The Well Mind Podcast

In this episode of the Well Mind Podcast, Dr. Ben Kohls speaks with Dr. Joshua Mears about his journey in mental health care, focusing on the integration of faith in clinical practice. They discuss the challenges and rewards of working in corrections, the importance of spiritual care in therapy, and the concept of transcendence in mental health. Dr. Mears shares insights from his experiences and emphasizes the need for a grounded approach to mental health care that honors both professional and personal values. The conversation also touches on the establishment of the Soul's Apothecary, a practice dedicated to providing Christ-centered mental health care.Links:Episode 5 WMP - Integrating Faith and Counseling with Dr. Mears: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/pyZZI3FWmTb

In this episode of The Well Mind podcast, Dr. Ben Kohls speaks with Latrina Radler, a new faculty member in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. They discuss Latrina's journey into mental health, her formative helping experiences, including community care following Hurricane Katrina. She also shares her insights around the impact of addiction on families. The conversation emphasizes the importance of open communication in recovery and the need to address underlying issues beyond mere abstinence from substances. Latrina also shares her current reading list and plans for a couples retreat focused on communication and attachment.Resources from Latrina's reading list:Harlem Rhapsody Hold Me Tight All About Love Surrounded By Idiots

In this episode, I welcome back my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Jennifer Londgren. Season 2 continues as Jenna shares about the experiences that drew her to the field and how her journey to professional counseling was shaped by her love for people and understanding behavior. We discuss the significance of scaling impact through writing and public speaking, as well as the integration of faith and mental health in counseling practices. The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of community support and the ongoing journey of personal and professional growth. Jenna has been a supporter and contributor to Bethany's clinical mental health program from its very inception. I am truly grateful for our friendship and collaboration. Stick around for an extended outro where I share a bit more about our recent collaboration and the CMHC program's involvement at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies International Conference that took place in Denver, CO.

In this episode of the Well Mind podcast, Dr. Ben Kohls engages in a broad and thoughtful conversation with Anita Smith, exploring her journey into the counseling field, the integration of faith in therapy, and the value and joy of play therapy. They also discuss Anita's global counseling experiences, the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the field, and the need for personal human connection in therapeutic settings. The episode concludes with aspirations for future developments in Bethany's counselor education program.

SummaryIn this episode of the Well Mind Podcast, I speak with Dr. Helena Stevens, core faculty member at Bethany Lutheran College in the CMHC Program. We discuss Dr. Stevens' unique journey to becoming a counselor, the importance of mentorship, and the integration of faith into professional identity. The conversation also explores the capstone experience for students, emphasizing the significance of faith in counseling practices and the core conditions that define effective counseling. Dr. Stevens shares her personal challenges and triumphs, highlighting the transformative power of authenticity in the counseling profession.

In this episode of the Well Mind Podcast, Dr. Ben Kohls welcomes Dr. Karina Clennon back to the podcast. Karina opens the conversation by sharing about her journey of becoming a professional helper. Together we explore the significance of time and presence in relationships, the challenges of balancing personal and professional roles, and the impact of 'busy'ness culture on mental health. The discussion emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning, agency in time management, and nurturing professional passion and vitality. The episode concludes with reflections on the ripple effect of their work and the joy of making a positive impact on others.Previous Conversations with Dr. Karina Clennon on the podcast.Episode 23 of the WMP: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7bnYOBlNZXnnPy3G6AQDFU?si=TGEIrgI_SsK4xpRETOD6Og Episode 37 of the WMP: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5F1yssp8w9LSv2spsw3dHV?si=4LeLHcAWRAefdGxIPKDaUQ

In this episode, Dr. Ben Kohls returns to the Well Mind Podcast after a hiatus, sharing updates on his work in the counseling program at Bethany Lutheran College, including efforts towards specialized accreditation. He discusses the upcoming season, which will feature interviews with faculty members, focusing on their experiences and insights in the field of mental health and counseling. Dr. Kohls emphasizes the importance of creating interconnected content and aims to keep episodes concise and engaging for listeners.The Well Mind Podcast email: ⁠thewellmind@blc.edu

