What's God Got To Do With It? With Leanne Ellington

Mylaina is 22 years old. And she just did what most women wish they'd done decades earlier. She was a psychology student getting certified in nutrition and wellness. She knew intellectually how to take care of her body, how to eat, how to work out. But mentally, she was destroying herself. Every morsel of food was tracked. Most foods were off limits. She was the one not licking the spoon after weighing the peanut butter. She preached balance but lived in fear and control. And the more she tried to control, the more she lost control. It was a constant war—between her and her plate, between her and her body. The cycle was relentless: intense perfectionism would swing into binges, then came the shame, then the "start again Monday" promise. And every restart just pushed her deeper into the spiral. From the outside, it didn't look extreme at all. But inside, she was white-knuckling her way through life, secretly hating her body, treating it like an enemy that wasn't cooperating. Her worth was completely tied to her physical appearance, and she was exhausted. In June 2025, Mylaina hit her lowest point. She was hopeless, quietly desperate, and alone in her apartment when she finally cried out to God: "You need to meet me here. I don't even recognize this life I've built." That's when she found Stressless Eating. And at 22 years old, Mylaina made a decision that most women don't make until their 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond. She decided she wasn't going to carry this struggle into her future. She wasn't going to spend decades fighting the same battle. She was going to heal it now. In this powerful case study, Mylaina shares how her life was completely reconstructed from the ground up. How food became just food—fuel, fun, enjoyment. How movement became a celebration of what her body can do, not how small she can be. How she finally surrendered the last area of her life she'd been unwilling to give to God: her body, her food, her self-image. She stepped into the posture of daughtership—learning to live from a place of being loved instead of trying to earn it. And for the first time, she realized: daughters don't have to strive for belonging. We already have it. Today, Mylaina is fully free. Her nervous system is at peace. She's showing up as the daughter and friend she always wanted to be. And she's living proof that you don't have to wait until you've wasted decades to finally choose healing. If you've ever thought, "I wish I'd figured this out sooner," or "I don't want to still be struggling with this in 10, 20, 30 years," Mylaina's story is for you. Because healing isn't about how long you've been stuck. It's about the decision to stop recycling the same pain and finally do the work that sets you free. And you don't have to wait. You can do it now. HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @LeanneEllington // @theteenagerbrain To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the very thing mental health culture tells you to do—focus on your trauma, honor your feelings, explore your pain—is actually reinforcing the patterns that are keeping you stuck? In this episode, Dr. Lee Warren and I tackle one of the most controversial (and most important) truths about how the brain works: where you put your attention literally shapes your reality. What you focus on expands. And if you're spending years focusing on your trauma, your pain, your "broken" parts, you're training your brain to keep running those patterns. We talk about the observer effect from quantum physics, how the ACC (the social-emotional brain) operates at the subconscious level, and why your beliefs have to align with what Scripture says about you—not just intellectually, but at the deepest level where your brain is automating your identity. This isn't about toxic positivity or pretending the pain isn't real. It's about understanding that constantly rehearsing "I AM anxious, I AM broken, I AM not enough" is literally giving your brain permission to keep being that. And there's a better way. If you've ever felt like you've been "working on yourself" for years but you're still stuck in the same patterns, this episode will show you why—and what needs to shift. GUEST: Dr. Lee Warren // wleewarrenmd.com // @drleewarrenListen to Dr. Warren's Podcast here.Order Dr. Warren's New Book, The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery. HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @LeanneEllington // @theteenagerbrain To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this final episode of the Teenager Brain series, Leanne dives into the root of it all: the identity crisis. Teens today don't have a stable sense of self. They don't know who they are, what they value, or what they stand for. And their sense of self rises and falls with every like, every comment, every comparison. One day they're confident. The next day they're convinced they're not enough. And you're watching it happen—not knowing how to help them. Here's what makes it even worse: Nobody knows what's real anymore. Your teen is scrolling Instagram, comparing themselves to someone's "perfect" skin—but they don't know it's a filter. They're comparing themselves to someone's "perfect" body—but they don't know it's AI-generated or Photoshopped. They're measuring themselves against a standard that doesn't even exist. Their self-image is being shaped by lies. By filters. By comparison culture. And they have no stable sense of who they are. But here's the good news: We can teach students how to build a self-image that's rooted in internal truth—not