Podcast
Heart and Soul Elevation
Hosted by Melissa Holman · EN
Heart & Soul Elevation is where faith meets physiology, scripture meets science, and worn-down women finally breathe again. Hosted by Melissa Holman and Stephanie Pazniokas, this show creates a sacred, straight-talking space for Christian women who are tired of the compartmentalized life and ready to reconnect their spirit, mind, body, and identity in Christ.
Here, we peel back the noise of modern culture - chronic overwhelm, “healthwashing,” broken systems, and the pressure to do it all - and return to what God designed from the beginning: wholeness, wisdom, and peace that starts from the inside out.
Every other Wednesday, you’ll get truth-soaked teaching, real conversations, biblical insight, metabolic and nervous system education, and practical tools that help you live with clarity, strength, and conviction. Think: less striving… more Spirit-led living.
If you’re ready to stop white-knuckling your way through life…
If you’re done settling for exhaustion as your “normal”…
If you know God has MORE for you, but you need guidance, wisdom, and support to step into it…
You belong here.
Let’s make this chapter your best one yet.
Subscribe, listen in, and let your heart and soul rise again.
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Choosing Community Over Constant Crisis
Feb 1800:09:34Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailHeadlines pull at our attention, but our bodies keep asking for a slower rhythm. We open up about leaving the 24/7 outrage cycle for something gentler and far more human: rest, scripture, and neighbors on the porch. A simple story from a Facebook Post - Wi‑Fi out, apple pie offered, an hour of real conversation - becomes a case study in how safety, presence, and small rituals can reset a stressed nervous system.We explore how faith and science complement each other in healing. From Sabbath to heart rate variability, from prayer to the ventral vagal system, we trace how spiritual practices move the body from threat to safety. Crisis response offers powerful proof: communities recover faster when people are kept near familiar faces and places. Rebuilding homes matters, but rebuilding belonging changes outcomes. We share insights from field work and family life, including monthly dinners that become “church” at a small table, and how trimming inputs - fewer doom-scrolls, more books, jazz, and baking - creates the margin needed for joy.Expect practical takeaways you can use today: prune one anxiety-spiking input, add one ritual that grounds you, and make one neighborly move that invites connection. Along the way, we touch on thoughtful examples of God’s design - like the timing of vitamin K in newborns - to remind us that rest and community aren’t trends; they’re woven into our biology. If you’re longing to feel calm, connected, and clear again, this conversation offers next steps that are simple, humane, and faithful.If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a gentle reset, and leave a review so more women can find a community that lifts from the inside out.Support the showConnect with Melissa: Lemon Balm Coaching and Subscribe to the Lemon Balm Coaching Newsletter: lbcnewsletter.subscribepage.ioConnect with Stephanie: SJP Health and Wellness or Be the BOSS, Be Well FB CommunityMusic by Adipsia
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Prayer, Peace, And The Brain
Feb 400:25:56Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat if the fastest way out of anxiety isn’t trying harder, but shifting into gratitude-filled prayer and taking one clear next step? In this episode, we bring Philippians 4:6–7 to life with real talk about fear, neuroscience, and the power of community, showing how peace can guard both your heart and your mind when you move from rumination to relationship with God. You’ll hear why prayer is connection, not performance, and how starting with thanksgiving changes your state, calms your nervous system, and opens room for wisdom and creative problem-solving.We unpack anxiety as an indicator light rather than a verdict, then walk through a simple framework: pray with thanks, ask specifically, and translate emotion into motion. Along the way, we explore the survival brain’s negativity bias, how new neural pathways form through small choices, and why you don’t have to do it alone. Two are better than one, and a cord of three strands -us plus God - won’t break. When you can’t see solutions, community widens your view. We also trade the myth of balance for the music of harmony, embracing mountaintops, valleys, and quiet stretches as part of a faithful, resilient life.Expect a grounded blend of Scripture and science: prayer often quiets brain activity, nudging you into parasympathetic calm where healing and creativity thrive. Healing isn’t linear, but every cycle builds your “casting anxiety” muscles. We close with a call to remember and celebrate progress; because looking back helps you see how far God has brought you, and celebration fuels hope. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs peace today, and tell us: What are you thankful for, and what’s your next step of faith? We’re so glad you’re here. In this quick pause, Melissa shares why Heart & Soul Elevation exists, how Stephanie's and Melissa's coaching work together beautifully, and what you can expect along the way. From time to time, we’ll pop in to invite you into things we’re creating - always as an invitation, never a sales pitch. Thanks for listening. You belong here. Support the showConnect with Melissa: Lemon Balm Coaching and Subscribe to the Lemon Balm Coaching Newsletter: lbcnewsletter.subscribepage.ioConnect with Stephanie: SJP Health and Wellness or Be the BOSS, Be Well FB CommunityMusic by Adipsia