Welcome to the show, friends! I'm excited to have you with me. The Well Mind Podcast is space for meaningful conversation on a broad range of wellness related topics, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. For this conversation, I invited Dr. Jason Paltzer back to the podcast to chat about all the changes that have happened for him personally and professionally. Jason and I connected way back in January of this year at a men's ministry conference and in that brief conversation it was clear I needed to get him back on the pod. Jason and I unpack the significant, life altering choices he made over the past years to pursue what is now the Meros Center, which is a place where faith-based health organizations, researchers, and learners can find the support they need to measure, innovate, and share their impact. We also explore the rich and meaningful work being done through the Meros center nationally and internationally. It is a far reaching conversation on public health, the need for Christian researchers and faith-informed research, and increasing access to trusted and reliable resources for health and well-being. It is a joy to share my conversation with Jason in episode 43 Faith-based Health Innovation. Notes from Episode 43 Religious Determinants of Health Summary  Community Health Ministry certificate link and registration link Research project application link Application to become a Meros Research Scholar Our intro video link Image of Jesus and his disciple (by Christopher Powers) The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Welcome to the show, friends! How are you doing? I really mean it, how are you doing? Are you giving time and attention to your well-being and relationships or have they been an afterthought lately? Depending on your season of life, current commitments, stress levels, you may be struggling to take time to reflect on and attend to your mental and emotional well-being. This is a challenge we all face and the topic of A Guide to Mental and Emotional Wellness. My friend and guest, Dr. Jennifer Londgren, wrote this book with the intention of bringing an evidence-based and Biblical grounded resource to aid readers in exploring and reflecting on their emotional experiences in light of Biblical wisdom. The stories in the book are immensely personal and through them, Jenna also offers practical approaches to recovering peace, joy, clarity, and purpose. True to form though, our conversation is thoughtfully spontaneous as Jenna and I chat about her current season of life, projects, personal pursuits, and of course, coffee! Notes from Episode 42 A Guide to Mental and Emotional Wellness: https://timeofgrace.store/collections/all-books/products/a-guide-to-mental-and-emotional-wellness Time of Grace Ministries: https://timeofgrace.org/  The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Welcome to the show, friends. It is great to have you here. The Well Mind Podcast is a space for meaningful conversations on wellness and mental health. I want to start by sharing a quote with you from a book that I just recently finished reading. “Does the destination matter? Or is it the path that we take? I declare that no accomplishment has substance nearly as great as the road used to achieve it. We are not creatures of destinations. It is the journey that shapes us. Our callused feet, our backs strong from carrying the weight of our travels, our eyes open with the fresh delight of experience lived.” This is from The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. I think that this is a beautiful way to introduce my guest for this episode. She is an ultra-endurance athlete and is all about the journey. She started her professional athletic career as a triathlete and has raced numerous times at the most elite levels of the sport, including the World championships in Kona, Hawaii. Over the past years she has shifted her focus to ultra-running and more specifically long distance trail events. She has completed some of the most challenging events here in the US and abroad, like the Bigfoot 200 - a 200 mile race through the remote Cascade mountains in the pacific northwest and the Marathon des Sables, a 6 stage, 256k race through the heart of the sahara desert. Recently Emily took on the Arrowhead 135. This is a unique event, even in the ultra running community, and we do discuss the specifics of this race in our conversation. But I will say that it is a epic race in northern Minnesota during the dead of winter in January where runners cover 135 miles in a point to point, nearly self-supported fashion. This was Emily's first time running Arrowhead and she won. In our conversation, we explore everything that went into her physical and mental preparation for the race, her mindset, and her resilience to get this done. We chat about taking on big goals, facing fear and anxiety, and building confidence through sport and in life. I hope that this conversation is a source of inspiration for you as you take on big goals and persevere in the face of adversity in your own life. Here is my conversation with Emily in episode 41, The Journey. Notes from Episode 41 Emily's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kratzemily/  Comma - coaching and consulting: https://www.commacc.net/  Arrowhead 135: https://arrowheadultra.com/  The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Welcome to the Well Mind Podcast, a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics. I'm your host Dr. Ben Kohls. I am a clinical mental health counselor and counselor educator. This podcast is my effort to bring free and open access content on health and wellness. I hope that by tuning in you discover new and meaningful ways to think about your wellness and take away some actionable information. Let's get into my conversation with Denise Schonwald. A dedicated registered nurse for over 30 years, has seamlessly transitioned into a licensed mental health counselor and published author. She is based in Sarasota, Florida. With a deep understanding of the emotional challenges faced by patients and their families, Denise's holistic approach integrates mental and physical well-being. As a spiritual teacher and certified family mediator, she brings a unique perspective to her private practice, offering support to clients nationwide through virtual sessions. Denise is committed to nurturing both body and mind, providing flexible and accessible care for individuals, couples, families, and even young thinkers – starting at age 4. In our conversation Denise shares a bit about her journey from nursing into counseling and how she uses her training and knowledge  from both fields as she serves her clients. We dive into the deep connections between our physical and mental health and Denise shares some thoughtful insights on how we can approach our wellness from a truly holistic perspective. Notes from Episode 40 Denise's website: https://deniseschonwald.com/ Getting Back to Happy (children's book): https://g.co/kgs/EYaqRmq  The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Welcome to the Well Mind Podcast! I'm excited to share my recent conversation with retired Major General Gregg Martin in this episode. He is a 36-year army combat veteran celebrated for his remarkable career commanding engineer units and holding prestigious roles such as president of the National Defense university and commander of Fort Leonard Wood. An accomplished author, his book Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness, candidly shares his journey. He is a graduate of West Point and he went on to earn advanced degrees from MIT, the Naval War College, and the Army War College. In our conversation, we walk through his storied military career and simultaneously unpack his private battle with bipolar disorder. As his story unfolds, I found it fascinating how for many years, the periods of elevated (hypomanic) mood that accompany bipolar disorder actually enhanced his ability to perform under intense conditions. However, as you will hear, this diminished over time as his mental health condition worsened to the point of personal crisis.Yet Gregg's indomitable spirit and the support of his loved ones helped him move out of crisis and into triumph. Gregg's story is truly one of hope, resilience, faith, and recovery. His new mission is to break down the stigma around mental illness and empower others through education and sharing his journey.  Notes from Episode 39 Contact Information: https://www.generalgreggmartin.com/ or greggmartin79@gmail.com  Bipolar General My Forever War with Mental Illness: https://www.amazon.com/Bipolar-General-Forever-Illness-Association/dp/1682473805  The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

The Well Mind is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics and this episode is a beautiful example of that mission. I'm your host Dr. Ben Kohls. I've been a practicing clinical mental health counselor for over 15 years and am currently a counselor educator and director for the CMHC graduate program at Bethany Lutheran College. My guest for this episode is Elizabeth DeBolt. She is a professor and researcher from Liberty University and has truly invested herself in the topic of maternal mental health for a number of years now. The knowledge and compassion that Elizabeth has for this topic is truly outstanding. She has presented on this topic multiple times at national conferences and I feel really blessed to share her with the Well Mind community. Pregnancy and birth are life altering experiences that bring change to roles, responsibilities, identity, and relationships. There is, what I perceive to be, a good amount of focus on mom and baby from a physical health basis and preparing for the arrival of the baby, but less attention is given to the shifts in identity and the impacts this experience has on emotional wellbeing. If you are thinking that maternal mental health is a ‘just for moms' episode, I'm going to ask you to suspend that perspective and listen in, because this episode is for everyone. Moms, Dads, those planning for and hoping to be parents in the future, anyone that knows and cares about a mom or dad, and certainly all those in the church community that desire to support parents. Please join me in welcoming Elizabeth DeBolt in Episode 38: Maternal Mental Health. Notes from Episode 38 Postpartum Support International- https://www.postpartum.net/ Postpartum Progress- https://postpartumprogress.com/    The Blue Dot Project- https://www.thebluedotproject.org/ Mass. Gen Hospital for Women's Mental Health- https://womensmentalhealth.org/ The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

