The Positive Talk Podcast

POLITICS and RELATIONSHIPS Nov 04, 2024

In this special episode, join Julie and Chuck as they unpack how to survive this ugly political season and maintain healthy relationships!

BLENDED FAMILIES: NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART Oct 22, 2024

The relational challenges of blending families can be significant stressors. Join Chuck and Julie for this week's episode as they tackle the psychology and faith elements of blending families.

Strengthen Your Wellbeing Oct 15, 2024

Looking to boost your mental wellbeing? Discover the power of psychological flexibility, all wrapped up in one small word. Tune in as Chuck and Julie explore this transformative concept in the latest episode of the Positive Talk Podcast.

Facing the Fear of the Unknown Oct 01, 2024

In this episode of the Positive Talk Podcast, host Chuck Allen delves into the universal human experience of fearing the unknown. Drawing from personal anecdotes and insights, Chuck explores practical strategies to help listeners transform their anxiety about uncertainty into excitement for new possibilities.

NAVIGATING MESSY RELATIONSHIPS Sep 17, 2024

What makes a relationship “messy?” Simply put, it is when the challenges outweigh the ease, when misunderstandings pile up faster than your laundry, and when you constantly walk on eggshells. Join Chuck Allen for this brief but powerful conversation on this week's Positive Talk Podcast.

SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO? Sep 09, 2024

We all need to wrestle with when to stay or when to go. Knowing when to stick it out or cut and run is essential to living in peace, whether it is a relationship, career move, or habit. Join Chuck and Julie for this week's episode of the Positive Talk Podcast: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

DISCOVERING & DISCERNING GOD'S WILL Sep 03, 2024

Both pastor and therapist hear this question regularly, "How can I know God's will?" Shortly after that, the next question is, "But how can I know it is from God?" Julie and Chuck offer a fresh take from both a psychological and biblical perspective on this week's Positive Talk Podcast.

EMOTIONALLY SAFE PEOPLE May 30, 2024

We all need to become emotionally safe people, and we all need emotionally safe people in our lives. In a world of uncertainty and challenges, being emotionally safe is more important than ever. This episode will explore powerful strategies for becoming emotionally safe and nurturing our emotional resilience. Join Chuck and Julie on this week's episode of the Positive Talk Podcast.

EMOTIONALLY SAFE WORKSPACES May 24, 2024

We've probably all experienced an unhealthy, unsafe work environment. How do we work out of that environment and create a better workplace experience for our body, mind, and spirit? Join Julie and Chuck for this week's POSITIVE TALK PODCAST.

DEALING WITH SUICIDE Apr 24, 2024

On this very special and sensitive edition of the Positive Talk Podcast, join Chuck and Julie as they talk openly about coping and dealing with suicide and its devastating effects on our culture. THIS IS A HIGHLY SENSITIVE EPISODE. Please be advised to consider whether you should listen to this episode prayerfully.

WHY DOES HEALING HURT? Apr 19, 2024

We all have hurt. But why does healing hurt?

Healing isn't always easy, and quick fixes rarely lead to significant healing. Join Julie and Chuck on this week's episode of the Positive Talk Podcast.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT? Apr 11, 2024

We are bombarded with decisions every single day. Can anybody help me determine what to do now? Or, better stated, what to do next? Join Julie and Chuck for this helpful episode of the Positive Talk Podcast.

EMOTIONAL HEALING Mar 20, 2024

Heal so you can hear what’s being said without the filter of your wound. We all have filters; when we see them, we can recognize where we’ve engaged in a faulty belief system. Heal without distorted beliefs!

A VERY ANXIOUS CHRISTMAS Dec 20, 2023

Ever struggled with anxiety around the holidays? Maybe it's finances, relationships, or even family? Well, we have as well. Welcome to episode 13 of season 5 as Julie and Chuck unpack some practical ways to lessen the anxieties of the holidays on this week's Positive Talk Podcast.

ANXIETY & RELIGION Nov 16, 2023

On this week's Positive Talk Podcast, we are merging faith and psychology in a really practical way as we discuss what happens when we feel anxiety about our faith. There is actually a word, SCRUPULOSITY, for when we feel this uneasy sense of guilt or anxiety about the quality of our religious beliefs.

GASLIGHTED? NOW WHAT? Nov 10, 2023

Last week, Julie and Chuck discussed Gaslighting, and this week, in part two, they will discuss what to do if you are being gaslighted. It starts with ten phrases that help you identify gaslighting and the appropriate responses to avoid being gaslighted.

GASLIGHTING part ONE Oct 26, 2023

“You’re crazy”. “It didn’t happen that way,” “You’re too sensitive.” and “Oh stop, you’re okay.” These are all phrases that are used when an individual is seeking to gain power and control over another person through an act we call “gaslighting.” Are you involved in a relationship where you are being gaslighted? Join Julie and Chuck for an interesting discussion on this week's Positive Talk Podcast.

I EXPECTED MORE FROM ME Oct 19, 2023

You look in the mirror and think, "I Never Thought This Would Be Me." Now, what do I do? Join Mandi and Chuck for a practical conversation about happiness, expectations, disappointment, and where we think we "should be."