external validation. Leanne peels back the curtain on the 4-step system taught inside the Teenager Brain curriculum—the system that builds emotional fitness, which builds emotional resilience: Step 1: Regulate – Go from panic to calm in under 30 secondsStep 2: Separate – Separate truth from lies, data from dramaStep 3: Narrate – Take ownership of your story instead of letting your brain spin worst-case scenariosStep 4: Use Your Inner Compass – Build a self-image rooted in who you are, not what the world says about you This is what happens when we teach students the 4-step system. Not perfection. Not eliminating hard things. Just giving students the tools to build emotional fitness—which builds emotional resilience—before these patterns become decades of struggle. Ready to bring these tools to your school or teen? Head over to TeenagerBrain.com to request a free sample lesson. You'll see exactly how the Teenager Brain curriculum works and test-drive a full lesson from the perspective of both the student and the facilitator. We're looking for our next 25 pilot schools for Fall 2026. This is a 4-week plug-and-play emotional fitness program that teaches students how to regulate their emotions, separate truth from lies, and build a self-image that lasts—without adding to your workload. The window is open. Their brains are ready. The time is now. HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @LeanneEllington // @theteenagerbrain To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Leanne exposes the attention crisis that's affecting every single teenager right now—and reveals what social media platforms know about teen brains that most parents and educators don't. The average teen now spends between four and five hours a day on social media. And teens who spend three or more hours a day have double the risk of anxiety and depression. Heavily addicted younger teens show two to three times the risk of suicidal behavior. But it's not just about the time. It's about how their brain is interacting with the content. Every swipe, every like, every new video delivers a hit of dopamine—the "feel good" neurotransmitter. And over time, the teenage brain learns to crave that dopamine hit. It becomes addicted to the scroll. And when the scroll stops, the brain goes into withdrawal. Leanne breaks down the three major forces rewiring teenage brains: dopamine dysregulation, chronic distraction and the death of deep focus, and comparison culture that ties self-worth to external validation. But here's the good news: Dopamine dysregulation can be reversed. Attention can be retrained. And self-worth can be rebuilt from the inside out. Leanne shares powerful examples of what changes when students learn to notice the dopamine trap, separate their worth from their likes, and retrain their attention—so they're not slaves to the scroll anymore. Ready to bring these tools to your school or teen? Head over to TeenagerBrain.com to request a free sample lesson. You'll see exactly how the Teenager Brain curriculum works and test-drive a full lesson yourself. We're looking for our next 25 pilot schools for Fall 2026. This is a 4-week plug-and-play emotional fitness program that teaches students how to regulate their emotions, separate truth from lies, and build a self-image that lasts—without adding to your workload. HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @LeanneEllington // @theteenagerbrain To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Leanne launches a special 5-part series on the teenage brain crisis—and why today's teens are struggling in ways we've never seen before. Nearly 1 in 3 teen girls seriously considered suicide in the past year. 42% of high school students report persistent sadness or hopelessness. This isn't just a mental health crisis. It's a brain wiring crisis. Leanne explains how social media is fundamentally rewiring the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)—the self-image brain—for anxiety, comparison, and emotional dysregulation instead of resilience. The patterns being wired into teen brains right now will become the default settings they live with for decades. But here's the good news: Teen brains are plastic. They can be rewired. And ages 12 to 25 are the most transformable years of life. Drawing from her own teenage struggles and 15 years of coaching adults through patterns that started in adolescence, Leanne introduces the four critical tools every teen needs to build emotional fitness and resilience before these patterns become permanent. Ready to bring these tools to your school or teen? Head over to TeenagerBrain.com to request a free sample lesson. You'll see exactly how the Teenager Brain curriculum works and test-drive a full lesson yourself. We're looking for our next 25 pilot schools for Fall 2026. This is a 4-week plug-and-play emotional fitness program that teaches students how to regulate their emotions, separate truth from lies, and build a self-image that lasts—without adding to your workload. HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @LeanneEllington // @theteenagerbrain To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Leanne explores the question: “Is my obsession with food a spiritual battle?” Drawing from her personal journey and the experiences of countless women, Leanne delves into the idea that struggles with food and body image are not merely about willpower or discipline but are deeply rooted in spiritual warfare, and how the enemy often uses lies and shame to keep us trapped in cycles of obsession and self-condemnation.  