Thrive: Mental Health and the Art of Living Free Melissa Clark

We journey alongside grief survivor Mike Nappa, who graciously opens his heart, sharing his profoundly moving journey of loss and healing after the death of his wife, Amy. His personal revelations on the terrain of grief and his granddaughter's own journey awaken a broader understanding of the grieving process and the importance of allowing ourselves the space to grieve.
 
Our conversation is intimate as Mike recounts the cherished moments of helping his wife fulfill her bucket list. His account underscores the significance of living fully even when faced with loss, a testament to the enduring power of love. Mike's reflections amplify the importance of cherishing our time with loved ones, making each moment count, and recognizing that grief can coexist with joy and acceptance. 
 
Poignant, enlightening, and deeply human, this episode offers solace and understanding while reassuring us all that grieving is a natural response to love, and experiencing all the emotions that come with it is perfectly okay. Listen in as we traverse the emotional landscape of grief and loss together.
 
Resources 
Connect with Mike 
Website: https://www.zondervan.com/p/reflections-for-the-grieving-soul/ 
Pick up a copy of Mike’s book - Reflections for the Grieving Soul: Meditations and Scripture for Finding Hope After Loss



Let’s connect: 
Website
Instagram
YouTube
 
I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.
 
Have a great week! 
Melissa 
 

Have you ever been caught in the hustle culture, feeling lost and struggling to find your purpose? This happened to our special guest, author Kelly Needham, and she's not alone. Imagine you're standing on the precipice of what society deems successful, yet you feel a deep void. Frustrated and desperate, Kelly embarked on a journey to re-examine the real source of purpose.
 
In our candid conversation, Kelly delves into her personal experiences, revealing how her marriage and life were affected by jealousy and insecurity. She shares some intriguing insights about the impact of social media on our sense of purpose. The culture of comparison, she says, has heightened with the rise of social media, leaving us feeling dissatisfied, envious, and perpetually lacking. We explore this issue further, discussing how our relationship with God might solve the dissatisfaction brought on by this toxic culture.
 
Whether you're searching for purpose or already on the path, Kelly's fresh perspective will inspire you to redefine your understanding of purpose. Join us on this journey to escape the hustle, connect with God, and discover a life of deep purpose and rest.
 
Connect with Kelly
 
Website: https://www.jimmyandkelly.com/ 
Instagram: @kellyneedham
Pick up a copy of her book! - Purposefooled: Why Chasing Your Dreams, Finding Your Calling, and Reaching for Greatness Will Never Be Enough



Let’s connect: 
Website
Instagram
YouTube
 
I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.
 
Have a great week! 
Melissa

Get ready to transform your perspective on life's challenges as we engage in an insightful conversation with the ever-inspiring Nick Nilson.
 
Ever wondered how to hold onto joy amidst hardships? Nick guides us through his life's journey, sharing wisdom on shaping our feelings through our thoughts and harnessing the power of the present moment to experience peace, joy, and contentment.
 
In this chat, we dive deeper into techniques to overcome self-doubt and focus on the possibilities, not the problems. With Nick's guidance, we learn how to utilize the grace given by God to chase our dreams fearlessly and how acknowledging and rejecting the falsehoods we've accepted about ourselves can lead us to our true purpose. We also delve into the nitty-gritty of bringing our dreams to life, embracing the sacrifices it might require.
 
Tune in for this wholesome conversation that promises to inspire you to embrace your life's journey with joy and purpose.
 
Connect with Nick
 
Website: https://www.nicknilson.com/ 
Instagram: http://instagram.com/nicknilson 
Pick up a copy of his book!
 
Let’s connect: 
Website
Instagram
YouTube
 
I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.
 
Have a great week! 
Melissa 
 

Are you craving self-improvement, a fresh perspective, or simply an honest and heartfelt conversation? That's precisely what you'll find in my latest podcast episode featuring Jason VanRuler. Drawing from a hard upbringing, Jason bravely confronts his past and the trials of running from unresolved traumas. He lays bare the turning point that led him to face his reflections in the mirror without external support, sparking a profound journey of self-awareness and transformation.
 
Jason's insights don't stop at personal history. We also delve into the intricate realm of emotions and their undeniable part in our self-confidence. Jason shares wisdom about embracing our feelings, even when contradicting our beliefs. His insights about how expressing our feelings can facilitate healing and personal growth are not to be missed. 
This episode is an enriching journey toward healing, acceptance, and self-confidence. Tune in to be moved, challenged, and, ultimately, inspired.
 
Resources
Connect with Jason 
 
Website:https://www.jasonvr.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason.vanruler
Pick up a copy of his book!
 
Let’s connect: 
Website
Instagram
YouTube
 
I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.
 
Have a great week! 
Melissa
 

Could you imagine the power of the right language and tools in transforming life struggles into blessings? That's what we're unpacking with our guest today, Travis Thompson, as he shares his captivating journey through the thorny path of addiction. Drawing from his battle, Travis sheds light on addiction in the United States. He underscores the crucial need to accurately represent the addiction spectrum to ensure people get the support they need.
 
Addiction is not just about the individual; it's also about the people and the society around them. We look closer into the role of boundaries in addictive relationships and the concept of trauma bonding, laying bare the treacherous impact of alcohol deeply ingrained in our social fabric. However, Travis brings forth a beacon of hope amidst this bleak reality - vulnerability and emotional intimacy. He shows us how to create emotional intimacy within relationships, offering practical tips on fostering self-care and supporting loved ones grappling with addiction.
 
Tune in to this powerful and insightful discussion on the many facets of addiction, the path to recovery, and the life-altering power of emotional connections and personal accountability.
 
Resources
Connect with Travis : 
 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/travis_t_media 
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-thompson-lmft-100685153/
Website: https://www.travisthompsoncounseling.com/
Pick up a copy of his book!
 
Let’s connect: 
Website
Instagram
YouTube
 
I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.
 
Have a great week! 
Melissa 
 

Ever wonder how nurturing your soul can lead to a healthier, more connected life? We're pondering this question with our returning guest, Amber Albee Swenson, as we navigate the concept of soul care versus the well-known self-care practice. Together, we explore how prioritizing our divine connection and acknowledging when the soul feels off-balance can significantly impact our overall well-being.
We're traveling beyond the surface, examining how soul care profoundly impacts our relationships with ourselves and the world around us. Amber emphasizes the necessity of carving time out of our day to engage with God through prayer and scripture reading while reflecting on the spiritual influence of financial goals and the potency of contentment found in God.
We encourage you to delve into the Bible, even if it's just for 15 minutes a day. You never know what divine revelations might be waiting for you. 
Remember, your true connection lies in the care of your soul.
Amber Albee Swenson is a wife, mother, speaker, and the author of seven books, including her newest one, Soul Care: Nurturing Your Spiritual Wellness. She is also a blogger and regular contributor to the multimedia ministry Time of Grace and other popular Christian ministries. 
 
Resources
Connect with Amber - 
Website - https://www.amberalbeeswenson.org/ 
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AmberAlbeeSwenson 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amberalbeeswenson/ 
 
Let’s connect: 
Website
Instagram
YouTube
 
I’d love it if you would leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget – Be sure to subscribe and get new episodes on YouTube.
 
Have a great week! 
Melissa