Becoming Unhindered

Dabbling on the Dark Side?: Why "Harmless" Habits May Be Hurting You

🎙️ Episode Summary: In this candid and eye-opening episode, I talk heart-to-heart from a coaching perspective about something many believers don't realize: dabbling in the dark side—yes, even unintentionally. From horoscopes to Ouija boards, and even certain entertainment or exercises like yoga, this episode explores how these "harmless" practices may open spiritual doors that leave us mentally anxious and spiritually oppressed. You'll be challenged to ask yourself: Are you unknowingly blending light and darkness? And more importantly: What is God inviting you to step away from? This isn't about shame—it's about freedom, healing, and choosing LIFE. ⏱️ Time Stamps & Episode Flow: * [01:16] — Intro & inspiration behind the episode (a car with "Blessed" and an astrology sticker) * [01:50] — Unpopular opinion: Are Christians playing with fire? (List of common dark practices) * [2:58] — Mental health impact: Fear, anxiety, control & seeking the future * [04:13] — Spiritual consequences: Demonic influence, not possession, and open doors * [06:17] — Eye-opening stats & quotes (Jeremiah Johnston’s research) * [06:54] — Choose Life Challenge * [08:30] — Encouragement to trust the Holy Spirit and pursue God’s best 📌 Key Takeaways: * Even “small” spiritual compromises can open big doors. * Mental health and spiritual health are deeply connected. * Just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s harmless. * The Holy Spirit is faithful to show you what may be blocking your relationship with the Lord. 💬 Challenge for the Listener: Ask God to show you any place—past or present—where you've opened a door to darkness. Repent and receive His forgiveness. Then close the door for good. 🌿   DISCLAIMER I am a licensed professional counselor, however this podcast (and the info shared on my blogs and social media) is not therapy. It is for informational purposes only; this is not a professional therapy relationship; and it is not personal advice to your specific situation. If you wonder whether professional counseling may be helpful for you in this season of life, check out this article that outlines when you might need to seek the help of a professional counselor and how to find a good one: https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor [https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor] LINKS Book: Unanswered [https://[]—Spiritualconsequences:Demonicinfluence,notpossession,andopendoors] by Jeremiah Johnston Christian Post Article: Apologists Warning to Christians on the Paranormal https://www.christianpost.com/news/apologists-warning-to-christians-on-the-paranormal-once-you-open-door-to-the-demonic-its-hard-to-close.html [https://www.christianpost.com/news/apologists-warning-to-christians-on-the-paranormal-once-you-open-door-to-the-demonic-its-hard-to-close.html] How to Find a Christian Counselor: https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor [https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor] Sign up for my Inner Circle newsletter: Https://shelleyspence.com [http://shelleyspence.com] I’m cheering you on as you break free from what’s holding you back and keeping you stuck.

Ep27 Daily Check-In - A Soul Care Habit to Slow Down and Reconnect

🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode, we explore the power of a simple but transformative soul care habit: the daily emotional check-in. If you've ever felt disconnected from yourself, struggled to recall your highs and lows from the week, or noticed stress and anxiety sneaking in—this practice is for you. Learn how taking just 1–2 minutes a day to pause, breathe, and name your emotions can help you reduce stress and reconnect with what truly matters. 🕰️ Timestamps: 1:06 – Introduction 1:57 – Why Emotional Check-Ins Are Important * Emotions as data * “Name it to tame it” – managing vs. being managed by emotions * Connection between emotional and spiritual health (Dr. Jim Wilder & Dr. Anita Phillips) 3:49 – Who Especially Needs This * If you’re a firstborn, caretaker, or had emotionally unavailable parents * The habit of tuning into everyone else but neglecting yourself 4:11 – How To Do a Daily Check-In * Simple 3-step process 4:27 – Real-Life Example from Host 6:04 – Benefits for Kids, Couples, and Families * Build emotional vocabulary * Reduce problem behaviors * Use check-ins during dinner, car rides, or before bed ✨ Key Takeaways: * Daily check-ins help you slow down and reconnect with yourself and God. * Naming your emotions is the first step toward emotional regulation and spiritual growth. * Emotional maturity impacts spiritual maturity: your emotional health matters deeply. * This simple 1–2 minute practice can benefit not just you, but your relationships with your kids, spouse, and community.   DISCLAIMER I am a licensed professional counselor, however this podcast (and the info shared on my blogs and social media) is not therapy. It is for informational purposes only; this is not a professional therapy relationship; and it is not personal advice to your specific situation. If you wonder whether professional counseling may be helpful for you in this season of life, check out this article that outlines when you might need to seek the help of a professional counselor and how to find a good one: https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor [https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor] LINKS How to Find a Christian Counselor: https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor [https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor] Sign up for my Inner Circle newsletter: Https://shelleyspence.com [http://shelleyspence.com] I’m cheering you on as you break free from what’s holding you back and keeping you stuck.