Leanne offers a compassionate and faith-filled perspective, encouraging listeners to shift from self-condemnation to curiosity, to take their thoughts captive, and to invite God into their healing journey. She underscores the importance of recognizing food as a gift from God, not a master, and our bodies as temples to be honored, not projects to be perfected. Through practical steps and biblical truths, this episode serves as a guide for those seeking freedom from food obsession, reminding them that they are not alone and that true healing is possible through partnership with God. HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington  To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com. What's God Got to Do With It is an iHeartRadio podcast on the Amy Brown Podcast network. It's written and hosted by Leanne Ellington, Executive Produced by Elizabeth Fazio, Post Production and Editing by Houston Tilley, and Original music written by Cheryl Stark & produced by Adam Stark.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us for a deeply personal conversation as we sit down with Jenny Robinson-Clark, debut children's book author and my dear friend of over 30 years. Jenny opens up about her heart-wrenching journey following the loss of her mother and the miraculous signs from heaven that inspired her beautiful book, "Are You Here?: A Story about the Magical Signs All Around Us." When Jenny lost her mom, her world was turned upside down. But in the weeks that followed, something extraordinary began to happen—she started receiving signs. A rainbow on a cloudy day. An owl on her porch. A butterfly in the park. At first, she wondered if she was imagining it. But the signs kept coming, and she realized: her mom was still here. Not gone. Just... different. In this episode, Jenny shares how God orchestrated those sacred moments and used nature to speak to her grieving heart, why she felt called to write a children's book that teaches kids (and adults) that love never leaves—it just changes form, and the heartbreaking question every grieving child asks—"Can they still see me?"—and why her book answers with a resounding YES. This isn't just a children's book. It's a bedtime story that heals, not just entertains. It's for anyone who's ever lost someone and looked for a sign—and found one. Join us as we explore Jenny's beautiful story of hope birthed out of grief, and learn how to open your heart, ask for a sign, and trust that your loved ones are still with you. Be prepared for an inspiring conversation filled with faith, wonder, and the reminder that love doesn't end—it just finds new ways to say hello. GUEST: @JennyRobinsonClark Jenny's Book: Are You Here?: A Story about the Magical Signs All Around UsPre-Order: https://www.jennyrobinsonclark.com/ HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington  To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com. What's God Got to Do With It is an iHeartRadio podcast on the Amy Brown Podcast network. It's written and hosted by Leanne Ellington, Executive Produced by Elizabeth Fazio, Post Production and Editing by Houston Tilley, and Original music written by Cheryl Stark & produced by Adam Stark.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us for an intimate conversation as we sit down with Granger Smith, a country music star who dedicated his life to ministry.  Granger opens up about his heart-wrenching journey following the tragic loss of his youngest son, River, which he vulnerably shares in his book, "Like a River."On June 4th, 2019, Granger's life changed forever when River drowned in their family pool. The devastating tragedy sent him into a dark and painful journey, filled with grief, guilt, and criticism from the outside world. Despite his efforts to carry on with his career, Granger was dying inside. Alone on his tour bus one night, he had a transformative spiritual encounter with God that lifted him out of despair and onto a path of healing and renewal. In this episode, Granger shares his vulnerable testimony and the profound lessons he learned including the deep truths about God and faith that emerged from River's passing, navigating grief and the struggles he encountered while trying to support his family through their collective grief, and the moment he felt God's presence and the spiritual encounter that changed his life forever. His experience of nearly taking his own life and finding new purpose led him to the remarkable growth that came from his suffering,  and he shares why he wouldn't turn back time, even if it meant having River back. This led to him listening to "the call", as he decided to leave his music career to become a minister , and he shares how preaching has brought him more fulfillment than fame ever did. Join us as we explore Granger's triumphant story of new life birthed out of tragedy, and learn how to face your own failures, confront pain, and connect with God— even when you're in your darkest season. Be prepared for an inspiring conversation filled with hope, faith, and the power of surrender. GUEST: @GrangerSmithGranger's Book: Like A River Granger's Website, Appearances, Podcast, & Books: https://grangersmith.com/   HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington  To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com. What's God Got to Do With It is an iHeartRadio podcast on the Amy Brown Podcast network. It's written and hosted by Leanne Ellington, Executive Produced by Elizabeth Fazio, Post Production and Editing by Houston Tilley, and Original music written by Cheryl Stark & produced by Adam Stark.