Talk To Me: The Debra Fileta Podcast

Today on the show I’m joined by Melissa who is calling in to get help dealing with her anger issues. She’s noticing that her anger outbursts are getting less controlled, and has noticed losing her temper in the car as well as in public – at the bank, for example. She’s not sure where these patterns of anger have come from, and she feels like she’s tried everything to try and break free from her anger with no success. We process what her anger means, what emotions it represents, and then we look for trigger patterns to trace what may be the underlying root of her anger issues. We make some serious progress in this session, as I help her track the underlying issue that’s been holding her back. If you struggle with anger, listen to this episode and start putting the pieces together in your own life so that you can respond to the signal of anger instead of simply reacting to it. Listen to this episode, and then go deeper on your own journey of healing by connecting with one of our faith-forward counselors at the Debra Fileta Counselors Network!

The Debra Fileta Counselors Network:

Book a counseling session at the Debra Fileta Counselors Network and get started on your healing journey from the inside out TODAY!

DEBRA FILETA is a Licensed Professional Counselor, national speaker, and founder of the Debra Fileta Counselors Network. She is the bestselling author of eight books including Choosing Marriage, Are You Really OK?, RESET, and Soul Care. Debra is the host of the popular podcast and nationally syndicated radio show Talk To Me where she facilitates on-air authentic counseling-style sessions with notable pastors and leaders. You may also recognize her voice from her appearances on national television and radio, including Better Together, The Kirk Cameron Show, Focus on the Family, The 700 Club, and many others. She reaches millions of people each year with the message of mental, emotional, and relational health. Connect with her on Instagram or at DebraFileta.com.

Sensitive Content Disclaimer: The following conversation includes sensitive information, covering themes of abuse.

Today on the show I am joined by my friend Tim Ross for an on-air counseling session as we process the concept of vulnerability in relationships. What does it mean to be vulnerable? I guide him through the analogy of seeing vulnerability like a pool – equipped with both a shallow end and a deep end. Vulnerability means to go first, to take that first jump, and to invite people to the deep end of your life, and share authentically. He opens up about the moment that changed everything for him, where he decided that he will never keep a secret again, and his journey toward being open and honest in every part of his life. We process through both the benefits and the risks of vulnerability, how to find friends who are willing to go there, and why being open and honest is not a gender thing – it’s an invitation to all. This episode is filled with lessons to learn and things to process about your own life, and what holds you back from sharing authentically. Don’t miss this on-air session, and then go deeper with your relationships by grabbing a copy of People Skills. 

The Debra Fileta Counselors Network:

Book a counseling session at the Debra Fileta Counselors Network and get started on your healing journey from the inside out TODAY!

DEBRA FILETA is a Licensed Professional Counselor, national speaker, and founder of the Debra Fileta Counselors Network. She is the bestselling author of eight books including Choosing Marriage, Are You Really OK?, RESET, and Soul Care. Debra is the host of the popular podcast and nationally syndicated radio show Talk To Me where she facilitates on-air authentic counseling-style sessions with notable pastors and leaders. You may also recognize her voice from her appearances on national television and radio, including Better Together, The Kirk Cameron Show, Focus on the Family, The 700 Club, and many others. She reaches millions of people each year with the message of mental, emotional, and relational health. Connect with her on Instagram or at DebraFileta.com.

Today on the show I am joined by Kirby Kelly for an on-air counseling session, as we process her past trauma of growing up with alcoholic parents. In this emotional conversation, Kirby opens up specifically about her complex relationship with her mother, who continued to relapse into addiction to alcohol until she passed away unexpectedly in 2023. Kirby is now expecting her first baby girl, and a new layer of trauma and mother wounds has made its way to the surface of her life. She is dealing with a layer of new emotions as she grieves for the mother she never had, and also grieves the fact that her mom will not be here with her during this vulnerable season of her life as she herself becomes a new mom. We process the concept of God showing up to her as a good father, but what it means to ask him to fill in the gaps of our mother wounds as well. This episode is SO powerful, vulnerable, and emotional – and is so necessary for anyone who can relate to experiencing the trauma of mother wounds. Go deeper in healing from the trauma of your past, with my book Are You Really OK? 