The Well Mind is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. I'm your host Dr. Ben Kohls. I've been a practicing clinical mental health counselor for over 15 years and am currently a counselor educator and director for the CMHC graduate program at Bethany Lutheran College. I've got another special episode for you. I had the opportunity to hold a live podcast event here at Bethany Lutheran College. My colleagues from the clinical mental Health counseling program, Drs. Karina Clennon and Helena Stevens joined me for a live panel discussion one evening in February. This is also inline with my goal to provide tools for the well mind episodes in addition to the conversational interviews with guests. I'd say this is a hybrid of those two ideas. We definitely cover wellness concepts from a variety of perspectives, but we also get into some specific tools and practices that can support your wellness journey. It was a super fun evening with my colleagues and the students and I hope that you find the discussion helpful and useful in your own life. Notes from Episode 37 Indivisible Self Handout The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Welcome to episode 36! The Well Mind is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. I'm your host Dr. Ben Kohls. I've been a practicing clinical mental health counselor for over 15 years and am currently a counselor educator and director for the CMHC graduate program at Bethany Lutheran College. If you've been a member of the Well Mind community, you already know Jenna, but if you haven't listened to her previous episodes, then you are in for a treat! She is an amazing person in every way and I am grateful to call her my friend. True to form, themes of self-care, wellness, habit formation, system setting, values, and relationship health and so much more permeate our chat. She also shares the details about a very special project she worked on. This project is resulting in the creation of a wellness platform for educators. So much is asked of our teachers and Jenna speaks about how this educator wellness platform removes barriers that typically hold people back from engaging in wellness efforts. In the intro, I also share some important updates about the podcast and good things coming in 2023. Show Notes: Educator Wellness Platform: https://www.mneducatorwellness.com Password: EducateMN (coming soon...) The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Welcome to the Well Mind podcast, I'm your host Dr. Ben Kohls, I am a professional mental health counselor, counselor educator, and currently the director of the clinical mental health graduate program at Bethany Lutheran College. This is a special episode of the podcast, where I have not one, not two, but THREE guests on the show. Paul Tenhaken, in addition to being the mayor of Sioux Falls, SD, was one of 12 individuals that helped create and execute The 437 Project. I am also joined by two other members of this incredible team of people, Greg Koch and Kelly Marshall. In our conversation, I speak with Kelly, Paul, and Greg about the mental health crisis and their efforts to promote awareness, raise funds, and instill hope in communities across the state of South Dakota. Every community is being impacted by suicide and mental health struggles and it is my hope that sharing this story about the 437 Project will inspire you to step forward and take action to support the mental health needs in your community. You probably don't have to run 437 miles, but maybe this group of 12 runners is on to something. I had a wonderful time speaking with Kelly, Paul, and Greg and I'm humbled to able to share their story with you in episode 35 of the Well Mind Podcast; The 437 Project. Notes from Episode 35 The 437 Project: https://the437project.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The437Project/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/437_the Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the437project/ Call 988 for Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Help 24/7 SAMHSA: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988 The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

The Well Mind is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. I'm your host Dr. Ben Kohls. I've been a practicing clinical mental health counselor for over 15 years and am currently a counselor educator and director for the CMHC graduate program at Bethany Lutheran College. This conversation is a real treat to share with you. My guest is Dr. Josh Knabb. He is a board-certified clinical psychologist, licensed in California to practice psychology. As an administrator, educator, trainer, speaker, writer, researcher, and clinician, he is passionate about helping Christians to confidently draw upon the rich psychological and spiritual resources within their own faith tradition in order to grow closer to God and others and develop a deeper, more enduring contentment in Him in the midst of suffering. We explore themes and topics related to Christian mindfulness, contemplation, worldview; the integration of the Christian faith and evidence-based psychotherapy practices; strengthening the legitimacy of faith-informed psychological interventions; understanding and relating to our suffering differently; and examining the rich traditions of the Christian faith for practices that strengthen our endurance and deepen our reliance on God's faithfulness. Notes from Episode 34 Dr. Josh Knabb: www.joshuaknabb.com The Christian Psychologist: Mental Health for 21st Century Christ Followers: https://the-christian-psychologist-mental-health-for-21st-century-c.simplecast.com/episodes Faith-Based ACT for Christian Clients: An Integrative Treatment Approach (Second Edition): https://g.co/kgs/FgRVL9 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Christian Clients-A Faith-based Workbook: https://g.co/kgs/GQiFBf Healing Conversations on Race: https://www.ivpress.com/healing-conversations-on-race The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Welcome to episode 33 of the podcast! Thanks for joining me for today's conversation. How important is it to you to have peace in your life? How about this: What does it take to be a peacemaker? Certain famous people in history likely come to mind when you think about being a peacemaker, but what if I told you that you can be a peacemaker in your own life and relationships. I believe that we could all use a bit more peace in our relationships. Whether you are a spouse, parent, boss, employee, colleague, or neighbor, you can also be a peacemaker. Today's guest, Doug Noll, is an award-winning lawyer, mediator, author, teacher, speaker, and trainer who has mediated thousands of conflicts. After serving as a civil trial lawyer for 22 years, Doug is passionate about understanding human conflict. His groundbreaking work in de-escalating anger in potentially violent confrontations has transformed lives everywhere, including in maximum-security prisons. Doug's fourth book, De-Escalate, is now available in four languages. In our conversation Doug shares about his life experiences that lead him into mediation and ultimately what he refers to as peacemaking. We dive into the process of peacemaking as Doug lays out both the neuroscience and practice of de-escalation. So please join me in welcoming Doug to the Well Mind community in episode 33, Becoming a Peacemaker. Notes from Episode 33 Doug Noll: dougnoll.co/well-mind De-Escalate by Doug Noll The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

The Well Mind is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. I'm your host Dr. Ben Kohls. I've been a practicing clinical mental health counselor for over 15 years and am currently a counselor educator and director for the CMHC graduate program at Bethany Lutheran College. For this episode, I invited one of our adjunct faculty, Dr. Ashley Schoof, to join me for a conversation on an evidence-based intervention for working with kids and teens. Ashley is the professor for our program's child and adolescent counseling course and she is the clinical director for an youth focused intensive day treatment program, called Strong, located in inner city Milwaukee Wisconsin. Ashley is passionate about her work and generously shares her depth of knowledge and experience in helping kids and teens from hard places with their mental health. In our conversation, Ashley lays out the fundamental pillars for early attachment and how trauma and other adverse childhood experiences derail the neurological processes of development for healthy self-regulation and executive functioning. She and her team at Strong implement the Trust-Based Relational Intervention or TBRI, which is an evidence-based approach to helping kids and teens heal emotionally, relationally, and neurologically. We take a deep dive into the practices and applications of TBRI from a treatment perspective as well as how this approach can be implemented by parents in the home and teachers in the classroom. This episode is a must listen for anyone who deeply cares about the relationships they have with the kids and teens in their life. It was a joy to have the chat with Ashley and a privilege to share it with you today. Notes from Episode 31 The Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development: https://child.tcu.edu/#sthash.EinILIqI.dpbs What is TBRI? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWScSJKjn1A The Strong Milwaukee Center: https://strongcenters.info/ Christian Family Solutions Day Treatment: https://christianfamilysolutions.org/christian-counseling-care-and-services/day-treatment-programs/#strong-program The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

