
What's God Got To Do With It? With Leanne Ellington
Are you looking to carve out your own spiritual path and connect with a higher power? Maybe you’re on a quest for meaning, purpose, or a sense of belonging?
Perhaps you grew up in a religion that doesn’t quite align with who you are now, or maybe you’ve lost your connection to God and want to find your way back?
Or if you’re like a lot of people, you’re simply trying to make sense of a world that sometimes seems overwhelming and confusing…
Welcome to "What's God Got To Do With It?" – a podcast that’s anything but preachy, but will cut through the noise to meet you exactly where you are in your journey – without judgment or shame. It’s your spiritual safe space, where skepticism and doubt are welcome.
Join our host, Leanne Ellington, a once-skeptical bacon-loving, Hebrew-speaking Jew who, wrestling with her own beliefs, set out on a quest to discover her own faith and found God in the most unexpected places.
Leanne, a “self-image scientist” will be your companion and guide on this incredible adventure, sharing her own unconventional journey while inviting you to discover your own spiritual path and connect with a higher power in a forum where you can build confidence and feel supported.
And if you're wondering What's God Got To Do With It? The short answer is....EVERYTHING!
Latest episodes

Jul 15, 2025 • 40min
God, the Brain, and the Body Battle (Part 3): Who Are You, Really? Rewriting Your Self-Image with God's Truth & Brain Science
Welcome back for Part 3 of the official crossover series of the "What’s God Got To Do With It?" and Outweigh podcasts.Last week, we explored the big picture of this conversation, and this week we narrow the focus to the self-image and identity piece of this food and body puzzle. We discuss the necessity of stepping into a new version of yourself if you really want to achieve true health and freedom in your relationship with food and your body.We talk about WHY transforming your self-image is crucial on a neuroscience level, and how it's not about what you eat-- but who you truly believe yourself to be. Only this time around, you're invited to address the roots of your identity and self-image in a way that aligns with God's view of yourself, instead of worldly and societal standards.And of course, we get a little 'geeky' and explore the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC), and its significant role in self-perception, emotional and physical pain, and your coping mechanisms, AND how this is particularly important for women, whose ACCs are more active than men's. Throughout the episode, you'll hear scripture AND evidence-based research that supports the transformative power of faith. Dive on in to learn how integrating faith and science can lead to building YOUR new identity, free from the burdens of shame and self-rejection, and discover what it truly means to see yourself as God sees you. HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 8, 2025 • 38min
God, the Brain, and the Body Battle (Part 2): The Big Picture Fusion of Faith, Food, Science & Self-Image
Welcome back for Part 2 of the official crossover series of the "What’s God Got To Do With It?" and Outweigh podcasts. Today, we're diving deep into the intersection of faith, science, food, and body image. This is the big picture conversation -- where these themes overlap, so you can simply understand this connection between neuroscience and faith...and how it can lead to meaningful, lasting transformation in our lives. Leanne shares (for her) how embracing this dialogue meant confronting her skeptical, science-driven mindset and inviting a God-centered perspective into areas she was previously tackling through her own might, and how this approach completed her story and aligned with her fascination with the brain and nervous system. She addresses topics like: Why do our brains play tricks on us? Why do we do what we do? Why can't we seem to shake life-long habits?With references to biblical scripture and modern neuroscience studies, Leanne highlights the transformative power of aligning your thoughts with a higher spiritual perspective. And of course you are invited to invite God into the conversation, recognizing that true transformation involves cultivating a new identity rooted in faith and understanding the profound connection between mind, body, and spirit...and self-image. HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Tale of 2 Roots Infographic Dr. Lee Warren Episode Part 1: Beyond the Scalpel: A Neurosurgeon's Tale of Loss, Faith, and HopeDr. Lee Warren Episode Part 2: From Neuro-Hope to Neuro-Faith: Rewiring the Brain with God as the SurgeonAnd here's Leanne's interview on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast: Break Free from Self-DoubtFollow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 2025 • 28min
God, the Brain, and the Body Battle (Part 1) : How Faith & Brain Science Can Set You Free from Food and Body Struggles
