Every January, millions of people start strong — full of motivation, fresh goals, and big expectations. But by February, most resolutions have already faded. In today’s episode, Brenda uncovers the powerful blend of Scripture + neuroscience that explains why this happens and what God designed your brain to do instead.

You’ll discover how the amygdala, Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC), and prefrontal cortex influence your decisions, how old habits create mental “ruts,” and why perfectionism and fear keep you stuck at the starting line. Through biblical truth and practical insight, Brenda shows you how mind renewal — not resolutions — brings true transformation.

• Change is hard because your brain is wired for familiarity, not transformation.
• Resolutions fail when old neural pathways overpower new intentions.
• The amygdala, ACC, and prefrontal cortex play distinct roles in fear, hesitation, and clarity.
• Shame isn’t the problem — wiring is. And wiring can be changed.
• Mind renewal bridges the gap between who God says you are and how your brain is currently trained to think.
• The enemy uses old thought patterns to keep you stuck; the Holy Spirit empowers new ones.

Understanding how your brain responds to change helps you stop fighting battles you were never meant to fight alone. When you see that fear, hesitation, and perfectionism are rooted in old wiring—not personal weakness—you can approach growth with compassion, confidence, and renewed hope. This episode gives you the clarity you need to begin 2026 with a healthier mindset and a stronger foundation for transformation.

This episode lays the foundation for the entire December series and helps you begin 2026 with clarity, confidence, and renewed identity.

Today’s episode introduces the first step of the Mind Renewal Framework: Awareness. Instead of trying to fix everything at once, you’ll begin by noticing the thoughts and patterns shaping your daily reactions. This simple starting point helps you identify where old wiring is still influencing your emotions and decisions, and prepares your heart and mind for the deeper work we’ll walk through in the coming weeks.

• Click to download → Awareness Worksheet
• Listen to the MIRACLE that started it all: EP 1 — The Story Behind Day One of Sobriety.
• Join the Day One of Sobriety Insiders to receive the weekly email newsletter!
• Engage with other Overcomers and access all episode resources at the Mind Renewal Solutions Made Simple Facebook Community.

1. Leave a podcast review! It helps others find the podcast and join us on the healing journey (Romans 12:2).
2. Explore this week’s Day One of Sobriety Blog for more encouragement.
3. Go Deeper with 1:1 coaching support! Get the details ▶️ Mind Renewal Coaching.

📧 Email: brenda@day1ofsobriety.org

🎙 Podcast: Day One of Sobriety Podcast

📝 Blog: Day One of Sobriety Blog

📘 Facebook: @day1ofsobriety

📷 Instagram: @day1ofsobriety

The Day One of Sobriety podcast is for educational and spiritual growth purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional therapy, counseling, or medical treatment. If you are experiencing significant emotional distress, please seek help from a licensed mental health professional.

In this powerful episode, Brenda explores how gratitude becomes a healing force for your mind, body, and emotions. Blending Scripture with brain science, she explains why gratitude is far more than a positive thought — it’s a God-designed mind renewal tool that rewires emotional patterns, calms the nervous system, and anchors the heart in peace. You’ll learn why practicing gratitude (not just knowing about it) transforms your life, and you’ll hear a practical 5-step process you can begin using today.

🔑 Key Episode Insights

• Gratitude is one of the most powerful mind renewal strategies in Scripture and neuroscience.
• Gratitude interrupts spiraling thoughts and shifts the brain out of survival mode.
• Holding gratitude for 20–30 seconds begins forming new neural pathways.
• Speaking gratitude out loud strengthens emotional regulation and clarity.
• Practicing gratitude consistently restores peace even when circumstances don’t change.

Your brain is constantly wiring and rewiring based on what you focus on. Gratitude activates the areas of the brain responsible for peace, clarity, and emotional stability — reducing anxiety, rumination, and overwhelm. Spiritually, gratitude re-centers your heart on God’s goodness and opens the door to His peace. When practiced intentionally, gratitude becomes a healing rhythm that transforms your mindset and emotional patterns over time.

This episode introduces The Gratitude Reset™, a simple 5-step mind renewal practice designed to help you shift your thoughts when stress or overwhelm begins to rise. You’ll learn how to pause, identify God’s goodness, savor it, speak it out loud, and take a next peaceful step. Download the full Gratitude Reset™ resource inside the Mind Renewal Made Simple Facebook Community or by becoming a Day One of Sobriety Insider.

