Andrea's Freedom Story!

I loved this interview with Andrea Polnaszek!!  We met and chatted at the NRB conference in Nashville in March, and I couldn't wait to continue it on the podcast.  Her story is unique because of where she started and where she has ended up. 

Andrea is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has spent her clinical career helping children and their families communicate their feelings. She earned her Bachelors degree in Social work at Gordon College, a Master’s in Social Work and a Certificate in Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Andrea provides clinical services to individuals and families suffering from trauma in The Chippewa Valley of Wisconsin. She is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy and as a Family Trauma Specialist. Andrea employs creative intervention: art, narrative, and play in her practice. She also equips parents with skills to understand and enjoy their children’s unique learning styles. She is a sought after speaker for organizations and churches across the United States.

Andrea believes that everyone struggles to maintain balance as a whole person: mentally, physically and spiritually. It has been a joy for her to share the story of struggle and trump through screenwriting. Andrea’s current movies which tackle a variety of individual and family issues are available on Amazon: Catching Faith, Catching Faith 2, Wish for Christmas and Switched (October 4, 2020). Her Elijah Project book series has been an International success. In 2016, The Elijah Project was translated into Spanish and Portuguese in 2019. Andrea was invited to share The Elijah Project in Cuba, May 2017. Since that time an Elijah Project has been established reaching hundreds of Cuban women. In February 2018, Andrea and her screenwriting team were honored with a Teddy for Best Inspirational Screenplay at the MovieGuide Awards. Andrea’s most recent project called Switched released on DVD in Walmarts nationwide, October 2020. This movie tackles issues of bullying and what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. The companion books: Lead with Love (The Switched Bible Study), Lead with Love Journal and Lead with Love (Answering God’s invitation to Love Well) are available on Amazon. 

Andrea also serves her community. In October 2009, Andrea was invited to participate in a forum for faith-based organizations. She later became a member of a sub-committee that created a Substance Abuse Mental Health Laity Curriculum, distributed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association. Andrea also served locally as the chair of the Chippewa Healthy Communities mental health subgroup. She is a founding board member of Touched Twice United which offers resources and support for churches to provide free medical care to their community: www.touchedtwiceunited.org

Andrea is a proud mother of three and happily married to Perry L. Polnaszek, pastor of Fellowship Church in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

Anchor Verses:

Psalm 37:4

Philippians 4:6-7

John 1:1

Connect with Andrea:

Website: www.andreapolnaszek.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/apolnaszek