Lifted to Hope

Louise Sedgwick
  • 5.0 (22)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Trying to make sense of God's design for our lives and our day-to-day experience in a sinful world can be confusing and lonely. Join me, Louise Sedgwick, an author, teacher, and survivor of childhood trauma each Tuesday as I share insights about my own healing journey as well as hearing stories from friends and experts that will inspire you. Here you will discover the hope you've been craving. If you're ready to experience true freedom from the past and finally connect with others and God, I've saved a seat for you.

  1. 19h ago

    The Inner Critic Silenced by Identity in Christ with Anne Wooten, Part 2

    Anne Wooten, author and life coach, returns this week to share more of her powerful story of what happened when her inner critic became her own persecutor and accuser. Years of bitterness and self-hatred had created a prison she struggled to escape, but in 2019, the Holy Spirit invited Anne to turn away from that destructive way of living and toward God Himself. As she responded to His invitation, Anne began to experience something she had long struggled to receive: God's love and forgiveness. She also discovered that she could extend that forgiveness to herself. Anne's journey did not stop with forgiveness. As she learned to live from her identity in Christ, she began to understand her value through the way God valued her. The accusations and lies that had shaped her view of herself no longer had to define who she was. Today, Anne shares this beautiful gift with others who long to experience the same freedom. Her story offers hope that we don't have to remain imprisoned by self-hatred, bitterness, or the voice of our inner critic. Through God's love, forgiveness, and the truth of who we are in Christ, freedom is possible.   Connect with Anne:  Website: www.annewooten.com Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/awooten77/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/hgbc991 Scripture mentioned: 2 Corinthians 10:5   To inquire about counseling, email Louise at Louise@louisesedgwick.com.

  2. Sep 29

    The Relentless Inner Critic with Anne Wooten, Part 1

    Anne Wooten, Life Coach and author, grew up knowing that her parents loved her, but they rarely expressed that love with words. As she watched other parents openly tell their children they were loved, Anne began to wonder why she never heard those words from her own parents. Over time, that absence of verbal affirmation became a source of shame. She began to believe there was something wrong with her, and an inner critic took root, constantly telling her that she was unlovable and without value. In an effort to earn the love she longed for, Anne spent years striving to achieve and prove her worth. That inner critic eventually affected Anne physically, emotionally, and spiritually, leading her into patterns of self-hatred and harm. Her story is a powerful reminder of how deeply the messages we believe about ourselves can shape the way we live. In this episode, Anne honestly shares her journey and the impact of growing up without the affirmation she needed. If you have ever struggled with a harsh inner voice, felt unworthy of love, or believed you needed to achieve in order to be valued, Anne's story will give you an opportunity to recognize those patterns and consider the truth about your worth.   Connect with Anne:  Website: www.annewooten.com Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/awooten77/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/hgbc991   To inquire about counseling, email Louise at Louise@louisesedgwick.com.

  3. Sep 22

    The Path Forward after Healing with Melissa Gendreau, MS, LMHC, NCC, Part 2

    Melissa Gendreau, LMHC, returns this week to share what happens after we begin healing from shame and the wounds of our past. Healing does not mean we have reached a finish line. There is still room to grow, mature, and discover the person God created us to be. For years, Melissa walked alongside people as they worked through painful experiences and found freedom from the issues that had kept them stuck. But God began placing a new desire on her heart: to help people not only heal from their past, but also move forward into their future. We don't have to remain in a place of believing we will never move beyond shame or brokenness. As we grow in our understanding of who God says we are, we can begin to step into the good works He has prepared for us and live with greater joy and purpose. Melissa shares the hope of moving from simply surviving and healing into becoming all that God designed us to be. This journey can bring freedom, purpose, and joy while giving God great glory. Connect with Melissa:  Website: https://melissagendreaupllc.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/melissagendreaupllc/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-gendreau-39908b327/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forwardpathwithmelissa/ Podcast:  Forward Path with Melissa    To inquire about counseling, email Louise at Louise@louisesedgwick.com.

  4. Sep 15

    Hiding Behind Perfectionism with Melissa Gendreau, MS, LMHC, NCC, Part 1

    As a quiet and shy bookworm growing up, Melissa Gendreau, LMHC, learned to believe that she needed to perform and be perfect in order to be accepted. That mindset followed her into adulthood, shaping the way she viewed herself and contributing to a deep sense of shame, including shame from a teenage relationship that went wrong. Yet even before Melissa fully knew Jesus, God had already placed a desire in her heart to give her life for His kingdom and help people who were hurting. In this episode, Melissa openly shares how those early experiences shaped her understanding of herself and how God began to change that perspective. As Melissa came to know Jesus, she discovered that the way she had been assessing herself was not the truth. Through time, practice, and learning to trust what God says about her, she began to believe that she was who He said she was. Today, as a therapist, Melissa helps others who feel stuck in places of shame, drawing from both her professional experience and her own journey of healing. I loved her honest and vulnerable sharing, and I hope her story encourages you to look beyond the labels and expectations you have placed on yourself and discover who God says you are.   Connect with Melissa:  Website: https://melissagendreaupllc.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/melissagendreaupllc/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-gendreau-39908b327/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forwardpathwithmelissa/ Podcast:  Forward Path with Melissa    To inquire about counseling, email Louise at Louise@louisesedgwick.com.