EXPECTATIONS AND THE EXPECTATION HANGOVER Oct 13, 2023

Expectations and the hangovers they can create. That can happen when our expectations, created and assumed, run wild. Join Chuck and his guest host, Mandi Allison, for how to manage our expectations on this week's episode of the Positive Talk Podcast.

ARE ONLINE RELATIONSHIPS CHEATING? Oct 03, 2023

Is an online relationship cheating? What if I hide my online relationships? Do you think I should be concerned about my partner's online relationship? Join this week's discussion as Chuck and Julie unpack some helpful advice on the Positive Talk Podcast.

TECHNOLOGY AND YOUR FAMILY Sep 29, 2023

We all face it! How do my life and family interact with technology and build healthy relationships? Join Chuck and Julie for this helpful conversation.

PARENTING WITH SCREEN LITERACY Sep 21, 2023

Parenting in the digital age isn’t for the faint of heart. How can we help our kids develop healthy screen habits through screen literacy? Join Julie and Chuck as they offer a few practical tools for parents looking to find the right balance with screen literacy.

In this week’s episode, you will discover helpful and practical ways to manage screen time, screen tools, and screen help.

What you will not find in this week’s episode is shutting down technology, avoiding the fact that screens are “a real thing,” and shaming how technology can assist in parenting.

Every parent can benefit from this candid conversation in screen literacy. Thanks for joining the Positive Talk Podcast!

HEALING FROM UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS Sep 15, 2023

We all have some unhealthy relationships in our lives. How do we identify them, and what do we do about them? Julie and Chuck offer a few helpful tools to help us work through the challenge of unhealthy relationships on the Positive Talk Podcast.

WHY DO I KEEP CHOOSING THESE RELATIONSHIPS? Sep 07, 2023

Without knowing it, we often choose relationships that are unhealthy, and too often we choose those relationships based on our past, our hurts, our habits, etc. When we recognize those relationships are unhealthy or toxic, we need a little help in working our way through them. Join Julie and Chuck as they help us all navigate our way through challenging relationships on the Positive Talk Podcast.

RED FLAGS IN RELATIONSHIPS Aug 30, 2023

Red Flags in Relationships:

Relationships can be complex. However, learning to identify relationship red flags from the start can mitigate a lot of suffering in the long run. Join Chuck and Julie this week on the Positive Talk Podcast as they simplify the process of identifying red flags in your relationships. Mixing therapeutic guidance and spiritual discernment, you can learn to engage in authentic, reciprocal and mutually beneficial relationships that help you grow into the best version of yourself.

RED FLAGS in RELATIONSHIPS Aug 29, 2023

Relationships can be complex. However, identifying relationship red flags can mitigate much suffering in the long run. Join Chuck and Julie on the Positive Talk Podcast this week as they simplify identifying red flags in your relationships.

THE DNA OF RELATIONSHIPS Aug 23, 2023

Psychologists, pastors, and leadership experts tell us that the quality of our lives depends, in no small part, on the quality of our relationships.

And yet, the actual substance of what makes a good relationship remains a mystery to many of us. Join Chuck and Julie as we kick off Season 5 of the Positive Talk Podcast, unpacking what happens in our body, mind, and spirit during a relationship. If you’ve ever wondered where emotions, attachment, and love begin, join us as we explore the DNA of Relationships.

ARE YOU BURNED OUT? Apr 12, 2023

The World Health Organization defines burnout as feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance, or feelings of negativism or cynicism and reduced efficiency. This means that if you’re exhausted, feel disconnected from the people and things that matter most to you, have difficulty cultivating a hopeful mindset, and aren’t operating at your best, you could be experiencing burnout. The name mirrors what happens when a flame goes out—you feel like you’ve lost your spark- you’re burnt out.

Join Julie and Chuck for this essential and entertaining conversation on the Positive Talk Podcast.

ARGUMENTS! Mar 30, 2023

They are unavoidable. They are frustrating. They can be terrible. But they do not have to define you; you do not have to engage in all of them.

Join Julie and Chuck as they discuss arguing without "losing it."

This week's Positive Talk Podcast is a super-practical look at a subject we all deal with - ARGUMENTS!

S.P.A.C.E. and Your Kids Mar 22, 2023

Join therapist and co-host Julie Homrich on this week's Positive Talk Podcast as she unpacks a revolutionary way to help parent your children through S.P.A.C.E.

S.P.A.C.E., which stands for Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions, is a new treatment method proposing a change to this model. The S.P.A.C.E. program is designed to help children feel less anxious, but the parents and caregivers participate in treatment sessions — not the kid.

This is a constructive conversation for parents struggling with anxious kids. Join Julie for this important episode.

I'M SO OVERWHELMED! Mar 15, 2023

Are you feeling buried under an avalanche of tasks, responsibilities, and commitments? Do you wake up every morning with a sense of dread and anxiety about managing everything on your plate? Overwhelm can be crippling and exhausting, but it's not a life sentence. In this week's Positive Talk Podcast, Julie and Chuck explore practical strategies for working out of overwhelm and regaining control over your time, energy, and focus.
Whether you're a busy professional juggling multiple projects or a stay-at-home parent trying to keep up with household chores, these tips will help you regain the reins and feel more empowered in your daily life. So grab a cup of coffee (or tea), and let's get started!

I'M SO DANG OFFENDED, NOW WHAT? Mar 10, 2023

What do we do when we seem to remain "offended?"

