Episodios

  • The Intersection of Trauma and Spirituality with Hannah Wilson
    May 9 2025

    In this episode of The Next Brave Thing, I sit down with the insightful and compassionate Hannah Wilson, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to explore the deep and often tender intersections between trauma, emotional health, and spirituality. We talk about how trauma shows up in our relationships, shapes our personal growth, and influences our spiritual journeys.

    Hannah shares powerful insights on the importance of self-compassion, the process of healing, and how trust—especially in our relationship with God—can lead us to deeper freedom. We explore what it means to let go of control, how surrender can be a gateway to emotional resilience, and the subtle ways control can sneak into our relationships and decisions.

    Together, we unpack the impact of unresolved trauma on our discernment, the role rest plays in emotional regulation, and the beautiful connection between emotional and spiritual wholeness. We wrap up with a prophetic word on restoration and a heartfelt invitation to bravely release what no longer serves us.

    Learn more about Hannah and her work at horizonspiritualcoaching.com, and connect with her on Instagram @_hannahlwilson.

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    1 h y 7 m
  • Wholehearted Living vs. Perfectionism
    May 3 2025

    Is “doing your best” actually just fear in disguise? In this episode, I unpack the subtle but powerful difference between wholehearted living and perfectionism. We explore how striving to be perfect often stems from fear, shame, or a need to prove ourselves—and how living from love, grace, and authenticity sets us free.

    From religious pressure and wellness culture to motherhood and Christian performance, I share personal stories and spiritual insights around what it means to stop performing and start becoming. This episode is for anyone who feels exhausted by the pressure to be more, do more, or get it all right.

    ✨ You’ll learn:

    • Key differences between perfectionism and wholeheartedness
    • How fear disguises itself as “trying harder”
    • The invitation to live under the law of love, not performance
    • Why failure isn’t a threat—it’s a teacher

    Let’s trade fear for freedom and choose to live from a place of grace, not grit.

    🎧 Listen now and take your next brave step toward wholehearted living.

    Check out my website: www.ella-hooper.com

    Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ella.hooper__/

    Follow the next brave thing podcast on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextbravethingpodcast/

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    36 m
  • Living a Creative Life: Vulnerability, Visibility & the Power of Letting Go with Lara Pilcher
    Apr 25 2025

    In this episode of The Next Brave Thing podcast, I have a heartfelt conversation with Lara Pilcher, diving deep into creativity, vulnerability, and personal growth. Lara opens up about her artistic journey, the challenges she faced while building her career in London, and the transformative experience of becoming a mother.

    We talk about the importance of embracing imperfection, staying authentic, and grieving the seasons we leave behind. As we explore Lara’s experiences, we reflect on what it means to live a creative life and the power of self-acceptance.

    Lara shares so openly about her journey of self-discovery, what it’s been like to embrace change, and why visibility matters so much in creative work. We talk through those moments of feeling stuck, finding the courage to be seen, and how our dreams evolve over time. Lara reminds us of the role grief plays in the creative process and encourages us all to keep showing up as our full, authentic selves.

    Lara Bianca Pilcher is an accomplished Australian actress currently based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. With a rich background in both theater and screen, she has captivated audiences around the world through her compelling performances in stage productions, films, and television.

    In addition to her work as an actor, Lara is also a wife, mother of two, author, and a professionally certified coach for artists. She is passionate about helping performers, writers, and visual artists reignite their creativity and take bold, meaningful action in their creative lives.

    Follow Lara on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larabiancapilcher

    Check out her website: https://larabiancapilcher.com/

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    51 m
  • 95. What is yours will find you
    Apr 17 2025

    In this episode, I unpack a quote I stumbled across: “What is yours will find you.” It hit me in a tender, grounding way—like a deep breath I didn’t know I needed. It brought up some honest questions about control, striving, and self-preservation. Am I holding on too tightly? Trying to force things in my own strength?

    This quote offered me a kind of assurance—that maybe I can trust the timing of my life, that there are good things with my name on them. But it also brought up a tension: Do we just sit back and wait for life to happen? Or do we chase down our dreams, fight for opportunities, and knock on doors until they open? How do we know when to rest, and when to rise up?

    I also explore how true opportunities can’t really find us when we’re masked up in people-pleasing or performing for acceptance. The real you—the one under the roles and expectations—is the one meant to be found.