My guest in this episode is a surfer, father, husband, entrepreneur, and expert in the practice of breath work and cold exposure. Relatably, Reis Paluso found himself caught up in the ever accelerating process and goals of building a life through his work, family, friendships, and favorite pastimes but was simultaneously losing a sense of balance and connectedness in his own life. Then he hit an inflection point and, in my conversation with Reis, he details the steps of the journey he embarked upon to unlock his mind-body connection through breath work practices. He first studied the Wim Hof method, which often combines specialized breathing techniques and intentional cold therapy practices. He speaks about some of the transformational experiences this study and practice led to and ultimately why he started the breathwork platform, Our Breath Collective. This is a first of its kind platform that offers live, online daily breathwork sessions, and a host of workshops, trainings, and retreats. Reis and I explore the connections between our breath, our mental health, and our wellness. Traditionally, people often associate breath practices with calming or relaxation based goals, but Reis explains how breath practices can also be a pathway to increasing energy, focus, and vitality. Breathwork has been a catalyst for change and growth in Reis's life and his passion for this subject shines through in our discussion.. Notes from Episode 31 ourbreathcollective.com/wellmind/ Use code WELLMIND at checkout for $10 off first month subscription instagram.com/ourbreathcollective instagram.com/reispaluso The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

The Well Mind is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. I'm your host Dr. Ben Kohls. Welcome to the podcast! It's great to have you with me today. On a snowy January day here in Mankato, Dr Luke Weber joined me in the studio. Dr. Luke is an athlete, coach, provider or chiropractic care, and an all around good dude. It has been a while since I've been able to have someone in the studio with me and we had a great time. Dr. Luke speaks about his time as a collegiate diver and competing at a very high level. We talk about life on and off the board and how these experiences translate into his current role as a high school and college diving coach. Professionally, he is a business owner and provides chiropractic care through his practice at Kinetic Spine and Sport. We discuss our approaches to healing and helping, the interconnectedness of physical and mental pain and wellness, and how he sees himself as a facilitator. Here is my conversation with Dr. Luke in Episode 30 of the Well Mind Podcast, Facilitating Healing and Wellness. Notes from Episode 30 Kinetic Spine and Sport: https://www.kinetic-chiro.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kineticspinesport/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KineticChiro The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

I recently read an article in Counseling Today entitled Six Steps for Addressing Behavioral Addictions in Clinical Work and knew immediately I needed to invite the author onto the podcast. Fast forward a few short weeks and I was able to sit down with Dr. Amanda Giordano and talk all about behavioral addiction. What is a behavioral addiction you may be wondering. Well most folks recognize gambling addiction as the behavioral addiction, but Amanda sheds light on this topic as we discuss gaming, social media, pornography, sex, food, and others as behaviors where addiction can manifest. We talk through the difference between high engagement and addiction, the importance of education and early intervention, how families with kids and teens can address behavioral addictions, what recovery from a behavior addiction looks like, and frankly way more than I can possibly include in this intro. Amanda is an amazing guest, she is so passionate about her field, and wants to raise awareness and educate people about this critical issue. She recently published a book of encyclopedic information on the topic of behavioral addiction for professionals doing clinical work. In the process, she interviewed numerous experts in the various fields of behavioral addiction and has been sharing this knowledge through regular articles in Psychology Today. I guarantee your knowledge and understanding of this topic is going to get a massive infusion of information. Notes from Episode 29 A Clinical Guide to Treating Behavioral Addictions by Dr. Giordano: https://g.co/kgs/n88sVA Counseling Today Article: https://ct.counseling.org/2021/10/six-steps-for-addressing-behavioral-addictions-in-clinical-work/ Psychology Today Resources: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/amanda-l-giordano-phd-lpc Dr. Giordano's Author Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/amandaleegiordano/ The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Welcome to the podcast! In this episode we venture back into the familiar theme of Vocation. This is a topic that has been featured on the Well Mind previously, but it's one that is so relevant to our everyday life that we will likely continue to draw from this well repeatedly for deeper insights into ourselves and our relationships. My guest is a professor of apologetics, reverend, author, public speaker, and an all around interesting dude. I was first introduced to Dr. Berg through his recent book Vocation: The Setting for Human Flourishing, which we dive into in this conversation. I then heard him speak at a conference this past summer and got to chat with him there. He does some of his own podcasting too and was completely on board with coming on the Well Mind. Then of course the fall semester started and it took a while for us to reconnect, but we made it happen and I'm thrilled to share this conversation with you. We cover a lot of ground in our conversation-everything from what vocation is and why it's important, to marriage, parenting, making sacrifices versus self-sacrificing, and how vocation truly is the setting for human flourishing.. Notes from Episode 25 Michael Berg: https://www.wlc.edu/faculty/Michael-Berg/ 1517: https://www.1517.org/contributors/michael-berg Vocation: The Setting for Human Flourishing: https://g.co/kgs/Vx4LXi The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Welcome to the first ever crossover episode between The Well Mind Podcast and Gird Up! Podcast. Charlie Ungemach is the host of the Gird Up! Podcast and invited me on the show to talk men and mental health. It was fun being on the other side of the table and getting to be a podcast guest! I give a brief introduction and Well Mind update and then I turn things over to Charlie. I hope you enjoy the conversation! Thanks for listening and Be Well! Link to Gird Up! Podcast homepage: https://www.girdupministries.com/podcast

Welcome to a very special episode of the podcast. In addition to the typical audio format, there is also a video format available on YouTube. Listeners may enjoy checking out the video version, because we have included some visual images to accompany the discussion. You can find a link to the video version in the show notes below. My guests are Haylee Blauert and Jason Jaspersen. Haylee is the author of a new children's book entitled Stars in the Sky and Jason Jaspersen is the illustrator. Both of them joined me in the studio to talk about the upcoming book, the journey they both walked over the past 3 plus years to share this story with the world, and the life and character of the man the book memorializes. This is not your typical children's book, but a work of true literature and art. The book speaks to the importance of community and connection and faces the issues of mental health and grief and loss in a way that can help children and adults reflect on their own experiences. This is an important book and I hope that the next hour is as impactful for you as it was for me. Notes from Episode 26 Purchase Stars in the Sky: coming soon... Stars in the Sky Video Podcast: https://youtu.be/9o_eD1LHlvc Gallery Display for Stars in the Sky: October 3 - October 27 at Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center Reception and Discussion Thursday, October 7 at 7:00pm (CST): https://blc.edu/event/gallery-display-stars-in-the-sky/ Max Lucado: https://maxlucado.com/ Kobi Yamada: https://g.co/kgs/jYb2AA The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Hilary Grosskopf is a leadership strategist, award-winning author, and yoga teacher. She integrates her experience in the modern working world with her knowledge of yoga to produce original content for learning professionals. Hilary's leadership experience in the corporate world inspired her to start her own company, Awake Leadership Solutions, in 2017. ALS is an education company that offers guidebooks, workshops, and consulting services for leaders and teams. Her consulting experience ranges from project management, to analytics, to business strategy, and leadership coaching. Her most recent book, Awake Ethics illustrates how ten ethical principles, when put into practice with individual and team exercises, enable you to make human-centered progress at work and build meaningful connections with others. In episode 25 of The Well Mind Podcast, we take a deep dive into her work and the practice of ethics in the workplace. Hilary is a wonderful guest and incredibly thoughtful and I am so happy to share my conversation with Hilary. Notes from Episode 25 Hilary Grosskopf: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-jane-grosskopf/ Awake Ethics: https://awakeleadershipsolutions.com/awake-ethics/ Awake Leadership Solutions: https://awakeleadershipsolutions.com/ The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Time of Grace lead speaker and author, Pastor Mike Novotny, is my guest in this episode of The Well Mind. Mike has been the pastor at The Core in Appleton, WI for 7 years and joined Time of Grace just a couple of years ago. Through his work with Time of Grace, he published his first book entitled 3 Words That Will Change Your Life. We discuss his book and use it as a jumping off point for discussing spiritual growth, family life, and living life in God's grace-filled presence. This conversation is a “This!” moment for me. If you've read Pastor Mike's book, you know what I mean, but if you haven't, that's okay, sit back, relax, get ready to laugh, get ready to think, and hagah with Mike and I as we explore the beauty and power of God's presence. Notes from Episode 24 3 Words That Will Change Your Life: https://timeofgracestore.org/product/194/3-words-that-will-change-your-life Time of Grace: https://timeofgrace.org/ God's Relational Presence: https://g.co/kgs/5jwivS The Psalms: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%201&version=NIV The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

