Catching Your Breath

What are breath prayers?I’ll tell you...Sitting atop the toaster oven in my kitchen is a small wooden sign that reads, “Inhale the present. Exhale the past.” Said another way, it might read, “Inhale peace. Exhale anxiety.” Or feel free to fill in the blank with whatever you need to breathe in, and whatever you need to exhale today.A breath prayer is precisely that: a prayer you can say as you inhale and exhale. The beauty of a breath prayer is that you can offer it up any time, any place. You don’t have to purchase a meditation cushion or light candles or sit cross-legged, touching your thumb to your index finger and humming OM. While that is exactly what I do at times, a breath prayer doesn’t require anything other than your attention and your breath.Whether you’re sitting in the parking lot at work, hiding out in your car before the next dreaded work meeting, swimming laps at the pool, or standing in the shower (hoping your children don’t kill each other), you can literally offer a breath prayer in any setting.How does it work? Much like the sign that sits on my toaster oven, you meditate on a particular phrase as you inhale, and pray a response to that thought on the exhale. Doing this helps to rid yourself of any external distractions for a few moments. So, in the example of sitting in the parking lot at work, maybe you silence your phone and turn off the car stereo while you pray. If you’re looking to increase your inner-peace, and could use some help exhaling the b******t, listen to this 15-minute snippet from tonight’s group coaching session. I pray it helps you slow down and just be for a while. I’m in your corner,SteveP.S. I still have 3 spaces available for “Jesus Coaching.” If you’d like to sign up for the 8 sessions, just email me back at steve@iamsteveaustin.com today!

“Some days I am not sure if my faith is riddled with doubt, or whether, graciously, my doubt is riddled with faith. And yet I continue to live in a world the way a religious person lives in the world; I keep living in a world that I know to be enchanted, and not left alone. I doubt; I am uncertain; I am restless, prone to wander. And yet glimmers of holy keep interrupting my gaze.” -Lauren Winner, StillLet’s begin with a few what-ifs:What if this journey toward Jesus came with even more freedom than you can imagine?What if the American version of Evangelical Christianity isn’t 100% right 100% of the time?What if God is even better, more loving, more inclusive, more patient, and more present than we ever imagined?What if?In The God-Shaped Brain by Dr. Thomas Jennings, he says that a healthy view of a loving God can literally transform our brains. Side note: did you know that just meditating on a God of love for 12 minutes a day can actually rewire your brain? Sure, it’s a slow, patient process, but it’s one worth starting as soon as possible.So where do you begin? Today, I want to give you what I believe are the first three steps in healing your image of God.Listen to this free podcast, and pre-order my new book, Hiding in the Pews, by clicking here.*”Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” performed by the ever-magical Stella Hess. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at iamsteveaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In this special episode of the #CatchingYourBreath Podcast, Steve Austin talks with one of his best friends, Joshua M. Casey, author of the new book, Tracking Desire. The guys talk about favorite and least favorite books, the writing process, and losing religion without losing your soul. Listen to this 30-minute episode today! And order Tracking Desire on Amazon by clicking here.

Welcome back to Catching You Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin. If you listen to this episode, you'll learn 10 ways to deal with criticism, plus Steve will walk you through an affirmation to let go of the fear of disappointing others.   Show notes:   Steve's courses and coaching Steve's new #BreatheWithMePodcast Order Catching Your Breath Download Steve's free self-care journal

The holiday season can be stressful for lots of folks. If you are looking for a way to slow down, let go of worry over your future, and regrets about your past, this is the guided meditation for you.   Stay connected at catchingyourbreath.com.

Maintaining your mental health is hard enough. Add a seemingly never-ending global pandemic to the mix, and life can feel particularly heavy. In this episode, Steve Austin will guide you through: Letting go. Holding on. Looking up. Download Steve Austin's free self-care journal by clicking right here.

Today, I have the privilege of speaking to you on the topic of Hope.   Hope - but what the heck does that even mean?    Hope is an elusive concept: like trying to hold water in your hands or get Jello to sit still. Just when you think you’ve got it, the mystery of hope slips right through your fingers.    But I’ve spent the past year (since I was with you last) researching hope, and I’m so excited to share a bit of what I’ve learned with you today.   Show notes: You can read more David’s work and pre-order his new book of poetry, The Wrestle, at his website, DavidTensen.com  Making Hope Happen: Create the Future You Want for Yourself. Catching Your Breath: The Sacred Journey from Chaos to Calm. https://amzn.to/3k9Z9Kh Download Steve's free self-care journal here - https://catchingyourbreath.com/free-self-care-journal/   Reflection questions:   What would happen if we learned to live in the tension of both sides of Jesus’s statement, understanding that earthly life is suffering, but eternal life is joy? What is one way you can be kind to yourself as you consider starting this journey toward embracing and enduring suffering, in order to find hope and healing? What is one thing in your life—a pet, a skill, a person, a memory—that brings you moments of joy in your pain? Can you hold it in your mind, letting yourself feel the goodness of it like a cat basking in the sun? What is one vulnerable thing you can share with one safe person today? Get gut-level honest about what you need right now, and then don’t be afraid to share that information with your doctors and others in your inner circle.

