When Holidays Trigger Old Wounds: Finding Peace in a Season That Stirs Up More Than Joy

The holiday season can be beautiful, but it can also awaken memories, expectations, and emotional triggers we didn’t ask for. In this honest and deeply grounding episode, Coach Gigi explores why the holidays often stir old wounds, how emotional labor takes a toll on the mind and body, and how to stay centered when stress, disappointment, or pressure tries to steal your peace.

You’ll hear a vulnerable personal story about carrying the weight of Christmas for years — cooking, hosting, giving, showing up — while feeling unseen, overwhelmed, and emotionally stretched thin. You’ll learn why your nervous system reacts the way it does during stressful seasons, how trauma memories show up, and how to hold space for yourself while still honoring God and your healing journey.

This episode blends biblical wisdom, mental health insight, grounding techniques, guided reflection, and prayer to help you move through the holidays with honesty, rest, and grace.

Topics in this episode:

• Why holidays trigger emotional and spiritual memories

• The weight of invisible labor during high-pressure seasons

• Feeling unseen, unappreciated, or emotionally overloaded

• How trauma responses show up in the body

• What biblical peace looks like under pressure

• Grounding practices for real-time overwhelm

• Reflection questions to deepen emotional clarity

• A prayer for protection, comfort, and holiday peace

• Safety + support resources

FOCUS: Faith & Mental Health, Inc.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting women, children, and families through trauma-informed care, mental health education, and community programs.

Support the mission or donate at:

👉 https://focusfaithmentalhealth.com

Amazon Wish List for our Year-Round Fill-A-Backpack Initiative:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/19CEUZIY3WJ6X?ref_=wl_share

Books by Geleta “Gigi” Parker on Amazon:

• Beautifully Broken

👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL1D2RZK

• Catch & Release: Seeds of Deception

👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJLZ7F1P

• My Body Is God’s Gift

👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D37NPDX1

• Jesus, Lover of My Soul: Helping Women Worship Through Grief

👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4S6V1HS

Safety Resources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

Music Credit:

Be Still and Know That I Am God

Written and composed by Geleta “Gigi” Parker.

Arrangement and piano accompaniment by DaBarry Thompson.

WHEN LOVE MEETS BLIND SPOTS

Season 4, Episode 1

Home for the Holidays Series

As we enter this Home for the Holidays season, we’re stepping into a conversation many hearts whisper about but rarely name aloud. What do we do when someone we love cannot see what we clearly see? How do we honor God, protect our peace, and navigate relationships marked by blind spots, wounded communication, or unhealed survival patterns?

In this episode, Coach Gigi gently unpacks the emotional and spiritual weight of trying to love someone who misinterprets your intentions, misunderstands your heart, or reacts from their own hidden wounds. You’ll learn how the Word speaks to spiritual blindness, how psychology explains emotional misalignment, and how you can anchor yourself in truth without losing your identity or your sanity.

This is an episode filled with compassion, clarity, and wisdom. Whether you’re navigating marriage, parenting, family dynamics, or friendships, this message will help you breathe, reset, and reclaim your focus as you move through the holidays with grace and strength.

Visit the website:

https://focusfaithmentalhealth.com/

Explore Gigi’s books:

“My Body Is God’s Gift” https://a.co/d/4Yz2yYS

“Jesus Lover of My Soul” https://a.co/d/0Y8r55n

“Beautifully Broken” https://a.co/d/6XSYxbH

“Catch & Release: Seeds of Deception” https://a.co/d/cPMYwW9

Support Fill-A-Backpack and fight food insecurity:

Amazon Holiday List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1O3XFK6DKQ72L?ref_=wl_share

Background music:

“Be Still and Know”

Written and composed by Geleta “Gigi” Parker

Arrangement and piano accompaniment by Debary Thompson

If you are experiencing domestic violence and need help:

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Text START to 88788

Chat: https://www.thehotline.org/

THE BENEDICTION OF SHALOM

Season 3 Finale

As we close the Shalom Season, take a deep breath and settle into the truth that God restores the pieces we thought were gone forever. In this final episode, Coach Gigi speaks a blessing over your mind, your home, your nervous system, and your future. This is a benediction of peace that reaches into the places you’ve survived and gently leads you toward the wholeness you’re becoming.

You’ll reflect, breathe, release, and receive. This is your invitation to step out of survival mode and back into the steady rhythm of God’s love. May this benediction carry you into a new season with strength, clarity, and rest.

Visit the website:

https://focusfaithmentalhealth.com/

Support Fill-A-Backpack and help fight food insecurity:

Amazon Holiday Food List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1O3XFK6DKQ72L?ref_=wl_share

Explore Gigi’s books:

“My Body Is God’s Gift” https://a.co/d/4Yz2yYS

“Jesus Lover of My Soul” https://a.co/d/0Y8r55n

“Beautifully Broken” https://a.co/d/6XSYxbH

“Catch & Release: Seeds of Deception” https://a.co/d/cPMYwW9

Listen to the podcast anytime by saying:

“Alexa, play Faith and Focus A Moment for Your Mind podcast.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence and need help:

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Text START to 88788

Chat: https://www.thehotline.org/

Background music:

“Be Still and Know”

Written and composed by Geleta “Gigi” Parker

Arrangement and piano accompaniment by Debary Thompson

🌿 Episode 30 — The Making of Shalom

Shalom isn’t something you receive once. Shalom is something you learn how to build. In this powerful and transparent episode, Coach Gigi walks you through the real process of creating peace from the inside out — truth, boundaries, emotional regulation, trauma healing, and learning how to live with courage in hard places.

