Asking Why

Episode 129: Amanda Cruse | Equine Therapy

In this conversation, Clint Davis and Amanda Cruse discuss equine therapy and the importance of being present and authentic in relationships. They explore the challenges of owning and caring for horses, as well as the unique dynamics of working with horses in therapy. They also delve into the concept of congruence and the tension between being consistent and evolving as individuals. The conversation touches on themes of self-worth, vulnerability, and the need for healthy boundaries. They discuss the impact of technology and media on our lives and the importance of curating our experiences to align with our values. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing our worth and finding our identity in God rather than external factors. In this conversation, Clint and Amanda discuss the importance of connecting with our bodies and the role of equine therapy in helping us do so. They emphasize that the physical is good and that God designed us to function with our thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. They highlight the need to move beyond information and into transformation, as well as the importance of being present in the moment and paying attention to what is happening in our bodies. They also explore the concept of hypocrisy and the need for heart change in our relationship with God and others.

Episode 128: Caitlyn Anders | Understanding Teen Suicide

In this conversation, Clint Davis and Caitlyn Anders discuss the topic of teen suicide. Caitlyn shares her personal experience as a teenager struggling with suicidal thoughts and how she found help and support. They discuss the importance of open communication and listening to teenagers who express suicidal thoughts, as well as the role of parents in providing support and understanding. They also explore the factors that contribute to the increase in teen suicide rates, such as pressure, stress, social media, and the changing dynamics of the modern world. The conversation emphasizes the need for parents to be aware of their children's emotional well-being and to seek professional help when necessary. As well as the importance of seeking support and counseling as parents when dealing with a child who is struggling with mental health issues. They emphasize the need for parents to take personal responsibility and address any potential contributions they may have made to their child's struggles. They also discuss the role of self-harm as an indicator of deeper emotional problems and the benefits of play therapy in helping children process their emotions. The conversation concludes with a reminder that parents should focus on building a strong emotional connection with their children and modeling healthy coping mechanisms.

Episode 127: Sarah Moreno | Overcoming Addiction

Sarah Moreno shares her story of overcoming addiction and finding redemption through her faith. She experienced trauma at a young age, including a rape, which led her to seek solace in drugs and alcohol. She spiraled into addiction, eventually turning to heroin. Despite her addiction, she managed to maintain a job as a nurse, showcasing her resilience and ability to function. However, she reached a breaking point when she overdosed on heroin. This scare prompted her to seek help and surrender her life to God, leading to her recovery and transformation. Sarah shares her journey of addiction, recovery, and redemption. She discusses her struggles with sobriety and the difference between recovery and sobriety. Sarah talks about how her addiction led to her overdosing while working as a nurse and how she eventually became homeless. She shares the turning point in his life when she cried out to God for help and was rescued by a woman named Tammy. Sarah then entered the Teen Challenge program and found healing and purpose in helping others. She now works in intake at Teen Challenge, helping other women find hope and healing.

Episode126: Cole Westhoff | Understanding Addiction

In this episode, Clint Davis interviews Cole Westoff, a counselor specializing in addiction and trauma. Cole shares his personal journey and how a family tragedy led him to become a therapist. They discuss the definition of addiction, the moralization of certain substances, and the myths surrounding addiction. They also emphasize the importance of empathy and understanding in supporting individuals in recovery. In this conversation, Clint and Cole discuss addiction and the factors that contribute to it. They explore the role of genetics and environment in addiction, as well as the importance of choice and personal responsibility. They emphasize the need for community and support in the recovery process and highlight the significance of belief and faith in overcoming addiction. They also discuss the complexity of addiction and the need for a multifaceted approach to recovery. Overall, they provide insights and encouragement for those struggling with addiction and offer hope for transformation and healing.

Episode 125 : Ashley Rachal | Intuitive Eating

This week, Clint Davis interviews Ashley Rachal, a registered dietitian and certified intuitive eating counselor, about intuitive eating and its difference from diet culture. They discuss the origins of intuitive eating, the impact of diet culture on our relationship with food, and the importance of self-care and body trust. They also touch on topics such as counting macros, the keto diet, and the role of parents and society in shaping our views on food and body image. In this conversation, Clint and Ashley discuss the relationship between food, body image, and faith. They explore the impact of diet culture, the importance of body diversity, and the role of food in communal and spiritual contexts. They emphasize the need to separate morality from food choices and to model healthy behaviors for children. They also discuss the significance of listening to our bodies and finding satisfaction in food. Overall, they encourage listeners to develop a healthy and balanced relationship with food and to prioritize their overall well-being.

