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

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

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

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

00:00 Welcome to the Grace Cycle Show

00:55 Exploring the Concept of Shalom

02:01 God's Grace in Difficult Seasons

03:32 Beauty from Ashes: Lessons from Nature

04:49 Embracing Wholeness and Restoration

05:36 The Christmas Season and Jesus' Sacrifice

06:55 Encouragement and Stories of Grace

07:56 Looking Ahead to Season Three

08:59 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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

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

Connect with Nancy Mitchell on Instagram @lifeof_puresilliness

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

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

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

Perfect for:

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

00:00 Welcome to the Grace Cycle Show

00:53 Special Interview with Nancy Mitchell

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

03:42 A Mother's Struggle and Faith

13:46 Encouragement for Other Parents

21:09 Supporting Dysregulated Kids

22:03 The Importance of Positive Reinforcement for Kids

24:15 Balancing Life and Writing a Book

25:04 Finding Faith in Difficult Times

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

32:29 A Conversation with a Former Believer

36:35 The Power of Faith and Overcoming Doubt

39:53 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Visit https://fruitofgratitude.com for your copy of The Fruit of Gratitude

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

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

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

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

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

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

Perfect for:

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

00:00 Welcome to the Grace Cycle Show

00:52 Interview with Pastor Jenn Dafoe Turner

02:10 Jenn's Story of Overcoming Challenges

05:00 The Healing Process and Finding New Purpose

18:26 Embracing a New Pastoral Role

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

29:08 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Visit https://fruitofgratitude.com for your copy of The Fruit of Gratitude

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

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

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

Wendy’s links: Authorwendybower.com

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

Instagram: @Wendy_Bower_AZ

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

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

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

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

Perfect for listeners who are:

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

Visit https://fruitofgratitude.com for your copy of The Fruit of Gratitude

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

Psalm 34:8 says "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."
This guided meditation will help you discover practically how you can take refuge in and with Jesus.

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

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

Find Stacy Schaffer and her book With Love from a Children’s Therapist at authorstacyschaffer.com

In this episode of The Grace Cycle Show, host Karen Dittman sits down with licensed professional counselor Stacy Schaeffer for a heartfelt conversation about grief, healing, and the transformative power of God’s grace.

Stacy shares her journey from growing up in an agnostic home to discovering faith through Young Life, and how her mother’s battle with breast cancer and her own experiences with trauma shaped her calling as a therapist. She offers deep insights into the importance of community, faith, and personal healing—especially for those who support children through difficult emotions.

Stacy also introduces her book, With Love from a Children’s Therapist, offering parents and caregivers practical tools for nurturing children’s mental and emotional well-being.

Together, Karen and Stacy explore why doing our own inner work is essential to caring for others and how small acts of presence can offer profound healing—especially during the holiday season. Listeners are encouraged to extend grace, compassion, and love to those around them.

Perfect for listeners who are:

• Navigating grief, trauma, or emotional overwhelm
• Parenting children with big emotions or mental health needs
• Seeking faith-based guidance for healing
• Wanting to better support others during the holidays
• Interested in Christian counseling insights

00:00 Welcome to the Grace Cycle Show

00:29 Introducing the Hamster Wheel Quiz

00:52 Interview with Stacy Schaffer

01:50 Stacy's Journey to Faith

04:56 The Impact of Community and Faith

07:32 Overcoming Trauma and Finding Support

20:34 Insights from Stacy's Book

31:12 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Visit https://fruitofgratitude.com for your copy of The Fruit of Gratitude

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

This 7 minute devotional will help you look at your circumstances in a fresh way and look to Jesus, seeking what he says to you.

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

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

Find Sandra Currie at www.loveshealinggrace.com

In this episode of The Grace Cycle Show, host Karen Dittman welcomes licensed marriage and family counselor Sandra Currie for an inspiring and deeply honest conversation about redemption, forgiveness, and God’s healing grace in her broken marriage.

Sandra shares her powerful personal story of discovering her husband’s affair just before the COVID-19 pandemic—and how, through God’s grace, counseling, and hard work, their marriage was not only restored but strengthened.

Listeners will gain practical wisdom on rebuilding trust, the importance of community support, reflective listening, and relying on God’s guidance through heartbreak and healing. Sandra also discusses her calling to marriage ministry, lessons from her counseling practice, and her upcoming book that offers encouragement for couples facing relational struggles.

This heartfelt conversation offers hope, healing, and real tools for anyone navigating marital pain or seeking to restore emotional connection through faith.

Perfect for listeners who are:

• Struggling with infidelity, betrayal, or broken trust
• Seeking hope for marriage restoration through God’s grace
• Looking for faith-based relationship advice from a counselor
• Wanting to strengthen communication and connection with their spouse

00:00 Welcome to the Grace Cycle Show

00:46 Introducing Today's Guest: Sandra Currie

01:53 Sandra's Story: Overcoming Betrayal

04:05 The Healing Journey Begins

12:29 Finding Community and Support

16:39 Celebrate Recovery: A Path to Healing

21:20 Love's Healing Grace: Helping Other Couples

33:32 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Visit https://fruitofgratitude.com for your copy of The Fruit of Gratitude

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