We are so excited to bring you the first official crossover series of the "What’s God Got To Do With It?" and Outweigh podcasts. If you have been listening to Outweigh, you know that THAT podcast is all about helping women break themselves out of the food and body prison, end the dieting madness, and take control of their health for good, but without all that restriction, obsession, and shame…and without dragging it out for years to address it. And if you’ve been listening to "What’s God Got To Do With It?", you know that it's all about the fusion of where science meets Faith and where faith meets transformation and miracles. So this crossover series is a beautiful opportunity to talk about the crossover of where science meets food…& body image… & self image struggles…AND where THAT intersects FAITH (or what’s God got to do with allll of that?) And that’s exactly what this 6 part series is all about: Part 1 is an introduction and setting up this massive topic. Part 2 is all about the big picture of where faith meets science meets food & body image. Part 3 goes deep into the self image and identity that you need to actually step into the version of you that would have THAT health, that would have THAT relationship with food and her body, who would actually be at peace and feel free….…and of course how that fuses with this faith-brain conversation. Part 4 dives deeper into What God has to do with (what Leanne calls) your ‘food brain’ and disordered eating patterns, and filling voids in your head, heart, and spirit with food (or whatever your drug of choice is)…and it’s a hole that will never be filled by those things. Part 5 dives into the complicated relationship that women have with their bodies and their body image (and physical pain – a topic often avoided), and how to heal all of that from a faith-meets-science perspective.... AND invite God into the conversation. And then wrapping it up in part 6, we get into the strategy side of things. As in, what does it look like to use what you’ve learned about neuroscience and faith and healing your relationship with food and your body image to go create a winning game plan that sets you up to win AND one that your brain just learns so you can go live your life, food can be food, and you can feel comfortable in your skin and free from the chains of restricting or punishing your body. So let’s dive in! Enjoy Part 1. HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 24, 2025 • 36min
Beauty from the Broken: God's Redemption Story Continues
In the second episode titled "God In the Good," we pick up as Mattie Jackson continues sharing her transformative journey after losing her 28-year-old husband to a traumatic brain injury three weeks shy of their first wedding anniversary. She shared an inside peek behind her own healing process, and how God helped her shift her focus from everything she lost to everything she still had. In the midst of unthinkable tragedy, Mattie shares how she faced the challenges of moving beyond survival, facing grief, sorrow, and trauma, and rebuilding life with hope.But God showed her life beyond this tragedy -- one that she could have never imagined....until she was ready for it. She eventually found purpose in her grief, and shared the power of turning "your mess into your message" and finding fulfillment in impacting others who are struggling in similar ways. Through her work with Nashville (the non-profit she co-founded to support widows and orphans) and writing a memoir, Mattie found purpose, honoring her late husband's legacy and demonstrating the transformative potential of choosing joy amid pain. She also shares about her journey to finding love again after the death of her husband. As she delves into her own redemption story, Mattieie shares how God not only redeemed her personal life but also her purpose-filled professional life, and now she truly believes in the coexistence of pain and joy, sharing her belief that when one has the courage to delve into the depths of pain, joy's well gets deeper GUEST: @mattiejackson Mattie's Website: https://www.mattiejackson.net/ Mattie's Podcast: In Joy Life Podcast Mattie's Book: Lemons on Friday HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 17, 2025 • 39min
Finding God in the Ruins: A Journey from Despair to Prayer (with Mattie Jackson Smith)
Born and raised in a quintessential “country music family”, as the oldest daughter of country music super star Alan Jackson, Mattie Jackson is as down-to-earth and open-hearted as they come. But that doesn't mean she's immune to tragedy and a curveball that could never have been predicted. Three weeks before her first wedding anniversary, Mattie experienced an unimaginable tragedy and lost her husband to a sudden brain injury. She candidly shares how her life was suddenly turned upside down, and the intense emotional rollercoaster of hope, despair, and ultimately, unimaginable loss that followed. .Mattie's raw emotions included everything from anger to disappointment to hopelessness, and the struggle to reconcile her prayers that she feared would be left unanswered. Amidst the heartbreak, she shares how she navigated through grief and the quest for meaning in the midst of so much chaos. The answer was no other than: God. She leaned on God and her faith to guide her through the darkest times.Mattie courageously bares her soul and lays it all out for us to hear in this interview for The God Pod, and I have no doubt that this episode will inspire you to live life with more appreciation, courage, and purpose. GUEST: @mattiejackson Mattie's Website: https://www.mattiejackson.net/ Mattie's Podcast: In Joy Life Podcast Mattie's Book: Lemons on Friday HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 10, 2025 • 33min
Unexpected Chapters: How God Re-Authored Her Purpose (With Rachel Joy Baribeau)
We are back with Rachel Joy Baribeau, an award-winning storyteller, inspirational speaker, and transformative coach for Part 2 of this captivating interview. In Part 1, we explored how God saved her. Now she shares how God redeemed her story, and set her up to pour into the lives of those that need her most. He saved her, and now he's using her...in the most extraordinary ways. If you've ever wondered how to turn YOUR mess into your message, buckle up as Rachel Joy shares this full-circle story of how #ImChangingtheNarrative was born, and how she passionately helps others discover their purpose and freedom. Her remarkable story is encapsulated in her book, "Relentless Joy," offering a beacon of hope to those navigating their own path to joy and fulfillment.This interview will make you laugh, cry, and want to jump up for joy at the kinds of miracles God performs when you surrender your past (and your future) over to him. GUEST: @rachelbaribeau https://www.rachelbaribeau.com/ Book: Relentless Joy: Finding Freedom, Passion, and Happiness (Even When You Have to Fight for It) HHOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 3, 2025 • 25min