Ashley's Website:  https://fulfillednutritiontherapy.com

Episode 124: Jennifer Beich PLPC | Brainspotting

In this conversation, Jennifer Beich discusses brain spotting, a newer modality of therapy that focuses on trauma, anxiety, and depression. She shares her personal journey and the integration of neuroscience and Christian counseling. The conversation delves into the concept of spiritual bypassing, the role of the brain in healing, and the unique approach of brain spotting in addressing trauma and developmental issues. They also discuss the concept of brain spotting and its therapeutic impact, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in the healing process. It explores the integration of faith and therapy, the attunement of the therapist, and the significance of holding space for clients. Clint and Jen also compare brain spotting with EMDR and the Emmanuel Prayer, highlighting the organic and gentle nature of brain spotting. The conversation concludes with an invitation for individuals to explore brain spotting as a therapeutic tool for trauma and emotional healing.

 

Takeaways

• Brain spotting is a newer modality of therapy that focuses on trauma, anxiety, and depression.
• The integration of neuroscience and Christian counseling provides a unique approach to healing.
• Spiritual bypassing can hinder the healing process by intellectualizing experiences without addressing the emotional and physical aspects.
• Brain spotting accesses the brain's subcortical regions, allowing for deeper healing beyond intellectualization.
• It is important to honor a person's experiences and provide education about the brain's response to trauma and healing. Brain spotting is an organic and gentle therapeutic approach that allows individuals to access and process trauma without the need to recount the details of the experience.
• The role of the Holy Spirit in therapy is emphasized, highlighting the importance of faith and spirituality in the healing process.
• Attunement and holding space for clients are essential aspects of therapy, allowing individuals to feel heard, seen, and valued.
• The conversation explores the integration of faith and therapy, emphasizing the significance of allowing God to work through the therapist in the healing process.
• Individuals are encouraged to explore brain spotting as a therapeutic tool for trauma and emotional healing, with an invitation to seek out practitioners for support and growth.

Chapters

00:00 Accessing Subcortical Healing with Brain Spotting
27:59 The Therapeutic Impact of Brain Spotting and the Role of the Holy Spirit
33:30 Integrating Faith and Therapy: Attunement and Holding Space
48:24 Comparing Brain Spotting with EMDR and the Emmanuel Prayer
56:28 Invitation to Explore Brain Spotting for Trauma and Emotional Healing

Episode 123: Special Agent from the Texas Department of Public Safety | Combating Human Trafficking

In this episode, Clint Davis interviews a special agent from the Texas Department of Public Safety who works in the Criminal Investigation Unit. They discuss the difference between human smuggling and human trafficking, the importance of a victim-centered approach, and the prevalence of child exploitation online. They also highlight the need for parents to educate and equip their children about the dangers of social media and the importance of consent and privacy. The conversation covers various topics related to human trafficking, trauma, and the role of law enforcement in combating this issue. The speakers discuss the connection between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and individuals who become victims of trafficking. They also address the misconception that sex workers choose their profession without any trauma or coercion. The conversation delves into the psychological aspects of the sex industry and the contradictions within feminist ideologies. The importance of community involvement, support for victims, and the need for resources and counseling are highlighted. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the personal experiences and motivations of the law enforcement officer involved in combating human trafficking.

Episode 122: Ben Whalen | Clean Slate Botanicals (Entrepreneur Life)

Ben Whalen, owner of Clean Slate Botanicals, shares his journey as an African-American small business owner in Shreveport, Louisiana. He discusses his background, including his experience in corporate America and his passion for natural skincare products. Ben talks about the challenges and successes of starting his own business, his focus on creating products for all people, and the role of faith in his journey. Clint Davis shares his journey of faith and entrepreneurship, discussing the importance of finding balance and relying on God's guidance. He talks about the transformation of his business from Ben's Body Basics to Clean Slate Botanicals and the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clint emphasizes the need for community support and encourages listeners to shop locally. He also highlights the collaboration with local non-profits and his wife's talent as a singer.

