PODCAST · education
Real & Redeemed. Turning Therapy into Testimony. Christian Women, Moms, Marriage, Mental Health.
by Dana- Devoted Mom of 5; Elisa- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Real & Redeemed sees the girls out there seeking raw honesty, laughter, and faith-filled encouragement. Hosted by two lifelong friends—one a licensed therapist, the other a devoted Christian mom and wife—we share stories, practical insight, and biblical wisdom. Together, we explore life’s challenges, joys, and messy choices, showing how God’s redemption can meet us in every season. From motherhood and marriage to mental health and personal growth, each episode offers encouragement to embrace life with authenticity and faith.
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Scars that heal us: The Yes that changed everything
Kelly’s story will disrupt the idea that faith is meant to be comfortable.After a sudden and beautifully unexpected adoption, she found herself walking into a life she never planned—one marked by challenge and a deeper dependence on God than she ever knew before.In this episode, we talk about what it really means to follow God when He calls you beyond ease and into the unknown. Kelly’s message is clear: we are not called to comfort or complacency—we are called deeper. This is a story about costly love, visible and invisible scars, and the kind of healing that only God can bring.
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Episode 27: Christian Therapist Responds to Allie Beth Stucky on Inner Child Healing.
In this episode we discuss a controversial moment on instagram where Allie Beth Stuckey claims we do not have an inner child. This rattled Elisa's cage so we had to talk about it! You will hear about amazing ways to heal from your past trauma. This lead to a discussion on being known by God who is not limited by time or space and wants to heal us and use us for his purposes. Tune in for this candid friend to friend conversation.
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Episode 27: The King Knows My Name
In this Episode we interview Chris Kornaros about his latest book, The King Knows My Name. The messages we receive from our childhood shape the way we seek love and worth. This vulnerable conversation will inspire you to deeply heal the wounds of your soul. We all walked away from this conversation in awe of how deeply God loves us and wants us to be drawn into relationship with him. Find Chris Kornaros' Book here: https://chriskornaros.com
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Episode 26: What are you Trading? - Spiritual Surrender, Sacrifice & The Exchange With God
Today Dana and Elisa talk about how it was doing a 40 Day Fast. How did it go and did they hate it? What did God speak to them and how did they respond to what God was talking to them about? What is a trade in the spirit and how did this revelation change things for both of them? Listen in to find out!
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Episode 25: Born Addicted. How Joshua broke a cycle he never chose.
Josh Sussman shares his testimony which includes being born addicted to cocaine, his adoption story and how God's hand has been leading him faithfully throughout his life. From a traumatic birth story and tough beginnings to a beautiful life full of miracles, God has given Josh many great stories to share. We left the conversation encouraged by the favor of God. You can see how Josh's story has given him a laid back and go with the flow personality that has no doubt opened doors of great opportunity in his life. Join us in listening to his testimony. We hope you are encouraged just as we were.
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Episode 24:My Husband Went to Prison… and God Met Me There | Dawn Freeman
Dawn shares her experience of the two years her husband was in prison and what life looked like for her and their children during that time. She walks through what happened, the challenges of suddenly becoming a single parent, and the unexpected ways they were sustained.Looking back, Dawn reflects with gratitude—not because the season was easy, but because she experienced God’s presence and provision in tangible, everyday ways. This conversation is a reminder that the hardest paths are not always the ones we would choose, yet they may be the very roads God invites us to walk, carrying us through each step.
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Episode 23: The Discipline We Avoid — The Breakthrough We Need Rediscovering the Power of Spiritual Fasting
Welcome back! We took a break but we are excited for all that 2026 has in store for Real and Redeemed. In this episode we talk about a 40 day fast that we hope provides spiritual breakthrough. Dana shares a vision that will leave you thirsting for intimacy with the King of Kings. We hope you enjoy the episode and don't forget to like, subscribe and share! Prayer Rain: https://www.youtube.com/live/9ob4_31I75c?si=ZLNMQnrSF1Ltv-ig
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Episode 22: Leukemia, Loss and God’s Miraculous Love Story: Catalina’s Story of Faith
When Catalina’s 2-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia, she faced every parent’s greatest fear. With no guarantees from doctors, she surrendered completely to Jesus—and witnessed a miracle that defied every medical expectation. Her son lived 35 more years, becoming a living testimony of God’s healing power, faithfulness, and grace.One year after his passing, Catalina opens her heart to share her journey of faith, grief, hope, and the deep love for Jesus that carried her through every season.This episode is a powerful Christian testimony about miraculous healing, trusting God in crisis, loss and grief, hope after heartbreak, and a mother’s unwavering surrender to God. If you need encouragement or a reminder that God still performs miracles, Catalina’s story will touch your soul.