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you have beliefs that are holding you back that (no matter what you try), they continue to have a stronghold on you?In this week's episode of the God Pod, Leanne Ellington shares her personal journey of transforming beliefs through the unique intersection of where "faith meets science"...and where "science meets faith", as we start to unravel how faith and science intersect in transforming your deepest-held beliefs about yourself. She shares a unique process to transform your own beliefs, but also takes you on a deeply introspective voyage, and candidly discusses her transition from attempting to change her beliefs purely through scientific and emotional tools...to inviting God into the conversation. She shares her initial struggles with self-worth and the fear of "being alone the rest of her life", and details how she crafted new beliefs that resonated with her core self and how she "backed them up" with carefully-chosen scripture. Leanne's journey from skepticism to faith, from doubt to trust, ultimately culminated in a profound transformation, including the unexpected and beautiful development of a loving relationship, and this episode invites you to explore your own beliefs and see where "faith meets science" can help you reshape your own self-perceptions. HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington  To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Medications that quiet food noise are everywhere right now. They’re being talked about in doctors’ offices, on social media, and in conversations between women who are just desperate for some peace around food. So instead of approaching this topic with judgment, fear, or extremes, let’s have an honest, transparent conversation about what’s really happening in the brain—and what actually leads to lasting change. Ozempic might be quieting the food noise for some women, but what happens when the medication wears off, the weight comes back, or the brain circuits underneath remain untouched? In this episode, Leanne Ellington dives into what she calls the brain-based effect—a natural, sustainable way to quiet the food noise by working WITH your brain’s built-in circuitry for peace, safety, and self-control. This episode isn’t here to judge the medication—or debate whether you should or shouldn’t take it. We’re not here to talk about the pill. We’re here to talk about the pattern. Because no matter how the food noise gets quieted… if you don’t rewire what’s underneath, it’s just a temporary fix. Inside, Leanne breaks down: - The exact brain circuits that drive food obsession—and how emotional eating, cravings, and compulsive thoughts are wired in neurologically (not rooted in a lack of discipline)- Why medications like Ozempic can temporarily turn down the “food noise”… but don’t rewire the deeper brain loops causing it in the first place- How to create a natural effect in your brain by calming your nervous system, retraining your emotional coping patterns, and rewiring the food-seeking circuit—for good This episode blends cutting-edge brain science with Spirit-led truth—and gives you a roadmap to heal your brain, reclaim your peace, and end the war with food once and for all. Because when your brain is rewired for truth… the noise finally goes quiet. HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington  To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this final part of the series, Dr. Warren brings it all together — turning the science, the faith, and the commandments into a daily, livable, empowering practice. He shares how hope is the first dose, but action is the medicine. How transformation isn’t an event, but a series of tiny, faithful choices. And how to become the kind of person who notices, names, and rewires thoughts in real time—right in the middle of stress, uncertainty, fear, and life happening. This episode is about reclaiming agency… with God as your guide. It’s about partnering with the One who designed your brain for healing. And it’s about stepping into a version of yourself that is clearer, calmer, more grounded, and more connected to God than ever before. If you’ve ever wanted a roadmap for what inner healing looks like day-to-day, this conversation is it. GUEST: Dr. Lee Warren // wleewarrenmd.com // @drleewarrenDr. Warren's Podcast: https://wleewarrenmd.com/podcast/Pre-Order Dr. Warren's New Book: DrLeeWarren.com/preorder HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington  To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this heart-expanding episode, Dr. Warren shows us how modern neuroscience is finally catching up to what Scripture has told us all along: that our minds can be renewed, reshaped, and transformed from the inside out. Drawing from decades in the operating room and a lifetime of faith, he breaks down the beautiful reality of “mind-down control”—the God-given ability your mind has to influence the physical structure of your brain. And he does it in a way that makes even the most complex science feel accessible, empowering, and deeply hopeful. Whether you’ve battled anxiety, negative self-talk, shame, or long-standing thought patterns that seem impossible to break, this episode shows you why your story is not fixed… and why change is not only possible, but promised. This is the science of neuroplasticity. This is the truth of Romans 12:2. And this is your invitation to experience healing in a completely new way. GUEST: Dr. Lee Warren // wleewarrenmd.com // @drleewarrenDr. Warren's Podcast: https://wleewarrenmd.com/podcast/Pre-Order Dr. Warren's New Book: DrLeeWarren.com/preorder HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington  To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.