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Saber-Toothed Tigers, Sludgy Oil, And Why You Need A Nap
Jan 2100:23:18Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIf your mind feels stuck on high alert and your body runs like a car on sludgy oil, this conversation is your reset. We unpack how chronic fear hijacks your biology, why the nervous system needs a flexible rhythm, and how trust, not control, opens the door to healing.Drawing from faith and science, we connect the dots between cortisol, mitochondria, and the emotions that ride on real electrical and chemical signals in your body.We start with how fear gets amplified by culture and even marketing, then pivot to a hope-centered framework grounded in the Gospel’s redemption arc. You’ll hear a vivid cave metaphor that brings sympathetic and parasympathetic states to life: outside the cave, you scan for threats, inside the cave, you rest, digest, and reconnect. That ebb and flow is built into circadian biology, yet modern life traps many of us at the top of the stress curve. We challenge the myth that anxiety fuels performance and share how calm focus actually improves memory, creativity, and results.From there, we get practical. Learn how to spot when your body is stuck in emergency mode, why fertility and digestion stall under constant alarm, and which simple signals, lengthened exhales, consistent sleep, nourishing meals, gentle movement, prayer, and journaling, teach your system it is safe to downshift. We map your sphere of control, highlight what to release, and show how community brings fear into the light where it loses its power. Expect a blend of neuroscience, spiritual grounding, and everyday tools designed to move you from survival to steady, sustainable peace.If this conversation lifted you, share it with another woman who needs community, then subscribe for more Faith First episodes and join us on YouTube where we grow together in real time. Leave a review to tell us where fear is ruling your week and which practice you’re using to reclaim your rhythm. We’re so glad you’re here. In this quick pause, Melissa shares why Heart & Soul Elevation exists, how Stephanie's and Melissa's coaching work together beautifully, and what you can expect along the way. From time to time, we’ll pop in to invite you into things we’re creating - always as an invitation, never a sales pitch. Thanks for listening. You belong here. Support the showConnect with Melissa: Lemon Balm Coaching or Women Connected FB CommunityConnect with Stephanie: SJP Health and Wellness or Be the BOSS, Be Well FB CommunityMusic by Adipsia
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We Came To Hide At A Retreat And Accidentally Launched A Podcast
Jan 700:30:58Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailTwo strangers walked into a retreat planning to keep to themselves and walked out knit together by faith, curiosity, and a shared ache for real belonging. That moment sparked Heart and Soul Elevation: a space where we put Jesus at the center and let mind and body align around Him. We trace the unlikely path from “let’s be alone” to launching a community built for women who love God, crave honesty, and want wellness that actually heals.We unpack why so many women feel out of place in church groups and service roles, always giving but rarely refueled. Then we flip the wellness script: instead of “mind, body, spirit,” we start with the Spirit and let everything else flow from there. You’ll hear how the neuroscience of connection backs this up—oxytocin rises in safe relationships, cortisol quiets, and the nervous system shifts into a state where genuine healing can begin. From the “rat park” research to practical rhythms of rest, we explore how community changes behavior, biology, and hope.We also challenge the pressure cooker version of the Proverbs 31 woman that leads to hustle and exhaustion. Together, we name the difference between striving and stewardship, between performing and belonging. Our vision is clear: spark a movement of women who pursue Jesus first, steward their health with wisdom, and lift families and communities through renewed vitality. If you’ve ever felt like the odd one out or if you’re ready to trade isolation for sisterhood, you’ll find a home here.Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs encouragement, and join us on YouTube to grow in real time with a community that remembers: healing happens together. We’re so glad you’re here. In this quick pause, Melissa shares why Heart & Soul Elevation exists, how Stephanie's and Melissa's coaching work together beautifully, and what you can expect along the way. From time to time, we’ll pop in to invite you into things we’re creating - always as an invitation, never a sales pitch. Thanks for listening. You belong here. Support the showConnect with Melissa: Lemon Balm Coaching or Women Connected FB CommunityConnect with Stephanie: SJP Health and Wellness or Be the BOSS, Be Well FB CommunityMusic by Adipsia