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Episode 21: Laying Down Our Idols; Body Image, Politics, Control and Likability
What does it mean to truly lay down your idols and surrender to God? In this powerful episode, we talk about how to recognize the modern-day idols that quietly take God’s place—whether it’s success, relationships, comfort, or control—and how to release them so you can experience genuine spiritual freedom and peace in Christ.Join us as we unpack biblical truth, share real-life stories, and process our own struggles with idols. Discover how surrender isn’t about losing—it’s about finding the fullness of life God has for you when you trust Him completely.🎧 Tune in for encouragement, truth, and a renewed sense of purpose in your walk with Jesus.
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Episode 20: Chris' Redemption Story-from Tragedy to Testimony
Chris Dakiwag, Elisa's husband, shares the powerful story about how he overcame child abuse, drug addiction and a life of trauma. This redemptive story is a beautiful example of Gods relentless love for us. Chris gets vulnerable about the challenges that come with substance abuse and the redemption he experienced through Jesus. His honesty about how he found Christianity is heartwarming. We end with a powerful moment and hope you walk away feeling encouraged.
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Episode 19: Supporting the Development of our Children
Dana breaks down ways that we can support our children in their development, starting from birth to age five and moving through to adulthood. Infancy starts with Gross motor and fine motor development, these important pieces of a child will support them all the way through school. Being a mom comes with a lot of responsibility and we do not take that lightly. We found a lot of grace for ourselves through this conversation. We ended with important insight on how to regulate our own emotions, setting strong examples for our kids. Listen along as we explore how to support our kids and ourselves, through each life stage. heavy metal detox: https://www.coseva.comDecoding your babies cries: https://youtu.be/3G5aAQL3R_g?si=ISL2uD85i4snvjaa
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Episode 18:How to Affair Proof (Your Side of) Marriage
What are some action steps that you can make to affair proof your marriage? No marriage is exempt from the possibility of infidelity. When the love feelings have gone to the way side and the marriage feels hard, stale and loveless, how can you engage and active your will? Affairs are a selfish act using someone else to fill a void that only Jesus Christ can fill. Elisa takes us through steps a healthy relationship can take in order to strengthen the marriage and create connection. Intentional actions like sharing passwords and being transparent can provide a level of trust. Making a connection with your partner and having a strong internal decision to make your marriage strong will prove invaluable to your relationship. Come along with us as we share some ways that we have worked to affair proof our marriages.
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Episode 17: The Healing Power of Female Friendship
Friendship isn’t just a nice extra—it’s vital for our hearts, health, and faith. In this episode, we dive into the science behind why female friendships are so powerful, reflect on what Scripture teaches about community, and share our own real-life stories of connection and struggle. We’ll also give you practical tips on how to be a good friend and how to make new ones, even in the busiest seasons of life. This is your invitation to cultivate friendships that bring joy, strength, and grace.
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Episode 16: The Lies we Believe Part 2
In this part two of our series on lies we’ve believed, we dig into the struggles of performance-based likability and the trap of perfectionism. As Christian women, many of us have carried the pressure to earn love, prove our worth, and appear flawless—whether in friendships, motherhood, marriage, or even in our walk with God. These lies convince us that we are only valuable if we do enough or measure up.But the truth is different. Together, we’ll talk about breaking free from people-pleasing, striving, comparison, and fear of failure by embracing the grace and freedom found in Jesus. If you’ve wrestled with identity, self-worth, shame, exhaustion, or approval-seeking, this conversation will remind you that you are already fully loved and accepted by God—without the performance.#thedeepend #taylorwelch
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Episode 15: The Lies We Believe, Part 1: Closing the Doors to Satans Plans
Over the years, we all carry lies—messages we’ve accepted about ourselves, our worth, and God’s plan—that give the enemy a foothold in our lives. In this episode of Real&Redeemed, Elisa explores lies she believed (ones that many other Christian women get tricked into) and how they opened doors for Satan’s influence and led her right into an abusive marriage. Through Scripture, personal stories, and practical encouragement, we’ll discuss how to identify these deceptive thoughts, replace them with God’s truth, and walk in freedom, faith, and victory. If you’ve ever felt trapped by guilt, shame, or self-doubt, this episode will remind you that God’s truth has the power to reclaim every area of your life, provide inner healing and renew your mind.