  5. Sep 8

    Experiencing God's Grace After Infidelity with Margaret Maxey Ellis, Part 2

    Margaret Maxey Ellis returns this week to continue sharing the story of how her marriage slowly healed after her infidelity. After confessing her affair to her husband, Margaret faced the long and difficult journey of rebuilding trust. With God's wisdom and grace, she learned how to walk alongside her husband as he processed the deep pain of betrayal. Margaret also discovered that she needed practical tools and support, but when she could not find the resources she needed, God began to reveal a new purpose for her story. Together, Margaret and her husband recognized an opportunity to help other women who have experienced infidelity in their marriages. That calling led Margaret to write her upcoming book, Chased by Grace. Her story is a beautiful testimony that God's grace is greater than our sin and that He can redeem even our deepest failures for His glory. Through her vulnerability, Margaret offers hope to women who are longing to find healing, restoration, and a new purpose beyond their past.   Connect with Margaret: Facebook Scripture Mentioned: Luke 15:1-7 I Corinthians 10:12 Song Mentioned: "Reckless Love" by Cory Asbury     Links mentioned: Lifted from Shame Workbook Small Groups   To inquire about counseling, email Louise at Louise@louisesedgwick.com.

  6. Sep 1

    A Good Girl is Unfaithful with Margaret Maxey Ellis, Part 1

    Margaret Maxey Ellis spent the first few decades of her life trying to be the "good girl," believing that obedience, doing the right things, and checking all the right boxes would keep her safe and make her acceptable to God and others. But when challenges in her marriage created deep vulnerability, Margaret made a choice that brought her face to face with her own sin. She had an affair with a client at work, while continuing to maintain the appearance of having everything together. Beneath the surface, however, she was overwhelmed by shame and guilt. What makes Margaret's story so powerful is that God met her in the middle of her sin. Rather than discovering a God who turned away from her, she encountered His mercy, grace, and presence. Her story reminds us that our own goodness can never save us, but neither is our worst failure beyond the reach of God's grace. Margaret's vulnerable testimony offers hope for anyone who has carried deep shame and needs to discover the freedom that comes from being honest before God and receiving His mercy.   Connect with Margaret:  Facebook   Links Mentioned: Lifted from Shame Workbook Small Groups   To inquire about counseling, email Louise at Louise@louisesedgwick.com.

  7. Aug 25

    Holding on to Faith, Hope, and Love Instead of Shame with MIchelle Thooft, Part 2

    Author and ministry leader Michelle Thooft returns this week to share more of her journey toward freedom from shame and self-hatred. After years of allowing painful thoughts and regrets to shape how she saw herself, Michelle realized that healing would require a change in mindset. She could no longer remain focused on the past, leaning into regret and grief. Instead, she began learning to practice the discipline described in 2 Corinthians 10:5, taking her thoughts captive and bringing them into alignment with the truth of Christ. In this episode, Michelle shares how choosing truth over the lies of shame transformed her life, health, and relationships. She learned that without intentionally focusing on what is true, her thoughts could easily spiral back into old patterns of self-condemnation. Her story is a powerful reminder that healing often involves a daily choice to believe what God says rather than what shame tells us. As Michelle embraced truth, healthy living began to take root where shame had once dwelled, offering hope to anyone longing for freedom from destructive thoughts.   Connect with Michelle:  https://www.michellethooft.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MichelleThooftAuthor/ https://www.instagram.com/michellethooft/   Links Mentioned: Book: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, MD Registration for Lifted from Shame Workbook small groups: https://www.louisesedgwick.com/zoomsmallgroups  Questions about small groups: Louise@louisesedgwick.com   Scripture mentioned:  2 Corinthians 10:5   To inquire about counseling, email Louise at Louise@louisesedgwick.com.

  8. Aug 18

    Self-Hatred Produced Physical Illness with Michelle Thooft, Part 1

    My guest, Michelle Thooft, shares a powerful story of discovering the hidden shame she had carried over past mistakes. From the outside, Michelle appeared capable, accomplished, and spiritually influential, but beneath the surface she was carrying messages of self-hatred that she had never fully recognized. Eventually, the emotional turmoil began to take a toll on her body, and significant illness forced her to slow down and face the painful beliefs she had been carrying about herself. Michelle's journey toward healing began through prayer and the willingness to bring those hidden messages into the light. In this episode, she shares how God began to meet her in those wounded places and reveal a different way of seeing herself. Her story is an encouraging reminder that shame can remain hidden beneath even a strong exterior, but God sees what is beneath the surface and lovingly invites us into truth, grace, and healing.   Connect with Michelle:  https://www.michellethooft.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MichelleThooftAuthor/ https://www.instagram.com/michellethooft/   Links Mentioned: https://www.louisesedgwick.com/zoomsmallgroups (for small group registration) Book: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, MD   To inquire about counseling, email Louise at Louise@louisesedgwick.com.

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About

Trying to make sense of God's design for our lives and our day-to-day experience in a sinful world can be confusing and lonely. Join me, Louise Sedgwick, an author, teacher, and survivor of childhood trauma each Tuesday as I share insights about my own healing journey as well as hearing stories from friends and experts that will inspire you. Here you will discover the hope you've been craving. If you're ready to experience true freedom from the past and finally connect with others and God, I've saved a seat for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Louise Sedgwick
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    218
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    Lifted to Hope

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