About Jodi

Author of Ransomed to be a Sanctuary

Jodi Gardner’s life experiences, academic achievements, and restored courageous imagination enable her to live by her personal mission “To serve God to the best of my ability at a given moment by empowering & equipping the broken hearted, hurting, & invisible ppl of this world thru joy, love, advocacy, & counseling.” As a survivor of complex trauma, she knows the power shame can hold over a person. Her education in mental health counseling including a master’s and two undergraduate degrees, various state and national professional licenses, and thirst for clinical knowledge qualify her to express the often complicated emotions associated with trauma and loss of personal identity in a manner people can understand. People throughout the Inland Northwest contact her to discuss God’s Word in general, but most frequently as related to the human experience. Her unique style and creativity open doors to non-traditional settings as well as hardened hearts. Her quick wit together with storytelling and wordsmith abilities make learning fun, whether counseling groups or individuals, sitting on the Board of Directors for a disability advocacy program, speaking before the state legislator, providing secretarial services for a community awareness committee on a FBI awarded human trafficking taskforce, or hanging with friends in homeless communities. The combination of her character, joy, and boldness brings life and light to dark places in the human soul. 

Jodi has a style of her own when imparting her heart for God and His people in clinical settings, even in secular environments. Her heart for people regardless of circumstances makes her a powerhouse. Though she will never be a professional comedian, she laughs at herself often as she says or does things a bit unique or off-beat. Jodi enjoys swimming in mountain lakes, sitting with her homeless friends on a warm summer day downtown, creating steampunk costumes and outrageous hats, challenging the status-quo of outdated statutes or ignored enforcement of said legislation, and just about anything to do with music.