Heart and Soul Elevation

Melissa Holman

Heart & Soul Elevation is where faith meets physiology, scripture meets science, and worn-down women finally breathe again. Hosted by Melissa Holman and Stephanie Pazniokas, this show creates a sacred, straight-talking space for Christian women who are tired of the compartmentalized life and ready to reconnect their spirit, mind, body, and identity in Christ. Here, we peel back the noise of modern culture - chronic overwhelm, “healthwashing,” broken systems, and the pressure to do it all - and return to what God designed from the beginning: wholeness, wisdom, and peace that starts from the inside out. Every other Wednesday, you’ll get truth-soaked teaching, real conversations, biblical insight, metabolic and nervous system education, and practical tools that help you live with clarity, strength, and conviction. Think: less striving… more Spirit-led living. If you’re ready to stop white-knuckling your way through life…If you’re done settling for exhaustion as your “normal”… If you know God has MORE for you, but you need guidance, wisdom, and support to step into it… You belong here. Let’s make this chapter your best one yet. Subscribe, listen in, and let your heart and soul rise again.

  1. Saber-Toothed Tigers, Sludgy Oil, And Why You Need A Nap

    1D AGO

    Saber-Toothed Tigers, Sludgy Oil, And Why You Need A Nap

    Send us a text If your mind feels stuck on high alert and your body runs like a car on sludgy oil, this conversation is your reset.  We unpack how chronic fear hijacks your biology, why the nervous system needs a flexible rhythm, and how trust, not control, opens the door to healing. Drawing from faith and science, we connect the dots between cortisol, mitochondria, and the emotions that ride on real electrical and chemical signals in your body. We start with how fear gets amplified by culture and even marketing, then pivot to a hope-centered framework grounded in the Gospel’s redemption arc. You’ll hear a vivid cave metaphor that brings sympathetic and parasympathetic states to life: outside the cave, you scan for threats, inside the cave, you rest, digest, and reconnect. That ebb and flow is built into circadian biology, yet modern life traps many of us at the top of the stress curve. We challenge the myth that anxiety fuels performance and share how calm focus actually improves memory, creativity, and results. From there, we get practical. Learn how to spot when your body is stuck in emergency mode, why fertility and digestion stall under constant alarm, and which simple signals, lengthened exhales, consistent sleep, nourishing meals, gentle movement, prayer, and journaling, teach your system it is safe to downshift. We map your sphere of control, highlight what to release, and show how community brings fear into the light where it loses its power. Expect a blend of neuroscience, spiritual grounding, and everyday tools designed to move you from survival to steady, sustainable peace. If this conversation lifted you, share it with another woman who needs community, then subscribe for more Faith First episodes and join us on YouTube where we grow together in real time. Leave a review to tell us where fear is ruling your week and which practice you’re using to reclaim your rhythm.  We’re so glad you’re here.  In this quick pause, Melissa shares why Heart & Soul Elevation exists, how Stephanie's and Melissa's coaching work together beautifully, and what you can expect along the way.  From time to time, we’ll pop in to invite you into things we’re creating - always as an invitation, never a sales pitch.  Thanks for listening. You belong here.  Support the show Feeling soul-tired and ready for something more? 🌿 If you’re a woman over 40 longing to rediscover peace, joy, and genuine excitement for life again—start here. ✨ Download Break the Holiday Spiral: 5 Triggers That Steal Your Peace (and How to Reset Fast). Step into the season with calm, clarity, and strength—without repeating the same old exhausting holiday cycle. Music by Adipsia

