Unashamed and Free

6 Reasons Why We Don't Finish We focus more on our doubt or our lack of skill instead of the God who called us. (Check out Moses in Exodus 3) We diminish the task and think it is beneath us. (Check out the life of David. Start in I Samuel 16 and read Psalm 78:72.) We are too busy comparing or competing with others. We are afraid of people or desire their approval instead of God's approval. We lack discipline or we are lazy. We are trying to be perfect. (Check out Hebrews 12:2 and Galatians 3:3) 6 Ways We Can Move Forward Identify one task God has given you that you have neglected. Identify the reason why you have not finished. Spend time in confession and repentance. Ask God for help to complete the task and for His strength to empower you. Make a plan to obey. What is one small step you can make today? Get a scripture to hold onto for encouragement and to help renew your mind. Share your plan with someone who will help you walk in obedience and keep you accountable.   Want to contact me?  Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Facebook Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com

Dianna continues sharing her journey in this episode around the shame she experienced having a premature baby. Kaden, her miracle baby, was born at 23 weeks into the world covered in prayer. The power of prayer and community helped Dianna cling to the Lord. Becoming a mother, gave Dianna the continued courage to heal so that she could provide a better life for her son.  Dianna is saved by God, a wife, mother of two amazing sons, an advocate for women and children, budding entrepreneur, and writer.  She is currently completing her degree in psychology as she champions for mothers of premature babies and families of children with special needs. Be on the lookout for her new blog Dee's Hang Out Suite, a safe place for moms!  Connect with Dianna: Blog Instagram: Personal and Be Bold Business Account Resources Mentioned Episode 17: Slave Minds  Scriptures Mentioned: Hezekiah facing the wall (Isaiah 38:2-5, 2 Kings 20:2-3), Joshua 1:9, Hebrew 10:25 This Week's Belt of Truth: "The promises of God are true. He will never leave you nor forsake you. You are His child. You are loved and His grace and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life." - Dianna Tymes Want to contact me? Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Facebook Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com

Today, my friend Dianna Tymes shares her struggles with shame from molestation and past sexual sin. Shame first entered Dianna's life when she was molested as a young child and resulted in her keeping negative secrets and increased her feelings of insecurity. Not knowing how to deal with this shame and other complex things going on in her life, Dianna struggled with anger and fighting. Listen in as Dianna shares how salvation transformed her and how Jesus is continually exfoliating her shame.  Dianna is saved by God, a wife, mother of two amazing sons, an advocate for women and children, budding entrepreneur, and writer.  She is currently completing her degree in psychology as she champions for mothers of premature babies and families of children with special needs. Be on the lookout for her new blog Dee's Hang Out Suite, a safe place for moms!  Connect with Dianna: Blog Instagram: Personal and Be Bold Business Account Resources Mentioned Dianna's Blog Shady Grove Fertility  Episode 10&11: Laying Aside Sexual Sin (Part I&II)  Scriptures Mentioned: Proverbs 3:5 Want to contact me?  Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Facebook Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com  

Kenya Denise is a young believer in Christ with a passion for changing the standard of beauty through the transparency of her own story and as a licensed Esthetician in Chicago, IL. She recently launched her skincare business Unfading Beauty Skin Care with the mission to encourage beauty from the inside out through skincare services, products, and knowledge.  In today's episode, Kenya shares how the seeds of colorism planted a belief in her mind that her skin color was not beautiful. These seeds led to unhealthy relationships, low self-esteem, and constant comparison. Kenya shares how God has led her on a journey of unpacking this lie and affirming her value in Him. Connect with Kenya on: Book a Virtual Skin Consultation Purchase Unfading Beauty Skin Care Products Unfading Beauty Skincare Instagram  Kenya's Personal Instagram Email Kenya at info@unfadingbeautyskincare.com Resources Mentioned The Social Dilemma  Kenya's YouTube Video: Insecurity, Make Up & God Scriptures Mentioned: 1 Peter 3:3-4, Ezekiel 28:11-19 This Week's Belt of Truth: 1 Peter 3:3-4 Want to contact me? Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookEmail me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com  

