What do you do when life doesn’t turn out the way you expected—and you can't fix it, control it, or even fully understand what God is doing? Maybe you're trying to trust God, but you're also angry, disappointed, grieving, or just plain confused. How do you hold all of those emotions without pretending everything is fine or letting those feelings take over? 

In this episode, I’m sharing something very personal that I’ve been walking through in my own family, especially as I navigate the complicated emotions that come with parenting young adult children.  

We’ll talk about what it really looks like to surrender when you’re still grieving, why pretending you’re “already on the other side” doesn’t actually help you heal, and how God can meet you in the messy middle. If you’re walking through a situation you wish were different, I hope this conversation reminds you that you don’t have to have all the answers—you can keep moving forward while trusting God with what you cannot control. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 

[00:00] When Life Doesn’t Turn Out the Way You Expected 

[02:00] You Don’t Need to Become a “Better You” 

[04:00] Holding Faith and Hard Emotions at the Same Time 

[08:00] The Grief of Losing the Future You Imagined 

[10:00] Surrender Is the Goal, But We First Have to Deal With the Emotions Behind Surrender  

[12:00] Are You Chasing the Illusion of Certainty? 

[17:00] What Does Surrender Really Look Like? 

[22:00] How Can You Stay in Surrender (When You Just Want to Fix)? 

RESOURCES: 

Emotional Overwhelm Reset System — In under 30 minutes, learn my simple “prep before you process” approach to calm overwhelming emotions and find clarity.  

AliciaMichelle.com/overwhelm 

RELATED EPISODES: 

Ep 379: “How Do I Walk Through This Well?” Finding Emotional Clarity When Life Gets Complicated 

Ep 378: What Do You Actually Need When You’re Carrying a Lot Emotionally? 

Ep365: God Reveals So He Can Heal (Is It Time to Step Into Healing?) 

Send us Fan Mail

Do you find yourself reacting to frustrating situations even though you already know how you want to respond? Maybe it's your husband, your kids, your boss, or another difficult situation that sends you into an emotional spiral before you even have time to think. In this Best Of episode, we're talking about why we can go from one emotional crisis to another and what actually helps us interrupt that cycle. 

Instead of beating yourself up for reacting, let's look at what's happening in your body, your emotions, and your thought patterns. You'll learn how to recognize what is within your control, identify the deeper issues underneath the overwhelm, and practice responding with greater intention, wisdom, and peace—even when life continues to be chaotic. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 

00:00] Why Do We React Instead of Respond? 

[08:00] What Part of the Chaos Is Actually Your Responsibility? 

[10:00] Gut Check: Are You Making a Crisis Bigger Than It Needs to Be? 

[16:00] Why Do We Keep Going Back to the Chaos? 

[20:00] How Can We Find Peace in the Middle of Chaos? 

[23:00] Practical Ways to Interrupt the React Instead of Respond Cycle 

[25:00] Partnering With God in Your Emotional Growth 

RESOURCES: 

Emotional Overwhelm Reset System — In under 30 minutes, learn my simple “prep before you process” approach to calm overwhelming emotions and find clarity.  

AliciaMichelle.com/overwhelm 

RELATED EPISODES: 

Ep 373: What Is Emotional Regulation (And Why Is It More Than Calming Yourself Down?) 

Ep 374: 5 Types of Emotional Overwhelm—Which Are You Experiencing? 

Ep 378: What Do You Actually Need When You’re Carrying a Lot Emotionally? 

Send us Fan Mail

What if you’re doing your best to follow God, but you honestly don’t know what to do? 

Life doesn't always come with a clear five-step answer. Sometimes we're caught between our emotions, what we believe God is asking us to do, what other people are telling us, and the patterns we've relied on for years—and we're left wondering, How do I actually walk through this well? 

