We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Mischelle, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?

I am being called to publish my book “The Story Within You” 30 Day Devotional that shares my personal story and healing journey as a childhood cult survivor. This is a big step forward in my healing and helping others who read my book heal from childhood trauma and abuse to move forward in their God given purpose.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?

Hi, my name is Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch. I’m the Founder and the CEO of Altered Stories Ministry, a faith-based evangelistic women’s storytelling Nonprofit established in February of 2019, that operates virtually in Missouri and Kansas and beyond, Altered Stories Ministry’s mission is to help Christian women everywhere share their transformational God stories, so women around the world can hear them, heal from brokeness and never feel alone. I’m also the Chief Storyteller host of The Altered Stories Show, nominated for several podcast awards: best Christian women interviews, most binge worthy and top storytelling podcast. The podcast was recently recognized by Million Podcasts as the top 16th podcast out of 100 best Christian testimony podcasts on the web. The show has released 163 God story episodes to date in over 80 countries and features inspiring Christian women from all over the world who have shared their redemptive stories, The podcast can be heard on your favorite podcast platform or viewed on YouTube. I also hold a B.S. in Organization Management in Project Management from Colorado Christian University and an Advanced Program Management Certificate from Stanford University. I am also an author, women’s ministry speaker and freelance consultant.

Currently, I am working on publishing my 30-day healing memoir book, “The Story Within You.” that shares my childhood cult survivor story. I am also working on restructuring Altered Stories Ministry to serve Christian women in other areas to best equip them in their healing journeys. I’m continuing to build church partnerships with women’s ministry leaders to best equip their ministries. I’m also working on updating our website and growing our podcast listener and viewer reach and our YouTube channel and building a podcast network.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?

My earliest memory of feeling powerful is when I was asked to watch the class by my first-grade teacher when she stepped out for a few minutes. I felt very empowered and powerful due to the authority I was given.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

The defining wounds of my life have been emotional, spiritual and physical caused by abuse, which I encountered when I was part of a cult as a child. These wounds created a lack of trust of my mom, God and others. With God’s help, I have healed them through receiving Christian counseling, leaning on my faith, writing my book, sharing my healing story with others and helping other women spiritually heal through my Nonprofit work.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?

My public version is definitely the real me. I am passionate about celebrating life daily, my freedom, living out my faith, am honest, and I’m authentic. I am also a very positive, loving, kind, giving, encouraging and a natural promoter of women.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?

What I understand deeply that most people don’t is unhealed trauma in the lives of an adult, due to past abuse. Having been exposed to emotional, verbal, psychological and sexual abuse as a child due to my involvement in a cult and not getting help to heal until I was in my 40’s, I understand their burdens of carrying unresolved anger, shame, mistrust of others, relationship struggles and other sensitivities.

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