Episode Summary: 

Have you ever felt like stress is living inside your body, no matter how much you pray, rest, or try to stay positive? For so many people, stress isn't just emotional or mental. It's actually deeply embedded in the nervous system, shaping how we respond, react, and even relate to God and others.

In today's episode, we're diving into why stress becomes chronic, how emotional and relational stress can quietly accumulate over time, and what it looks like to heal rather than simply cope. We'll explore why willpower isn't enough, how the body remembers stress even when the mind wants to move on, and how a compassionate, faith-informed approach can lead to lasting freedom.

This conversation is especially for you who feel overwhelmed, emotionally depleted, or stuck in survival mode, yet long for peace that feels real, sustainable, and aligned with how God designed us to live. In this episode of your Hope Filled Perspective, we will talk about how to improve your gut health to support your emotional health.

 

Quotables from the episode:
Stress is no longer just a lifestyle issue. It's a whole person issue affecting the brain, body, emotions, and spiritual well-being. Many people try to manage stress by changing their schedules, their diets, or their thinking patterns. Yet they still feel stuck in exhaustion, anxiety, and overwhelm. What if the real key to healing stress isn't found outside of us, but within.
The gut brain connection is also called your HPA axis. It is that two way highway between your brain and your gut.
When we are in that state of chronic stress, it can be caused by external factors like a really intense job. It can be caused by internal factors like a poor diet, inflammation, things like that.
Why is healing the gut so essential for healing stress from the inside out? When you're healing your gut, you're helping to heal that inflammation internally, which then allows your body to go into that rest and digest state so that you're absorbing your nutrients, you're actually getting the vitamins, the minerals that your body needs to fully function.
I think that's one thing that people really don't understand is that nutrition absolutely plays a big role in helping regulate cortisol, helping it stay normal and level.
I like to tell people, pick one thing, just one small thing. Do that for two weeks. And if you can do that for two weeks, then you know you found something that works for you.
How can faith-based practices support gut health and emotional healing?  When we do faith-based practices like prayer or meditation, it is actually activating our parasympathetic nervous system. It's activating that rest and digest system. It triggers the vagus nerve. The Lord built that in to naturally happen when we pray, when we meditate.
When I finally came awake spiritually again, I started to realize what the word says about my identity in Christ. It was a slow undoing of the lies that I had been telling myself to reclaiming that truth that in Christ that he tells us our identity is in him.
The beauty of neuroplasticity is that God created our minds and our bodies to change.
Proverbs 14:30 that says, "A heart at peace gives life to the body.” You too can heal your gut and heal from the inside out. 

 

Scripture References:
3 John 1:2 “I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well."
Proverbs 14:30 "A heart at peace gives life to the body.”

 

Recommended Resources: 
Heal Your Stress from the Inside Out by Holly Andrews


Abundantly Well: Bible-based Wisdom for Weight Loss, Increased Energy, and Vibrant Healthby Shemane Nugent
Free Stress-Response Personality Assessment
Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories
YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms
Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals
YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1
YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2
Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference
Revive & Thrive Summit 2
Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1
Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2
Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian  Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.)
YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip
Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide
Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win
Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award
Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue

 

Social Media Links for Host:

Connect with Holly Andrews:

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / LinkedIn / YouTube

For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:

Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple

 

Guest: 

Holly Andrews was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. She holds a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Covenant College and a Master’s in Russian from Middlebury College. Her early career took her overseas to Russia, where she lived for three years before joining the National Security Agency in 2005. Over the next 17 years, Holly rose to an executive leadership role, overseeing cutting-edge technology operations, leading high-profile teams and projects until her departure in 2022.

 

In 2019, a personal health crisis became the unexpected turning point that changed everything. As Holly began to heal physically, she rediscovered a deeper sense of purpose that led her to pursue health coaching. She is now a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and the founder of Andrews Coaching & Transformation, where she helps others reduce stress, restore balance, and reclaim their well-being.

Holly is the author of Heal Your Stress from the Inside Out, a guide to addressing stress through a holistic, root-cause approach. She is passionate about empowering others to transform their health from the inside out.