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Episode 14: The Power of Forgiveness: Letting Go and Walking in Freedom
Forgiveness is one of the most powerful, yet challenging, gifts we can give—both to others and to ourselves. In this episode of Uncurated Grace, we explore what it truly means to forgive from a biblical perspective and how letting go of bitterness can bring healing, peace, and freedom.Through Scripture, personal stories, and practical encouragement, we discuss the transformative power of forgiveness in relationships, marriage, parenting, and everyday life. If you’ve ever struggled to release hurt or resentment, this episode will remind you that God’s grace makes it possible to forgive, heal, and move forward with a light and loving heart.
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Episode 13: Resolving Conflict in Marriage: Therapy Techniques That Work
Every marriage experiences conflict—but learning how to handle disagreements in a healthy, constructive way can transform your relationship. In this episode of Uncurated Grace, we explore therapeutic techniques that help couples communicate effectively, resolve tension, and grow closer together.We’ll cover strategies like active listening, empathy, and setting boundaries, all while keeping faith at the center of your marriage. Whether you’re struggling with recurring arguments or simply want to strengthen your connection, this episode offers practical tools and biblical encouragement to navigate conflict with grace, love, and understanding.
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Episode 12: Should motherhood come with a warning label?
Motherhood is beautiful, messy, exhausting, and full of surprises—sometimes all at once! In this episode of Uncurated Grace, we dive into the real, unfiltered experience of being a mom: the joys, the struggles, and everything in between.Through honest stories, humor, and biblical encouragement, we explore how to embrace the chaos without losing your faith, sanity, or sense of self. If you’ve ever wondered how to survive, thrive, and find grace in the middle of motherhood’s unpredictable moments, this episode is for you.
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Episode 11: Hearing God’s Voice: Personal Stories of Guidance and Faith
Have you ever wondered how to hear God’s voice clearly in the middle of life’s chaos? In this episode of Uncurated Grace, we explore the many ways God speaks to us—through Scripture, prayer, circumstances, and personal experiences.Sharing heartfelt personal stories, we dive into moments of clarity, guidance, and reassurance, showing that God’s voice is real, personal, and transformative. Whether you’re seeking direction, encouragement, or a deeper connection with Him, this episode will inspire you to listen, trust, and recognize God’s presence in your everyday life.
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Episode 10: When You Lose a Parent -Walking Through Grief and Faith
Grief can feel overwhelming, confusing, and isolating—especially after losing someone as close as a parent. In this episode of Real and Redeemed , Dana shares her personal journey of losing her father and the raw, honest emotions that came with it.We explore how faith, prayer, and community can bring comfort, healing, and hope during seasons of loss. Whether you’re grieving a parent, friend, or loved one, this episode offers encouragement and the reminder that God’s presence is constant, even in the midst of sorrow.
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Episode 9: The Hidden Impact Porn has on the Brain and Heart
(P) Corn can have a harmful impact on individuals, marriages, and families, yet it’s often ignored or minimized. In this episode of Real&Redeemed , we discuss the spiritual, emotional, and relational consequences of pornography and how it can create hidden struggles in our lives.We explore how faith, accountability, and practical steps can help individuals and couples break free, restore intimacy, and walk in God’s design for sexuality and relationships. If you’ve ever faced this challenge personally or in your marriage, this episode offers hope, guidance, and biblical encouragement to reclaim freedom and wholeness.
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Episode 8: Faith and Therapy for Anxiety: What Actually Helps
Anxiety can feel overwhelming, paralyzing, and isolating—but you don’t have to face it alone. In this episode, Elisa, a licensed therapist, walks us through practical steps and strategies to find relief from anxiety, all while keeping faith at the center of the journey. Dana tells more us more about her experience with anxiety, while engaging in real life exercises to regulate and calm her nervous system. Elisa nudges Dana to dive deep and reach for healing.We explore how to recognize triggers, calm racing thoughts, and implement techniques that bring both emotional and spiritual peace. Along the way, we discuss how God’s promises, prayer, and Scripture can work hand-in-hand with professional tools to help you feel grounded, confident, and secure.If anxiety has ever held you back or kept you from living fully in the life God has for you, this episode is a guide to finding hope, freedom, and calm in the midst of the storm.
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Episode 7: Salvation and Beyond: Growing Deeper in Your Walk with Christ
Salvation is the beautiful beginning of our journey with Christ—but it’s not the end. In this episode, we dive into what it means to not only receive salvation but to take it to another level by growing in intimacy with God, living out our faith daily, and walking in the fullness of what Jesus has done for us.Through Scripture, encouragement, and real-life application, we’ll talk about how to move from simply knowing about God to truly experiencing Him—allowing salvation to transform the way we parent, love, serve, and live.If you’ve ever wondered how to deepen your walk with Christ and live set apart in a world that distracts and pulls, this episode will remind you that salvation is not just a gift to be received, but a life to be lived abundantly in Him.
