In this episode, host Elizabeth Pitman sits down with Dr. Jenna Londgren to discuss her new women's Bible study, Strong in the Lord: A Women's Bible Study on Faith and Mental Health. A college professor, licensed marriage and family therapist, and mom of four, Jenna explores the connection between faith and emotional health — from recognizing when you're weary and overwhelmed to guarding your heart, building self-awareness, and modeling emotional intelligence for your kids. She shares practical, Scripture-rooted practices for finding rest and strength in Christ, even in life's most exhausting seasons.

Get Jenna’s new book at cph.org/strong. 

Episode Timestamps

0:00 — Introduction & Welcoming Jenna Londgren

2:00 — Meet Dr. Jenna Londgren: Professor, Therapist, and Mom of Four

4:00 — Why Strong in the Lord Was Designed to Feel Like a Gift

6:00 — The Power of Doing the Study in Community

10:00 — What to Do When You Reach Your Breaking Point

13:00 — Finding the Peace That Surpasses Understanding

15:00 — Building Self-Awareness and Naming Your Needs

17:00 — Guarding Your Heart by Inviting In What's Good

20:00 — Choosing Joy Without Guilt

22:00 — Why We Can't Just Ignore Our Emotions

24:00 — Teaching Kids Emotional Intelligence

27:00 — Letting Loved Ones Sit With Hard Feelings

31:00 — The “I Feel Llama” Icebreaker and Naming Emotions

34:00 — A Caution for Finding Mental Health Resources Online

37:00 — Hope for a Woman in a Dark Season

39:00 — A Journal Prompt to Try This Week

About the Guest

Dr. Jennifer K. Londgren is the coordinator of the alcohol and drug studies program and an associate professor of health science at Minnesota State University. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, nationally certified counselor, and board-certified telemental health provider with clinical expertise in addiction, anxiety disorders, and women's issues. She presents at local and national levels on self-care, well-being, stress and burnout, and innovative teaching techniques.

Resources Mentioned

Strong in the Lord: A Women's Bible Study on Faith and Mental Health by Jennifer K. Londgren — cph.org

Concordia Publishing House

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LCMS Foundation

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