In this episode, we talk about what it looks like to slow down when life feels complicated, untangle the different voices and emotions involved, and find a wise next step instead of feeling like you have to figure everything out on your own. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 

[00:00] When You Don’t Know How to Walk Through Something Well 

[02:00] Why We Sometimes Need Someone Outside the Situation 

[04:00] You Can Love Jesus and Still Not Know What to Do 

[07:00] “You Can’t Read the Label From Inside the Jar” 

[08:00] Telling the Whole Truth About What’s Happening Inside 

[09:00] Looking Beneath the Emotion for What’s Really Driving It 

[11:00] Calming Your Body Before Trying to Figure It Out 

[16:00] The Everyday Situations That Can Leave Us Stuck 

[18:00] Finding Your Next Faithful Step 

RESOURCES:  

Private Coaching with Alicia — Get personalized support for a specific relationship, emotional struggle or life situation.  

AliciaMichelle.com/coaching  

RELATED EPISODES: 

Ep. 378: What Actually Helps When You're Carrying a Lot Emotionally? Practical Next Steps  

Ep 377: "Which Voice Should I Listen To?" Making Sense of Your Competing Thoughts + Emotions 

Ep 373: What Is Emotional Regulation (And Why It's More Than Calming Yourself Down)  

Send us Fan Mail

What do you actually need when you’re carrying a lot emotionally and you don’t even know where to start? In this episode, we’re slowing down and looking at five different emotional needs that can show up when life feels heavy—from feeling completely overwhelmed and unable to think clearly, to needing rest, deeper connection with God, community, or help navigating a specific situation. 

Instead of assuming you need to try harder or learn “one more thing”, let’s talk about how to identify what you actually need in this season and choose a next step that fits.  

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 

[00:00] When Your Emotions Feel Like Too Much to Handle 

[05:00] Why You Need to Regulate Before You Process 

[10:00] When You’ve Been Carrying Too Much for Too Long 

[18:00] Creating a Regular Rhythm of Connection With God 

[24:00] Turning What You’ve Learned Into Real-Life Practice 

[27:00] When You Need Help With a Specific Situation 

[31:00] Figuring Out What You Actually Need Right Now 

[33:00] Taking One Next Step Instead of Staying Stuck 

RELATED EPISODES: 

Ep 374: 5 Types of Emotional Overwhelm—Which Are You Experiencing? 

Ep 373: What Is Emotional Regulation (And Why It's More Than Calming Yourself Down)  

Ep 372: Why Managing Overwhelm Is Where Emotional Healing Begins  

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 

Emotional Overwhelm Reset System — In under 30 minutes, learn my simple “prep before you process” approach to calm overwhelming emotions and find clarity.
AliciaMichelle.com/overwhelm 

Rest + Restore Retreats — Step away from the noise for deep rest, soul replenishment, and meaningful time with God.
AliciaMichelle.com/retreats 

Virtual Rest + Restore Retreat — Experience a flexible, Bible-based retreat from home, on your schedule.
AliciaMichelle.com/virtual-rest-retreat 

30 Christian Meditations for Calm — 30 short Scripture meditations to quiet your mind, find calm, and connect with God.
AliciaMichelle.com/meditation 

Emotional Confidence Club — Practice practical emotional tools alongside a supportive community of Christian women.
AliciaMichelle.com/club 

Private Coaching with Alicia — Get personalized support for a specific relationship, emotional struggle, or life situation.
AliciaMichelle.com/coaching 

Send us Fan Mail

Some days it feels like there’s a ton of different voices in your head—each one saying something different. Which do we listen to? One says, "Do this," while another says, "No, stay here," and then guilt, fear, or another emotion gets added to the mix. In this episode, we’re talking about where those competing thoughts and emotions can come from and how to make sense of them without automatically believing, obeying, or shutting them down. 

