In this raw and courageous conversation, Rev. Dr. Xenia Barnes shares the unvarnished reality of receiving a life-altering diagnosis and the deep grief that followed. As her body changed and her independence slipped away, Xenia entered a sacred process of mourning the version of herself that once was. 

With tenderness and spiritual depth, she invites us into the inner landscape of loss, grief, and the divine comfort found when we stop pretending and start surrendering. This session is an invitation to tell the truth of what hurts—and discover that God meets us there.

In this powerful and tender session, Courtney Carlson shares her deeply personal story of healing from abandonment, shame, and trauma. Through moments of despair and divine intervention, she reveals how emotional and spiritual safety—rooted in the unconditional love of Christ—transformed her life and opened the door to generational healing.

From a pivotal encounter in a grocery store to her ministry today with The Colorful Table, Courtney models how we can cultivate spaces where others feel safe enough to be seen, known, and healed. This is a session for anyone longing to experience or create a felt-sense of God’s love in their lives or ministry.

In this deeply personal session, Ali Levine shares her transformative journey from the heights of Hollywood to the depths of postpartum depression. Through candid storytelling, she explores the challenges of identity loss, emotional isolation, and the struggle to find safety within oneself. 

Ali's narrative offers a raw and honest look at the path to reclaiming one's sense of self and establishing internal felt-safety amidst external chaos.

This session introduces the concept of felt safety as the foundation for healing in ministry settings. Renae explores how spiritual and emotional predictability builds trust, and why our nervous systems—and our faith—need safety to grow. Attendees will learn to identify safety disruptors, embrace ministry rhythms that foster trust, and apply a practical tool: The Consistency Covenant. 

With personal reflection and theological insight, Renae invites leaders to become stewards of safety, modeling the steadiness of God's presence for those they serve.

In this powerful session, Sadie Dodson explores how psychological safety is not only foundational for trauma healing but essential for genuine spiritual formation. With wisdom drawn from her experience in therapy and spiritual coaching, she unpacks why nervous system safety is the starting point—not the afterthought—of discipleship. 

Learn how to recognize when ministry spaces are unsafe, and how to shift into postures that invite connection, trust, and transformation. Whether you're leading small groups, preaching, or simply walking alongside others, Sadie offers tools and perspectives to help your ministry become a “safe enough” place for true growth.

Nicole shares her powerful personal and professional journey through the complex intersection of faith and suicide. In this deeply vulnerable session, she challenges stigmas often perpetuated in ministry and invites communities to adopt a more compassionate, theologically sound approach to those who struggle with suicidal thoughts. 

Through her lens as a crisis interventionist and theology student, Nicole helps leaders understand the weight of their words and the sacred opportunity to embody hope, safety, and listening. She offers a vital reexamination of how faith communities approach suicide, drawing from her personal story to offer a hopeful and redemptive lens. 

This session equips participants to better support survivors, grieving families, and those navigating suicidal ideation with greater empathy, theological integrity, and care.

In this heartfelt interview, Casey Clark shares his lived experience as an adoptive father of children with complex developmental trauma. He reflects on the moments when faith communities got it right—and when they missed the mark. 

With honesty and humility, Casey invites churches to move beyond performative welcome into the deeper work of sustaining belonging. His insights offer practical ways to create consistent, safe spaces for families impacted by trauma and challenge ministry leaders to listen more deeply and act with compassion.

In a world increasingly shaped by division, trauma, and disconnection, how can the Church be a refuge that reflects the heart of God for every person? In this heartfelt conversation, Wendy McMahan, president of For The Children, invites us to rediscover a central truth: every human being is precious. 

Drawing from decades of ministry and a deeply personal understanding of interdenominational dynamics, Wendy unpacks how preciousness anchors our response to others across theological, political, and generational differences. She offers a model of ministry rooted in compassion, structure, and humility—and reminds us that lasting transformation begins when we listen, gather around tables, and remember who we belong to. This session is a powerful call to connection, healing, and unity in the body of Christ.

What does it mean to live with terminal illness and still choose hope? In Part 2 of her story, Rev. Dr. Xenia Barnes brings wisdom from the trenches of chronic hardship, family caregiving, and spiritual reawakening.

Redefining resilience not as "pushing through" but as receiving care and creating connection, Xenia testifies to the power of faith, chosen family, and honest boundaries. Her triumph is not a bow on suffering—it is the small, sacred wins that mark a life anchored in truth, grace, and the presence of God. If you’ve ever struggled to feel seen in your pain, this session offers healing perspective and profound encouragement.

Anna introduces the idea of “tender spots”—the emotional bruises and griefs we carry—and how they show up in ministry settings. Through stories of loss, unmet expectations, and invisible sorrow, she explores how recognizing our own pain can help us connect more authentically with others. 

This session invites ministry leaders to examine their assumptions, name their grief, and create space for the stories that are hard to tell.

Psychologist and mental health ministry leader Margery Arnold shares her personal and professional journey of faith, attachment, and healing through embodied spiritual practices. Drawing from her experience in Catholic traditions, neuroscience, and trauma-informed care, Margery explores how felt safety and secure attachment with God can be cultivated through intentional practices. 

Her story highlights how transformation unfolds when we move from knowing God intellectually to experiencing God somatically. A powerful invitation into daily spiritual rhythms that heal mind, body, and soul.

In this session, Renae explores the sacred role of connection in healing from trauma and fostering true belonging. Drawing from her lived experience and spiritual insight, she examines how ministry spaces can become tables of welcome—where people don’t just show up, but feel seen, safe, and valued. 

Through attachment theory, biblical reflection, and practical examples, Renae equips leaders to recognize the barriers to belonging and cultivate environments where love is lived, not just preached. You’ll walk away with language, tools, and renewed vision for building faith communities where healing connection takes root.