Welcome to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, episode number 64. I’m your host, Steve Austin, and I’m so glad you’re here today. If you listen to this episode in its entirety, you’ll learn how to determine if your life is well-balanced, plus I’ll teach you 25 practical ways to find balance. And at the end of today’s episode, I’ll lead you in a guided breath prayer: a simple way to center yourself, even on the most chaotic of days.   Before we dive into that, I want to say thanks for listening. There are a gazillion life coaches you could be listening to, but you’ve chosen to hang out with me for the next half hour, and that means a lot to me.   If you haven’t left an iTunes review, would you take a couple of minutes to do that now?   And please don’t forget about my book, Catching Your Breath. You can snag a copy today on Amazon, and join me on the sacred journey from chaos to calm. A quick personal update: I’ve nearly completed my second manuscript of the year, Slow Miracles: 99 Doses of Hope and Healing, which will release next Fall with Broadleaf Books. As a result, I’ll be returning to the podcast more often. And I’d love to know what topics would be helpful to you these days. Also - what guests would you like to hear from on this show? Do you have a favorite author, teacher, pastor, or coach who would be a perfect fit for my podcast? Shoot me a quick email at steve@iamsteveaustin.com and I’ll get to work creating new content! In today's episode: Transcript of today's episode. Become a VIP Member

This bonus episode is from a sermon I delivered at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham on Sunday, August 2nd. In it, I share my story, plus several ways your church can become a place of healing, rather than a place of shame, for those with mental illness. Connect with me via my website at catchingyourbreath.com and support the show at patreon.com/iamsteveaustin.

Welcome to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, Episode 63. Today we’re discussing the power of non-judgmental presence. How can co-suffering with hurting people change everything? These notes are the bits and pieces that didn’t make it into my upcoming book with Fortress Press, but because I’m so passionate about this topic, I just couldn’t scrap them. So, I’m sharing them with you today. Show notes: Support the show at Patreon.com/iamsteveaustin Join the Catching Your Breath Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/catchingyourbreath Sign up for my "Emotional Health 101" course at EmotionalHealthNow.com Follow Ann Ahrens' blog annahrens.wordpress.com Read my latest blog on The Mighty: The Church Needs to Learn How to Co-Suffer with Hurting People Music at the end of this episode - "Hold On, Honey" by my dear friend, Devin Balram. https://listen.lt/DevinBalramHoldOnHoney

Welcome back to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with host, Steve Austin. This is episode 62. The full title is, "It's The End of the World As We Know It: How to Find Hope, Healing, and Inner Peace Amid Racial Tensions, A Global Pandemic, and a Political Dumpster Fire." (No, really.) This episode includes 3 myths about hope, plus a guided meditation to help you self-soothe when life is difficult. Connect with Steve at catchingyourbreath.com today.

Welcome back to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin. If you listen to this episode in its entirety, you will discover 14 simple ways to master your emotions and rebuild a foundation of emotional health. And if you're ready to learn even more, sign up for Steve's new video course, "Emotional Health 101: 30 Days of Wellbeing," by going to EmotionalHealthNow.com. Use discount code SAVE75 by Wednesday night, May 20th, to save $75 off the registration fee. Follow Steve's work at catchingyourbreath.com today.  

Welcome to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin. If you listen to this episode in its entirety, you'll learn: how to challenge your toxic thoughts discover an exercise on drawing out your gremlin (or inner critic) and learn to work WITH your inner critic to find healing To sign up for my brand-new video course, "Emotional Health 101: 30 Days of Wellbeing," just go to iamsteveaustin.podia.com today. If this episode helped you, would you please go to iTunes and leave a 5-star rating and review? If you'd like to take it a step further, you can support the show (and my family) by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/iamsteveaustin. And finally, PLEASE join us on Facebook! Facebook.com/groups/catchingyourbreath Thanks for listening.

