Explore every episode of the podcast At the Counter with the Baking Pastor | Christian Encouragement, Grief Support, Burnout Recovery & Soul Care
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | When Your Calling Changes: Burnout, Identity & Finding Purpose | Eric Robinson | 28 oct. 2026 | 00:39:58 | |
What happens when the work you believed God called you to do becomes the very thing you need to leave behind? After 12 years in pastoral ministry, Eric Robinson made an unexpected career change. He traded the pulpit for the FBI, where he spent nearly 25 years as a special agent. And here's the surprising part: Eric needed a career with less stress. In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura Sharp-Waites welcomes Eric for an honest conversation about pastoral burnout, unexpected life transitions, and discovering that God's calling isn't necessarily tied to a job title. Eric shares how the compassion he developed as a pastor shaped his work with victims, informants, and criminal suspects. He also reflects on the challenges of retirement, the loss of professional identity, and learning that our worth extends beyond what we do. Together, Laura and Eric explore what happens when familiar roles disappear, why even those who care for others need support, and how God's purpose can continue unfolding in unexpected places. In this conversation, you'll hear about: ☕ Why Eric left pastoral ministry for the FBI ☕ The emotional and physical toll of pastoral burnout ☕ How compassion and justice can work together ☕ Why retirement and career changes can trigger an identity crisis ☕ The importance of boundaries and trusted relationships ☕ Finding purpose when life takes an unexpected turn ☕ Why a change in assignment doesn't necessarily mean the end of your calling Whether you're navigating retirement, recovering from burnout, facing an unexpected career change, or simply wondering what God has planned for your next chapter, this conversation offers encouragement to remember that your identity is bigger than your title. A Moment at the Counter Sometimes we mistake a change in assignment for the end of our purpose. But perhaps God isn't finished with your calling. Perhaps He's simply inviting you to live it differently. You are more than the work you do, the position you hold, or the title you've carried. And wherever life takes you next, God is still walking beside you. Meet Eric Robinson Eric Robinson served as a pastor for 12 years before joining the FBI, where he spent nearly 25 years as a special agent. His experiences in ministry and law enforcement inspired his book, iReverend: From Saving Souls to Chasing Sinners in the FBI. Learn more about Eric and his book: Pull Up a Chair If this conversation encouraged you, share it with someone navigating a season of change. And remember, there's always room for you at the Counter. Care for Little Ears: This episode includes discussions of criminal investigations, sexual exploitation, and child abuse. Listener discretion is advised. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 39 | The Grief Nobody Brings Casseroles For | When Your Loss Goes Unrecognized | Grief Support | 21 oct. 2026 | 00:15:46 | |
Some grief arrives with casseroles, sympathy cards, and people asking how they can help. Other grief arrives quietly, with no funeral, no flowers, and sometimes no acknowledgment at all. In this solo episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, we explore the grief nobody brings casseroles for: the losses that may go unseen or unrecognized by the people around us. Perhaps you're grieving a relationship that ended, a future you imagined, a change in your health, an estrangement, or a version of your life that no longer exists. These losses may not look like traditional bereavement, but the grief they bring is real. Together, we'll reflect on:
Scripture Reflection: Romans 12:15 reminds us to mourn with those who mourn. That invitation to compassion isn't limited to losses other people can easily see. Your Soul Pause: What loss have I been carrying that I haven't allowed myself to call grief? If this conversation speaks to your season of life, I hope you'll remember that your grief doesn't have to meet someone else's definition to deserve care. You are welcome at the Counter, just as you are. ☕ Continue the conversation: Find more encouragement, soul care resources, and our free At the Counter Community at https://bakingpastor.com/counter/ 🎧 Listen and share: If someone you know is carrying an unrecognized loss, consider sharing this episode with them. The Counter is open, and there's always a chair for you here. 💜 Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 38 | When You Feel Like You're Never Enough, From thriving to Self-Worth | Burnout Recovery with Joanna Zhang | 14 oct. 2026 | 00:35:05 | |
What if your worth had nothing to do with how much you accomplished today? Joanna Zhang, founder of Operations Genius, joins Laura at the Counter for an honest conversation about the exhaustion of chasing approval, the fear behind perfectionism, and the journey toward recognizing our value beyond external success. Joanna shares how she once appeared confident while privately doubting herself, how a spiritual awakening challenged her patterns of control, and why learning to receive care became as important as caring for others. Together, Laura and Joanna explore the questions many of us carry quietly: Why do compliments feel so difficult to accept? Why do we keep pouring into others when we're already empty? And what might change if we stopped measuring ourselves by our accomplishments? In this conversation:
Connect with Joanna: https://linktr.ee/joannazhang Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 37 | When Faith Doesn't Feel Safe Anymore | Spiritual Direction, Church Hurt & Rest with Paul Burgmayer | 07 oct. 2026 | 00:30:04 | |
What happens when faith still matters to you, but church no longer feels safe? Church hurt, spiritual exhaustion, misuse of authority, shame, and disappointment can leave people wondering where God is and whether faith can ever feel safe again. Healing doesn't always begin with having the right answers. Sometimes it begins with finding a safe place to tell the truth, ask difficult questions, and simply be heard. In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura welcomes spiritual director, researcher, and author Paul Burgmayer for a gentle conversation about spiritual direction, church hurt, prayer, trust, and finding God in ordinary life. Paul explains what spiritual direction actually is and why “direction” doesn't mean someone telling you what to do. Instead, a spiritual director can offer presence, careful listening, and space to notice where God may already be at work. Together, Laura and Paul explore: • What spiritual direction is and what a spiritual director actually does Paul also shares a powerful lesson from his own spiritual director, who waited nine years for Paul to feel safe enough to say something he had been carrying. It's a reminder that trust cannot be rushed, especially after we've been hurt. If you're spiritually tired, questioning, recovering from church hurt, or simply longing for a quieter and safer way to listen for God, pull up a chair. You don't have to solve everything today. Sometimes the first step is simply to rest. Connect with Paul Burgmayer Learn more about Paul, his research, spiritual direction, and his book The Making of Modern Spiritual Direction at historyofsd.com. Pull Up a Chair Explore more Christian encouragement, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, books, resources, and the At the Counter community at BakingPastor.com. If this conversation helped you, consider sharing it with someone who may need a safe place to breathe today. Until we pull up a chair next time. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 36 | When You’ve Become Who Everyone Else Needs You to Be | Burnout Recovery with Kimia Penton | 30 sept. 2026 | 00:35:39 | |
There are seasons when everything looks right from the outside. You’ve worked hard, cared for people, carried responsibilities, and done what was expected of you. But somewhere beneath all that competence, a quieter question may begin to surface: Where did I go? In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura is joined by organizational psychologist, leadership practitioner, recording artist, and author Kimia Penton for a conversation about authenticity, people-pleasing, boundaries, burnout, purpose, and belonging. Kimia shares her own experience of realizing she had become skilled at performing the roles expected of her while drifting away from herself. Together, Laura and Kimia explore why saying no can feel so uncomfortable, how healthy boundaries can actually preserve relationships, why kindness sometimes requires more honesty than niceness, and what happens when we stop measuring our lives entirely through other people's approval. Kimia also shares a tender childhood story about a small gray My Little Pony that has remained with her for nearly four decades and why it still reminds her of what love and value really look like. In this conversation:
You are more than the roles you perform, the peace you maintain, the approval you earn, or the work you complete. Connect with Kimia Want to go deeper into the themes of authenticity, purpose, and living in alignment with who you were created to be? Visit Kimia Penton’s website to learn more about her work, explore her book, Power, on Purpose, and connect with her: https://www.kimiapenton.com/book Pull up a chair. There’s a place for you here. ☕ Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 35 | When You’re Grieving Someone Who’s Still Here | Grief Support with Julie Barth | 23 sept. 2026 | 00:52:32 | |
