The Experience Freedom Podcast with Ajene Gailliard : Recent Episodes
Ajene Gailliard
Why does it seem challenging for Christians to talk about and fully understand emotions or manage emotional health well? Join mental health practitioner and minister Ajene Gailliard every other Monday, as she shares her own journey of emotional healing with transparency, biblical accuracy, and wit. Each episode contains insightful and engaging information and personal stories to help you identify the pain points in your own life and find healing as you navigate your relationships and responsibilities.
Never expected it to end like this. We are pressing pause on the podcast. Thanks for listening and be on the lookout for when we return.
On this episode, Ajene and Michelle share more thoughts about the lies we have embraced around the topic of productivity. How do we build a life that is more focused on who we are instead of what we do?
Book Refrenced:
Shameless: Your Season of Hiding is Over! by Shannan Orr
Scripture References:Ephesians 1:4-5
Genesis 3
Galatians 5:22-23
I Corinthians 13
Zechariah 4:10
II Peter 1:3
On this episode, Ajene and Michelle open up a conversation about the lie of productivity. Why is it that we often find ourselves paying more attention to what we do than to who we are?
On this episode, Ajene finishes discussing her insights from swimming lessons. Despite our desire for tough moments to pass swiftly, there's comfort in relying on God's presence with us at every stage of our journey.
Scripture ReferencesJames 1:2-4
2 Corinthians 10:5
Philippians 4:8
Philippians 2:5
Hebrews 4:15
On this episode, Ajene begins to describe the thoughts and feelings that are surfacing as she is taking swimming lessons. Is it possible that a more meaningful healing can come from learning to trust what seems terrifying?
On this episode, Ajene and Michelle wrap up their conversation about community. As we make time for relationships, we can cultivate trust and a safe environment to share what is really going on in our lives, which will lead to the health and healing we all desire.
Collaboration is the final ingredient for what we can use to build community.
Join us as Ajene and Michelle talk about real life examples of how community helps us to carry what is in our hearts.
On this episode, Ajene and Michelle continue to ponder how community is formed as we focus on what we have in common. The insights from the book, Them by Ben Sasse, begins to open new outlooks for Michelle as she begins to chew on some of its concepts. Curiosity, care, cultivate, make up the three c’s of community.
Welcome back for Season 2! Ajene and Michelle begin a conversation about building community, including 3 types of proximities involved; physical, philosophical and personal. Michelle gives more about her experiences with building community as a young wife and mother and how insights from the book, Them by Ben Sasse has helped her reshape her views on what it takes to stay connected.
On this episode, Ajene and Michelle wrap up our series on finding freedom from your pain, and we conclude our first season of the podcast! Thanks for joining us on this journey.
Scripture ReferencesLamentations 3:22-23
Isaiah 61:3
Philippians 4:6,8
Our conversation continues with Part 2 of the Finding Freedom From Pain Series. It can be difficult to shift our focus away from seeing our limits as controlling what we can and cannot do. In those times, we are invited to return to the truths about God that we know from His Word.
Scripture ReferencesJames 1:2
2 Corinthians 12:7-9
Psalm 84:11
Romans 8:28
Have you struggled to finding meaning, let alone, freedom from pain? How do you assess the pain points in your life? On this episode, Ajene and Michelle begin a 3 part series on finding freedom in your pain. Sometimes what feels like limitations can eventually lead to liberation.
Scripture Referenced
John 16:33
Our conversation picks up where we left off last time as Ajene and Michelle discuss how to overcome the overwhelm. When circumstances are challenging, we can remind ourselves of God's goodness and the truth found in His word.
Scriptures Referenced
James 1:2
Psalm 46:1
Psalm 50:10
1 Peter 5:7
Philippians 4:6
Philippians 2:12
2 Corinthians 10:4,5
John 16:33
2 Corinthians 12:9
Do you ever feel like there is way too much to do and you have reached your capacity to handle it all? On this episode, Ajene opens up about feeling overwhelmed by all the many things she believes God has called her to fulfil. Engaging in conversation helps her realize that she doesn't have to be overcome by the overwhelm, but she can be an overcomer.
Scriptures Referenced
1 Corinthians 10:13
John 10:27
After sharing about how recent experience on her getaway, Ajene talks about how she recognized that the messages she received from the negative experiences in her past were the source of her discomfort. Healing comes from reframing those messages to line up with the truths from God's Word.
Scripture Referenced
Romans 8:28
Philippians 4:6-8
After a brief recap from our last episode, Ajene resumes our discussion about the intergenerational transmission of trauma. It is our hope and belief that just as trauma can be imparted from one generation to the next, healing can be transmitted too.
Ajene continues our freedom series conversation. She uses personal stories to explain why she had difficulty resting and relaxing. Now, Ajene realizes that she can believe a new message and make new meaning out of some of her old memories. Our desire is that this conversation will help us all to look forward in hope and not be stuck looking back in despair anymore. (You can take off or edit that last sentence if you want to. :) )
Scriptures Referenced
Isaiah 61
Isaiah 53:5
Book Mentioned
The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
F.R.E.E.D.O.M: Fully Realizing and Experiencing Every Divinely Ordained Moment. Ajene explains this acronym, and we begin to ponder how receiving from God connects with experiencing freedom.