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Episode 6: Parenting After Divorce: When You Feel Like a Failure
Divorce can leave moms and dads feeling like they’ve fallen short—especially when it comes to raising kids. In this episode of Life Uncurated, we open up about the struggles of parenting after divorce, the weight of guilt and shame, and the fear of failing our children.But here’s the truth: God’s grace covers every season, even the broken ones. Through honest conversation and biblical encouragement, we’ll talk about how to parent with faith after divorce, ways to rebuild connection with your kids, and how to release the lie that you’re a failure.If you’ve ever carried the heavy burden of “not enough,” this episode is a reminder that God redeems, restores, and equips you to lead your children with love and hope—no matter what your story looks like.
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Episode 5: The Power of Our Words: Speaking Life with the Tongue
Scripture reminds us that the tongue holds the power of life and death—and as moms, wives, and women of faith, the words we speak matter more than we often realize. In this episode of Real and Redeemed, we dive into the impact of our words in our homes, marriages, friendships, and even in how we speak to ourselves.Through biblical wisdom and honest reflection, we’ll explore how to recognize harmful patterns, surrender our speech to God, and begin using our words to encourage, heal, and build up instead of tear down.If you’ve ever wished you could take back something you said or longed to speak with more grace and truth, this conversation will remind you that with God’s help, our words can become instruments of life, love, and blessing.
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Episode 4: Set Apart: Living for God and Teaching Our Kids to Do the Same
As believers, we’re called to live differently—to be set apart for God in a world that often pulls in the opposite direction. In this episode of Uncurated Grace, we explore what it looks like to embrace that calling in our own lives and to pass it on to our children.Through biblical truth, real-life examples, and practical encouragement, we’ll talk about how to model a Christ-centered life for our kids, create a home rooted in faith, and raise children who understand that being “set apart” is a gift, not a burden.If you’ve ever wondered how to help your kids stand strong in their faith while living in a culture that doesn’t always value it, this conversation will remind you that God equips us—and them—for the journey.
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Episode 3: When Marriage Feels Hard: Learning Grace, Respect, and Biblical Submission
Marriage is beautiful, but let’s be honest—it’s not always easy. In this episode, we dive into the struggles of learning how to truly get along with your husband when personalities, expectations, and daily stress collide.From a biblical perspective, we’ll talk about what submission as wife really means—not weakness, but strength rooted in respect, grace, and trust in God’s design for marriage. Through honest stories, practical encouragement, and Scripture, we’ll explore how to handle conflict, cultivate unity, and lean on Christ when marriage feels messy.Whether you’re newly married or years into the journey, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone—and that God can use even the hardest seasons of marriage to grow love, patience, and deeper faith.
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Episode 2: Breaking Free from Alcohol: A Story of Faith and Recovery
In this episode, Dana speaks openly and honestly about the battle with alcohol and the hope that can only be found through faith. If you’ve struggled with alcohol abuse—or love someone who does—you know how heavy the cycle can feel. But there is freedom in Christ, and healing is possible.We share encouragement, biblical truth, and the reminder that God’s grace is bigger than addiction. We’ll look at how Scripture speaks into our struggles, practical steps to walk in freedom, and why community and vulnerability are key on the journey.Whether you’re in the middle of the fight or walking alongside someone you love, this episode offers hope, honesty, and the assurance that God can redeem every story.
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Episode 1- Best Friends in the Mess: our mission, who we are and how our friendship formed.
In this episode of Real & Redeemed, we talk about who we are and why we want you to join us! If you’ve ever felt alone, unseen, messy and imperfect we've got you. Together, we’ll explore how we can conquer these challenges and share practical ways to renew our minds, parent with strength, improve our marriages and allow our questionable decisions to provide us wisdom.Whether you’re folding laundry, driving carpool or sneaking in a coffee break, this conversation will remind you that Jesus has got your back.. and so do we!
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Real & Redeemed sees the girls out there seeking raw honesty, laughter, and faith-filled encouragement. Hosted by two lifelong friends—one a licensed therapist, the other a devoted Christian mom and wife—we share stories, practical insight, and biblical wisdom. Together, we explore life’s challenges, joys, and messy choices, showing how God’s redemption can meet us in every season. From motherhood and marriage to mental health and personal growth, each episode offers encouragement to embrace life with authenticity and faith.
HOSTED BY
Dana- Devoted Mom of 5; Elisa- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
CATEGORIES
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