Sometimes grief begins long before someone dies. You can still hear their voice, sit beside them, and love them fiercely while quietly missing the life you used to have together. In this episode of At the Counter, Laura sits down with writer, mother of six, trauma survivor, and founder of the Colin James Barth Outreach, Julie Barth, for an honest conversation about caregiving, anticipatory grief, loss, guilt, and what happens when an entire family learns to live around illness. Julie shares the story of caring for her daughter Taytem through complex medical needs and later walking alongside her husband Colin through pancreatic cancer. She talks candidly about the exhaustion of navigating doctors, treatments, insurance, parenting, and marriage while trying to convince everyone, including herself, that things were “fine.” Together, Laura and Julie explore the grief that begins before death, the complicated relief a caregiver may experience when suffering finally ends, and the guilt that can follow. Julie also reflects on realizing years later that she had done the best she could in circumstances where nothing ever felt like enough. They also talk about the emotional “backpack” caregivers carry, the difficulty of admitting when you can no longer do everything yourself, and why caring for yourself is not a betrayal of the person you love. In this conversation:
Julie reminds us that it’s okay not to be fine and that we are not defined by how successfully we appear to be holding everything together. Soul Pause: Not fix. Not solve. Just name. ☕💛 Connect with Julie: Care for Little Ears: This episode includes conversations about serious illness, cancer, caregiving, death, grief, and end-of-life experiences. ☕ Pull up a chair. The Counter is open. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 34 | When the Life You Built No Longer Fits | Burnout Recovery with Jobert Abueva | 16 sept. 2026 | 00:54:09 | |
What happens when the life you worked so hard to build no longer fits who you are? Sometimes burnout recovery begins before we make the next plan, set another goal, or try to reinvent ourselves. It begins by slowing down long enough to look honestly at where we've been, what we've been carrying, and what our lives may be trying to teach us. In this episode of At the Counter, Laura welcomes Jobert E. Abueva, author, global marketing and philanthropy executive, and creator of The Janus Plan. Jobert shares the story of reaching profound burnout while leading a successful international career. From the outside, he appeared to be thriving. Behind the success were exhaustion, relentless travel, little sleep, and beliefs such as I must outperform, rest is for the weak, and others expect perfection. That breaking point eventually invited Jobert to reconsider not only how he worked, but how he approached transitions, endings, goals, and new beginnings. Together, Laura and Jobert explore how to recognize burnout, why reflection can be an important part of burnout recovery, and how looking backward can help us move forward after grief, change, or an ending we didn't choose. How can you tell when exhaustion has become burnout? Burnout can be difficult to recognize when overworking has become normal. Jobert reflects on the beliefs and expectations that kept him pushing long after his body and life were asking him to slow down. Laura and Jobert discuss the difference between ordinary tiredness and a deeper depletion that may signal something needs to change. Why look backward when you're trying to move forward? Jobert shares his “good, bad, and ugly” approach to reflection and why beginning again doesn't require erasing everything that came before. Looking back isn't about getting stuck in the past. It can help us recognize what shaped us, what we've learned, what still matters, and what we may no longer need to carry into the next season. What about endings and transitions we didn't choose? Not every new beginning comes from a goal we enthusiastically set. Laura and Jobert also talk about grief and unwanted change, including Jobert's experience of losing his father during the COVID shutdowns. Their conversation explores how reflection can help us honor what has been part of our lives while discerning what we want to carry forward. In this conversation, you'll hear about: • How to recognize the difference between being tired and experiencing burnout Soul Pause What are you doing right now because it genuinely matters to you, and what are you doing because you're convinced that you have to? You don't need to fix anything today. Just notice. And perhaps consider one more question: What is this moment trying to teach me? Maybe beginning again doesn't require an empty loom. The threads of joy, disappointment, love, loss, wisdom, and experience are already part of your tapestry. Sometimes one small, intentional thread is enough to begin. Connect with Jobert Learn more about Jobert E. Abueva and The Janus Plan: Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 33 | When Other People Decide What You're Capable Of | Christian Encouragement with Dorsey Ross | 09 sept. 2026 | 00:29:55 | |
What happens when other people decide what you’re capable of before you ever get the chance to find out for yourself? Dorsey Ross has spent much of his life hearing predictions about what he wouldn’t be able to do. Born with Apert syndrome, Dorsey was not expected to survive into adulthood. Doctors encouraged his parents to institutionalize him, teachers questioned whether he could succeed in college, and later, doors into traditional ministry repeatedly closed. But Dorsey’s parents raised him differently. They encouraged him to try, explore, and discover what he could do rather than allowing other people’s expectations to define his future. At the counter, Dorsey and Laura talk about the voices we allow to shape our identity, trusting God when His plans look different from ours, finding genuine friendship, navigating grief, caring for someone you love, and learning to keep moving forward when life knocks you down. Dorsey also shares how a calling he once struggled to imagine eventually led him to travel and share his story for years. Because a closed door doesn’t necessarily mean your purpose has disappeared. And someone else’s prediction about your life doesn’t get to write the ending. ☕ Soul Pause: Connect with Dorsey: Continue the conversation: Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 32 | When You Need Someone to Carry Your Mat | Christian Encouragement | 02 sept. 2026 | 00:22:00 | |
You’re probably pretty good at carrying other people’s mats. You show up. You help. You pray. You remember what everyone needs. You’re the person others know they can count on. But what happens when you’re the one who can’t get up? In Mark 2, four friends carry a paralyzed man to Jesus. When they can’t get through the crowd, they find another way. They open the roof and lower their friend down in front of Jesus. The friends couldn’t heal him. They couldn’t fix what was wrong. But they could carry him. And sometimes, that’s what we need too. In this solo conversation, Laura explores what this familiar story can teach us about receiving care, asking for help, and allowing other people to hold a corner of the mat when life becomes too heavy to carry alone. We’ll talk about: • Why receiving help can feel harder than giving it Maybe your mat today is grief. Maybe it’s caregiving, exhaustion, uncertainty, a diagnosis, a relationship that has changed, or simply more than you can carry by yourself right now. You don’t have to find four perfect people. Maybe there’s one person who can listen. One who can pray. One who can help with something practical. One who can remind you that you are loved and this difficult season is not the whole of your story. And maybe, for now, one person is holding two corners. Soul Pause: Sometimes faith looks like carrying someone. Sometimes faith looks like letting yourself be carried. ☕ Continue the conversation The At the Counter community is a place to slow down, connect, find encouragement, and remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. Scripture: Mark 2:1–12 Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 31 | When the Screen Is Meeting a Need You Can't See | Christian Parenting with Nathan Graham | 26 août 2026 | 00:58:06 | |
What if the screen isn’t the real problem? For many parents, gaming can become a battleground. We see hours disappearing behind a screen, responsibilities being ignored, tempers flaring when it’s time to log off, and a child who seems increasingly disconnected from the family. But Nathan Graham invites us to look beneath the behavior. Nathan knows the world of gaming from the inside. What began as childhood entertainment eventually became a place where he found accomplishment, significance, connection, and belonging. His own experience taught him that simply removing a game may stop a behavior without addressing the deeper need the game was meeting. Together, Laura and Nathan explore what can happen when parents trade immediate correction for curiosity. Nathan shares why entering a child’s world can create connection, how asking better questions can uncover what’s really happening underneath gaming, and why the goal of the first conversation doesn’t have to be changing the behavior. Sometimes the first goal is simply being invited back into your child’s world. Nathan also shares a meaningful story about the first time his own father became genuinely curious about gaming and how that small act gave him something much bigger: a sense of significance and connection with his dad. The conversation reaches beyond gaming, too, into parenting, boundaries, churches, belonging, and the places young people go when they’re searching for somewhere they feel known and valued. At the counter:
Nathan leaves parents with a simple invitation: come from curiosity. Your child may not yet be able to understand your adult world, but you have something they don't have yet. You remember what it was like to be young. Maybe the question isn't simply, How do I get them off the screen? Maybe it's: What are they finding there that they're struggling to find somewhere else? About Nathan Graham Nathan Graham helps parents better understand gaming and the needs children may be meeting through it. Drawing from his own experience with gaming and his work with families, he encourages parents to move beyond fear and frustration and toward curiosity, connection, healthy boundaries, and stronger relationships. Learn more at his website: https://syntheticecho.com/ Purchase his book: https://amzn.to/4ckXDmD Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 30 | When Coping Isn't Enough Anymore | Burnout Recovery with Kathrine Parnell | 19 août 2026 | 00:47:03 | |
