and rest in Christ.

What do sheep, your nervous system, and Psalm 23 possibly have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, we’re exploring five fascinating facts about sheep that bring Psalm 23 to life in a fresh and meaningful way. From why sheep depend completely on their shepherd, to the purpose of anointing them with oil, to how they find safety in the shepherd’s presence, you’ll discover timeless truths that speak directly to your own relationship with Christ. We’ll also talk about how God designed our nervous systems to experience peace—not through striving or having everything under control, but by remaining close to our Good Shepherd. If you’ve been feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or weary, this episode is an invitation to rest in the One who restores your soul. Join Me for Restorative Yoga! If you’re in the Hattiesburg area, I’d love for you to join me for my Psalm 23 Restorative Yoga Class at March Christian Counseling. Together we’ll experience gentle movement, breathwork, Scripture, prayer, and guided reflection as we learn to rest in the care of our Good Shepherd. ✨ Space is limited, so reserve your spot soon! To register, call March Christian Counseling at (601) 602-3940. To learn more about counseling services, upcoming events, podcast episodes, and resources, visit www.movedbygracecounseling.com. “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” — Psalm 23:1

Life can feel heavy. Between responsibilities, uncertainty, relationships, work, and the endless demands of daily life, it’s easy to carry burdens God never intended for us to bear alone. In this guided 5-minute Christian meditation, Dr. Anna Valentine invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and surrender your worries into the hands of a faithful God. Through gentle mindfulness, calming breathwork, Scripture-inspired reflection, and prayer, you’ll create space to release stress, quiet your mind, and reconnect with God’s presence. Whether you’re beginning your day, taking a midday pause, or seeking peace before bed, this meditation will help you remember that you do not have to carry every burden on your own. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 Connect with Dr. Anna Valentine and explore additional Christian wellness resources: 🌿 Website: ⁠Moved by Grace Counseling 🌿 Christian wellness resources, counseling services, meditations, and workshops available through the website. #ChristianMeditation #ChristianMindfulness #PrayerMeditation #StressRelief #FaithAndWellness #MovedByGrace #NervousSystemRegulation #ChristianMentalHealth #GuidedMeditation #ReleaseYourBurdens

How can we honor God through the way we care for our bodies? In this episode, I sit down with Christian fitness and wellness coach Micki Woodford of MASE Fitness to discuss the connection between faith, health, and whole-person wellness. We talk about stewarding our bodies as God’s temple, overcoming obstacles to healthy living, and creating sustainable habits that support our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Connect with Micki: MASE Fitness: https://masefitness.com Purchase her book: 180° You Turn: A Biblical Approach to a Healthy Lifestyle Devotional Wellness Journal https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/861838-180-you-turn Connect with Dr. Anna Valentine: https://www.movedbygracecounseling.com

In a culture obsessed with likes, followers, and documenting every moment, it's easy to make life all about us. Even meaningful reflections—like realizing there will be a "last time" you hold your child—can shift our focus from gratitude and presence to our own emotions and experiences. In this episode, we explore how social media and the internet can subtly cultivate self-centeredness, how to recognize it in ourselves, and how Scripture calls us back to humility, service, and genuine connection. Key Scriptures: Philippians 2:3-4, John 3:30 Connect with Anna: 🌿 www.theselahspace.org 🌿 www.movedbygracecounseling.com

What do you do when you’re willing to work on the relationship, but your spouse won’t attend therapy? This is one of the most painful dynamics I see in clinical work—because healing often feels stalled when one person is carrying the emotional labor alone. But while you cannot control someone else’s willingness, you can begin shifting the relational system through boundaries, emotional regulation, clearer communication, and self-awareness. One research-backed framework I often reference is Dr. John Gottman’s “Four Horsemen” of destructive communication: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling—patterns that can quietly erode connection over time. Learning to spot them is a powerful first step toward healthier dialogue. Read more here: The Gottman Institute’s Four Horsemen article If this conversation resonates with your story, I’d love to support your healing journey. ✨ Counseling + resources: Moved by Grace Counseling 🎧 Have you ever felt alone in trying to “fix” a relationship? #MovedByGraceRadio #TheRegulatedMan #RelationshipHealing #ChristianCounselor #MentalHealthMatters #MarriageCommunication #GottmanMethod #TherapyTools

This episode is a special one for me. Today, I’m sitting down with someone I’ve had the privilege of knowing for nearly 8 years—and worked alongside for 4 of those years—my dear friend, Dr. Laquinta Milson. Dr. Milson is one of those rare people who is brilliantly sharp, deeply compassionate, and genuinely hilarious all at the same time. Dr. Milson is a licensed professional counselor, supervisor, and certified sex therapist who specializes in psychotherapy, intimacy, sexual health, addiction recovery, relationship dynamics, and emotional healing. Through her work at The Growth Center for Counseling & Wellness, she helps individuals and couples navigate some of life’s most vulnerable and complex challenges, including anxiety, relational struggles, sexual dysfunction, and compulsive sexual behaviors. In this conversation, we dive into men’s mental health through a lens that often gets overlooked—emotional suppression, intimacy, sexuality, shame, coping behaviors, and what men actually need in order to heal. We talk about: Why so many men struggle to name or express what they’re feeling The connection between emotional pain and unhealthy coping mechanisms Shame, secrecy, and how they impact relationships Misconceptions around masculinity, vulnerability, and emotional strength Sex, intimacy, and attachment in men’s emotional lives What partners can better understand about the men they love Practical pathways toward healing, connection, and emotional health Whether you’re a man navigating your own mental health journey, someone who loves a man, or a clinician wanting deeper insight into men’s emotional worlds—this conversation is honest, insightful, and full of wisdom (with plenty of laughs along the way). I’m so excited for you to hear this conversation. Connect with Laquinta: The Growth Center for Counseling & Wellness | Therapy in TX, NJ, VA & DC Connect with me: www.movedbygracecounseling.com www.theselahspace.org

Why do so many men struggle to talk about what they’re feeling? Is it biology, culture, trauma, or something deeper? In this episode, we unpack the real reasons men often hide their emotions—from societal expectations and nervous system conditioning to shame, stress, and mental health stigma. We explore what emotional suppression actually does to the brain, body, relationships, and overall well-being—and why creating safe spaces for emotional honesty matters more than ever. Whether you’re a man trying to better understand yourself, a partner wanting to support the man in your life, or simply curious about the psychology behind emotional withdrawal, this conversation offers insight, compassion, and practical understanding. Connect with me: Website: movedbygracecounseling.com Website: theselahspace.org Instagram: @movedbygracecounseling Instagram: @sacredselahspace Email: [email protected]

Paternal postpartum depression affects approximately 10% of fathers—yet it remains widely under-recognized and underdiagnosed. In this episode, we break down the research behind men’s postpartum mental health, including findings from studies published in Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA Pediatrics, and The Lancet. You’ll learn: ​When symptoms are most likely to appear (hint: not immediately after birth)​How depression presents differently in men​The connection between maternal and paternal mental health​The long-term impact on child development​Evidence-based ways to support new fathers ​⸻ 🌿 Connect with Me www.movedbygracecounseling.com www.theselahspace.org [email protected] Instagram: @movedbygracecounseling @sacredselahspace ⸻ 🤍 Final Note If you’re struggling with anxiety or panic, you’re not alone—and healing is possible. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or therapy. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for support specific to your needs.