Many people in overeating and emotional eating recovery believe they aren’t “far enough along” to help someone else. In this episode of the Reshape and Recover Podcast, Julie and Tony Kleinhans unpack Step 12 and explain why sharing your story isn’t about perfection—it’s about willingness.
You’ll learn how carrying the message of recovery actually strengthens your own recovery, deepens spiritual growth, and keeps you connected to freedom from food obsession. Drawing from the 12 Steps, biblical truth, and real-life experience, this episode explores how God uses imperfect stories to bring hope, healing, and transformation.
In this episode, we discuss:
• What Step 12 really means in Christian recovery
• Why a spiritual awakening often looks like peace, clarity, and progress—not perfection
• How sharing your story protects your own recovery
• Practical, everyday ways to carry the message without being preachy
• How God uses your testimony—no matter how simple—to encourage others
Near the end of the episode, you’ll hear a spontaneous moment of community as one of our members joins the conversation — a simple but powerful picture of Step 12 in action.
If you’re recovering from compulsive overeating, emotional eating, or food addiction—and wondering if your story matters—this episode will remind you that someone needs the hope God has placed in you.
🎧 Listen now for biblical encouragement, practical tools, and hope-filled truth for lasting recovery.
Some days, gratitude comes easily — and other days, especially in stress or when cravings feel overwhelming, giving thanks feels impossible. But God never intended gratitude to be something we practice only when life feels good. His Word shows us that thanksgiving is a spiritual tool that lifts us, anchors us, and draws us back into His presence right in the middle of whatever we’re facing.
In this episode of the Reshape and Recover Podcast, Julie and Tony explore the power of gratitude as a daily rhythm — not just a holiday idea. You’ll discover:
✨ Why giving thanks shifts our cravings, mindset, and stress
✨ How praise brings us into God’s presence and strengthens our recovery
✨ What Scripture teaches about gratitude during hard times
✨ How thanksgiving guards our hearts and minds with God’s peace
✨ Simple, practical ways to build gratitude into everyday recovery
With Bible verses, real-life insights, and Christ-centered recovery tools, this episode will encourage you to see gratitude not as one more task — but as a gift God uses to renew your strength, restore your perspective, and transform your relationship with food.
If you’re longing for calm, clarity, and a deeper connection with God in your recovery, this conversation will bless you.
Keep coming back — it works if you work it.
Navigating the Holidays With Peace, Freedom, and a Plan
The holiday season is filled with gratitude, family, and connection — but it can also be one of the hardest times for those of us recovering from overeating. In this episode, Julie and Tony walk you through how to approach the holidays with confidence, clarity, and Christ-centered peace.
You’ll learn how to:
• Keep your focus on gratitude and relationships instead of food
• Use prayer before, during, and after meals to stay grounded
• Create a simple food plan that removes stress and temptation
• Handle food pushers with grace
• Navigate difficult family dynamics without turning to food
• Practice mindful eating and stop when your portion is done
• Choose God’s peace over cravings — even during high-stress celebrations
With biblical encouragement (1 Thess. 5:16–18, Prov. 3:5–6, Ps. 16:5, Rom. 12:18), practical strategies, and loving guidance, this episode equips you to walk through the holidays with strength, freedom, and a renewed focus on God.
You can enjoy the holidays — without losing your peace or your progress.
With God’s help, freedom is possible.
If you’ve ever wondered why you keep going back to the foods that hurt you—even when you truly want to change—Bill W.’s story might surprise you, challenge you, and give you real hope.
In this episode, Tony and I dive into the life of Bill W., the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, and I share why his journey matters so deeply for those of us recovering from overeating, sugar addiction, emotional eating, or any compulsive behavior. I used to think, “I’m not an alcoholic—so why should his story matter to me?” But once I heard what he went through, I realized I had lived the same pattern with food.
Bill tried everything to control his drinking. He made promises. He swore off “for good.” He wanted to stop… but he couldn’t. And if you’ve struggled with food, sugar, or binge eating, you know exactly what that feels like.
In this episode, we talk about:
✨ How Bill’s early life, war experiences, and loneliness fed his addiction
✨ Why willpower kept failing him—and why it fails us with food
✨ The moment he realized “just one drink” (or one bite) is the doorway back into addiction
✨ How God used a transformed friend to interrupt his downward spiral
✨ The spiritual experience that finally broke the bondage
✨ How his journey became the foundation of the 12 Steps
✨ Why helping others was the key to staying sober—and why that matters for food recovery
✨ The biblical principles that quietly shape every step of the program
I also share a piece of my own story—how I came into recovery already believing in God but never once asking Him to help me with food. I thought He had “bigger things to deal with.” But once I finally invited Him in, everything started to change. Little by little, God gave me the strength I never had on my own.
Bill W.’s story reminds all of us that:
• We can’t fix ourselves by trying harder.
• God can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
• Community and accountability protect our freedom.
• Our stories—especially the messy parts—can bring hope to someone else.
If you’re feeling stuck, discouraged, or tired of trying to change through sheer willpower, I pray this episode encourages you. God still rescues. He still restores. And He still uses ordinary people—people like you and me—to carry hope to others who are hurting.
Have you ever lost weight or gained freedom from food — only to fall back into old habits later? Jesus warned in Luke 11 that when the “house” stays empty, the same temptations return stronger than before.
In this episode, Julie and Tony Kleinhans explore what it means to “keep your house full” — spiritually, emotionally, and physically. You’ll learn how to guard your recovery by staying connected to God, your community, and daily habits that nurture lasting freedom.
Through biblical insight and personal stories, Julie and Tony share how to replace old cravings with new purpose, peace, and joy. True recovery isn’t just about what you stop doing — it’s about what you fill your life with.
💛 “Keep your house full — with God’s presence, His Word, and His people.”
Listen now and stay encouraged on your journey to lasting freedom.
Ever feel like you just don’t have time to pray in the morning? Between work, family, and everything else, quiet time with God can easily slip away — and before we know it, we’re trying to handle life in our own strength.
In this episode, Tony and I share how Step 11 — prayer and meditation — helps us stay connected to God’s will, calm our cravings, and find peace in daily recovery. I talk about how getting up just a little earlier and planning ahead the night before transformed my mornings, while Tony shares biblical insights and practical tools for keeping your heart focused on God throughout the day.
You’ll discover how to:
✅ Start your day with prayer and intention
✅ Meditate on Scripture the biblical way (not the world’s way)
✅ Trust God to guide your thoughts, words, and actions
✅ Build a spiritual rhythm that strengthens your recovery
Remember, time with God isn’t another task — it’s the foundation for everything else.
💛 “Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
#christianweightloss #faithandwellness #12stepswithChrist #reshapeandrecover
Ever feel awkward saying no to certain foods when you’re visiting friends or family? In this episode of Reshape and Recover, Julie and Tony share biblical wisdom and practical strategies for staying faithful to your food boundaries — even when you’re surrounded by temptation.
Drawing from Daniel 1:8 and other key Scriptures, they discuss how Daniel stood firm at the king’s table and how we can do the same at the dinner table today. You’ll learn how to prepare your heart in prayer, make decisions in advance, and respond graciously to “food pushers” without guilt or embarrassment.
This Christ-centered conversation will encourage you to:
✅ Set healthy boundaries around food with confidence and grace
✅ Recognize that your body is God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
✅ Replace guilt and pressure with peace and self-control through the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
✅ Stay true to your recovery plan when eating away from home
Whether you’re in faith-based recovery from overeating or simply want to make healthier choices, this episode will strengthen your resolve to honor God with every bite.
💛 Want ongoing encouragement and structure for your Christian weight-loss journey?
Join our supportive community at https://www.reshapeandrecover.com.
#christianweightloss #faithbasedrecovery #overcomingovereating #biblicalweightloss #faithbasedwellness #reshapeandrecover #christianpodcast
Are you tired of trying to change your eating habits through sheer willpower — only to fall back into the same patterns? In this episode of the Reshape and Recover Podcast, Julie and Tony Kleinhans share how real transformation starts not with willpower, but with God’s power.
Drawing from Ezekiel 36:26, they unpack God’s promise to give us “a new heart and a new spirit.” You’ll learn how surrendering your food struggles to Him can soften a hardened heart, renew your desires, and bring lasting change — one step of obedience at a time.
💛 In this Christ-centered discussion, you’ll discover:
✅ How to recognize “heart of stone” thinking — denial, excuses, and self-reliance
✅ What it means to let God do the transforming instead of striving on your own
✅ Why abstaining from binge foods isn’t punishment — it’s freedom
✅ How prayer, accountability, and the 12 Steps work together to create lasting change
✅ Practical ways to invite the Holy Spirit into your daily eating decisions
If you’ve ever felt stuck, resistant, or hopeless about your relationship with food, this episode will remind you that God’s grace is powerful enough to break every stronghold.
✨ Listen to “Break Free from Old Eating Habits Through a New Heart” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at ReshapeAndRecover.com.
#christianweightloss #faithbasedrecovery #overeatinghelp #biblicalweightloss #emotionalhealing #christianhealth #faithandfitness #reshapeandrecover
When life feels overwhelming, food can seem like the easiest comfort. But God offers us something far better — His Word and His promises. In this episode, Julie and Tony share powerful Bible verses for common struggles like fear, anxiety, depression, shame, anger, loneliness, and more. Each passage is a reminder that God sees us, loves us, and is present in every situation we face.
Through Scripture and personal stories, Julie and Tony show how turning to God’s Word can calm anxious thoughts, lift a heavy heart, and give strength to persevere — without running to food for relief. You’ll come away with practical verses you can keep close at hand to guide you through tough moments and point you back to God’s truth.
✨ Key Takeaway: We don’t need to go to food when we’re struggling — we can go to God, who promises peace, strength, and hope for every season of life.
📖 Want these Scriptures in one place? Download the free Bible Verse PDF mentioned in this episode at reshapeandrecover.com/resources.
Step 10 is the “daily maintenance step” of recovery — helping us stay spiritually fit, abstinent from binge foods, and free one day at a time. In this episode of the Reshape and Recover Podcast, Julie and Tony explain how a daily Tenth Step keeps us on track with God, prevents relapse, and helps us make amends quickly before problems pile up.
You’ll learn:
• Why Step 10 is like a “mini Steps 4–9” practiced daily
• How reviewing Steps 1–3 keeps us anchored in God’s strength, not our own
• Practical tools like journaling, prayer, and the SOAP method to deepen your daily walk
• Scriptures to guide your practice, including 2 Corinthians 13:5, Lamentations 3:40, and Psalm 25:4
• The daily benefits of Step 10: clarity, peace, a stronger walk with God, and freedom from relapse
Plus, Julie shares how her Daily Food and Step Journal (available on Amazon) can help you apply Step 10 every single day.
Listen in and discover how to keep moving forward in freedom with God’s help.
Halloween can be one of the hardest days for those of us in recovery from overeating — candy bowls at work, leftover treats, and parties that center around food can all stir up powerful cravings. But with prayer, a plan, and support from our recovery community, we can walk through this season with peace and even joy.
In this episode, we share faith-based strategies to prepare your heart before Halloween, stay grounded in God’s strength during temptation, and reflect afterward with gratitude — not guilt.
We talk about practical tools and Scriptures like:
🍬 1 Corinthians 10:13 — God always provides a way out of temptation
🕯 Proverbs 27:12 — The prudent see danger and take refuge
🙏 Psalm 73:26 — “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”
You’ll hear real-life stories, gentle humor, and biblical encouragement to help you face candy temptation with confidence — remembering that your worth isn’t defined by what you eat, but by who you belong to.
✨ Key Takeaway: We don’t have to rely on willpower alone. When we lean on God’s strength, plan ahead, and stay connected to community, we can enjoy Halloween without giving in to candy cravings.
Recovery feels so much harder when you try to do it alone. In this episode of Reshape and Recover, Julie shares why community is essential for lasting change — especially when quitting feels tempting. With encouragement, accountability, and prayer from others, we can lean on each other for support and keep moving forward.
You’ll hear:
✅ Why isolation makes relapse more likely
✅ How encouragement and prayer help us persevere
✅ Practical ways to lean on community when you’re struggling
✅ Biblical wisdom from Ecclesiastes 4:9–10, Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 10:24–25, and Galatians 6:9
Julie also opens up about her own journey — how honesty, community, and God’s Word helped her lose 90 pounds and keep it off for over 17 years. The truth is, perseverance isn’t about never wanting to quit. It’s about not quitting alone.
📖 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
➡️ If you’ve been trying to manage overeating in secret, this episode will remind you that you don’t have to walk this road by yourself.
✨ Ready for real support? Join the Reshape and Recover membership today — just $12/month with a 7-day free trial. Get access to weekly meetings, encouragement, and a Christ-centered community that will walk with you every step of the way. Learn more at reshapeandrecover.com.
Stressful relationships can be one of the biggest triggers for overeating. When emotions run high, it’s easy to reach for food instead of peace. In this episode, Julie and Tony introduce a practical, Christ-centered tool called IVAA (Identify, Validate, Align, Action) — also known as IVA² — to help calm conflict, protect relationships, and avoid stress-driven eating.
You’ll learn how to:
• Identify the emotion the other person is feeling.
• Validate their feelings so they feel heard and understood.
• Align the situation with God’s Word for wisdom and peace.
• Action – make a plan for now and for the future to prevent repeated conflict.
Julie and Tony also share practical tips, such as using ice or time-outs to calm emotions, and they connect IVAA with biblical truth that helps us respond with grace instead of reacting in anger. Special thanks to Dr. Scott Gostchock, their coach, for his revisions to this conceptual piece on Emotional Intelligence.
In addition to IVAA, they also highlight three other powerful approaches for building healthier relationships and reducing stress that leads to overeating:
• Step Four of the 12 Steps – working through resentments to uncover the deeper issues.
• Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs – understanding the blessing cycle in marriage and relationships.
• The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman – learning how to give and receive love in ways that matter most.
If you’ve ever struggled with turning to food when relationships get tense, this episode will give you biblical tools and faith-based strategies to break that cycle and invite God’s peace into your interactions.
Is Step Nine really the scariest step of recovery—or the most freeing?
For many people in recovery, the thought of making amends feels overwhelming. But those who walk through Step Nine often describe it as one of the most life-changing parts of their journey—where real peace begins to take root.
In this episode of Reshape and Recover, Julie and Tony Kleinhans share how making amends is about so much more than apologies. It’s about releasing resentments, restoring relationships where possible, and finding the freedom that comes when we let go of guilt and shame.
Julie, who has lost 90 pounds and kept it off for more than 17 years, and Tony, a coach with over 25 years of experience, offer faith-based encouragement and practical wisdom to help you:
♦ Understand why Step Nine is about action, not just words
♦ Learn the difference between reconciliation and “living amends”
♦ Find courage to move forward, even when fear and anxiety show up
♦ Experience the freedom that comes from surrendering old hurts to God
♦ Take steady, prayerful steps toward peace and healing
✨ If you’ve ever struggled with broken relationships, unresolved guilt, or the weight of resentment, this episode will remind you that you don’t have to carry those burdens forever. With God’s help, you can take one step at a time toward freedom, forgiveness, and lasting recovery.
Are you tired of chasing a “perfect body” that never feels good enough?
In this episode of Reshape and Recover, Julie and Tony Kleinhans share how real health and freedom come—not from obsessing over appearance—but from honoring God with the body He’s given you.
After losing 90 pounds and keeping it off for over 17 years, Julie knows firsthand the struggle with food, body image, and self-worth. Together with Tony, a coach with 25+ years of experience, they reveal how faith and the 12 steps can transform not just your eating habits, but your entire outlook on health.
What you’ll discover in this episode:
• Why your body is a temple and a gift, not a project to perfect
• How to shift from “I have to lose weight” to “I want to honor God with my choices”
• Biblical truths that renew your self-image and replace comparison with gratitude
• Practical ways to eat, rest, and move as an act of worship
• How to avoid the trap of extremes and embrace balance
✨ If you’ve ever struggled with emotional eating, body shame, or the pressure to measure up, this episode will encourage you to see yourself through God’s eyes and take steps toward lasting peace.
So many of us try to eat healthy and stick to a plan, only to find ourselves trapped in the same cycle of snacking and overeating. The truth is, moderation doesn’t work with addictive foods — and it’s not about weak willpower.
In this episode, Julie and Tony talk about why certain foods hijack the brain like drugs or alcohol, why the struggle is not your fault, and how to step out of shame and into freedom. Together, they explore the science of food addiction, the spiritual battle behind it, and God’s Word that reminds us there is no condemnation in Christ.
If you’ve ever felt ashamed of your eating or like a failure in your recovery, this conversation will encourage you. You’ll be reminded that the struggle is part of the journey, that Christ offers real freedom, and that community, planning, and God’s grace are the path forward.
➡️ Ready to go deeper? Join our new Starter Membership for just $12/month. It gives you access to our community, weekly support meetings, and The Pantry resource library. Sign up at reshapeandrecover.com.
#christianweightloss #overeatingrecovery #faithbasedrecovery #christiansupportgroup
Have you ever told yourself you wouldn’t snack—only to find yourself halfway through a bag of chips without even realizing it? I’ve been there too. Snacking might feel harmless, but it’s one of the quickest ways to derail healthy eating, recovery, and peace of mind.
In this episode, Tony and I share what we call the 3 Ps—Planning, Prayer, and People. These three things work together to break the snacking cycle and help you stay on track without relying on willpower alone.
You’ll hear practical tips for meal planning, encouragement to pray in the moment of temptation, and the importance of accountability and community when it comes to lasting change. We also share powerful Scriptures that remind us God cares about every part of our lives—including our relationship with food.
➡️ Ready to go deeper? Join our new Starter Membership for just $12/month. It gives you access to our community, weekly support meetings, and The Pantry resource library. Sign up at reshapeandrecover.com.
#christianweightloss #overeatingrecovery #faithbasedrecovery #christiansupportgroup
The Addiction Cycle and the Path to Freedom
Ever wonder why you can’t stop at “just one”? Sugar, processed foods, and carbs can hijack your brain’s reward system—creating cravings, guilt, and the urge to do it all over again. In this episode of Reshape and Recover, Julie and Tony reveal how the addiction cycle works, why willpower alone isn’t enough, and the biblical path to lasting freedom.
You’ll discover:
• How addictive foods mimic the effects of drugs on the brain
• The 12-step process that gets to the root causes of overeating
• A simple “STOP” strategy to help you break free
• Why community is the key to long-term success
Full of Scripture, encouragement, and practical tools, this episode will help you replace frustration with peace—one step at a time.
Scriptures referenced: John 8:32, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Philippians 4:8, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Galatians 5:25, Ecclesiastes 4:9–10, Romans 8:1
💛 Want help overcoming food cravings and breaking the cycle for good? Join our Christ-centered 12-step membership at Reshape and Recover.
Step 8: Healing for Our Broken Lives
In this episode, we walk through Step Eight of the Christ-centered 12-step journey: Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. This isn’t just about writing names — it’s about beginning a process of healing, restoration, and forgiveness.
We explore how broken relationships often drive emotional eating and how God uses this step to set us free — not just from guilt, but from the patterns that kept us stuck. You'll learn how to begin your list with wisdom and prayer, how to offer living amends when direct contact isn't appropriate, and how to forgive others — and yourself — with the help of the Holy Spirit.
With real-life insight, biblical truth, and gentle encouragement, this episode will help you move forward in recovery with peace, purpose, and God’s grace.
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📖 Scriptures: Psalm 139:23–24, Philippians 2:13, Romans 12:18, Proverbs 3:5–6, 1 John 1:9, Colossians 3:13
#christianweightloss #overeatingrecovery #faithbasedrecovery #12steprecovery #christianpodcast #healingthroughchrist #forgivenessjourney #emotionalhealing #OvereatersAnonymous #OA recovery
In this powerful episode, Janette shares how working through Steps 4 and 5 of a Christ-centered 12-step recovery journey helped her find deep emotional healing, forgiveness, and a renewed connection with God. With honesty and courage, she faced long-held resentments, especially in her relationship with her mother, and discovered the freedom that comes through surrender and spiritual reflection.
If you’ve ever struggled with unresolved emotional pain, family wounds, or spiritual barriers to recovery, Janette’s Christian testimony will remind you that healing is possible and that you are never alone on the journey.