In this special episode of Worn but Worthy, Debbie and Danielle sit down with Elyse Etapa, owner of Thrive Counseling Services, to talk about navigating life in a divided world. Together, they explore how faith and mental health intersect, the power of mindful prayer, why journaling helps calm anxiety, and what healthy boundaries look like in relationships.

Elyse shares practical tools for self-regulation, staying grounded when conversations get heated, and finding unity without losing yourself. This episode is full of wisdom, vulnerability, and hope for anyone trying to walk through hard seasons with grace.

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Contact Elyse Etapa:

📞 330-703-6578

✉️ Email: elyse@thrivecounselingohio.com
🌐 Website: thrivecounselingohio.com

In this episode, we sit down with our friend Caleb Mason, a kind and humble man whose life has been shaped by faith, legacy, and one defining moment that changed everything.

At 25, Caleb was in a tragic car accident that claimed the life of a 16-year-old boy. Through grief and healing, he discovered the power of empathy, listening, and kindness.

In a time when division feels louder than unity, Caleb’s story reminds us that kindness costs something—but it’s always worth it. He shares how to walk with people in their pain, how to move past a victim mindset, and how empathy can open the door to truly seeing one another.

As his grandfather always said: “If you want to be great, be kind.”

Debbie shares one of the most defining seasons of her life as a single mom and the moment of surrender that forever changed her. Alongside her daughter Danielle, she reflects on miraculous provision, the courage to walk away from unhealthy patterns, and the discovery that true worth is found only in Jesus.

The conversation also dives into the unseen weight of walking with a spouse through depression—what it feels like to carry that as a wife, the misconceptions in the church, and the need for greater compassion and awareness around mental health. Together, Debbie and Danielle remind us that even in the hardest seasons, grace meets us right where we are.

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Referenced in this episode:

In the Midst of a Moment by Pastor Jacob Young of Cornerstone Church. This message unpacks how to recognize and faithfully respond to the moments God places before us.

The book Sacred Rhythms invites you into a spiritual journey that nurtures your soul while aligning your daily life with the presence of God.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion ofsuicidal ideation and mental health crisis. Please listen with care.

In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Jesse Coontz—founder of Moms on Target—shares her story not from the other side of healing, but from the thick of the struggle. As a mom of four and a leader who has helped so many others, Jesse opens up about the dark moments when she believed her family might be better off without her—and what it means to keep waking up anyway.

From a childhood filled with instability and the quietkindness of church communities, Jesse reflects on how seeds of hope were planted early—and how they continue to carry her today. Her story is a testimony to the power of those small acts of love, the prayers of neighbors, and the truth that God wastes nothing. Even when we don’t see the fruit right away, the seeds matter.

Those early experiences also shaped her ability to recognize safe people as an adult—a gift that has helped her discern where to rest, where to open up, and where to protect her heart.

Jesse’s willingness to speak honestly from the middle of herpain is exactly what so many women need to hear. This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s the real, raw truth about the weight of motherhood, ministry, and mental health. And through it all, the quiet thread of hope remains: you are not alone, and you are worthy of love, help, and another day.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re at the end of your rope—this episode is for you.

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Visit Moms on Target

When everything fell apart — his marriage, his friendships, his sense of self — Tim Seeman thought there was no way forward.

In this episode of Worn but Worthy, Tim shares his raw journey from being a high-functioning alcoholic to finding freedom in faith and community. He opens up about the defining moment that led him to The Refuge, a men’s ministry in southern Ohio, and what it was like to rebuild his life after divorce and years of drinking. Through the darkest days of isolation and loss, Tim held onto a thread of hope — and discovered how faith, community, and “doing the uncomfortable” helped him become the husband, father, and leader he is today.

Tim’s story is both unflinchingly honest and deeply hopeful — a reminder that even in the most worn seasons, we are still worthy of redemption.

In this heartfelt episode, Maryellen Newell shares her deeply personal journey of walking through Alzheimer’s with her beloved mother, Esther Grace. As an only child and single mom, Maryellen opens up about the complex layers of anticipatory grief, the struggle to let go of control, and the sacred beauty found in small moments of caregiving.

We explore how grief isn’t always about death—it’s about the loss of what once was, and the quiet unraveling that comes with watching someone you love slowly fade. From navigating mental health and shifting priorities to learning how to be present in the hard and holy spaces, Maryellen offers wisdom, vulnerability, and even a few unexpected laughs along the way.

Whether you’re a caregiver, grieving a loss, or simply trying to hold on to joy in a difficult season, this conversation will meet you right where you are—and remind you that worn people are worthy.

Book Recommendations from Maryellen:These resources brought daily comfort, perspective, and healing during her journey:

📘 Grace for the Unexpected Journey: A 60-Day Devotional for Alzheimer’s and Other Dementia CaregiversA beautifully written devotional with short, manageable entries that brought peace in chaotic moments. Read on Amazon »

📘 It’s OK That You’re Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn’t UnderstandA powerful, honest book that gave Maryellen permission to feel all the things—and helped her offer herself grace. Read on Amazon »

📘 My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimer’s CaregiverWritten by a former congressman, this memoir made her laugh, cry, and realize the importance of entering her mom’s world with compassion. Read on Amazon »

📘 The Long Goodbye: A Memoir by Meghan O’Rourke

This beautifully written memoir explores the author’s journey through the illness and eventual loss of her mother. It’s honest, poetic, and deeply relatable for anyone navigating grief, especially anticipatory grief.

Read on Amazon »

In this vulnerable episode, Deanna shares how her “yes” to God through Freedom in Christ became the turning point in a life that looked put-together on the outside but was quietly falling apart within.

She opens up about the pain of a broken marriage, the weight of codependency, and the years she spent trying to hold everything together while feeling completely alone.

Her story takes us through so much loss—her father, her ex-husband, her childhood friend, and a loved one lost to suicide—and how Jesus gently met her in each moment of grief, giving her glimpses of peace and healing she didn’t think were possible.

Through it all, Deanna discovered the freedom to stop pretending and the courage to be fully herself: perfectly imperfect.

Her message is clear—our worn places don’t disqualify us. In fact, they are often where Jesus meets us most tenderly and turns our pain into something worthy.

Connect with Deanna on Facebook or by email deannashriver05@gmail.com

Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of drug use, incarceration, and references to methamphetamine. Listener discretion is advised.

John's story is a gritty, honest account of addiction, survival, and the long road toward healing. Growing up surrounded by loss and instability, drugs became his escape. In and out of jails and correctional institutions, he learned to serve—but never how to receive. Now, he's walking the difficult path of community, trying to accept the love of others and the grace of Jesus. In this episode, John shares how service work grounds him, how therapy opened his eyes, and how forgiveness and safe people have shaped his new life. His advice? Don’t let the world get you down—find the pinhole of light and reach for it.