LATEST EMERGE STRONGER EPISODES
Your Journey Starts Here
Ep. 19- 5 Things You Can Do Today to Reignite Motivation
If you’ve been feeling stuck, unmotivated, or calling yourself lazy lately, this episode is for you. Because what appears to be laziness is often something deeper: exhaustion, grief, depression, or emotional burnout.
In today’s episode of Emerge Stronger, we’re breaking the shame cycle and giving you 5 simple, actionable things you can do today to start building motivation, confidence, and momentum again, one small promise to yourself at a time.
Remember: you are not lazy. You are healing. And small steps matter. Tune in and take your next step toward hope, energy, and freedom.
Ep. 18 From Rock Bottom to Redemption: Ren’s Story of Addiction, Secrets, and Grace
In this deeply vulnerable episode, Melody sits down with Ren Bester, a former worship leader, musician, and ministry leader whose secret life of addiction, affairs, and self-destruction nearly cost him everything.
Ren shares his journey from performing on global stages to spiraling into drug use, deceit, and brokenness, and ultimately the night he planned to end his life. But what followed was nothing short of miraculous: full confession, radical grace, and complete freedom.
Together, they unpack what it means to be truly free, the power of transparency, the role of identity in addiction, and the faithful love of God (and one remarkable wife) that helped rebuild his life.
This episode is for anyone hiding in shame, supporting a loved one in addiction, or needing hope that true transformation is possible.
Ep. 17 Managing Triggers with Awareness and Grace
In this episode of Emerge Stronger, Sonia Thalman unpacks the truth about emotional triggers. what they are, where they come from, and how to manage them with intention and compassion. From personal stories to practical strategies like breathwork, pausing before reacting, and the H.E.A.L. framework, you'll walk away with tools to help you grow instead of stay stuck. Being triggered doesn’t mean you’re broken, it means there’s something deeper worth exploring. Tune in and learn how to respond from a place of awareness, not reactivity.
Download our FREE H.E.A.L Framework pdf here.
Ep. 16 Don’t Let the Label Limit You: Using Self-Awareness to Grow, Not Stay Stuck
In this episode of Emerge Stronger, Sonia Thalman and Melody Oseguera dive into an all-too-common trap: using personality or attachment labels as excuses instead of launching pads for growth. Whether it’s “I’m just anxious avoidant” or “That’s just my personality type,” these statements can quickly become crutches that keep us stuck instead of helping us heal. Together, we unpack how to move through the cycle of competency, from awareness to actual change, and how true transformation happens when we stop blaming our wiring and start taking ownership. Plus, hear real coaching insights on building emotional intelligence, owning your part, and creating space for connection, even when the other person isn’t growing with you.
Check out our Emotional Intelligence Growth Guide at https://itsnotover.net/shop/ and start shifting from stuck to stronger today. To learn more about the 4 Competencies, click here.
Ep. 15 Letting Go of Control: Finding Freedom in Acceptance with Adele Bester
In this powerful episode of Emerge Stronger, Melody sits down with Adele Buster for a deeply honest conversation about the struggle with control—how it forms, how it damages relationships, and how healing begins. Adele vulnerably shares her personal journey of realizing just how controlling she had become, how fear was at the root of it all, and the moment everything began to change.
Together, they unpack the difference between influence and control, the freedom that comes with surrender, and how learning to accept others (and ourselves) can open the door to genuine love and connection.
Whether you're a recovering control freak, raised by one, or loving someone who struggles with it, this episode offers practical tools, spiritual insight, and real hope for change.
Ep. 14 Boundaries, Not Blocklists: The Truth About Cutting People Out
In this honest and deeply personal episode of Emerge Stronger, all four hosts: Sonia, Erin, Melody, and Priscilla—come together for a raw conversation about something many of us have considered: cutting people out of our lives.
Is it ever the right move? How do you know when to set boundaries versus when to walk away? And what does healing, forgiveness, and emotional maturity really look like in relationships?
Together, the hosts share stories of family tension, painful triggers, hard conversations, and the generational patterns they've had to break. They also explore the difference between protecting your peace and avoiding growth, and why reconciliation, when safe and possible, can lead to deeper, more meaningful connection.
If you've ever been hurt, tempted to shut someone out, or unsure how to move forward with someone in your life, this episode offers compassion, clarity, and practical wisdom for navigating it all.
Ep. 13 Embracing the Transition to Adult Children and Empty Nesting with Rhonda Velez
EMERGE STRONGER PARENTING SERIES -
In this episode of Emerge Stronger, I sit down with Rhonda Velez, a coach who specializes in helping women find their calling and purpose through their stories. We dive into the challenging yet rewarding transition of parenting adult children and the dynamics of becoming empty nesters.
Rhonda shares insights on respecting boundaries with your grown kids, offering them guidance without overstepping, and the emotional shifts that come with having adult children who are no longer under your roof. We also explore how this transition impacts marriages and how couples can reconnect during this new season of life. Rhonda’s heartfelt experiences and wisdom provide invaluable advice for parents and couples alike.
Ep. 12 Parenting with Purpose: Coaching Your Adolescent to Adulthood with Dr. Karmen Payne
EMERGE STRONGER PARENTING SERIES -
In this episode of Emerge Stronger, host Melody and co-host Karmen sit down with Dr. Karmen Payne, a faith-based mental health specialist, clinical chaplain, and educator, to explore how parents can coach their adolescents through life’s transitions. Drawing from her extensive experience working in mental health, prisons, and rehabilitation centers, as well as her own personal journey as a mother and grandmother, Dr. Payne shares practical strategies for setting boundaries, fostering resilience, and parenting with wisdom, without giving in to guilt or emotional manipulation.
If you're seeking biblically rooted, trauma-informed wisdom to navigate the challenges of parenting adolescents, this episode is for you.
Ep. 11 Parenting a Neurodivergent Child: Understanding, Advocating, and Thriving
EMERGE STRONGER PARENTING SERIES - Raising a neurodivergent child comes with unique challenges, but it also brings incredible growth, learning, and connection. In this episode of Emerge Stronger, Sonia Thalman sits down with Melissa Long, a coach with It’s Not Over, a school nurse, a wife, and a mother of four, including a neurodivergent child. Melissa shares her deeply personal journey, from recognizing early signs of ADHD in her son to navigating the medical system, advocating for his needs, and shifting her parenting approach. She opens up about the misconceptions surrounding neurodivergence, the importance of understanding your child’s perspective, and how parents can create a supportive and empowering environment.
If you're a parent navigating similar struggles, or simply want to better understand and support neurodivergent individuals in your community, this conversation is filled with insights, encouragement, and practical advice.