You’ll hear a vulnerable conversation about marriage, emotional patterns, safe people, and the difference between a man’s brokenness and the spiritual battles behind it. This episode reminds you of something many women need to hear: you are not a hypocrite — you are a woman in process. Healing, growing, guiding, and becoming.

If you’ve ever struggled with guilt, confusion, emotional exhaustion, or the weight of carrying peace in a chaotic environment, this message will meet you with truth and grace.

Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Support FOCUS: https://focusfaithmentalhealth.com

Amazon Wishlist (Fill-A-Backpack Initiative): [https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3DUJNOXS1DPDA?ref_=wl_share

Books by Gigi on Amazon: Beautifully Broken, Catch & Release, Jesus, Lover of My Soul, My Body Is God’s Gift

Music Credit:

Written and composed by Geleta “Gigi” Parker.

Arrangement and piano accompaniment by Debary Thompson.

Episode 29: The Still Waters

When life feels loud, heavy, or overwhelming, God still leads us beside still waters. This episode invites you into a calm space to breathe, release, reflect, and reconnect with the One who restores your soul. Coach Gigi walks you through grounding practices, gentle truth, and biblical encouragement to help you find peace in the middle of chaos.

If you’ve been anxious, exhausted, or emotionally stretched, this episode will meet you with comfort and clarity.

Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Support FOCUS: https://focusfaithmentalhealth.com

Amazon Wishlist (Fill-A-Backpack): [https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3DUJNOXS1DPDA?ref_=wl_share]

Books by Gigi on Amazon: Beautifully Broken, Catch & Release, Jesus, Lover of My Soul, My Body Is God’s Gift

Music Credit:

Written and composed by Geleta “Gigi” Parker.

Arrangement and piano accompaniment by Debary Thompson.

Episode 28

Coming out of survival mode is not an overnight shift… it’s a holy rebuilding. In this episode, Coach Gigi walks you through God’s gentle, intentional process of restoring your identity, regulating your mind and body, and bringing you into new circles of support and grace. You’ll hear scripture, reflection questions, a faith and psychology breakdown, and a celebration of everything God is doing through FOCUS: Faith & Mental Health, Inc. Tune in and step into the healing that’s waiting for you.

Background music: Be Still and Know

Written and composed by Geleta “Gigi” Parker.

Arrangement and piano accompaniment by Debary Thompson.

Visit the website to book coaching, donate, or learn more about our mission:

https://focusfaithmentalhealth.com/

Books by Geleta “Gigi” Parker:

Beautifully Broken: https://a.co/d/3cFndST

Catch and Release: Seeds of Deception: https://a.co/d/6Gx7q8B

Jesus, Lover of My Soul: https://a.co/d/bwXFX6a

My Body Is God’s Gift: https://a.co/d/9F5Cz4h

If you or someone you know is in danger or experiencing domestic violence, please reach out for help.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Or text START to 88788.

In The Table God Prepares: Gratitude in Every Season, Gigi reflects on the tender ways God prepares a place for us even when life feels overwhelming. Some seasons bring joy, some bring stretching, and some bring healing that unfolds slowly. Yet in all of it, God sets a table filled with grace, rest, and reminders that we are held.

This Thanksgiving message honors every woman, child, and family connected to FOCUS. We are grateful for every door God is opening in this new season, including our connections with the Paulding and Douglas Chambers of Commerce and Greystone Power Co-Op, and for being approved as a Publix Community Recipient.

May this reflection encourage you to look at your own table and see God’s goodness in every season.

MUSIC CREDIT

Written and composed by Geleta “Gigi” Parker.

Arrangement and piano accompaniment by Debary Thompson.

LEARN MORE

Visit us at https://focusfaithmentalhealth.com/ to stay connected, learn about our programs, or support our mission of serving women, children, and families on their journey toward healing and wholeness.

EPISODE 26 DESCRIPTION

The Truth About Triggers: They Are Not Your Enemy

In this powerful episode, Coach Gigi explores the truth about triggers and why they are not signs of weakness. They are signals from a body that survived what the mind tried to forget. When trauma lives in the nervous system, moments, scents, sounds, or memories can pull you back into places you never asked to revisit. This episode helps you understand what is happening inside you and how God gently heals what still hurts.

Gigi shares a personal story, a trauma informed breakdown of how triggers work, and biblical encouragement to remind you that your reactions do not disqualify you from healing. You will learn how to slow down when you feel overwhelmed, how to name what your body is trying to tell you, and how to walk with God through the rebuilding process.

If you are healing from domestic violence, emotional abuse, childhood trauma, or seasons of high stress, this conversation will give you compassion for yourself and confidence in the God who restores.

Visit FocusFaithMentalHealth.com to donate, learn more about our mission, or book coaching. Your generosity helps us continue serving women, children, and families through trauma informed support, workshops, and community outreach.

BOOKS BY GELETA “GIGI” PARKER

My Body Is God’s Gift (Children’s Book)

https://a.co/d/6I0qhV4

Beautifully Broken

https://a.co/d/eJ9vKIA

Catch and Release: Seeds of Deception

https://a.co/d/bU2ItF9

Jesus Lover of My Soul

https://a.co/d/05n1X9S

If you are in an unsafe situation, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1 800 799 SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.

MUSIC CREDIT

Written and composed by Geleta “Gigi” Parker.

Arrangement and piano accompaniment by DeBary Thompson.

Sis, you are not too far gone. You are never alone. Stay focused. 💜