Transcribe →Sisterhood That Heals
Dec 1100:01:52Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailTwo women from different worlds trace how God braided their paths into a shared calling. We explore why receiving feels risky, how connection reshapes the nervous system, and what happens when scripture, science, and sisterhood meet.Let's dive into:• the ache of not belonging in women’s spaces• how our stories intertwined into a shared mission• faith and wellness as complementary, not competing• why many women struggle to receive care• Rat Park as a lens on connection and behavior• practical rhythms that cue nervous system safety• scripture, science, and sisterhood as one pathWelcome to Heart and Soul Elevation. Episode one, coming soon.Support the showConnect with Melissa: Lemon Balm Coaching or Women Connected FB CommunityConnect with Stephanie: SJP Health and Wellness or Be the BOSS, Be Well FB CommunityMusic by Adipsia
Transcribe →Faith And Health, Finally Together
Dec 1100:01:52Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailEver feel like you’re doing all the “right” faith practices, but your body still feels tired, and your joy won’t land?In the brand new Heart and Soul Elevation podcast, we open the door to a different way of living where health and spirituality stop competing and finally support each other. Our origin story brings two worlds together: one of us is a scientist turned wellness coach who grounds change in evidence and nervous system literacy; the other is a Life Coach, aromatherapist, and energy healer who reads patterns, honors presence, and listens for the Holy Spirit’s quiet prompt.This pairing creates a space where Scripture meets science, prayer meets practice, and community becomes the catalyst for real change.Episode one drops soon!Support the showConnect with Melissa: Lemon Balm Coaching or Women Connected FB CommunityConnect with Stephanie: SJP Health and Wellness or Be the BOSS, Be Well FB CommunityMusic by Adipsia
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Why Your Brain Clings To The Bad And How To Train It Toward Good
Dec 300:21:24Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailEver notice how a random jab from years ago feels louder than a warm compliment from last week? There’s a reason. Our brains are built to protect us, tagging threats and disappointments as high priority while letting everyday goodness slip by. We unpack that survival bias with clear, practical steps to retrain your attention so peace stops feeling like a fairy tale and starts feeling like a habit you can build.I've got stories to share —from skunks in the camp vestibule to roadside breakdowns—that illustrate why “what went wrong” is so sticky in memory. Then we connect the dots between neuroscience and faith, showing how the reticular activating system can be tuned on purpose and how asking where God is working opens space for trust over control. You’ll learn simple, repeatable practices to shift out of constant what-ifs: daily gratitude that counts small gifts, marking moments so the good becomes recallable, speaking gratitude out loud to anchor truth, and using grounding questions to interrupt spirals. If stress has been your baseline and rest feels unsafe, these tools help your nervous system relearn safety, creativity, and joy.I also have an update: after five steady years of showing up, I'm pausing through November and December to rest, pray, and listen for the next right step. Consider this your invitation to choose renewal over relentless survival. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help others find these conversations. While we’re away, join the mailing list so you don’t miss what’s coming next—and tell me: where do you see goodness moving in your life today?Support the showConnect with Melissa: Lemon Balm Coaching or Women Connected FB CommunityConnect with Stephanie: SJP Health and Wellness or Be the BOSS, Be Well FB CommunityMusic by Adipsia
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Heart & Soul Elevation: What if peace isn’t the storm stopping, but your soul anchoring
Oct 2200:13:46Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThe room wasn’t full, but the sound was. As our small congregation sang “It Is Well with My Soul,” the harmonies rose like a river and something sacred brushed the air. That moment sparked a deep dive into the real story behind the hymn, the raw grief that birthed it, and the resilient hope it still offers to anyone standing in the waves.We walk through Horatio Spafford’s cascading losses—the Great Chicago Fire, the death of his son, the shipwreck that claimed his four daughters—and how, on a grief-marked voyage, he penned words that neither deny sorrow nor bow to it. From “when sorrows like sea billows roll” to the promise that faith will become sight, we explore why this hymn endures across traditions: it names reality and then anchors the heart in God’s unchanging presence. Along the