Making Peace & Beyond Podcast

No More Happy Plastic People

Jamie Norton — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:23:34 -0400

In this episode of the Making Peace and Beyond Podcast, Jamie Norton sits down with Ginny Long to unpack why so many of us hide behind masks, pretending everything is “fine” while we’re hurting inside. Together they explore attachment styles, the impact of childhood wounds, and how repeating familiar but unhealthy relationship patterns can keep us stuck.

You’ll hear raw and honest reflections on moving from survival mode to truly living, the power of authentic community, and how embracing your story—rather than hiding it—opens the door to healing, freedom, and peace in Christ.

Whether you’ve struggled with codependency, trauma, abuse recovery, or identity in Christ, this conversation will encourage you that you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t have to be a “happy plastic person.” Real peace and authentic relationships are possible when we step into the truth.

The Fear That Fuels Our Anger

Jamie Norton — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 14:40:35 -0400

Anger isn’t always what it seems. Beneath the shouting, silence, or simmering resentment often lies something deeper: fear. Fear of rejection, abandonment, failure, or even love itself. In this episode of the Making Peace and Beyond Podcast, Jamie Norton and guest Raman Baishnab peel back the layers of anger to reveal its true roots and how we can move from destructive patterns to freedom, peace, and vulnerability.

Discover why anger can be both protective and destructive, how childhood experiences shape our responses, and how finding your identity in Christ transforms the way you deal with difficult emotions.

Resources from this episode:
"Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better" by Brant Hansen

Finding Peace When The Future Feels Fragile

Jamie Norton — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 22:06:05 -0400

Jamie sits down with her dear friend Anne to talk about facing a terminal diagnosis, preparing for the end of life, and discovering the unshakable peace that comes from trusting God. With honesty, humor, and grace, Anne shares her journey through stage four cancer, how faith has shaped her outlook, and why she chooses to embrace each day as a gift. Whether you’re navigating your own hard season or walking alongside someone who is, this episode offers practical wisdom, heartfelt encouragement, and a reminder that even when the future feels fragile, God’s presence is steady.

Restoring Identity Through Vulnerability

Jamie Norton — Fri, 02 May 2025 13:00:30 -0400

In this episode of the Making Peace and Beyond Podcast, host Jamie Norton welcomes Scott Lessing to explore the journey of true transformation. They discuss the power of vulnerability, breaking free from shame, and how God’s healing work reshapes our identity. From overcoming addiction to learning to trust again, this conversation dives deep into the challenges and victories of spiritual restoration. Join in as they unpack the beauty of grace, community, and the ongoing process of becoming who God created us to be.

What Teens Need from the Church (But Aren’t Getting)

Jamie Norton — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0500

How do we connect with today’s teenagers in a rapidly changing world? In this episode of Making Peace and Beyond, host Jamie Norton sits down with Valerie O’Brian, founder of Aspen, to discuss the challenges of engaging with the next generation. From youth ministry to parenting, they explore the questions young people are actually asking—about faith, pain, identity, and even dinosaurs—and how we, as adults, can better listen, love, and lead with authenticity. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or youth worker, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to build meaningful connections that point young people to the hope of Jesus.

The Power of Truth

Jamie Norton — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0500

How do we live with integrity in a world that often values image over authenticity? In this episode of the Making Peace and Beyond Podcast, host Jamie Norton sits down with her son-in-law, Dr. Jonathan Schaeffer, pastor of Grace Church and a leader in the Alliance movement. Together, they explore the power of living in truth, the necessity of transparency for healing, and the role of integrity in relationships, leadership, and faith.

From personal stories to biblical wisdom, Jamie and Jonathan discuss why honesty is essential for growth, how forgiveness and reconciliation differ, and why being fully known is the key to being fully loved. Whether you’ve struggled with past wounds, faced relational challenges, or simply long to walk in greater freedom, this conversation will inspire you to embrace truth as the foundation of a life well-lived.

As you listen, you'll hear the answers to all of these questions:

✔️ Is integrity more than just telling the truth?

✔️ How does vulnerability foster healing and deepen relationships?

✔️ What is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation?

✔️ What are some practical ways to cultivate a life of authenticity?

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today!

Finding God In Every Season

Jamie Norton — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Jamie sits down with Danny for a heartfelt conversation about faith, struggles, and the journey toward true connection with God. Despite their generational differences—Jamie, 81 and Danny, 21—they share a common pursuit: discovering what it means to live in the joy and freedom Christ offers.

