Strong Tower Mental Health Podcast

241. Hungry for More: Moving Beyond Shallow Christianity With Aminta Geisler

What happens when faith goes from something you "know about" to Someone you truly encounter? In this episode, Heidi sits down with speaker, author, and ministry leader Aminta Geisler to talk about her powerful journey from surface-level Christianity to deep transformation through suffering, surrender, and the presence of God. After walking away from her faith for several years and hitting rock bottom, Aminta experienced a life-changing encounter that completely shifted the trajectory of her life. Together, they explore how deeper study of Scripture can radically transform your understanding of God's love, why suffering often becomes the doorway to intimacy with God, and how the Holy Spirit gently shapes us into people of patience, kindness, and peace. Aminta also shares about her devotional More and More: 100 Days of Pursuing God and the incredible impact of Breakfast Club ministries bringing free meals, community, and Bible studies to high school students. This conversation is rich with encouragement for anyone longing to move beyond shallow faith into genuine relationship with God. What You'll Learn in This Episode * How suffering and brokenness can become catalysts for spiritual transformation * Why many Christians stay at a surface-level understanding of Scripture — and how to go deeper * A powerful new perspective on Psalm 23 and God as our Shepherd * Practical ways to cultivate spiritual hunger and make room for the Holy Spirit * How God grows gentleness, patience, and emotional maturity in us over time "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." — Psalm 34:8 Aminta's book More and More: https://www.amazon.com/More-100-Days-Pursuing-God/dp/B0GRNVRGKL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KZ21CC3D210B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.l3SVYKPVuJfaEgS0Qf13gQ.Xt6zDO2wo_TgYBHezsQzg2Cs8yE7glK_co86s6Uqsps&dib_tag=se&keywords=aminta+geisle+more+and+more+book&qid=1779474857&sprefix=aminta+geisle+more+and+more+book%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-1 [https://www.amazon.com/More-100-Days-Pursuing-God/dp/B0GRNVRGKL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KZ21CC3D210B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.l3SVYKPVuJfaEgS0Qf13gQ.Xt6zDO2wo_TgYBHezsQzg2Cs8yE7glK_co86s6Uqsps&dib_tag=se&keywords=aminta+geisle+more+and+more+book&qid=1779474857&sprefix=aminta+geisle+more+and+more+book%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-1] Aminta's website: https://amintageisler.com/ [https://amintageisler.com/] Find more about Heidi: www.heidimortensonlmft.com [http://www.heidimortensonlmft.com] Schedule a FREE 15-minute clarity call: https://calendly.com/heidimortenson/15min [https://calendly.com/heidimortenson/15min] If you are in crisis, help is available by call or text 1-800-273-8255 24/7. You can also visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org [https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/]. You are loved!

240. Breaking Free from Self-Hate (Without Losing Your Faith)

What if the voice you've been calling "humility" is actually self-hate? In this powerful episode of the Strong Tower Mental Health Podcast, Heidi explores one of the most hidden struggles—especially in Christian spaces: self-hate, self-blame, and internalized shame. Many people love God, serve faithfully, and show up for others… yet live with a constant internal voice of criticism, inadequacy, and rejection. But what if that voice isn't truth—or humility—but shame? Drawing from Scripture, neuroscience, and clinical insight, Heidi unpacks how self-hate forms, why it's so hard to break, and how to walk in freedom without drifting into self-centeredness or cultural distortions of identity. This episode also explores the tension between biblical humility and healthy identity, addressing both self-rejection and self-worship—and how God's truth provides a grounded, life-giving path forward. "The Lord make His face shine upon you…" — Numbers 6:24–26 Listeners will gain: • How to recognize hidden self-hate and self-blame patterns • The difference between guilt and shame (and why it matters) • What neuroscience reveals about shame and identity • Biblical truth about your identity and worth • How to walk in freedom without losing your foundation in Christ If you've ever struggled with feeling like you're "not enough," this episode will help you move from self-rejection to alignment with truth—and into deeper freedom with God. Schedule a FREE 15-minute clarity call: https://calendly.com/heidimortenson/15min [https://calendly.com/heidimortenson/15min] Release what isn't yours free guide: https://subscribepage.io/IAqSlkIf [https://subscribepage.io/IAqSlk] · Join my mailing list: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/t5u2y5 [https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/t5u2y5] · If you are in crisis, help is available by call or text 1-800-273-8255 24/7. You can also visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org [https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/]. You are loved!