The “mental ingredients” of offense we’d have to take into account in today's episode include,

1.) The triggering event

2.) Our perception of that event (we used the term “The story I am telling myself is…”) and then,

3.) Our ability or inability to move through the anger, so it doesn’t fester into resentment.

How exactly do we do that? We’re going to discuss that today.

Join Chuck and Julie for this helpful conversation on the Positive Talk Podcast.

THE UNOFFENDABLE LIFE Mar 01, 2023

Why are we so offended by everything? It seems like every day; there is someone or something that we are offended by. Whether it's a political candidate, a commercial, or even a Facebook status, we can't seem to help but be offended by something.

This week’s Positive Talk Podcast will examine what makes us so offended. From examining our biases to understanding words' power and how they can affect us. But more importantly, how can we live UNOFFENDABLE.

ARE YOU SUPPORTING OR ENABLING? Feb 23, 2023

It's a far too frequent challenge; when do I cross the line from being supportive, to becoming an enabler?
There are some signs that we can use to help ourselves be supportive without becoming an enabler. Whether is it in the context of addictions, marriage, workplace, friends or even ourselves! Join Julie and Chuck for this fascinating conversation as they merge faith and psychology on the Positive Talk Podcast.

THE DANGERS OF FUNDAMENTALISM Feb 16, 2023

Maybe the word FUNDAMENTALISM triggers something in you, whether good or bad.
In this week's episode of the POSITIVE TALK PODCAST, Julie and Chuck discuss the dangers of fundamentalism in faith, especially how it impacts our brain
and emotional health. Regardless of how you initially receive the word fundamentalism, this is an important and fascinating topic that affects many of us.

Between Julie, a psych-therapist, and Chuck, a pastor, this is a fascinating conversation, so join in.

PRACTICAL STEPS TO MEANINGFUL CHANGE Feb 08, 2023

It is one thing to change, another to want to change, and yet another to actuate change. We were created to change, even when it is painful. In this week's Positive Talk Podcast, Julie and Chuck unpack five practical steps toward meaningful change. Don't miss this week's Positive Talk Podcast.

WHAT WE BECOME - MIRROR MIRROR! Feb 02, 2023

Mirror, Mirror, Hoe Influence Shapes Us
WHAT WE BECOME - Our brains were created to reflect what we focus on and who we spend time with.
This is why some people say, “Want to see who you’ll become in 5 years?” Look at the five people you spend the most time with.
JOIN JULIE & CHUCK FOR THE FASCINATING EPISODE OF THE POSITIVE TALK PODCAST.

HOW CHANGE REALLY HAPPENS Jan 26, 2023

Ever wonder how change truly happens in your life? The science of sanctification is a tangible action in our physical body.
Mind, body, and soul all play a role in strengthening and changing our lives from the inside out. You can change significantly as you co-create a new you in cooperation with your Creator.

Join Chuck and Julie for this fascinating conversation - The Science of Sanctification on the Positive Talk Podcast.

WHERE YOUR PEACE RESIDES Jan 18, 2023

Discovering peace and maintaining a soul at peace is a significant task. We can experience peace in our physical bodies. It's not just a "feeling."

We must know where peace resides in our body, soul, and mind to do that. You can discover peace and build your "peace muscles."

Join Julie and Chuck for season four of the Positive Talk Podcast.

HOW TO FINISH WELL Nov 10, 2022

Whether it is a relationship, a job, a career, or a life, we all need to know how to finish well. One thing we can all grow into is the difference between completion and ending. Join Julie, a therapist, and Chuck, a pastor as they merge faith and psychology each week on the Positive Talk Podcast. This week's conversation is so good!

Join the conversation in this season's final episode and find all of season 1, 2, and 3 on your favorite podcast platform, including Apple.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO? Nov 02, 2022

So - what do you do when you don’t know what to do?
The answer isn’t the same for everyone, but you can decide via many different paths. Working through indecision can be a challenging experience, especially if you’re facing a big life change. You can find a way to get unstuck, consider your decision, and take action with a calm, peace-filled mind.
Join Julie and Chuck as they unpack the steps to move forward in a positive fashion when you don't what to do on this week's Positive Talk Podcast.

AT THE ROOT OF THE CHALLENGE Oct 28, 2022

We all wonder what's at the root of the problem. Sometimes you need an encouraging word. Other times you need to dig a little further. Often, we don't stop to discover what is at the root of our challenges, and as a result, they continue to show up on our emotional and physical radars. So, join the conversation at the POSITIVE TALK PODCAST.

THE TOP FIVE REASONS WE SEE A THERAPIST! Oct 20, 2022

We all want to know why most people see a therapist.
It might help us formulate our thoughts for when we decide that we need a therapist, coach, or counselor.
You may have heard Chuck or Julie say on the Positive Talk Podcast that we all have a season (or twenty) in our lives when we could benefit from a coach, a counselor, or a therapist. Don't miss this fun and helpful discussion with Julie and Chuck as they merge faith and psychology each week on the POSITIVE TALK PODCAST.