We’ll look at the different parts of our inner experience, why emotions, predictions, beliefs, and needs aren't all the same thing, and how our past experiences can influence what feels loudest in the moment. Most importantly, we’ll talk about what it looks like to bring all of those voices before the Holy Spirit, allowing them to be heard without allowing them to lead. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 

[00:00] Why It Can Feel Like You Have Conflicting Voices Inside 

[02:00] Understanding the Different Parts of Your Inner Experience 

[05:00] Emotions, Predictions, Beliefs + Needs Aren’t All the Same 

[08:00] When Your Past Experiences Get Loud 

[10:00] Bringing Your Inner Noise to God Instead of Shutting It Down 

[14:00] Letting Every Voice Have a Seat—but Not the Head of the Table 

[17:00] Knowing What to Process With God + What to Bring to Someone Else 

[20:00] Taking Your Thoughts Captive Under the Authority of Christ 

RESOURCES: 

Emotional Confidence Club 

This month's Emotional Confidence Club topic goes deeper into how to make sense of the different voices inside, what to do when one voice gets especially loud, and how to discern what God may be asking you to do. The club takes these concepts beyond learning and helps you actually practice them in real-life situations alongside other Christian women. 

Learn more: AliciaMichelle.com/club 

RELATED EPISODES: 

Ep 374: 5 Types of Emotional Overwhelm—Which Are You Experiencing? 

Ep 373: What Is Emotional Regulation (And Why It's More Than Calming Yourself Down)  

Ep 372: Why Managing Overwhelm Is Where Emotional Healing Begins  

Send us Fan Mail

What if the pressure to hold everything together is one of the very things keeping you overwhelmed? In this Best Of episode, I’m revisiting a conversation about the exhausting pressure to get everything right, keep everyone happy, and make sure life turns out the way we think it should. We’ll talk about the hidden beliefs behind our need for control, why our value isn’t determined by how well we perform, and how to find peace even when you don’t know what the outcome will be. 

Most importantly, we’ll look at the freeing truth of Colossians 1:17: Jesus is the One who holds all things together. You were never meant to carry the weight of holding your family, your future, your relationships, or your entire life together on your own. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 

[00:00] The Hidden Pressure Behind Trying to Hold It All Together 

[05:00] How the Need for Control Fuels Emotional Overwhelm 

[08:00] Jesus Is the One Who Holds All Things Together 

[11:00] When Doing Everything Right Still Doesn’t Give You the Outcome You Want 

[14:00] Why Your Ability to Carry More Doesn’t Determine Your Value 

[17:00] Finding Peace Without Knowing What Happens Next 

[20:00] What Actually Belongs to You—and What Belongs to God 

[23:00] Releasing the Pressure to Make Everything Perfect 

RESOURCES: 

Emotional Overwhelm Reset System  

If overwhelm is keeping you stuck, the Emotional Overwhelm Reset System will teach you exactly what to do in those moments when your emotions feel too big to process. You'll learn a simple, repeatable framework to regulate overwhelm so you can respond with greater clarity, emotional confidence, and peace.  

Learn more: AliciaMichelle.com/overwhelm  

RELATED EPISODES: 

Ep 374: 5 Types of Emotional Overwhelm—Which Are You Experiencing? 

Ep 373: What Is Emotional Regulation (And Why It's More Than Calming Yourself Down)  

Ep 372: Why Managing Overwhelm Is Where Emotional Healing Begins  

Send us Fan Mail

We’ve all done it--minimizing or numbing our emotions after a painful experience. Today’s guest Willow Weston invites us to consider asking this question instead: What if the pain I’m trying to avoid is actually pointing me toward the healing God wants to bring?  

Willow and I share honestly talk about how unprocessed pain can come out sideways through anxiety, anger, relationship struggles, avoidance, and other patterns, and what it looks like to finally name what you're carrying and invite God into those tender places. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 

[00:00] Why We Learn to Avoid Pain Instead of Process It 

[04:00] How the Way We Were Taught to Handle Pain Follows Us 

[11:00] Recognizing When Unprocessed Pain Is Coming Out Sideways 

[14:00] Letting God and Safe People Into Your Pain 

[19:00] Why Healing Sometimes Requires Us to Risk Hope 

[24:00] Why We Can't Ignore the "Small" Hurts 

[28:00] Moving Past the Shame of Still Struggling 

[37:00] Two Questions to Help You Take Your Next Step Toward Healing 

RESOURCES: 

Collide: Running Into Healing When Life Hands You Hurt by Willow Weston 

RELATED EPISODES: 

Ep 374: 5 Types of Emotional Overwhelm—Which Are You Experiencing? 

