The Holy Unraveling, Where Faith and Psychology Meet the Messy Middle

Silvia
  • 5.0 (37)
  • CHRISTIANITY

Real faith. Real psychology. Real transformation. The Holy Unraveling is the podcast where faith meets real life. Hosted by Silvia Farag, (MSW, LSW) therapist, wife, mother and Orthodox Christian. Each week, Silvia blends psychology, faith, and humor to talk about the things most of us carry silently. She shares practical tools and biblical truths to help you navigate struggles such as anxiety, chronic stress, perfectionism, people-pleasing, emotional burnout,  shame, control, boundaries, and what it actually means to let God into the parts of our lives we’d rather keep polished.  Each season explores a different theme to help you reconnect with peace, rest, and surrender. This isn’t about appearing put together, it’s about letting God meet you in the unraveling. With a raw, relatable, laugh-so-you-don’t-cry style, Silvia invites you to stop performing faith and start experiencing it.This is where unraveling becomes holy. Where surrender becomes strength. Where God meets you in the messy middle.Subscribe for new episodes every week. (Disclaimer* This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not therapy, counseling, or medical advice, and listening does not create a therapist–client relationship. Always seek the guidance of a licensed mental health professional or physician for your personal situation.) If you are in crisis, please call or text 988 in the U.S. for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. © The Holy Unraveling Podcast — All Rights Reserved.

Episodes

  1. 12/30/2025

    Episode 5: The Stories We Tell Ourselves:How Negative Thoughts Shape Our Lives

    In Episode 5 of The Holy Unraveling, therapist and host Silvia Farag explores how the stories we tell ourselves quietly become the lens through which we see everything. From overthinking and self-criticism to spiritual guilt and fear, our thoughts don’t stay in our heads, they become how we live. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), neuroplasticity (yes, “neurons that fire together wire together”), and a faith-centered lens, this episode breaks down: why negative thoughts feel so convincinghow thoughts → feelings → behaviors form powerful cyclesthe difference between perception and perspectivehow distorted thoughts affect our relationship with Godand how to gently interrupt these patterns without shame or forced positivityIf you struggle with anxiety, overthinking, spiritual self-criticism, or feeling “behind” in life or faith, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and practical tools to help you begin telling a truer story. There is a quiet narrator most of us live with all day long — one that explains, interprets, and predicts before we’ve had time to breathe. In this episode, we explore how negative thought patterns form, why our brains cling to them, and how they quietly shape our emotions, behaviors, and spiritual life. This is not about “thinking positive,” but about becoming aware — because awareness is where both healing and faith begin. What You’ll Learn in This Episode  Why Your Brain Repeats Negative Thoughts How neuroplasticity works — and why familiar thoughts feel true, even when they aren’t. The CBT Triangle Explained Simply How thoughts create feelings, feelings drive behaviors, and behaviors reinforce beliefs. Perception vs. Perspective Why emotions are real but not always reliable narrators of truth. A Gentle Practice to Create Space from Your Thoughts A simple, compassionate tool to help you notice your thoughts without being consumed by them. Key Takeaways You are not your thoughts — you are the one noticing themNeurons that fire together wire together, but new pathways can be formedNegative thoughts are often protective, not personal failuresAwareness, not perfection, is what begins changeGod is not asking for flawless thinking — He invites discernment and trustReferenced Concepts Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)NeuroplasticityThoughts → Feelings → BehaviorsLogismoi (Orthodox understanding of intrusive thoughts)Support the Podcast Share with a friend • Leave a review • Send to someone who needs gentle encouragement today. Your support helps reach the ones who won’t walk into a therapy office… but desperately need hope and healing. Connect with Silvia: Instagram: @silviafarag25 Facebook: Silvia Farag https://www.christiancenterforcounseling.com/ Thank you for listening and don't forget to subscribe.