BOUNDARIES WITH TEENS Oct 13, 2022

Maybe you are the parent or grandparent of an adolescent-aged child. Maybe you are a teen-aged kid. Regardless, you can gain a great deal of wisdom from this week's episode of the POSITIVE TALK PODCAST with hosts Julie Homrich and Chuck Allen. As always, Julie and Chuck merge faith and psychology in their usual helpful and humorous way. Join the conversation!

HEALTHY BOUNDARIES IN MARRIAGE Oct 05, 2022

One of the best ways to strengthen or resurrect a marriage is to establish healthy internal and external boundaries.
Join Chuck and Julie for this significant conversation that can help every marriage and every relationship on this week's Positive Talk Podcast.

HEALTHY BOUNDARIES FOR SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS Sep 29, 2022

We all benefit from building healthy boundaries. This conversation can assist you in every relationship in your life. Join Chuck and Julie on this week's episode of THE POSITIVE TALK PODCAST.

WHEN WE EXPERIENCE LIFE DIFFERENTLY Sep 22, 2022

NEURODIVERSITY. It sounds a bit daunting, but it is the term for when we or others experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways. Many families have some form of neurodiverse children and parents. Maybe you are a uniquely awesome neurodiverse person. Join Mandi and Julie for a positive conversation regarding neurodiversity on this week's POSITIVE TALK PODCAST.

WHEN OUR KIDS DON'T BOW TO OUR IDOLS Sep 15, 2022

Join Julie Homrich and Mandi Allison for this special episode of the Positive Talk Podcast about what happens when our children don't live as we would like, or better stated when they do not bow to our idols. For every parent, grandparent, or soon-to-be parent, this conversation is so, so good. Join these two moms and therapists as they offer some practical and positive help for all of us.

THE POWER OF COMPASSION Sep 08, 2022

COMPASSION - True compassion requires us to, first of all, pay attention, because when we are preoccupied with our own lives, we won't enter this process. But an exciting thing happens in the brain once we notice a need or see a crisis, like at Robb Elementary School. Our distress/threat circuitry lights up. We call it "empathetic distress," where we start to feel a bit of pain for someone else. Unfortunately, many of us get stuck in empathetic distress.

Moving forward in compassion will likely cause us to act on it. Join Julie and Chuck as they discuss how we can act and react positively through compassion on the Positive Talk Podcast.

HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST Part 2 Sep 01, 2022

We can all be more of our own therapists with a few tools and helpful steps. Join Chuck and Julie as they unpack what you can do for the "other 167 hours" each week to help to become your own therapist. This is a great episode with Julie and Chuck on the Positive Talk Podcast.

HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST Aug 24, 2022

After you leave the therapist, what can you do for the other 167 hours this week? We all wonder, at times, how to effectuate change in our lives, right? What is it that helps people change thoughts, behaviors, and actions? There are several mechanisms of change, but today, we will provide insight into an efficient change process and help you move from knowledge to action. You can make considerable changes in your life as you learn to become your therapist!

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 2: HOW TO BE YOUR THERAPIST

THE CERTAINTY OF UNCERTAINTY Aug 17, 2022

We all deal with the anxiety and stress that comes with UNCERTAINTY.

The question isn't if we will deal with uncertainty but how we will learn to cope, tolerate and even lean into uncertainty. Learning how to hold our predetermined assumptions and feelings about certainty and uncertainty is essential to living with greater peace and purpose. Join Chuck and Julie for an honest and positive conversation about our uncertainty. This episode is a powerful reminder of how we crave certainty as we launch season three of the POSITIVE TALK PODCAST.

POSITIVE STRATEGIES FOR A HEALTHY MARRIAGE Jun 16, 2022

We all need to be reminded of the positive ways that we can strengthen our marriage. If we aren't Intentional, we will give greater attention to servicing our vehicles than servicing our marriage relationships. Join Pastor Chuck Allen for a positive discussion about how to strengthen your marriage through these simple strategies in this week's Positive Talk Podcast.

WHEN IS IT TIME TO SEEK HELP? Jun 09, 2022

In a very special episode of the Positive Talk Podcast, Julie joins Mandi Allison for a truly important conversation about how we know that it is time to seek help. Sometimes we just need more than what friends and family can offer in our mental and emotional health quest. Join Julie and Mandi as they unpack when it is time to seek professional help. We all have our "pain points" and ignoring them or numbing them will never resolve them. This week's episode is a positive look at how and when to discover real help.

HELP! SPIRITUAL BYPASSING PART 2 Jun 02, 2022

When we feel like spiritual help hurts more than help, we might need to have a fresh look at a serious issue in a positive light - Spiritual bypassing can harm, hurt, and leave people traumatized for decades. Know how you can work your way through being spiritually bypassed, or even being the spiritual bypassed. Join Chuck and Julie for this important positive conversation on so many levels.

YUCK! IT'S CALLED SPIRITUAL BYPASSING May 26, 2022

This is a challenging subject. But, as usual. Julie and Chuck offer a positive take on confronting the ugly in the next two weeks. Suppose you’ve felt like your pain was invalidated by a well-meaning person telling you to “pray harder” or insinuating you’re struggling physically or emotionally simply because you don’t have enough faith. In that case, you’ll want to tune in today and next week. The subject? SPIRITUAL BYPASSING!

