Soul Sense with Mark Verkler, LMFT

Samaritan's Well
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Most of us were never taught how faith and emotional health actually work together. Grief reshapes you. Trauma lingers. Anxiety lies. And loss doesn't just hurt — it fractures your relationships, your sense of self, and sometimes your faith. Soul Sense is for Christians who want Biblical wisdom, emotional healing, and honest conversation about the hard stuff. Hosted by Mark Verkler, LMFT and founder of Samaritan's Well — drawing on three decades of Christian counseling to explore what it really means to heal: spirit, mind, and body.

  1. 5d ago

    Meeting Jesus in the Middle of Your Pain | Tony Stoltzfus

    In this episode of Soul Sense, Mark Verkler sits down with author, coach, and teacher Tony Stoltzfus to explore how God transforms us through relationship with Jesus—not just through discipline, effort, or trying harder.Tony shares his journey from being driven by self-discipline and performance to discovering the freedom of grace, learning to encounter Jesus in the middle of suffering, and finding a deeper way to read Scripture through imagination and experience.Tony also shares powerful stories of betrayal, loss, forgiveness, and how God can redeem even the deepest wounds.If you are walking through a difficult season, feeling stuck in performance, or longing for a deeper relationship with Jesus, this conversation offers hope and practical ways to meet God in the middle of your story.📚 Learn more about Tony Stoltzfus: https://www.HeavenExperience.netTake a mind-bending journey of imagination into eternity with the book, Heaven: Experience the Extraordinary. If your picture of heaven is a little sketchy, this book invites you to a full-on immersion in The Beautiful Land, where gravity is optional, mistakes are impossible, and God is far, far better than you ever hoped or imagined.The website directs listeners to the book, includes outlines for hosting a book study group or bookclub, and invites participants to partner with us in distributing 2000 FREE books to seekers and the suffering.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Welcome to SoulSense & Introducing Tony Stoltzfus00:37 Experiencing Scripture beyond information02:03 Researching the world of Jesus03:40 Tony’s journey from discipline to grace06:02 Meeting God through life circumstances07:10 Learning to receive God’s love10:26 Discovering a deeper vision of heaven12:50 Experiencing heaven and God’s restoration14:32 How God redeems painful stories19:15 The power of forgiveness that lasts into eternity23:04 Why we need imagination when reading Scripture24:00 Seeing the Bible through first-century eyes28:41 Faith as action, not just belief31:52 Taking steps of faith when God calls34:16 Meeting Jesus in grief and trauma39:13 Learning to have a conversational prayer life42:00 Questions for Jesus app43:23 Finding God in valley seasons45:22 Surrendering control and allowing God to transform us47:30 Joining God where He is already working48:17 How to connect with Tony Stoltzfus49:50 Closing thoughts from SoulSense#ChristianPodcast #SpiritualGrowth #Jesus #Faith #Healing #TraumaHealing #MentalHealth #ChristianCounseling #BibleStudy #Grace #SoulCare👍🔔 If this conversation touched your heart, please like, subscribe, and share. We'd love to hear what part of this episode hit home for you — comment below or send us a message! Your support helps us bring more meaningful conversations to light. We also value your feedback — please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.For more information on counseling and resources visit samaritanswell.com or email us at info@samaritanswell.com. ✅ Stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samaritanswell/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samaritanswelldallaSLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/samaritan%E2%80%99s-well/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samaritanswellcounseling?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc🎁 Learn Keys to Christian Emotional Health in this Free Guide: https://samaritanswell.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/Christian-Emotional-Health-Guide🗞️ Join Our Newsletteer: https://samaritan-s-well-counseling.kit.com/0033ce428eMusic from Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/featherlight | License code: GAUXTZHWAYJROEFLhttps://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/all-i-need | License code: LQFV9XYEQIWRJLNT