    10 min

  2. 12/02/2025

    EPISODE 4: Holy Obedience: Moving With God When You’re Still Afraid

    “Holy Obedience: Moving With God When You’re Still Afraid” In this episode, Silvia explores the gentle, relational kind of obedience, not legalism, not pressure, but the kind that frees us from fear and draws us back to who God created us to be. Following Episode 3 (“Is it God or Fear?”), this episode answers the next big question:  “If I know it’s God… why is obedience still so hard?” What You’ll Learn 1. What Holy Obedience Really Is Not punishment or perfection — but trust in motion, rooted in love. 2. Why Obedience Feels Scary Psychology meets faith as Silvia breaks down: how the nervous system clings to the familiarwhy fear masquerades as wisdomhow trauma + attachment shape your “yes”why overthinking is self-protectionYour struggle isn’t rebellion, it’s wiring. 3. The Orthodox Heart of Obedience Scripture + Church Fathers show obedience as freedom and communion, not control. 4. Practical Tools to Move With God Micro-step obedienceThe Three-Voice CheckSomatic prayer for regulationActing without overthinkingAttachment-safe obedienceParts work (“who inside me is afraid?”)Identity-based obedience (“I am His”)A Personal Story Silvia shares the fears and resistance she faced launching this podcast — and how obedience became a place where God untied old knots of perfectionism, doubt, and spiritual pressure. Key Quotes “Obedience is trust in motion.”“Your fear protects you from discomfort, not danger.”“God doesn’t rush or shame — He invites.”“You don’t need the whole staircase. Just the next inch.”“Obedience heals the places where love once felt unsafe.”Perfect If You… second-guess God’s nudgesfeel stuck or scared to movewrestle with anxiety or perfectionismare healing from trauma or church hurtlong for a gentle, embodied, Orthodox-rooted faith Sources Desert Fathers • Anxiety science • Vagus nerve • Attachment theory • IFS parts work Support the Podcast Share with a friend • Leave a review • Send to someone who needs gentle encouragement today. Your support helps reach the ones who won’t walk into a therapy office… but desperately need hope and healing. Connect with Silvia: Instagram: @silviafarag25 Facebook: Silvia Farag https://www.christiancenterforcounseling.com/ Thank you for listening and don't forget to subscribe.

    16 min
  3. Episode 3: Anxiety or Discernment? How to Know If It’s Fear or the Holy Spirit

    11/13/2025

    Episode 3: Anxiety or Discernment? How to Know If It’s Fear or the Holy Spirit

    Anxiety loves to disguise itself in spiritual language, calling itself “discernment” or “lack of peace.” But the fruit tells the truth. In this episode of The Holy Unraveling, Silvia unpacks one of the most common questions she hears in both therapy and faith conversations: “How do I know if this feeling is fear or discernment?” You’ll discover how to tell the difference between fear and the Holy Spirit so you can stop second-guessing every decision and finally walk in peace. You’ll Learn What God’s voice sounds like vs. what anxiety sounds likeWhy anxious people often confuse overthinking with “discernment”How anxiety is passed down in families (Harvard research shows it can be learned behavior)The nervous-system connection, how psychology and faith work togetherA simple grounding exercise to calm your body so you can hear GodWhy God leads with peace, not pressure Practices Mentioned ✅ Box Breathing (4-4-4-4 Method)  for quick emotional reset ✅ 3-3-3 Grounding Rule  to stop spiraling in anxious thoughts ✅ Journaling Practice  separating what’s in your hands vs. what’s in God’s hands Fear protects you from discomfort. The Holy Spirit leads you into obedience.Philippians 4:7 “The peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”Galatians 5:22 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…”Free Worksheet “Is This Anxiety or Discernment?” PDF  Message me on Instagram @silviafarag25 to receive your free copy (yes, still #techchallenged ). Spread the Word: If this episode helped you hear God more clearly: Share it with a friend who’s overthinking their calling.Post your takeaway in your Instagram stories and tag @silviafarag25.  I love hearing what resonated.Don’t forget to follow + rate the show so you never miss new episodes.Connect with Silvia: Instagram: @silviafarag25 Facebook: Silvia Farag https://www.christiancenterforcounseling.com/ Thank you for listening and don't forget to subscribe.

    10 min

  4. 11/09/2025

    Episode 2: When Perfectionism Becomes an Idol: Letting Go of Control and Learning to Surrender