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW May 20, 2022

We would all agree that the world seems out of sorts these days, but what can we do about it? It seems so daunting to consider what your part of our job might be as we attempt to instigate better in these turbulent days. Join Julie Homrich, LPC, and Pastor Chuck Allen for a positive conversation about what we can do to make our world a far more peace-filled place to live...together.

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW... May 19, 2022

We all feel it, know it, and experience it—that anxious, restless feeling in our world today. There is a not-so-subtle undertone of anger and angst in almost every sector of our society, and we have a way to combat that positively. Join Julie and Chuck for this life-altering conversation as they discuss an equation that can help lead you to a more peace-filled and purposeful life!

BEYOND THE MELTDOWN with Our Children May 05, 2022

Last week, on the Positive Talk Podcast, we discussed what happens when our kids have a meltdown. In this week's episode, Julie and Chuck unpack how we can assist our children through a meltdown and how we can parent so that each meltdown can be redeemed. If you are a parent, then you have felt the guilt of the big question - Am I failing as a parent? NO! You need a few tools to help you lead and love that allow you and your child to move forward in a more positive direction. Join Julie and Chuck for this super-helpful conversation!

CHILDREN & MELTDOWNS Apr 28, 2022

If behavior is a form of communication, what are our children telling us when they have emotional meltdowns? And let's face it, every parent has been there - their child's meltdown.

Even the best of parents can’t always avoid their child having a meltdown, but we ALL can learn how to respond positively in ways that set our family up for success.

It is possible to stay connected with your child while setting clear boundaries during a meltdown.

Join Chuck and Julie as they discuss brain-based approaches to moving through meltdowns in a meaningful way.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE A MELTDOWN Apr 21, 2022

The Meltdown. That time when your frustration, anger, exhaustion, and impatience collide, and you just have a complete meltdown. We’ve all had them, and it’s not pretty. In this week's episode of the Positive Talk Podcast, Julie and Chuck help us avoid more meltdowns, and positively recover from them. Because recovering from a total emotional meltdown can seem like the most impossible of tasks. But, with a little conscious thought and gentle self-care, it is possible to get back on the horse again after a meltdown. Join the conversation as Julie and Chuck merge FAITH & PSYCHOLOGY on the Positive Talk Podcast.

WHEN THE WORLD IS FALLING APART Apr 13, 2022

What do you do when the world is falling apart, or how do I stay okay in a definitely not okay world? That is the question, right? But we have some tools that might help you handle this "unokayness" a bit better. Is that a real word? NO, it isn't. But it makes sense to all of us struggling to make sense in a world that seems completely out of control. Join Julie and Chuck for this 30-minute conversation that provides a positive way to live healthy in unhealthy circumstances.

CHANGE AND DESIRED RESULTS Apr 06, 2022

The life you desire to create is directly proportionate to your ability to tolerate its opposite.
The life you want is waiting for you, but it’s only going to become a reality for you if you can tolerate its opposite in the process.
Time and time again, individuals are stopped along their journey. Just because they failed once doesn’t mean their failures define them or their project will never work. It simply means, as Thomas Edison believed, they found one more way it didn’t work. But that means they are one step closer to achieving the result. FINDING A WAY THROUGH CHANGE AND PROGRESS IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT!

CHANGE - OH COME ON! Mar 30, 2022

The world is such a terminal state of change, and we all hate it when change is done to us.
Join Chuck and Julie as they unpack how we can move past contemplation into significant change.

The Positive Talk Podcast merges faith and psychology to help our listeners discover a more peace-filled and purposeful life!

CHANGE CAN BE SO HARD! Mar 23, 2022

Welcome to change! For some of us, change is what we crave. But for some, change is a trip through "ulcer gulch."

People don't always refuse change because they don't want to change. More often than not, people refuse to change because they believe they can't change.

Understanding the nature and phases of change can help us navigate our way through healthy change, with healthy mindsets.

Join Julie and Chuck for this power-packed, two-part series on CHANGE CAN BE SO HARD!

MOVING BEYOND POSTPARTUM ANXIETY & DEPRESSION Mar 16, 2022

It is difficult to wrap your head or heart around pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders. On the one hand, the world wants you to be your happiest self. On the other hand, you can feel defeated, hopeless, and often, helpless. It's not simply a mother's challenge. Men experience this in significant ways as well. Back in the day, we knew this as the "baby blues," but today, we recognize this as a tangible season of mental and emotional distress that can impact every facet of you and your family. Relationships, decisions, even the smallest of choices can become monumental efforts. But there are some positive ways out of this season. Join Julie and Chuck for this week's conversation, as they merge faith and psychology, once again on the Positive Talk Podcast.

DEPRESSION & A POSITIVE WAY FORWARD Mar 09, 2022

Everywhere we turn, it feels like we are all walking on the edge of depression. With the constant instability of this ever-changing world in which we live, we could all use a positive word. If you or a loved one, maybe even an acquaintance feel like you are on the edge of depression, and need a little encouragement, join Julie Homrich, LPC for this powerful discussion.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Reach out for help:
Georgia Crisis + Access Line: 800-715-4225.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline
800-273-8255

ANXIETY - WHAT IS IT? and WHAT DO I DO NOW? Mar 03, 2022

Let's face it, we all deal with anxiety. Some more than others, but the real question is the same for all of us. When is anxiety actually anxiety, and how do I recognize it, face it, and redeem it? Join the conversation as Julie Homrich unpacks "ANXIETY" in this week's episode of the Positive Talk Podcast.