Welcome back to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin. In her book, From Longing to Belonging, Shelly Christensen says, “The Spirit of Belonging is based on relationships and conversations when participants share what is important to them.” Well, how can you share what’s important to you, if you don’t know what’s important to you? And how can you share what’s important with you, if shame is telling you to shut up, that your goals, dreams, and wounds don’t matter? If you listen to this episode in its entirety, you will discover: 7 Ways to Embrace Your Individuality 6 Benefits of Embracing Your Quirky Side 8 Steps to Embracing Your Quirky Side Do You Long to Unclutter Your Soul? ​Is your soul cluttered and your image of God unclear? Are you desperate to rebuild your self-worth?It can be tough, trying to reconcile our wounds, hopes, and what we believe about God. I know how scary that can feel. And so, to help you​ start reconciling your mental and spiritual health, I'm offering a personal, one-on-one Soul Care Strategy Session with me. Click here to sign up now.   And please leave an iTunes rating and review by clicking here.

Welcome back to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin. If you listen to this episode in its entirety, you will: Learn the difference between solitude and loneliness. Discover why Jesus understands your loneliness. Understand How Quiet Moments Allow You to Connect with Your Soul. And finally, I’ll walk you through a coaching exercise on living your core values. Schedule a Soul Care Strategy Session with Steve Austin today for 50% off, just $47! Here's the link. And PLEASE leave a review on iTunes. Tell people what you like about the show and why they should listen. Thanks!

In this bonus episode, Steve Austin guides you through an 8-minute meditation on worry. Follow Steve online at catchingyourbreath.com

Bonus episode! Are you finding it hard to be grateful in the midst of such chaos and uncertainty? Join Steve Austin and Tracy Winchell (host of Reboots Podcast), for some 3 simple ways to practice gratitude, even in the midst of chaos.   Join Tracy's Gratitude e-course Download the free Gratitude MadLibs Download the Gratitude SlideDeck Presentation Join Steve's 5-day e-course on facing worry and anxiety.

The audio from this bonus episode is from a talk Steve Austin recently did via Facebook Live for Mental Health on the Mighty. If you're looking for a few simple ways to slow down and catch your breath during this Coronavirus pandemic, check out this short episode. And sign up for Steve's free 5-day e-course on How to Face Your Worry and Anxiety at catchingyourbreath.com today.

To encourage and inspire you during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I've decided to release the entire audiobook of Catching Your Breath: The Sacred Journey from Chaos to Calm. This episode is Chapter Eleven: Watching Porn with Nanny. Click here to download the all-new "Catching Your Breath Toolkit," including the book, study guide, and my twenty favorite resources for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Click here. From the back cover: What if you could experience a new level of freedom, strength, healing, and energy? Too many people are overwhelmed and holding onto deep suffering, unable to catch their breath in a world that tells them to fake it till they make it. As the pressure of fear, pain, anxiety, and anger build, sooner or later these individuals are going to explode—just like bestselling author and life coach Steve Austin did. That’s no way to live. With deep honesty, hilarious true stories, and refreshingly straight talk, Austin shares his personal journey from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to calm amid life’s inevitable chaos. He pulls no punches, revealing his darkest moments and the thoughts most people would be too afraid to admit. Yet he offers hope. In these powerful pages, you’ll find simple ways to cultivate calm and practice self-care while living courageously and authentically. Discover how to come up for air and breathe again.

To encourage and inspire you during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I've decided to release the entire audiobook of Catching Your Breath: The Sacred Journey from Chaos to Calm. This episode is Chapter Ten: A Dog Named Dudley. Click here to download the all-new "Catching Your Breath Toolkit," including the book, study guide, and my twenty favorite resources for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Click here. From the back cover: What if you could experience a new level of freedom, strength, healing, and energy? Too many people are overwhelmed and holding onto deep suffering, unable to catch their breath in a world that tells them to fake it till they make it. As the pressure of fear, pain, anxiety, and anger build, sooner or later these individuals are going to explode—just like bestselling author and life coach Steve Austin did. That’s no way to live. With deep honesty, hilarious true stories, and refreshingly straight talk, Austin shares his personal journey from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to calm amid life’s inevitable chaos. He pulls no punches, revealing his darkest moments and the thoughts most people would be too afraid to admit. Yet he offers hope. In these powerful pages, you’ll find simple ways to cultivate calm and practice self-care while living courageously and authentically. Discover how to come up for air and breathe again.

To encourage and inspire you during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I've decided to release the entire audiobook of Catching Your Breath: The Sacred Journey from Chaos to Calm. This episode is Chapter Nine: Quiet AF. Click here to download the all-new "Catching Your Breath Toolkit," including the book, study guide, and my twenty favorite resources for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Click here. From the back cover: What if you could experience a new level of freedom, strength, healing, and energy? Too many people are overwhelmed and holding onto deep suffering, unable to catch their breath in a world that tells them to fake it till they make it. As the pressure of fear, pain, anxiety, and anger build, sooner or later these individuals are going to explode—just like bestselling author and life coach Steve Austin did. That’s no way to live. With deep honesty, hilarious true stories, and refreshingly straight talk, Austin shares his personal journey from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to calm amid life’s inevitable chaos. He pulls no punches, revealing his darkest moments and the thoughts most people would be too afraid to admit. Yet he offers hope. In these powerful pages, you’ll find simple ways to cultivate calm and practice self-care while living courageously and authentically. Discover how to come up for air and breathe again.

