Get a copy of the chapter “Grace: God’s Power to Crush the Impossible” from Thriving in Grace: Unleashing Wellness from a Biblical Perspective at karenadittman.com

Want to be a guest on The Grace Cycle Show? Send Karen Dittman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1733503318442796293a1fecb

Connect with Constance Hastings at https://constancehastings.com/

Is it okay to doubt God?
What if faith doesn’t come easily—or neatly?
And what does following Jesus look like when life is full of fear, trouble, and unanswered questions?

In this episode of The Grace Cycle Show, Karen Dittman talks with Constance Hastings, author of The Trouble With Jesus: Considerations Before You Walk Away, about the honest intersection of faith, doubt, fear, and God’s grace.

Constance shares her personal journey from an unconventional upbringing into a life shaped by calling, compassion, and grace—and why doubt didn’t push her away from faith, but deeper into it.

Together, they explore:

• Common misconceptions about faith and what belief actually requires
• Why doubt is not the opposite of faith, but often part of a living one
• How fear distorts our image of God—and how grace restores it
• What love and empathy really look like in the way Jesus lived
• And how churches can better support people who feel unsure, skeptical, or spiritually tired

They also reflect on how Jesus Himself faced trouble, suffering, and misunderstanding, and what His responses teach us about courage, honesty, and trust.

This episode is for anyone asking:

• “Am I a bad Christian for questioning?”
• “Why does faith feel harder than it’s supposed to?”
• “Where is God in suffering and uncertainty?”
• “Is there room for me if my faith doesn’t look like everyone else’s?”

If you’ve ever felt like faith was more complicated than you were told—or wondered whether grace still applies when life is messy—this conversation offers a freeing reminder: grace doesn’t remove trouble, but it expands our lives with meaning, love, and unexpected adventure.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:23 Constance Hastings' Faith Journey

05:43 The Trouble With Jesus: Book Insights

10:51 Understanding Love and Empathy

12:55 Faith, Doubt, and Fear

19:37 Creating a Safe Space for Doubt in Church

27:04 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Want to be a guest on The Grace Cycle Show? Send Karen Dittman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1733503318442796293a1fecb

Get a copy of the chapter “Grace: God’s Power to Crush the Impossible” from Thriving in Grace: Unleashing Wellness from a Biblical Perspective at karenadittman.com

Want to be a guest on The Grace Cycle Show? Send Karen Dittman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1733503318442796293a1fecb

Get a copy of Sleep Habits Journal: Practices, Prayers, & Devotions to Ease Your Sleepless Nights by Dr. Benjamin Long at https://www.sleephabitsjournal.com/

Why can’t I sleep—even when I’m exhausted?
Is something wrong with my body, my mind… or my life?
And where is God in the middle of another sleepless night?

In this episode of The Grace Cycle Show, Karen Dittman talks with Dr. Benjamin Long, physician and theologian, about the deep connection between sleep, faith, stress, hormones, and spiritual well-being.

Dr. Long shares:

• Why insomnia is often a signal, not just a problem
• How perimenopause and hormonal changes can seriously disrupt sleep for women
• What actually helps (and what usually doesn’t) when it comes to sleep hygiene
• And how Scripture frames sleep as a gift from God, not a failure of faith

They also talk about:

• The emotional and spiritual weight carried into the night
• Why unresolved stress, grief, and anxiety often show up as sleeplessness
• And how God’s grace meets us even when rest feels impossible

Dr. Long also explains the heart behind his guided sleep journal and how it helps people gently uncover what’s really keeping them awake—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

This episode is for anyone asking:

• “Why am I awake at 3 a.m. again?”
• “Is perimenopause or stress destroying my sleep?”
• “How do I stop my mind from racing at night?”
• “Can I trust God with my exhaustion?”

If you’re tired of being tired, this conversation offers both practical tools and deep reassurance: your sleepless nights are not wasted, and rest is something God wants to give you, not something you have to earn.