    51 min

  2. Jun 25

    Trauma, Church Hurt, & the Need for Connection | Danielle Bernock

    What if the things you thought were flaws, failures, or weaknesses were actually wounds that needed healing?In this episode of Soul Sense, Mark sits down with Danielle Bernock, trauma-informed coach, author, and founder of 4F Media, to talk about her journey from surviving deep childhood trauma to discovering healing, identity, and connection.Danielle shares how she spent years carrying trauma without having language for it, how discovering the concept of trauma changed everything, and how God met her in the places of shame, self-contempt, and spiritual wounds.Danielle’s story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible, shame does not get the final word, and we were created to live connected — with God, ourselves, and others.📖 Learn more about Danielle Bernock:https://www.daniellebernock.com🕰️ Timestamps00:00 – Discovering trauma: “That’s what you call that?”00:36 – Welcome to Soul Sense with Danielle Bernock01:12 – Danielle’s journey and Emerging with Wings01:38 – Growing up with trauma without knowing it was trauma02:19 – The moment Danielle discovered language for her pain02:52 – Shame, self-blame, and the impact of trauma03:21 – Discovering childhood emotional neglect04:10 – How well-meaning parents can unintentionally create wounds05:07 – Healing without blame: grieving, forgiveness, and truth06:30 – Spiritual trauma, religious trauma, and church hurt07:02 – Repairing relationships and finding connection08:22 – The danger of suppressing emotions09:30 – Learning emotional intelligence and caring for the soul10:00 – Balancing mind, will, and emotions11:27 – Learning to operate emotions with skill12:15 – Danielle’s journey through church hurt13:33 – Understanding the difference between spiritual trauma, religious trauma, and church hurt14:40 – Becoming a relationship repair specialist15:47 – Healing self-contempt and discovering personal value16:10 – Moving from self-hatred to loving yourself17:30 – Discovering the love of God after spiritual trauma19:45 – The childhood church experience that shaped Danielle’s wounds20:17 – Finding God’s presence in the middle of trauma22:21 – When God brings healing through truth and revelation23:32 – Introducing Hungry for More25:03 – Why humans are hungry for connection27:11 – How trauma can distort our search for connection28:02 – A powerful story about childhood emotional neglect and human value29:50 – Finding the nourishment our souls actually need30:21 – Connection with God, ourselves, and others31:00 – Designed for connection: God’s original intention32:30 – The “separation gospel” versus God’s desire to be with us34:46 – Rethinking the prodigal son: the goodness of the Father37:02 – Performance-based religion versus heart transformation38:02 – What Danielle hopes readers find in Hungry for More39:38 – Hope for those who feel stuck or broken40:00 – Danielle’s invitation to read Emerging with Wings41:10 – Closing thoughts and encouragement👍🔔 If this conversation touched your heart, please like, subscribe, and share. We'd love to hear what part of this episode hit home for you — comment below or send us a message! Your support helps us bring more meaningful conversations to light. We also value your feedback — please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.For more information on counseling and resources visit samaritanswell.com or email us at info@samaritanswell.com. 🎁 Learn Keys to Christian Emotional Health in this Free Guide: https://samaritanswell.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/Christian-Emotional-Health-Guide🗞️ Join Our Newsletteer: https://samaritan-s-well-counseling.kit.com/0033ce428eMusic from Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/featherlight | License code: GAUXTZHWAYJROEFLhttps://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/all-i-need | License code: LQFV9XYEQIWRJLNT