239. Meeting God in Your Body With Jennifer Tucker

What if anxiety isn't something to fight… but an invitation to meet God? In this powerful conversation, Heidi sits down with author Jennifer Tucker to explore a different way of approaching prayer, mental health, and the body. Through her personal journey with anxiety, depression, and her daughter's struggles, Jennifer shares how she moved from striving and perfectionism into a more embodied, present connection with God. Together, they unpack what it looks like to integrate faith, neuroscience, and the body—where prayer becomes less of a checklist and more of a lived, moment-by-moment awareness of God's presence. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to "bring God into it," this episode offers a refreshing and deeply practical path forward. In this episode, you'll learn: * How to shift your perspective on anxiety—from something to fix → to an invitation to connect with God * Why your body is not separate from your spiritual life (and how to actually include it in prayer) * Practical ways to integrate prayer into everyday movements like walking, breathing, and daily routines * How trauma and stress impact the nervous system—and how faith, therapy, and embodied practices can bring healing "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit…?" — 1 Corinthians 6:19 Jennifer's website: https://littlehousestudio.net/prayer-in-motion [https://littlehousestudio.net/prayer-in-motion] Find more about Heidi: www.heidimortensonlmft.com [http://www.heidimortensonlmft.com] Schedule a FREE 15-minute clarity call: https://calendly.com/heidimortenson/15min [https://calendly.com/heidimortenson/15min] Join my mailing list: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/t5u2y5 [https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/t5u2y5] If you are in crisis, help is available by call or text 1-800-273-8255 24/7. You can also visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org [https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/]. You are loved!

238. Integration, Not Deconstruction: How to Question Without Losing Your Faith

What if you don't need to deconstruct your faith… but learn how to integrate it? In a culture where questioning often leads people away from God, this episode offers a different path. Heidi explores the difference between deconstruction and integration—and how you can ask honest questions without losing your foundation in Christ. If you've felt confused, unsettled, or unsure what to hold onto, this conversation will help you stay rooted while growing deeper. In this episode, you'll learn: • What deconstruction really means—and why it's happening • Where deconstruction can lead to disconnection from God • What integration looks like spiritually, emotionally, and relationally • How to stay connected to Christ while processing doubt and questions • Practical ways to grow in discernment without losing your foundation You don't have to tear everything down to grow. God invites you to stay connected—and be transformed from within. "Abide in me, and I in you… apart from me you can do nothing." — John 15:4–5 Schedule a FREE 15-minute clarity call: https://calendly.com/heidimortenson/15min [https://calendly.com/heidimortenson/15min] Release what isn't yours free guide: https://subscribepage.io/IAqSlkIf [https://subscribepage.io/IAqSlk] · Join my mailing list: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/t5u2y5 [https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/t5u2y5] · If you are in crisis, help is available by call or text 1-800-273-8255 24/7. You can also visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org [https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/]. You are loved!

237. When Faith Gets Complicated With Dusty May Taylor

What happens when deep trauma, spiritual experiences, and faith collide? In this powerful episode of the Strong Tower Mental Health Podcast, Heidi sits down with Dusty May Taylor to share an honest and courageous story of survival, healing, and spiritual discernment. Dusty opens up about her childhood trauma, dissociation, encounters with the occult, and the path that eventually led her to healing through therapy, faith, and deliverance. She also speaks candidly about her experiences within charismatic church spaces, including concerns about certain spiritual practices and the importance of biblical grounding and healthy Christian community. This conversation explores the complex intersection of mental health, spiritual warfare, trauma recovery, and authentic faith. Dusty shares both the painful realities of her journey and the hope she has found through truth, forgiveness, and healing. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." ~ Psalm 34:18 Listeners will gain: * Insight into trauma and dissociation from both psychological and spiritual perspectives * Wisdom about spiritual discernment and faith after spiritual abuse * Encouragement for those navigating healing after difficult church experiences * Hope that deep trauma does not have the final word If you or someone you love is processing trauma, faith questions, or spiritual experiences, this episode offers honest conversation, thoughtful reflection, and a reminder that healing is possible. Dusty's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DustyMayT [https://www.youtube.com/@DustyMayT] Find more about Heidi: www.heidimortensonlmft.com [http://www.heidimortensonlmft.com] Schedule a FREE 15-minute clarity call: https://calendly.com/heidimortenson/15min [https://calendly.com/heidimortenson/15min] If you are in crisis, help is available by call or text 1-800-273-8255 24/7. You can also visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org [https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/]. You are loved!