SEASON 2 | EPISODE 6 GET SOME HOPE! Feb 24, 2022

Join Chuck and Julie for this powerful conversation about how we can take control of our own HOPE. Hope is the hardest when things are the most difficult. But that’s when we need it the most. We all have the opportunity to re-write the narrative of our story in some capacity and begin to identify ourselves in a new way. This is the fruit of hope. Join us as we learn how to answer this question, “I want to be a person who…”

HOPE - Every Person on the Planet Needs More HOPE! Feb 17, 2022

Is hope something we either have or we don’t or is it possible to actually BUILD our hope?
Hope is directly related to our sense of possibility. The greater our perception of possibilities, the greater our hope. The most constricted view of possibility, of course, is hopelessness or despair.

Hope is not the same as happiness or blind optimism. It is what we feel when we think that life is worth living, that our work is worth doing. Hope is what we have when we have a positive relationship with our existence. It is the deepest of the three emotions. Happiness and optimism cannot exist without hope, but hope can exist without happiness or optimism.

Hope answers the question, “Why should I bother?”

Join Julie and Chuck as they discuss this fascinating topic of HOPE. As they do, every week, this psych-therapist and pastor faith and psychology - All for positive change.

Unless we have a bit of HOPE that things actually can change, we may as well be constantly walking into a brick wall. Hope is what moves theory into action, hope allows us to move from “Well, maybe that worked for THEM” to “I believe this could work for ME.”

CONFLICT & RELATIONSHIPS; GIVING & RECEIVING INFLUENCE Feb 09, 2022

This week is part four of a topic we all have to deal with - stress in our marriage and relationships and how to handle the resulting conflict that comes from stress. We’ve discussed many different positive approaches to conflict in relationships thus far and today, we are wrapping up our series with the topic of accepting influence. That sounds a bit daunting, but when we talk about accepting influence, we are talking about this truth from Dr.John Gottman - "To experience a healthy, powerful relationship, you must be able to be open to influence.” What is influence? It’s the ability to receive feedback from someone. It’s learning how to be flexible as opposed to rigid in your relationships.

STRESS AND CONFLICT IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS - SESSION THREE Feb 03, 2022

This week is part three of a topic we all have to deal with - stress in our relationships and how to handle the resulting conflict that comes from stress. Last week, we talked about solvable and perpetual problems and how to move past that feeling of getting “stuck” in a conflict (a term we referenced as “gridlock”).

We also discussed how 4 things: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling are what Gottman marriage researchers say can be disastrous in a conflict. Julie, you also mentioned that some people have tried conflict resolution skills repeatedly and it seems like they just can’t seem to stay calm in conflict. In the effort to focus on moving toward a positive outcome, today let’s help our listeners understand more about those big emotions that can arise during conflict and what to do when they arise.

From emotions as messengers to rethinking how we engage in conflict, this week's episode is a real winner. Thanks for joining in the conversation!~

STRESS & CONFLICT IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS PART 2 Jan 26, 2022

This week is part two of a topic we all have to deal with - stress in our marriage and relationships and how to handle the resulting conflict that comes from stress. Listening, connecting, honesty, empathy, and vulnerability are all interconnected. A key element for all relationships is trust, and trust is built through connection, listening, honesty, empathy, and vulnerability.

People don’t have strong reactions to things for no reason. There’s always something underneath the surface— it could be protective measures from past experiences, neurological wiring, or spiritual disconnection.One main way to get past gridlock is to start becoming curious rather than judgmental about our partner’s reasoning behind their strong reaction.

Join Julie and Chuck for this encouraging discussion!

STRESS & CONFLICT IN MARRIAGE & RELATIONSHIPS Jan 19, 2022

This week, Julie and Chuck tackle a topic we all have to deal with - stress in our marriage and relationships and how to handle the resulting conflict that follows. As a clinical therapist, Julie offers some practical and encouraging thoughts about the triggers that can lead to greater stress and unresolved conflict. Not only is it impossible to live a completely stress-free life, but research shows us that stress is actually a precursor to meaning. Think about the last time you encountered something meaningful in your life…chances are, there was some kind of stressful moment or season that preceded it. What we know about stress is that our internal and external stressors feed off each other to create conflict in our relationships. Our internal stressors (or, our “triggers”) often lead to behaviors that cause external stress because of how we’ve reacted to those triggers. Likewise, our external environment and how we process it can contribute to internal stressors. A place, a subject, a word, or even a look can trigger someone to respond in a way that leads to excessive stress.

Join Chuck and Julie for this valuable discussion.

SEEKING & SUSTAINING PEACE Dec 16, 2021

Peace is one of the most sought-after pearls of wisdom in life. If you search on Amazon for books on peace, you’ll find more than 50,000 results. The fact that there are so many books on this subject means peace is in high demand and is big business. We live in a stormy sea of anxiety and everyone wants to reach out for something that might keep them afloat. Without peace, there’s no contentment and no happiness. The question is, how do we find peace in this stormy sea of busyness?

Peace - We all want it, it’s attainable, and yet so many of us can’t seem to grab hold of true peace.