 

Website: https://cleanslatebotanicals.com/

 

Episode 121: Taylor Jopling & Jo Ellen Gilliland | Tribe 31 Training

In this episode of the Asking Why podcast, host Clint Davis interviews Jo Ellen Gilliland and Taylor Jobling about their fitness business, Tribe 31. Jo Ellen shares her personal journey of struggling with an eating disorder and finding healing through weightlifting and macro tracking. Taylor talks about her passion for fitness and how she transitioned from real estate to becoming a trainer. Together, they started Tribe 31 to create a community for women to find strength in all aspects of their lives. The business is rooted in faith and aims to equip women with physical, mental, and spiritual training. In this conversation, Jo and Tay from Tribe31 discuss the importance of body positivity and self-acceptance. They emphasize the need to focus on overall health and well-being rather than striving for a specific body type. They also highlight the impact of language and behavior on children, emphasizing the importance of setting a positive example. The conversation touches on the role of community and support in achieving fitness goals and the importance of finding balance in life. Tay and Jo also mention their upcoming nutrition program, Macros and More.

Bios:

Taylor Jopling is a personal trainer and co-owner of Tribe 31 Training. She attended ULM for 3 years and then found her passion for personal training after helping her college friends in the gym. After finding her passion for women's personal training and nutrition coaching, she never looked back! Taylor has been training full-time for 6 years now. Taylor is married to her husband, Johnny, and a mom to her son, Shep.

Taylor and her business partner, Jo Ellen Gilliland, have created a positive space for women to achieve their goals in a group setting. Their mission is to equip women with strength in all seasons of life through physical, mental, and spiritual training. They provide coaching, consistency, & community to women of all ages which has led to more confident & empowered women.

Taylor believes every woman is on a journey, whether it's in the gym, at work, with family, or pursuing dreams.

Just like training requires discipline, achieving goals in life takes dedication. She wants to help women bring the gym mentality into their everyday lives, helping them unleash their inner strength and resilience.

Jo Ellen Gilliland is from West Monroe, LA where she resides with her two rescue pups Maggie and Zo. She is a former first grade teacher of 8 years at Drew Elementary. With a background in fitness it was a natural fit to switch roles to trainer and has been training full time for 14 years. She is currently co owner of Tribe31 Training, an all women’s gym that focuses on equipping women with strength in all seasons of life through physical, mental, and spiritual training. She believes that all women are training for something in and out of the gym. It might be education, career, family, or a dream. Just like physical training requires discipline, strength, and sacrifice so does accomplishing those goals. She seeks to help women bring that same mindset from the gym into their everyday life so they can embrace their own Wonder Woman.

Instagram:  @tribe31training

 

Episode 120 | Dr. Jo Anne Lyon | The Role of the Holy Spirit in Healing

In this conversation, Clint Davis interviews Dr. Jo Anne Lyon, the former general superintendent emeriti of the Wesleyan Church. They discuss topics such as the Wesleyan Church's history and beliefs, Dr. Lyon's experience as the first female general superintendent, the role of the Holy Spirit in healing, and cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit. They also touch on the topics of suffering, worth and value, and how change happens. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the Holy Spirit's role in counseling and the need to move beyond cultural stereotypes and embrace the transformative power of God's Spirit. The conversation explores the concept of discipleship and the importance of following Jesus in every aspect of life. It emphasizes the need for believers to be mature and accountable, and to use their gifts and talents for the benefit of the community. The speakers discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and transforming individuals, and the importance of discerning the leading of the Spirit versus personal desires. They also highlight the value of art and creativity in expressing and sharing the message of Jesus. In this final part of the conversation, Clint and Jo Anne discuss the importance of speaking truth and grace, trusting God's vision, and being open to what God will do. They also talk about the need for funding and support in ministry and the importance of raising money. Jo Anne shares stories of her experiences in Sierra Leone and emphasizes the importance of taking steps of faith and trusting God's provision. They discuss the role of the church in overcoming evil with good and the need for every person to work together in the body of Christ. They encourage listeners to step out in faith and pursue their visions, trusting in God's guidance and provision.