Welcome back to Part 2 of my conversation with Diana Alt, a career coach that has been sharing with us how we can have a new career and earn more money. This week we talk about even more valuable topics, such as: LinkedIn profiles, How to prepare for an interview, answering the question: “Tell Me About Yourself”, how to afford …
Episode 67: How Do I Find A Job When Starting Over? Part One: Diana Alt
“How can I leave my abuser when I don’t have a job or marketable job skills?” That is a common reason why victims stay with their abusers. My guest this week is Diana Alt, a career coach who is here to show us that we do have marketable skills and can have a career after starting over again. We cover …
Episode 47: My Story: Getting Baptized And Called Into The Ministry: Part 4
Thanks for joining me on Part 4 of telling my life, my ministry, and abuse story. It starts out with moving back east to be closer to extended family. I enter the work force with a few challenging jobs, join my cousin’s church, and finally get baptized. Learn why being overly vocal with your family about your new faith can …
Episode 44: My Story: The Beginning Of My Journey And Faith Foundation Part One
Welcome to my journey! I’m starting a new series about my background, bible college years, church planting and abuse story. This will be the first time telling my entire story on the podcast. It will be a raw, honest, and transparent telling of heartaches, trials, successes, failures, and valuable lessons along the way. Each step of my journey, I reflect …
Episode 41: The Healing Power Of Music: Part 2: Stories Behind The Music
We’re back with Part Two of The Healing Power Of Music. We open with a behind the scenes look at the process of Diana recording her song “Break These Chains”. We hear more about the amazing power that music has to transcend barriers and how much music plays an integral part of our everyday lives. What would our lives be …
Episode 40: The Healing Power Of Music Part One
How can we use music as a healing tool? How music can affect our emotions? Can music make you sin? Is music only for worship services? These are some questions we answer on this week’s episode. Also, hear about the history behind how DSW Ministries was started, some of Diana’s musical background and influences, and how she had a musical …
Episode 34: When Is It Time To Leave Your Bully Church? Pastor Al Descheneau Part Two
When should you leave your church? Perhaps we should be asking God, “Should I stay?” instead. This is the second half of my riveting interview with Pastor Al Desheneau. We hear his story of being a young, green pastor, and pastoring churches filled with stubborn, legalistic people who didn’t want to change or be pastored. Pastor Al candidly shares the …
Episode 31: Autism, Abuse, and Dyslexia: La’Trae Wilson Part Two
Have you ever been stalked by a former boyfriend? It was La’Trae Wilson’s living nightmare. She describes her history of relationships with abusive men, and the process it took to finally leave. She shares the joys and challenges of raising her genius autistic son, and also caring for her mother. When she was in college, she was diagnosed with dyslexia, …
Episode 30: Autism, Abuse, and Dyslexia: La’Trae Wilson Part One
How do you break the generational cycle of abuse? Growing up in Oakland CA, raised in a Christian home as a preacher’s kid, La’Trae Wilson was not sheltered from the realities of life. La’Trae talks openly and honestly how she got involved with many abusive men, including the father of her autistic son. We remember how “Just Say No To …
Episode 29: Men Too: Dr. Kelli Palfy
Hollywood and pop culture often give us the impression that men can’t be raped or sexually abused. Our guest today, Dr. Kelli Palfy, is here to dispel that myth and to give us the facts gleaned from her vast experience working in correctional facilities, the RCMP, and from her own doctoral research on why males don’t report sexual trauma. Dr. …
Episode 27: My Father Is A Pedophile-Jimmy Hinton Part 2
We continue our conversation with Pastor Jimmy Hinton this week, who had to turn his own father in to the police for pedophilia. Find out the sequence of events after Jimmy’s father is arrested and placed in prison with a life sentence. Jimmy describes how pedophiles think and how they abuse and manipulate their victims even from prison. He defines …
Episode 26: My Father Is A Pedophile: Pastor Jimmy Hinton Part One
Could you turn in your own parent to the police for committing unspeakable crimes of pedophilia? Would you be able to spot a pedophile in your midst? Pastor Jimmy Hinton and his family lived through this horrendous nightmare when he discovered that his father, a respected pastor and beloved member of the community, was secretly sexually abusing hundreds of children …
Episode 23: The Trauma Informed Church: Guest Suzanne Burns
How do you help a girl with a crisis pregnancy? Should you give money to the homeless man on the corner? We will find answers to these questions and more with our guest Suzanne Burns of Foundation House Ministries. Suzanne talks candidly about the inspiration behind starting Foundation House and her own crisis pregnancy. She shares the joys and challenges …
Episode 21:Guest: Wanda Burnside: When God Protected Me And Called Me To Write For Him
We have a special episode that was recorded during Black History month. Our guest is Wanda Burnside, who is an accomplished author, writer, and poet. Come and hear about her godly heritage growing up in Detroit, Michigan. In her signature storyteller style, she tells of how she served in the jail ministry with her father when she was 16, her …
Episode 20: Pastor Kyle Fox: What Does A Healthy Church Look Like?
