1 Soul Matters Podcast cover art

1 Soul Matters Podcast

1 Soul Matters Podcast

By: St. Luke Community UMC Mental Health Ministry
Listen for free

About this listen

Where Faith, Community, and Transformation Meet

Fostering spiritual growth, emotional well-being, and authentic connection through candid conversations rooted in faith and mental health.

© 2025 1 Soul Matters Podcast
Spirituality
Episodes
  • When Health Becomes Worship And Community Becomes Medicine
    Oct 17 2025

    We bring faith, medicine, and lived experience together to support women’s physical and mental health, with a special focus on breast cancer, boundaries, and building a circle of care. Two doctors and two survivors share scripture, science, and practical tools that turn self-care into stewardship. Guest highlighted the following:

    Embodied Faith and Stewardship: Viewing health as worship, practicing mindfulness and breathwork, and setting healthy boundaries as acts of spiritual care.

    Women’s Health and Advocacy: Understanding core women’s health risks, maternal mortality, and how to advocate for yourself in medical settings.

    Emotional Regulation and Resilience: Managing anxiety, recognizing triggers, and using survivor stories as pathways toward hope and healing.

    Community and Support: Building a circle of care, asking clearly for the help you need, and choosing providers who honor your body’s wisdom.

    Remember that you are not alone. God has placed you in a circle of care. Cherish it, lean on it, and be a part of it for others.

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Faith Matters: Breaking the Silence on Suicide – Hope, Healing & Recovery in Faith Communities
    Sep 25 2025

    Reverend Jermine Alberty joins Dr. Janice Moore for a powerful, life-saving conversation about the alarming rise in suicide rates among Black youth and how faith communities can respond with both spiritual wisdom and practical support.

    The statistics are sobering: suicide is the third leading cause of death for African-American youth ages 10-24, with rates increasing by 144% between 2007-2020. For young Black men, the suicide rate is over four times higher than for young women. Behind these numbers are real souls in pain—individuals who need to know they're not alone.

    Drawing from his personal journey as both a pastor and father who walked alongside his own son through a suicide attempt at age 17, Reverend Alberty shares wisdom that bridges faith and mental health support. He offers clear guidance on recognizing warning signs, responding to crisis situations, and creating environments where honest conversations about pain can happen without judgment. His direct approach cuts through stigma with two crucial questions that could save a life: "Are you having thoughts of suicide?" and "Are you thinking about killing yourself?"

    The conversation explores the cultural complexities of resilience messaging in Black communities, where phrases like "we survived slavery, we can survive anything" or "what goes on in this house stays in this house" can inadvertently discourage seeking help. Reverend Alberty introduces his HELP model (Hear compassionately, Engage openly, Learn perspectives, Plan next steps) and emphasizes that faith and professional mental health support should be partners, not competitors, in the healing journey.

    Whether you're a faith leader, parent, mentor, or someone struggling with your own mental health challenges, this episode provides practical tools, spiritual wisdom, and the crucial reminder that you are not alone. Remember: 988 is the number to call, text, or chat for immediate crisis support. One soul truly does matter.

    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Youth Matters: Faith in the Classroom
    Sep 1 2025

    What happens when faith meets education in today's high school classrooms? Teacher and former pastor J. Todd Bruning reveals the delicate balance of bringing values into secular education without imposing beliefs. Through candid conversation with host Rev. Jermine Alberty, Todd shares how his approach of being "wise, kind, and fair" creates a foundation for meaningful student connections that transcend traditional boundaries.

    The conversation takes an illuminating turn when Todd discusses the unpredictability of student behavior and how authentic listening transforms these relationships. "The moment there's a situation where they know that you're listening to what's important to them... it changes everything," Todd explains. This philosophy manifests in heartwarming ways, like students who aren't even in his class stopping by just for a morning fist bump.

    Most compelling is Todd's revelation about impact: "I do more ministry every day in the classroom than I felt like I would do in a week, or maybe even a month" in a traditional church setting. His three-part approach—listening authentically, building genuine connections, and "bending along with grace"—offers profound guidance for anyone working with young people. This episode reinforces the research-backed finding that one caring adult outside the home can significantly influence a child's development, making this conversation essential listening for parents, educators, and community leaders alike. Join us to discover how compassionate presence in everyday spaces can create extraordinary change in young lives.

    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.