Thriving in Christ | Burnout, Stress, Leadership, Faith & High Performance

Dr. Ioana Popa | Psychiatrist Educator, Executive Coach, Speaker & Spiritual Care Formation

For Christian Women Professionals & Servant Leaders called to live, lead, and serve from renewal for the Kingdom. Top 2.5% Globally Ranked. → Do you feel at times stressed, depleted, or on a “busy treadmill,” with Sunday night blues - even though you love what you do? → Do you sense blocks in reaching your highest potential for the Kingdom, despite already carrying significant responsibility and impact? → Do you struggle to fully replenish yourself and access the peace that surpasses all understanding - no matter how many programs you’ve tried - and worry that self-care and deep renewal will only add more to long to-do list? → Do you wrestle to stay grounded, clear, and expansive in your impact - especially in high-stakes situations? If this is you, welcome. You are not lacking discipline. You are not lacking faith. More often, what’s missing is sustainable renewal. Many of the solutions available today act like band-aids - placed on top of an already burdened foundation, shaped by chronic stress, cultural conditioning, and misconceptions about what it truly means to live and serve in Christ. In this show, we take a different approach. Through the integration of science, psychology, and Christian faith, this show helps you: → Return to a place of inner renewal - accessing the “living waters” of Christ from within → Align your body, mind, heart, and soul - reducing inner fragmentation and restoring a grounded inner life. → Simplify your daily habits from the inside-out - building sustainable rhythms that support your life and leadership without adding pressure. → Access clarity, peace, and grounded presence - especially in high-responsibility and high-stakes moments. → Expand your capacity to lead and serve with joy and peace - not from striving, but from renewal, alignment, and co-creation with God. This is not about doing more. It is about learning how to return - again and again - to God within, where your strength is renewed, your inner life is restored, and your leadership flows from your soul. Hi, I’m Dr. Ioana Popa - co-founder of Team For The Soul® Institute, physician-psychiatrist educator, spiritual care & executive coach, speaker, and trainer. As a woman deeply committed to serving others and to my faith, I found myself saying yes to every need, carrying increasing responsibility, and quietly moving toward chronic stress and burnout. I believed that catching up on rest during weekends or vacations would be enough - but it was not. After experiencing burnout twice, I sought help through both psychology and Christian faith - only to find fragmented guidance, often disconnected, or even at odds. Over time, I realized that if I wanted to live, lead, and serve in Christ with clarity, energy, and joy, I needed something different. A simple, integrated way of living - rooted in renewal, grounded in Christ, and supported by both science and faith. This is the work I now share with you. If you are ready to grow toward your highest potential - from a grounded, renewed foundation in Christ - you are in the right place. Let’s begin. Sending you many blessings and prayers in Christ, Dr. Ioana NEXT STEPS: ✝️ Want to get my WEEKLY emails with updates, events, and special invitations? JOIN 'Thriving In Christ' Resources: https://www.teamforthesoul.com/thriving-in-christ-sign-up ✝️ Ready to lead in Christ with Joy, Peace & Purpose? Set up a complimentary Free Consultation to learn about how I can support you: https://calendly.com/teamforthesoul/inquirycall CONNECT: Website: https://teamforthesoul.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drioanapopa/ DISCLAIMERS: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Team For The Soul® Institute. All information provided on this platform is strictly for educational purposes and does not form a physician-patient or coach/consultant-client relationship. All

  1. 10H AGO

    282 | The Hidden Cost of Perfectionism - Finding Rest in Christ with Andrea Fortenberry

