What do you do when your life feels like it’s burned to the ground? In this deeply moving episode of Hope for the Mind, host Kristin Ontiveros explores the raw and sacred terrain of trauma, loss, and the promise of redemption. Through the lens of Isaiah 61:3, neuroscience, and real-life restoration, we’ll unpack how God turns ashes into beauty—not by erasing the pain, but by transforming it.

We’ll journey through the physiological effects of trauma on the brain, the exile and devastation of the Israelites, and stories of biblical resilience—from Joseph to Job, Ruth to Jesus. This episode blends psychology and scripture to uncover how healing happens, how purpose is reborn from suffering, and how your story isn't over—even when everything feels ruined.

If you’re grieving, wrestling with anxiety, or feeling like the fire stole everything from you—this one’s for you. Because sometimes, the ashes aren’t the end. Sometimes, they’re just the beginning.