Ep 370: Learning to Tend Your Soul: Befriending the Hidden Parts of Your Heart with Dr. Alison Cook 

Ep 365: God Reveals So He Can Heal (And It's Time to Step Into That Healing) 

Send us Fan Mail

Not all emotional overwhelm feels the same. Sometimes overwhelm leaves you restless and unable to slow down. Other times it feels heavy, tender, scattered, or like you've simply reached the end of your rope. 

In this episode, I introduce the five different types of emotional overwhelm I've seen in my own life and in coaching women. You'll learn how recognizing your unique overwhelm pattern can help you understand what's happening underneath the surface, respond with greater compassion instead of self-criticism, and begin choosing tools that actually fit what you need in the moment. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 

[00:00] Why Not All Overwhelm Is the Same 

[04:00] The "Wound Up" Overwhelm Type: When You Can't Slow Down 

[05:30] The "Heavy" Overwhelm Type: When Everything Feels Like Too Much 

[07:30] The "Tender" Overwhelm Type: Why Little Things Suddenly Hurt So Much 

[10:00] The "Scattered" Overwhelm Type: When Your Brain Has Too Many Tabs Open 

[13:00] The "Fed Up" Overwhelm Type: When You've Reached Your Limit 

[15:00] Why Identifying Your Overwhelm Changes Everything 

[17:00] Building Emotional Confidence One Pattern at a Time 

RESOURCES: 

Emotional Overwhelm Reset System 

If overwhelm is keeping you stuck, the Emotional Overwhelm Reset System will teach you exactly what to do in those moments when your emotions feel too big to process. You'll learn a simple, repeatable framework to regulate overwhelm so you can respond with greater clarity, emotional confidence, and peace.  

Learn more: AliciaMichelle.com/overwhelm  

RELATED EPISODES: 

Ep 359: When Emotions Feel Scary: Practical Tools to Courageously Process What's Inside 

Ep 372: Why Managing Overwhelm Is Where Emotional Healing Begins 

Ep 373: What Is Emotional Regulation (And Why It's More Than Calming Yourself Down) 

Send us Fan Mail

What if emotional regulation isn't about calming yourself down—but becoming available to hear God more clearly? So many of us have been taught to suppress our emotions, push through them, or simply "get over it." But that's not how God designed us to heal. 

In this episode, I explain what emotional regulation really is, why it's the missing step before emotional processing, and how learning to prepare your body, mind, and soul can help you respond with greater wisdom instead of reacting automatically. You'll also discover why emotional regulation is a spiritual practice that helps you stay connected to God even in the middle of difficult emotions. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 

[00:00] Emotional Regulation Is More Than Simply Calming Down 

[03:00] Why Healthy Feelings Aren't Emotionless 

[05:00] The Missing Step Before Emotional Processing 

[08:00] Why Emotional Prep and Emotional Processing Work Together 

[10:00] How Regulation Changes Your Body, Mind, and Relationship with God 

[13:00] Learning to Calm and Quiet Your Soul 

[18:00] Emotional Regulation Is About Shepherding, Not Controlling Yourself 

[20:00] Building Emotional Confidence One Emotion at a Time 

RESOURCES: 

Emotional Overwhelm Reset System 

If overwhelm is keeping you stuck, the Emotional Overwhelm Reset System will teach you exactly what to do in those moments when your emotions feel too big to process. You'll learn a simple, repeatable framework to regulate overwhelm so you can respond with greater clarity, emotional confidence, and peace.  