Together, they talk about personal transformation, the impact of social media on relationships, and the importance of authentic community. Through honest storytelling and reflections on God’s redemptive work, this episode reminds us that no matter where we come from, there’s always a way back to Him.

Join us as we explore the power of vulnerability, the beauty of grace, and the joy of finding a faith-filled community.

Listen now and discover how God turns our mess into a message!

Single, Secure & Surrendered

Jamie Norton — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Is singleness a problem to solve or an opportunity to thrive? In this episode, Jamie sits down with Isabella to explore the challenges and blessings of being single in today’s world. They discuss how society pressures women to seek completion in relationships and how to break free from the myth that marriage defines identity or success.

Isabella shares her personal journey of heartbreak, rediscovery, and learning to find her identity in Christ rather than in a relationship. Together, they highlight the beauty of becoming “independently mature enough to be maturely dependent” and the freedom of living a full, Christ-centered life—whether single or married.

This episode is a refreshing reminder that true joy and purpose come from God, not from other people. If you’re navigating singleness or simply want to embrace your worth in Christ, this conversation is for you.

The Healing Power of Scars

Jamie Norton — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0500

How do the wounds of our past shape us? And how can God’s grace bring healing where we least expect it? In this heartfelt episode, Jamie Norton welcomes one of her oldest friends, Chris Meekins, to talk about the power of sharing your scars and the freedom found in vulnerability.

Chris shares his journey of sobriety, recovery, and discovering peace after years of struggle. Together, they dive into the importance of authentic community, the courage it takes to tell your story, and how our scars become badges of honor when transformed by grace.

Whether you’re seeking hope, healing, or simply the courage to be real, this episode reminds us that God doesn’t waste pain—He redeems it.

How God Rebuilt What We Couldn’t

Jamie Norton — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 21:48:45 -0500

What happens when the life you’ve built falls apart—again and again...and again? Pete and Joni Romito share their raw and powerful testimony of how God stepped into their brokenness and did what they couldn’t: rebuild their marriage.

From the struggles of blending a family to confronting childhood trauma and wrestling with control, Pete and Joni's journey reveals the beauty of surrendering to God’s plan. They open up about their cycles of separation, the hard lessons learned, and the moment everything changed when they invited God to truly take over.

It's a story of grace, redemption, and the freedom found in letting go. Whether you’re fighting for your marriage, recovering from pain, or seeking hope, Pete and Joni's story will remind you that God is in the business of restoration.

Parenting Alone

Jamie Norton — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 12:06:41 -0400

One third of households in the U.S. (nearly 13.6 million) are single parent families. Being a parent is hard enough but being a single parent can be grueling. There is little social recognition of the complexities of raising children alone and almost no community/church support. In this episode, Jamie meets with Ginny Persons to discuss their experience of being single parents and the inevitable trials and struggles associated with raising children alone. Both Ginny and Jamie became single parents when their children were very young. With openness and vulnerability, they examine multiple issues including divorce, children, social issues, and discuss the differences in how they attempted to find a life for themselves and their children. Jamie and Ginny encourage the church and the community to have compassion for the ever-growing number of single parents and offer suggestions for support and inclusion.

What's Holding You Back?

Jamie Norton — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Jamie Norton is joined by Mark Valley to discuss one of the most significant barriers to personal growth and healing: the difficulty of change. Together, they explore why change is so challenging, the role of counseling, and the importance of confronting truth for genuine transformation. They also delve into the dynamics of shame, self-preservation, and the necessity of a safe environment for vulnerability and healing. Through personal anecdotes and professional experiences, Jamie and Mark provide a deep understanding of the complexities of change and offer valuable guidance for those seeking true healing.

Join us as we navigate the intricate paths of human behavior, the power of truth, and the journey towards wholeness in Christ.

Leave Home...But Not My Life

Jamie Norton — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 22:05:28 -0400

Are you a parent or an adult child who feels like you are “walking on egg shells” with each other? Are you angry or withdrawing from each other? This may be particularly true if the parent/child relationship was difficult.

Linda Nearhood and her daughter, Hope, struggled with each other for most of Hope’s childhood and their relationship was on the brink of ending when Hope reached her adult life.

In this episode, Jamie talks with Linda and Hope about the pain of their early relationship and the steps they took to, not only heal, but to find a healthy and viable relationship with each other. This episode offers practical ways to navigate healthy, long lasting relationships even when conflict arises.

