In this powerful Lenten-focused episode of Faithfully Healed, Latisha Sternod and Jen Clark invite listeners into a sacred interior journey, from feeling like a burden to embracing the truth of being beloved.

As Ash Wednesday approaches, they unpack the deeper meaning of Lent beyond giving up chocolate or checking religious boxes. Through thoughtful dialogue, practical examples, and spiritual insight, they explore prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as transformative tools for interior renewal. This episode reframes Lent as an intentional season of metanoia, a change of mind and heart, where we confront distraction, soften hardened places, and allow Christ to shine more fully through us.

With warmth and clarity, Jen and Latisha explain how fasting isn’t just about food, prayer isn’t just reciting words, and almsgiving isn’t just donating money. Instead, Lent becomes a deeply personal invitation to spiritual growth, humility, and love, preparing us to receive Easter not just as a date on the calendar, but as a resurrection within.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What Lent really means, and why it matters
• The purpose of Ash Wednesday and receiving ashes
• Repentance as metanoia: changing the way we think
• Moving from negative self-beliefs to beloved identity
• How prayer softens the heart in difficult relationships
• Almsgiving as hidden acts of love and service
• Fasting as sacrifice—not self-improvement
• Fasting from devices, distractions, or harsh words
• Why silence is essential for hearing God’s voice
• How intentional interior work prepares us for Easter

Anchor Quote: “You are not burdened. You are beloved.” – Latisha Sternod

Reflection: What if Lent isn’t about losing something, but becoming someone? What if repentance isn’t shame, but renewal? This season, where might God be inviting you to soften, surrender, and step into the truth that you are deeply loved?

Resources & Mentions:

Books: A New Day, A New Start: Seek Your Sunshine by Jen Clark The Wonderful Counselor by Latisha Sternod

Lenten Practices Discussed:

• Prayer: Honest, humble conversation with God
• Almsgiving: Intentional, hidden acts of service
• Fasting: Sacrifice that creates space for Christ
• Silence: Reducing distraction to hear God clearly
• Interior renewal before exterior expression

Key Themes:

• Metanoia (repentance as a change of mind)
• From self-focus to Christ-focus
• From distraction to silence
• From burdened identity to beloved truth

Scripture References: Genesis 3:19 – “Remember that you are dust…” Mark 1:15 – “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” Matthew 6:1–18 – Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.”

Connect with Us: 🌿 Website: thewonderfulcounselor.org 📖 Instagram: @the_wonderful_counselor 🕊 Facebook: The Wonderful Counselor

If this episode encouraged you as you enter the Lenten season, would you leave a review? It helps more women discover this sacred space for Christ-centered healing and identity renewal.

In the final part of the New Year, New Start series, Latisha Sternod and Jen Clark round out the SPIES wellness framework by diving into Intellectual, Emotional, and Social wellness. This episode is an uplifting, wisdom-filled guide to growing your mind, nurturing your heart, and fostering healthy relationships, key areas that often go overlooked in personal development plans.

Through heartfelt stories, expert insight, and faith-filled encouragement, Jen and Latisha inspire listeners to embrace lifelong learning, emotional resilience, and vibrant community connection in 2026. Whether you're an introvert finding your pace or a couple looking to grow together, this episode offers practical steps to thrive in every season.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What intellectual wellness looks like beyond school and degrees
• How learning a new skill or language stimulates brain health
• Tips for setting intellectual goals without pressure
• Why a growth mindset and grace matter in adult learning
• Healthy emotional processing and personal emotional strategies
• The impact of inner dialogue and speaking life over yourself
• The role of community in emotional health
• How social connection boosts longevity and joy
• Creating intentional relationships in every season of life
• The importance of putting yourself “in the arena” to connect

Anchor Quote: “Put yourself in the arena. You were made for connection. God created us to be in communion with one another.” – Jen Clark

Reflection: What if this year you didn’t aim to master everything—but simply chose to start something new, feel more deeply, and connect more intentionally? What if learning, healing, and community were your holiest pursuits? Step into this season of growth, knowing that every step matters and grace meets you in every new beginning.

Resources & Mentions:

Framework: SPIES – Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social (This episode focuses on Intellectual, Emotional, and Social wellness)

Books:

• A New Day, A New Start: Seek Your Sunshine by Jen Clark
• The Wonderful Counselor by Latisha Sternod

Tools & Tips:

• Intellectual goals: Read 5 books, learn an instrument, take an adventure
• Emotional strategies: Music, journaling, exercise, prayer, solitude
• Inner dialogue: Speak life over your body and your efforts
• Social tips: Connect through shared interests, service, or faith groups
• Grace reminder: Mastery takes 10,000 hours—start with your first 10

Scripture Reference:

• Proverbs 18:21 – “The tongue has the power of life and death…”
• Luke 5:16 – “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
• Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one… if either of them falls, one can help the other up.”

Connect with Us: 🌿 Website: thewonderfulcounselor.org 📖 Instagram: @the_wonderful_counselor 🕊 Facebook: The Wonderful Counselor

If this episode inspired you, please leave a review. It helps more women walk into healing, wholeness, and wholehearted connection.

In this powerful continuation of our New Year, New Start series, Latisha Sternod and Jen Clark shift the focus from spiritual growth to physical and intellectual renewal. This episode is full of practical encouragement and expert insight to help you step into 2026 with clarity, intention, and grace—especially when it comes to your body and your mind.

From cardio and strength training to lifelong learning and curiosity, Jen and Latisha explore how to set sustainable goals rooted in love, not shame. You’ll learn how to embrace the physical body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and how to expand your intellectual life in alignment with your calling and gifts.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why traditional New Year’s resolutions often fail—and what works instead
• A holistic approach to physical wellness: cardio, strength, flexibility, rest, and nutrition
• How to create realistic fitness goals at any age or ability level
• Viewing self-care as sacred, not selfish
• How to listen to your body to prevent burnout or injury
• Nutritional basics: clean eating without shame or extremes
• The importance of water and movement to detox the body and spirit
• Intellectual wellness: lifelong learning as worship
• How to expand your knowledge through reading, research, and creative expression

Anchor Quote: “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Taking care of your body isn’t vanity—it’s honoring God’s presence in you.” – Jen Clark

Reflection: What if your fitness goal wasn’t about changing your body, but loving it well? What if nourishing your mind could be a form of prayer? This year, don’t just grow stronger—grow truer to the person God created you to be.

Resources & Mentions:

Framework:

• SPIES – Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social (This episode focuses on Physical & Intellectual; Emotional & Social coming in Part 3)

Books:

• A New Day, A New Start: Seek Your Sunshine by Jen Clark
• The Wonderful Counselor by Latisha Sternod

Tools & Tips:

• SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
• Nutrition tip: “If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it.”
• Fitness tip: Cardio (aerobic & anaerobic), strength, flexibility, and rest are all essential
• Intellectual growth idea: Read books, explore saints’ writings, try a new creative outlet

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 6:19 – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?”

• Matthew 22:39 – “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Connect with Us: 🌿 Website: thewonderfulcounselor.org 📖 Instagram: @the_wonderful_counselor 🕊 Facebook: The Wonderful Counselor

If this episode encouraged you, would you leave a review? It helps more women embrace healing and wholeness, body, mind, and soul.