This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I’m joined by Brittany Tinsley, author of Stories Our Scars Tell: Hope, Healing, and Honesty About the Wounds We Carry.

Brittany opens up about her journey through pain, faith, and healing — and how God transformed her deepest wounds into a message of redemption. From navigating mental health challenges to finding her identity in Christ, this conversation is real, raw, and full of hope.

💬 Highlights from our conversation:

• How Brittany found hope and healing after walking through self-harm and rejection.

• The importance of honesty and vulnerability in both faith and healing.

• What the Church is learning about mental health — and how we can do better.

• Why our scars can become powerful testimonies of God’s grace.

• The story behind Stories Our Scars Tell and how God led her to write it.

If you’ve ever felt unseen, misunderstood, or wondered how your story could possibly be used for good — this episode will remind you that God redeems every wound and writes beauty into every scar.

📖 Stories Our Scars Tell is available wherever books are sold.

Bio:

Brittany Tinsley is a writer and speaker whose work explores the intersection of faith and mental health. Through honest, heartfelt storytelling, she invites others to find the hope baked into their own lives. Brittany is a contributing author of the Oxford Handbook of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and has written for HuffPost, (in)courage, and To Write Love on Her Arms. Brittany lives in Texas with her husband and their two daughters.

Anchor Verses:

Isaiah 59:1

1 Corinthians 15:58

Connect with Brittany:

Website: brittanytinsley.com.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/brittanytinsleywrites

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I sit down with Heather O’Brien — prophetic healing coach, minister, author, and speaker — to talk about her powerful journey of healing and freedom. Heather is the author of No Fear Allowed, a book that helps readers get free and stay free by identifying fear at its roots and learning how to walk in lasting wholeness with God.

Heather shares her story of transformation — from working as an accountant and walking through depression, emotional trauma, and fear, to learning how to hear God’s voice and helping others do the same. Through her healing journey, she experienced both physical and spiritual weight loss — shedding 100 pounds in her body and even more of the emotional and spiritual heaviness she was never meant to carry.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• How fear hides in layers and often looks like something else — anxiety, control, or shame.
• Learning to forgive “from the heart” and the difference between saying you’ve forgiven and actually being healed.
• Why hearing God’s voice changes everything.
• What it means to love yourself as God loves you and see your body as His temple.
• How to face emotional trauma with Jesus and let Him rewrite your story from the inside out.

Heather reminds us that healing is a journey — not a destination — and that God meets us with mercy every single day. You’ll walk away from this episode encouraged to let go of fear, embrace your identity in Christ, and believe that no matter what you’ve walked through, you can be free.

You can find Heather’s book No Fear Allowed on Amazon or at heatherobrien.net and listen to her podcast Heal with Heather O’Brien wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 Episode Quote:

“Healing isn’t about perfection — it’s about partnership. God doesn’t just want to fix your pain; He wants to walk with you through it.” — Heather O’Brien

⚓️ Encouragement:

No matter what your story looks like, you’re never too far gone for God to redeem it. Freedom starts with one brave “yes.” So, take that next step — forgive, surrender, and let His love make you whole.

Bio:

Heather O’Brien is a prophetic healing coach, minister, author, and speaker. She helps Christians heal with God by hearing God's voice. She is the host of a top 2.5% globally ranked podcast, Heal with God. She believes with God's help, you can forgive the unforgivable & heal from trauma.

Anchor Verses:

Connect with Heather:

Website: https://heatherobrien.net

IG: https://www.instagram.com/healwithgodpodcast

FB: https://www.facebook.com/healwithgodpodcast

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healwithgodpodcast

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I’m joined by Oghosa Iyamu, author of Forever Welcomed: A Study of God’s Impartial Love for All.

Oghosa’s story is such a beautiful reminder that God sees us, knows us, and welcomes us — no matter where we come from. She shares about growing up in low-income housing, living through seasons of hardship, and how she encountered God’s miraculous and impartial love after college.

