Choose 2 Think: A Christian Podcast about the Bible, the Brain, and Renewing Your Mind cover art

Choose 2 Think: A Christian Podcast about the Bible, the Brain, and Renewing Your Mind

Choose 2 Think: A Christian Podcast about the Bible, the Brain, and Renewing Your Mind

By: Victoria D. Lydon MA | Author and Certified Christian Life Coach
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 What if the biggest battles you face aren’t out there—but in your own mind? Join author and Certified Christian Life Coach Victoria Lydon weekly as she equips you to take every thought captive, renew your mind, and live with unshakable peace. Blending biblical truth and neuroscience, Victoria will show you how your thoughts literally rewire your brain—and how God’s Word gives you the power to break free from fear, anxiety, depression, and toxic thinking. If you’re ready to exchange overwhelm for clarity and live out your God-given purpose with a renewed mind, this podcast is for you!Victoria D. Lydon, MA | Author and Certified Christian Life Coach Christianity Spirituality
Episodes
  • 388: When Joy Feels Hard, This Changes Everything

    388: When Joy Feels Hard, This Changes Everything
    Jan 29 2026
    What do you do when you wake up and your heart feels heavy—but the day is still waiting for you?In this concluding episode of the 30 Thoughts Series, Victoria closes with an honest, hope-filled conversation about grief, health, aging, and the daily choice to rejoice. Drawing from Scripture, personal experience, and simple brain science, Victoria reminds you that rejoicing is not denial—it is a decision that reshapes your mind, strengthens your faith, and anchors your soul.You’ll hear reflections on loss, a candid health journey, and practical ways to interrupt toxic thought patterns and replace them with truth. Victoria also shares how intentional gratitude and praise can create real change in your thinking, your behavior, and your emotional well-being—no matter what season you’re in.Tune in to explore:Why rejoicing is a spiritual practice and a neurological advantagePractical ways to reframe your thoughts morning, noon, and nightWhy you are not powerless over your thinkingEncouragement for aging well with faith, strength, and purposeA reminder that partnering with God transforms how you live each day00:00 – Welcome & Why This Episode Matters03:36 – Grief, Loss, and Living Honestly with God08:17 – Health, Aging, and Reframing the Story14:32 – Writing the Sacred Thinking Devotional15:04 – Reflecting on the 30 Thoughts Series15:53 – Why Rejoicing Matters (Faith + Brain Science)27:10 – Practical Ways to Rejoice Every Day30:49 – Encouragement for Midlife and Beyond34:24 – Closing Reflection & Prayer🎁 Free RESOURCE to accompany this episode: ⁠⁠⁠30 Biblical Affirmations to Change Your Thought Life⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/67dd072cfb08/30-thoughts⁠🔹 MINISTRY FAVORITE FREEBIE: Ready to take your thought life to the next level? Download The 7 R’s for Living Your Best Thought Life—a simple, biblical framework to help you renew your mind, replace toxic thoughts, and walk in daily peace.👉🏽 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab your free 1-page 7 R's guide here or https//:lchi.p/b954-7/9623⁠👉🏽 Join the interest list for the upcoming SACRED THINKING DEVO here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK 365-DAY DEVOTIONAL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3Hcl7v1 Start your new year with the ⁠⁠Choose 2 Think 365-day devotional! ⁠⁠ https://amzn.to/49yNtxwCONNECT WITH VICTORIA:PODCAST WEBSITE: www.choose2thinkpodcast.comMINISTRY WEBSITE:⁠⁠ www.choose2think.coFACEBOOK:⁠⁠ www.facebook.com/groups/choose2think⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠: www.instagram.com/victoriadwalkerlydon/EMAIL: choose2think@gmail.com ⁠⁠*BOOKS:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK 365-DAY DEVOTIONAL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3Hcl7v1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK JOURNAL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://amzn.to/3Hcl7v1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pickleball Passion A Marriage Devotional: 21 Days to a Stronger Connection on and off the Court⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://amzn.to/48wnvaV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠*When you click on these Amazon affiliate links, I may earn a teeny commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!DISCLAIMER: Choose 2 Think: A Christian Podcast on Neuroscience, Mindset, Thoughts, and Emotional Health is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your physician or doctor for all medical advice and counsel.Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoria-d-lydon/message⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUPPORT CHOOSE 2 THINK MINISTRIES AND PODCAST HERE...
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    36 mins
  • 387: Is Your Gut Driving Your Anxiety? Unlocking the Brain–Gut Connection with Gabe Dough