• Episode 17 — Hurting and Need Hope? God’s Presence is the Place That Heals Everything
• Listen to the MIRACLE that started it all: EP 1 — The Story Behind Day One of Sobriety.
• Join the Day One of Sobriety Insiders to receive the weekly email newsletter!
• Engage with other Overcomers and access all episode resources at the Mind Renewal Solutions Made Simple Facebook Community.

1. Leave a podcast review! It helps others find the podcast and join us on the healing journey (Romans 12:2).
2. Explore this week’s Day One of Sobriety Blog for more encouragement.
3. Go Deeper with 1:1 coaching support! Get the details ▶️ Mind Renewal Coaching.

📧 Email: brenda@day1ofsobriety.org

🎙 Podcast: Day One of Sobriety Podcast

📝 Blog: Day One of Sobriety Blog

📘 Facebook: @day1ofsobriety

📷 Instagram: @day1ofsobriety

The Day One of Sobriety podcast is for educational and spiritual growth purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional therapy, counseling, or medical treatment. If you are experiencing significant emotional distress, please seek help from a licensed mental health professional.

Do you feel guilty when you say “no”? Do you carry the weight of everyone’s emotions, feeling responsible for their peace but never your own?

In this episode of the Day One of Sobriety Podcast, we continue our deep dive into People-Pleasing & Approval Addiction. You’ll learn why setting boundaries isn’t selfish — it’s biblical and brain-based. We’ll unpack how boundaries retrain your brain for peace, why guilt shows up when you start saying “no,” and how to heal codependent patterns that go beyond people-pleasing.

• Why healthy boundaries are not walls but guardrails that protect peace.
• What happens in the brain when you start saying no — and why your nervous system feels discomfort before calm.
• The difference between people-pleasing and codependency — and why the latter requires deeper emotional and relational healing.
• How boundary-setting strengthens the prefrontal cortex–amygdala connection, helping you replace crisis reactions with calm choices.
• Why Jesus modeled boundaries — and how His example shows that “no” can be holy.
• How guarding your heart and peace aligns with God’s design and rewires your mind for freedom.

If people-pleasing steals your peace, codependency steals your identity. Both are rooted in fear — fear of rejection, fear of disapproval, or fear of being alone.

Neuroscience shows that when you renew your mind and consistently practice new boundary patterns, your brain rewires itself. Spiritually, boundaries are acts of stewardship. They protect the purpose God placed within you.

Freedom starts when you stop confusing love with rescue and start walking in truth and trust instead.

• Mark 1:35–38 — Even Jesus didn’t meet every expectation. He modeled spiritual boundaries by stepping away to reconnect with His Father. Boundaries help us stay aligned with purpose instead of pressure.
• Galatians 6:5 — Boundaries define what belongs to us and what doesn’t. You are responsible for your peace, your growth, and your obedience to God — not for carrying someone else’s emotions or responsibilities.
• Proverbs 4:23 — Guarding your heart isn’t selfish — it’s stewardship. Protecting your peace ensures that what flows from you remains healthy, holy, and aligned with God’s will.
• Psalm 16:6 — God sees boundaries as blessings. When we honor them, we discover that peace, purpose, and contentment fall within the lines He’s lovingly drawn for us.

• 🎧 Listen to: EP23 — People-Pleasing & Approval Addiction: Break Free by Renewing Your Mind
• 📄 Download the free Codependency Healing Research Summary — a one-page guide to understanding deeper healing from codependency.
• 💖 Free 14-Day Devotional: Break Free from People-Pleasing — available inside the Mind Renewal Solutions Made Simple Facebook Community or delivered to your inbox when you become a Day One of Sobriety Insider.

1. Become a Day One of Sobriety Insider — receive podcast devotionals, reflection tools, and weekly mind renewal resources straight to your inbox.📍 Join Here
2. Connect in Community — engage with other Overcomers inside our Mind Renewal Solutions Made Simple Facebook Community. Healing is always stronger in community.
3. Go Deeper with 1:1 Coaching. Learn how to rebuild your thought life and relationships on biblical truth and brain renewal science ▶ Mind Renewal Coaching

📧 Email: brenda@day1ofsobriety.org 🎙 Podcast: Day One of Sobriety Podcast 📝 Blog: Day One of Sobriety Blog 📘 Facebook: @day1ofsobriety 📷 Instagram: @day1ofsobriety

The Day One of Sobriety podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your physician or licensed therapist for all medical or mental health advice.