Sometimes the things that helped us survive eventually stop helping us live. We keep functioning. We show up. We take care of people. We handle the responsibilities. From the outside, we may even look successful. But underneath all that competence, something feels off. This week at the counter, Laura welcomes licensed therapist, author, and Stone and Sky Retreats founder Katherine Parnell for a conversation about what happens when coping, performing, and pushing through are no longer enough. Katherine shares why the strategies that once helped us manage difficult seasons may eventually leave us exhausted and disconnected, especially when we're living according to expectations that no longer align with who we are or what we value. Together, Laura and Katherine explore the hidden exhaustion of switching roles, why burnout can sometimes look remarkably like success, and what happens when identities such as caregiver, helper, peacemaker, achiever, or "the strong one" begin to cost us more than we realize. They also talk about grief that accompanies even positive transitions, the discomfort of slowing down, and Katherine's unexpected experience in the Scottish Highlands that taught her what can happen when the noise finally becomes quiet enough to hear ourselves again. And Katherine offers a simple pen-and-paper exercise to help identify what actually matters to you now, rather than what you've been taught should matter. At the counter:
One of the most hopeful reminders Katherine offers is beautifully simple: It's not too late. Reconnecting with yourself doesn't require changing your entire life overnight. It can begin with one quiet moment, one honest answer, and one small step toward living in greater alignment with what matters to you. Katherine emphasizes that even one step toward authenticity is worthwhile. About Katherine Parnell Katherine Parnell is a licensed therapist, author, and founder of Stone and Sky Retreats. For more than 20 years, she has worked in mental health, helping people navigate burnout, identity shifts, life transitions, and the exhaustion that can hide behind competence and success. She is the author of Keeping It Real: Discovering Your Authentic Self and creates retreat experiences designed to help people slow down, reconnect with their values, and rediscover who they are beneath expectations, roles, and responsibilities. Learn more about Katherine and Stone and Sky Retreats at stoneandskyretreats.com and look for Keeping It Real: Discovering Your Authentic Self https://amzn.to/4bYpUiv Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 29 | Second Chances, Front Porches, and Grace | Christian Encouragement with Melissa Alyse | 12 août 2026 | 00:23:39 | |
Some stories entertain us. Others somehow feel like home. Author Melissa Alyse has created just such a place in Willow Creek, Texas, the fictional small town at the heart of her grace-soaked Christian fiction and cozy mystery series. It's filled with coffee, baked goods, front porches, church potlucks, friendship, a delightfully determined group of bridge-playing women, and people discovering that God's grace has room for them exactly as they are. Melissa joins Laura at the counter for a warm, laughter-filled conversation about much more than books. They explore our longing to belong, the pressure to become who others expect us to be, the freedom of releasing perfectionism, and the courage it takes to choose a different story for our lives. Melissa shares why grace became the drumbeat running through Willow Creek and why Ephesians 2:10 has shaped her message: God made you just as you are on purpose. Through characters like Sammy and Michelle, her stories wrestle with questions many of us know personally. Where do I belong? Who am I beneath everyone else's expectations? Have I made too many mistakes? Is it too late to become someone different? And then there are Glory and the Bridge Ladies, women shaped by faith, wisdom, friendship, and the kind of grace that knows how to sit beside someone without trying to fix them. Melissa shares how women who have left “footprints on her heart” found their way into these beloved characters. Together, Laura and Melissa talk about seeing ourselves through the lens of grace, letting go of the polished versions of ourselves we think God expects, and discovering that our mistakes cannot cancel what God has called us to become. As Melissa beautifully reminds us, God is bigger than all of our mistakes. And yes, there is plenty of conversation about coffee, brownies, baked goods, glitter pens, and why Laura would very much like Glory and the Bridge Ladies to adopt her. ☕✨ At the counter:
About Melissa Alyse Melissa Alyse writes grace-soaked cozy Christian fiction and cozy non-murder mysteries set in Willow Creek, Texas, a fictional small town where faith, love, and second chances bloom. Her stories offer hope, encouragement, and the reminder that God made you just as you are on purpose. Melissa lives in Alaska with her husband and their rescue pup. She loves quiet mornings journaling with Jesus and coffee, FaceTime with the grands, creating beautiful things, and noticing the beauty tucked into life's ordinary moments. Learn more about Melissa, Willow Creek, and her books at MelissaAlyse.com. A Blessing for the Week May you release the pressure to be perfect. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 28 | When Life Doesn't Go Back to Normal | Grief Support with Laura Bratton | 05 août 2026 | 00:49:56 | |
What do you do when life changes in ways you never expected? When the future you imagined is no longer possible. When grief isn't just about losing a person, but about losing dreams, milestones, health, or the life you thought you would have. In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura welcomes author and speaker Laura Bratton for a deeply honest conversation about navigating life's unexpected transitions with courage, grit, and gratitude. Diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease at age nine, Laura gradually lost her sight as a teenager. She shares what it was like to grieve that loss, wrestle with anxiety and depression, learn to receive support, and slowly accept a new normal. Rather than offering quick answers, Laura reminds us that courage isn't having everything figured out. Sometimes courage is simply taking the next step. Whether you're facing grief, a difficult diagnosis, a life transition, or simply wondering how to move forward when nothing looks the way you planned, this conversation offers hope that healing happens one step, one day, and one choice at a time. In This Episode
A Quote to Carry With You "Courage isn't having all the answers. Sometimes courage is simply taking the next step." Reflection Questions • What part of your life has changed that you're still learning to accept? • What is one next step you can take instead of trying to solve everything at once? • Where might God be inviting you to receive support instead of carrying everything alone? Connect with Laura Bratton 📖 Harnessing Courage - https://link.amazon/B06OUpqPg Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 27 | When You Don't Recognize Your Life Anymore | Soul Care with Shannon Michelle | 29 juil. 2026 | 00:41:10 | |
Sometimes life changes slowly. Sometimes it changes all at once. One day you know who you are. The next, everything feels unfamiliar. In this heartfelt conversation, Laura welcomes Shannon Michelle, former award-winning Los Angeles interior designer, author, and self-described "one-eye miracle." After surviving a catastrophic motorcycle accident, a two-month coma, memory loss, childhood trauma, and later breast cancer, Shannon discovered that healing wasn't about returning to the person she used to be. It was about learning to embrace the person she was becoming. Together they explore: • Why healing isn't about getting your old life back If you've ever looked in the mirror and wondered who you've become after trauma, illness, grief, or life's unexpected turns, this conversation is a gentle reminder that you don't have to become who you were before. You are allowed to become someone new. Breath Prayer Breathe in: I receive Your grace. Breathe out: Help me become. ☕ Pull up a chair. There's always room for you at the Counter. Connect with Shannon Learn more about Shannon Michelle and her speaking ministry at StepIntoYourMiracle.com. Here is a link to her book, Step Into Your Miracle: Transforming Trauma into Triumph: https://amzn.to/4yEDHEz Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 26 | Your Story Is Still Unfolding | Christian Encouragement with Chip Scholz | 22 juil. 2026 | 00:26:08 | |
There are seasons when it feels like everyone else is moving forward while you're standing still. You look around and wonder if you've missed your chance, taken a wrong turn, or simply should be further along by now. This week at the counter, Laura welcomes executive coach, author, and wood turner Chip Scholz for a thoughtful conversation about the slow work of becoming. Drawing from decades of coaching leaders, personal loss, woodworking, and everyday life, Chip shares why growth rarely happens all at once and why the small decisions we make each day quietly shape the people we're becoming. Together they explore what it means to grant ourselves grace, stay curious instead of judgmental, and trust that God is still at work, even when life doesn't look the way we expected. If you've ever felt unfinished, behind, or unsure of your next step, this conversation offers a gentle reminder that you don't have to have everything figured out to keep moving forward. In this episode...
