Episodes

  1. 1Introduction to Out of the Dark with Mandisa & Laura WilliamsOut of the Dark is a podcast about mental health in the body of Christ. As followers of Jesus, people are sometimes led to believe that if we struggle with anxiety, depression, addiction, identity, or the many other areas of our mental health that we are less of a Christian or are just not praying enough. In this podcast Mandisa and Laura will tackle the idea that, while Jesus IS enough, a relationship with a counselor can help heal wounds that will enhance your relationship with Jesus. They will cover specific topics related to mental health and offer resources to listeners to enhance your journey of personal growth. We can’t do it alone—we need to step out of the dark of shame and guilt and into the light of recovery and redemption. New episodes air Wednesday. Make sure to subscribe to you never miss an opportunity to step 'Out of the Dark'!1 min
  2. 2Covid ShameOne of us got Covid! Listen in to find out who and what made healing so complicated. Have a friend who could benefit from today's topic? Share this episode and leave us a review. And make sure to subscribe now so you never miss a Wednesday episode.17 min
  3. 3Stepping OutMandisa and Laura introduce themselves and what this podcast is about. Listen in on what a counseling relationship is like, why perspective is not always helpful, and the two words a counselor should never use! Have a friend who could benefit from today's topic? Share this episode and leave us a review. And make sure to subscribe now so you never miss a Wednesday episode.22 min
  4. 4The Benefit of SleepIt's a basic need so why do we all have such a hard time with it? In this episode we will talk about the importance of sleep and how to get more of it! Have a friend who could benefit from today's topic? Share this episode and leave us a review. And make sure to subscribe now so you never miss a Wednesday episode.19 min
  5. 5Unpacking Story: MandisaListen in to hear how important story is to our mental health. In this episode, we will begin to unpack some of Mandisa's story and talk about how past sexual trauma will impact us in the present. It is necessary to go back in order to move forward. Have a friend who could benefit from today's topic? Share this episode and leave us a review. And make sure to subscribe now so you never miss a Wednesday episode.29 min
  6. 6Dogs, Cats, Geckos...The Value of PetsOur most fun episode yet! Mandisa and Laura talk about the benefits of pets in regards to our mental health. Pets are hard work but they can have a positive effect on your being. Have a friend who could benefit from today's topic? Share this episode and leave us a review. And make sure to subscribe now so you never miss a Wednesday episode.17 min
  7. 7Unpacking Story: LauraListen in to hear how important story is to our mental health. In this episode, we will begin to unpack some of Laura's story and talk about how developmental and relational trauma will impact us in the present. It is necessary to go back in order to move forward. Have a friend who could benefit from today's topic? Share this episode and leave us a review. And make sure to subscribe now so you never miss a Wednesday episode.25 min
  8. 8Therapy is Hard WorkThis week, Mandisa and Laura talk about how hard the work of therapy is. We also talk about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and how it can aid in the healing of all kinds of trauma. Have a friend who could benefit from today's topic? Share this episode and leave us a review. And make sure to subscribe now so you never miss a Wednesday episode.21 min
  9. 9God: How our Story Constructs our ViewEver wonder why it's hard to view God in a certain light--as Father, as Brother, as a nurturer? A lot of this has to do with your relationship with your earthly caregivers. We will unpack how Mandisa and Laura have processed their view of God and why it matters in light of your story. Have a friend who could benefit from today's topic? Share this episode and leave us a review. And make sure to subscribe now so you never miss a Wednesday episode.20 min
  10. 10Tribe: The Importance of CommunityAs children of God, we are created for relationship. We are meant to be in community with others. Today we talk about why this is important and how to build your own tribe. Have a friend who could benefit from today's topic? Share this episode and leave us a review. And make sure to subscribe now so you never miss a Wednesday episode.23 min
  11. 11GriefThere is a reason God devoted a whole book of the Bible on lament. It is hard and there is no way around it. Grief is something that we can put on the back burner but it will never really get processed until you go through it. Today we will talk about what that process looks like and how we can grieve in a healthy way. Have a friend who could benefit from today's topic? Share this episode and leave us a review. And make sure to subscribe now so you never miss a Wednesday episode.21 min
  12. 12Social Media: Is it Good or Bad?Can social media be a positive thing or is it always bad? Today we talk about healthy boundaries around social media and what to be on the lookout for as you scroll your favorite platform. Have a friend who could benefit from today's topic? Share this episode and leave us a review. And make sure to subscribe now so you never miss a Wednesday episode.20 min
  13. 13Mental Health in ChildrenHow do I know when my child needs to see a counselor? Isn't it enough for me to ask the right questions? Does it mean I am a bad parent if my child needs counseling? These are only some of the questions that we will cover in this podcast. Children are not as resilient as you think and it is important to be tuned in to them and to yourself. Have a friend who could benefit from today's topic? Share this episode and leave us a review. And make sure to subscribe now so you never miss a Wednesday episode.22 min
  14. 14Back in the Dark: A Masterpiece and a Work in ProgressWhew... our mental health journey can be a roller coaster. Our first episode of the new season tackles what it is like when our journey isn't as smooth as we thought it would be. It's actually more normal than you think.21 min
  15. 15Why weight?Whether you overeat or undereat, it generally comes from the same place. At the root, you have to value yourself in order to conisider yoursself worth taking care of. Learn some practical ways to start taking care of your body.26 min
  16. 16Shame and Guilt: Is there a difference?This is one of our most valuable episodes. It is vital that we know the difference between shame and guilt in order to be able to discern between the enemy and the Holy Spirit. We will discuss some ways to tell the difference.22 min
  17. 17Boundaries: What are they and why are they so hard to keep?Boundaries are an elusive concept that seem really easy to comprehend but really difficult to put in place. In this episode, we tackle why this is true. And we will discuss different types of boundaries and what gets in the way when we are trying to set and keep them.25 min
  18. 18Confidence vs. EsteemSome of the most confident people can have some of the worst levels of esteem. In this episode we talk about the difference between confidence and esteem--whether we value ourselves from the outside or the inside.24 min
  19. 19The Power of MothersMothering is one of the most challenging areas of our mental health. There is maybe no other job that you both feel worthless AND the weight of the world on your shoulders at the same time. We will talk about "mom-shame", the importance of recognizing the need for self-care, and much more.26 min
  20. 20Medication: The Scary EpisodeOur most vulnerable episode yet. Mandisa and Laura get personal with their views on medication in the area of mental health and tackle the stigma that you are not strong enough of a Christian if you have to rely on medication.24 min
  21. 21Mindfulness: When I Wasn't Attuned to as a ChildMindfulness is a way of connecting with God and self. Part of the responsibility of a parent is to help children figure out what is going on with them--to connect with their bodies, their feelings, their ideas/opinions, likes and dislikes. When you miss out on that as a kid, you owe it to yourself to spend time getting to know yourself. Mindfulness is a great way.27 min
  22. 22Why We Feel and the Importance of GratitudeWhether we want to admit it or not, we all have feelings. Most people either don't feel at all or feel too much. In this episode, we will discuss the importance of recognizing feelings. We also talk about the importance of gratitude; not to negate our feelings but as a separate practice each day.23 min
  23. 23Self-careYou might be surprised to know that self-care actually has nothing to do with spas, shopping or 5-star resorts. Self-care is actually the most basic thing you can do for yourself. We will discuss what self care is and what it is NOT.24 min
  24. 24It's the most wonderful time of the year, or is it?Visiting family during the holidays might be one of the top stressors people experience. For some it is tolerable and mildly fun, but for many people it is miserable. In this episode, we will discuss some resources to help make traveling to visit family more enjoyable.28 min

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