The Well Mind Podcast is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. How is your professional life impacting your overall wellness? How can we support the younger generation as they explore their career path? What are the intersections between your career, values, identity, and faith? These are just a few of the themes I explore in my conversation with Dr. Karina Clennon in episode 23 of the podcast. Karina brings a wealth of insight and experience regarding the world of career development. She shares a grounded perspective on the realities of the journey of vocation. Karina is also my colleague in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Bethany Lutheran College. I am thrilled to be able to introduce Karina to the Well Mind community and work alongside her as we welcome our first cohort of students into Bethany's counseling program. Notes from Episode 23 Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Bethany Lutheran College: www.blc.edu/cmhc Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer: https://g.co/kgs/5qsY6f The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

James Hein returns to The Well Mind to dive further into our spiritual wellness. In this episode, James and I explore the many facets of suffering and how it impacts our life, wellness, and relationships. Our discussion is wide ranging, touching on our experiences of guilt and shame, grief and loss, and the search for meaning and purpose. We talk about injustice, theodicy, anthropocentrism, and our justification through Christ. James offers insightful assessments of how constructing our worldly identity around our accomplishments, connections, and character inevitably leads to suffering, whereas rooting our identity in our status as redeemed children of God provides peace amidst the many storms of life. Notes from Episode 22 The Secular Age by Charles Taylor: https://g.co/kgs/zDh2Hq There's a Name for the Blah You're Feeling: It's Called Languishing by Adam Grant: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.html Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller: https://g.co/kgs/7R4nJo Disappointment with God by Phillip Yancey: https://g.co/kgs/UAe51H The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Please join me in welcoming Jason Bowman to the podcast. Jason is a yoga teacher, a meditation practitioner, an avid cyclist, speaker, and writer. He, along with his brother and elite athlete, Dylan Bowman, co-founded Pyllars. Pyllars takes a holistic approach to coaching running and endurance athletes by providing resources to support and promote physical fitness and emotional fitness. The Pyllars App launched at the beginning of 2021. Jason speaks about the genesis of Pyllars in our conversation and explains their goal of supporting athletes as they strive to reach their athletic potential, while also providing tools for maintaining a healthy and balanced internal environment. This is also the jumping off point for a rich exploration of how to cultivate balance in life. Jason brings a contemplative and philosophical stance to our discussion as we unpack a deeper understanding and practice of balance in life. Our conversation ranges from athletic goals, to the arts, to relationships, and our identity development. Jason is a fantastic guest and I'm thrilled to share this conversation with you. Notes from Episode 21 Jason Bowman: http://www.jasonbowmanyoga.com/ The Pyllars: https://www.pyllars.com/ The Pyllars Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pyllars-podcast-with-dylan-bowman/id1492327668 Aldous Huxley: https://g.co/kgs/9vuxBi Switzerland by Nicole Krauss: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/09/21/switzerland The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Athletics, exercise, and physical health have made appearances in previous episodes. Specifically in episode 2 I talked with Benson Langat, who is an elite runner and therapist. Then in episodes 9 and 10, I talked with Zoe Rom, Associate Editor of Trail Runner Magazine and Lizzie Kasparek, registered dietician, respectively on running, body image, nutrition, and fitness. We wade back into these familiar waters again in this episode as I am joined by Amanda Cadwell. She is a professional mental health therapist with a specialization in sport and performance psychology. I love it when I am able to bring multiple passions into one conversation and that is exactly what Amanda and I were able to do throughout this chat. Amanda is an athlete herself, playing team sports throughout her youth, culminating with playing collegiate fastpitch softball. Now she is a coach for her daughters softball team and continues to push herself athletically through weightlifting. She recently completed her specialized training in sport psychology and has begun working with athletes to support their mental health and improve their performance. Amanda emphasizes the importance of focusing on purpose and process in sport and in life. She shares specific tools that she uses with athletes to manage the stress of performance and stay focused. Whether fitness and athletics occupy a large or small space in your life, Amanda shares many valuable insights and approaches to Sharpen Your Mental Game. Notes from Episode 20 Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert Sapolsky https://g.co/kgs/uRVTG4 Psychology in Sports Coaching by Adams Nicholls https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Sports-Coaching-Theory-Practice/dp/1138701874 The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Join me in welcoming Ed Frey to the Well Mind community. The Well Mind Podcast is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics. In this episode, that topic is forgiveness. Forgiveness is an incredibly important practice that supports our relational, emotional, and spiritual health. So if that's the case, then why is it so hard for us to apply forgiveness after we've been hurt? And why do we struggle with persistent, harsh, and critical self-talk when we've messed up or fallen short. It often comes from a misunderstanding about what forgiveness is and what forgiveness isn't. Throughout this conversation Ed beautifully articulates the work of forgiveness and reconciliation in our relationship with God, with one another, and within ourselves. Ed is a pastor and professional counselor and brings tremendous depth to the conversation. I had a great time with Ed in this episode and found his words to be of tremendous comfort and filled with grace. He has such a compassionate heart and it's a joy to share this episode with you. Notes from Episode 19 Dying to Live: The Power of Forgiveness by Harold Senkbeil: https://www.cph.org/p-305-Dying-to-Live-The-Power-of-Forgiveness.aspx Just Words by Jacob Preus: https://www.cph.org/p-359-Just-Words.aspx The Problem of Suffering by Gregory Schulz: https://g.co/kgs/SEnRie The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