 

Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson

Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson

 

 

Episode Summary: 
Have you ever felt like stress is living inside your body, no matter how much you pray, rest, or try to stay positive? For so many people, stress isn't just emotional or mental. It's actually deeply embedded in the nervous system, shaping how we respond, react, and even relate to God and others.
In today's episode, we're diving into why stress becomes chronic, how emotional and relational stress can quietly accumulate over time, and what it looks like to heal rather than simply cope. We'll explore why willpower isn't enough, how the body remembers stress even when the mind wants to move on, and how a compassionate, faith-informed approach can lead to lasting freedom.
This conversation is especially for you who feel overwhelmed, emotionally depleted, or stuck in survival mode, yet long for peace that feels real, sustainable, and aligned with how God designed us to live. In this episode of your Hope Filled Perspective, we will talk about how to improve your gut health to support your emotional health.
&nbsp;
Quotables from the episode:
<ul>
<li>Stress is no longer just a lifestyle issue. It's a whole person issue affecting the brain, body, emotions, and spiritual well-being. Many people try to manage stress by changing their schedules, their diets, or their thinking patterns. Yet they still feel stuck in exhaustion, anxiety, and overwhelm. What if the real key to healing stress isn't found outside of us, but within.</li>
<li>The gut brain connection is also called your HPA axis. It is that two way highway between your brain and your gut.</li>
<li>When we are in that state of chronic stress, it can be caused by external factors like a really intense job. It can be caused by internal factors like a poor diet, inflammation, things like that.</li>
<li>Why is healing the gut so essential for healing stress from the inside out? When you're healing your gut, you're helping to heal that inflammation internally, which then allows your body to go into that rest and digest state so that you're absorbing your nutrients, you're actually getting the vitamins, the minerals that your body needs to fully function.</li>
<li>I think that's one thing that people really don't understand is that nutrition absolutely plays a big role in helping regulate cortisol, helping it stay normal and level.</li>
<li>I like to tell people, pick one thing, just one small thing. Do that for two weeks. And if you can do that for two weeks, then you know you found something that works for you.</li>
<li>How can faith-based practices support gut health and emotional healing?&nbsp; When we do faith-based practices like prayer or meditation, it is actually activating our parasympathetic nervous system. It's activating that rest and digest system. It triggers the vagus nerve. The Lord built that in to naturally happen when we pray, when we meditate.</li>
<li>When I finally came awake spiritually again, I started to realize what the word says about my identity in Christ. It was a slow undoing of the lies that I had been telling myself to reclaiming that truth that in Christ that he tells us our identity is in him.</li>
<li>The beauty of neuroplasticity is that God created our minds and our bodies to change.</li>
<li>Proverbs 14:30 that says, "A heart at peace gives life to the body.&rdquo; You too can heal your gut and heal from the inside out.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Scripture References:
<ul>
<li>3 John 1:2 &ldquo;I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well."</li>
<li>Proverbs 14:30 "A heart at peace gives life to the body.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Recommended Resources:&nbsp;
<ul></ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://link.amazon/B0jcQLExF">Heal Your Stress from the Inside Out</a> by Holly Andrews</li>
<li>
<a href="https://amzn.to/4psgqRL">Abundantly Well: Bible-based Wisdom for Weight Loss, Increased Energy, and Vibrant Health</a> by Shemane Nugent
</li>
<li><a href="https://drmichellebengtson.com/srpa/">Free Stress-Response Personality Assessment</a></li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/3b4Tfsi"></a><a href="https://amzn.to/3OpAZgQ">Sacred Scars: Resting in God&rsquo;s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted</a>&nbsp;by Dr. Michelle Bengtson</li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/3sCoqqm">The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms</a> by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader&rsquo;s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories</li>
<li>YouVersion 5-Day Devotional&nbsp;<a href="http://bible.us/r/A57">Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/3twWnXp">Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right</a> by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader&rsquo;s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader&rsquo;s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bible.com/en-GB/reading-plans/31089-today-is-going-to-be-a-good-day">YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1</a></li>
<li><a href="https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/31151-today-is-going-to-be-another-good-day">YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://leanhealthyageless.com/revive-and-thrive-landing-mb/">Revive &amp; Thrive Women&rsquo;s Online Conference</a></li>