Do you constantly feel responsible for everyone’s happiness? Does your peace disappear the moment someone’s disappointed with you?

In this episode of the Day One of Sobriety Podcast, we’re tackling one of the most common yet overlooked habits—people-pleasing and approval addiction. You’ll discover where it begins in the brain, what Scripture says about finding your worth in God (not people), and how to use a neuroscience-backed tool to rewire your thoughts for peace and freedom.

• Why people-pleasing is more than kindness—it’s a coping mechanism wired for safety, not love.
• How the fawn response in your brain links approval with protection and love.
• The difference between people-pleasing (needing to be liked) and codependency (needing to be needed).
• How the Catch–Shift–Thank–Release tool helps you take approval-seeking thoughts captive and renew your mind.
• Why awareness is the first step to healing—and how you can rewire your brain to live from truth instead of fear.

People-pleasing feels selfless—but it’s actually self-erasing. Every time you chase approval, your brain releases a quick hit of dopamine that temporarily soothes anxiety but reinforces a toxic cycle. Spiritually, it pulls you away from your assignment and silences the still, confident voice of God.

Freedom begins when you recognize the pattern and renew your mind with truth. You can’t renew what you won’t acknowledge—and awareness is your first act of healing.

1. Catch — Notice the thought that drives your urge to please or fix: “If they’re happy, I’m safe.” Bring it into the light; you can’t renew what you don’t first notice.
2. Shift — Replace the lie with truth: “My safety is in God’s love, not people’s opinions.” Each time you shift your focus, you form new neural connections aligned with peace instead of panic.
3. Thank — Gratitude calms your nervous system. Say, “Thank You, Lord, that I’m already accepted and loved by You.” Gratitude rewires your brain for safety and trust.
4. Release — Breathe deeply and surrender the lie. Pray, “Father, I release this need for approval. Fill me with Your peace.” Releasing turns control into surrender and fear into faith.

Each time you walk through these four steps, you’re retraining your brain to think like Christ—catching what’s false, shifting to truth, thanking Him for His love, and releasing what no longer belongs.

• 🎧 Listen to: In This World but Not of It: How to Renew Your Mind and Live Set Apart
• Free 14-Day Devotional - Break Free From People-Pleasing available inside the Mind Renewal Community or as a Day One of Sobriety Insider.

1. Become a Day One of Sobriety Insider and get podcast devotionals, reflection guides, and renewal tools delivered straight to your inbox each week.📍 Join Here
2. Engage with Other Overcomers inside our growing Facebook community — Mind Renewal Solutions Made Simple. This is where healing becomes a shared journey of faith, neuroscience, and encouragement. 👥 Join the Community
3. Download the Free 14-Day Devotional - Break Free From People-Pleasing. This exclusive resource is available only inside our Mind Renewal Solutions Made Simple Facebook Community or to our Day One of Sobriety Insiders. It will help you spend two intentional weeks renewing your mind around God’s truth and learning how to live loved, not driven by approval.
4. Go Deeper with 1:1 Coaching Support. Learn how to break destructive thought patterns and rebuild your life on biblical truth and mind renewal science ▶ Mind Renewal Coaching

📧 Email: brenda@day1ofsobriety.org 🎙 Podcast: Day One of Sobriety Podcast 📝 Blog: Day One of Sobriety Blog 📘 Facebook: @day1ofsobriety 📷 Instagram: @day1ofsobriety

Do you ever feel like your past failures disqualify you from God’s purpose? In this episode of the Day One of Sobriety Podcast, Brenda unpacks how God can redeem even our biggest mistakes. Through Scripture, neuroscience, and practical tools, you’ll learn how to reframe failure, silence shame, and let God use your past as fuel for your future.

You’ll also discover the turning point of salvation — when Jesus dropped every charge against you — and how to move forward confidently as a new creation in Christ.

🔑 Key Episode Insights

• Why failure is not a flaw but feedback that helps us grow stronger in both faith and mind.
• How the enemy uses shame and fear to keep us trapped in the past — and how salvation breaks that cycle once and for all.
• The biblical truth behind double jeopardy and what it means to know that Jesus already paid for every mistake.
• The neuroscience of failure — why mistakes trigger learning and resilience in the brain.
• Two powerful tools — The 4 R’s of Redemption and S.T.R.E.T.C.H. Forward — designed to help you turn mistakes into motivation and renew your mindset with truth.