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🔗 Listen to the Making Peace & Beyond Podcast and follow Jamie on all social media channels here! https://linktr.ee/makingpeaceandbeyond

Life As We Grow Older

Jamie Norton — Fri, 24 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

"Anyone can die but only the blessed grow old..."

Join Jamie Norton in this episode of the Making Peace and Beyond Podcast as she digs into the topic of healthy aging with special guest April Surovi, a certified dementia practitioner with over 14 years of experience. Together, they explore the importance of community, the misconceptions surrounding aging, and practical steps for maintaining mental and physical health in later years.

April shares her insights on the evolving perception of assisted living facilities and the critical role social engagement plays in preventing dementia. Discover why staying active and connected is essential for a fulfilling life after retirement and how society's fear of aging can be overcome with wisdom and a positive mindset.

Whether you're approaching your senior years or supporting a loved one, this episode offers valuable advice and heartfelt stories that inspire a new outlook on aging.

In this episode you’ll hear:
* Stereotypes vs the reality of aging
* How to know when to seek help and support
* The benefits of staying socially active and engaged
* Personal anecdotes and professional advice on thriving in old age

Thanks for joining us for this enlightening conversation that aims to bring peace, joy, and freedom to all stages of life.

Recovery Is More Than “Just Say No”

Jamie Norton — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 13:42:15 -0400

We can be addicted to more than substances and recovery is more than just stopping- it is learning to truly live, love and successfully manage life’s stressors! In today’s episode, Jamie welcomes addiction medicine specialist, Raman Baishnab, MD to talk about the physiology of addictive behaviors and the complexities of recovery. Raman and Jamie talk candidly about their own struggles and give both personal and professional perspectives on successful recovery. Their stories and professional experiences offer greater understanding of one of least understood problems in our world and encourage compassion for our own or loved one's struggles.

Intimacy vs Genitality: Is It Love or Is It Sex?

Jamie Norton — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 14:23:01 -0500

Are you struggling to understand the relationship of sex and love either in your marriage or your personal life? Are you puzzled about your inability to manage your body sexually? What is healthy sex anyway? How can God’s gift of sex destroy your ability to love? We live in a culture that has distorted the gift of sex in so many ways. In this episode Jamie has a frank discussion about sex with Spencer Kline, a licensed counselor and certified sex addiction therapist. Jamie and Spencer discuss the reality of sexual confusion, compulsively, and its power to enhance or destroy our relationships.

Whose Life Are You Living?!

Jamie Norton — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 20:09:25 -0500

Is your idea of yourself determined by another person’s opinion of you? Or a job? Or an achievement? Or some applause you have gotten? If so, you might be codependent! When we don’t know who we are, we become dependent on someone or something outside ourselves to tell us who we are. Unfortunately, our sense of who we are then becomes dependent on the opinion and affirmation of whoever or whatever our identity depends on. When the feedback is negative, we become anxious and try harder to regain approval.

In this episode, Jamie has a conversation with her colleague, Mary Ann Foote, about codependency and the danger of lost in another’s world and how to reclaim the your true identity.

A Marriage Restored: Eddie and Sarah

Jamie Norton — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 12:40:43 -0500

Blown apart by control, criticism, betrayal, and adultery; Eddie and Sarah sought divorce. They were culturally in line with the cancel culture. At the time of their divorce, neither wanted reconciliation. They were convinced that there was no way back to each other. God had other plans! Fortunately, they both sought their individual healing through Christ and healing programs offered through their church. Both loved their son and were committed to co-parenting him. Over the next couple of years, they began to become friends and eventually realized a new, more honest love and knew that they wanted to remarry. Today they describe their marriage as a relationship based on honesty, acceptance, forgiveness and vulnerability. It’s a great story of individual and marriage redemption.

The Marriage Destroyer: Unrealistic Expectations

Jamie Norton — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 22:43:30 -0400

A wedding is a noun that celebrates a moment of romantic expectations. A marriage is a verb that chooses daily to share life’s blessings and difficulties with another person. All too often a wedding does not translate to a healthy marriage. Forty to fifty percent of all first marriages in The U.S. end in divorce. For second marriages the percentage jumps to 60-65%. Fairy tales, popular music, and romantic movies lead us to believe that another person can make us secure, happy, valuable and significant. What a heavy burden and unrealistic expectation to believe that another person can save us from ourselves and give us what only Christ can give!

In this episode, Jamie talks with marriage pastor, Michael Campbell, about the treasures and pitfalls of marriage and the importance of being independently mature enough in Christ to be maturely dependent on another person.