    42 min

  3. Jun 18

    Finding Purpose After Loss, Addiction, and Grief | Mia Godfrey

    In this powerful episode of Soul Sense, Mark sits down with author, speaker, and certified life coach Mia Godfrey to discuss a remarkable journey of faith, grief, resilience, and purpose. Raised under communist rule in Romania as the youngest of ten children, Mia shares her experiences with poverty, addiction, immigration, widowhood, caregiving, and profound loss. After losing her first husband unexpectedly and later caring for her sister through ovarian cancer, Mia discovered that some of life's deepest wounds can become the very places where God grows purpose, healing, and hope. Mia discusses her memoir, Buried Not Broken: A Memoir of Survival, Sisterhood, and Starting Over, and shares how God used grief, community, counseling, and vulnerability to transform her life. She also previews her upcoming book, Second Sunrise Together, written with her husband, Kenny, about remarriage, blended families, and finding hope after heartbreak. If you've ever struggled with loss, loneliness, addiction, church hurt, identity, or wondering what God is doing in a painful season, this conversation offers encouragement and practical wisdom for taking the next step forward. 📖 Featured Books:• Buried Not Broken• Second Sunrise Together (coming soon) ⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Mia Godfrey01:01 Growing Up Under Communist Rule in Romania02:43 Addiction, Loss, and Finding Faith Again03:54 Moving Alone to America05:21 Lessons Learned Through Loneliness and Change06:23 Meeting Her Husband and Building a New Life07:12 The Sudden Death of Her First Husband08:29 How Church Community Carried Her Through Grief11:08 The Lawn Mower Story and Unexpected Support12:48 Learning to Accept Counseling and Help13:49 Becoming Caregiver for Her Sister with Cancer15:33 Deep Conversations About Legacy and Purpose16:16 How Buried Not Broken Was Born17:03 Losing Her Sister and Losing Her Purpose17:51 Journaling, Therapy, and Writing a Book18:25 Why Her Sister's Death Was Different20:30 Life Is Too Short Not to Make a Difference21:04 Becoming a Certified Coach22:45 Ministering to Those Hurt by Church24:06 Rebuilding Life After Devastating Loss25:10 Daily Habits That Sustain Hope26:50 The Power of Vulnerability29:20 Addiction, Shame, and Finding Identity31:33 Discovering Purpose Through Pain33:39 Supporting Family Through Difficult Seasons35:42 The Message Behind Buried Not Broken36:49 The Emotional Final Chapter38:05 Introducing Second Sunrise Together39:18 Marriage, Forgiveness, and Grace41:02 The Meaning of Buried Not Broken42:32 The Story Behind Second Sunrise Together44:25 Final Encouragement: Don't Give Up46:02 God Is Not Done With You46:31 Closing Thoughts #Faith #ChristianPodcast #GriefRecovery #HealingJourney #SoulSensePodcast #MiaGodfrey #BuriedNotBroken #Widowhood #Purpose #ChristianLiving #ChurchCommunity #AddictionRecovery #Resilience #Hope #TraumaHealing 👍🔔 If this conversation touched your heart, please like, subscribe, and share. We'd love to hear what part of this episode hit home for you — comment below or send us a message! Your support helps us bring more meaningful conversations to light. We also value your feedback — please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For more information on counseling and resources visit samaritanswell.com or email us at info@samaritanswell.com. ✅ Stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samaritanswell/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samaritanswelldallaSTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samaritanswellcounseling?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc 🎁 Learn Keys to Christian Emotional Health in this Free Guide: https://samaritanswell.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/Christian-Emotional-Health-Guide 🗞️ Join Our Newsletteer: https://samaritan-s-well-counseling.kit.com/0033ce428e Music from Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/featherlight | License code: GAUXTZHWAYJROEFL

    47 min

  4. Jun 11

    Restoration after Estrangement | Marit Welker

    Marit Welker, certified life coach and podcaster from Boise, Idaho, joins Soul Sense to talk about adult child estrangement, a problem affecting millions of families that almost nobody talks about openly. Marit shares her own story on both sides of estrangement, as a daughter who went low contact with a parent and as a mother who experienced full estrangement from her child. She walks through the difference between low contact and no contact, why estrangement can feel more painful than losing a child to death, how identity rooted in being "a mother" versus being a child of God shapes the healing process, and why concept creep around words like trauma may be making reconciliation harder. The conversation closes with practical guidance for parents hoping to reconnect with an estranged adult child.Timestamps:0:00 Welcome and introducing Marit Welker1:01 How Marit's own estrangement from a parent began2:33 Years of praying for forgiveness that didn't come3:53 The slow process of rebuilding trust4:18 Marit's experience of being estranged by her own child5:01 Low contact versus no contact, the two major forms7:03 What a first coaching session looks like7:50 Estrangement is more painful than death9:39 No closure, no funeral, just unresolved pain11:27 Starting with identity, daughter of God before mother15:04 Your worth is not defined by your child's choices16:23 Blind spots, exhaustion, and the small seeds of breach18:00 When a parent's hidden struggles affect the relationship21:35 The silent epidemic and why moms don't talk about it25:53 The moment a forgotten toy brought her to the floor26:40 Asking God to carry the pain29:02 Identity, grief, surrender, and the path back30:42 Different backgrounds, different reasons children leave32:14 The two million stimuli theory and why memories differ34:46 The trump card, do you want to be right or like God34:47 The silent epidemic by the numbers36:38 The healing zone, finding the right distance39:33 Why a child's pain is real even when the reasons are complex44:32 Closing words and what to say to an estranged adult childOne thing worth flagging: this version cuts out the "concept creep" and trauma definition section entirely compared to the earlier transcript. If that was an intentional edit decision, fine, but if it got dropped accidentally during editing, you'll want to double check the final cut before publishing since that was one of the more clip-worthy (if divisive) segments from before.#estrangement #adultchildren #familyhealing #christianparenting #faithbasedcounseling #parentingadvice #emotionalhealing #familyrelationships #soulsense #lifecoach #christianwomen #mentalhealthawareness #familyestrangement #grief #forgivenessLearn more at https://MaritWelker.comMarit offers a one-on-one challenge called Still Here for mothers of adult children who went "no contact." Marit walks them through a framework that helps them find their footing so they can then move forward, preparing for a successful reunion and avoiding the same mistakes she made.👍🔔 If this conversation touched your heart, please like, subscribe, and share. We'd love to hear what part of this episode hit home for you — comment below or send us a message! Your support helps us bring more meaningful conversations to light. We also value your feedback — please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.For more information on counseling and resources visit samaritanswell.com or email us at info@samaritanswell.com. 🎁 Free Relationship "Talk Time" Guide: https://samaritanswell.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/talk-time-guideMusic from Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/featherlight | License code: GAUXTZHWAYJROEFLhttps://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/all-i-need | License code: LQFV9XYEQIWRJLNT