🧠 Why This Matters

Failure isn’t the final word — redemption is. When you understand what salvation accomplished and how the mind learns through mistakes, you’ll stop striving for perfection and start embracing progress. God never wastes your pain; He uses it to propel you toward purpose.

🛠 Practice the 4 R’s + S.T.R.E.T.C.H. Forward Tool

Want to dive deeper? Join our free Facebook Community, Mind Renewal Solutions Made Simple, or become a Day One of Sobriety Insider to receive this week’s exclusive one-page guide, From Mistakes to Motivation: The 4 R’s + S.T.R.E.T.C.H. Forward Tool.

If you’re an Insider, it will arrive in your email this week!

👣 Your Next Steps

1. Become a Day One of Sobriety Insider to get podcast resources delivered straight to your inbox. 📍 Join here.
2. Engage with other Overcomers inside the Mind Renewal Solutions Made Simple Facebook Community.
3. Explore this week’s post on the Day One of Sobriety Blog for more encouragement and faith-based tools.
4. Go deeper through 1:1 Mind Renewal Coaching with Brenda.

📩 Connect with Me 📧 Email: brenda@day1ofsobriety.org 🎙 Podcast: Day One of Sobriety Podcast 📝 Blog: Day One of Sobriety Blog 📘 Facebook: @day1ofsobriety 📷 Instagram: @day1ofsobriety

🔗 Related Episodes & Links Mentioned

• 🎧 EP1: The Story Behind Day One of Sobriety
• ✝️ Sign up! Day One of Sobriety Insider Newsletter
• 💡 Join the Mind Renewal Solutions Made Simple Facebook Community to get access to this week’s free resource: From Mistakes to Motivation: The 4 R’s + S.T.R.E.T.C.H. Forward Tool.

⚠️ Disclaimer The Day One of Sobriety Podcast is for educational and spiritual growth purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. Please consult a qualified professional for medical concerns.

Do you ever feel caught between two worlds? You love God, but sometimes it feels easier to blend in than to stand out. In this episode of the Day One of Sobriety podcast, we’re talking about what it truly means to be “in this world but not of it,” why it’s so hard to live differently, and how renewing your mind changes everything. You’ll hear real-life examples, biblical truth, and a practical neuroscience tool to help you live set apart for God’s Kingdom.

• Why trying to live for both sides is like playing on two teams at once—and how it divides your loyalty and peace.
• How holidays like Halloween can become powerful reminders of who you represent and what it means to shine as light in a dark world.
• Why fear and lack of capacity keep us from living renewed—and how to overcome both with truth and practice.
• The neuroscience behind transformation—how the amygdala and neuroplasticity explain why change feels hard but is absolutely possible.
• The PURR Tool — a simple, memorable way to Pause, Replace, and Reflect so you can stay calm, confident, and Christ-centered under pressure.

Living “in the world but not of it” isn’t about rules—it’s about representation. When your mindset mirrors God’s heart, your life becomes a reflection of His truth and love to everyone around you. Mind renewal bridges faith and neuroscience so you can overcome fear, stop conforming, and live from your God-given identity every day.

1. Pause and Understand – When faced with pressure to conform, pause and ask, “Is this mindset from the world or from the Word?”
2. Replace – Replace the worldly thought (“I need everyone to like me”) with God’s truth (“I already have His approval”). Repetition builds new thought loops of truth.
3. Reflect – Reflect Christ’s light in your words and actions. Radiate peace instead of pressure.

When you PURR instead of panic, your amygdala calms, your prefrontal cortex re-engages, and your thoughts align with truth. Transformation becomes your new default.

1️⃣ Become a Day One of Sobriety Insider and get the podcast resources delivered straight to your inbox! This weekly newsletter is a treasure map of tips and tools to keep you moving forward on your mind renewal journey. 📍 Click here to join!

2️⃣ Engage with other Overcomers and access all episode resources at the Mind Renewal Solutions Made Simple Facebook Community.

3️⃣ Explore this week’s Day One of Sobriety Blog for more encouragement and reflection tools.

4️⃣ Go Deeper with 1:1 Coaching Support! Get the details ▶ Mind Renewal Coaching.

📧 Email: brenda@day1ofsobriety.org 🎙 Podcast: Day One of Sobriety Podcast 📝 Blog: Day One of Sobriety Blog 📘 Facebook: @day1ofsobriety 📷 Instagram: @day1ofsobriety

• 🎧 Listen to the beginning of the journey: EP 1 — The Story Behind Day One of Sobriety
• EP 16 — Overthinking Everything? How to Find Peace by Surrendering Control
• Join the Day One of Sobriety Insiders to access the weekly newsletter and exclusive resources!