<li><a href="https://leanhealthyageless.com/fall-2020-revive-and-thrive-landing/">Revive &amp; Thrive Summit 2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bit.ly/3mJPixb">Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bit.ly/3to2SJc">Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/2ZSTP4N">Breaking Anxiety&rsquo;s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises</a>&nbsp;by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian&nbsp; Writer&rsquo;s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award&rsquo;s Reader&rsquo;s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/16633-breaking-anxietys-grip-by-michelle-bengtson">YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety&rsquo;s Grip</a></li>
<li><a href="https://drmichellebengtson.com/breaking-anxietys-grip-study-guide/">Breaking Anxiety&rsquo;s Grip Free Study Guide</a></li>
<li>Free PDF Resource: <a href="https://drmichellebengtson.com/fight-anxious-fearful-thoughts-download/">How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win</a></li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/2zB0e7J">Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor&rsquo;s Personal Journey Through Depression</a>&nbsp;by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader&rsquo;s Choice Award</li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/2yMdN46">Hope Prevails Bible Study</a>&nbsp;by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader&rsquo;s Choice Award</li>
<li>Free Webinar: <a href="https://drmichellebengtson.com/10-tips-to-beat-the-blues-webinar-replay-sign-up/">Help for When You&rsquo;re Feeling Blue</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Social Media Links for Host:
Connect with Holly Andrews:
<a href="https://hollyandrewscoaching.com/">Website</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hollyandrewscoaching">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hollyandrewscoaching/">Instagram</a> / <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/hollyandrewscoaching/">Pinterest</a> / <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyandrewscoaching/">LinkedIn</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@hollyandrewscoaching">YouTube</a>
For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:
Order Book <a href="https://amzn.to/3OpAZgQ">Sacred Scars</a> / Order Book <a href="https://amzn.to/3sCoqqm">The Hem of His Garment</a> / Order Book <a href="https://amzn.to/3twWnXp">Today is Going to be a Good Day</a> / Order Book &nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2Vvipro">Breaking Anxiety&rsquo;s Grip</a>&nbsp;/ Order Book&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2Vus9SJ">Hope Prevails</a>&nbsp; / &nbsp;<a href="https://www.drmichellebengtson.com/">Website</a>&nbsp; / &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://drmichellebengtson.com/category/blog/">Blog</a>&nbsp; /&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson">Facebook</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;<a href="https://www.twitter.com/DrMBengtson">Twitter</a>&nbsp;(@DrMBengtson) &nbsp;/&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/DrMichelleBengtson">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;/&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/drmichellebengtson">Instagram</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/Drbhopeprevails">Pinterest</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn92DHzGSZk8psDb2FKazOQ">YouTube</a> / <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-hope-filled-perspective-dr-michelle-bengtson-podcast/id1468018011">Podcast on Apple</a>
&nbsp;
Guest: 
Holly Andrews was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. She holds a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Covenant College and a Master&rsquo;s in Russian from Middlebury College. Her early career took her overseas to Russia, where she lived for three years before joining the National Security Agency in 2005. Over the next 17 years, Holly rose to an executive leadership role, overseeing cutting-edge technology operations, leading high-profile teams and projects until her departure in 2022.
&nbsp;
In 2019, a personal health crisis became the unexpected turning point that changed everything. As Holly began to heal physically, she rediscovered a deeper sense of purpose that led her to pursue health coaching. She is now a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and the founder of Andrews Coaching &amp; Transformation, where she helps others reduce stress, restore balance, and reclaim their well-being.
Holly is the author of Heal Your Stress from the Inside Out, a guide to addressing stress through a holistic, root-cause approach. She is passionate about empowering others to transform their health from the inside out.
&nbsp;
Hosted By:&nbsp;Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Your Hope-Filled Perspective draws on Dr. Michelle Bengtson’s almost 3 decades of clinical expertise as a neuropsychologist to help her listeners regain hope, renew their minds, and transform their lives. With a perfect balance of clinical expertise, compassion, and vulnerability, Dr. Bengtson and her guests purpose to share Biblically-based hope-filled perspectives for real-life issues, struggles, and concerns. Voted #2 in 2022's Podcast Magazine's Top 50 Moms in Podcasting.

Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast

Your Hope-Filled Perspective draws on Dr. Michelle Bengtson&rsquo;s almost 3 decades of clinical expertise as a neuropsychologist to help her listeners regain hope, renew their minds, and transform their lives. With a perfect balance of clinical expertise, compassion, and vulnerability, Dr. Bengtson and her guests purpose to share Biblically-based hope-filled perspectives for real-life issues, struggles, and concerns. Voted #2 in 2022's Podcast Magazine's Top 50 Moms in Podcasting.

Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson

How to Improve Your Gut Health to Support Your Emotional Health

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/e7236a0d-f2af-4f2c-9484-b4cf002e1ca8/transcript