Katelyn Bolte joins me in episode 18 of The Well Mind Podcast. This is a conversation focused on adolescent mental health and parenting teens. Katelyn is a mental health counselor and the director of a day treatment program for adolescents. Katelyn was a wonderful guest. We cover a lot of ground during our discussion as we talk about schooling during the pandemic and the transition back into school. We also address the struggles that social isolation has amplified for our youth, emotional development during the teen years, and there is plenty of parenting focused talk throughout the conversation. This is a must listen for any parent of a teen or anyone that will have a teen in the near future. Katelyn understands the real challenges that teens and their families are facing and she shares a wealth of practical information that I hope you can integrate into the flow of your family life. More than anything Katelyn and I drive home the need for parents to cultivate connections with their teens during these critical years of life. Notes from Episode 19 Dr. Karen Purvis Institute of Child Development: https://child.tcu.edu/karyn/#sthash.Vd4iCXE1.dpbs Empowered to Connect Training: https://empoweredtoconnect.org/training/ Teen Line: https://teenlineonline.org/ The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

In this episode, we venture into new territory. If you've listened to previous episodes, you know that much of our conversations on the podcast are focused on different aspects of personal wellness. I take us in a different direction with this one. I've invited epidemiologist and public health expert Dr. Jason Paltzer to join me for this conversation. Jason is a faculty at Baylor University in Waco, TX and has spent over 6 years working in public health in the country of Zambia. We talk about his work in faith based organizations serving communities in central Africa and his decision to pursue and develop research on public health in developing countries. We dive into the difficult issues of alcohol abuse and addiction from a public health perspective. Jason also shares his hope and vision for the development of an institute devoted to carrying out rigorous research to inform the community services being provided to support people in both urban and rural communities. I had a great time chatting with Jason and am so appreciative of the perspective he brings to understanding wellness through the lens of community health. Notes from Episode 17 Dr. Jason Paltzer email: jpaltzer1@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonpaltzer/ Christian Journal for Global Health: www.CJGH.org Best Practices in Global Health Missions: www.bpghm.org Global CHE Network: www.chenetwork.org The Well Mind Podcast email: thewellmind@blc.edu

The Well Mind welcomes Dr. Jennifer Londgren back to the podcast for episode 16. I asked Jenna back into the studio to reflect back on the past year with me and talk through our experiences with a growth mindset. I selected a number of questions for us to work through in our discussion. The result is a very personal hour discussing themes and topics related to failure, gratitude, letting go, and setting purpose and intention for the future. Jenna is a wonderful human being, filled with passion, wisdom, and joy. She shares some timely insights on how to impact our lived experience by attending to our state, strategy, and story. Questions from Episode 16 What is present for me now in this moment? What or who am I grateful for? What is meaningful for me now? What was challenging or painful for me in the past year? What personal values or sense of purpose have emerged in the past year? Over the past year, what have you let go of? How are you going to make the next year matter?

It was a blast hosting the first LIVE episode of The Well Mind Podcast! I welcomed three mental health professionals that currently serve as counselors for students at Bethany Lutheran College. In an effort to directly address the contemporary challenges that college students are facing, I asked listeners and students from three different campuses here in southern Minnesota to submit their wellness related questions in advance of the show. We answered questions and discussed topics ranging from time management and productivity, social media use and its impact on our mental wellbeing, to skills for improving your adaptive coping in the pandemic, dealing with depression and isolation, and getting better sleep. The guests offer a positive perspective, compassionate encouragement, and an abundance of tools and techniques to improve and sustain your wellness through these unprecedented times. Roundtable members: Deneal Sperle, MS, LPC; Joseph Lundsten, MA; Ashley Guthmiller, Graduate Intern. Resources Bethany Lutheran College Counseling Website: https://blc.edu/campus-life/campus-services/counseling-services/personal-counseling-services/

The Well Mind welcomes Chaplain Don Moldstad to episode 14 of the podcast. Keeping with the family and relationship focus again this episode, I visit with Chaplain Moldstad on the work he does with couples preparing for a life together in marriage. He serves as the campus Chaplain here at Bethany Lutheran College and often works with couples through premarital counseling. We explore the good and bad foundations for marriage and how these shape the development of trust, intimacy, and commitment throughout the partnership. Don brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to the conversation and shares thoughtful reflections on strengthening the marriage bond. References from Episode 13 Prepare and Enrich: https://www.prepare-enrich.com/ 5 Love Languages: https://www.5lovelanguages.com/ Love and Respect: https://www.loveandrespect.com/ Post-Christian by Gene Veith: https://g.co/kgs/XozrY6 Email for the Well Mind Podcast: thewellmind@blc.edu

The Well Mind welcomes Dr. John Seymour to episode 13 of the podcast. 2020 is in the rearview mirror and 2021 is in front of us. I've yet to dive into the topic of family wellness and I thought that this would be a fantastic place to start in the first episode of the new year. I've known John for over 15 years. He was my advisor and mentor during my graduate studies at MSU-Mankato as I began the journey of developing my professional identity as a counselor. John is a real treasure and I'm so grateful that we have stayed in touch over the years. In our conversation we take a close look at how all the realities of the past year have impacted families and created an inflection point for families to build and cultivate resilience as we move into 2021. John shares his accumulated wisdom through rich stories, insightful reflections, meaningful questions, and thoughtful encouragements to help families move toward closeness and trust. References from Episode 13 A Promised Land by Barack Obama: https://g.co/kgs/1ACyzw Email for The Well Mind Podcast: thewellmind@blc.edu CMHC Program website: https://blc.edu/academics/cmhc/

The Well Mind welcomes Dr. Mark Paustian to episode 12 of the podcast. I am thrilled to introduce Mark to the Well Mind community. He is one of those people that immediately communicates trust and compassion simply through his presence in conversation. He has been a formative mentor for me and we talk about the way our paths have been interwoven through the years. We take an intimate and vulnerable dive into the experiences of providing soul care in our careers and relationships. Mark continues to mentor students through his role as a college professor of interpersonal communication, preaching, and apologetics. He served as a parish pastor for many years and draws on his wealth of knowledge and experience in serving people throughout our discussion. We explore themes and topics of hope, comfort, acceptance, suffering, anxiety, social connectedness, community, and purpose. References from Episode 12 Mark Paustian https://mlc-wels.edu/directory/name/mark-paustian/ Where Two or Three https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-two-or-three/id1459281433 Prepared to Answer Set https://online.nph.net/prepared-to-answerset.html Viktor Fankl https://g.co/kgs/Q1DkVB The Reason for God by TImothy Keller https://g.co/kgs/ob4Vp7 A Glorious Ruin by Tullian Tchividjian https://g.co/kgs/m4a7BJ Human Communication as Narration by Walter Fisher https://g.co/kgs/i8VFhM