⚠️ Disclaimer The Day One of Sobriety podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your physician or licensed counselor for medical or mental health advice.

Have you ever been hurt by someone in church — maybe a pastor, a friend, or a group that didn’t show up when you needed them most? In this episode, Brenda approaches the topic of church hurt with compassion, truth, and encouragement, reminding us that God’s plan for community was never meant to wound us, but to heal us.

Using the beautiful imagery of geese flying in formation, Brenda illustrates how interdependence — taking turns leading, supporting one another, and staying close when someone is wounded — reflects God’s perfect design for fellowship. She connects these truths with both Scripture and neuroscience, showing that we are literally wired for connection.

You’ll discover why community is vital for spiritual and emotional health, how to take small, prayerful steps toward reentering fellowship after hurt, and how to use the Catch–Shift–Thank–Release technique (from Episode 16) to quiet overthinking and renew your trust in God’s people.

🎁 Free Tools for Transformation

• Download the Practical Guide for Reentering Church Community — a step-by-step resource to help you prayerfully and safely reconnect with a healthy, Spirit-led church family.
• Revisit Episode 16: Overthinking Everything? How to Find Peace by Surrendering Control for a deeper dive into the Catch–Shift–Thank–Release tool.

👥 Join the Community

• Become part of our Mind Renewal Solutions Made Simple Facebook Community where you’ll find daily encouragement, prayer support, and a safe space to grow.
• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for uplifting posts, reels, and reminders that help you live renewed in Christ every day.

💬 Go Deeper

• Learn how to renew your mind and rebuild trust in community through personalized coaching. Schedule a consultation at Day One of Sobriety.

🎧 Keep Listening

• Continue your journey on the Day One of Sobriety Podcast for more faith-filled encouragement and neuroscience-based mind renewal insights.

📩 Connect with Me 📧 Email: brenda@day1ofsobriety.org 🎙 Podcast: Day One of Sobriety Podcast 📝 Blog: Day One of Sobriety Blog 📘 Facebook: @day1ofsobriety 📷 Instagram: @day1ofsobriety

⚠️ Disclaimer Day One of Sobriety and its host are not licensed mental health professionals. All content shared is for spiritual encouragement, personal growth, and educational purposes. If you are in crisis or need professional counseling, please seek support from a licensed therapist or mental health provider in your area.

Do you ever notice how laughter lightens your spirit and shifts your entire mood? In this episode of the Day One of Sobriety Podcast, Brenda shares how laughter heals not only your emotions but also your body and brain.

You’ll discover how joy renews your mind, why laughter is one of God’s best prescriptions for stress, and how choosing joy daily can rewire your thought patterns and strengthen your faith.

You’ll also hear Brenda’s personal story of a day filled with stress and overwhelm—until one laughter-filled conversation reminded her of God’s simple, powerful gift of joy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why laughter is both scientifically and spiritually healing
• How joy functions as a tool for mind renewal
• What Scripture and neuroscience say about laughter’s effect on your brain
• How to cultivate joy intentionally—even when life feels heavy
• Practical ways to bring laughter back into your daily routine

• Scripture References: Proverbs 17:22, Philippians 4:8, Nehemiah 8:10, Ecclesiastes 8:15, Galatians 5:22
• Related Episode: EP 16 — Overthinking Everything? How to Find Peace by Surrendering Control
• Blog Post: Laughter Heals: How Joy Renews Your Mind and Restores Your Spirit
• Join the Facebook Community: Mind Renewal Solutions Made Simple
• Learn more about 1:1 Mind Renewal Coaching: www.day1ofsobriety.org/coaching

This week, challenge yourself to laugh daily. Find one reason to smile, one funny video to share, or one lighthearted moment to thank God for.

1️⃣ Join the Mind Renewal Solutions Made Simple Facebook community. 2️⃣ Share your laughter moment or favorite joy habit in the group. 3️⃣ Reflect on how joy renews your mindset and helps you walk in peace.

📧 Email: brenda@day1ofsobriety.org

🎙 Podcast: Day One of Sobriety Podcast

📝 Blog: Day One of Sobriety Blog

📘 Facebook: @day1ofsobriety

📷 Instagram: @day1ofsobriety

⚠️ Disclaimer: The Day One of Sobriety Podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your physician or doctor for medical advice and counsel.