Soul Sense with Mark Verkler, LMFT

In this episode of Soul Sense, Mark Verkler sits down with author, coach, and teacher Tony Stoltzfus to explore how God transforms us through relationship with Jesus—not just through discipline, effort, or trying harder.Tony shares his journey from being driven by self-discipline and performance to discovering the freedom of grace, learning to encounter Jesus in the middle of suffering, and finding a deeper way to read Script...

What if the things you thought were flaws, failures, or weaknesses were actually wounds that needed healing?In this episode of Soul Sense, Mark sits down with Danielle Bernock, trauma-informed coach, author, and founder of 4F Media, to talk about her journey from surviving deep childhood trauma to discovering healing, identity, and connection.Danielle shares how she spent years carrying trauma without having language for it, how di...

In this powerful episode of Soul Sense, Mark sits down with author, speaker, and certified life coach Mia Godfrey to discuss a remarkable journey of faith, grief, resilience, and purpose.

Raised under communist rule in Romania as the youngest of ten children, Mia shares her experiences with poverty, addiction, immigration, widowhood, caregiving, and profound loss. After losing her first husband unexpectedly and later caring for her...

Marit Welker, certified life coach and podcaster from Boise, Idaho, joins Soul Sense to talk about adult child estrangement, a problem affecting millions of families that almost nobody talks about openly. Marit shares her own story on both sides of estrangement, as a daughter who went low contact with a parent and as a mother who experienced full estrangement from her child. She walks through the difference between low contact and ...

From rock star dreams to church planter to pastoral burnout — Dustin Kleinschmidt's story is one most ministry leaders won't say out loud but desperately need to hear.After 25 years in ministry, Dustin resigned from leading a church through a moral failure crisis, expecting relief. Instead he got his first anxiety attack, a spiral into depression, and a moment on his 50th birthday when he told his wife he didn't know if he wa...

If you've ever felt like you're failing your ADHD child, this episode is for you.

Dr. Amy Moore is a cognitive psychologist, neuroplasticity researcher, and mom with ADHD who has spent 30 years working with neurodivergent kids and families. She joins us to break down what's actually happening in the ADHD brain, why emotional meltdowns are not defiance, and what parents can do differently starting today.

We cover why attention is not ...

In this foundational episode of our addiction series, we sit down with addiction expert Carolyn Dunegan, LCDC, to explore what addiction really is, why it’s so rooted in shame and isolation, and what true recovery actually requires.This conversation goes far beyond substances alone. We discuss the deeper emotional and spiritual dynamics underneath addiction, including secrecy, self-deception, ego, shame, control, and the stru...

Licensed Professional Counselor and Perinatal Mental Health Specialist Emma Donaldson joins Mark to have an honest conversation about what really happens to a mother's mind, body, and faith after having a baby. From the hormonal crash after birth to postpartum OCD, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and the shame that keeps so many moms silent — this episode covers what most doctors, churches, and even therapists miss.If you've eve...

What are emotions actually trying to tell us?In this episode of the Soul Sense Podcast, Mark explores the idea of the 5 Soul Senses — mad, sad, bad, glad, and scared — and how our emotions are designed to inform us, not control us.You’ll learn:• Why emotions are gifts from God• The “high road” and “low road” of each emotion• How bitterness, shame, fear, and self-pity can become spiritual st...

From New Age celebrity to devoted follower of Christ — Doreen Virtue spent 26 years as one of the most recognized voices in the New Age movement, appearing on Oprah, The View, CNN, and Donahue, with books published in 38 languages. Then, at age 59, everything changed.In this powerful episode of the Soul Sense Podcast, Doreen shares her remarkable conversion story — from a fifth-generation Christian Scientist turned New ...

Why does God allow suffering? And what do you do when He feels completely silent?In this powerful episode of the Soul Sense Podcast, we sit down with author, speaker, and minister Autumn Miles to talk about her new book Holy Ghosted—a deep dive into the often-avoided Book of Job.Autumn shares raw, personal stories of walking through pain, unanswered prayers, and moments where God seemed absent. Together, we explore one of the...

Join us on this episode of the Soul Sense Podcast from Samaritan’s Well as we welcome back Healey Ikerd, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Healy shares practical insights on building strong, faith-centered marriages, navigating communication challenges, trust, forgiveness, and cultivating joy even in difficult seasons.✨ Resources & Li...

What actually happens in the brain when we experience trauma? And how can we truly “take every thought captive” when painful memories and emotions feel overwhelming?In this episode of the Soul Sense Podcast, Mark welcomes back Dr. Angela Deulen, professor of psychology at California Baptist University, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed professional clinical counselor, and Christian author. Together they e...

What if guilt and shame aren't part of who you really are?In this episode, Bible teacher and prison ministry volunteer James Early shares powerful stories from over 18 years of leading weekly Bible studies at a federal correctional institution — and what he's learned about guilt, shame, identity, and spiritual transformation along the way.James shares the story of a woman who came to his Bible study broken, medicated, estrang...

Dr. Larry Brant — 17-year Navy chaplain, combat veteran, and author — joins the SoulSense podcast to unpack one of the most misunderstood wounds people carry: moral injury. It's not the same as PTSD. It's the place where guilt and shame go so deep that a person believes they are beyond love and beyond forgiveness.Dr. Brant draws from his deployment with Marines in Afghanistan, his work as an ICU chaplain during COVID, a...

Most workplace problems aren't attitude problems — they're trauma responses nobody taught you to recognize. Dr. Melanie Gray, PhD, RN and trauma-informed leadership consultant, joins us to break down why your team's behavior makes more sense than you think, and what leaders can do about it.In this episode we cover:

• What trauma-informed care actually means in a workplace setting
• Why leaders have to examine their own triggers...

What if your sleepless nights weren't something to fight — but an invitation to connect with God?In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Benjamin Long, a dual board-certified sleep medicine physician and pediatrician, to explore the science and spirituality of sleep. Dr. Ben walks us through his "Sleepless Night Rules," the surprising connection between REM sleep and mental health, why you are not a machine, and how the Christi...

In this episode, we sit down with legendary musician and arranger Fletch Wiley to hear his incredible journey from drug addiction to redemption through Christ. Fletch shares stories from his remarkable career working with icons like Andre Crouch, Diana Ross, and Doc Severinsen, starting from his days at UNT's famous One O'Clock Lab Band.From getting saved in a Tulsa hotel room in 1971 to traveling the world sharing the gospel throu...

What if the key to a stronger relationship isn't avoiding conflict—but learning how to do it right?In this episode, licensed marriage and family therapist Lisa Gray shares game-changing insights from her 20+ years working with high-conflict couples and those navigating chronic illness. Lisa breaks down why most couples fail at conflict (hint: it's all about timing), introduces her powerful three-step process for healthy disag...