About Chip Scholz Chip Scholz is an executive coach, leadership consultant, author, and wood turner who believes life's greatest lessons are often found in the ordinary moments we tend to overlook. Through decades of coaching leaders, telling stories, and crafting with wood, he has discovered that growth happens one small decision at a time. His book, Every Dog Has Its Day: Reflections on Life, Love, and the Lathe, reflects on the people, experiences, and quiet moments that shape who we become. Connect with Chip 🌐 https://scholzandassociates.com/ 📖 Every Dog Has Its Day: Reflections on Life, Love, and the Lathe Connect with Laura If this conversation encouraged you, I'd love to invite you to pull up a chair each week. 🎙️ Follow At the Counter with the Baking Pastor wherever you listen to podcasts. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 25 | When Healing Happens Quietly | Soul Care with Melissa Prusinski | 15 juil. 2026 | 00:43:57 | |
Healing doesn't always happen in dramatic moments. Sometimes it looks like taking one more faithful step. Sometimes it looks like learning to breathe again. Sometimes it happens so quietly that you don't notice the change until you look back and realize how far you've come. Today, Laura welcomes Melissa Prusinski, founder of Our Healing Farm and author of Say Howdy to Healing and Hope! A Guide to Restoration Through Faith and Horses. Through her own journey with trauma, chronic illness, late-stage Lyme disease, and deep dependence on the Holy Spirit, Melissa has discovered that healing isn't about becoming tougher. It's about becoming whole. Together they discuss: • Why healing is a process instead of a destination If you've ever wondered why your healing feels slow, or if you've worried that you're not making progress, this conversation is a gentle reminder that God is still working beneath the surface. Breath Prayer Breathe in: Make me whole. Breathe out: One quiet step at a time. ☕ Pull up a chair. There's always room for you at the Counter. Connect with Melissa Her book: Say Howdy to Healing and Hope!: A Guide to Restoration Through Faith and Horses - https://amzn.to/4wwX8gA Our Healing Farm Website: https://www.ourhealingfarm.com/ Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 24 | When You Don't Recognize Your Life Anymore... and Still Keep Going | Christian Encouragement with Jay Setchell | 08 juil. 2026 | 00:36:06 | |
Life doesn't always unfold the way we imagined. Sometimes illness changes everything. Sometimes loss reshapes our future. Sometimes we wake up one day and realize we hardly recognize the life we're living. In this episode, Laura welcomes Jay Setchell to the Counter. Jay has survived multiple near-death experiences, paralysis, dozens of surgeries, and more than seventy operations. Yet through every challenge, he has discovered something deeper than endurance: the strength that God places within each of us to keep taking the next step. Together they explore:
Jay's story isn't simply about surviving difficult circumstances. It's about learning that even when life changes, God hasn't changed. If your life feels unfamiliar, overwhelming, or you've wondered whether you still have purpose after everything you've been through, this conversation is a reminder that your story isn't over. Breath Prayer Breathe in: God of strength... Breathe out: Help me keep going. ☕ Pull up a chair. There's always room for you at the Counter. Connect with Jay Learn more about Jay and his work at NeverQuitting.com Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 23 | When Some Things Never Fully Resolve | Grief Support with Rev. Rebecca Foster | 01 juil. 2026 | 00:37:37 | |
Some questions don't have easy answers. Some hurts don't disappear overnight. Some chapters of life remain unfinished longer than we'd ever choose. Today, Laura is joined by Rev. Rebecca Foster, an ordained minister with a background in chaplaincy and death care. Rebecca has walked closely with people through some of life's most tender moments, where questions don't always have answers and what people need most isn't someone to fix the situation, but someone willing to stay present. In this gentle conversation, Laura and Rebecca explore what it means to live faithfully with the things we can't fix. Together they discuss:
If you've been carrying unresolved grief, broken trust, unanswered prayers, or questions that may never fully be answered this side of heaven, this conversation offers a gentle reminder: You don't have to carry them alone. Breath Prayer Breathe in: I place it in Your hands. Breathe out: You are holding me. ☕ Pull up a chair. There's room for your questions here. Connect with Rebecca: You can learn more about Rebecca and connect on threads at rev.rctfoster Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 22 | When You Wonder If You'll Always Carry This | Grief Support with Dr. Larry Brant | 24 juin 2026 | 00:27:40 | |
Sometimes the heaviest burdens are the ones no one else can see. The things we've carried for years. In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura sits down with Dr. Larry Brant, Navy chaplain, ministry leader, and advocate for those navigating PTSD and moral injury. Together they explore what happens when people carry pain in silence, why safe spaces matter, and how healing often begins when we are finally seen and heard without judgment. Whether your wounds come from military service, grief, trauma, abuse, loss, or experiences you rarely talk about, this conversation offers hope, compassion, and a reminder that restoration is possible. In This Episode
A Quote to Carry With You "People need a safe place to unburden themselves." Reflection Questions • What burden have you been carrying alone? • Is there someone safe with whom you can share part of your story? • What would it look like to take one small step toward healing? Connect with Dr. Larry Brant Website: https://restoring-the-broken.com/ His book, Restoring the Broken: https://amzn.to/43RROsa Email: chapsbrandt@yahoo.com Resources Learn more about soul care, coaching, and encouragement at https://bakingpastor.com If this conversation stayed with you, consider sharing it with someone who may need the reminder: You do not have to carry everything alone. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 21 | When You Keep Showing Up... Barely | Burnout Recovery with John Salzwedel | 17 juin 2026 | 00:40:06 | |
Have you ever looked around and thought: "Nothing is technically wrong... so why does everything feel so heavy?" In this episode of At the Counter, Laura sits down with coach, speaker, and author John Salzwedel for a grounded and honest conversation about what it means to keep going when clarity feels out of reach. For years, John led a successful career, yet underneath the accomplishments, something wasn't lining up. He found himself showing up, getting things done, and doing everything he was supposed to do, while quietly feeling disconnected from the work and purpose that once energized him. Together, Laura and John explore what happens when life feels foggy, when busyness becomes overwhelming, and when you're carrying so much that you can no longer hear yourself think. This conversation is for anyone who feels stuck, overloaded, or unsure about what comes next. In This Episode • Why feeling stuck doesn't mean you're lost Counter Pause Take a slow breath. What feels heavy right now? Not what everyone else thinks should matter. What feels heavy to you? And what is one small step you could take toward clarity? You don't have to solve everything today. Just take the next step. Breath Prayer Breathe in: God of wisdom... Breathe out: Show me the next step. About John John Salzwedel is a coach, speaker, and author of STOP Leaving Life on the Table. After nearly 30 years in the insurance industry, John began asking deeper questions about purpose, responsibility, and what it means to build a life that fits. Today he helps people think clearly when something important is on the line, cut through overwhelm, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence. Resources & Links Connect with John: Book: A Gentle Reminder You don't have to have your entire future figured out. Sometimes clarity begins with one honest question. Sometimes purpose begins with one small step. And sometimes showing up barely is still showing up. Closing Pull up a chair. There's space for you here. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 20 | When You Don’t Have Words for What You Feel | Soul Care with Kristan Swan | 10 juin 2026 | 00:55:08 | |
