Downstairs Church: Finding Hope in the Grit of Addiction and Trauma Recovery by Caroline Beidler
Release Date: 08/25/2023
Finding Hope Through Anxiety: A Conversation with Cody Deese
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this episode, Pastor Brad interviews , a pastor from Georgia and author of Discovering Your Internal Universe. Cody opens up about his lifelong struggle with anxiety, which began in childhood. At 40 years old, he received his first diagnosis of panic disorder — the moment that marked the beginning of a deep and challenging journey toward healing. He shares how he tried numerous approaches — from professional help to various methods and diets — but his real breakthrough came when he began addressing unprocessed pain. By revisiting his childhood memories through imagination and...
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Escaping the Trap of Unprocessed Pain
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
This week, Pastor Brad sits down with his long-time friend, Jimmy George, the Executive Director of Fresh Start Omaha! For years, Jimmy served as a pastor at Relevant Church, and now he is dedicated to seeing people set free from the debilitating effects of offense, hurt, and loss. In this powerful conversation, Jimmy explains the dangerous, subtle ways that unprocessed pain holds us captive. He describes how old wounds can manifest as: A self-focused life. A victimhood mentality. Patterns of self-sabotage. Negative thoughts and rumination. False identities built out of past...
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Healing from the Inside Out: Trauma, Faith, and the Power of IFS
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
Do you feel like a part of you is stuck in the past, carrying wounds you can't seem to shake? In this profoundly important episode, Pastor Brad welcomes Dr. Audrey Davidheiser—a leading expert who is helping people find deep soul healing. Dr. Davidheiser, a licensed psychologist in California and certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist (PhD, Fuller), specializes in guiding survivors of trauma toward wholeness, including those grappling with the unique and often-misunderstood pain of religious trauma. Drawing from her powerful experience—which includes founding a counseling center...
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Finding Hope Through Bipolar Disorder – Interview with Ruby Lucas
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this episode, Pastor Brad interviews Ruby Lucas, author and mental health advocate. Ruby was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 19, but her struggles with anxiety began much earlier in childhood. Her teenage years were marked by depression, sadness, and panic attacks. While studying abroad, Ruby experienced her first manic episode, which led to her diagnosis. The following years were challenging—marked by denial, lack of proper treatment, psychosis, and even times when people took advantage of her vulnerability. But God broke through. Ruby’s story is one of faith, hope, and...
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From Burnout to Breakthrough: Katie Allred’s Story
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this episode, Pastor Brad talks with —professor, author of and community builder. Katie shares her story of growing up in the church, the importance of community, and how faith has shaped her journey. When Katie was just 18 years old, her father passed away, a loss that deeply impacted her and her family. Driven by her natural achiever personality, Katie pursued success, but eventually experienced corporate burnout. This season led to severe depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. In this conversation, Katie opens up about her path to recovery—what helped, what she...
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From Homelessness to Hope: Cristina Baker’s Story of Redemption
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this powerful episode, Pastor Brad sits down with Cristina Baker, author, speaker, and passionate follower of Jesus. Cristina shares her incredible story of redemption—one marked by a difficult childhood, abuse, homelessness, and addiction. Years ago, Cristina encountered the miraculous love and power of God through a group of faithful intercessors who led her to Christ and taught her how to pray. Her life was radically transformed, and she now shares hope and encouragement with others through her testimony and writing. Cristina is the author of two inspiring books: Hope in 60 Seconds and...
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"Finding Strength in the Journey: Yvonne Borgquist on Parenting a Child with Special Needs"
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this episode, Pastor Brad interviews Yvonne Borgquist, a mother whose only child, a 33-year-old son, is on the Autism Spectrum, Cognitively Delayed, and has Bipolar Disorder. Yvonne shares her journey of discovering her son’s diagnosis and navigating through challenging psychosis episodes during his teenage years. Today, her son lives in a group home, and Yvonne continues to find strength in the Lord throughout these experiences. Yvonne started a Special Needs Parenting/Caregiver Support Group at her church, Bay Presbyterian, and her involvement in the Key Ministry Prayer Team....
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"Mental Help: Josh Wilson’s Journey with Faith and Mental Health"
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this episode, Pastor Brad interviews singer-songwriter Josh Wilson, who recently released a new album titled "Mental Help," which delves into mental health and his faith in Jesus. Josh shares his personal story, including his battles with anxiety, depression, and addiction, and how his music documents his journey, offering inspiration to others facing similar struggles. Learn more about Josh and his music on his website: . Listen to his new album here: . Don’t forget to share this podcast with friends: .
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"Miriah Rossow's Journey Through Bipolar Disorder and Homelessness"
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this episode, Pastor Brad interviews Miriah Rossow, a member of the Fresh Hope support group, who shares her heartbreaking story of overcoming homelessness and navigating life with a bipolar type 1 diagnosis. In her early twenties, Miriah was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, leading to multiple hospitalizations and a challenging period where she became homeless for a couple of months during the winter. She recounts how a relative eventually introduced her to Fresh Hope, where she found the support and community she desperately needed. Miriah discusses the role Fresh Hope played in her...
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"How To Decrease Childhood Anxiety" with Andrew Blackwood
Fresh Hope for Mental Health
In this episode, we replay sessions from our 2023 virtual conference, Voices of Hope. Tune in to hear as he guides Christian parents through the Parental Peace Framework. Discover effective strategies to understand and address your child's anxiety, motivate them to excel daily, and resolve conflicts swiftly and peacefully. Learn how to stay calm in challenging moments and listen to your children in "Their Voice." Don’t forget to share this episode with friends on social media and explore more resources available at Fresh Hope (). Tune in to additional episodes on our website: ....
info_outlineWith almost 20 years in leadership within social work and ministry, author and recovery advocate Caroline Beidler, MSW, aims to answer this question while encouraging women in or seeking recovery to connect with their purpose and connect in community with each other.
Her new book (releasing in March 2023): Downstairs Church: Finding Hope in the Grit of Addiction and Trauma Recovery is a gritty and grace-filled story about the miracles that happen in the basement of the recovery community. Caroline brings a vulnerability and hope that is needed in today’s addiction and trauma-saturated world.
Caroline is looking for opportunities to share her own story of addiction, mental health and trauma recovery and bring her professional expertise to discuss the question: how can we support women searching for transformation and healing?
We encourage you to share this podcast with your friends via your social media connections.
After listening to this podcast, we encourage you to email us at info@FreshHope.us with a comment or question we will share on our next podcast.
If you are listening to this podcast on iTunes, we encourage you to comment on the podcast. Or you can leave a voice message for us on the site: www.FreshHope4MentalHealth.com.
Pastor Brad Hoefs is an ordained Pastor and Member of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations. He has been pastoring since 1985, and he is currently the pastor of Anchor of Hope Church in Omaha, Nebraska (since 1995). The church has seen over 110% growth in the 18 months after Fresh Hope started meeting.
Pastor Brad is the Executive Director of WorshipOutlet.com. He founded Fresh Hope in 2009.
He is a State-certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist and was appointed by Governor Heineman of Nebraska to serve on the State Advisory Committee on Mental Health Services.
He is also the author of Fresh Hope: Living Well in Spite of a Mental Health Diagnosis, published in 2013.