Dr. Benjamin Long is a sleep doctor by day & seminary student by night with an interest in the integration of theology and sleep. These interests have culminated into his debut book "Sleep Habits Journal: Practices, Prayers, & Devotions to Ease Your Sleepless Nights." He lives in San Antonio, Texas with his wife, son, and their dog-Rolo.

00:00 Introduction: Struggling with Sleepless Nights

00:24 Guest Introduction: Dr. Benjamin Long

00:43 Dr. Long's Journey to Publication

04:22 Insights on Perimenopause and Sleep

07:30 The Role of Caffeine and Alcohol in Sleep

11:55 Biblical Perspectives on Sleep

22:45 Practical Sleep Tips and The Sleep Journal

31:17 Conclusion: Embracing God's Gift of Sleep

Want to be a guest on The Grace Cycle Show? Send Karen Dittman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1733503318442796293a1fecb

Get a copy of the chapter “Grace: God’s Power to Crush the Impossible” from Thriving in Grace: Unleashing Wellness from a Biblical Perspective at karenadittman.com

Want to be a guest on The Grace Cycle Show? Send Karen Dittman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1733503318442796293a1fecb

Connect with Rose Anne Forte at https://choosefreedom.today

How do you break free from addiction when shame keeps pulling you back?
Can your mind really be changed—and can God’s grace reach you where you are?
And what does real, lasting recovery actually look like?

In this episode of The Grace Cycle Show, Karen Dittman talks with Rose Anne Forte, who shares her honest and hope-filled journey out of alcohol addiction and into freedom.

Rose Anne opens up about:

• The hidden role of shame in keeping people stuck
• How she began to rebuild her life through faith, Scripture, and practical mindset change
• Why gratitude, new habits, and mental “reprogramming” are essential to lasting recovery
• And how faith and science-backed tools can work together instead of against each other

This episode is for anyone who is asking:

• “Why can’t I seem to stop this behavior?”
• “How do I change the way my mind works?”
• “Does God still want to help me after all my failures?”
• “Is real freedom actually possible?”

Rose Anne also shares about her Choose Freedom Project and her devotional resources designed to help people break free from life-interfering behaviors, not just through willpower, but through grace-powered transformation.

If you’re struggling with addiction, destructive habits, or the quiet weight of shame—or if you love someone who is—this conversation offers hope that is honest, practical, and deeply rooted in God’s grace.

Rose Ann Forte is an international best-selling author, addiction and behavioral habits specialist, and the creator of the Choose Freedom® Program—a faith-based, neuroscience-informed framework that helps individuals break free from life-interfering thoughts, emotions, and behaviors through the renewal of the mind. She is the author of The Plans He Has For Me and Prepare to Quit, and the co-author of Transformed by His Promises, a 12-week devotional integrating biblical wisdom and neuroscience to support lasting emotional, spiritual, and behavioral transformation. Her body of work equips individuals, churches, and counselors with compassionate, practical tools for change without stigma, shame, or performance-based faith.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:50 Rose Anne's Journey: From Addiction to Renewal

01:46 The Struggle with Alcohol and Finding a New Path

04:26 Healing Outside the Church

05:38 The Power of Daily Practices and Devotionals

16:31 The Choose Freedom Project

20:14 Collaborating with Experts and Expanding the Mission

24:03 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Want to be a guest on The Grace Cycle Show? Send Karen Dittman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1733503318442796293a1fecb

Get a copy of the chapter “Grace: God’s Power to Crush the Impossible” from Thriving in Grace: Unleashing Wellness from a Biblical Perspective at karenadittman.com

Connect with Laura Bratton at laurabratton.com

What do you do when your life changes overnight?
How do you process grief, fear, and uncertainty after a devastating diagnosis?
And how do you find hope when the future you imagined disappears?

In this episode of The Grace Cycle Show, Karen Dittman talks with Laura Bratton, who lost her vision suddenly in high school and had to rebuild her life from the ground up.

At the age of nine, Laura was diagnosed with an eye disease and faced the difficult reality that she would become blind. Over the next ten years she experienced the traumatic transition of adjusting to life without sight. She is the author of the book, Harnessing Courage. Laura founded Ubi Global, which is an organization that provides speaking and coaching to empower all people to overcome challenges and obstacles with grit and gratitude.