Scriptures ReferencedRomans 5:8
Galatians 5:1
Sanctification https://www.gotquestions.org/sanctification.html
Our series on freedom continues with Ajene sharing more of her origin story and how her perspective has changed over the years. Sometimes we think we are making decisions that will lead to freedom, only to later discover that the decisions were made from a bondage to pain.
ResourcesSalvation explanation https://www.gotquestions.org/true-gospel.html
Sin nature https://www.gotquestions.org/sin-nature.html
New Covenant https://www.gotquestions.org/new-covenant.html
Sanctification https://www.gotquestions.org/sanctification.html
On this episode, we begin our series on freedom. We begin with a few definitions about freedom, and then Ajene and Michelle both share their personal understandings of what freedom in Christ means for daily living.
Scriptures referencedJohn 10:10
John 16:33
I Corinthians 13
John 3
Ephesians 2:8
Romans 8:34
Romans 5:8
1 Corinthians 15:22
Galatians 2:20; 5:24
For More Explanations
Salvation explanation https://www.gotquestions.org/true-gospel.html
Sin nature https://www.gotquestions.org/sin-nature.html
New Covenant https://www.gotquestions.org/new-covenant.html
Sanctification https://www.gotquestions.org/sanctification.html
Picking up from Part 1, Michelle continues the conversation exploring how being part of a particular generation not only frames the way that we parent, but also influences how we view the world our children are growing up in. It is the balance of holding on and letting go that we are always navigating in parenting.
Books Mentioned
Sticking Points: How to Get 5 Generations Working Together in the 12 Places They Come Apart by Haydn Shaw
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Podcast MentionedThe Life Without School Podcast (Stark Raving Dad)
What generation do you belong to? Do you see differences between generations as you parent your children compared to how you were raised? On this episode, we provide a basic framework to help us understand the characteristics of each generation. And Ajene shares personal examples about how generational differences tend to show up in her parenting.
Website Mentioned
Parents.com "A Year-by-Year Guide to Different Generations and Their Personalities" by Sarah Cottrell
Erica Lee returns for part two of her conversation with Ajene to provide some practical tips for self-care. 1) Select books to read that deal with your situation, starting with the Bible 2) Journal to help you process your thoughts. 3) Schedule self-care on your calendar 4) Schedule time with a friend to be vulnerable.
Scriptures Referenced
Mark 12:30-31
Luke 10:26
Books Mentioned
Bible
What Happened to You? by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey
The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers
Website Mentioned
16personalities.com
Eric’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005998683086
Erica Lee joins Ajene this week for part one of an inspiring conversation about self-care. With a friend's encouragement to try counseling again, Erica and her counselor began to explore her story and rediscover things in her life that she had allowed to wither. It is our hope that as you listen in that Erica's journey will inspire you.
Scripture referenced
Mark 12:30-31
Eric’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005998683086
Is coaching and counseling the same thing? Should we receive coaching or counseling for ourselves or even give coaching to others in our lives? Michelle Kren is back to give her insights and Ajene breaks down the differences between the two.
Find out if Ajene got the graduate fellowship she applied for and what lessons she learned as she faced her doubts and embraced her journey toward self-acceptance.
Most of us, at one point or another, may ask this question, who am I? Ajene shares how recently she has had to remember who God created her to be and embrace His unique calling on her life, while battling her own internal feelings of insecurity and comparison.
Here are a few links to help you complete your life work for this episode:
Spiritual Gifts Test https://gifts.churchgrowth.org/spiritual-gifts-survey/
Personality Test https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test
Enneagram Test https://assessment.yourenneagramcoach.com
Personality Test https://mypersonality.net
Meyers Briggs Test https://www.truity.com/test/type-finder-personality-test-new
Love Language Test https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language
Joining Ajene this week is Michelle Kren, who introduces herself and talks about her role here on the podcast. After they talk about their roles as wives, mothers and home educators (aka, homeschoolers), the conversation continues about mental health and wellness covering a few definitions and statistics. Even if we find ourselves or a loved one wrestling with mental illness, today's episode will remind you that we have a hope that the world doesn't have.
Scriptures ReferencedRomans 6:13; 3:23
John 16:33
2 Corinthians 1:3
Instead of shying away, shouldn't the church be at the forefront of the conversation on mental health? When we embrace a correct perspective on mental health and wellness, we become free to get the help that we need. This episode covers the stigma around mental health and mental illness in the Body of Christ.
Scriptures Referenced
Proverbs 11:14
Ephesians 4:26
There are many experiences that can lead to someone finding themselves in need of emotional healing. What does it look like to become aware of our emotions as a Believer? Is it possible to come into the faith and yet remain disconnected from our souls and our mental wellness? Ajene talks about what she learned as her faith grew, her childhood experiences and family of origin story unfolded, and her battle with chronic illness revealed her need to embrace emotional healing.
It can be challenging for some Christians to express emotions, face pain and trauma, or fully understand how to manage emotional health well. But emotions are everywhere and affect every aspect of our lives. Despite more recognition of mental health in recent years, many have ignored or misunderstood the role emotions play in the life of the Believer. Learn how Ajene faced feelings of anxiety but chose to embrace freedom from fear to launch this podcast and put her voice “out there.” Hopefully you can be inspired by her story as you join her as she endeavors to educated, encourage, and empower women, to embrace emotional healing and eradicate the stigma of mental health in the Body of Christ.