Have you ever stopped to think about the actual process of gaining peace in our hearts and minds? What does it entail? How do we do it? Let’s break down what it is and how we can actually attain it, even when there is chaos around us. What’s going on in the brain and body when we are seeking peace? As usual, Julie and Chuck will take the spiritual and the psychological truths and integrate them into a positive and encouraging word for you.

This is a simple three-point grasp on peace…regardless of your present circumstances.
1) You can discover and remain in peace.
2) Peace Is the Offspring of Trust.
3) Perfect Peace Takes Place in Spite of External Conflicts.

ANGER & A HAPPY HOLIDAY Dec 09, 2021

When anger controls you, life gets incredibly hard. So many people suffer because of their anger or the anger of others. Here’s a great life lesson - Wisdom is the ability to control your anger.

Handling anger is an important life skill. It’s incredibly important to understand the purpose of anger. When we feel angry, we tend to go toward one of two extremes psychologically: we either seek to repress it or we don’t hold any self boundaries at all with our internal experience of anger and let it loose and turn into external expressions of rage.

Anger can shatter communication and tear apart relationships, and it ruins both the joy and health of many. Sadly, folks tend to justify their anger instead of accepting responsibility for it.

When we distance ourselves from our anger, we end up blaming others for the hurtful things we say and do out of anger, justifying it as a response to someone else’s action or inaction versus owning it as OUR chosen response. When we do this, we de-personalize our hurtful angry responses and it leads to more division and pain in the relationships around us.

The truth is that Everyone struggles, to varying degrees, with anger.

THE SECRET POWER OF QUIETUDE Dec 02, 2021

We are living at warp speed, and often at the speed of no peace in our lives. Science and faith combine to offer a guaranteed solution to our weary and anxious souls - Quietude. Before you discount this topic, take a listen to Chuck, in this week's 17th episode of the Positive Talk Podcast. It will encourage you and hopefully equip you for brighter, better, more peace-filled days ahead.

BOUNDARIES: Special Thanksgiving Episode Nov 28, 2021

If you missed last Thursday’s episode, be sure to listen in as Julie gives us some very real help in creating and sustaining healthy boundaries through the holiday season.

BOUNDARIES - SPECIAL THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY EPISODE Nov 25, 2021

We all need BOUNDARIES, especially through the holiday season. Join Julie as she helps us all set healthy boundaries for a far happier holiday!

BOUNDARIES - Why We Need Them & How We Honor Them Nov 18, 2021

Clinical Therapist Julie Homrich describes boundaries as “What I will and won’t tolerate in my life.” Boundaries mean we get to choose what and who we allow into our lives, and we also get to choose how we respond when someone doesn’t respect our limits. We can set boundaries with others, and we can even set boundaries with ourselves. Whether we are setting internal or external boundaries, at the core, boundaries are an inside job. In this 15th episode of the Positive Talk Podcast, Julie will discuss three ways we can begin to understand the importance of boundaries in our lives. With the holidays on the horizon, this is the perfect time to create and honor boundaries. Enjoy!

CREATING POSITIVE, HAPPY HOLIDAYS Nov 11, 2021

The Holidays come with huge expectations. Those expectations are often external, but they can be internal. Ou hope for you is that you might create a season of joy through the lens of healthy expectations and how to best manage them this year. Join Chuck as he unpacks five sure-fire ways to create a healthy and happy holiday season with our expectations.

BUILDING HEALTHY FRIENDSHIPS Nov 04, 2021

One of our core beliefs, here at Positive Talk is that we can integrate faith and psychology. This is never more evident than in our personal relationships…our friends. I’ve been blessed with some great long-term friendships. These are the ones that have taught me a lot about what it means to be supportive, caring, consistent, open, and more. CS LEWIS once said that: "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” JOIN CHUCK AND JULIE FOR THIS POSITIVE AND HEALTHY DISCUSSION ABOUT BUILDING HEALTHY FRIENDSHIPS.

WHEN DO I NEED NEW FRIENDS? Oct 28, 2021

Our social connections are as important to our health as proper diet and exercise. Research has linked social bonding to longer lives, lower incidence of depression and anxiety, and reduced risk of disease. And yet many of us feel lonely. A recent study quoted in Scientific American found that a staggering 47 percent of Americans often feel alone, left out, and lacking meaningful connections with others. This is true for all ages, teens and adults alike. Loneliness is not just unpleasant to us, it actually poses a significant health threat. Sometimes we need to assess our current relationships and make adjustments, not just for the sake of loneliness, but for our mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health.

Episode 11: Surviving & Thriving Religious Trauma Oct 21, 2021

Religious trauma syndrome occurs when an individual struggles with leaving a religion or a set of beliefs that has led to their indoctrination. It often involves the trauma of breaking away from a controlling environment, lifestyle, or religious figure. In some settings the symptoms of religious trauma can be similar to that of complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Listen in as Julie Homrich, LPC unpacks how to positively thrive in, through and beyond trauma.

GRACE - BASED LIVING Episode 10 Oct 14, 2021

How do you create or expect a church or religious leader to act, react, or lead? Jesus had a simple method for how we were to avoid the shame and guilt associated with much of the American Church and Her Leaders as He taught and modeled the simple power of GRACE. But in a culture that looks for electric atmospheres, powerful entertainers, and superstar preachers, it's no wonder the American Church has missed the mark so badly. How do we build churches that are on the other side of Religious Trauma? How do we create organizations and families that create loving, supportive, safe, and connected fellowships and families? The answer once again is GRACE. Join Pastor Chuck Allen for this 12-minute podcast on grace-based living.

