Hey friends! Today’s episode is a timely one — because if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably felt overwhelmed or anxious at some point lately. I’m joined by Dr. Charles Stone, pastor, author, and brain science nerd (in the best way possible) to talk about how we can actually reduce anxiety and stress using a powerful combo of Scripture and neuroscience.

Dr. Charles shares from his new book, Stress Less: 9 Habits from the Bible and Brain Science to Build Resilience and Reduce Anxiety, and gets real about his own freedom story. We talk about pastoring through the chaos of COVID, personal health scares, family trials, and how God has shown up through every moment.

He also shares practical tools—like a powerful breathing exercise and the STOPP method—that help us stay grounded and anchored in truth when life gets chaotic. This episode is packed with wisdom, hope, and some “why didn’t I learn this sooner?” kind of tips.

We chat about:

• Leading a church through lockdown and health crises

• God’s role in our stress response

• Bible characters who dealt with extreme stress (hello, Paul and Job!)

• Breathing techniques that actually rewire your nervous system

• How to spot emotionally safe people in your life

• The HEART acronym and why your circle matters

• Why theology and brain science go hand in hand

You’ll walk away feeling encouraged, equipped, and a little nerdy in the best way.

Bio:

Dr. Charles Stone (MDiv, D Min, PhD) has served in vocational ministry for forty-three years, thirty of which as a senior pastor. He recently completed a nine-year role as lead pastor of West Park Church in London, Ontario, Canada, a multicultural congregation with over a thousand attendees. He has authored eight books and now serves as a coach-consultant to pastors and leaders. Over three hundred of his articles have appeared in magazines and in online publications, such as Outreach Magazine, Leadership Journal, Pastors.com, SermonCentral.com, and Churchleaders.com.

His doctorate research for Stress Less involved consulting more than five hundred research studies, articles, and books on stress resilience. He also studied more than four hundred ministry leaders by using surveys, interviews, and data analysis software.

Anchor Verses:

Luke 2: 52

Isaiah 32: 8

Connect with Charles Stone:

Website: https://charlesstone.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/chucks9886

FB: https://www.facebook.com/charles.stone1/

💥 Bonus: The first 30 people who register for the Anchored in Hope workshop on Sept 20 will get Gena McCown’s devotional, Deep Forgiveness, a bookmark with a link to order Katie Reid’s Bible study, God, What Do I Do, and a candle!

📍Canton, OH | 🗓️ September 20 | 🎟️ Early Bird: $25, VIP: $40 includes workshop t-shirt and reserved seating

https://www.anchoredbythesword.org/event-details/anchored-in-hope-finding-purpose-in-your-pain

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