Through her journey with dyslexia and the belief that she “couldn’t do it,” Oghosa discovered how God uses our weaknesses as the very place where His strength shines brightest. What began as a study on James 2 in her local church became a powerful call to the Church today — to live out God’s impartial love in a culture obsessed with status, influence, and comparison.

We talk about:

• What it means to be forever welcomed by a God who sees us and calls us by name.

• How impartial love doesn’t ignore truth — it transforms how we live it out.

• Why the Church risks losing its greatest witness when we show favoritism.

• The freedom that comes when we stop viewing our weaknesses as disqualifications and start seeing them as divine invitations.

• How Jesus flipped cultural norms upside down and revealed God’s heart for all people — especially women who felt unseen or unworthy.

Oghosa reminds us that God’s love is both just and merciful — a love that welcomes us into His presence and calls us to extend that same welcome to others.

💬 Episode Quote:

“God’s impartial love not only welcomes us — it changes how we see ourselves and how we see others.” — Oghosa Iyamu

⚓️ Closing Reflection:

No matter your background, your struggles, or your story, you are seen. You are known. You are forever welcomed by the One who calls you by name and never stops pursuing your heart. 💙

Bio:

Oghosa Iyamu, the daughter of Nigerian parents, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and content creator passionate about sharing the life and mission of Jesus Christ. In addition to over twelve years in full-time ministry, Oghosa has studied at Dallas Theological Seminary, later graduating from Southwestern Theological Seminary, where she earned her Master of Divinity degree. She has written for YouVersion, She Reads Truth, Lifeway, Radical (a ministry by David Platt), Lies Young Women Believe, and many other platforms. Oghosa resides in Atlanta, GA.

Anchor Verses:

Psalm 23:6

1 Corinthians 1:27

Romans 8: 35-39

Connect with Ochoa:

Website: https://oghosaiyamu.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/oghosaiiyamu

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/OghosaIyamu

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

This week on Anchored by the Sword, I sit down with Dawn Cazedessus, the inspiring author of Trailer Park CEO. From growing up in poverty and pain to leading in corporate America, Dawn’s story is a powerful reminder that where you start doesn’t determine where God will take you.

Dawn shares how she went from her humble beginnings in a Louisiana trailer park to becoming a CEO, regional director, and author—using every hardship as a “stone” that helped her step into her God-given calling. Her book, Trailer Park CEO, teaches practical and biblical principles for leadership, growth, and endurance.

We talk about:

• How God’s hand protected and guided Dawn even when she didn’t realize it.
• The power of picking up “stones” of faith and wisdom through life’s challenges.
• What true biblical leadership looks like—and how influence starts long before a title.
• Why accountability, sabbath rest, and generosity are vital for sustainable growth.
• How to start writing the vision and running the race God has called you to with endurance (Hebrews 12:1).

Dawn’s life and message are living proof that no matter where you begin, God can use every piece of your story for His glory.

🙌 Episode Quote:

“Even if you’re going through a failing moment, that doesn’t make you a failure. God is still writing your story.” —Dawn Cazedessus

⚓️ Closing Thought:

No matter what your “trailer park” season looks like, God is able to transform it into a story of redemption, influence, and purpose. Let this episode remind you that you are never too far gone, and it’s never too late for God to do something new.

Let’s stay anchored together, friends — and here’s to another story of God’s transforming power!

Bio:

Dawn Cazedessus is a God-made entrepreneur, businesswoman, and international speaker. After building a successful coffee shop franchise in Louisiana, she found a passion in real estate. As regional director of Keller Williams Realty International’s top performing Southeast Region, she oversees seventeen thousand realtors and speaks and coaches around the world. In her spare time, Dawn runs ultramarathons. She resides in Atlanta with her husband.