Angie Pryor was the first person I interviewed on this podcast. In 2018, she shared her incredible story of overcoming molestation, domestic violence, and the shame of abortion. She is back with an update on her journey out of shame into freedom. Since our first interview, Angie has lost 80lbs and has gained a new mindset. In this episode, she shares about her lifelong struggles with weight and insecurity. Listen in as Angie testifies about what God has done in her life in the last 2 years.  Angie was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. She has been married to her husband, Michael (Mike), for 13 years. Angie has two children Patience and Isaiah. She is also the proud grandmother of her beautiful grandchild, MacKenzie. She attends Chicago West Bible Church with her family where she serves on staff as the Ministry Assistant. Mike and Angie also serve as leaders of the prayer team. Connect with Angie on: Facebook Instagram Resources Mentioned Episode 3: Angela Pryor Episode 4: Mike Pryor  The Renewing of the Mind Project by Barb Raveling Bright Line Eating  Bible Studies Angie Mentioned: Armor of God, Discerning the Voice of God, Breaking Free, Gideon Scriptures Mentioned: Luke 10:27, Isaiah 54:10, Romans 12:1-2 This Week's Belt of Truth: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 Want to contact me? Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookEmail me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com  

In today's episode, I interview Certified Professional Life Coach Janet Pisani about her struggles with shame, bitterness, and private grief around her life long battle with chronic illness. Despite her struggles, Janet has learned to seek the Lord for healing and coaches others on how to move forward through life transitions and chronic illness.  Janet Pisani was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. She is the youngest of 4 and was born with muscular dystrophy.  Janet attended college and graduate school in Pittsburgh and was later hired as a job coach for the physically disabled. After graduate school, she started her own business as a corporate image consultant. She quit her business to become a caretaker for three years for her mother. She recently became a Certified Professional Life Coach. Janet steers women in transition through the waters of uncertainty so they can become everything God has equipped them to be. Connect with Janet at: Website: www.janetpisanilifecoach.com Instagram: @janetpisani Email: JanetPisani.LifeCoach@gmail.com Resources Mentioned Episode 21 & 22: Unashamed to Dream (Jamie Miller) Episode 32: Darren Greenfield  Episode 30: Barb Raveling  Christian Coach Institute (The coaching school Janet and I attended)  Scriptures Mentioned: Psalm 23, Psalm 91, Philippians 4:13, Psalm 139 This Week's Belt of Truth: Psalm 139; "He is Creator, whatever He creates is good. I am good because I was created by God."- Janet Pisani Want to contact me?  Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Facebook Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com    

This week, I interview my friend Darren Greenfield about the shame he experienced from having two unexpected children. He talks about the tension his past decisions have caused in his current life and his struggles with understanding his identity. We dive into what happens when black men don't allow themselves to heal from their shame and anger. This episode is packed with gems of truth that will help you move forward in your journey out of shame into freedom.  Darren Greenfield is a pastor who has a desire to lead people in socio-economically diverse communities in spiritual and physical renewal as they are reconciled to God and one another through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Darren is a Lead Pastor of Vision and Teaching at Christ Centered Church and also works as an Organizational strategist for Invert Strategies. He is married to the beautiful, smart, and funny Adina Greenfield and they have a 7 year old daughter, Addison Greenfield, who brings so much energy and love to their family.  Resources Mentioned Who Do You Say That I AM? by Becky Harling Honey Boy Movie Episode 6: Jon Kelly Part I; Episode 7: Jon Kelly Part II Navigate the Journey Life Plan The Invisible Bond: How to Break Free From Your Sexual Past Betrayal's Baby God of All Comfort: A Trinitarian Response to the Horrors of This World Scriptures Mentioned: The story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar (Genesis 16; 21) and The story of Lazarus (John 11:1-44) This Week's Belt of Truth: Psalm 139:13; "Nobody knows your identity or nobody can form your identity better than your Creator." -Darren Greenfield Want to contact me?  Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Facebook Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com    

Today, I chat with my friend, Richard (Dick) Lewis, about his battle with alcoholism and his road to sobriety. He shares the moment when he realized that alcohol had become an idol in his life and how drinking was a symptom of his self-centeredness. Through a surrendered heart and the power of the Holy Spirit, Dick is now walking in freedom no longer allowing alcohol to be an idol in his life.  Dick was born in Washington DC and grew up there and in New York. He graduated from Wesleyan University with a BA in Economics, and from the University of Chicago with an MBA in Econometrics. Dick has been married to his wife Nora for 36 years and has 4 children and 6 grandchildren. He and Nora have started and built several very successful businesses, and Dick is currently Chairman of SSDC Services, which they acquired in 2013. Dick and Nora are very active in church planting, both in the US and Internationally, and also support a variety of other outreach and community-focused ministries. He and Nora are members of Chicago West Bible Church in Chicago and Harvest North Phoenix in Arizona. Resources Mentioned Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense by Paul David Tripp Scriptures Mentioned: Exodus 20:3, Psalm 23, The Lord's Prayer This Week's Belt of Truth: 1 Corinthians 10:13 Want to contact me? Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookEmail me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com  