    Today, I want to share about a common phenomenon: many of us women carry a quiet pressure to do everything well, hold everything together, and never fall short. This typically stems from a perfectionistic part of us, which can often help us, but at times can lead us into tiredness, stress, and even a disconnect with God. I had the joy of interviewing Andrea Fortenberry, author, podcast host and Leadership Development Manager, and we explored the hidden cost of perfectionism and the gentle invitation to lead, live, and love from a place of grace instead. In this conversation, we discuss how: ☀️ Perfectionism often acts as a coping strategy, not a calling. ☀️ We can pursue excellence without carrying the weight of "being perfect".☀️ Rest is not weakness - it is modeled by Christ and rooted in wisdom. ☀️ Small daily rhythms of care can help you show up with greater patience, clarity, and love. The Bible verse that brings Andrea a sense of relief is this: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." ~ Matthew 11:28-29 (NKJV) Come lay your burdens at his feet. He is waiting for you! Click PLAY to listen to this episode ▶️ 👉 https://youtu.be/NhDPMDNg8gk Want to know more about our guest?🔗 Website: Link: https://www.andreafortenberry.com/FREE Resource: https://andreafortenberry.myflodesk.com/cbab9f20-3c47-46cd-b9f7-6acee4be95f7 Ready to reclaim your JOY, PEACE & PURPOSE without burnout, as you lead and serve in Christ? CLICK BELOW for a FREE CONSULT Call with Dr. Ioana to see if the program is a right fit for you!➡️ https://calendly.com/teamforthesoul/inquirycall NEXT STEPS:- Find out more about our programs here ➡️ https://www.teamforthesoul.com/ - Join 'Thriving In Christ' to stay up to date with resources right in your inbox, for Christian Women Professionals. ➡️https://www.teamforthesoul.com/thriving-in-christ-sign-up DISCLAIMERS:The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Team For The Soul®. All information provided on this website is strictly for educational purposes and does not form a physician-patient or coach/consultant-client relationship. All information is provided as is and is used at your own risk. Please speak to your doctor, medical and mental health providers about any information you listen or read on this channel or related websites.

    42 min
  2. 3D AGO

    281 | Centering Reset: Feeling Scattered? Focus on What Actually Matters

    When your attention is scattered, your energy follows, and even meaningful work starts to feel draining. So, what if this week is not about expanding in every direction, but about returning to what God is already growing in you? In this Centering Reset podcast episode, you will hear more about how intentional focus drives peace, impact and altogether - purposeful living. It also invites you to release the distractions from your life, so that you can restore your nervous system. When we do these things, we create space to flourish - spiritually, personally, and professionally - like a tree planted by living water, bearing fruit in its season. Because God works through what is essential. Click PLAY to listen to this episode ▶️ 🌟 And if this episode and channel blesses you, leave us a FIVE-STAR Review and DOWNLOAD the episodes you love. You can love God, serve others, and stop living exhausted.→ Join the Wake Up To Your Soul Podcast community and start your mornings with peace before the pressure begins.https://www.teamforthesoul.com/wakeuptoyoursoul-begin NEXT STEPS:- Find out more about our programs here ➡️ https://www.teamforthesoul.com/ - Join 'Thriving In Christ' to stay up to date with resources right in your inbox, for Christian Women Professionals. ➡️https://www.teamforthesoul.com/thriving-in-christ-sign-up DISCLAIMERS:All information provided on this website is strictly for educational purposes and does not form a physician-patient or coach/consultant-client relationship. All information is provided as is and is used at your own risk. Please speak to your doctor, medical and mental health providers about any information you listen or read on this channel or related websites.

    12 min
  3. MAY 15

    280 | Can’t Hear God Clearly? How to Discern His Voice and Find Peace, with Heather O’Brien

    There are moments when you pause and wonder: Is this God leading me… or just my own thoughts trying to make sense of things? In a world full of noise, inner narratives, and pressure to figure everything out, discerning God’s presence requires more than effort - it calls for alignment, attention, and a deeper relationship. In this Renewal Conversation with Heather O’Brien, Healing Coach and Bible Teacher, we explore how to recognize the patterns of His voice, anchor in His character, and move from confusion into a steadier, quieter clarity. In this conversation, we discuss: ☀️ God's voice and how it aligns with His character - look for love, peace and steadiness☀️ How confusion often comes from noise - clarity grows in stillness and pattern. ☀️ Starting small - daily discernment builds confidence for bigger decisions. ☀️ Setting boundaries will protect your clarity more than pushing harder. Heather's favorite Bible verse invites each of us to connect with God on a very personal level: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting." ~ Psalm 139:23-24 Click PLAY to listen to this episode ▶️ 👉 https://youtu.be/YGBmcfNEQXg Want to know more about our guest?🔗 Website: https://heatherobrien.net/FREE Resource: https://heatherobrien.net/workshop You can love God, serve others, and stop living exhausted.→ Join the Wake Up To Your Soul Podcast community and start your mornings with peace before the pressure begins.https://www.teamforthesoul.com/wakeuptoyoursoul-begin NEXT STEPS:- Find out more about our programs here ➡️ https://www.teamforthesoul.com/ - Join 'Thriving In Christ' to stay up to date with resources right in your inbox, for Christian Women Professionals. ➡️https://www.teamforthesoul.com/thriving-in-christ-sign-up DISCLAIMERS:The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Team For The Soul®. All information provided on this website is strictly for educational purposes and does not form a physician-patient or coach/consultant-client relationship. All information is provided as is and is used at your own risk. Please speak to your doctor, medical and mental health providers about any information you listen or read on this channel or related websites.