Ep26 Even Good Christian Girls Get Mad: What To Do With Hidden Anger & Resentment

💬 Episode Overview What if your anger wasn’t a problem, but a pointer? In today’s episode, we’re unpacking the truth about hidden anger and resentment — especially the kind we’ve been taught to ignore or hide. If you’ve ever felt guilty for feeling angry, or you’ve been stuffing it down for so long that you don’t even recognize yourself anymore… this one's for you. We talk about the gift of anger, how Jesus and Moses both expressed it, and how suppressing it can lead to depression, emotional disconnection, and even damage our relationships. You’ll walk away with practical, healthy, and godly ways to process and release anger — and maybe even start your healing journey today. 🕰️ Time Stamps 1:15 – Intro: What comes to mind when you hear the word anger? 1:40 – The 8 core feelings (Chip Dodd – Voice of the Heart) 1:55 – Anger as a God-given gift: It reveals our passion 2:30 – Biblical examples of godly anger: Jesus & Moses 3:13 – The danger of stuffing anger: emotional numbness & depression 4:10– My personal story with hidden anger and the healing process 6:20 – Are you hiding anger? Or exploding it? 6:28 - What about going to bed angry? (Ephesians 4:26 & Psalm 4:4) 7:00 – Plane analogy: Quick vs. slow processors of conflict 8:02 – Balloon analogy: What are you doing with your anger? 8:34 – Helping teens (or yourself) express anger in healthy ways 9:08 – DIY rage room ideas + physical ways to release anger 11:48 – Journaling prompts + what your anger is trying to tell you 12:35 – The power of forgiveness: Resentment keeps you stuck 13:08 – Resources & Choose Life Challenge 🔑 Key Takeaways * Anger is not a sin — it’s a signal that points to your passion, purpose, and values. Sometimes angry behaviors can be sinful, but the feeling itself is not sin. * All emotions, including anger, were created by God and are good. * Suppressing anger can lead to depression, disconnection, and emotional numbness. * You can express anger in healthy and godly ways — verbally, physically, and creatively. * Forgiveness is one of the most powerful ways to release hidden anger and resentment.   DISCLAIMER I am a licensed professional counselor, however this podcast (and the info shared on my blogs and social media) is not therapy. It is for informational purposes only; this is not a professional therapy relationship; and it is not personal advice to your specific situation. If you wonder whether professional counseling may be helpful for you in this season of life, check out this article that outlines when you might need to seek the help of a professional counselor and how to find a good one: https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor [https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor] LINKS * Book: The Voice of the Heart [https://www.amazon.com/dp/098439916X?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_QTPZPZ8X62NY684QHY55] by Chip Dodd * Episode 20: [https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/9c853c14-da0e-48cd-a2f9-5d6ce1d3dac2.mp3]How to forgive and start healing * How to Find a Christian Counselor: https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor [https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor] * Sign up for my Inner Circle newsletter: Https://shelleyspence.com [http://shelleyspence.com] I’m cheering you on as you break free from what’s holding you back and keeping you stuck.

