S2 E5: Faith, generosity and emotional wholeness with Jo Hargreaves, The Faith-Filled Therapist

In this episode, Ruth Jackson is joined by Jo Hargreaves, also known as the Faith‑Filled Therapist. Jo is a psychotherapist, pastor, writer, speaker and podcast host, whose work integrates theology and therapy, submitting neuroscience to the authority of Scripture.  Jo reflects on her journey of faith, emotional healing and generosity, shaped by growing up with financial insecurity, encountering Jesus as a young adult and discovering how God has wired our brains for connection, wholeness and generosity. She shares openly about the relationship between faith and mental health, how generosity impacts our emotional wellbeing and why open‑handed living is both spiritually and neurologically transformative.  "Generosity is one of the ways God rewires us – it loosens the grip of scarcity, comparison and fear and reminds us that nothing we have really belongs to us."  This episode explores:  how faith, neuroscience and therapy can work together rather than sit in tension  why generosity is essential for emotional and spiritual wholeness  holding money lightly and developing a heart of joyful generosity  how upbringing, culture and teaching shape our attitudes to giving  why God designed us for relationship, community and generosity    Jo's favourite Bible verses on generosity:  'Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on."' Mark 12:43–44 (NIV)  The story of the widow's offering is a powerful reminder that generosity is never about the amount given but the posture of the heart.  See our note on Bible usage: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/bible-usage  How you can pray for Jo:  for courage to continue living generously at deeper levels  for discernment about where and to whom God is inviting her to be generous  for provision and freedom to respond joyfully to opportunities to give  Related links:  The Faith Filled Collective with Jo Hargreaves Subscribe:  Be the first to receive each month's episode. You'll hear from donors, partners and colleagues about their journey of generosity, exploring why and how they give, the joys and challenges they've experienced along the way, and the difference generosity makes in everyday life.  Subscribe now The podcast is also available in The Journey Tab on our Giving app (available on the App store and Google Play) and on the following platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PlayerFM, Amazon Music, YouTube  Follow us on social media:   ·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewardship/  ·    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stewardshipuk/  ·    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewardship/  ·    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stewardship.org.uk  ·    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/stewardshipuk  Podcast presenter: Ruth Jackson  Podcast producer: Vimbai Chigwangwa