Stepping Out Of Chaos And Into A Manageable Life

Jamie Norton — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 22:14:17 -0400

Is your world filled with chaos, anxiety and stress? So many of our lives seem overwhelming and make us feel as if our life is unmanageable. It often seems that the more we try to find a sense of control, the more out of control life feels.

In this episode, Jamie and Heather Palisen discuss how a Christ centered adaptation of the 12-steps of recovery offers a way of managing daily life for all of us. No matter what happens in our life, this simple way of living can offer a peaceful way of living for all of us.

Navigating Conflict

Jamie Norton — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400

None of us are exactly alike. Our histories, needs, feelings, beliefs and perceptions are different. The more time and space we share with another individual, the more individual differences we will inevitably confront. Conflict avoidance resulting from a dysfunctional or abusive history, fear of rejection, survival responses, and lack of problem-solving skills can and will destroy relationships over time. Healthy relationships are built on a foundation of love, truth, and acceptance that allows us to address conflict in a way that helps us to trust that the relationship can accommodate and grow from individual differences.

In this podcast, Jamie talks with her colleague and fellow counselor, Mark Valley, to explore common barriers and faulty beliefs that block honest communications in relationship and offer positive tools and approaches that can help to resolve and grow from individual differences.

Life Happens, Life Hurts...

Jamie Norton — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400

Life is not a mental illness. Life happens! Life hurts! Pain, loss and suffering are inevitable. God gave us the process of grief to adapt to change and to integrate loss. But we live in a world where we believe we should be “happy” all the time and we have come to think something is wrong with us when we hurt or suffer. We tend to avoid or numb pain and suffer in silence. We never embrace the painful truth or grieve it. It ultimately hardens our heart and we become angry bitter victims. Although we cannot control what happens to us, we can choose our response. During this episode, Jamie will visit with Dr. Tisha Carter to discuss healthy grieving and how embracing our pain and suffering can be an opportunity for spiritual, mental, emotional and relational growth.

Where are you...are you here?

Jamie Norton — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Anxious, stressed, irritable, lonely and exhausted? Ignoring your body, your spirit and your relationships? Are you working so hard to get to somewhere you are not that you never get to live where you are! Are you becoming a human doing instead of a human being? There is a place where we can live in peace, rest and relationship—it is called the present. It is the only place that we can really be alive, love, heal, grow and live in peace. We have such pressure to worry, plan, or focus on the future. Our busy-ness pulls us away from our present experience and relationships. In this podcast, Jamie and Vanesa Alcantara discuss the importance of keeping your head and body in the same place, living fully in the present and trusting the One who goes before us with our future.

Follow Vanesa and Soul Scan on Instagram @vanesaalcantara @soulscanwomen.

Register for the Soul Scan Women's Conference at the link below!
https://crossroadswired.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/1079/responses/new

Victim or Victor?

Jamie Norton — Thu, 18 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400

At some point during our lifetime, we all will be victimized. Life is inevitably filled with pain and suffering. Relationships will hurt and betray us, we will experience loss and disappointment, and life will seem unfair and often brutal. Unfortunately, we have become a society that has developed a false belief that, “once a victim, always a victim.” Many develop a victim identity that leads to an angry, bitter and helpless outlook on life, keeps others at arms-length and prevents healthy relationships. Our hurtful history becomes the justification for hurting others and not working toward a brighter future. However, there is a huge difference being having been victimized and living as a victim - we CAN heal!

In today’s podcast, Jamie talks with Michele Abraham, a fellow counselor, to examine the dangers of the victim mentality and the healing necessary to move beyond painful experiences into a restored and healthy life.

The Illusion Of Control / The Freedom Of Surrender

Jamie Norton — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Are you tired? Are you always running, hustling, overworking, overwhelmed, stressed out, feeling like your life is on the edge of a cliff and will fall apart if you let go for a minute? You may be suffering from the “illusion of control.”

The truth is that you never had control in the first place. The illusion of control has plagued us since the beginning of man. What would happen if you released your grip on your situation. What if life was less about striving and more about surrender. What if you realized that your attempts to control what you cannot control are controlling you?

In this podcast, Jamie talks with Rose Vinci, Life Coach and Making Peace and Beyond leader, about issues of control and the gift of freedom that comes from surrender.