    In this episode, Silvia Farag, therapist, wife, mom, and Orthodox Christian, exposes the truth about perfectionism: it’s not excellence, it’s fear dressed up as control. She dives into how perfectionism quietly becomes an idol, something we depend on more than we depend on God. Perfectionism looks like discipline, and responsibility. But underneath? It’s fueled by fear. Fear of disappointing people. Fear of failing. Fear of not being enough. You’ll learn: How perfectionism is rooted in fear, not faithWhy we chase control when we don’t feel safeHow to recognize when you’re trying to “perform” for GodThe difference between excellence and idolatryA therapeutic tool to interrupt perfectionistic thinkingAnd most importantly… God never asked you to be flawless, just faithful. If you’ve ever struggled with: OverthinkingNeed to control outcomesFeeling responsible for everyone’s emotionsGuilt when you can’t keep everything together…then this episode will feel like oxygen. You don’t have to earn rest. You don’t have to earn love. You don’t have to earn peace. Scripture anchor: “His power is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Corinthians 12:9 If this episode spoke to you, take 10 seconds and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Every review helps another person find this podcast and realize they are not alone. Connect with Silvia: Instagram: @silviafarag25 Facebook: Silvia Farag https://www.christiancenterforcounseling.com/ Thank you for listening and don't forget to subscribe.

    10 min

  5. 11/09/2025

    Episode 1: When the Thread Starts to Unravel: How God Uses the Messy Middle to Transform You

    In this first episode of The Holy Unraveling Podcast, Silvia Farag , therapist, wife, mom, and Orthodox Christian, shares what happens in the moment our souls whisper, “I can’t hold this together anymore. What if the unraveling isn’t the end — but the beginning of becoming? In this episode, we explore the holy unraveling: Why God sometimes lets our plans fall apartHow anxiety and fear surface during transitionWhat it means spiritually to be in the “messy middle”How God rebuilds us thread by threadYou’ll hear real stories, therapeutic insight, and spiritual truth that help you: Release controlStop trying to hold everything togetherTrust God in uncertaintyWhat if the unraveling isn’t the end — but the beginning of becoming? Unraveling isn’t failure. It’s the moment we stop performing and start healing. “Come to Me, all who are weary…”  Matthew 11:28 If this episode encouraged you, send me a DM on Instagram @silviafarag25 and tell me one thing you’re unraveling. I love hearing from you. Leave a rating + review — It helps those in their messy middle find this show. Connect with Silvia: Instagram: @silviafarag25 Fecebook: Silvia Farag https://www.christiancenterforcounseling.com/ Thank you for listening and don't forget to subscribe.

    6 min

  6. TRAILER

    Trailer — Welcome to The Holy Unraveling Podcast

    Welcome to The Holy Unraveling Podcast — with Silvia Farag. Real faith. Real psychology. Real transformation. This is a space where we stop pretending we’re fine and start telling the truth. Each week, Silvia blends psychology, faith, and humor to talk about the things most of us carry silently. She shares practical tools and Biblical truths to help you navigate struggles such as anxiety and chronic stress, perfectionism and people-pleasing, healing emotional burnout and spiritual exhaustion. Each season explores a different theme to help you reconnect with peace, rest, and surrender.  With a raw, relatable, laugh-so-you-don’t-cry style, Silvia invites you to stop performing faith and start experiencing it. This is where unraveling becomes holy.  Where surrender becomes strength.  Where God meets you in the messy middle. Subscribe for new episodes every week. https://www.christiancenterforcounseling.com/ Thank you for listening and don't forget to subscribe.

    1 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

Real faith. Real psychology. Real transformation. The Holy Unraveling is the podcast where faith meets real life. Hosted by Silvia Farag, (MSW, LSW) therapist, wife, mother and Orthodox Christian. Each week, Silvia blends psychology, faith, and humor to talk about the things most of us carry silently. She shares practical tools and biblical truths to help you navigate struggles such as anxiety, chronic stress, perfectionism, people-pleasing, emotional burnout,  shame, control, boundaries, and what it actually means to let God into the parts of our lives we’d rather keep polished.  Each season explores a different theme to help you reconnect with peace, rest, and surrender. This isn’t about appearing put together, it’s about letting God meet you in the unraveling. With a raw, relatable, laugh-so-you-don’t-cry style, Silvia invites you to stop performing faith and start experiencing it.This is where unraveling becomes holy. Where surrender becomes strength. Where God meets you in the messy middle.Subscribe for new episodes every week. (Disclaimer* This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not therapy, counseling, or medical advice, and listening does not create a therapist–client relationship. Always seek the guidance of a licensed mental health professional or physician for your personal situation.) If you are in crisis, please call or text 988 in the U.S. for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. © The Holy Unraveling Podcast — All Rights Reserved.

Information

  • Creator
    Silvia
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Holy Unraveling, Where Faith and Psychology Meet the Messy Middle