To encourage and inspire you during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I've decided to release the entire audiobook of Catching Your Breath: The Sacred Journey from Chaos to Calm. This episode is Chapter Eight: Saucer and Blow It. Click here to download the all-new "Catching Your Breath Toolkit," including the book, study guide, and my twenty favorite resources for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Click here. From the back cover: What if you could experience a new level of freedom, strength, healing, and energy? Too many people are overwhelmed and holding onto deep suffering, unable to catch their breath in a world that tells them to fake it till they make it. As the pressure of fear, pain, anxiety, and anger build, sooner or later these individuals are going to explode—just like bestselling author and life coach Steve Austin did. That’s no way to live. With deep honesty, hilarious true stories, and refreshingly straight talk, Austin shares his personal journey from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to calm amid life’s inevitable chaos. He pulls no punches, revealing his darkest moments and the thoughts most people would be too afraid to admit. Yet he offers hope. In these powerful pages, you’ll find simple ways to cultivate calm and practice self-care while living courageously and authentically. Discover how to come up for air and breathe again.

To encourage and inspire you during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I've decided to release the entire audiobook of Catching Your Breath: The Sacred Journey from Chaos to Calm. This episode is Chapter Seven: Throw Everything Over. And click here to download the all-new "Catching Your Breath Toolkit," including the book, study guide, and my twenty favorite resources for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Click here. From the back cover: What if you could experience a new level of freedom, strength, healing, and energy? Too many people are overwhelmed and holding onto deep suffering, unable to catch their breath in a world that tells them to fake it till they make it. As the pressure of fear, pain, anxiety, and anger build, sooner or later these individuals are going to explode—just like bestselling author and life coach Steve Austin did. That’s no way to live. With deep honesty, hilarious true stories, and refreshingly straight talk, Austin shares his personal journey from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to calm amid life’s inevitable chaos. He pulls no punches, revealing his darkest moments and the thoughts most people would be too afraid to admit. Yet he offers hope. In these powerful pages, you’ll find simple ways to cultivate calm and practice self-care while living courageously and authentically. Discover how to come up for air and breathe again.

To encourage and inspire you during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I've decided to release the entire audiobook of Catching Your Breath: The Sacred Journey from Chaos to Calm. This episode is Chapter Six: Criticalizin'. And click here to download the all-new "Catching Your Breath Toolkit," including the book, study guide, and my twenty favorite resources for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Click here. From the back cover: What if you could experience a new level of freedom, strength, healing, and energy? Too many people are overwhelmed and holding onto deep suffering, unable to catch their breath in a world that tells them to fake it till they make it. As the pressure of fear, pain, anxiety, and anger build, sooner or later these individuals are going to explode—just like bestselling author and life coach Steve Austin did. That’s no way to live. With deep honesty, hilarious true stories, and refreshingly straight talk, Austin shares his personal journey from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to calm amid life’s inevitable chaos. He pulls no punches, revealing his darkest moments and the thoughts most people would be too afraid to admit. Yet he offers hope. In these powerful pages, you’ll find simple ways to cultivate calm and practice self-care while living courageously and authentically. Discover how to come up for air and breathe again.

To encourage and inspire you during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I've decided to release the entire audiobook of Catching Your Breath: The Sacred Journey from Chaos to Calm. This episode is Chapter Five: When You Believe You are Bad. And click here to download the all-new "Catching Your Breath Toolkit," including the book, study guide, and my twenty favorite resources for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Click here. From the back cover: What if you could experience a new level of freedom, strength, healing, and energy? Too many people are overwhelmed and holding onto deep suffering, unable to catch their breath in a world that tells them to fake it till they make it. As the pressure of fear, pain, anxiety, and anger build, sooner or later these individuals are going to explode—just like bestselling author and life coach Steve Austin did. That’s no way to live. With deep honesty, hilarious true stories, and refreshingly straight talk, Austin shares his personal journey from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to calm amid life’s inevitable chaos. He pulls no punches, revealing his darkest moments and the thoughts most people would be too afraid to admit. Yet he offers hope. In these powerful pages, you’ll find simple ways to cultivate calm and practice self-care while living courageously and authentically. Discover how to come up for air and breathe again.

