Episode 317: Finding Peace in the Holiday Season with Erin Kerry

Amber Ginter Johnson is a teacher-turned-author, speaker, and Master Certified Christian Mental Health Coach. She’s passionate about helping young adults navigate faith and mental health by providing practical yet biblical resources through honest and raw conversations. Amber equips audiences to find hope when life feels heavy. She is the host of the Authentically Amber podcast, and her first book, Tired on the Inside: Finding Hope When You Aren’t Okay, is in the process of traditional publication. Key Topics: - Amber’s personal passion for mental health - Statistics of mental health issues in Gen Z and Gen Alpha - The problem with mental health awareness without resources - The struggles Gen Z and Gen Alpha face with mental health today - The intersection of faith and mental health - The issue with overstimulation - How Jesus’ question “do you want to be well?” Is one for us all Explore her free faith and mental health resources at amberginter.com/gift. Follow her on Instagram at @amberginterauthor. Join her Mental Reset Retreat in June 2026 at https://amberginter.com/mentalreset/ Join Erin’s monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup Order Erin’s new book, Live Beyond Your Label, at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook/

In this solo episode, host Erin Kerry brings listeners a replay from two years ago: a special message on how to find calm during the chaos of the holiday season. This message combines science, Scripture, and Erin's practical coaching tips to bring much needed supportive tools during what can often be a stressful time. Key Topics: - Understanding the body's response to real or perceived stress - Three takeaways from Scripture that everyone can utilize to support their stress response this season - A practical strategy to take captive every thought and rewire the brain - Bonus resources and tools that can help bring stress relief in the holiday season. FREE downloads mentioned in the episode: A Guide to Stress-Busting Nutrients https://mailchi.mp/5bf7e5c21f62/stress-busting-nutrition-guide Seven Days to a Sound Mind Scriptural Devotional: https://mailchi.mp/2ae95e4952b9/7-days-to-a-sound-mind-meditation-ebook

Dr. Tabatha Barber, known as The Gutsy Gynecologist, has dedicated her life to giving women a voice and a choice when it comes to their health and well-being. Overcoming struggles as a young girl, including self-esteem challenges and the hurdles of being a high school dropout and teenage mother, she emerged as a successful physician through faith and perseverance. Her unwavering commitment to women's health is evident through her triple board certifications in obstetrics and gynecology, menopause, and functional medicine. Dr. Barber's new bestselling book, Fast to Faith, teaches women how to incorporate intermittent fasting and faith into their lives. Key Topics: - Dr. Barber’s personal story of teen pregnancy and medical trauma - How functional medicine gives women a voice and a choice to advocate for their health - The role of sugar on women’s health today - Fascinating insights on the body’s ability to heal, if given the right tools for support - The real reason you’re gaining weight - Estrogen dominance and its impact on your health - How stress causes weight gain Get Dr. Barber’s book and learn more at fasttofaith.com and DrTabatha.com. Listen to her show, The Gutsy Gynecologist, and follow her on social media at @thegutsygynecologist Join Erin’s monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup Order Erin’s new book, Live Beyond Your Label, at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook/ Buy Erin’s recipe book, co-written by pediatrician Dr. Alina Olteanu here: https://a.co/d/ateoVxx

Scarlet Hiltibidal is the author of “Afraid ofAll the Things,” “You’re the Worst Person in the World,” “He Numbered the Pores on My Face,” and the “Anxious and Ashamed” Bible studies. She writes regularly for ParentLife Magazine, HomeLife Magazine, and She Reads Truth. Scarlet enjoys speaking to women around the country about the freedom and rest available in Jesus. She loves hanging out with her husband and four kids, eating nachos by herself, writing for her friends, and studying stand-up comedy with a passion that should be reserved for more important pursuits. Her new book “Hopeful-ish” is available now. Key Topics: - Background to her book title, “Hopeful-ish” - How the gospel speaks to sadness - Hope found in the concept of Jesus being “fully God and fully man” - Scarlet’s pillow nest and need for comfort during difficult seasons - How to practice spiritual disciplines and keep showing up when you don’t want to - The role of community in finding hope - Where to start reading your Bible when you’re not feeling hopeful - Navigating grief during the holiday season Learn more about Scarlet at her website https://www.scarlethiltibidal.com/ and on Instagram @scarlethiltibidal. You can grab all four of her books for only $30 here: https://www.lifeway.com/en/contributors/scarlet-hiltibidal Join Erin’s monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup Order Erin’s new book, Live Beyond Your Label, at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook/ Buy Erin’s recipe book, co-written by pediatrician Dr. Alina Olteanu here: https://a.co/d/ateoVxx

This popular episode replay features Dr. David H. Rosmarin, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, a program director at McLean Hospital, and founder of Center for Anxiety, which services over 1,000 patients/year in multiple states. He is an international expert on spirituality and mental health, whose work has been featured in Scientific American, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. Through his work as a clinical psychologist, scientist, educator and author, Dr. Rosmarin has helped thousands of patients and organizations to live happier and more productive lives. His most recent book is Thriving with Anxiety: 9 Tools to Make Your Anxiety Work for You Key Topics: - The current anxiety epidemic and what is causing it - Anxiety as a stepping stone to connection - How fear is a natural alert - How anxiety makes us connect to others better - The difference between stress and anxiety - How anxiety enhances spirituality - Hope for the person who’s drowning in anxiety - The least known contributor to anxiety Learn more about Dr. Rosmarin and get his book at drrosmarin.com and centerforanxiety.org. Join Erin’s monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup Order Erin’s new book, Live Beyond Your Label, at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook/ Buy Erin’s recipe book, co-written by pediatrician Dr. Alina Olteanu here: https://a.co/d/ateoVxx