There are moments in life when something feels off, but we can’t quite explain why. In this Seat at the Counter conversation, Laura is joined by Kristan Swan, a life and spiritual guide who helps people reconnect with themselves through curiosity, reflection, and honest exploration. Together, they explore the tension between inner knowing and external messaging, how conditioning can shape the way we relate to ourselves, and what it looks like to gently rebuild trust in your own voice. Kristan shares how early experiences, relationships, grief, journaling, and self-reflection helped her begin listening to what was true beneath the surface. This is a conversation about noticing, questioning, and learning to honor what you sense, even before you can fully name it. In This Episode, We Explore: • The tension between what you feel and what you’ve been told Soul Care Reflection • What are you sensing, even if you can’t name it yet? Scripture / Reflection “Be still, and know that I am God.” A Gentle Resource from Kristan Kristan has created a free workbook, Clouds to Clear Skies Clarity, designed to help you explore your inner knowing, reflect on your story, and reconnect with what feels true for you. https://kristanswan.com/clouds-to-clear-skies/ This resource offers simple, thoughtful prompts to help you slow down, listen inward, and begin putting language to what you’ve been sensing. Connect with Kristan Swan You can learn more about Kristan and her work at: https://kristanswan.com Through her journals, workshops, and guided classes, Kristan helps people explore their stories, reconnect with their inner wisdom, and move forward with clarity and intention. Next Steps Listen gently. Reflect slowly. Trust what stayed with you. If this conversation stirred something deeper, you’re welcome to explore more through Laura’s book At the Counter: And the companion Soul Pause Journal: Closing Pull up a chair. You don’t have to have all the words right away. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 19 | When You Don't Know What You're Feeling | Soul Care with Doug Earl Johnston | 03 juin 2026 | 00:31:07 | |
There are moments when it's not that you don't feel anything. It's that you feel too much all at once. And none of it has a clear name. In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura sits down with author and researcher Doug Earl Johnston to explore what it means to name your emotions, especially during seasons of uncertainty, grief, overwhelm, and change. If you've ever found yourself saying: • I'm just tired. This conversation is for you. Drawing from nearly a decade of research and his book Choosing Emotions, Doug shares why language matters, how emotions shape our lives, and why naming what we're feeling is often the first step toward healing and clarity. As Doug explains, many people struggle to identify emotions because they rely on only a small emotional vocabulary when there may be hundreds of emotional experiences happening beneath the surface. In This Episode • why "tired" and "overwhelmed" only tell part of the story Counter Pause Take a slow breath. Then gently ask yourself: What am I actually feeling right now? Not what I should feel. Not what sounds acceptable. Just what's true. You don't have to solve it. Just name it. Breath Prayer Breathe in: God of truth... Breathe out: Help me notice. About Doug Doug Earl Johnston is a former corporate executive, researcher, and author of Choosing Emotions: Thinking with Your Head and Acting with Your Heart. After nearly a decade of research across disciplines and traditions, Doug created a resource designed to help people better understand what they feel and how to move forward with greater clarity. Resources Mentioned Choosing Emotions: Thinking with Your Head and Acting with Your Heart Connect with Doug Instagram: Website: Gentle Reminder You don't have to carry unnamed things forever. Sometimes healing begins with one honest word. Closing Pull up a chair. There's space for you here. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 18 | When You're Tired of Pretending You're Fine | Burnout Recovery | 27 mai 2026 | 00:36:57 | |
Sometimes the hardest part about exhaustion isn't the exhaustion itself. It's how long you've been pretending you're okay while carrying it. In this solo episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura responds to listener questions and reflections about grief, survival mode, hidden exhaustion, emotional overwhelm, and the invisible weight many people quietly carry every day. Together, we'll explore what happens when strength becomes a survival pattern, why slowing down can feel frightening, and how exhaustion often disguises itself as productivity, caregiving, people-pleasing, or simply trying to hold everything together. This conversation is for the people who keep showing up while carrying more than anyone realizes. As Laura reflects, many people become so accustomed to carrying emotional pain quietly that they no longer notice how heavy it has become. In This Episode • hidden exhaustion and emotional fatigue Soul Pause Questions • If you could say one honest thing to God right now, what would it be? • What would gentle look like for you this week? Counter Reflection What have you been carrying for so long that you no longer notice how heavy it feels? You don't have to solve it today. Just notice it. A Gentle Reminder Unseen does not mean unreal. Functioning is not the same as flourishing. And surviving quietly does not make your pain less valid. If you've been strong for too long, tired of pretending you're fine, or carrying more than anyone realizes, this conversation is for you. From the Counter If you're walking through a weary or emotionally heavy season and need a gentle place to process, pray, or breathe a little deeper, Laura offers soul care conversations and coaching sessions. Learn more at: Closing Pull up a chair. You don't have to carry everything alone. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 17 | When You Feel Spiritually Tired | Burnout Recovery with Ashton Stevens | 20 mai 2026 | 00:41:37 | |
There are seasons when you're not just tired. You're emotionally stretched thin. And sometimes faith feels tired too. In this deeply honest conversation, Laura sits down with Atlanta-based alternative hip-hop artist Ashton Stevens to talk about emotional exhaustion, spiritual pressure, fatherhood, healing, identity, and the tension of trying to hold yourself together when life feels heavy. Inspired by his song Edge, Ashton shares how learning to name emotions, listen for God's voice, journal through difficult seasons, and embrace rest became part of his healing journey. The conversation explores emotional regulation, spiritual exhaustion, trauma, faith, and what it means to keep going when you're stretched thin. Based on his reflections, healing often begins by being honest about what you're carrying and learning not to let your circumstances define you. In This Episode • emotional exhaustion and overwhelm Counter Pause Take a slow breath in... If you can, rest your hand over your heart. And simply notice: Where do you feel stretched too thin right now? Not where you should be stronger. Just where you're tired. God is not absent in that place. Even if it feels quiet. Breath Prayer Breathe in: I am held... Breathe out: Even here. Blessing May you be honest about where you're tired. May you release the pressure to hold everything together alone. And may you discover that even at the edge, About Ashton Ashton Stevens is an Atlanta-based alternative hip-hop artist originally from the Florida Panhandle. Known for his introspective style, Ashton creates music rooted in faith and real-life experiences. His work centers on emotional regulation, purpose, and personal growth, using music as a tool for healing, reflection, and truth. Connect with Ashton Website: Listen to "Edge": Closing Take a breath. Notice what's in front of you. And remember: There's a difference between being at the edge...
Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 16 | When You Love Someone Through the Unthinkable | Christian Caregiving with Jody Hudson | 13 mai 2026 | 00:40:29 | |
What happens when someone you love is suffering and no one seems to have answers? In this deeply moving conversation, Laura sits down with author, speaker, and nonprofit founder Jody Hudson to talk about motherhood, caregiving, faith, grief, and the exhausting fight to help a child who was repeatedly dismissed and misunderstood. What began as unexplained pain in Jody's vibrant, athletic eleven-year-old daughter, Alex, became a years-long search for answers that eventually led to a Lyme disease diagnosis after countless doctor visits, emotional exhaustion, financial strain, and unimaginable uncertainty. Together, Laura and Jody explore what it means to keep showing up when life feels impossible. This conversation is about: • loving someone through suffering This isn't a conversation about easy answers. It's about love that stayed. About Jody Jody Hudson is an author, speaker, philanthropist, and founder of the Alex Hudson Lyme Foundation. Her memoir, My Promise to Alex, chronicles her daughter's battle with Lyme disease and the unwavering love and advocacy that shaped their journey. Today, Jody continues honoring Alex's legacy through education, awareness, and support for families navigating Lyme disease and chronic illness. Counter Pause Take a slow breath. Where are you carrying something heavy while still trying to hold everyone else together? You don't have to pretend it isn't hard. Just notice. Breath Prayer Breathe in: God, give me strength... Breathe out: Help me keep showing up. A Gentle Reminder Sometimes love looks heroic. Sometimes it looks like continuing to show up when your heart is breaking. Both matter. Connect with Jody Foundation: Book: Closing Blessing May you know that love is never wasted. May you find strength for the burdens you carry quietly. May you remember that even in suffering, presence matters deeply. Pull up a chair. You don't have to carry it all alone. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 15 | When Strength Starts to Feel Heavy | Burnout Recovery with Heidi Blackie | 06 mai 2026 | 00:43:38 | |
There comes a point when pushing through stops working. Not because you've failed. Not because you're weak. But because you've been carrying more than anyone realizes for far too long. In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura sits down with Heidi Blackie for an honest conversation about burnout, chronic illness, grief, identity, and what happens when life asks us to slow down. For years, Heidi was the strong one. The helper. The one who kept going. Then chronic illness changed everything. Together, Laura and Heidi explore what it means to let go of old expectations, navigate seasons of loss, and discover a different kind of strength. One rooted in self-compassion, honesty, and learning to trust yourself again. This conversation isn't about giving up. It's about finding a gentler way forward. In This Episode • What it feels like when strength becomes exhausting About Heidi Heidi Blackie is a former occupational therapist, speaker, and guide for women navigating burnout, chronic illness, and major life transitions. After facing years of chronic illness and profound personal loss, Heidi began a journey of healing that transformed how she understood strength, resilience, and self-trust. Today she helps women reconnect with themselves, release what no longer serves them, and move forward with greater clarity and compassion. Counter Pause Take a slow breath. What feels heavy right now? What have you been carrying that may no longer belong on your shoulders? You don't have to solve it today. Just notice. Breath Prayer Breathe in: God of compassion... Breathe out: Teach me to rest. Continue the Conversation If something in today's conversation resonated with you, Heidi has created a space where you can continue exploring that gently and at your own pace. Website: YouTube: You'll find resources for women navigating burnout, chronic illness, and seasons of change, along with practical tools for reconnecting with yourself and moving forward with greater self-compassion. A Favorite Reminder from This Conversation "You don't have to keep proving your strength." Closing Pull up a chair. You are allowed to rest. Even here. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 14 | What If Being Seen Changes Everything? | Faith in Action with Karen Davidson | 29 avr. 2026 | 00:44:27 | |
Sometimes care doesn't happen in dramatic moments. Sometimes it happens in a laundromat. In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura sits down with Deaconess Karen Davidson, co-creator of Suds n Buds, a ministry that provides laundry support, connection, and care for people experiencing homelessness in her community. What begins as a conversation about clean clothes becomes something much deeper. Together, Laura and Karen explore dignity, presence, compassion, and what it means to truly see another person. Through stories from the laundry ministry, Karen shares how simple acts of care can create connection, restore hope, and remind people they matter. This conversation is not about fixing people. It's about showing up. In this episode, we'll explore: • How Suds n Buds began About Karen Davidson Karen Davidson is a deaconess and co-creator of Suds n Buds, a ministry that offers laundry support and care for people experiencing homelessness in Huntsville, Alabama. Her work is rooted in practical compassion, meeting people in everyday needs while offering presence, dignity, and care. Counter Pause Before you move on with your day... Who around you might simply need to be seen? Not fixed. Not rescued. Just noticed. Breath Prayer Breathe in: You are seen. Breathe out: You are not alone. Resources & Ways to Learn More Learn more about ShowerUp Huntsville: View locations and upcoming opportunities: A Favorite Reminder from This Conversation "Your presence matters. Just show up." Closing Pull up a chair. Sometimes care looks like doing something. Sometimes it looks like simply being present. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 13 | When Love Feels Unsteady | Christian Marriage with Tammy Noble | 22 avr. 2026 | 00:48:49 | |
What do you do when a relationship feels fragile? When you're trying to hold everything together, but underneath the surface things feel strained, disconnected, or uncertain? In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura sits down with marriage mentor and ministry leader Tammy Noble for an honest conversation about brokenness, forgiveness, healing, and the slow work of restoration. Tammy shares her own story of addiction, infidelity, despair, surrender, and ultimately discovering the kind of healing that only God could bring. Together, Laura and Tammy explore loneliness, identity, forgiveness, marriage struggles, hearing God's voice, and finding hope when relationships feel unsteady. This isn't a conversation about perfect marriages. It's a conversation about real people, real wounds, and a God who still meets us in difficult places.. A Gentle Note This conversation includes adult topics and may not be suitable for younger listeners In this episode, we'll explore: • What it feels like when a relationship becomes fragile About Tammy Noble Tammy Noble is a marriage mentor and ministry leader passionate about helping couples move from survival mode into deeper covenant-centered connection. Through biblical truth, practical wisdom, and her own powerful story of restoration, she encourages individuals and couples toward healing, hope, and renewed faith. Counter Pause Before you move on with your day... Is there a place in your life right now that feels fragile? You don't have to solve it. You don't have to fix it. Just notice it. And take one slow breath there. Breath Prayer Breathe in: Love is still here... Breathe out: Even now. A Favorite Reminder from This Conversation "Forgiveness is not a feeling, it is an action." Connect with Tammy If you’d like a simple space to pause and begin your week grounded in faith, Tammy hosts a free Monday morning prayer gathering for marriages in a private Facebook Group. It’s a quiet, welcoming time to come as you are, seek God together, and start the week centered and supported. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3590901304538789 Closing Blessing My friend, hear this blessing… If things feel tender right now, May you find small moments of grace And may you trust— that even fragile things Take it at your own pace… only if it feels right for you. Pull up a chair. You don't have to carry it alone. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 12 | Holding It Together When Everything Feels Unsteady | Soul Care with Kurt Bush | 22 avr. 2026 | 00:24:54 | |
What happens when you look steady on the outside but feel uncertain on the inside? In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura sits down with trauma-informed coach, former pastor, and Internal Family Systems practitioner Kurt Bush for an honest conversation about the hidden weight many people carry every day. Together, they explore imposter syndrome, shame, self-compassion, faith during difficult seasons, and what it means to keep showing up when life feels unsteady beneath the surface. This isn't a conversation about having all the answers. It's a conversation about honesty, grace, and learning that you're not the only one carrying more than people can see. In this episode, we'll explore: • What "holding it together" really looks like About Kurt Bush Kurt Bush is a trauma-informed coach, certified Internal Family Systems practitioner, and co-founder of Brimstone Coaching Group. With a background in pastoral ministry and leadership, he helps people gently explore what's happening beneath the surface so they can move toward greater clarity, wholeness, and authenticity. Counter Pause Before you move on with your day: What feels unsteady for you right now? You don't have to fix it. You don't have to figure it out. Just notice it. Breath Prayer Breathe in: I am held... Breathe out: Even here. A Favorite Reminder from This Conversation "Shame dies in the light."