Laura shares:

• What it felt like to move from denial and grief into acceptance and purpose
• How her faith, family, and community carried her when she couldn’t carry herself
• Why gratitude and grit aren’t clichés—but survival tools
• And what actually helps when you or someone you love receives a life-altering diagnosis

This conversation is for anyone who is asking:

• “Why did this happen to me?”
• “How do I move forward when my old life is gone?”
• “Is it okay to grieve and still have faith?”
• “What does trusting God look like when everything feels broken?”

Laura offers practical, compassionate guidance on:

• Letting yourself feel what you feel without shame
• Learning how to receive support instead of withdrawing
• And discovering that God’s grace doesn’t wait for you to be okay—it meets you right where you are

If you’re facing a difficult diagnosis, a sudden loss, or a major life transition—or walking alongside someone who is—this episode will remind you that your story is not over, and grace is not absent.

00:00 Introduction to Laura's Story

00:59 Laura's Early Diagnosis and Sudden Vision Loss

02:43 Coping with Denial and Grief

05:02 Finding Strength in Support Systems

07:33 Experiencing God's Presence

10:27 The Power of Gratitude

16:01 Advice for Those Facing Difficult Diagnoses

19:06 Laura's Work and Final Thoughts

24:19 Conclusion and Takeaways

Want to be a guest on The Grace Cycle Show? Send Karen Dittman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1733503318442796293a1fecb

In this Season 2 finale of The Grace Cycle Show, host Karen Dittman reflects on the deeper meaning of shalom—God’s holistic peace that touches every part of life, including spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational well-being. Karen revisits how God’s grace sustains us during seasons of struggle and transition, drawing from personal stories and insights from her book, Thriving in Grace.

Using powerful imagery from nature’s ability to regenerate after devastation, Karen reminds listeners that renewal is possible—even after loss. She also introduces the spiritual practice of bara, the intentional act of letting go of what no longer serves us in order to make space for God’s restoring work.

The episode closes with a look ahead to Season 3, where Karen will focus on practical, grace-filled tools for wellness across every area of life. This short but meaningful wrap-up invites listeners to pause, reflect, and step forward with hope, peace, and expectancy.

Perfect for listeners who want to slow down, reset, and prepare their hearts for what’s next—without striving, just grace.

00:00 Welcome to the Grace Cycle Show

00:55 Exploring the Concept of Shalom

02:01 God's Grace in Difficult Seasons

03:32 Beauty from Ashes: Lessons from Nature

04:49 Embracing Wholeness and Restoration

05:36 The Christmas Season and Jesus' Sacrifice

06:55 Encouragement and Stories of Grace

07:56 Looking Ahead to Season Three

08:59 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Want to be a guest on The Grace Cycle Show? Send Karen Dittman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1733503318442796293a1fecb

Take the Quiz "How Fast is Your Hamster Wheel Spinning?" at hamster.1fit-wellness.com

Connect with Nancy Mitchell on Instagram @lifeof_puresilliness

In this powerful episode of The Grace Cycle Show, host Karen Dittman sits down with her sister, Nancy Mitchell, a middle school teacher from Oklahoma, to share a deeply personal story of God’s sustaining grace in the midst of family crisis.

Nancy opens up about walking through her child’s severe depression and multiple suicide attempts—an experience marked by fear, heartbreak, and countless unknowns. Through it all, she describes how God met her in the darkest moments, guiding each step with His presence, peace, and provision.

Karen and Nancy talk honestly about what it looks like to cling to faith when circumstances feel overwhelming, the role of prayer, and the quiet but powerful ways God strengthens parents carrying heavy burdens. Nancy’s story is a testament to God’s nearness—and a reminder that His grace is always enough, even in the most desperate seasons.