A God-Led Rescue Mission: Beyond the Masks, Behind the Story (with Rachel Joy Baribeau)
Rachel Joy Baribeau, an award-winning storyteller, inspirational speaker, and transformative coach, bares the depths of her past in this candid interview on The God Pod. Struggling with cocaine addiction and pursuing unfulfilling idols, she found herself at a crossroads. Yet, it was in the midst of her darkest days that God worked miraculously to save her. Rachel Joy's journey from the lows of addiction to becoming an acclaimed sportscaster and the first female SiriusXM ESPNU host is a testament to divine intervention. But it's what happened AFTER that where she gives God all the glory. Rachel Joy did not hold back in Part 1 of this interview, as she shares all the "dark" and lonely places that caused her to keep coming back to God -- the one constant in her life amidst the ungodly amount of grief she faced.If you've ever felt lost, fargone, or caught in the throes of addiction, listen in as she shares the pivotal awarenesses, realizations, and experiences that shaped who she is today in the midst of all the darkness. GUEST: @rachelbaribeau https://www.rachelbaribeau.com/ Book: Relentless Joy: Finding Freedom, Passion, and Happiness (Even When You Have to Fight for It) HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 27, 2025 • 17min
What Would It Look Like to Trust God With My Body?
In this episode, Leanne explores the question: “What would it look like to trust God with my body?” Drawing from her personal journey and the experiences of many women, Leanne delves into the idea that trusting God with our bodies isn't about achieving perfection but about surrendering control and embracing our God-given worth. Leanne outlines five transformative shifts that can lead to healing: ceasing the pursuit of worthiness through self-fixing, discerning God's voice over shame, moving from control to stewardship, partnering with God in our journey, and anchoring our identity in Christ rather than our reflection. This episode serves as a compassionate guide for those seeking freedom from body image struggles, reminding them that peace and healing are possible through a partnership with God HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 20, 2025 • 20min
Is My Obsession with Food a Spiritual Battle?
In this episode Leanne explores the question: “Is my obsession with food a spiritual battle?” Drawing from her personal journey and the experiences of countless women, Leanne delves into the idea that struggles with food and body image are not merely about willpower or discipline but are deeply rooted in spiritual warfare, and how the enemy often uses lies and shame to keep us trapped in cycles of obsession and self-condemnation. Leanne offers a compassionate and faith-filled perspective, encouraging listeners to shift from self-condemnation to curiosity, to take their thoughts captive, and to invite God into their healing journey. She underscores the importance of recognizing food as a gift from God, not a master, and our bodies as temples to be honored, not projects to be perfected. Through practical steps and biblical truths, this episode serves as a guide for those seeking freedom from food obsession, reminding them that they are not alone and that true healing is possible through partnership with God. HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 13, 2025 • 25min
Let's Talk About Sex & Marriage: Healing Intimacy Wounds and Rebuilding Connection With Sheila & Keith Gregoire (Part 2)
This week on What’s God Got To Do With It?, we’re talking about something that’s often avoided in church spaces—but deeply needed: sex, intimacy, and God’s true vision for marriage. I’m so excited to welcome Sheila and Keith Gregoire to the podcast. Sheila is the voice behind BareMarriage.com and the author of over 11 books, including the eye-opening The Great Sex Rescue and her latest release, The Marriage You Want. Together, Sheila and Keith have been helping couples move past shame, harmful theology, and broken intimacy scripts to build marriages rooted in mutuality, emotional safety, and real connection. If you've ever struggled with what you were taught about sex, submission, or showing up in your marriage—this conversation is for you. And because there’s so much to unpack, we’ve split it into two powerful parts. In Part 2, we explore how to heal the emotional and sexual wounds that hold couples back—and what it really takes to rebuild intimacy through safety, connection, and faith. Sheila & Keith also share practical tools for transforming conflict, communication, and closeness in a way that honors both God and each other. This episode is all about going deeper into what happens when your marriage has experienced hurt, disconnection, or mistrust—and how to rebuild intimacy from the inside out. GUEST: @sheilagregoire Check out Sheila & Keith's website: baremarriage.com Listen to the Bare Marriage Podcast HERE! HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @leanneellington To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.Follow Leanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.