RELIGIOUS TRAUMA & MANIPULATION Oct 07, 2021

What do you get when you integrate faith and psychology? You get solutions to many of life's most challenging problems. One of those problems might be that you have experienced manipulation that led you to a traumatic experience with the church or a pastoral leader. Julie and Chuck tackle this subject head-on in the ninth episode of the Positive Talk Podcast.

What Do You Do When the Church Hurts You? Sep 30, 2021

Episode eight of the Positive Talk Podcast jumps into the deep end of the pool, tackling Religious Trauma. What Do You Do When the Church Hurts You? All across the world, people are impacted by churches, typically attempting to do good. But often, people are deeply wounded and hurt by the actions of leaders and structures that have been created to be sources of hope and help. Join Julie and Chuck for this challenging topic on this week's Positive Talk Podcast where we are always integrating faith and psychology.

The Freedom of Forgiving Ourselves Sep 23, 2021

Forgiving yourself is not about forgetting. It is about not bringing the offense up to yourself in negative ways. Forgiving yourself is simply letting go of what you are holding against yourself so that you can move on with God. If God has moved on, shouldn't we do the same? Join Chuck Allen in this poignant chat about the freedom found in forgiving ourselves.

The Freedom in Forgiveness Sep 16, 2021

Forgiveness is a fascinating concept, truly one of the cornerstones of mental and spiritual health. Forgiveness is indeed and the very heart of the Christian faith, but is also, I believe at the heart of healthy relationships…most especially the relationship with have with ourselves. There are numerous positive mental and physical effects of forgiveness. The research is clear: holding onto bitterness keeps you in a chronic state of fight or flight, which increases the risk of heart attack, high blood pressure, insomnia, depression, and decreased immune system response. Forgiving others activates the part of your nervous system responsible for calming stress and it helps our bodies operate more fluidly. When we choose NOT to forgive, our past bleeds over repeatedly into our present— and we are never truly free.

Episode 5 - Peaceful, Prayerful Meditation Sep 09, 2021

If you've ever found yourself wondering what do I do when I don't know what to do, then this episode is for you.
So often, we are at a loss as to what the next best step is. But, even more often, we need to stop, get still and listen for the right next step. In this episode, Chuck and Julie will unpack the simple steps to discovering your best path forward through the simple practice of peaceful, prayerful meditation. Enjoy!

HOW WE THINK ABOUT OUR THINKING: Integrating Faith & Psychology Sep 02, 2021

In this week's episode, Julie and Chuck unpack the concept of creating a new, fresh and better way to think. The concept of thinking about what we are thinking is technically called "metacognition." In Chuck's terminology, it's simply being aware of what you are thinking and then intentionally working through a better way. Because of how we are created, every human has the ability to build a better way to think, which results in better relationships and better decisions. Join Julie and Chuck for this 12-minute discussion that just might change your way of thinking!

Episode 3: Integrating Faith and Psychology | 3 Steps to a More Peace-Filled Life Aug 26, 2021

In a world filled with negativity, stress, anxiety, and hate, Positive Talk Podcast offers a voice of hope, reason, and solutions. Join us for Episode 3, where Pastor Chuck Allen gives us three steps to a more peace-filled life. In his words, "when we are at peace, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, we make good decisions and we build positive relationships."

Can Reality Be Our Friend? Aug 19, 2021

This episode is all about REALITY. Can reality actually be our friend, and if so, how can we see into today’s garbled messages of negativity, anger, and anxiety and allow our reality to be our friend?

Sometimes we tend to focus so much on the negativity that’s happening all around us that it feels overwhelming and we want to just CHECK OUT from life— and avoid reality. The challenge with that is that just because we turn a blind eye to problems both in our own hearts and the world around us, it doesn’t mean they disappear. In fact, in our personal lives, the more we avoid reality, the more difficult our lives become, which leads us to want to avoid reality more.

There’s a phrase for this and Carl Jung, a famous psychologist coined it. He says, “What you resist, persists.” Because we, as humans, have a deep need for control, we believe that just by resisting something we can magically make it go away. But, in reality, it’s FACING our reality that helps us take the right next step to actually make it go away (not just store it up somewhere for it to, later, come out sideways in anger or addiction or co-dependence).

BEATING NEGATIVE SELF-TALK Aug 12, 2021

This podcast is all about shedding a bit of positivity on what seems like a world that has turned ridiculously negative over the past couple of years. And, while there are real and significant challenges in our world, there is also, so much to be positive about and so many things that happen and can happen in our own lives that can make our days become filled with more good news than bad news, or overtly critical news.

There is some really good news! You are both created with a negative bias, but you are also created with the ability to overcome, to build resiliency into your life. In this week's episode, we want to share a few tried and true methods that we can all do to start combatting the negativity bias.

BEATING NEGATIVITY Aug 12, 2021

In a world full of anger, angst, and negativity, we all could use a healthy dose of positive talk. Join Julie Homrich, LPC and Chuck Allen for an encouraging and positive conversation about beating the negativity bias.

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