Romans 12:2 instructs us to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Have you ever wondered how to renew your mind and what steps to take? Today, I interview Barb Raveling author of The Renewing of the Mind Project. Her book provides practical tools like truth journaling to help you experience a transformed mind. Barb shares how renewing her mind helped her walk in freedom from emotional eating and fear of rejection.  Barb Raveling is the author of six books and Bible studies including Freedom from Emotional Eating, Freedom from Procrastination, and the Renewing of the Mind Project. She is also the host of the Christian Habits Podcast and the Taste for Truth Podcast. She and her husband have been married for 38 years and have four adult children.   Connect with Barb at: Website: https://barbraveling.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarbRaveling Podcasts: Christian Habits Podcast and Taste for Truth Resources Mentioned Truth Journaling Barb's Books: Taste for Truth, Freedom from Emotional Eating, I Deserve a Donut, The Renewing of the Mind Project, Freedom from Procrastination, RALLY: A Personal Growth Bible Study Scriptures Mentioned: 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 This Week's Belt of Truth: God is Enough. I don't need my own glory, I can rest in His glory. - Barb Raveling Want to contact me? Follow me on InstagramFollow me on Facebook Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com  

On Sunday, I celebrated my 35th birthday by remembering...remembering who God has been in my life. I remembered the many miracles He has allowed me to experience and the many ways He has kept me.  Shame can keep us frozen in our trauma blocking memories of God's presence and faithfulness in our lives. The act of remembering is stewarding the countless stories of God showing up and showing out throughout our journeys. Take a moment to remember with me. Take a moment to reflect on the memorials of God's goodness that you have forgotten. Listen in as I share my stones of remembrance and ways you can cultivate the art of remembering.  Resources Mentioned Chicago Botanic Garden  Illinois Holocaust Museum  The Advent Book  Episode 5: Freedom  Who You've Always Been by Hope Darst Scriptures Mentioned: Joshua 4, Psalm 139, I Peter 2:5 This Week's Belt of Truth: Hebrews 13:8 Want to contact me?  Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Facebook Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com  

"Are We There Yet?" We have all asked this question at some point as we waited to reach our destination. Waiting is not always pleasant but God requires us to steward the wait in our lives. Listen in as I share lessons I've learned during times of waiting in my life.  Resources Mentioned Seasons by Hillsong  Scriptures Mentioned: Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 13:12 This Week's Belt of Truth: Lamentations 3:22-26 Want to contact me? Follow me on InstagramFollow me on Facebook Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com

My Stewardship series continues with a discussion on the importance of stewarding our relationships.  I identify 5 toxic relationships that we need to get rid of or create distance in:  Partners in Crime Glass Ceiling Relationships Energy Suckers  Foot on the Neck Relationships  Takers In the second half, I use Jesus as a model to help us navigate and manage the relationships in our lives.  Resources Mentioned Domestic Violence Hotline  Refining Wealth with Patrice Washington Podcast Michael Hyatt & Co. The Leadership Strategy of Jesus  Scriptures Mentioned: Matthew 17, Mark 9, Mark 14:32-42, Proverbs 27:5-6, Luke 10:1-2 This Week's Belt of Truth: Proverbs 27:17 Want to contact me? Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Facebook Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com

I am kicking off a new series called Stewardship. This week, I talk about how we are called to steward our story and our beginnings. The woman at the well in John 4 teaches us how to own our stories and boldly testify about what God has done in our lives. What could happen if you took authority over your story? What if God used your story to save someone? What could happen? Resources Mentioned *Note: In this episode, I mentioned that Judea was located in the North but it is not. Galilee was located in the North and Judea was located in the South.  My Instagram Post about Sheila Walsh Chrystal's Chronicles Podcast with Sheila Walsh Jesus and Women by Kristi McLelland Scriptures Mentioned: John 4, Genesis 38 This Week's Belt of Truth: Isaiah 62:3-5 Want to contact me?  Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Facebook Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com  

Meet my friend Lisa Browne, founder of Colorful Stories, an organization whose mission is to share racially-diverse children's literature with an unapologetic emphasis on positive black representation. Lisa and I met over a decade ago at church shortly after she arrived from South Africa. In this episode, Lisa shares how the Lord lifted the shame of living a life that was a lie and how He brought her to a place of freedom where she could truly be her authentic self.  Lisa is passionate about educational equity and exploring racial representation in children's literature with teachers and families. She is The Program Administrator at an Early Childhood Program in Philadelphia. Lisa is a certified Professional Development Instructor and Trainer. She is currently an MEd. student in The Educational Leadership Program at Arcadia University. Originally from South Africa, Johannesburg, she lives with her husband and adorable son in Philadelphia where she is a huge fan of the parks, trails, and pools in the West Mt. Airy neighborhood where they reside. In her spare time, she is writing a children's book, reading a radical book by a dope black author, and dreaming of ways to change the world.  Connect with Lisa at: Website: Colorful Stories  Instagram: @colorful_stories Resources Mentioned A Resource from Lisa: Kid-Friendly Language for Black Lives Matter Guiding Principles Scriptures Mentioned: 2 Corinthians 5:17 This Week's Belt of Truth: Romans 12:9   Want to contact me? Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Facebook Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com    