To encourage and inspire you during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I've decided to release the entire audiobook of Catching Your Breath: The Sacred Journey from Chaos to Calm. This episode is Chapter Four: Fully Known, Fully Loved. And click here to download the all-new "Catching Your Breath Toolkit," including the book, study guide, and my twenty favorite resources for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Click here. From the back cover: What if you could experience a new level of freedom, strength, healing, and energy? Too many people are overwhelmed and holding onto deep suffering, unable to catch their breath in a world that tells them to fake it till they make it. As the pressure of fear, pain, anxiety, and anger build, sooner or later these individuals are going to explode—just like bestselling author and life coach Steve Austin did. That’s no way to live. With deep honesty, hilarious true stories, and refreshingly straight talk, Austin shares his personal journey from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to calm amid life’s inevitable chaos. He pulls no punches, revealing his darkest moments and the thoughts most people would be too afraid to admit. Yet he offers hope. In these powerful pages, you’ll find simple ways to cultivate calm and practice self-care while living courageously and authentically. Discover how to come up for air and breathe again.

To encourage and inspire you during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I've decided to release the entire audiobook of Catching Your Breath: The Sacred Journey from Chaos to Calm. This episode is Chapter Three: Nekkid. And click here to download the all-new "Catching Your Breath Toolkit," including the book, study guide, and my twenty favorite resources for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Click here. From the back cover: What if you could experience a new level of freedom, strength, healing, and energy? Too many people are overwhelmed and holding onto deep suffering, unable to catch their breath in a world that tells them to fake it till they make it. As the pressure of fear, pain, anxiety, and anger build, sooner or later these individuals are going to explode—just like bestselling author and life coach Steve Austin did. That’s no way to live. With deep honesty, hilarious true stories, and refreshingly straight talk, Austin shares his personal journey from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to calm amid life’s inevitable chaos. He pulls no punches, revealing his darkest moments and the thoughts most people would be too afraid to admit. Yet he offers hope. In these powerful pages, you’ll find simple ways to cultivate calm and practice self-care while living courageously and authentically. Discover how to come up for air and breathe again.

To encourage and inspire you during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I've decided to release the entire audiobook of Catching Your Breath: The Sacred Journey from Chaos to Calm. This episode is Chapter Two: Good News for Spiritual Misfits. And click here to download the all-new "Catching Your Breath Toolkit," including the book, study guide, and my twenty favorite resources for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Click here. From the back cover: What if you could experience a new level of freedom, strength, healing, and energy? Too many people are overwhelmed and holding onto deep suffering, unable to catch their breath in a world that tells them to fake it till they make it. As the pressure of fear, pain, anxiety, and anger build, sooner or later these individuals are going to explode—just like bestselling author and life coach Steve Austin did. That’s no way to live. With deep honesty, hilarious true stories, and refreshingly straight talk, Austin shares his personal journey from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to calm amid life’s inevitable chaos. He pulls no punches, revealing his darkest moments and the thoughts most people would be too afraid to admit. Yet he offers hope. In these powerful pages, you’ll find simple ways to cultivate calm and practice self-care while living courageously and authentically. Discover how to come up for air and breathe again.

To encourage and inspire you during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I've decided to release the entire audiobook of Catching Your Breath: The Sacred Journey from Chaos to Calm. This episode is Chapter One: Drowning. And click here to download the all-new "Catching Your Breath Toolkit," including the book, study guide, and my twenty favorite resources for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Click here. From the back cover: What if you could experience a new level of freedom, strength, healing, and energy? Too many people are overwhelmed and holding onto deep suffering, unable to catch their breath in a world that tells them to fake it till they make it. As the pressure of fear, pain, anxiety, and anger build, sooner or later these individuals are going to explode—just like bestselling author and life coach Steve Austin did. That’s no way to live. With deep honesty, hilarious true stories, and refreshingly straight talk, Austin shares his personal journey from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to calm amid life’s inevitable chaos. He pulls no punches, revealing his darkest moments and the thoughts most people would be too afraid to admit. Yet he offers hope. In these powerful pages, you’ll find simple ways to cultivate calm and practice self-care while living courageously and authentically. Discover how to come up for air and breathe again.

To encourage and inspire you during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I've decided to release the entire audiobook of Catching Your Breath: The Sacred Journey from Chaos to Calm. This episode is a note on the use of religious language throughout the book. And click here to download the all-new "Catching Your Breath Toolkit," including the book, study guide, and my twenty favorite resources for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Click here. From the back cover: What if you could experience a new level of freedom, strength, healing, and energy? Too many people are overwhelmed and holding onto deep suffering, unable to catch their breath in a world that tells them to fake it till they make it. As the pressure of fear, pain, anxiety, and anger build, sooner or later these individuals are going to explode—just like bestselling author and life coach Steve Austin did. That’s no way to live. With deep honesty, hilarious true stories, and refreshingly straight talk, Austin shares his personal journey from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to calm amid life’s inevitable chaos. He pulls no punches, revealing his darkest moments and the thoughts most people would be too afraid to admit. Yet he offers hope. In these powerful pages, you’ll find simple ways to cultivate calm and practice self-care while living courageously and authentically. Discover how to come up for air and breathe again.