Anchor Verse:

Hebrews 12:1

Connect with Dawn:

Website: https://trailerparkceobook.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dawncazedessus/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/dcazedessus/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-cazedessus-3048a9126/

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Three hundred episodes. Wow. When Anchored by the Sword first began, I never imagined we’d reach this milestone — yet here we are! In today’s special episode, I’m taking a moment to reflect on all God has done through this ministry and this podcast.

From the early days of recording to seeing it now reach listeners across the world (with one of the top countries being at the very top of my bucket list to visit someday!), I’m in awe of how far He’s brought us.

This podcast has opened doors I never expected — including opportunities to speak, connect with incredible guests, and even appear as a movie extra! None of this would have been possible without God’s guidance and you — the community who continues to listen, share, and support the mission of helping people find hope and freedom in Christ.

Join me as we celebrate what God has done through these 300 episodes — and as we look ahead with expectation for what He’ll do in the next 300.

Here’s to staying anchored in Him, one story at a time. 💙

✨ Let’s go for another 300!

Episodes Discussed:

Episode 81 with Micah Hanson: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/anchoredbythesword/episodes/Micah-Hansons-Freedom-Story-e1mid7r/a-a75h1g8

Episode 221 with Sophie Hudson: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anchoredbythesword/episodes/Sophie-Hudsons-Freedom-Story-e2nvmoa

Connect with Me:

Email: gina@anchoredbythesword.org

Website: www.anchoredbythesword.org

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

This is the final episode for season 17 and for the 200s! Today, I’m honored to welcome Jon Seidl, author of the brand-new book Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic: A Candid Conversation on Drinking, Addiction, and How to Break Free — that released today!

Jon is no stranger to hard stories. You may know him from his first book, Finding Rest: Navigating the Valleys of Anxiety, Faith, and Life, where he opened up about his journey with OCD and anxiety. But in this conversation, Jon takes us even deeper into what he calls “Act Two” of his story — the part he never saw coming.

In today’s episode, Jon shares how a successful Christian author, husband, and father found himself face-to-face with alcoholism — and how God met him there in the mess. He talks about the shame, the hiding, the healing, and the radical grace that doesn’t leave us where it finds us.

This is a conversation about obedience that doesn’t always make sense, about following God even when it costs something, and about discovering that His grace truly is more radical than we ever imagined.

If you or someone you love is walking through addiction, shame, or the battle to be free — this episode is a reminder that you are not alone, and that God’s redemption reaches all the way into our broken places.

Bio:

Jonathon M. Seidl (Jon) has been telling stories his whole life. In fact, he’s written over 10,000 of them, first after helping start a successful news website and then as the editor in chief of the popular nonprofit, I Am Second. He writes and speaks all across the country on the power of storytelling, radical vulnerability, faith, mental health, and addiction. He’s the author of the new book, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic, a radically vulnerable story of being the Christian who became an alcoholic and his climb out of addiction and how others can break free from life’s entanglements. His previous book on anxiety, Finding Rest, instantly became a national bestseller.

He currently runs the popular daily devotional website, The Veritas Daily (theveritasdaily.com), where he writes on faith, culture, and addiction while also completing his master's in theological studies (Dec. 2025) from Southwestern Seminary (SWBTS).

In addition, he consults businesses, leaders, influencers, and nonprofits on how to tell their stories through his company, The Veritas Network. Originally from Wisconsin, he lives in Frisco, Texas with his wife, Brett, and their children, Annie and Jack.

Anchor Verses:

1 Corinthians 12: 7-10

Connect with Jon:

Book: https://www.jonseidl.com/confessions-of-a-christian-alcoholic-book

Website: christianalcoholic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonseidl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathonmseidl

X: https://x.com/jonseidl

Substack: https://jonseidl.substack.com/

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Friends, I’m so excited to welcome back a repeat guest to the podcast—Scarlet Hiltibidal! Scarlet first joined me back in 2022 (Episode 43), and today she’s here again to talk about her brand-new book releasing this week: Hopeful-ish: Sadness, Weariness, Donkey Attacks, More Sadness, and Other Stuff You Need the Gospel For.