    46 min

  5. Jun 3

    Pastoral Burnout, Depression, and the Wilderness: One Pastor's Story | Dustin Kleinschmidt

    From rock star dreams to church planter to pastoral burnout — Dustin Kleinschmidt's story is one most ministry leaders won't say out loud but desperately need to hear.After 25 years in ministry, Dustin resigned from leading a church through a moral failure crisis, expecting relief. Instead he got his first anxiety attack, a spiral into depression, and a moment on his 50th birthday when he told his wife he didn't know if he wanted to be here anymore.What came out of that wilderness was a book, a reframe, and a hard-won freedom he now helps other burned out ministry leaders find.In this episode we talk about:- The slow erosion that precedes a breakdown (it's never one moment)- Spiritual bypassing — and why the most theologically sharp leaders are often the most emotionally stuck- Attachment wounds and how your experience of your earthly father shapes how you see God- What it actually looks like to stop trying to fix yourself and just heal- The quid pro quo with God most Christians don't know they haveDustin's book The Wilderness Way: Finding Freedom in Life's Fractures is available now.Connect with Dustin at DustinKleinschmidt.comTimestamps:- 0:00 – Intro & who is Dustin Kleinschmidt- 1:35 – Growing up in a broken, abusive home- 2:44 – How a trip to Six Flags led to faith- 4:01 – Tripping into ministry (and the 4-chord worship leader)- 5:10 – Seven years chasing the music industry in LA- 6:33 – Moving to Texas, discipleship ministry, and unhealthy church leadership- 7:41 – Church planting in Murphy, COVID, and the decision to shut it down- 8:31 – Going back to lead a church wrecked by a pastor's affair- 9:50 – The elder meeting that broke him- 10:40 – Resigning and waiting for relief that never came- 11:05 – The first anxiety attack and spiral into depression- 11:41 – The suicidal thought on his 50th birthday- 12:08 – Discovering the quid pro quo he had with God- 13:18 – Life is the wilderness — the reframe that changed everything- 15:52 – The signs of erosion most leaders miss- 17:49 – When you start doing mental math before you preach- 20:18 – The $100 response to a $10 problem- 23:06 – The counselor who called time out and put him on medication- 24:17 – Healing by a thousand small band-aids- 28:29 – Learning to say what you actually feel (even when you know better)- 29:26 – God wears big boy pants — permission to bring your whole frustration- 36:04 – The thing under the thing: how Dustin coaches burned out leaders- 36:41 – What spiritual bypassing is and why it's everywhere in the Western church- 38:51 – "I believe, help my unbelief" — the gap between head and heart- 39:57 – The four areas of health Dustin works through with leaders- 41:33 – Attachment wounds and how a broken father relationship shapes your view of God- 43:10 – The Rubik's Cube on his desk and why it's never allowed to be solved- 44:26 – "By God's grace, I am what I am" — what healthy identity actually looks like- 45:38 – One small step for anyone feeling exhausted or spiritually numb- 47:03 – How to find Dustin and the book👍🔔 If this conversation touched your heart, please like, subscribe, and share. We'd love to hear what part of this episode hit home for you — comment below or send us a message! Your support helps us bring more meaningful conversations to light. We also value your feedback — please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.For more information on counseling and resources visit samaritanswell.com or email us at info@samaritanswell.com. 🎁 Free Relationship "Talk Time" Guide: https://samaritanswell.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/talk-time-guideMusic from Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/featherlight | License code: GAUXTZHWAYJROEFLhttps://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/all-i-need | License code: LQFV9XYEQIWRJLNT