    38 min
  4. MAY 12

    279 | Centering Reset: You’re Carrying Too Much - Release This

    You are carrying more than you were meant to carry. Not everything on your mind, your schedule, or your heart belongs to you in this season. What if letting go is not necessarily a loss, but the very way God is creating space for clarity, peace, and new life? The message in this week's episode of Centering Reset emphasizes that what’s often missing isn’t faith or discipline, but sustainable renewal. A renewal that comes through the process of pruning. And through simple exercises like identifying burdens, releasing one small thing, and practicing stillness, listeners are guided toward lasting spiritual and emotional clarity. Let's create space for growth and deeper alignment with God’s purpose. Click PLAY to listen to this episode ▶️ 🌟 And if this episode and channel blesses you, leave us a FIVE-STAR Review and DOWNLOAD the episodes you love. Ready to reclaim your JOY, PEACE & PURPOSE without burnout, as you lead and serve in Christ? CLICK BELOW to find out if Heart In Christ coaching for Christian women program is for you?➡️ https://calendly.com/teamforthesoul/inquirycall_______________________ NEXT STEPS:- Find out more about our programs here ➡️ https://www.teamforthesoul.com/ - Join 'Thriving In Christ' to stay up to date with resources right in your inbox, for Christian Women Professionals. ➡️https://www.teamforthesoul.com/thriving-in-christ-sign-up DISCLAIMERS:All information provided on this website is strictly for educational purposes and does not form a physician-patient or coach/consultant-client relationship. All information is provided as is and is used at your own risk. Please speak to your doctor, medical and mental health providers about any information you listen or read on this channel or related websites.

    14 min
  5. MAY 8

    278 | Your Nervous System Is Stuck in Stress - How to Retrain It in Christ, with Cynthia Damaskos

    If you find yourself unable to relax - even when everything looks “fine” on the outside, you’re not alone. Many of us women live in a body that hasn’t learned how to feel safe on a daily basis. On this topic, I had the joy to (re)interview Cynthia Damaskos, a Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach, and we shared insights about retraining our inner response patterns grounded in faith and practical wisdom, to open the door to real peace, energy, and joy. This episode will help you to lean into small, joy-filled moments - like slow mornings, creative hobbies, intentional pauses - and remind your soul (and your nervous system) that it’s okay to breathe. In this conversation, we discuss how: ☀️ Your body may still react to past stress, even when danger is gone. ☀️ Healing and renewal begin with a sense of safety. ☀️ Slowing down intentionally helps reset your internal rhythms. ☀️ Small daily practices can restore peace, clarity, and energy.☀️ Caring for yourself holistically allows you to serve others with strength and presence. Cynthia's favorite Bible verse reminds her to flourish and rejoice in God's goodness: "I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor - it is the gift of God." ~ Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NKJV) Click PLAY to listen to this episode ▶️ https://youtu.be/ueQHBaTcFJQ Want to know more about our guest?🔗 Website: https://www.filledwithless.com/ 🎤 Podcast: https://www.filledwithless.com/filled-with-less-podcast Back 2 Basics - 10 week Journey of Rediscovery --> https://www.filledwithless.com/b2b - Discount Code POPA for 10% OFF Ready to reclaim your JOY, PEACE & PURPOSE without burnout, as you lead and serve in Christ? CLICK BELOW to find out if Heart In Christ coaching for Christian women program is for you?➡️ https://calendly.com/teamforthesoul/inquirycall ______________________________NEXT STEPS:- Find out more about our programs here ➡️ https://www.teamforthesoul.com/ - Join 'Thriving In Christ' to stay up to date with resources right in your inbox, for Christian Women Professionals. ➡️https://www.teamforthesoul.com/thriving-in-christ-sign-up DISCLAIMERS:The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Team For The Soul®. All information provided on this website is strictly for educational purposes and does not form a physician-patient or coach/consultant-client relationship. All information is provided as is and is used at your own risk. Please speak to your doctor, medical and mental health providers about any information you listen or read on this channel or related websites.