Ep25 3 Lies Anxiety Tells you & What God Says Instead

💬 Episode Summary: Do you love Jesus but still feel anxious all the time? You're not alone. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the unspoken struggles many Christian women face—like fear, overwhelm, and emotional exhaustion—and the 3 root lies anxiety whispers that keep us stuck. We’ll look at what God says instead, how to start shifting your focus from fear to freedom, and why knowing God by His names might just change everything. Whether you battle fear of failure, fear of the future, or fear of not being enough—this is for you. ⏱️ Time Stamps: 1:15 – Welcome + A message to the silently struggling 1:49 – Why we need to talk about what’s not talked about in church 2:18 – The 3 root fears anxiety feeds off of (based on Ed Welch’s Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest) 4:35 – 3 lies anxiety tells you (and how to recognize them in your own life) 7:24 – How hard things shape our beliefs—and how lies take root 7:42 – Replacing lies with truth (Christian CBT + Scripture) 9:39 – Names of God that speak directly to your fears 11:54 – Practical challenge: 4 steps to stop the spiral 13:28 – Final encouragement + what’s coming next on the BU Podcast ✨ Key Takeaways: * Anxiety often stems from 3 root fears: Death/Harm, Judgment/Rejection, and Fear of the Future * These fears manifest as lies: “I’m not safe,” “I’m not enough,” “I’m alone—it’s all up to me” * God speaks truth over every lie: You are safe in His presence, enough in Christ, and never alone * Knowing God by His names can reshape how you experience fear and anxiety * Practical steps: identify the lie, speak the truth, renounce the lie, replace it with Scripture   DISCLAIMER I am a licensed professional counselor, however this podcast (and the info shared on my blogs and social media) is not therapy. It is for informational purposes only; this is not a professional therapy relationship; and it is not personal advice to your specific situation. If you wonder whether professional counseling may be helpful for you in this season of life, check out this article that outlines when you might need to seek the help of a professional counselor and how to find a good one: https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor [https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor] 🔗 Resources Mentioned: * Running Scared by Ed Welch * Names of God published by The Daily Grace Co.: https://thedailygraceco.com/products/the-names-of-god-handbook [https://thedailygraceco.com/products/the-names-of-god-handbook] * How to Find a Christian Counselor: https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor [https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor] * Sign up for my Inner Circle newsletter: Https://shelleyspence.com [http://shelleyspence.com] 💌 Connect: If this episode spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps more women find freedom in Christ. Follow along on Instagram @becoming_unhindered for encouragement between episodes. 💛 I’m cheering you on as you break free from what’s holding you back and keeping you stuck.

Ep24: How to Self-Soothe: A Biblical Tool for Mental and Spiritual Health

💡 Episode Overview: In today’s episode, I’m diving into one of the most important skills for lifelong mental and spiritual health: the ability to self-soothe—but not in the way the world teaches. We’re talking about what it means to quiet your soul in God’s presence, and I’ll share a powerful, Biblical, and practical tool you can use to retrain your brain to run to Jesus in both the highs and lows of life. Whether you’re overwhelmed, overjoyed, or just overstimulated by life, this is for you. ⏱️ Time Stamps: 01:18 – Welcome + Why this topic matters now 01:53 – What is self-soothing and why it’s essential 02:25 – The chaos of modern life and our desperate need for soul rest 02:39 – What the Bible says about calming ourselves (Psalm 131 + 62) 03:05 – Common “false rest” habits and how they fail us 03:44 – How Moses found calm in God’s presence 04:52 – Introducing the Biblical tool: The Immanuel Approach 05:54 – Step-by-step guide to the practice 07:05 – Why this practice helps train your brain to rest in God 07:26 – When and how to use this tool throughout your day 07:46 – Final encouragement + invitation to practice with Jesus ✅ Key Takeaways: * Self-soothing is a skill we can train, and God has already equipped us for it. * The Bible models emotional regulation through God’s presence—not distraction or escape. * Psalm 131:2 teaches us that we can calm and quiet our own souls with God's help. * The Immanuel Approach is a simple 2-step practice rooted in gratitude and connection with Jesus. I learned it from Jim Wilder. * The more we practice this, the more natural it becomes to run to God instead of false comforts. DISCLAIMER I am a licensed professional counselor, however this podcast (and the info shared on my blogs and social media) is not therapy. It is for informational purposes only; this is not a professional therapy relationship; and it is not personal advice to your specific situation. If you wonder whether professional counseling may be helpful for you in this season of life, check out this article that outlines when you might need to seek the help of a professional counselor and how to find a good one: https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor [https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor] LINKS How to Find a Christian Counselor: https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor [https://shelleyspence.com/how-to-find-a-christian-counselor] Sign up for my Inner Circle newsletter: Https://shelleyspence.com [http://shelleyspence.com] I’m cheering you on as you break free from what’s holding you back and keeping you stuck.