    48 min

  6. May 28

    How to Be the Detective Your ADHD Child Needs | Dr. Amy Moore

    If you've ever felt like you're failing your ADHD child, this episode is for you. Dr. Amy Moore is a cognitive psychologist, neuroplasticity researcher, and mom with ADHD who has spent 30 years working with neurodivergent kids and families. She joins us to break down what's actually happening in the ADHD brain, why emotional meltdowns are not defiance, and what parents can do differently starting today. We cover why attention is not actually the core deficit in ADHD, how sleep, nutrition, and physical activity affect ADHD symptoms, what rejection sensitive dysphoria is and why it matters, why sending your child to their room during a meltdown backfires, how to become the detective your child needs, and why your calm is the most powerful tool you have. If you have a child with ADHD, suspect you might, or just want to understand the neurodivergent brain better, this conversation will change how you see your child and yourself. 0:00 Introduction and Dr. Amy Moore's background1:25 How Amy got into cognitive psychology and ADHD research3:28 Growing up with undiagnosed ADHD in the 70s and 80s5:00 Getting diagnosed in college and what changed6:34 How her family responded to the diagnosis7:55 What is dysregulation and rejection sensitive dysphoria9:23 The ADHD brain vs the non-ADHD brain10:05 Chronic stress and why everything feels like a crisis12:03 Amygdala hijacking and why your child can't hear you13:50 Co-regulation and why your calm is the most powerful tool you have15:15 Parents need regulation too16:54 Your child can't, not won't18:30 Strong-willed or dysregulated?19:48 Why sending your child to their room backfires20:25 Sensory seekers vs sensory avoiders23:44 Bedtime battles and unmet sensory needs24:21 Becoming a detective for your ADHD child25:01 Why sleep is the first question Amy asks27:13 Nutrition, food dyes, sugar, and ADHD29:21 Pesticides, organic food, and omega-3 deficiency32:53 Physical activity and BDNF35:01 The cognitive skills study with 5,000 ADHD patients36:00 ADHD is too much attention, not too little37:03 Cognitive training and neuroplasticity40:23 Guilt, shame, and diverse causes of ADHD41:18 What treatment at LearningRx actually looks like42:12 The range of parents Amy encounters44:11 Grace for parents and children47:19 Closing thoughts on faith and science together Learn more about Amy here: http://www.AmyMoorePhD.com Learn more about Amy's brain training research at www.LearningRx.com and find her podcast at www.TheBrainyMoms.com 👍🔔 If this conversation touched your heart, please like, subscribe, and share. We'd love to hear what part of this episode hit home for you — comment below or send us a message! Your support helps us bring more meaningful conversations to light. We also value your feedback — please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For more information on counseling and resources visit samaritanswell.com or email us at info@samaritanswell.com. ✅ Stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samaritanswell/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samaritanswelldallaSLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/samaritan%E2%80%99s-well/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samaritanswellcounseling?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc 🎁 Free Relationship "Talk Time" Guide: https://samaritanswell.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/talk-time-guide Music from Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/featherlight | License code: GAUXTZHWAYJROEFLhttps://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/all-i-need | License code: LQFV9XYEQIWRJLNT

    48 min

  7. May 20

    The Hidden Roots of Addiction: Shame, Control & Surrender | Carolyn Dunegan, LCDC