Welcome to The Well Mind Podcast. I'm your host Dr. Ben Kohls. This is episode number 11 and the first solo show for me. Today's topics have been and continue to be critically important to me. As a mental health counselor, I am constantly trying to understand how people can persist, learn, and grow in the face of adversity. This has led me to seek out as much knowledge as possible about resiliency and apply that knowledge in the counseling room, supervision, and educational presentations. I have focused specifically on resiliency with those in education and helping fields. This includes my work with nurses, physicians, social workers, counselors, pastors, and teachers. Yet, caregiving is not exclusively a professional role, but is often a personal role that we take on at specific times in life. These moments can include caring for an aging parent or sibling, raising a child with special needs, or supporting a spouse with a chronic physical or psychological condition. Regardless of whether that caregiving is personal or professional, it is compassionate work that requires a great deal of empathy from us. In this episode we will focus our time together on deepening your understanding of compassion fatigue resilience. I've also dedicated a portion of this episode to talk specifically about mindfulness and how this form of self-care can further promote your resilience. All of the skills and resources that I reference in the show are linked in the show notes that you can find through the app you use to listen to the podcast. References from Episode 11 Ludick and Figley article on Compassion Fatigue Resilience https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2016-53576-001.html Life Stress Test https://www.compassionfatigue.org/pages/lifestresstest.pdf How stressed are you? https://psychcentral.com/quizzes/stress-test/ Self-Care Assessment https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/self-care-assessment.pdf

The Well Mind welcomes Lizzie Kasparek to episode 10 of the podcast. Lizzie works for Sanford Power as a Registered Dietician providing nutrition consultation for athletes across the lifespan. She is an athlete herself, focusing primarily on endurance running, and understands what it takes to fuel properly to get the best from yourself. We begin this episode with some general discussion around the services that she provides and how people often come to nutrition through diet plans. Lizzie offers cautions about focusing too much on weight loss and promotes a well-reasoned approach to eating that can fuel us for living an active life. She dispels some of the big myths around nutrition and offers actionable tips for eating well. We dive into the dangers of restricting, binge eating, and other disordered eating concerns. We also explore some of the emotional and cultural facets to food and nutrition. Lizzie approaches nutrition from a sensible, balanced, and well researched perspective. References from Episode 10 Lizzie Kasparek https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkuckuk/ Sanford Power https://www.sanfordpower.com/ Feeding South Dakota https://feedingsouthdakota.org/ Feeding America https://www.feedingamerica.org/

The Well Mind welcomes Zoë Rom to episode 9 of the podcast. Zoë is an athlete, journalist, an Associate Editor for Trail Runner Magazine and is the host of DNF, a podcast focused on telling stories of failure in running and in life. In her podcast, she talks with everyday runners and some of the most successful elite trail runners in the world about their failures. She believes that the greatest stories and opportunities for growth come through failure. We explore this topic and so much more during our conversation. Zoë shares her desire to spot light narratives that aren't typically front and center, so that she can support people in telling their stories to a wider audience. We dive into topics and themes related to mental health, anxiety, body image, and the environment. We also explore how to buffer ourselves against the negativity, fear, and criticism of the world and our own mind. References from Episode 9 Zoë Rom http://www.zoerom.com/ The DNF Podcast https://trailrunnermag.com/trailrunning-podcast Trail Runner Magazine https://trailrunnermag.com/ Life in a Day by Billy Yang https://youtu.be/kYgcTJBLwsU The Nature of Desert Nature https://g.co/kgs/Mji5M3 Heavy Weight by Jonathon Goldstein https://gimletmedia.com/shows/heavyweight The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/anthropocene-reviewed Taffy Akner http://www.taffyakner.com/

The Well Mind welcomes Jeremy Ballew to the podcast in the episode. How healthy are you at work? It's estimated that the average American spends 90,000 hours at work across the lifespan. Who we are and how we are at work has a huge impact on our overall health and wellness. Jeremy works in the field of EAP, which stands for Employee Assistance Program. He works as a consultant and trainer; helping businesses with leadership development, conflict resolution, performance management, and creating a healthy culture within the workplace. Jeremy shares about his personal growth through challenging workplace issues and how that has fed his passion for supporting employees through workplace issues. Rather than falling into the negative and culture killing habits of passivity, complaining, holding grudges, and emotional escalation, Jeremy gives guidance on how to prepare for and face difficult conversations at work. He shares more practical wisdoms, like the 4 A's of stress management in the workplace, and walks through everything that he and his team do to serve employers and employees. We also have a little fun at the end of this episode as we talk about a few of our adventures from 2020. References from Episode 8 Jeremy Ballew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-ballew-m-ed-95b123a5/ Avera EAP: https://www.avera.org/services/business-health-services/eap/ David Goggins: https://davidgoggins.com/ Glacier Hills Ultra: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=76110 605 Running Company: www.run605.com

The Well Mind welcomes Luke Italiano to the podcast in the episode. He is a pastor, writer, husband, and father. He also lives with the burden of depression. The National Institute of Mental Health reports depression as one of the most common mental health issues in the US. An estimated 17.3 million Americans were experiencing a major depressive disorder prior to the pandemic. Emerging research indicates this number is now significantly higher. Luke shares about the fear that consumed him and held him back from facing the darkness. He describes the path he walked to be real and honest with people that has now become what Luke refers to as his “mission to be transparent.” Luke lives out this mission throughout the episode and offers a rich well of thought provoking insights and stories of his experiences. He emphasizes how deep connections are often born out of a willingness to be vulnerable. Luke offers hope and encouragement through his words, wisdom, and lived experiences. References from Episode 7 Bread for Beggars: https://www.breadforbeggars.com/ Luke's Blog on Depression: https://www.breadforbeggars.com/2019/01/depression-has-me/ The Path of Broken Kings: https://www.breadforbeggars.com/2020/09/the-first-step/ National Mental Health Information: https://www.mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america Mic Check Video Podcast: https://mikewestendorf.com/podcast I Trust When Dark My Road: https://www.lcms.org/document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=721 When Darkness Seems My Closest Friend: https://g.co/kgs/SuQhnL Courage, My Heart: Letters To A Weary World: https://g.co/kgs/hi5Wwb