The Debra Fileta Counselors Network:

Book a counseling session at the Debra Fileta Counselors Network and get started on your healing journey from the inside out TODAY!

DEBRA FILETA is a Licensed Professional Counselor, national speaker, and founder of the Debra Fileta Counselors Network. She is the bestselling author of eight books including Choosing Marriage, Are You Really OK?, RESET, and Soul Care. Debra is the host of the popular podcast and nationally syndicated radio show Talk To Me where she facilitates on-air authentic counseling-style sessions with notable pastors and leaders. You may also recognize her voice from her appearances on national television and radio, including Better Together, The Kirk Cameron Show, Focus on the Family, The 700 Club, and many others. She reaches millions of people each year with the message of mental, emotional, and relational health. Connect with her on Instagram or at DebraFileta.com.

Today I have an on-air session with Christian Bevere, as we processed some of the mistakes she made during her dating days, including dating from places of insecurity, as well as the unrealistic expectations she placed on what dating was “supposed to” look like or feel like in that season of life. We then talk through how unrealistic expectations continue to play out, if we’re not careful, even in marriage. We unpack how family dynamics and Christian culture can influence our perspectives on dating and relationships for both the good and bad, and how there can almost be a “desperation” for relationships, that lead us to looking for love in the wrong places. If this episode resonates with you, check out True Love Dates to learn more about becoming healthy standing alone, and attracting and engaging in healthy relationships. 

The Debra Fileta Counselors Network:

Book a counseling session at the Debra Fileta Counselors Network and get started on your healing journey from the inside out TODAY!

DEBRA FILETA is a Licensed Professional Counselor, national speaker, and founder of the Debra Fileta Counselors Network. She is the bestselling author of eight books including Choosing Marriage, Are You Really OK?, RESET, and Soul Care. Debra is the host of the popular podcast and nationally syndicated radio show Talk To Me where she facilitates on-air authentic counseling-style sessions with notable pastors and leaders. You may also recognize her voice from her appearances on national television and radio, including Better Together, The Kirk Cameron Show, Focus on the Family, The 700 Club, and many others. She reaches millions of people each year with the message of mental, emotional, and relational health. Connect with her on Instagram or at DebraFileta.com.

The stress of the sandwich generation is real, but extremely underestimated. People don’t talk about it enough. How do you navigate the burdens and blessings of caring for young children, as well as caring for your aging parents…all at once? How do you navigate that stress while you’re also trying to run a household, keep a marriage intact, provide for your family, keep your job, and manage your mental and emotional health all the while? Theologian Joel Muddamalle sits down with me to process the stress he’s dealing with in this season of life, caring for his aging parents and the many needs that come with that, all while managing a household and young children of his own. If you’re dealing with the blessings and burdens of being the sandwich generation – this episode will encourage you and give you some practical suggestions of how to manage this season well, set healthy boundaries, and care for yourself in the process – so that caring for others doesn’t end up destroying you. If you enjoyed this episode, you need to check out Soul Care and learn how to prevent burnout, and care for your own soul as you care for others. 

The Debra Fileta Counselors Network:

Book a counseling session at the Debra Fileta Counselors Network and get started on your healing journey from the inside out TODAY!

DEBRA FILETA is a Licensed Professional Counselor, national speaker, and founder of the Debra Fileta Counselors Network. She is the bestselling author of eight books including Choosing Marriage, Are You Really OK?, RESET, and Soul Care. Debra is the host of the popular podcast and nationally syndicated radio show Talk To Me where she facilitates on-air authentic counseling-style sessions with notable pastors and leaders. You may also recognize her voice from her appearances on national television and radio, including Better Together, The Kirk Cameron Show, Focus on the Family, The 700 Club, and many others. She reaches millions of people each year with the message of mental, emotional, and relational health. Connect with her on Instagram or at DebraFileta.com.