Perfect for:

• Parents supporting kids through mental health struggles
• Anyone seeking hope in crisis
• Listeners looking for real stories of God’s faithfulness
• Christian women navigating family challenges

00:00 Welcome to the Grace Cycle Show

00:53 Special Interview with Nancy Mitchell

02:07 Nancy's Story: God's Grace in Difficult Times

03:42 A Mother's Struggle and Faith

13:46 Encouragement for Other Parents

21:09 Supporting Dysregulated Kids

22:03 The Importance of Positive Reinforcement for Kids

24:15 Balancing Life and Writing a Book

25:04 Finding Faith in Difficult Times

28:09 The Prodigal Son and God's Unconditional Love

32:29 A Conversation with a Former Believer

36:35 The Power of Faith and Overcoming Doubt

39:53 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Want to be a guest on The Grace Cycle Show? Send Karen Dittman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1733503318442796293a1fecb

Take the Quiz "How Fast is Your Hamster Wheel Spinning?" at hamster.1fit-wellness.com

Connect with Jenn and find her book Fear, Faith and Freedom at www.abundance-books.com

In this episode of The Grace Cycle Show, host Karen Dittman sits down with Pastor Jenn Dafoe Turner—life coach, speaker, and Aquisitions Editor at Abundance Books—to explore how God meets us in seasons of loss, transition, and unexpected change.

Jenn shares her deeply personal story of being asked to resign from her pastoral role, the grief that followed, and the surprising freedom and renewed calling she discovered through God’s grace. Karen and Jenn unpack what it looks like to trust God’s process when life feels shaken, how to walk through disappointment without losing hope, and why surrender often becomes the doorway to healing and purpose.

Jenn also introduces her book Fear, Faith, and Freedom, offering practical insight for anyone navigating fear or feeling stuck. Karen closes the episode by inviting listeners to take the Hamster Wheel Quiz—a simple tool to help identify what’s keeping you overwhelmed and how to slow down into a more grace-filled life.

Perfect for:

• Anyone navigating transition, burnout, or disappointment
• Women in ministry or leadership roles
• Listeners seeking spiritual clarity and renewed purpose
• Those learning to trust God through unexpected life changes

00:00 Welcome to the Grace Cycle Show

00:52 Interview with Pastor Jenn Dafoe Turner

02:10 Jenn's Story of Overcoming Challenges

05:00 The Healing Process and Finding New Purpose

18:26 Embracing a New Pastoral Role

24:50 Jenn's Book: Fear, Faith, and Freedom

29:08 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Want to be a guest on The Grace Cycle Show? Send Karen Dittman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1733503318442796293a1fecb

Get your copy of The Fruit of Gratitude journal at fruitofgratitude.com

Take the Quiz "How Fast is Your Hamster Wheel Spinning?" at hamster.1fit-wellness.com

Wendy’s links: Authorwendybower.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendy.bower.5

Instagram: @Wendy_Bower_AZ

In this special Thanksgiving episode of The Grace Cycle Show, host Karen Dittman welcomes author Wendy Bower for a powerful conversation about gratitude, faith, and God’s sustaining grace through life’s hardest seasons.

Wendy shares her transformational journey through breast cancer and the impossible challenges that shaped her deeper trust in God. She opens up about how gratitude became a lifeline—helping her experience God’s love, strength, and presence in profound new ways.

Karen and Wendy discuss the importance of authentic community, everyday celebrations, and nurturing joy through a deeper relationship with God. They highlight practical tools for spiritual growth, including Wendy’s book Gratitude Attack and Karen’s gratitude journal, The Fruit of Gratitude, both designed to help listeners cultivate a daily practice of thankfulness.

The conversation also offers a behind-the-scenes look at Wendy’s creative process, the personal trials she has faced, and how choosing gratitude has shaped her everyday life. This episode is a heartfelt reminder of how God uses gratitude to transform fear into peace and hardship into hope.

Perfect for listeners who are:

• Walking through illness, fear, or overwhelming challenges
• Seeking to grow in gratitude and spiritual resilience
• Looking for encouragement rooted in faith and God’s grace
• Interested in Christian stories of healing and hope
• Wanting practical tools for a daily gratitude practice

Want to be a guest on The Grace Cycle Show? Send Karen Dittman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1733503318442796293a1fecb