Barna

09 | Dr. Anita Phillips on Mental Health, Emotional Honesty & Love That Leads

July 30, 2026

In this episode, Ashley LaLonde sits down with Dr. Anita Phillips, trauma therapist, pastor, and author of The Garden Within, to explore new Barna data on the emotional health of young adults — including that 38% of 18–24-year-olds say they constantly feel critical of themselves, afraid to fail, and anxious about important decisions. Together, they unpack why fear, obligation, and guilt have too often stood in for love in Christian discipleship, what it looks like to lead from love instead, and why emotional honesty — not stoicism—is the example Jesus himself set.Episode Links