    In this foundational episode of our addiction series, we sit down with addiction expert Carolyn Dunegan, LCDC, to explore what addiction really is, why it’s so rooted in shame and isolation, and what true recovery actually requires.This conversation goes far beyond substances alone. We discuss the deeper emotional and spiritual dynamics underneath addiction, including secrecy, self-deception, ego, shame, control, and the struggle to ask for help.Whether you are personally struggling, love someone who is, or simply want to understand addiction at a deeper level, this episode offers powerful insight, compassion, and hope.00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 01:30 – What actually defines an addiction?02:07 – Consequences, immaturity, and substances replacing relationships10:00 – Isolation, secrecy, and the progression of addiction11:10 – Why lying becomes part of addiction14:00 – Why family systems matter in recovery38:50 – The stages of getting sober18:33 – “I can fix this myself” — the first stage of addiction recovery19:22 – Why addicts create rules and bargains around substances26:00 – Shame, self-hatred, and the emotional roots of addiction35:30 – The difference between ego and self-esteem35:00 – Why surrender and accountability are essential for healing43:33 – Confession, honesty, and “walking in the light”44:00 – Final thoughts: why truth creates freedom49:00 – Preview of the next addiction episodeKey Topics:• Addiction and recovery• Alcohol and substance abuse• Shame and self-hatred• Accountability and healing• Christian counseling perspectives• 12-step recovery insights• Family systems and addiction• Emotional health and trauma• Truth, honesty, and freedom#AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #ChristianCounseling #RecoveryJourney #SoulSensePodcast #AddictionHelp #Healing #SamaritansWell👍🔔 If this conversation touched your heart, please like, subscribe, and share. We'd love to hear what part of this episode hit home for you — comment below or send us a message! Your support helps us bring more meaningful conversations to light. We also value your feedback — please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.For more information on counseling and resources visit samaritanswell.com or email us at info@samaritanswell.com. ✅ Stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samaritanswell/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samaritanswelldallaSLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/samaritan%E2%80%99s-well/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samaritanswellcounseling?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc🎁 Free Relationship "Talk Time" Guide: https://samaritanswell.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/talk-time-guideMusic from Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/featherlight | License code: GAUXTZHWAYJROEFLhttps://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/all-i-need | License code: LQFV9XYEQIWRJLNT

    51 min

  8. May 15

    A Christian Therapist on Postpartum Anxiety, Depression, & OCD | Emma Donaldson, LPC

    Licensed Professional Counselor and Perinatal Mental Health Specialist Emma Donaldson joins Mark to have an honest conversation about what really happens to a mother's mind, body, and faith after having a baby. From the hormonal crash after birth to postpartum OCD, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and the shame that keeps so many moms silent — this episode covers what most doctors, churches, and even therapists miss.If you've ever felt like something was wrong with you after having a baby, or you love someone who has — this conversation is for you.Emma's website: joyfulmamamentalwellness.comInstagram & TikTok: @joyfulmamamentalwellness00:00 — Introduction & Emma's Story04:15 — The Hormonal Crash After Birth04:45 — How Pregnancy Triggers Old Wounds05:43 — Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression13:13 — Postpartum Anxiety & Perinatal OCD26:26 — Faith, Anxiety & Philippians 433:43 — Intrusive Thoughts — What They Mean38:11 — How the Church Can Do Better40:15 — What Husbands & Family Can Do42:30 — When & How to Get Help44:23 — Nutrition, Sleep & Hormone Recovery#PostpartumMentalHealth #ChristianMom #PostpartumAnxiety #PerinatalMentalHealth #PostpartumDepression #MomLife #FaithAndMentalHealth #ChristianCounseling #NewMom #PostpartumOCD #MentalHealthMatters #SoulSensePodcast #ChristianPodcast #MotherhoodIsHard #YouAreNotBroken👍🔔 If this conversation touched your heart, please like, subscribe, and share. We'd love to hear what part of this episode hit home for you — comment below or send us a message! Your support helps us bring more meaningful conversations to light. We also value your feedback — please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.For more information on counseling and resources visit samaritanswell.com or email us at info@samaritanswell.com. ✅ Stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samaritanswell/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samaritanswelldallaSLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/samaritan%E2%80%99s-well/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samaritanswellcounseling?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc🎁 Free Relationship "Talk Time" Guide: https://samaritanswell.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/talk-time-guideMusic from Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/featherlight | License code: GAUXTZHWAYJROEFLhttps://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/all-i-need | License code: LQFV9XYEQIWRJLNT

    54 min
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About

Most of us were never taught how faith and emotional health actually work together. Grief reshapes you. Trauma lingers. Anxiety lies. And loss doesn't just hurt — it fractures your relationships, your sense of self, and sometimes your faith. Soul Sense is for Christians who want Biblical wisdom, emotional healing, and honest conversation about the hard stuff. Hosted by Mark Verkler, LMFT and founder of Samaritan's Well — drawing on three decades of Christian counseling to explore what it really means to heal: spirit, mind, and body.

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