    387: Is Your Gut Driving Your Anxiety? Unlocking the Brain–Gut Connection with Gabe Dough
    Jan 22 2026
    What if anxiety, mood swings, and low resilience aren’t starting in your mind—but in your gut?In this episode of the Choose 2 Think Inspirational Podcast, host Victoria welcomes Gabe Dough, serial entrepreneur and gut health expert from Good Bru, for a powerful conversation on the brain–gut connection and why the microbiome plays a primary role in mental, emotional, and physical health.Gabe explains why the gut is often called the “second brain,” detailing how its vast network of neurons and its communication with the brain through the vagus nerve influence mood, cognitive function, stress response, and overall nervous system health. Together, Victoria and Gabe unpack how the microbiome helps produce key neurotransmitters like serotonin, regulates inflammation, and impacts digestion, immunity, and hormone balance.Throughout the episode, Gabe shares practical insights on how everyday lifestyle choices—especially diet, fiber intake, exercise, and stress—shape the health of the gut microbiome. He also clarifies the difference between helpful and harmful fibers, explains the role of prebiotics and probiotics, and highlights why many people experience worsened symptoms when gut health is overlooked.The conversation concludes with five practical actions listeners can take to begin supporting their gut health immediately, reinforcing a holistic, whole-body approach to wellness. This episode is a clear reminder that when we care for the gut, we support the brain—and when we support the brain, we strengthen the entire body.The gut functions as a “second brain,” influencing mood, cognition, and emotional regulationSerotonin is primarily produced in the gut and plays a major role in mental well-beingGut dysbiosis can increase inflammation, anxiety, and stress sensitivityLifestyle choices—diet, fiber, exercise, and stress—directly affect the microbiomeSupporting gut health is essential for holistic mental and physical wellness00:00 Introduction to the Brain–Gut Connection15:04 How Gut Health Impacts Mental Health20:45 Dysbiosis and Its Consequences26:22 Gut Health and Chronic Disease31:03 Holistic Health: The Body–Mind Connection42:35 Prebiotics vs. Probiotics Explained49:22 Introducing GoodBru and Gut Support54:15 OutroVisit www.goodbru.com and use the promo code CHOOSE2THINK for 10% off your first order! CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:PODCAST WEBSITE: www.choose2thinkpodcast.comMINISTRY WEBSITE:⁠⁠ www.choose2think.coFACEBOOK:⁠⁠ www.facebook.com/groups/choose2think⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠: www.instagram.com/victoriadwalkerlydon/EMAIL: choose2think@gmail.com ⁠⁠*BOOKS:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK 365-DAY DEVOTIONAL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3Hcl7v1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK JOURNAL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://amzn.to/3Hcl7v1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pickleball Passion A Marriage Devotional: 21 Days to a Stronger Connection on and off the Court⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://amzn.to/48wnvaV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠*When you click on these Amazon affiliate links, I may earn a teeny commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!DISCLAIMER: Choose 2 Think: A Christian Podcast on Neuroscience, Mindset, Thoughts, and Emotional Health is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your physician or doctor for all medical advice and counsel.Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoria-d-lydon/message⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUPPORT CHOOSE 2 THINK MINISTRIES AND PODCAST HERE:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PATREON: Patreon.com/Choose2Think
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    54 mins
  • 386: When Surrender Rewires the Mind: From Striving to Being a Vessel of God’s Love

    386: When Surrender Rewires the Mind: From Striving to Being a Vessel of God’s Love
    Jan 15 2026
    In this deeply personal and hope-filled episode of the Choose to Think Inspirational Podcast, Victoria invites listeners into an honest conversation about self-control, grief, surrender, and the quiet exhaustion that comes from trying to do life in our own strength.Drawing from her own experiences—memories of her father, moments of self-pity, struggles with temptation, and the pressure of performance—Victoria explores what it truly means to be a vessel for God’s love rather than the source of it. She unpacks how striving hardens the heart and exhausts the mind, while surrender opens the door to healing, restoration, and renewed joy.Blending Scripture, lived wisdom, and accessible brain science, this episode gently reframes failure—not as disqualification, but as a place where God’s grace can flow most freely. Victoria reminds us that our worth is not earned through achievement, that brokenness does not cancel calling, and that humility and accountability are powerful pathways to emotional and spiritual healing.The episode closes with a heartfelt prayer and an invitation to step out of self-reliance and into the steady, sustaining presence of God.Self-control is a lifelong journey, not a finish lineGrief often surfaces through memories and emotional triggersSurrender interrupts self-pity and restores clarity and peaceAwareness of our thoughts is the first step toward renewalWe are vessels for God’s love—not the source of itOur worth is rooted in who we are, not what we doFailure does not disqualify us; it can deepen our capacity to loveBrokenness can become part of our beauty and testimonyGod’s grace is always available, even after serious mistakesHumility and accountability are essential for emotional healing00:00 – Introduction & Personal Reflections03:13 – Navigating Grief and Memories06:02 – Self-Pity and Spiritual Growth09:15 – The Struggle with Self-Control12:00 – Surrendering to God’s Will14:38 – Being a Vessel for God’s Love19:09 – Understanding Our Worth23:13 – Performance vs. Purpose26:00 – Embracing Failure and Grace28:55 – Closing Reflections and Prayer34:26 – Outro🎁 Free RESOURCE to accompany this episode: ⁠⁠⁠30 Biblical Affirmations to Change Your Thought Life⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/67dd072cfb08/30-thoughts⁠CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:PODCAST WEBSITE: www.choose2thinkpodcast.comMINISTRY WEBSITE:⁠⁠ www.choose2think.coFACEBOOK:⁠⁠ www.facebook.com/groups/choose2think⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠: www.instagram.com/victoriadwalkerlydon/EMAIL: choose2think@gmail.com ⁠⁠*BOOKS:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK 365-DAY DEVOTIONAL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3Hcl7v1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHOOSE 2 THINK JOURNAL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://amzn.to/3Hcl7v1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pickleball Passion A Marriage Devotional: 21 Days to a Stronger Connection on and off the Court⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://amzn.to/48wnvaV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠*When you click on these Amazon affiliate links, I may earn a teeny commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!DISCLAIMER: Choose 2 Think: A Christian Podcast on Neuroscience, Mindset, Thoughts, and Emotional Health is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your physician or doctor for all medical advice and counsel.Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoria-d-lydon/message⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUPPORT CHOOSE 2 THINK MINISTRIES AND PODCAST HERE:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PATREON: Patreon.com/Choose2Think
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    36 mins
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