way, we unpack the difference between worldly peace (the storm must stop) and God’s peace (I am held in the storm), and we point to Revelation’s vision where every tear is wiped away.You’ll hear practices for making the hymn your own: naming your pain without comparison, anchoring in scripture and prayer when emotions surge, and rehearsing hope until the refrain takes root. We also share a free journaling guide with prompts to help you reflect, grieve, and lean into God’s nearness. And there’s big news—our next season brings a fresh format with co-host Stephanie Pasniokis as we weave scripture into everyday wellness for women of faith, aligning spirit, mind, and body in truth, not trends.If your heart is tired or your season feels stormy, this conversation offers language, presence, and a song to stand on. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a review to help others find this space where small rooms can still sound like heaven.Download Your Heart & Soul Elevation Journal Pages HERE: Support the showConnect with Melissa: Lemon Balm Coaching or Women Connected FB CommunityConnect with Stephanie: SJP Health and Wellness or Be the BOSS, Be Well FB CommunityMusic by Adipsia
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Let's talk about the Anti-Aging Movement and where it Needs to Go
Feb 26, 202500:15:23Tap to summarizeSend us a textImagine redefining how you view aging—not as a battle to be fought but as a natural, beautiful process to be embraced. Join me as we unravel the harmful narrative of the "anti-aging" movement and invite a shift towards self-acceptance at every stage of life. Explore how society's fixation on youthfulness creates unnecessary pressure and internal conflict. I'll share personal insights on how our bodies transform over time and how recognizing the normalcy of wrinkles can lead to a more fulfilling perspective on growing older. Let’s dismantle the myth that aging is undesirable and highlight the privilege it truly is.In this supportive space, we celebrate the joys and wisdom that come with each passing year. Dive deeper into the conversation by connecting with our vibrant community through lemonbalmcoaching.com and our social media platforms—the Reignite Your Flame Facebook group awaits as a sanctuary for women seeking inspiration and camaraderie. Together, we can nurture joy, hope, and fresh outlooks as we craft the most beautiful chapters of our lives. Embrace being yourself—the greatest gift you can offer the world—and join us in looking forward to what's next.✨ Welcome to Reignite Your Flame ✨ Our FREE Facebook community is a safe, supportive space for women just like you—women ready to: ✅ Reclaim their peace and joy. ✅ Find purpose and fulfillment. ✅ Connect with others who truly get it. 💡 Inside the group, you’ll get: 🌿 Exclusive tips, tools, and strategies to create a calmer, happier life. 🌟 A chance to join live discussions and events. 💬 A space to share your wins, struggles, and journey with other amazing women. 🎉 The best part? You don’t have to do it alone. We’re here to reignite that spark in your life—together. Join Reignite Your Flame HERE! 🔥 Your peace, your joy, your time—it all starts here. Don’t wait. Come join us now!The liability insurance for small-business owners covering over 800 modalities. From Animal work to Tattooists to all things yoga, Alternative Balance does it all.Checkout Alternative Balance today.Support the showAre you a midlife woman who has lost her identity or spark? Download 5 Tips to Feel Joy Again in Under 20-MintuesMusic by Adipsia Shownotes by VerdantHeart VA
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Cheers to the Good Times: Embracing Joy and Celebrating Life’s Wins!
Feb 12, 202500:17:09Tap to summarizeSend us a textUnlock the secret to a more joyous life by mastering the art of celebration. Whether navigating the complex 40s or beyond, this Lemon Balm Coaching Podcast episode is your ticket to rediscovering joy and meaning. I'm Melissa, and together, we'll explore why celebrating life's moments, big or small, is more than just a festive distraction. We'll dive into cultural and biblical references on memory and learn how these practices can reshape your thoughts and beliefs. If you feel stuck or aimless, let's journey together to reclaim your joy and purpose.Join me as we explore how celebrating can be a transformative practice for your mental well-being and personal growth. Your subconscious mind handles most daily tasks, but bringing important moments to the forefront is crucial. Discover why active celebration and mindful remembrance are essential for a fulfilling journey. Grab your favorite warm drink and settle in as we explore the profound impact of celebration on your life. This is your moment to reclaim joy and embark on the next beautiful chapter of your life.The liability insurance for small-business owners covering over 800 modalities. From Animal work to Tattooists to all things yoga, Alternative Balance does it all.Checkout Alternative Balance today.Support the showAre you a midlife woman who has lost her identity or spark? Download 5 Tips to Feel Joy Again in Under 20-MintuesMusic by Adipsia Shownotes by VerdantHeart VA
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