To encourage and inspire you during this time of the Coronavirus pandemic, I've decided to release the entire audiobook of Catching Your Breath: The Sacred Journey from Chaos to Calm. This episode is the book's Introduction. And click here to download the all-new "Catching Your Breath Toolkit," including the book, study guide, and my twenty favorite resources for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Click here. From the back cover: What if you could experience a new level of freedom, strength, healing, and energy? Too many people are overwhelmed and holding onto deep suffering, unable to catch their breath in a world that tells them to fake it till they make it. As the pressure of fear, pain, anxiety, and anger build, sooner or later these individuals are going to explode—just like bestselling author and life coach Steve Austin did. That’s no way to live. With deep honesty, hilarious true stories, and refreshingly straight talk, Austin shares his personal journey from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to calm amid life’s inevitable chaos. He pulls no punches, revealing his darkest moments and the thoughts most people would be too afraid to admit. Yet he offers hope. In these powerful pages, you’ll find simple ways to cultivate calm and practice self-care while living courageously and authentically. Discover how to come up for air and breathe again.

In episode 41 of Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, Steve Austin walks through the Bible with a look at church safety, plus a discussion on the characteristics of a safe church leader. This episode also includes stories and advice from real-life people who have been wounded by the church. Support the show via Patreon. Is your church safe? Take the quiz! Sign up for "Embracing Wholeness" Coaching with Steve Austin Steve Austin's free e-course: "How to Heal Your Hurts"

This is the audio from a recent Q&A session in Ontario, Canada. Check it out for some really great questions on Christianity and mental health.

A couple of Friday nights ago in Ontario, I gave a talk titled, "Suicide and Messy Grace." And stay tuned for the next release - the Q&A segment from that night.

On Sunday, January 26th, Steve Austin had the honor of speaking at Cambridge Community Church in Ontario, Canada. He talked about Hagar, and how churches can help people who are hurting to feel seen, heard, and accepted. Support Steve via Patreon. Read the blog.

Welcome to Episode 37 of Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin. If you listen to this episode in its entirety, you will gain 10 ways to start letting go of emotional pain, plus I'll share my Survivor's Manifesto with you, and tell you all about how you can sign up for my brand-new free 7-day course called, "How to Heal Your Hurts." Links: How to Heal Your Hurts FREE Course. Mikala's story of surviving an affair. Save 10% on therapy at betterhelp.com/catchingyourbreath. Support the show at patreon.com/iamsteveaustin. Leave a review on iTunes. Download my Survivor's Manifesto for just $7.

In Episode 36 of Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, Steve Austin sits down with ESPN and SEC Sportscaster, Lauren Sisler, to talk about breaking the shackles of shame. Lauren is a multi national award-winning sports broadcaster working with ESPN, the SEC Network, and AL.com. Her  journey was not always full of victories and celebrations. In 2003 as a freshman at Rutgers University, tragedy struck Lauren’s world when she  unexpectedly lost both of her parents to their concealed battle with  addiction. Through her grief and despair, Lauren found the courage to  continue moving forward and find success. Lauren now shares her story across the country in hopes of spreading awareness about the dangers of addiction and the devastation it can cause for those who abuse substances, their loved ones, and the community. Connect with Lauren at LaurenSisler.com Follow Lauren on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Get BetterHelp for your mental health today, and save 10% off your first month by going to BetterHelp.com/catchingyourbreath Stay connected with Steve daily in the Catching Your Breath Community, and find all sorts of other bonuses when you sign up at patreon.com/iamsteveaustin

Welcome to this Bonus Holiday Episode of Catching Your Breath: The Podcast. This content is from a new thing I'm doing on Facebook, called #MentalHealthMonday. Each Monday at 8pm CST, I'll be sharing a new Facebook Live video about something under the umbrella of mental health. Today, I'm sharing the audio of my very first Mental Health Monday video, which aired Monday, 11/25/19. The holidays can be stressful and unpredictable. Join me as I respond to a few questions I received recently from a coaching client: 1. What can I do to get more in control of the holiday festivities this year? 2. How can I find the time to prepare all the holiday foods when it seems we’ve only got time for the holiday parties 3. What can I do to discourage our sons from wanting so many presents? 4. Is there any way I can bring back the joy of the holidays? Stay connected at catchingyourbreath.com. And through Monday 12/2, save 40% at catchingyourbreath.com/shop when you use the discount code: BLACKFRIDAY19. Social media links: Facebook.com/iamsteveaustin Twitter.com/iamsteveaustin Instagram.com/iamsteveaustin And save 10% on online therapy via BetterHelp when you sign up at BetterHelp.com/catchingyourbreath. It's affordable, private, and convenient.