    Also, small disclaimer: I have no idea who originally said this quote! If you do, please send me a message—I love giving credit where it’s due.

    Follow me on Instagram: @ella.hooper__

    Book a 1:1 Coaching Session: www.ella-hooper.com/life-coaching

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    32 m
  • 94. Starting Over & Reinvention with Chris Cruz
    Apr 10 2025

    In this episode of The Next Brave Thing, I talk with Chris Cruz—creative director and former pastor—about identity, reinvention, and the courage it takes to start over.

    Chris shares his journey of leaving ministry to pursue his creative passions, the challenges of navigating societal pressures, and the healing that comes with embracing authenticity.

    We explore the tension between art and commerce, the power of self-expression, and the hidden growth that shapes our most meaningful transitions.

    Chris Cruz is an author, creative director, and former pastor known for his passion for spiritual formation and creativity. After 15 years in ministry at Bethel Church, he now works with Harbor + Union, a creative agency. He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife, Lana, and their three kids.

    Follow Chris Cruz on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriscruz/

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    44 m
  • 93. How to ACTUALLY surrender
    Apr 4 2025

    This week, I had to let go of something—doubt. Not because I didn’t know the answer, but because I didn’t like the one I knew deep down was true. That tension pulled me into the tender terrain of surrender—a word we throw around often but rarely sit with long enough to understand.

    Surrender isn’t weakness. It’s not giving up or caving in. It’s arriving at a moment in your soul, in your body, where you stop striving and start trusting. For me, surrender feels weighty and tender. It’s not something I can force. It only comes after the obsessive overthinking, the looping, the internal wrestling.

    In this episode, I unpack what surrender has looked like for me lately—why it’s so hard to reach, how our subconscious blocks and early stories keep us holding on tight, and why letting go is actually an act of deep care, not defeat.

    I share how I’ve been growing my trust muscle with God, slowly learning that if I’m not ready to surrender, there’s probably a really good reason. That resistance isn’t failure—it’s a signpost.

    Letting go isn’t the end. It’s a sacred act of renewal. Just like autumn doesn’t fight winter, I don’t want to fight the shedding either. Nature makes room for new growth, and so will I.

    Follow me on Instagram: @ella.hooper__

    Book a 1:1 Coaching Session: www.ella-hooper.com/life-coaching

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    29 m
  • 92. Navigating Transition Seasons Part 2 - The In Between
    Mar 27 2025

    Are you waiting for something? Many of us can relate to the in-between season—the space where what we’re hoping for hasn’t arrived yet, while everything else seems to be falling apart, crumbling, or being pulled away.

    But this in-between isn’t a punishment; it’s a refinement. You are being shaped, molded, and prepared.

    Your subconscious is recalibrating because the life you’re stepping into requires a greater capacity than the one you’ve been living in. Right now, your job isn’t to force, fear, or grasp for control—it’s to stay the course. To surrender. To trust.

    Something truly incredible is unfolding for you in this season. You’re releasing the need for external validation and stepping fully into who you are meant to be.

    Connect with Me:

    Instagram: @ella.hooper__

    Book a 1:1 Coaching Session: www.ella-hooper.com/life-coaching

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    47 m
  • 91. Overcoming Perfectionism: A Hollywood Exec’s Journey to Authenticity & Faith
    Mar 20 2025

    In this episode of the Next Brave Thing podcast, I sit down with Katherine Warnock, Vice President of Content for the acclaimed TV series The Chosen. Katherine shares her inspiring journey from high school teacher to Hollywood executive, discussing the success of The Chosen and the crucial role of authenticity in the creative industry. She opens up about overcoming shame and perfectionism, the powerful influence of faith on her career, and the challenges of standing firm in her convictions in a demanding field.

    In this insightful conversation, Katherine delves into the importance of navigating wisdom in a complex world, emphasizing the need to listen for God's voice and maintain accountability. She reflects on how true favor comes from God, and how obedience and love should take precedence over personal ambition. Katherine also explores the courage required to dream and create alongside God, urging listeners to not take things personally and to allow God to shape their identity along the way.

    Watch the chosen: https://www.thechosen.tv/en-us

    Follow Katherine Warnock on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherinewarnock/

    Connect with Me:

    Instagram: @ella.hooper__

    Book a 1:1 Coaching Session: www.ella-hooper.com/life-coaching

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    37 m
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