    23 min
  2. We Came To Hide At A Retreat And Accidentally Launched A Podcast

    JAN 7

    We Came To Hide At A Retreat And Accidentally Launched A Podcast

    Send us a text Two strangers walked into a retreat planning to keep to themselves and walked out knit together by faith, curiosity, and a shared ache for real belonging. That moment sparked Heart and Soul Elevation: a space where we put Jesus at the center and let mind and body align around Him. We trace the unlikely path from “let’s be alone” to launching a community built for women who love God, crave honesty, and want wellness that actually heals. We unpack why so many women feel out of place in church groups and service roles, always giving but rarely refueled. Then we flip the wellness script: instead of “mind, body, spirit,” we start with the Spirit and let everything else flow from there. You’ll hear how the neuroscience of connection backs this up—oxytocin rises in safe relationships, cortisol quiets, and the nervous system shifts into a state where genuine healing can begin. From the “rat park” research to practical rhythms of rest, we explore how community changes behavior, biology, and hope. We also challenge the pressure cooker version of the Proverbs 31 woman that leads to hustle and exhaustion. Together, we name the difference between striving and stewardship, between performing and belonging. Our vision is clear: spark a movement of women who pursue Jesus first, steward their health with wisdom, and lift families and communities through renewed vitality. If you’ve ever felt like the odd one out or if you’re ready to trade isolation for sisterhood, you’ll find a home here. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs encouragement, and join us on YouTube to grow in real time with a community that remembers: healing happens together.  We’re so glad you’re here.  In this quick pause, Melissa shares why Heart & Soul Elevation exists, how Stephanie's and Melissa's coaching work together beautifully, and what you can expect along the way.  From time to time, we’ll pop in to invite you into things we’re creating - always as an invitation, never a sales pitch.  Thanks for listening. You belong here.  Support the show Feeling soul-tired and ready for something more? 🌿 If you’re a woman over 40 longing to rediscover peace, joy, and genuine excitement for life again—start here. ✨ Download Break the Holiday Spiral: 5 Triggers That Steal Your Peace (and How to Reset Fast). Step into the season with calm, clarity, and strength—without repeating the same old exhausting holiday cycle. Music by Adipsia

    31 min

  3. TRAILER

    Faith And Health, Finally Together

    Send us a text Ever feel like you’re doing all the “right” faith practices, but your body still feels tired, and your joy won’t land? In the brand new Heart and Soul Elevation podcast, we open the door to a different way of living where health and spirituality stop competing and finally support each other.  Our origin story brings two worlds together: one of us is a scientist turned wellness coach who grounds change in evidence and nervous system literacy; the other is a Life Coach, aromatherapist, and energy healer who reads patterns, honors presence, and listens for the Holy Spirit’s quiet prompt. This pairing creates a space where Scripture meets science, prayer meets practice, and community becomes the catalyst for real change. Episode one drops soon! Support the show Feeling soul-tired and ready for something more? 🌿 If you’re a woman over 40 longing to rediscover peace, joy, and genuine excitement for life again—start here. ✨ Download Break the Holiday Spiral: 5 Triggers That Steal Your Peace (and How to Reset Fast). Step into the season with calm, clarity, and strength—without repeating the same old exhausting holiday cycle. Music by Adipsia

    2 min

  4. TRAILER

    Sisterhood That Heals

    Send us a text Two women from different worlds trace how God braided their paths into a shared calling. We explore why receiving feels risky, how connection reshapes the nervous system, and what happens when scripture, science, and sisterhood meet. Let's dive into: • the ache of not belonging in women’s spaces • how our stories intertwined into a shared mission • faith and wellness as complementary, not competing • why many women struggle to receive care • Rat Park as a lens on connection and behavior • practical rhythms that cue nervous system safety • scripture, science, and sisterhood as one path Welcome to Heart and Soul Elevation. Episode one, coming soon. Support the show Feeling soul-tired and ready for something more? 🌿 If you’re a woman over 40 longing to rediscover peace, joy, and genuine excitement for life again—start here. ✨ Download Break the Holiday Spiral: 5 Triggers That Steal Your Peace (and How to Reset Fast). Step into the season with calm, clarity, and strength—without repeating the same old exhausting holiday cycle. Music by Adipsia