Welcome to Episode 34 of Catching Your Breath: The Podcast (with Steve Austin). The beginning of this episode includes lots of important announcements, and then we dive right into a recent talk Steve gave at Unity of Birmingham. The Bible story of Jonah and the Whale is a perfect example of why growth begins with acceptance. Show notes: The website is all-new! (click here) New monthly mental health resource. (click here) Subscribe to the monthly newsletter. (click here) Monthly Catching Your Breath Calls with Steve. (click here) New faith and mental health video. (click here) Leave a podcast review - get a shout out! (click here) Looking for a speaker for your next event? Click here.

Welcome to episode 33 of Catching Your Breath: The Podcast. I’m so excited for you to hear this conversation between my wife Lindsey, our new friend Courtney Ellis, and me. Almost Holy Mama is so friggin honest, funny, and beautiful. It is real, raw, and relatable. It’s not full of platitudes or unreasonable expectations from someone who just doesn’t get it. Courtney is a mama of 3 little ones and she gives us permission to tell the truth, while gently nudging us toward a better way to have a relationship with God WHILE parenting. The one makes us better at the other. For parents of young children, it often feels like we will have to wait until the kids graduate to engage in regular spiritual practices. That, or just shame ourselves into trying harder. But what if there was another way? A better way. How do we create spiritual practices in one of life’s more exhausting seasons? This is a talk about that. Welcome to the podcast. Check out Courtney's website. Order Almost Holy Mama.

Welcome to Episode 32 of Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin! In this episode, we're talking about what shame is, how it can impact your daily life, how to share it, and how to heal it. Keep scrolling for more great shame resources, plus my free workbook! Healing from shame isn’t something you can do overnight. It’s a process that can take months or even years. The good news is that you don’t have to take the journey alone. Many professionals have written insightful guides that can guide you on this journey. Here are a few books you may want to pick up… Self Care for the Wounded Soul: 21 Days of Messy Grace (by Steve Austin, with Kate Pieper, LMFT) If you have ever felt hopeless, if you have ever believed that all the bad things in your life were beyond redemption, if you have ever felt unworthy of being loved or accepted, if you have ever feared what would happen if people found out whatever it is that haunts you - I get it. I have been there, too. Maybe you are recovering from abuse, addiction, or a suicide attempt like me. Maybe you are struggling with anxiety or depression and don’t know why yet. No matter what your starting point is, the tools in this journal will help you begin to answer the question, “Now what?” You’re tired of living this way. You want to change your life, and you don’t know where to begin. I hope this 21-day self-care journal will help you answer that question. It’s time to take ownership of your life, and that begins with good self-care. It’s hard work, but you can do it. No more running, no more hiding, no more masks. No matter what your journey has looked like so far, recovery is possible. I am living proof. Healing the Shame that Binds You by John Bradshaw One book that can be helpful for you’re dealing with shame is Healing the Shame that Binds You. In this book, the author discusses shame, how it develops, and what to do about it. Much of the book has been influenced by the author’s own experience with alcoholism. He shares many of the same concepts found in the 12-step program. So if you’re dealing with an addiction as well as shame, you may find this resource the most helpful. I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn't) by Brene Brown Brene Brown’s book, I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t) isn’t just about shame. It’s about living authentically and letting go of the need for perfection. She encourages readers to embrace their flaws and imperfections and release their guilt. Although anyone can benefit from reading this book, many of the stories and interviews inside it are related to motherhood. If you’re struggling with being a parent, this can be an eye-opening read. If you want to learn more shame and how it’s affecting you, consider watching Brene Brown’s TED Talk titled Listening to Shame. It’s both educational and inspiring. The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves by Curt Thompson In The Soul of Shame, psychiatrist Curt Thompson, invites you to take a look at how shame is affecting your life. He explores the different ways shame enters your life and how to experience true and lasting freedom. The author is an expert in interpersonal neurobiology, so some people found his book can be a bit academic in parts. He’s also a Christian and much of his content stems from a Christian worldview, so you can expect to encounter some theology in this book as well. Living with Your Heart Wide Open by Steve Flowers and Bob Stahl When you carry shame with you, it’s easy to hold onto negative thoughts. That’s why in Living with Your Heart Wide Open, the authors spend much of the content focusing on mindfulness and self-compassion. Many reviewers loved that the book was good for self-discovery and healing of internal wounds. There’s a heavy influence on meditation and Buddhist principles. The authors discuss common scenarios and recommend healing meditations for them. Reading about how others are affected by shame can be freeing. It’s freeing to realize that you’re not alone in your pain and that healing can be found. It may not be easy but it is a journey you’ll never regret taking. How is shame affecting your life? Find out when you download your free workbook! (Just click here.) Read Steve's article for USA Today on how churches should look more like psych wards. (Just click here.)