    43 min
  6. MAY 5

    277 | Centering Reset - When You Don’t Have Clarity, Do This Instead

    When you feel like there are endless decisions to make and the plate you carry is too full, all you want is a hint of clarity and direction. And finding the patience to wait can be difficult. This Centering Reset podcast episode is about learning how to be okay in the in-between - the seasons where you don’t have clear answers yet. Instead of chasing quick fixes, it invites you into something deeper: slowing down, reconnecting with God, and realizing that His presence matters more than having everything figured out. One of the biggest takeaways is that trust isn’t something you just feel - it’s a choice you keep making, especially when life feels uncertain. God is guiding you one step at a time. Click PLAY to listen to this episode ▶️ 🌟 And if this episode and channel blesses you, leave us a FIVE-STAR Review and DOWNLOAD the episodes you love. Ready to reclaim your JOY, PEACE & PURPOSE without burnout, as you lead and serve in Christ? CLICK BELOW to find out if Heart In Christ coaching for Christian women program is for you?➡️ https://calendly.com/teamforthesoul/inquirycall_______________________ NEXT STEPS:- Find out more about our programs here ➡️ https://www.teamforthesoul.com/ - Join 'Thriving In Christ' to stay up to date with resources right in your inbox, for Christian Women Professionals. ➡️https://www.teamforthesoul.com/thriving-in-christ-sign-up DISCLAIMERS:All information provided on this website is strictly for educational purposes and does not form a physician-patient or coach/consultant-client relationship. All information is provided as is and is used at your own risk. Please speak to your doctor, medical and mental health providers about any information you listen or read on this channel or related websites.

    11 min
  7. MAY 1

    276 | Your Grief Can Be Healed - How to Move Forward in Christ, with Victoria Volk

    At some point or another, deep loss and hardship have affected all of us. But even our deepest moments of grief do not define us, nor restrict us from discovering our True Self. Because in God's great goodness, healing is possible. In this week's Renewal Conversation, Victoria Volk, an advanced Grief Recovery® Specialist, shares her own experiences of childhood trauma and drifting from faith - and how each part of her journey led her to a full renewal of her faith in God. Her journey shows us how God can meet us right in the middle of our circumstances and lead us somewhere new. Through her work in grief recovery and holistic healing, she encourages women to listen to their bodies and partner with God through prayer and purposeful steps forward. In this conversation, we discuss: ☀️ The power of Grief Recovery Method®.☀️ How healing from grief is an active process that requires more than just time. ☀️ The times when transformation and healing are most successful. ☀️ How lasting renewal starts with rest and listening to yourself. One of Victoria's favorite Bible verses is one of the shortest ones, bringing Christ's compassion to the forefront: "Jesus wept." ~ John 11:35 Healing IS possible for all of us! Click PLAY to listen to this episode ▶️ 👉 https://youtu.be/qJzaEdlIcPc __________________________ Want to know more about our guest?🔗 Website: https://theunleashedheart.com/FREE Resource: file:///Users/loricemarie/Downloads/The-5-Questions-To-Prevent-Self-Abandonment_Freebie%20(1).pdf Ready to reclaim your JOY, PEACE & PURPOSE without burnout, as you lead and serve in Christ? CLICK BELOW to find out if Heart In Christ coaching for Christian women program is for you?➡️ https://calendly.com/teamforthesoul/inquirycall __________________________ NEXT STEPS: Find out more about our programs here ➡️ https://www.teamforthesoul.com/ Join 'Thriving In Christ' to stay up to date with resources right in your inbox, for Christian Women Professionals. ➡️https://www.teamforthesoul.com/thriving-in-christ-sign-up DISCLAIMERS:The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Team For The Soul®. All information provided on this website is strictly for educational purposes and does not form a physician-patient or coach/consultant-client relationship. All information is provided as is and is used at your own risk. Please speak to your doctor, medical and mental health providers about any information you listen or read on this channel or related websites.