Do you know what are the signs of healthy church? Many survivors are shell shocked from the aftermath of abuse that they don’t even know if they can trust a church again. Our guest today is Diana’s pastor, Kyle Fox, Senior Pastor of Red Mountain Community Church. Come and find out important questions you should be asking when looking for …
Episode 19: Guest: Janell Wood: When You Doubt Your Faith In God
We’re talking today about skepticism of Christianity, doubts about your faith, abandoning your faith, or never having your own relationship with Jesus at all. My guest today is Janell Wood, host of the podcast “Finding Something Real”, which she describes, is for seekers and believers needing encouragement. It’s for the believer struggling with faith and the skeptic struggling with doubt. …
Episode 17: What’s It Like Being In A Mending The Soul Group?
If you are wondering if Mending the Soul small group is right for you, join us as Diana candidly talks about the process of joining a small group. She starts with the interview process, the requirements for joining a group, and what kind of experience you will have. She briefly reviews the array of essential abuse topics in the amazing …
Episode 16: Guest: Dr. Steve Tracy: God Is Healing Severe Abuse And Trauma
Don’t miss this incredible, inspiring episode as Diana interviews Dr. Steve Tracy, Founder and President of Mending The Soul. Dr. Tracy shares how his personal experiences with abuse and trauma inspired him and his wife Celestia to start the ministry of Mending The Soul. Learn about the many biblical and psychologically sound resources for healing abuse, and trauma that Mending …
EPISODE 15: GUEST WAYNE STILES: THE GODLY EXAMPLE OF JOSEPH
Don’t miss this episode with our guest Wayne Stiles from Walking The Bible Lands! Wayne shares insights on the godly example of Joseph, and how his life gives us some encouraging answers to one of life’s toughest questions: Where was God during our abuse and suffering? We reminisce about our favorite biblical sites in Israel and learn more about the …
Episode 14: Survivor Story: Sandy Phillips Kirkham – Let Me Prey On You
We have a survivor story of clergy abuse on today’s episode. Our guest is Sandy Phillips Kirkham, author of the book, Let Me Prey Upon You. It tells the horrific story of how she was methodically groomed by her youth pastor when she was 16 years old and suffered sexual, emotional, and physical abuse. Join us on a journey with …
Episode 13: Survivor Story: Roselly Genao – It’s Not That Easy To Leave
Join us for a captivating story of healing! Our guest is Roselly Genao. She tells of her close knit Catholic family and Dominican roots. As she goes through her college years, she struggled with her faith, depression, lack of self worth, and drinking. She entered into this abusive relationship and tried to leave twice after her boyfriend tried to kill …
Episode 12: Guest Dave Ebert: The Healing Power Of Laughter
Our guest on this week’s podcast, is Dave Ebert from Gifts4Glory Ministries. Dave shares his past struggles with depression, self worth, and thoughts of suicide. He has captivating stories of how he met the Lord, found his calling into improv comedy, and helps victims of sex trafficking to heal using improv classes. You will not want to miss this inspiring …
Episode 11: Survivor Story: Pastor Mark Sowersby – Forgiving The Nightmare
Our guest on today’s episode is Pastor Mark Sowersby. He shares his inspiring story of overcoming abuse, struggles with his weight, and dyslexia. He tells us powerful stories about meeting Jesus, going into the ministry, and learning how to forgive. Join us as he show us how he went from being a victim to being victorious! www.forgivingthenightmare.com mark@forgivingthenightmare.com bio: Reverend …
Episode 10: The Realities Of Death and Plans For The Future
Join us for this last episode of 2020. Diana reflects on the joys and the pain of this past year, including the death of her oldest brother. She talks about the exciting plans for the podcast, future guests and advice on how to transition into 2021. She concludes with featuring a new song from singer/songwriter Monika Hardy of Hardy Music …
Episode 9: Let’s Talk About Trust Part 2: God and the Bible
