The Spiritual Reset Podcast

Replacing Blindness with Perception with Janet Perez Eckles

The Spiritual Reset Podcast: Replacing Blindness with Perception with Janet Perez Eckles
Host Michelle Lazurek talks with author, speaker, and resilience expert Janet Perez-Eckles about overcoming unimaginable loss and finding hope in God. Janet shares her journey of losing her sight at 30, facing marital challenges, and raising three young sons while navigating grief and fear. Through faith, forgiveness, and determination, she discovered new ways to live fully, build wisdom, and embrace creativity in the face of limitation. Today, Janet inspires leaders and audiences worldwide to see beyond obstacles and lead with confidence and faith.
What You’ll Learn• How to find hope and purpose in dark seasons• The power of forgiveness and gratitude to transform life• Seeing limitations as opportunities, not barriers• Practical ways to rely on God when facing challenges
About Janet Perez-EcklesJanet Perez-Eckles is an award-winning author and international speaker who helps leaders and individuals rise above adversity. She has shared her message across the U.S. and nine other countries, teaching resilience, faith, and fearless confidence.
Learn more at www.janetperezeckles.com

Resisting the Trap of Comparison with Patty Laroche

The Spiritual Reset Podcast: Breaking Free from Comparison with Patty LarocheHost Michelle Lazurek sits down with author and speaker Patty Laroche for a heartfelt conversation about self-worth, faith, and finding joy beyond the pressure to perform. Patty shares her journey of growing up feeling “less than,” navigating life in a social media-driven world, and learning to see her value through God’s eyes. She opens up about the challenges of comparison, the traps of performance, and the freedom that comes when we stop measuring ourselves against others. Through stories from her life, marriage, and professional experiences, Patty reminds listeners that God is the audience that truly matters.
What You’ll Learn• How to stop comparing yourself to others and embrace your gifts• Why searching for approval can distance you from God’s love• How God uses difficult experiences to draw you closer
About Patty LarochePatty Laroche is a wife, mother, stepmother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is an award-winning speaker, author of A Little Faith Lift, Finding Joy Beyond Rejection, and columnist for three area newspapers. Patty is certified to speak on the evils of sex trafficking and regularly shares her message at schools, churches, and women’s groups. She encourages people to find their worth in God, embrace joy, and live authentically.

Resetting After a Work Coup with Gladys Childs

The Spiritual Reset Podcast: Resetting After a Work Coup with Gladys Childs
Host Michelle Lazurek talks with author, pastor, and professor Dr. Gladys Childs about identity, surrender, and finding purpose when work takes an unexpected turn. Gladys shares her story of stepping into a demanding leadership role at a university and facing rejection, betrayal, and loss when things didn’t go as planned. She opens up about how she tried to control outcomes instead of trusting God, and how He met her in the middle of disappointment to bring peace and redirection. Through her journey of humility and renewal, Gladys reminds listeners that God’s plans are always better than our own.
What You’ll Learn• How to trust God when your career doesn’t go as expected• Why surrender brings peace in seasons of uncertainty• How to find purpose after rejection or loss
About Dr. Gladys ChildsDr. Gladys Childs, is an author, speaker, and ordained minister who helps people grow through faith and resilience. With a Ph.D. in Foundations of Education and decades of ministry and teaching experience, she brings wisdom, humor, and honesty to every conversation. Through her writing and speaking, she encourages others to find hope and healing in God’s truth.
https://www.gladyschilds.com/

Recalibrating When You Don't Get Your Dream Job with Grace Fox

The Spiritual Reset Podcast: Recalibrating When You Don't Get Your Dream Job with Grace Fox
Host Michelle Lazurek talks with author, speaker, and missionary Grace Fox about faith, integrity, and navigating unexpected shifts in ministry. Grace shares the story of how her husband, despite being the obvious candidate for a leadership role at their Christian camp, was passed over in a surprising decision. She opens up about the emotions, questions, and challenges they faced during this season, and how they leaned into God’s sovereignty and trusted Him to guide the next steps. Their story is a testimony of patience, perseverance, and faith in God’s timing.
What You’ll Learn• How to respond with integrity when overlooked for a role or opportunity• Why guarding your heart against bitterness is essential• How trusting God’s timing leads to new doors and unexpected opportunities
About Grace FoxGrace Fox is an award-winning author of 14 books, Bible study teacher, and career missionary for over 30 years. She and her husband serve as co-directors of International Messengers Canada, a missionary sending agency, and live aboard a sailboat in Vancouver, British Columbia. Through her writing, teaching, and speaking, Grace encourages others to trust God’s sovereignty and walk faithfully through seasons of uncertainty.
https://www.gracefox.com/

Navigating Big Moves with Gretchen Huesmann

The Spiritual Reset Podcast: Navigating Big Moves with Gretchen Huesmann
Host Michelle Lazurek talks with teacher, speaker, and author Gretchen Huesmann about navigating big life transitions with faith and trust in God. Gretchen shares her experience of leaving a place she loved after 13 years to follow God’s call to a new city, the anxiety and uncertainty she faced during the move, and how she stayed connected to God through journaling, prayer, and Scripture. She opens up about finding purpose in writing picture books and devotionals during this season, and how God’s faithfulness became evident even when His plan didn’t make sense at the time. Their conversation is a reminder that God works behind the scenes and equips us for the next chapter of life.
What You’ll Learn• How to navigate the anxiety and uncertainty of a major life transition• Why staying grounded in prayer and Scripture is essential during seasons of change• How God can redirect your passions and gifts in unexpected ways
About Gretchen HuesmannGretchen Huesmann is a teacher, speaker, and award-winning author. She is passionate about connecting people to Jesus through her classes, conferences, and writing. Her debut book, It’s a Good Day to Be a Teacher: 52 Devotions to Equip and Encourage Educators, released March 25, 2025. Gretchen and her pastor husband have served five congregations, raised four adult children, and now enjoy their empty nest in Pensacola, Florida.
https://www.gretchenhuesmann.com/

Displaying Christ Through Tragedy With Sandra Barker

*** TRIGGER WARNING- The following episode contains sensitive material that may be unsuitable for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.****
The Spiritual Reset Podcast: Displaying Christ Through Tragedy With Sandra Barker
Host Michelle Lazurek talks with author and volunteer Sandra Barker about facing unimaginable loss and discovering God’s grace. Sandra shares the story of her brother and sister-in-law’s sudden deaths at the hands of her nephew, the threat to her own family, and the months of grief and unanswered questions that followed. She opens up about finding peace through forgiveness, trusting God’s sovereignty, and ministering to her nephew and others. Their conversation is a testimony of God’s healing power and the ability to turn heartbreak into purpose.
What You’ll Learn• How to navigate grief when life feels unexplainable• Why forgiveness is a process and frees your heart• How God can turn painful experiences into opportunities for ministry
About Sandra BarkerSandra Barker is a wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and jail ministry volunteer. She has authored 15 books, including Ordinary Women, Extraordinary God, Volume 2 and the award-winning Rapture, Imagining the Day That Changes the World Forever. Her work inspires readers to trust God’s grace in every season.
https://sandra-ramblingrose.blogspot.com/

Grieving the Loss of a Spouse with Sheila Llewellyn

The Spiritual Reset Podcast: Grieving the Loss of a Spouse with Sheila Llewellyn
Host Michelle Lazurek talks with author, counselor, and ministry leader Sheila Llewellyn about love, loss, and learning to trust God in a season of deep grief. Sheila shares the story of losing her husband after forty six years of marriage and what it was like to navigate the confusing mix of exhaustion, shock, and sorrow that followed. She opens up about the ways God met her, how He helped her face each day, and how healing began to grow slowly over time. 
What You Will Learn• Why grief can feel confusing even for strong believers• How God restores our identity when life shifts in painful ways• Why Christ centered support groups matter• How small moments of healing reveal God’s presence in the dark
About Sheila LlewellynSheila Llewellyn is a biblical counselor, speaker, and founder of Prayers for Prodigals, a ministry that supports families walking through addiction. She is the author of seven books, including her recent prayer journal A Wife Walks with God. Through her writing, teaching, and personal testimony, Sheila encourages others to hold on to God’s comfort and trust Him in seasons of loss and uncertainty.
Website: www.heartnotesoflife.com

Grieving People with Addictions with Dawn Ward

The Spiritual Reset Podcast: Grieving People with Addictions with Dawn Ward
Host Michelle Lazurek talks with author and ministry leader Dawn Ward about the quiet and complicated grief that comes when someone you love is still living but no longer the person they used to be. Dawn shares what it was like to walk with her sons through addiction and how ambiguous grief affected her heart, her faith, and her daily life. She opens up about the fear, loneliness, and exhaustion she carried and how God met her in small but meaningful ways. Her story brings comfort and encouragement to anyone facing a similar season.
What You’ll Learn• What ambiguous grief is and why it can feel confusing and heavy• How to trust God when you cannot fix the situation• Why prayer, support, and honesty matter during hard seasons
About Dawn WardDawn Ward is the author of From Guilt to Grace: Hope and Healing for Christian Moms of Addicted Children and co author of several books for women. She has more than 30 years of ministry experience and leads a support community for Christian moms whose children struggle with addiction. 
https://www.thefaithtoflourish.com/

Grieving the Death of a Friendship with Sue A. Fairchild

The Spiritual Reset Podcast: Grieving the Death of a Friendship with Sue A. FairchildHost Michelle Lazurek talks with writer and editor Sue Fairchild about the deep grief that comes when a close friendship changes because of illness. Sue shares what it has been like to walk with her friend Jill through a difficult cancer journey and how the loss of who Jill used to be has brought its own kind of sorrow. She opens up about the questions, the heartache, and the small ways God has met her along the way. Her story offers comfort and hope to anyone carrying a similar pain.
What You’ll Learn• What it feels like to grieve someone who is still here• How God brings strength in seasons of heartbreak• Why honest prayers and community matter when hope feels thin
About Sue FairchildSue Fairchild is a writer, editor, and speaker who is passionate about helping others share their stories with clarity and heart. She is currently supporting the completion of her friend Jill’s book as a way to honor her life and ministry. Sue loves spending time with family, reading, and enjoying quiet moments with God.
https://sueafairchild.wordpress.com/