So much has happened in Scarlet’s life since the last time we talked—moves, family changes, heartbreaking loss, and even unexpected joy. In this conversation, Scarlet shares honestly about walking through tragedy, wrestling with hopelessness, and clinging to the promises of God when life feels heavy. She talks about what it means to be “pressed but not crushed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9), why Romans 15:13 has anchored her heart, and how the Lord shows up even when we feel distracted or weak.

We even dive into the story behind the donkey attack (yes, really!) and how something so wild points us back to the truth that staying close to Jesus is the only way to experience peace and joy in this world.

If you’ve been feeling weary, sad, or just weighed down by the last few years—you’re not alone. Scarlet’s story will remind you that God is faithful, His presence is real, and hope is a gift that comes from Him.

📖 Don’t forget to grab Scarlet’s new book Hopeful-ish when it releases this Wednesday!

Bio:

Scarlet Hiltibidal is the author of “Afraid of All the Things,” “You’re the Worst Person in the World,” “He Numbered the Pores on My Face,” and the “Anxious and Ashamed” Bible studies. She writes regularly for ParentLife Magazine, HomeLife Magazine, and She Reads Truth. Scarlet enjoys speaking to women around the country about the freedom and rest available in Jesus. She loves hanging out with her husband and four kids, eating nachos by herself, writing for her friends, and studying stand-up comedy with a passion that should be reserved for more important pursuits.

Anchor Verses:

2 Corinthians 4: 8-9

Romans 15:13

Connect with Scarlet:

Website: https://www.scarlethiltibidal.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/scarlethiltibidal/

First Podcast Episode with Scarlet:

Episode 43: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1hT2v8oZboQq8FZ1t1RQyj

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

I am so excited to welcome Dr. Zoe Shaw to the podcast today! Back when I first started listening to podcasts, hers was one of the first I found, and I loved the wisdom and encouragement she shared. So, to have her here now, sharing her story and her brand-new book Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame (releasing next week!) feels like a full-circle moment.

Dr. Zoe is a licensed psychotherapist, author, and mom of five who has walked through her own deep journey with shame, identity, and healing. In this episode, she opens up about:

• ​Growing up in an environment where shame took root and how it shaped her story.
• ​Becoming pregnant as a teen, walking through secrecy, and later reuniting with her daughter after years of silence.
• ​How complex shame is different from “simple shame”—and why it doesn’t always heal just by sharing your story.
• ​The lies shame tells us that keep us hiding, people-pleasing, or self-sabotaging.
• ​How God used her healing journey to draw her closer to Him and help her bring freedom to others.
• ​Practical ways we can start identifying and untangling shame in our own lives.

Her transparency and wisdom will encourage you to stop hiding, see yourself through God’s eyes, and believe that you can grow stronger in the difficult places.

Don’t forget—her new book Stronger in the Difficult Places releases next week!

Bio:

Dr. Zoe Shaw is a licensed psychotherapist, author, speaker, podcast host, relationship coach, and proud mom of five. After fifteen years in traditional psychotherapy, Dr. Zoe left the therapy couch to create a more dynamic way to help women heal—blending the best of psychology, faith, and just the right dose of feminism. She’s best known in her field for coining the term “complex shame.” Through virtual coaching, programs, and her podcast Stronger in the Difficult Places, she guides women to break free from codependency and shame, and reclaim their voices, boundaries, and self-worth.

Anchor Verses:

Mark 9:24

Connect with Zoe:

Website: DrZoeShaw.com

Podcast: Stronger in the Difficult Places

Facebook: facebook.com/DrZoeShaw

Instagram: instagram.com/drzoeshaw

X: x.com/drzoeshaw

YouTube: youtube.com/@dr.zoeshawtalks

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***