Can we trust God and the Bible in the midst of our suffering? Diana explores these questions. She also gives tips on bible study and praying when you don’t feel like it. She extends her Christmas greetings with her favorite Christmas carol, O Holy Night. show notes: My blog post about our Israel trip: https://dswministries.orgwhat-they-dont-tell-you-about-your-pilgrimage-to-israel/ https://www.crossway.org/bibles/esv-archaeology-study-bible-hccase/ https://www.christianbook.com/page/bible-studies?navcat=Bible-Study https://waynestiles.com/ Link Tree …
Episode 7: Guest: Ken Keis- Living On Purpose
Our episode today features Ken Keis who talks about how to live our lives on purpose instead of letting life happen to us. He shares his journey of growing up on a dairy farm and realizes that this was not the life he wanted for himself. He talks about his family originating from Hungary and the history of abuse that …
Episode 6: Sgt.(Ret)Doug Setter: How Not To Be A Victim
Today’s guest on the show is Doug Setter who gives us some advice on how NOT to be a victim in today’s world. He starts sharing about his background in the military, his martial arts training, and the inspiration for his book, One Less Victim. He weaves stories of abuse and PTSD that are all too common in the military …
Episode 5: Survivor Story: Ashley, Special Needs Mom
Come and meet Ashley, a mother of 3 special needs boys, and a survivor of domestic abuse. She begins her story with her traumatic childhood and rebellious teenage years. She talks about how she met her husband and the progression of abuse over the years. She describes how the book, The Love Dare, played a part in her meeting the …
Episode 4: Why Spiritual Abuse Is One Of The Worst Kinds Of Abuse
In this episode, Diana speaks about a kind of abuse that she is the most familiar with: spiritual abuse. She discusses the many obvious and subtle ways that a person can experience spiritual abuse, and that it is not only found in cults. She explains why this kind of abuse is the worst kind of abuse there is. The episode …
Episode 3: Co-Host Brian Part 2-From Legalism to Finding Love
Welcome back to Part 2 of Brian’s story. The story continues as he tells of the legalistic Apostolic Church environment in which he experienced spiritual abuse at the hand of a family member. Brian and Diana reminisce on how God brought them together, the unexpected blessings on their honeymoon, and what has made their marriage so successful. The episode concludes …
Episode 2: Co-host Brian-Tragedies, Music, and Jesus
In this two part series, meet Diana’s husband, Brian, as he talks about his upbringing, the tragedy of his parents’ deaths, and becoming a Christian at 8 years old. He also shares crazy stories of his days as a professional Christian musician in the 90’s, and how God was trying to get his attention with a brush with death. The …
Episode 1: Some Myths About Domestic Violence And Abuse
In this episode, Diana dispels a few myths about abuse, what the common denominator of all abuse is, and what we can do about it. She talks a little about Mending The Soul small groups, and ends with a song selection from her album Classic Favorites, recorded live. Show notes: Link Tree Website: https://dswministries.org Email: diana@dswministries.org Social media links: Facebook: …
Episode 0: Welcome! Who Is Your Host?
In this episode, get to know a little about Diana, as she talks about her background, her music, and the abuse she endured as a missionary for 13 years. She also talks about who this podcast is for, and what to expect in future episodes. Show notes for this episode: Watch my abbreviated story of abuse and a song here. …
The Truth About Shame
Many of us wear a mask. We don’t let anyone see behind that mask. We think that what is under it is too hard for anyone else to bear. It is the mask of Shame and Guilt. Many of us survivors carry around a load of shame that we don’t deserve to bear. What Exactly Is Shame? The shame most …
Series On Domestic Violence Part 1: Physical Violence
This Is The Kind Of Abuse We Associate With Domestic Violence The Most. The bruises, broken bones, black eyes, burn marks, busted teeth. This is what you see in the headlines. This form of abuse is easiest to spot, but it doesn’t make it any easier to stomach it when you see it. “I fell off my bicycle.” “I slipped …
Why Is There So Much Evil In The World?
As we look around our world right now, we are bombarded with images of violence, hate, racism, lying, cheating, rioting, and murdering. Where does it all come from? You make think that these current events are new to the world we live in. It’s “unprecedented times”. Well, not really. It’s just plain old sin as usual. Solomon says in Ecclesiastes …