Ava Pennington is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and teaching leader for Bible Study Fellowship International. She has a master’s from St. John's University and a certification in Adult Bible Studies from Moody Bible Institute. A member of the Christian Authors Network and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, she has also authored Reflections on the Names of God and the complementary Daily Reflections on the Names of God. Ava’s new book Flourish: Grace-Centered Practices to Protect and Grow a Fruitful Life in Christ is available now. Key Topics: - Understanding the fruit of the spirit in light of Ava’s new book - How a performance-based culture can lead to unnecessary stress and spiritual confusion - The importance of starting with surrender - What it means to “cultivate” the fruit of the spirit - The importance of grace being at the center of a fruitful life Learn more about Ava’s work at avapennington.com. Grab her free resources here: https://avapennington.com/free-resources/

In this rerun solo episode, Erin covers the topic of “food as mood,” sharing highlights from her all-new Food as Mood Guide, available below. Key Topics: - The importance of getting raw materials to support mental health - How to increase nutrients in a practical way - The importance of eating hygiene - How blood sugar balance plays a big role in supporting mood health - Ingredients that confuse the body and make it feel unsafe to thrive - Top brain foods for mental health - New AAP warnings against GMOs in kids’ food - Finding hormone balance and what to test for Download the new FREE Food is Mood Guide here:
https://mailchi.mp/055b20577ebc/food-is-mood-guide Grab Erin's new book, Live Beyond Your Label at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook Looking for coaching support? Fill out this form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBahf6Wv677i9tlcF_6uIrfvfPzUmWNjrykpVxGWpKegfWWA/viewform?usp=header

Dr. Kendal Stewart has dedicated his life’s work to uncovering root causes and tailoring individualized solutions through genetic testing, functional medicine, and integrative care. His approach emphasizes prevention as much as treatment, using lifestyle, nutrition, and nervous system support as daily fuel for better brain function. A nationally recognized expert in neuroimmune disorders— including genetic abnormalities, chronic pain, ADD/ADHD and autism spectrum conditions, he provides practical tools to regulate stress, stabilize energy, boost mental clarity, and gain overall wellness. Key Topics: - Definition of neuroimmune syndrome and how it shows interconnectedness in the brain and body - The connection between the nervous system and inflammation and insulin resistance - Auto antibodies to look at with neuroinflammation to understand the cause - How genetic SNPs play a role in neuroimmune dysfunction - The impact of GI inflammation - Individualizing the approach to healing For more info, head to drkendalstewart.com. Listen to his podcast: Coffee with Dr. Stewart Join Erin’s monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup Order Erin’s new book, Live Beyond Your Label, at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook/

Dr. Diana Driscoll, OD, FAAO is a clinical researcher, doctor, and founder of POTS Care, the only clinic focused on uncovering the root causes of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and related autonomic disorders. After becoming severely ill herself and facing years of misdiagnosis, Dr. Driscoll turned her personal struggle into groundbreaking research that now helps patients around the world. She is the President of Genetic Disease Investigators and the creator of Parasym Plus, a patented supplement designed to support vagus nerve function and restore balance to the nervous system. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, and she is the author of The Driscoll Theory and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Your Eyes and EDS. Dr. Driscoll is the Clinical Director of the only clinic dedicated to treating the underlying medical causes of POTS - not just the symptoms Key Topics: - Understanding a POTS diagnosis and what that means for the whole body, not just the heart - How POTS is diagnosed - The mental health impact of a POTS diagnosis - The role of inflammation in these chronic “invisible illnesses” - The role of the vagus nerve in treating POTS - The supplement that can help relieve symptoms of POTS Learn more about Dr. Driscoll’s work with POTS at https://potscare.com/ Get information on her patented supplement for vagus nerve support, Parasym Plus at https://vagusnervesupport.com/ Join Erin’s monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup Order Erin’s new book, Live Beyond Your Label, at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook/

Dr. Aimie Apigian is a double board-certified physician (Preventive/Addiction Medicine) with master's degrees in biochemistry and public health, revolutionizes trauma healing by revealing how our cells—not just our minds—store trauma. Her book "The Biology of Trauma" (foreword by Gabor Maté) transforms our understanding of how the body experiences and holds trauma. After adopting a child during medical school sparked her journey, she developed an integrative science-based sequence for the healing journey. Through her practitioner training, podcast, YouTube channel, and international speaking, she bridges functional medicine, attachment and trauma therapy, proving that repairing trauma's impact on the mind, body and biology is possible. Key Topics: - Understanding a biology-based approach to trauma - How trauma and stress are experienced differently by our physiology - The five steps of a physiological trauma response - The way modern medicine fails to put the puzzle pieces together - How to support the biology of trauma and find healing - Survival mechanisms that show the body is protecting you through a trauma response Grab her bestselling book at biologyoftrauma.com/book now! Join Erin’s monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup Order Erin’s new book, Live Beyond Your Label, at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook/