Hope for the Mind

Today’s episode isn’t easy—but it’s urgent. Our children are growing up in a world we never had to navigate, and many are silently falling apart under the weight of anxiety, depression, identity confusion, and trauma. In this raw and necessary conversation, I open up about what’s really happening in the lives of our youth—and how the systems meant to support them (home, school, and church) are often missing the mark.

We’ll confront...

Why does it seem like everyone thinks they have ADHD or Autism these days? In this episode of Hope for the Mind, Kristin unpacks the psychological phenomenon known as the Barnum Effect—the tendency to believe vague, general traits apply specifically to us. With the rise of mental health content online, it's easy to mistake common human struggles for clinical disorders. But not every relatable post equals a diagnosis.

Join Kristin a...

Shame doesn’t whisper—it screams. It tells you that you're unworthy, unlovable, too broken to be healed. But shame is a lie, and it’s time we call it out.

In this raw and powerful episode of Hope for the Mind, Kristin opens up about a topic many avoid: shame—how it infects our identity, sabotages relationships, distorts faith, and even leads some to the edge of despair. With biblical insight and psychological depth, she explores ho...

In this episode of Hope for the Mind, Kristin dives deep into Erik Erikson’s influential theory of psychosocial development. Discover how the eight stages—from infancy’s struggle with trust to late adulthood’s search for integrity—map out the human quest for identity, purpose, and connection. But this isn’t just psychology; it’s a spiritual journey. Kristin explores how each stage reflects challenges and opportunities for faith, sh...

What do you do when the identity you built your life on suddenly collapses? When the roles, titles, and relationships that once defined you disappear? In this gripping episode, Kristin opens up about the gut-wrenching season after her divorce—a time when she lost not just her marriage, but also her sense of identity and self-worth. With raw vulnerability, she walks us through the pain of becoming “not a wife,” of missing her kids, ...

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 ...

Forgiveness isn’t always a peaceful process—it’s a battle. A battle between pain and healing, justice and mercy, memory and release. In this episode, we dive into the emotional and psychological warfare that comes with choosing to forgive someone who hurt you. Why does it feel like surrender? Is it really possible to forgive without forgetting? And how can we make peace with the parts of us that still bleed long after the offense? ...

Betrayal cuts deep—and healing from it can feel impossible, especially when forgiveness seems out of reach. In this raw and real episode, host Kristin Ontiveros unpacks the psychology behind betrayal, the gut-wrenching grief it causes, and the spiritual struggle of forgiving someone who shattered your trust. Whether you’ve been hurt by a friend, spouse, family member, or spiritual leader, this episode offers practical steps toward ...

Have you ever felt the weight of wanting to share your faith but found yourself paralyzed by anxiety? You’re not alone. Social anxiety can make witnessing feel overwhelming, but God hasn’t called us to be silent—He’s called us to shine. In this episode, we’ll talk about how to be a Christian witness even when fear and self-doubt creep in. From practical strategies to biblical encouragement, we’ll explore how God can use even the qu...

In this episode of Hope for the Mind, we're having a real, honest conversation about overachievement—and why it’s not always a good thing. Many of us take pride in going the extra mile, but what happens when that drive to excel starts to control us? 

We'll explore the psychological roots of overachievement—how it’s often fueled by fear, imposter syndrome, and childhood conditioning rather than genuine passion. Plus, we'll dive into...

Often we have a smile, sometimes one of joy, but sometimes one of hidden pain. In this episode of Hope for the Mind, we dive into the unseen struggles people carry and explore why so many choose to suffer in silence. From the psychological reasons behind emotional suppression to the biblical call to bear one another’s burdens, we uncover how to look beyond the surface with compassion and care. Whether you’re the one hiding behind a...

In this episode of Hope for the Mind, we dive into the importance of setting boundaries and saying "no" as a powerful tool for protecting your mental health. Often, we say yes out of obligation, fear of conflict, or guilt, but learning to assertively decline can reduce stress, increase self-respect, and help preserve emotional well-being. We explore practical strategies for saying no, the psychological benefits of setting limits, a...

In this episode of Hope for the Mind, we explore the powerful connection between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and the biblical principle of renewing your mind from Romans 12:2. Discover how CBT works, its roots in psychology, and how its techniques align with Scripture’s call to transform our thinking. We’ll break down practical steps to identify negative thoughts, challenge cognitive distortions, and replace lies with truth—...