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Susan and Alex are joined by co-host Josh Burris and special guest Nicole Zasowski for a heartfelt conversation around the question: "How does God call us to talk with others about pain?" Together, they explore what it looks like to hold space for one another, speak truth with compassion, and reflect God's love in our hardest conversations.

NICOLE ZASOWSKI is a licensed marriage and family therapist and author of What If It's Wonderful, From Lost to Found and her new Bible Study Daring Joy. She is also the coauthor of Advances and Techniques in Restoration Therapy and Families and Forgiveness. As a writer who wears her heart proudly on her sleeve, Nicole’s work is a weave of biblical wisdom, psychological expertise, and vulnerable storytelling. Often praised for her wisdom and approachable style, Nicole is a sough-after speaker, frequently teaching at conferences, retreats, and women’s events around the country on topics that integrate faith and psychology.

In addition to her private practice, Nicole’s therapeutic work has included teaching as an adjunct professor at Alliance Theological Seminary in New York and leading marriage intensives at the Hideaway Experience.

Nicole and her husband, Jimmy, are the grateful parents of three young children. Her favorite place to be is looking for sea glass on the Connecticut shoreline, exploring a New England town or New York City neighborhood, or sitting in her front yard around a fire with her family, friends, and neighbors.

Nicole would love to connect with you on Instagram @nicolezasowski. You can also subscribe to Nicole’s newsletter to have wisdom and encouragement sent straight to your inbox!

In Nicole’s newest Bible study, Daring Joy, you will learn to release fear, comparison, and control so you can embrace the joy God designed you for. You can find all her books and resources here: https://www.nicolezasowski.com/

Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast. We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness. You can find all our episodes and more at www.embodiedholiness.com.

Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website.

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Erin Peterson, founder of Cinderella's Closet, joins Susan and Lindsey to talk about her calling to help young women know their worth. From giving dresses for prom, providing scholarships for college, to hosting body positivity seminars, God is using Erin and the ministry of Cinderella's closet to help turn dresses into dreams.

Find out more, learn how to donate or get involved at the Cinderella's Closet website.

Cinderella’s Closet NKY began n 2006 as a ministry of a local church and in 2024 became an individual non-profit organization. It’s an effort inspired by a teenager, our founder, Erin Peterson met while shopping at a consignment store. Erin overheard the teenager ask a clerk if the beautiful, gently-used gown on display could be put on hold while she figured out how to pay for it.

She asked her foster mother for the money, but a prom dress is an extra in life, and its price was out of their reach. Seeing her disappointment, Erin bought the dress for her. As tears flooded her eyes, said she would look “just like Cinderella.” For one day, a little girl was transformed into a princess.

Erin was transformed as well. Shortly thereafter, Cinderella’s Closet NKY began. Each year we are able to help nearly 450 girls in Northern Kentucky find the dress of their dreams and renewed confidence in themselves.

Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast. We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness. You can find all our episodes and more at www.embodiedholiness.com.

Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website.

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Are you a people pleaser? Do you confuse being a peacemaker with being a peacekeeper? Susan and Alex talk about the struggles of people pleasing with Dr. Beverly Smallwood. Even if you don't struggle with this, there is so much amazing content in this episode that is sure to benefit you. Thanks for listening!

ABOUT DR. SMALLWOOD: Dr. Bev Smallwood is a licensed psychologist who, for the past 40 plus years, has been spreading her message of hope to individuals, families, and organizations across the U.S. and around the world. She’s the Founder and CEO of The Hope Center, a psychological clinic she established in 1984. Since the early 80’s, Bev’s high-content, high-fun, live, in-person programs have enabled organizations to accomplish successful transitions, develop more skillful leaders, intensify employee engagement, reduce turnover, and create fiercely loyal customers. Dr.Bev also creates high engagement learning in her virtual programs and courses.

Bev received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1981. Since that time, she has regularly received advanced professional training in such areas as stress and anger management, trauma treatment, forensic psychology, organizational assessment and intervention, and leadership development.

Dr. Bev is well-known as a resource to the national media. She’s been interviewed and quoted in such media outlets as MSNBC, CNN, FOX News, Maury Povich, New York Times, USA Today Weekend, Focus on the Family, Chicago Tribune, Cincinnati Enquirer, Self Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Entrepreneur, and numerous major radio stations and networks.

Bev’s the author of This Wasn’t Supposed to Happen to Me: 10 Make-or-Break Choices When Life Steals Your Dreams and Rocks Your World, (Thomas Nelson, Publishers). She also co-authored KidSpiration: Out of the Mouths of Babes. Currently, she is working on a new book on anger called All The Rage.

Dr. Bev Smallwood lives in Hattiesburg, MS. She’s the Mom of Greg and Amy, and the grandmother of Joseph, Ethan, Scarlett, and Eli.

Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast. We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness. You can find all our episodes and more at www.embodiedholiness.com.

Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website.