Welcome to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast. Following the recent death of Pastor Jarrid Wilson by suicide, in Episode 31, Steve shares several recent articles and thoughts on pastors and suicide. Articles: USA Today: Jarrid Wilson's Suicide Forces Church to Confront Mental Illness I was a pastor with a broken brain. Pastor's and Suicide: How Do We Keep this From Happening Again? FREE RESOURCES: Free book: From Pastor to a Psych Ward 10-Day Love Your Life Challenge Mental Health Getting Started Guide Are you in a dark place? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255. Leave a review on iTunes. Support the show on Patreon.

In the final episode of this "Exploring Grief" series, we talk with Scott Watkins who is a hospice chaplain. We ask Scott what life might look like a few years into the grieving process. We also read a Ute poem that can serve as mantra for us as we move forward in the grieving process.   You can connect with Brandon at: meaningfulagain.com  We will be discussing each episode in the Catching Your Breath community on Facebook, you can join here.

In episode 3 of Exploring Grief, we examine a letter written by Ram Dass to Steve and Anita who are grieving the loss of their daughter Rachel. This letter has become a resource for many who find themselves grieving. It's full of wisdom and grace, let's see what it has for us!   Ram Dass' letter to Rachel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03yOaKJqRtI   You can connect with Brandon at: meaningfulagain.com  We will be discussing each episode in the Catching Your Breath community on Facebook, you can join here.

In episode two of our four episode series on grief, guest host Brandon Carleton sits down with Sarah Stevens from the Beautifull Project to examine the power of making and holding space for people to grieve. Also, have you ever felt like you can't describe how you're feeling? Brandon offers a practical tip to help us develop our ability to put names to our emotions.   You can connect with Brandon at: meaningfulagain.com   Connect with Sarah & the Beautifull Project here: thebeautifullproject.com  We will be discussing each episode in the Catching Your Breath community on Facebook, you can join here: patreon.com/iamsteveaustin

In the first episode of our four episode series on grief, guest host Brandon Carleton sets the ground work for the series by exploring why we find grieving so hard. Are we broken? Or have we been poorly trained? Brandon also reads a poem (you're going to love it) and offers a practical tip for those of us grieving.   You can connect with Brandon at: meaningfulagain.com  We will be discussing each episode in the Catching Your Breath community on Facebook, you can join here: patreon.com/iamsteveaustin

*TW: suicide When a someone dies by suicide, do they go to hell? In this episode , Alex and Jason interview Robert Vore and me about faith and mental health. We explore that question through the stories of Andrew Stoecklein, Amy Bleuel, and Matthew Warren, three notable Christians who’ve recently died by suicide. This bonus episode is thanks to a generous offer by Jason Duncan. Listen and subscribe to Not Your Pastor's Podcast. Just click here.

A look ahead at our upcoming series!   Guest host, author Brandon Carleton, explores the facets of grief in this four episode series. Each episode will include stories, poems, interviews, and practical tips...all to helps better understand the difficult terrain of grieving our losses.   Follow Brandon at meaningfulagain.com   Follow Steve at catchingyourbreath.com   Support the show! Just click here.   Leave a review. Click here.

Welcome back to Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin. This episode is a conversation Steve had with a coaching client, Amelia. In this episode, we'll ask the following questions: Is God actively, intimately involved in the details of your life? Can God be both all-powerful and all-loving (at the same time)? Show notes: Download the FREE Chaos to Calm app by clicking here. Get info on Steve's coaching and spiritual direction right here. See ya next week!

Welcome to this bonus episode of Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin. This episode is a talk Steve gave on June 30, 2019, at Unity of Birmingham. It's a timely, necessary message, considering the cold and polarized time we are living in. Follow Steve's blog at iamsteveaustin.com Download the Chaos to Calm app by clicking here

Welcome to Episode 25 of Catching Your Breath: The Podcast, with Steve Austin. This week, Steve talks with one of his dearest friends, Tracy Winchell (host of Reboots Podcast). What's a 12-week year, and why should you start one today? Listen for more! Show notes: Download Tracy's 12-Week Journey to Change Resource Guide Listen & subscribe to Reboots Podcast Download the Chaos to Calm app Leave a review on iTunes See ya next week!