Living in a country that does not see black as beautiful has been a barrier in my personal journey of embracing my blackness. Listen in as I share 5 things I have learned to help me embrace the beautiful black skin God has given me.  Resources Mentioned The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. DuBois The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin Black Gold (ft. Algebra Blessett) by Esperanza Spalding This Week's Belt of Truth: Psalm 139:13-14 Photo Credit: Melissa Stuckey Photography  Want to contact me?  Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Facebook Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com  

Many of us are physically free but still have enslaved minds that need to be delivered. Listen in as I share three mentalities that God has to either build up or tear down to free us from our slave minds. Resources Mentioned Episode 5: Freedom  Beachbody Core De Force Scriptures mentioned: Numbers 10-15, Exodus 1, Exodus 13:17, Exodus 14:11-12  This Week's Belt of Truth: Obedience brings life and fruitfulness Isaiah 1:18-20, Ezekiel 20:21 Want to contact me? Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookEmail me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com  

Meet Jamie Miller! Jamie and I met in life coaching school and instantly connected. Jamie shares her journey of dropping shame and how she learned to embrace who God created her to be. Listen as Jamie shares how God freed her from shame and allowed her to dream again.  Jamie is married to her high school sweetheart, Garrett, and has three children. She is professionally trained from the Christian Coach Institute, an International Coaching Federation (ICF) accredited program. In addition to her professional certification training, she also has degrees in Education as well as Supply Chain Management and loves learning and researching pretty much everything.  Jamie is passionate about helping women understand their true identity and live abundantly in their God-given purpose. Connect with Jamie at: Website: Counter Culture Coaching & Consulting  Facebook: Counter Culture Coaching and Consulting Instagram: @counter_culture_coaching    Resources Mentioned Life. Money. Hope. Sermon Series Everything Is Mine in You by Christy Nockels Christian Coach Institute  God, You are So Good by Passion  First 5 Dream Big Podcast by Bob Goff Scriptures Mentioned: Haggai 1:5-7   Want to contact me? Follow me on Instagram Follow me on FacebookEmail me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com

Meet Jamie Miller! Jamie and I met in life coaching school and instantly connected. Jamie shares her journey of dropping shame and how she learned to embrace who God created her to be. Listen as Jamie shares how God freed her from shame and allowed her to dream again.  Jamie is married to her high school sweetheart, Garrett, and has three children. She is professionally trained from the Christian Coach Institute, an International Coaching Federation (ICF) accredited program. In addition to her professional certification training, she also has degrees in Education as well as Supply Chain Management and loves learning and researching pretty much everything.  Jamie is passionate about helping women understand their true identity and live abundantly in their God-given purpose. Connect with Jamie at: Website: Counter Culture Coaching & Consulting  Facebook: Counter Culture Coaching and Consulting Instagram: @counter_culture_coaching  Resources Mentioned What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst Little Confirmations Everywhere by Jamie Miller (The quote I read)  On Being Found: What If You Were Never Really Lost? by Jamie Miller (Fig leaves) What you MAGNIFY will MULTIPLY by Jennifer Allwood Scriptures Mentioned: Haggai 1:6 Want to contact me? Follow me on InstagramFollow me on Facebook Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com

Now that you have started to dream again, what is the next step? Listen to Part II of Unashamed to Dream as I share practical ways to move forward. Resources Mentioned Courtney Saunders His and Her Money Podcast Fight Hustle End Hurry Podcast Scriptures Mentioned: John 13:3, Joshua 1:9 Want to contact me?  Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Facebook Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com  

Have you let your past shame or failures stop you from dreaming? Do you feel like God has forgotten about the dreams that stir inside of you? You are not alone. Listen to Part I of Unashamed to Dream about my journey of finding my worth and daring to dream again. Resources Mentioned The Imposter Syndrome My Coaching School: Christian Coach Institute Episode 10: Laying Aside Sexual Sin The Journey Together Summit by Kelly Balarie  The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey  Want to contact me?  Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Facebook Email me at danielle@unashamedandfree.com