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.

Summary

In 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