Today's guest is licensed professional counselor, Taylor Heath. Her professional focus is counselling people that are experiencing struggles with mental health and addiction. In this episode, Taylor shares her expertise on attachment. Attachment begins at birth as we form connections through the child-caregiver relationship, but it continues across the lifespan and influences our adult relationships, decision making, and even our mental health. Taylor explains differences between secure and insecure forms of attachment and how they can play out in our professional and personal lives. We also explore the complicated interaction between disrupted attachment, substance use, and mental health. Taylor speaks about the pathways we have to repair attachment wounds as a means of promoting recovery and mental wellness. References from Episode 6 Taylor Heath https://christianfamilysolutions.org/about/provider-staff/taylor-heath/ Christian Family Solutions https://christianfamilysolutions.org/ Love Sense by Dr. Sue Johnson https://drsuejohnson.com/books/ The Attachment Theory Workbook by Annie Chen, LMFT https://g.co/kgs/3RnMEg The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Neff and Germer https://self-compassion.org/mindful-self-compassion-workbook/ Addiction, Attachment, Trauma, and Recovery by Oliver Morgan https://g.co/kgs/tCCVsu

Thanks for joining me for another episode of The Well Mind Podcast – a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness topics. I'm curious, when you hear the term “Christian Counseling,” what thoughts come to mind? I think that it's safe to say that there is a pretty broad range of opinions on what constitutes Christian Counseling, or how Christian counselors are trained, or even, how effective Christian counseling truly is. Well I asked my friend and colleague, Dr. Josh Mears, to come into the studio to discuss these very topics for today's show. He is very clear about his professional identity as a Christian Psychologist and he speaks about how Christianity and Psychology have not been very compatible over the decades. He is a leader in the field of Christian integration, which is the practice of using both the tools of professional counseling and psychology together with the spiritual practices and beliefs of the Christian faith. Dr. Mears makes the case for the need and value of faith-informed professional counseling. We also explore the practice and impact of personal and family devotions on faith formation and wellness in ourselves and in our families. References from Episode 5 Dr. Joshua Mears: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-mears-9535a149/ Christian Family Solutions: https://christianfamilysolutions.org/ Making Christian Counseling More Christ-Centered by Dr. Rick Marrs https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/779045-making-christian-counseling-more-christ-centered The Care of Souls by Harold Senkbeil https://g.co/kgs/9iQu8E

Michelle Markgraf is my guest in this episode. She has been support person and advocate for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault for 10 years. She was previously the executive director of a center for counseling and advocacy services for domestic violence. Now she provides educational workshops across the country aimed at empowering survivors and training those that want to support them. In this episode Michelle provides clear and powerful information on issues of sexual assault and domestic violence. She also reflects on her experiences and what she has learned about leadership, building a culture of compassion and connection with her team, and creating mission driven services. Be advised that Michelle and I cover some mature topics in this episode that may not be suitable for younger audiences. References from Episode 3 Michelle Markgraf https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-markgraf-mba-94b6305/ Kingdom Workers Family and Social Support: https://kingdomworkers.com/about-us/our-programs/empowering-survivors-of-relationship-violence/ Compass Center: https://thecompasscenter.org/ CDC-Intimate Partner Violence: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/index.html National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV): https://ncadv.org/

I'm your host Dr. Ben Kohls. The Well Mind Podcast is a space for in depth conversation about a broad range of wellness related themes and topics. By education, I am a clinical mental health counselor and counselor educator. I am passionate about personal growth, living well, and thriving in relationships. Today we take a journey into the crossroads of spiritual wellness and mental wellness. Pastor James Hein presently serves at St. Marcus Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI. James is an old friend of mine and I am so happy to have him on the show. He is thoughtful, genuine, and compassionate and shares about his own journey with the mental health diagnosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder. He speaks about the Bible's nuanced approach to wellness and mental health. He also drops plenty of practical wisdom related to the practice of spiritual growth. Sit back, relax, and enjoy episode 3: Cultivating Spiritual Wellness. References from Episode 3 St. Marcus Lutheran Church Milwaukee, WI https://www.stmarcus.org/ Lost Connection by Johann Hari  https://g.co/kgs/nxtocL Timothy Keller, American Theologian https://timothykeller.com/ Jordan Peterson https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/ The Journal of Biblical Counseling https://www.ccef.org/journal-of-biblical-counseling/ C.S. Lewis https://www.cslewis.com/us/ Martin Luther https://catechism.cph.org/en/introduction.html

This is episode 2. I'm your host Dr. Ben Kohls. How are you living your life? It's a tough question and it's a question today's guest was recently asked and one that I hope we can all reflect on. Benson offers his insights on this question and so much more in today's conversation. Benson recently completed his master's degree in social work and is now serving as a therapist for Family Services in Sioux Falls, SD. He is also an elite athlete, a running coach, and the Director of Coaching services at 605 Running Company in Sioux Falls. Today Benson shares with us his running journey and the impact community has had on him. He speaks about building personal wellness, hope, and motivation through an intentional process of giving and receiving within his community. It hasn't been all first place finishes and celebrations for Benson. Like all of us he has experienced setbacks and disappointments, but I have to say that Benson is a model of perseverance and the embodiment of the growth mindset. When he sees a problem or encounters pain, he moves toward it and seeks to grow and develop himself through whatever obstacles he is facing. Benson speaks about the power of showing up in order to cultivate discipline and using goal setting to guide decision making. References from Episode 2 Honorary Boston Marathon Team 2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/CEhdFaDlVsv/?igshid=4ihyr229lv05 605 Running Company https://www.run605.com/private-coaching.html Road Runners Club of America https://www.rrca.org/ Children's Home Society https://chssd.org/ Family Services, INC https://sdfsi.org/ TEDTalk https://www.ted.com/ Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari https://g.co/kgs/T8Xgsb

Welcome to the first episode of The Well Mind! In this episode I talk with Dr. Jennifer Londgren about a number of different topics. We explore the self-care mindset, identity as motivation for behavior, building meaningful connection in our time of distancing and disconnection, how to change your state, recognizing and dealing with burnout, and building sustainable habits for wellness. Jenna is a licensed marriage and family therapist, a professor of alcohol and drug studies at Minnesota State University-Mankato, an expert on all things self-care, a mom, a wife, and a friend. Jenna's energy is so positive and I love how she approaches ideas with such curiosity. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. References from Episode 1 Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Dr. Robert Sapolsky https://g.co/kgs/DzfDxT Worklife with Adam Grant https://www.ted.com/series/worklife_with_adam_grant On Purpose Podcast by Jay Shetty https://jayshetty.me/podcast/ Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty https://g.co/kgs/gsNV8D Tony Robbins https://www.tonyrobbins.com/ Brene Brown https://g.co/kgs/GEsvbj Joy at Work by Marie Kondo https://g.co/kgs/iF11Vf Options B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant https://optionb.org/book Fast, Feast, Repeat by Gin Stephens https://g.co/kgs/eZkiQz