    46 min
  8. APR 28

    275 | Centering Reset: Return to Your Soul in Christ

    It is easy to feel overwhelmed and run on empty when life gets busy and we have so much on our plates. In this Centering Reset podcast episode, I invite you to take a short pause to align your mind, heart, body, and soul with God, so you’re not just pushing through, but actually leading from the living waters of Christ. Because, at the center is a simple, but powerfully aligned reminder: God’s presence isn’t far away - it’s already within you. By staying grounded in Him through small intentional moments, we can find clarity, strength, and peace right where we are. Click PLAY to listen to this episode ▶️ 🌟 And if this episode and channel blesses you, leave us a FIVE-STAR Review and DOWNLOAD the episodes you love. Ready to reclaim your JOY, PEACE & PURPOSE without burnout, as you lead and serve in Christ? CLICK BELOW to find out if Heart In Christ coaching for Christian women program is for you?➡️ https://calendly.com/teamforthesoul/inquirycall_______________________ NEXT STEPS:- Find out more about our programs here ➡️ https://www.teamforthesoul.com/ - Join 'Thriving In Christ' to stay up to date with resources right in your inbox, for Christian Women Professionals. ➡️https://www.teamforthesoul.com/thriving-in-christ-sign-up DISCLAIMERS:All information provided on this website is strictly for educational purposes and does not form a physician-patient or coach/consultant-client relationship. All information is provided as is and is used at your own risk. Please speak to your doctor, medical and mental health providers about any information you listen or read on this channel or related websites.

    10 min
5
out of 5
55 Ratings

About

For Christian Women Professionals & Servant Leaders called to live, lead, and serve from renewal for the Kingdom. Top 2.5% Globally Ranked. → Do you feel at times stressed, depleted, or on a “busy treadmill,” with Sunday night blues - even though you love what you do? → Do you sense blocks in reaching your highest potential for the Kingdom, despite already carrying significant responsibility and impact? → Do you struggle to fully replenish yourself and access the peace that surpasses all understanding - no matter how many programs you’ve tried - and worry that self-care and deep renewal will only add more to long to-do list? → Do you wrestle to stay grounded, clear, and expansive in your impact - especially in high-stakes situations? If this is you, welcome. You are not lacking discipline. You are not lacking faith. More often, what’s missing is sustainable renewal. Many of the solutions available today act like band-aids - placed on top of an already burdened foundation, shaped by chronic stress, cultural conditioning, and misconceptions about what it truly means to live and serve in Christ. In this show, we take a different approach. Through the integration of science, psychology, and Christian faith, this show helps you: → Return to a place of inner renewal - accessing the “living waters” of Christ from within → Align your body, mind, heart, and soul - reducing inner fragmentation and restoring a grounded inner life. → Simplify your daily habits from the inside-out - building sustainable rhythms that support your life and leadership without adding pressure. → Access clarity, peace, and grounded presence - especially in high-responsibility and high-stakes moments. → Expand your capacity to lead and serve with joy and peace - not from striving, but from renewal, alignment, and co-creation with God. This is not about doing more. It is about learning how to return - again and again - to God within, where your strength is renewed, your inner life is restored, and your leadership flows from your soul. Hi, I’m Dr. Ioana Popa - co-founder of Team For The Soul® Institute, physician-psychiatrist educator, spiritual care & executive coach, speaker, and trainer. As a woman deeply committed to serving others and to my faith, I found myself saying yes to every need, carrying increasing responsibility, and quietly moving toward chronic stress and burnout. I believed that catching up on rest during weekends or vacations would be enough - but it was not. After experiencing burnout twice, I sought help through both psychology and Christian faith - only to find fragmented guidance, often disconnected, or even at odds. Over time, I realized that if I wanted to live, lead, and serve in Christ with clarity, energy, and joy, I needed something different. A simple, integrated way of living - rooted in renewal, grounded in Christ, and supported by both science and faith. This is the work I now share with you. If you are ready to grow toward your highest potential - from a grounded, renewed foundation in Christ - you are in the right place. Let’s begin. Sending you many blessings and prayers in Christ, Dr. Ioana NEXT STEPS: ✝️ Want to get my WEEKLY emails with updates, events, and special invitations? JOIN 'Thriving In Christ' Resources: https://www.teamforthesoul.com/thriving-in-christ-sign-up ✝️ Ready to lead in Christ with Joy, Peace & Purpose? Set up a complimentary Free Consultation to learn about how I can support you: https://calendly.com/teamforthesoul/inquirycall CONNECT: Website: https://teamforthesoul.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drioanapopa/ DISCLAIMERS: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Team For The Soul® Institute. All information provided on this platform is strictly for educational purposes and does not form a physician-patient or coach/consultant-client relationship. All

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