Learn more about Kurt's work at Brimstone Coaching Group: https://www.brimstonecoachinggroup.com/1-1coaching Closing Pull up a chair. You don't have to carry it alone Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 11 | When You Don't Feel Like Yourself Anymore: Finding Your Way Back Gently | Soul Care | 15 avr. 2026 | 00:10:06 | |
Have you ever looked around at your life and thought: "I don't feel like myself anymore." Maybe life changed. Maybe you changed. Maybe you've spent so much time surviving, caregiving, grieving, healing, or simply getting through the day that somewhere along the way you lost touch with parts of yourself. In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura reflects on the quiet disconnection that can happen after difficult seasons and offers a gentle invitation to reconnect with who you are becoming. Through personal stories, reflections on cancer recovery, and the image of dough slowly changing as it rests and rises, this conversation explores the difference between being lost and being transformed. In this episode, we'll explore: • Why life transitions can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves Whether you're navigating grief, caregiving, illness, recovery, burnout, identity shifts, or a major life transition, this episode offers permission to move slowly. Soul Care Questions • Where do you feel a little disconnected from yourself right now? • What part of you might be asking to be noticed again? • What small moment of noticing could help you reconnect today? Scripture/Blessing "Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10 May you be gentle with yourself in this season of change. May you trust that even when you don't feel like yourself, you are not lost. You are becoming. From the Counter If this conversation feels like something you'd like to keep sitting with, At the Counter and the companion Soul Pause Journal offer space for deeper reflection at your own pace. You can find both books here: https://amzn.to/4m1WRhM Closing Pull up a chair. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 10 | When You Wake Up Already Tired: The Work of Everyday Faith | Burnout Recovery | 08 avr. 2026 | 00:10:02 | |
There is a kind of tiredness that sleep doesn't fix. The kind that is already there before your feet hit the floor. The kind that lingers quietly beneath everything you carry. In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura reflects on emotional exhaustion, spiritual weariness, and what it means to keep showing up when you're running low on energy. Together we'll explore the difference between physical tiredness and deeper weariness, the burdens we carry quietly, and the gentle invitation to stop fixing long enough to notice what our souls may be trying to tell us. In this episode, we'll explore: • The difference between physical tiredness and emotional exhaustion Whether you're experiencing burnout, emotional fatigue, caregiving exhaustion, grief, or simply feeling worn thin by life, this conversation offers permission to slow down and breathe. Soul Pause Question Where do you feel tired right now? And what kind of rest do you actually need? Scripture Reflection Scripture speaks of rest not only as stopping, but as being held even in the middle of what hasn't changed. You don't have to solve everything today. You don't have to be less tired to be welcome here. You can simply notice what is true. From the Counter If you'd like to continue these reflections, explore At the Counter: Spiritual Recipes for Faith in Everyday Life can be found here: https://amzn.to/4dO0GEV and the companion At the Counter Soul Pause Journal can be found here: https://amzn.to/4g8StfQ Closing Pull up a chair. You are welcome here. Stay Connected Follow along for future episodes and reflections: Facebook or Instagram Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 9 | Does Your Past Still Define You? | Soul Care & Identity | 25 mars 2026 | 00:08:23 | |
Your story matters. But your story is not the whole story. In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura reflects on identity, healing, and the quiet process of becoming. While our past experiences shape us, they were never meant to become the final word about who we are. Many of us carry labels long after a season has ended. We identify ourselves by what we've survived, what we've lost, what we've done, or what was done to us. But healing often begins when we learn to honor our story without allowing it to define our future. In this episode, we'll explore: • The difference between honoring your past and living inside it Whether you're healing from loss, recovering from a difficult season, rebuilding after disappointment, or simply wondering who you are now, this episode offers a gentle invitation to move forward with hope. Soul Care Questions • What part of your past has been speaking louder than your present? • What label or role might be ready to loosen its grip? • Who are you becoming now, even quietly? Scripture/Blessing "See, I am doing a new thing; now it springs up, do you not perceive it?" May you honor where you've been without letting it limit where you're going. May you be released from labels that no longer fit. May you trust that your story is still unfolding. Closing Pull up a chair. The story isn't over yet. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 8 | Feeling Overwhelmed? Decluttering Your Soul | Soul Care | 11 mars 2026 | 00:12:56 | |
What if the heaviest things you're carrying aren't visible? In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura reflects on emotional clutter, spiritual overwhelm, and the quiet weight many of us carry without realizing it. Just as kitchen counters collect clutter over time, our hearts and souls often collect layers of guilt, expectations, regrets, responsibilities, and unfinished emotions. This gentle conversation offers an invitation to notice what you've been carrying and consider what may be ready to rest. Decluttering your soul isn't about fixing yourself. It's about making room with compassion. In this episode, we'll explore: • Emotional and spiritual clutter Soul Pause Questions • What feels heavy that no longer needs to be carried? • What guilt might be ready to rest, even just for a moment? • What would you make room for if your soul felt lighter? Whether you're feeling emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, stuck, or simply longing for more space to breathe, this episode offers a gentle reminder that releasing what no longer belongs can be an act of love. Scripture/Blessing "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28 May you clear space without self-criticism. May you be gentle with your story. May you trust that releasing what no longer belongs is an act of love. From the Counter If this episode stirred something in you, At the Counter: Spiritual Recipes for Faith in Everyday Life offers a gentle place to continue, you can find it here: Closing Pull up a chair. Breathe. Stay as long as you need. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 7 | Grieving Something You Can't Explain? The Grief We Don't Name | Grief Support | 25 févr. 2026 | 00:10:42 | |
Sometimes grief doesn't arrive with a funeral. Sometimes it arrives through a life change, a broken dream, a relationship shift, a health diagnosis, a closed door, or a future that didn't unfold the way you hoped. In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura explores the quiet grief many people carry without realizing that's what it is. When loss goes unnamed, it often shows up as exhaustion, restlessness, sadness, anxiety, or feeling stuck without knowing why. This gentle conversation creates space to recognize, honor, and tend the losses that may have been living quietly beneath the surface. In this episode, we'll explore: • Why grief is bigger than we often realize Whether you're grieving a person, a season, a dream, a role, a relationship, or a version of life you hoped would be different, this episode offers permission to move slowly and hold yourself with compassion. Soul Care Questions • What loss might you still be carrying, even if you never called it grief? • What ending, change, or disappointment still sits quietly with you? • Where might you offer yourself gentleness instead of explanation? Scripture/Blessing "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit." May you be kind to what you're carrying. May you honor what mattered. May you remember that grief is not weakness. It is evidence that something was loved. From the Counter If this conversation felt familiar, At the Counter: Spiritual Recipes for Faith in Everyday Life offers a gentle place to continue. You can find that book here: https://amzn.to/4dO0GEV Closing Pull up a chair. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 6 | Feeling Left Out or Left Behind? | Christian Encouragement | 11 févr. 2026 | 00:07:08 | |
