Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast

When was the last time you planned something simply because it would make you smile?

So many women spend the summer making memories for everyone else while quietly putting their own joy on hold. But what if creating just one thing to look forward to could actually lower your stress and help you experience more peace?

In this first episode of the Summer Soul Glow Up series, Bonnie shares a personal story about discovering how making room for joy changed the emotional atmosphere she created for her family. As she prepares for ankle surgery this summer, Bonnie reflects on how choosing delight—even in a difficult season—has become a sacred act of soul care.

Through Scripture and the science of anticipatory joy, you'll discover why looking forward to something meaningful can renew hope, calm your nervous system, and remind you that your joy matters to God.

If you've been putting yourself last, feeling emotionally drained, or wondering how to find joy in the middle of a difficult season, this episode will encourage you to make room for delight again, one small moment at a time.

Key Takeaways

— Why planning something joyful can lower stress and increase hope

— The science of anticipatory joy and how dopamine supports emotional wellness

— Why your emotional presence becomes someone else's emotional memory

— How making room for your own joy blesses the people you love

— A simple soul care practice to help you create your own Summer Glow List

— Why God delights when you delight in the gifts He's given you

Breath Prayer

Inhale: Delight yourself in the Lord...

Exhale: And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Scripture

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." — Psalm 37:4
Key Takeaways
— Why our minds naturally focus on worst-case scenarios
— The difference between fear's what-ifs and faith's perspective
— How Jesus comforts us in seasons of uncertainty
— What to notice to calm an anxious heart
— The science of negativity bias and emotional wellness
— A simple soul care practice to help you move from fear to faith
Breath Prayer
Inhale: This is the way
Exhale: Walk in it
Scripture
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" Isaiah 30:21

→ Join Bonnie on Instagram @thebonniegray
→ Free Devotional Gift
Download your free devotional: Bonnie’s FREE “Find Your Joy with Jesus: A 4-Day Devotional.”
https://thebonniegray.com/findyourjoydevotional/
Prioritize self-care the Jesus way and experience rest, renewal, and encouragement for your soul.
Take Bonnie's Soul Care Courses:
Breathe Joy with Jesus:
Create Happy Wellness Rhythms to Cultivate Joy with God's Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/
→ Eucalyptus Shower Steamers for instant calm at Bonnie's Soul Care Store
Watch YouTube Devotionals:
https://youtube.com/thebonniegray

Bestselling Books by Bonnie:
https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do your thoughts ever get stuck in a cycle of what-ifs? What if something goes wrong? What if things don't work out?
What if I'm not ready for what's ahead?
In this episode, Bonnie shares a personal story about preparing for surgery and the unexpected moment that reminded her she wasn't walking through the valley alone. Through scripture & science of negativity bias, you'll discover why our minds naturally focus on fear—and a simple soul care practice that can help you shift your attention from the shadows to the Shepherd.
If you're facing uncertainty, waiting for answers, navigating a health challenge, or feeling overwhelmed by what-ifs, this episode will encourage you to move from fear to faith—one step at a time.
Key Takeaways
— Why our minds naturally focus on worst-case scenarios
— The difference between fear's what-ifs and faith's perspective
— How Jesus comforts us in seasons of uncertainty
— What to notice to calm an anxious heart
— The science of negativity bias and emotional wellness
— A simple soul care practice to help you move from fear to faith
Breath Prayer
Inhale: This is the way
Exhale: Walk in it
Scripture
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" Isaiah 30:21
→ Free Devotional Gift
Download your free devotional: Bonnie’s FREE “Find Your Joy with Jesus: A 4-Day Devotional.”
https://thebonniegray.com/findyourjoydevotional/
Prioritize self-care the Jesus way and experience rest, renewal, and encouragement for your soul.
Take Bonnie's Soul Care Courses:
Breathe Joy with Jesus:
Create Happy Wellness Rhythms to Cultivate Joy with God's Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/
→ Eucalyptus Shower Steamers for instant calm at Bonnie's Soul Care Store
Watch YouTube Devotionals:
https://youtube.com/thebonniegray

Bestselling Books by Bonnie:
https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever felt like you signed up for one thing... only to find yourself on a completely different path?
Maybe you thought a challenge would last a few weeks, but it turned into months. Maybe you expected life to move in one direction, and suddenly everything changed.
In this episode, Bonnie shares a remarkable story about a race that went unexpectedly off course—and the surprising lesson it taught her about trusting God through uncertainty. You'll learn one of the most important keys to emotional wellness and resilience during difficult seasons based on research in psychology—and it may surprise you.
If you're facing a setback, disappointment, delay, health challenge, or season of unexpected change, this episode will encourage you to keep moving forward with Jesus one step at a time.

