We explore real ways to find hope when the holidays hurt, weaving faith practices with counseling, planning, and gentle rituals that honor grief. We also share how supporters can show up with presence, not platitudes, and why boundaries are a gift.

• defining grief as mental, physical and spiritual
• distinguishing hope from happiness
• using scripture, prayer and Good Grief by Westberg
• practicing affirmations and journaling
• creating holiday plans and saying no
• honoring loved ones with simple rituals
• using music to name and move emotion
• seeking counseling and medical care when needed
• showing up for others with listening and presence
• sharing resources without rushing someone’s process

If this episode spoke to you, please share it with someone who might need to hear this message

The season promises joy, but for many of us the holidays arrive with a quiet ache. We sit with that truth and offer a kinder way through, exploring how grief and hope can share the same space without asking you to fake cheer or “get over” what still matters. With Rev. Dr. Tamara Brown and guest Rev. Dr. Sharon L. Larkin, we name the many faces of loss—death, job changes, benefit cuts, deployment, illness, distance, and fractured relationships—and show how acknowledging them opens the door to real healing.

We unpack the myths that silence people during a season that celebrates noise and light. There is no timetable for mourning, and anniversaries often live in the body before they reach the mind. You’ll hear how traditions can evolve from sharp pain into meaningful remembrance, and why connection is the lifeline: churches hosting grief recovery gatherings, sharing counseling resources, and creating mental health touchpoints; families asking honest questions about what helps and what harms. Together, we sketch a “new normal” for the holidays that honors limits, protects peace, and restores dignity.

Expect practical tools you can use the moment a trigger hits: name the feeling, breathe slowly, step outside, take a brief walk, hydrate, and lean into short prayers or a Psalm that gives language to lament. We also talk about when to reach for clinical support if the weight becomes too much. This conversation blends pastoral care with grounded mental health wisdom, offering compassionate steps for anyone navigating December with a tender heart.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review so others can find hope and help this season. Your story may be the invitation someone else is waiting for.

We bring faith, medicine, and lived experience together to support women’s physical and mental health, with a special focus on breast cancer, boundaries, and building a circle of care. Two doctors and two survivors share scripture, science, and practical tools that turn self-care into stewardship. Guest highlighted the following:

Embodied Faith and Stewardship: Viewing health as worship, practicing mindfulness and breathwork, and setting healthy boundaries as acts of spiritual care.

Women’s Health and Advocacy: Understanding core women’s health risks, maternal mortality, and how to advocate for yourself in medical settings.

Emotional Regulation and Resilience: Managing anxiety, recognizing triggers, and using survivor stories as pathways toward hope and healing.

Community and Support: Building a circle of care, asking clearly for the help you need, and choosing providers who honor your body’s wisdom.

Remember that you are not alone. God has placed you in a circle of care. Cherish it, lean on it, and be a part of it for others.

Reverend Jermine Alberty joins Dr. Janice Moore for a powerful, life-saving conversation about the alarming rise in suicide rates among Black youth and how faith communities can respond with both spiritual wisdom and practical support.

The statistics are sobering: suicide is the third leading cause of death for African-American youth ages 10-24, with rates increasing by 144% between 2007-2020. For young Black men, the suicide rate is over four times higher than for young women. Behind these numbers are real souls in pain—individuals who need to know they're not alone.

Drawing from his personal journey as both a pastor and father who walked alongside his own son through a suicide attempt at age 17, Reverend Alberty shares wisdom that bridges faith and mental health support. He offers clear guidance on recognizing warning signs, responding to crisis situations, and creating environments where honest conversations about pain can happen without judgment. His direct approach cuts through stigma with two crucial questions that could save a life: "Are you having thoughts of suicide?" and "Are you thinking about killing yourself?"

The conversation explores the cultural complexities of resilience messaging in Black communities, where phrases like "we survived slavery, we can survive anything" or "what goes on in this house stays in this house" can inadvertently discourage seeking help. Reverend Alberty introduces his HELP model (Hear compassionately, Engage openly, Learn perspectives, Plan next steps) and emphasizes that faith and professional mental health support should be partners, not competitors, in the healing journey.

Whether you're a faith leader, parent, mentor, or someone struggling with your own mental health challenges, this episode provides practical tools, spiritual wisdom, and the crucial reminder that you are not alone. Remember: 988 is the number to call, text, or chat for immediate crisis support. One soul truly does matter.

What happens when faith meets education in today's high school classrooms? Teacher and former pastor J. Todd Bruning reveals the delicate balance of bringing values into secular education without imposing beliefs. Through candid conversation with host Rev. Jermine Alberty, Todd shares how his approach of being "wise, kind, and fair" creates a foundation for meaningful student connections that transcend traditional boundaries.

The conversation takes an illuminating turn when Todd discusses the unpredictability of student behavior and how authentic listening transforms these relationships. "The moment there's a situation where they know that you're listening to what's important to them... it changes everything," Todd explains. This philosophy manifests in heartwarming ways, like students who aren't even in his class stopping by just for a morning fist bump.

Most compelling is Todd's revelation about impact: "I do more ministry every day in the classroom than I felt like I would do in a week, or maybe even a month" in a traditional church setting. His three-part approach—listening authentically, building genuine connections, and "bending along with grace"—offers profound guidance for anyone working with young people. This episode reinforces the research-backed finding that one caring adult outside the home can significantly influence a child's development, making this conversation essential listening for parents, educators, and community leaders alike. Join us to discover how compassionate presence in everyday spaces can create extraordinary change in young lives.

The second episode of 1 Soul Matters podcast highlights the powerful impact of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church's 10th Annual Mental Health Symposium through interviews conducted by Rev. Dr. Tamara Brown and Pastor Jamie Bruning. Guests from across the community share how the symposium influenced their personal, spiritual, and professional growth while reflecting on what "one soul matters" means to them.

• Pastor Richie Butler discusses the importance of clergy wellness and self-care, admitting he doesn't always get "poured into" while pouring out to others
• Community members share personal reflections on how the symposium helped them navigate challenges from caring for loved ones to maintaining their own mental health
• Desmond, an aspiring therapist, expresses surprise at learning about pastors' stress levels and confirms his desire to integrate faith with mental health in his future career
• Rev. Andrew Fizer emphasizes the importance of destigmatizing mental health conversations, especially within church settings
• Multiple perspectives on "one soul matters" emerge, from honoring each person as created in God's image to ensuring those who feel alone know they still matter
• The symposium creates connections between veterans' support groups, mental health resources, and church communities

We invite you to learn more about our mental health ministry or upcoming events at St. Luke by visiting our website or connecting with us on social media. Remember, you matter, your soul matters, and together we can build a community of care and healing.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Paula C. Dobbs-Wiggins who shares how faith communities can address mental health challenges by integrating spiritual resources with mental health services and community support. She explores the importance of education, connection to resources, and collaborative action as we navigate troubled times together.

The podcast also delves into the need for communities to shift from stigmatizing mental health to supporting it through education and resource connection.

The podcast also highlights The 10th Mental Health Symposium on July 19th offers space for caregivers, family members, ministry leaders, mental health professionals, educators, mental health advocates, and more to refuel, retool, and recharge.

"REGISTER" today https://tinyurl.com/yc6ytajd

Healthy minds, hearts, and leaders build a healthy Christ community!

Day-at-a-Glance:

https://slcumc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2997368

If you encounter challenges with registering or have any questions, please contact us at mentalhealth@slcumc.org.