Show Notes: Untwist Me with author Elena Huggins
In this episode of the podcast, host Michele sits down with Elena Huggins, author of "Untwist Me: Uncomplicated Life Hacks for Mental and Emotional Liberation," to explore Elena's transformative journey from a rigid religious upbringing in Ukraine to finding personal freedom through faith, healing, and self-discovery. Elena shares her story of encountering Jesus at 17, facing church ostracism as a zealous female evangelist, moving to Bible college in Australia, and her work in anti-human trafficking efforts. The conversation delves into her challenging marriage to an addict, the ensuing trauma, PTSD, and anger toward God, culminating in a profound spiritual breakthrough during a fast. They discuss the interplay of mental health, emotional liberation, and biblical principles, including the trauma cycle, mind renewal, and the dangers of spiritual bypassing, while touching on broader issues like addiction, pornography's impact, and the need for simplicity in healing.
Elena emphasizes the importance of humility, honesty, and readiness in the healing process, drawing from her experiences in pastoral care and personal recovery. The duo explores how God reverses the trauma cycle—starting with spirit renewal, followed by mind, soul, and body—and warns against complicating faith or recovery. Michele relates her own story of abuse and marital struggles, highlighting shared themes of forgiveness and resilience. Elena's "nugget" of wisdom is to keep things simple for greater happiness and health. Listeners are encouraged to grab Elena's book on Amazon or her website for practical insights blending biblical truths, science, and real-life patterns for those struggling or helping others.
Chapters:
- 00:00 - Introduction and Elena's Upbringing
- 02:00 - Personal Encounter with Jesus and Zealous Faith
- 04:00 - Church Challenges and Move to Australia
- 07:00 - Marriage, Addiction, and Family Struggles
- 10:00 - Anger at God and Path to Healing
- 13:00 - Spiritual Breakthrough and Lifestyle Changes
- 15:00 - Writing "Untwist Me" and Simplifying Mental Health
- 18:00 - Defining Spiritual Bypassing
- 20:00 - Anti-Human Trafficking Work and Insights
- 23:00 - Pornography, Addiction, and Brain Changes
- 25:00 - The Trauma Cycle and God's Reversal
- 30:00 - Honesty, Humility, and Readiness in Healing
- 34:00 - Therapy Pitfalls and Cultural Beliefs
- 39:00 - Nugget of Wisdom: Keep It Simple
- 41:00 - Closing and Book Details
Keywords:mental health, emotional liberation, trauma healing, Christianity, addiction recovery, human trafficking, spiritual bypassing, mind renewal, PTSD, faith journey, anti-trafficking, pornography impact, humility in healing, biblical principles, simplicity in life
Connect:
Website: https://www.elenahuggins.com
IG: @itselenahuggins