Key Takeaways

— What to do when life doesn't go according to plan
— Why unexpected detours don't mean you're on the wrong path
— How to keep moving forward when a challenge lasts longer than expected
— The difference between resilience and simply trying harder
— Why support and connection are essential for emotional wellness
— How asking for prayer can strengthen you during difficult seasons
— A simple soul care practice to help you stop running alone

Breath Prayer
Inhale: Let us run with endurance
Exhale: Looking to Jesus

Scripture
"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith." Hebrews 12:1–2

→ CNN: "9-year-old accidentally won a 10K race"
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/01/us/runner-misses-turn-wins-race-trnd
→ Free Devotional Gift
Download your free devotional: Bonnie’s FREE “Find Your Joy with Jesus: A 4-Day Devotional.”
https://thebonniegray.com/findyourjoydevotional/
Prioritize self-care the Jesus way and experience rest, renewal, and encouragement for your soul.
→ Take Bonnie's Soul Care Courses:
Breathe Joy with Jesus:
Create Happy Wellness Rhythms to Cultivate Joy with God's Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/
→ Eucalyptus Shower Steamers for instant calm at Bonnie's Soul Care Store
Watch YouTube Devotionals:
https://youtube.com/thebonniegray

Bestselling Books by Bonnie:
https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever found yourself waiting for one more sign from God?
One more confirmation? One more reassurance? One more reason to feel certain before moving forward.

In this episode, Bonnie shares a deeply personal story about one of the hardest decisions she's made in recent years and a surprising discovery about finding peace rather than more answers.

You'll discover why indecision can quietly drain your emotional energy and why letting go of even something beautiful may sometimes be part of stepping into a new season with Jesus.

If you've been wrestling with a decision, waiting for more confirmation, or feeling stuck between staying and moving forward, this episode will encourage you to trust God's leading and find peace in the next step.

Key Takeaways
— Why indecision can quietly drain your emotional energy
— The difference between having peace in your mind and experiencing peace in your soul
— How to recognize when God may be inviting you to take a step of faith
— What Isaiah 43 teaches us about God's new work in our lives
— The psychology of "flow" and why losing track of time can be a sign of greater wellbeing
— A simple soul care practice to help you create space for peace

Breath Prayer
Inhale: See, I am doing a new thing
Exhale: Do you not perceive it?

Scripture
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19

→ Free Devotional Gift
Download your free devotional: Bonnie’s FREE “Find Your Joy with Jesus: A 4-Day Devotional.”
https://thebonniegray.com/findyourjoydevotional/

Prioritize self-care the Jesus way and experience rest, renewal, and encouragement for your soul.
→ Take Bonnie's Soul Care Courses:
Breathe Joy with Jesus:
Create Happy Wellness Rhythms to Cultivate Joy with God's Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/
Take the FREE Soul Care Quiz at soulcarequiz.comGet your personal wellness assessment and learn which area of soul care you need most.
→ Eucalyptus Shower Steamers for instant calm at Bonnie's Soul Care Store
Join the Soul Care Newsletter:
https://thebonniegray.com/subscribe

Watch YouTube Devotionals:
https://youtube.com/thebonniegray

Bestselling Books by Bonnie:
https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you know God loves you… but somehow you don’t always feel it?
You know you’re valuable to God. Yet when it’s time to set boundaries, pursue what brings you joy, take care of yourself, or believe your needs matter, you hesitate. Why?
In this episode, Bonnie explores why knowing the truth in your head isn’t always enough to change how you feel about yourself. Through personal story, the power of labels, and scripture, you’ll discover how self-doubt often grows from identities we’ve accepted that were never meant to define us.
You’ll learn how God reshapes your identity, why self-affirmation research matters, and a simple soul care practice to live with more confidence.
If you’ve ever struggled to feel confident, worthy, beautiful, or enough, this episode will help you.
Key Takeaways
- Why knowing God loves you isn’t always the same as feeling loved
- How labels shape self-doubt and confidence
- Why God renames people throughout Scripture
- What science says about self-affirmation and emotional resilience
- How embracing God’s delight can transform your wellness - A practical exercise to help you break free of self-doubt & experience your God-given identity
Breath Prayer
Inhale: You will be called My Delight
Exhale: The Lord delights in you
Scripture
“You will no longer be called Forsaken…but you will be called My Delight…for the Lord delights in you.” Isaiah 62:4
“To him who overcomes…I will give him a white stone and a new name written on the stone.” Rev 2:17

→ 🎁 Free Devotional Gift
✨ Download your free devotional: Bonnie’s FREE “Find Your Joy with Jesus: A 4-Day Devotional.”
https://thebonniegray.com/findyourjoydevotional/
Prioritize self-care the Jesus way and experience rest, renewal, and encouragement for your soul.

→ Take Bonnie's Soul Care Courses:
✨ Breathe Joy with Jesus:
Create Happy Wellness Rhythms to Cultivate Joy with God's Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/
✨ Breathe Rest with Jesus:
A Loving Course to Create Wellness Rhythms of Peace with God’s Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-breatherest/
✨ Praying the Psalms for Wellness:
A Lifegiving 8-Week Wellness Course to Release Stress, Renew Peace & Find Rest for Your Heart
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-prayingpsalms/
✅ Take the FREE Soul Care Quiz at soulcarequiz.com
Get your personal wellness assessment and learn which area of soul care you need most.
🛍️ → Eucalyptus Shower Steamers for instant calm at Bonnie's Soul Care Store
💌 Join the Soul Care Newsletter:
https://thebonniegray.com/subscribe
🎥 Watch YouTube Devotionals:
https://youtube.com/thebonniegray
📚 Bestselling Books by Bonnie:
https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.