    2 min
  5. Why Your Brain Clings To The Bad And How To Train It Toward Good

    12/03/2025

    Why Your Brain Clings To The Bad And How To Train It Toward Good

    Send us a text Ever notice how a random jab from years ago feels louder than a warm compliment from last week? There’s a reason. Our brains are built to protect us, tagging threats and disappointments as high priority while letting everyday goodness slip by. We unpack that survival bias with clear, practical steps to retrain your attention so peace stops feeling like a fairy tale and starts feeling like a habit you can build. I've got stories to share —from skunks in the camp vestibule to roadside breakdowns—that illustrate why “what went wrong” is so sticky in memory. Then we connect the dots between neuroscience and faith, showing how the reticular activating system can be tuned on purpose and how asking where God is working opens space for trust over control. You’ll learn simple, repeatable practices to shift out of constant what-ifs: daily gratitude that counts small gifts, marking moments so the good becomes recallable, speaking gratitude out loud to anchor truth, and using grounding questions to interrupt spirals. If stress has been your baseline and rest feels unsafe, these tools help your nervous system relearn safety, creativity, and joy. I also have an update: after five steady years of showing up, I'm pausing through November and December to rest, pray, and listen for the next right step. Consider this your invitation to choose renewal over relentless survival. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help others find these conversations. While we’re away, join the mailing list so you don’t miss what’s coming next—and tell me: where do you see goodness moving in your life today? Support the show Feeling soul-tired and ready for something more? 🌿 If you’re a woman over 40 longing to rediscover peace, joy, and genuine excitement for life again—start here. ✨ Download Break the Holiday Spiral: 5 Triggers That Steal Your Peace (and How to Reset Fast). Step into the season with calm, clarity, and strength—without repeating the same old exhausting holiday cycle. Music by Adipsia

    21 min
  6. Heart & Soul Elevation: What if peace isn’t the storm stopping, but your soul anchoring

    10/22/2025

    Heart & Soul Elevation: What if peace isn’t the storm stopping, but your soul anchoring

    Send us a text The room wasn’t full, but the sound was. As our small congregation sang “It Is Well with My Soul,” the harmonies rose like a river and something sacred brushed the air. That moment sparked a deep dive into the real story behind the hymn, the raw grief that birthed it, and the resilient hope it still offers to anyone standing in the waves. We walk through Horatio Spafford’s cascading losses—the Great Chicago Fire, the death of his son, the shipwreck that claimed his four daughters—and how, on a grief-marked voyage, he penned words that neither deny sorrow nor bow to it. From “when sorrows like sea billows roll” to the promise that faith will become sight, we explore why this hymn endures across traditions: it names reality and then anchors the heart in God’s unchanging presence. Along the way, we unpack the difference between worldly peace (the storm must stop) and God’s peace (I am held in the storm), and we point to Revelation’s vision where every tear is wiped away. You’ll hear practices for making the hymn your own: naming your pain without comparison, anchoring in scripture and prayer when emotions surge, and rehearsing hope until the refrain takes root. We also share a free journaling guide with prompts to help you reflect, grieve, and lean into God’s nearness. And there’s big news—our next season brings a fresh format with co-host Stephanie Pasniokis as we weave scripture into everyday wellness for women of faith, aligning spirit, mind, and body in truth, not trends. If your heart is tired or your season feels stormy, this conversation offers language, presence, and a song to stand on. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a review to help others find this space where small rooms can still sound like heaven. Download Your Heart & Soul Elevation Journal Pages HERE:  Support the show Feeling soul-tired and ready for something more? 🌿 If you’re a woman over 40 longing to rediscover peace, joy, and genuine excitement for life again—start here. ✨ Download Break the Holiday Spiral: 5 Triggers That Steal Your Peace (and How to Reset Fast). Step into the season with calm, clarity, and strength—without repeating the same old exhausting holiday cycle. Music by Adipsia

