“I thought God was going to heal her.”

When He didn’t, Michal Renée had some real questions.

In this raw conversation, Michal sits down with Atlanta psychologist, minister, author, and mental health advocate Dr. Alduan Tartt to discuss grief, anxiety, church trauma, spiritual bypassing, gun violence, and healing when your faith gets complicated.

Michal shares how losing multiple loved ones changed her relationship with God, led her to numb her pain with alcohol, and eventually contributed to a mental health crisis while she was working on the front lines during COVID-19.

Dr. Tartt brings the faith and the psychology, helping her put language around compounded grief, emotional shutdown, nervous-system overload, and why telling somebody to “just pray about it” can leave them feeling even more alone.

Baby, they went there.

This episode is for anybody who loves God but still has questions, has been carrying grief like it is their full-time job, or is tired of being called strong when they really need somewhere safe to fall apart.

Content Notice: This episode covers gun violence, traumatic loss, church trauma, grief, anxiety, alcohol misuse, mental health crises, and suicidal ideation. Please take care of yourself while listening.

Need support, sis? If you or someone you love is struggling emotionally or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You do not have to carry this alone.

Meet Dr. Alduan Tartt
Dr. Tartt is a psychologist, minister, author, relationship expert, and mental health advocate who makes faith and psychology practical for real life.

Instagram: @drtartt
Website: DrTartt.com

Meet Michal Renée
Michal is a preventive wellness strategist, speaker, critical-care healthcare professional, and founder of Her Promise Circle Foundation. Through the globally ranked Her Promise Circle Podcast, she tells the truth about faith, mental health, human behavior, and what people need before life reaches crisis.

Instagram: @michal.renee
Website: MichalRenee.com