Before you leave the counter today, Laura offers a gentle blessing for the road ahead. Whether you're carrying joy, grief, loneliness, gratitude, or a little of everything, this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to prove your worth or rush your healing. Released during Valentine's week, this episode acknowledges the complicated mix of emotions many people carry during seasons centered on love, relationships, and connection. For some, these moments bring celebration. For others, they bring grief, longing, loneliness, or reflection. In this episode, we'll explore: • Why holidays and special occasions often amplify what we're already feeling Whether you're celebrating, grieving, healing, waiting, or simply making your way through an ordinary week, this episode offers encouragement for the journey ahead. Soul Care Questions • What kind of gentleness would feel most loving toward you right now? • Where might you release comparison and receive compassion instead? • What does it look like to carry only what is truly yours this week? Scripture/Blessing "May the Lord bless you and keep you." — Numbers 6:24 May you move gently through this week. May you be held in kindness. May you remember that your worth has never depended on comparison. Closing Pull up a chair anytime Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 5 | When Relationships Change: Who's Still at the Table? | Grief Support | 04 févr. 2026 | 00:08:18 | |
What happens when you stop holding everything together? In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura reflects on changing relationships, quiet grief, healthy boundaries, and the clarity that often comes when life slows down. Sometimes the hardest part of a difficult season isn't what you're carrying. It's realizing that not everyone walks through that season with you. Through gentle reflection and honest conversation, this episode explores what we begin to notice when we stop performing, stop over-functioning, and allow relationships to reveal themselves. In this episode, we'll explore: • Why some relationships change during difficult seasons Whether you're navigating friendship changes, family dynamics, loneliness, caregiving, grief, or a season of discernment, this episode offers a gentle reminder that your circle becoming smaller doesn't mean you've failed. Soul Care Questions • When you stop trying so hard, who naturally remains near you? • Where do you feel most like yourself lately? • What tables no longer ask you to shrink or strain? Scripture/Blessing "Let mutual love continue." — Hebrews 13:1 May you be surrounded by relationships that allow you to be honest, whole, and at rest. May you find courage to release what no longer fits. May you recognize the people who stay. Closing Pull up a chair. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 4 | Feeling Like You're Not Doing Enough? Why the Small Things Still Matter | Christian Encouragement | 28 janv. 2026 | 00:07:18 | |
Do you ever feel like your efforts don't count because they seem too small? In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura reflects on crumbs, unfinished work, and the quiet faithfulness that often goes unnoticed. We live in a world that celebrates big accomplishments, dramatic breakthroughs, and visible success. But what if the small things matter more than we realize? Through stories from the kitchen and reflections from everyday life, this conversation offers a gentle reminder that your worth is not measured by how much you accomplish. In this episode, we'll explore: • Why we often dismiss our small acts of faithfulness Whether you're feeling discouraged, overlooked, exhausted, or simply wondering if your efforts matter, this episode offers encouragement for the journey. Soul Care Questions • What small thing have you been too quick to dismiss? • Where have you already done more than you're giving yourself credit for? • What has already been given, even if it feels incomplete? Scripture/Blessing "Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much." — Luke 16:10 May you notice the goodness of what you've already offered. May you trust that small acts of faithfulness matter. May you remember that crumbs are evidence that something meaningful happened here. Closing Pull up a chair. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 3 | When You've Been Carrying Too Much: Learning to Set Down What's Too Heavy | Burnout Recovery | 21 janv. 2026 | 00:06:29 | |
Have you been carrying so much for so long that you don't know how to set it down? In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura reflects on the quiet exhaustion that comes from always being the strong one. Using the image of over-kneaded dough, she explores what happens when we keep pushing, striving, and holding everything together long after our hearts need rest. Together we'll explore: • The hidden weight of carrying too much Whether you're caring for others, navigating grief, carrying responsibilities for your family, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life, this episode offers a gentle invitation to pause. Soul Care Questions • What feels especially heavy right now? • Where have you been carrying more than you were meant to carry? • What would it look like to set down one small burden this week? Scripture/Blessing "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." May you find permission to rest. May you release what is not yours to hold. May you remember that you were never meant to carry everything alone. Closing Pull up a chair. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 2 | Feeling Stuck While You Wait? Learning to Trust the Slow Rise | Christian Encouragement | 14 janv. 2026 | 00:04:47 | |
Have you ever felt like everyone else is moving forward while you're standing still? In this episode of At the Counter with the Baking Pastor, Laura reflects on waiting seasons, unseen growth, and the quiet work God often does beneath the surface. When life feels rushed and answers seem slow to come, it's easy to assume nothing is happening. But just like dough rising on the counter, some of the most important growth takes place where we cannot yet see it. In this conversation, we'll explore: • Why waiting seasons can feel frustrating and discouraging Whether you're waiting for healing, direction, change, restoration, or simply your next step, this episode offers a gentle reminder that not all progress is visible. Soul Care Questions • Where in your life are you longing for clarity or movement right now? • What might be forming quietly beneath the surface, even if you can't see it yet? • How could you offer yourself patience instead of pressure this week? Scripture "Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him." — Psalm 37:7 Closing Pull up a chair. The slow rise is still rising. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||
| 1 | Pull Up a Chair: Finding Rest When You're Tired of Holding It All Together | Burnout Recovery | 07 janv. 2026 | 00:06:36 | |
Welcome to At the Counter with the Baking Pastor. If you're feeling overwhelmed, emotionally tired, spiritually weary, or simply carrying more than you know how to name, this episode is a gentle place to begin. Laura Sharp-Waites, licensed minister, pastoral counselor, and Christian life coach, shares the heart behind the podcast and offers an invitation to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with God's presence in the middle of everyday life. Together we'll explore: • Why so many of us feel exhausted from constantly striving Whether you're navigating burnout, grief, uncertainty, caregiving, life transitions, or simply feeling stretched thin, you're welcome here. Soul Care Questions • Where in your life do you feel most rushed right now? Scripture "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28 Closing Pull up a chair. You don't have to carry everything alone. Continue the conversation inside the At the Counter community. Find encouragement, connection, and a place to remember you don’t have to carry everything alone. 📱 Search At the Counter in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and pull up a chair. ☕ Enjoying At the Counter?
At the Counter with the Baking Pastor is for anyone looking for Christian encouragement for hard seasons, grief support, burnout recovery, soul care, and faith in everyday life. We talk about grief and loss support, caregiving, life transitions, unwanted change, emotional healing, spiritual weariness, rest and renewal, and practical soul care for the days when life feels heavy, faith feels tired, or you simply don’t feel like yourself anymore. Pull up a chair. The counter is open. ☕ | |||