Learn more: AliciaMichelle.com/overwhelm  

RELATED EPISODES: 

Ep 359: When Emotions Feel Scary: Practical Tools to Courageously Process What's Inside 

Ep 365: God Reveals So He Can Heal (And It's Time to Step Into That Healing) 

Ep 372: Why Managing Overwhelm Is Where Emotional Healing Begins 

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that you couldn't even name what you were feeling? When we’re emotionally overwhelmed, everything feels tangled together, making it impossible to think clearly or hear God's voice. 

In this episode, I share why overwhelm isn't just another emotion to manage; it's often the doorway to emotional healing.  

We talk about why your body responds the way it does, why trying harder isn't the answer, and practical biblical and brain-based tools that help you move from feeling emotionally flooded to becoming centered enough to process what's really happening underneath. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 

[00:00] Why Overwhelm Is Often the First Emotion You Need to Address 

[04:00] The Emotional Iceberg: What's Really Hiding Beneath Overwhelm? 

[07:00] How Overwhelm Affects Your Body, Mind, and Spirit 

[10:00] Why Emotional Regulation Is an Act of Spiritual Stewardship 

[12:00] What Elijah and Jesus Teach Us About Managing Emotional Overwhelm 

[15:00] Why Emotional Centeredness Matters More Than Simply Feeling Calm 

[17:00] Are You Trying to Manage Your Feelings in the Middle of Your Emotional Story? 

[19:00] A Simple First Step When Overwhelm Takes Over 

RESOURCES: 

Emotional Overwhelm Reset System 

If overwhelm is keeping you stuck, the Emotional Overwhelm Reset System will teach you exactly what to do in those moments when your emotions feel too big to process. You'll learn a simple, repeatable framework to regulate overwhelm so you can respond with greater clarity, emotional confidence, and peace. 

Learn more: AliciaMichelle.com/overwhelm 

RELATED EPISODES:  

Ep 359: When Emotions Feel Scary: Practical Tools to Courageously Process What's Inside 

Ep 363: Overexplaining, Overapologizing + Overthinking: What's Behind These Patterns? 

Ep 365: God Reveals So He Can Heal (And It's Time to Step Into That Healing)

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever looked at your life and thought, I've changed...but now who am I? Midlife brings so many transitions—our bodies change, our relationships evolve, our roles shift, and the things that once defined us begin to look different. 

In this episode, I share some of the emotions so many women experience during this season, including grief, relief, fear, and uncertainty. We talk about why midlife isn't about trying to become the person you used to be, but discovering who God is inviting you to become next. If you've been wondering what this season is really about, I hope this conversation encourages you to embrace it with curiosity, courage, and hope. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 

[00:00] Why Midlife Isn't About Going Back—It's About Becoming 

[04:00] The Questions That Surface When Life Finally Gets Quiet 

[09:00] Grieving the Life You Thought You'd Have 

[14:00] Why the Emotion of Relief Can Feel Surprisingly Uncomfortable in Midlife 

[17:00] Two Different Kinds of Fear—and Which One God Wants You to Follow 

[22:00] Don't Let Your Inner Critic Talk You Out of Your Next Season 

[27:00] Midlife Is an Orientation, Not the Finish Line 

[30:00] Listening to the Emotions God Is Using to Shape You 

RESOURCES: 

Emotional Confidence Club 

If this conversation resonated with you, join us inside the Emotional Confidence Club, where we're spending time exploring the emotions of midlife together. Through monthly coaching, practical tools, and faith-filled conversations, you'll learn how to process emotions like grief, fear, relief, and uncertainty while discovering the woman God is shaping you to become. 

Learn more: AliciaMichelle.com/club  

RELATED EPISODES: 

Ep 365: God Reveals So He Can Heal (And It's Time to Step Into That Healing) 

Ep 367: Why Do I Feel Lonely in Midlife When I'm Surrounded by People I Love? 

Ep 368: What Am I Really Longing for When I Feel Lonely and Disconnected? 

Send us Fan Mail