    14 min
  7. Quantum, Faith, and Focus

    10/08/2025

    Quantum, Faith, and Focus

    Send us a text Ever notice how the same day can feel radically different depending on what you’re looking for? We explore how attention, expectation, and belief quietly engineer your reality—drawing on a clear, down-to-earth explanation of energy, a plain-English take on the double-slit experiment, and a heartfelt bridge between neuroscience and faith. Think of it as a toolkit for changing what you observe into being, without jargon or hype. I share how the brain’s priming system filters billions of inputs every second, why certain stories become your default lens, and how those lenses turn into identity. We walk through relatable examples—like seeing help as unreliable when your core belief says you must hold everything together—and map them to practical, repeatable tools that actually rewire your mind. Breath work, simple declarations, journaling, and five-minute visualizations form a daily practice that strengthens helpful neural networks while letting old patterns loosen their grip. Along the way, we connect ancient wisdom and scripture about renewing the mind with modern insights about attention shaping experience, making faith feel both grounded and actionable. By the end, you’ll have a gentle, structured way to examine the beliefs steering your days, replace them with truer, kinder ones, and align mind, body, and spirit toward the future you want to live. If you’re a woman over 40 feeling stuck, weary, or out of sync with your own desires, this conversation offers clear steps to find flow again—and a community that wants to walk with you. If this speaks to you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a quick review so more women can find their way back to joy. Support the show Feeling soul-tired and ready for something more? 🌿 If you’re a woman over 40 longing to rediscover peace, joy, and genuine excitement for life again—start here. ✨ Download Break the Holiday Spiral: 5 Triggers That Steal Your Peace (and How to Reset Fast). Step into the season with calm, clarity, and strength—without repeating the same old exhausting holiday cycle. Music by Adipsia

    18 min
  8. Why Your Nervous System Needs a Village

    09/24/2025

    Why Your Nervous System Needs a Village

    Send us a text What does it mean to truly support another human being? Not with empty phrases like "thoughts and prayers" or "reach out if you need anything," but with genuine, grounded presence that acknowledges our shared humanity. This episode dives deep into the three fundamental needs hardwired into our nervous systems: love, safety, and belonging. These aren't optional luxuries—they're neurological imperatives for survival. When any one of these needs goes unmet, our brains panic as if our very lives are threatened. Many of us carry these deficits from childhood into adulthood, constantly searching for what we missed in relationships, communities, or even addictions. The foundation for meeting these needs traditionally begins in family, but family takes many forms. Sometimes it's grandparents raising children, chosen family stepping up, or mentors filling crucial gaps. True support isn't about judgment or taking over—it's about asking "How can I help you today?" and then actually showing up. It might look like holding a baby so a mother can shower, respecting your adult children's parenting choices, or simply sitting in silence with someone who's struggling. But, you know what? You can't effectively support others if you're dysregulated yourself. Your own healing journey must come first. By learning to regulate our emotions and nervous systems, we not only model wholeness for the next generation but create capacity for authentic connection in a world that desperately needs it. Ready to break cycles and create ripples of positive change? Join our community of women walking the path toward greater peace, compassion, and wholeness. Connect with me on Instagram @LemonBalmCoaching or in our free Facebook community "Reignite Your Flame" where soul-tired women gather to find support, inspiration, and practical tools for their journey. Support the show Feeling soul-tired and ready for something more? 🌿 If you’re a woman over 40 longing to rediscover peace, joy, and genuine excitement for life again—start here. ✨ Download Break the Holiday Spiral: 5 Triggers That Steal Your Peace (and How to Reset Fast). Step into the season with calm, clarity, and strength—without repeating the same old exhausting holiday cycle. Music by Adipsia

    13 min
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Trailers

5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Heart & Soul Elevation is where faith meets physiology, scripture meets science, and worn-down women finally breathe again. Hosted by Melissa Holman and Stephanie Pazniokas, this show creates a sacred, straight-talking space for Christian women who are tired of the compartmentalized life and ready to reconnect their spirit, mind, body, and identity in Christ. Here, we peel back the noise of modern culture - chronic overwhelm, “healthwashing,” broken systems, and the pressure to do it all - and return to what God designed from the beginning: wholeness, wisdom, and peace that starts from the inside out. Every other Wednesday, you’ll get truth-soaked teaching, real conversations, biblical insight, metabolic and nervous system education, and practical tools that help you live with clarity, strength, and conviction. Think: less striving… more Spirit-led living. If you’re ready to stop white-knuckling your way through life…If you’re done settling for exhaustion as your “normal”… If you know God has MORE for you, but you need guidance, wisdom, and support to step into it… You belong here. Let’s make this chapter your best one yet. Subscribe, listen in, and let your heart and soul rise again.

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa Holman
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    158
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Heart and Soul Elevation
  • Show Website
    Heart and Soul Elevation