Shame: The Great Isolator

Jamie Norton — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 16:39:11 -0400

Shame is the universal emotion and perhaps the most difficult to understand and manage.
Shame is more of an experience and is very difficult to define in words. It is the experience of
vulnerability, helplessness, and inadequacy. It makes us want to hide or disappear and live in
secrecy. In its’ various forms, shame isolates us from each other and prevents us from
becoming all that God gave us the potential to be. When shame permeates our life, it makes us
afraid to be known and restricts our ability to receive love.

In this podcast, Jamie meets with Josiah Stumbo, the Young Adults Pastor for Grace CMA Church,
to discuss the various characteristics of shame and offer practical ways of healing. They talk
about how to find freedom from the devastating effects of shame in our lives and receive the
love of God, who already knows everything about us and loves us anyway. They point out that
finding the courage to come out of hiding and allowing ourselves to truly be known, we can
receive the love and of others and establish authentic community.

Mental Health…Really?

Jamie Norton — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 14:14:06 -0500

Did you know that the number of people in the US that were diagnosed with a mental illness jumped from 600,000 (.003% of the population) in 1955 to 50 million (almost 20% of the population) in 2022. Two significant influencers for the dramatic increase have been the creation of the community mental health system and the development of psychoactive medications. Both have grown prolifically since the early 1950s. Is 20% of the population in this country truly mentally ill? Have we begun diagnosing the normal pain and suffering of life as a mental illness?

In this podcast, Jamie talks to Brock Lutz, a mental health therapist who is currently the director of health services at Hillsdale College. With a combined 65 years of experience in the field, Jamie and Brock do not deny the reality of mental illness. But could it be that the current mental health system not only fails to help people recover but often actively prevents recovery for those seeking help with life’s struggles?

While emphasizing the true healing power of Christ and community, they suggest that pain and loss are often an opportunity for spiritual, emotional, and mental growth. They point to overdiagnosis, overprescribing of psychoactive medications, the control of insurance companies, and the permanence of diagnostic labeling as problematic and often destructive. Jamie and Brock believe in personal responsibility for individual behavior and the essential nature of a relationship with God and a caring community in leading a normal and healthy personal and relational life.

The Price of Unforgiveness

Jamie Norton — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Are you still living like a victim because of something that happened to you in your past? Would you like to have the freedom to move beyond? Perhaps the biggest barrier that keeps us trapped in yesterday is unforgiveness. Unforgiveness not only keeps us stuck in the negative experiences of our lives, but it is mentally, physically, socially and emotionally damaging to us-not the other person. Forgiveness allows us to give up unrealistic hope that we can change the past and frees us from the bitterness, resentment and wasted energy spent on trying to change what we cannot change. In this podcast, Jamie Norton and Micheal Campbell will discuss some of the myths and misunderstandings about forgiveness that prevent us from embracing this amazing gift. They will help us to discover the incredible power of forgiveness that Christ died to give us.

Family Recipes

Jamie Norton — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Do you find yourself doing some of the things your parents did even though you said you never would. Of course you do! Our first understanding of ourselves, our world, and how we fit into it are learned from our family and becomes the foundational lens through which we view ourselves and others. Whether we like it or not, our perception is influenced by the people we grew up with. We are all born into a story that is already going on. For generations, family rituals, beliefs, rules and patterns of behavior have developed the story of who and how “we” are, what “we” believe, and what is right and wrong. Unfortunately, many “family authorized” truths turn out

to be, not only false, but a dysfunctional and destructive family legacy. In this podcast, Jamie and her son, Ken, break the “no- talk” rule of dysfunctional families and talk about three generations of their family and how their family legacy of addiction influenced each of them. They examine their personal journeys into self-destruction and addiction and how a loving and gracious God offered them a new language and a new life.

Making Peace & Beyond

Jamie Norton — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Take a moment and ask yourself: Am I enjoying fulfilling relationships and living a life filled with joy, meaning and purpose? Or am I living a life of struggle, discontentment, stress and difficult relationships? Am I doing things that I vowed not to do or condemning myself for my perceived imperfections? Am I trying to survive life as a set of problems to overcome or see experiences as opportunities for growth. Welcome to the Making Peace and Beyond podcast series where we explore and discover how to thrive instead of just survive. In this first podcast, Jamie Norton and her guest, Michael Campbell examine how our life stories are influenced positively and negatively by those who came before us and live life with us. We introduce the Making Peace and Beyond process of embracing the painful realities of life in an intentional way in order to understand them and to learn from them. Integrating our past into our present enables us to be the whole and joyful adults that God created us to be and to be a light shining in a dark world.