Praxis Podcast with Rhett Smith
A podcast tailored to help you bridge the gap between theory and practice in order to live a more transformational life -- with therapist, author and coach, Rhett Smith. I have a special interest in helping people face their anxiety with courage, so that they can have a more meaningful connection to self and others. As well as the interface of psychology and theology and the many and varied ways that can bring deep insight and healing to our lives.
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Praxis Podcast: Nicole Zasowski on working through anxiety using the Restoration Therapy model
03/26/2024
Praxis Podcast: Nicole Zasowski on working through anxiety using the Restoration Therapy model
In this episode I talk with my good friend Nicole Zasowski, who is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and the author of several books: What if it's Wonderful, From Lost to Found, and Families and Forgiveness which she co-authored with Terry Hargrave. I so much respect the professional and personal work that Nicole does in her life, and she is a lifelong learner which I love. In this episode we dig deep into anxiety and looking at it through the framework of the Restoration Therapy model. I hope that you enjoy this episode and find it's content helpful. Check out more of my work at my website www.rhettsmith.com
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Praxis Podcast: Broc Jahnke on ReGeneration, mental health and restoration in community
01/22/2024
Praxis Podcast: Broc Jahnke on ReGeneration, mental health and restoration in community
In this episode I talk with my good friend Broc Jahnke, who is the Lead Care and Support Pastor at Hope Fellowship Church in Frisco, TX. I wanted to have Broc in to talk about one of the ministries he specifically oversees -- ReGeneration -- which is a 12 step recovery ministry. I finished going through ReGeneration near the end of 2023 after 48 weeks, and it's something I wanted to unpack more with him. Whether you know anything, or nothing about ReGeneration, or are just even curious about a recovery ministry, I encourage you to tune in. I have been referring clients to ReGen for 10-12 years, and I finally figured it was time I went through it myself after needing to work through some painful issues in my own life, but in the context of community. Check out more of my work at my website www.rhettsmith.com
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Episode 140, but the first Praxis Podcast with Rhett Smith episode
12/11/2023
Episode 140, but the first Praxis Podcast with Rhett Smith episode
It has been a little over 8.5 years since I first launched my podcast, but I've taken long breaks, and have not recorded a new episode in over a year and a half. It's been a season of working on my own personal and relational life with others, and diving deep into some new things. In this episode I talk about my vision for this new relaunch of my podcast and the importance of the word praxis. It is my desire to bridge theory and learning to practice, but praxis is more than that. Praxis is about the importance of our theory and practice, but with the end goal in mind. How we are doing something, and who we are becoming in the process, is of utmost importance. I hope you will join me in this new season of my podcast, and I hope you will find not only valuable insight for your life, but new practices that are transformative. I am looking forward to this journey as well and from learning from new guests along the way, as well as from listeners like yourself.
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Transforming Our Anxiety -- Getting Comfortable with the Uncomfortable
07/11/2022
Transforming Our Anxiety -- Getting Comfortable with the Uncomfortable
Earlier this year I was really impacted by book . And I think what stood out to me the most was really the idea that in order to grow, one must work on becoming more comfortable with the uncomfortable -- and I liked how he connected it with the idea of progressive overload that we often find in the exercise/strength literature. When I came across that it really resonated with my work on anxiety. Mainly -- that for people to really transform their anxiety it is a process of taking their insight and putting it into practice -- but that transition is really uncomfortable and anxiety inducing. But it is in many ways a progressive overload of anxiety that one intentionally puts upon themselves to grow and heal. Lots of people have insight about their anxiety, but often they are missing some deeper truths about it that can bring healing, or they become paralyzed with insight. Too much info that keeps them from moving into practice. And sometimes people will try all kinds of new things to attack their anxiety, or will spend a life managing it, but don't have the insight to get at the healing they need. Navigating our anxiety requires that we gain deep insight about it, and then we put that insight into intentional consistent practice. That is what transforms it. But the process can create anxiety, and so learning to get comfortable with the uncomfortable is the journey we must all be on.
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Some Lessons I've Recently Learned About Hiring a Coach (and how it may help you)
06/22/2022
Some Lessons I've Recently Learned About Hiring a Coach (and how it may help you)
In this episode I share with you some lessons I've recently learned in hiring an endurance running coach to help me train and complete the this year in the Alps. I talk about the importance of hiring a coach (therapist, executive coach, etc) to help with: coming up with a flexible plan to create change and accomplish your goals. the importance of accountability that comes with hiring a coach and how it increases discipline, provides correction and creates an environment for practice. the benefit of receiving encouragement in a coaching relationship/therapeutic relationship. connecting to the resources and tools and networks that will help you to continue to grow.
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Anxious Progression One Day at a Time
11/15/2021
Anxious Progression One Day at a Time
This podcast episode is a further exploration of the blog post, . In this episode I explore the concept of progressive overload in physical fitness, and how that same concept can be applied to working through anxiety -- mainly, progressively adding anxiety to our lives that we have to sit with, face, overcome, etc. It's through the progressive overload of anxiety that we are ultimately transformed. In this episode I share my own journey of doing this, as well as share some ideas and stories how others have used this concept -- all set against the backdrop of my 100 mile run (which was a progressive overload for me physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually -- over the course of many years).
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Acknowledge, Identify and Reframe Your Depression and Anxiety
10/04/2021
Acknowledge, Identify and Reframe Your Depression and Anxiety
In this episode I talk about three important things that can really help you if you find yourself struggling with your mental health -- particularly, depression and anxiety.
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I'm Doubling Down on Breath Work
02/28/2021
I'm Doubling Down on Breath Work
I have always been a fan of breath work, especially in the way that it has not only been so helpful for my own life and the anxiety that I have struggled with -- but I have literally seen it change the people's lives that I work with. Breath work is integral to our ability to emotionally regulate -- to stay calm and connected, not only with ourselves, but with others. In this episode I explore: the book that really shifted my belief in breath work some tools that I recommend for breath work my 110 day experiment with taping my mouth shut at bedtime helpful apps to practice breath work why breath work is so critical. how my anxiety levels decreased drastically and my sleep increased drastically. varying breath work methods I used in my running and weight lifting training. Here are some of the Things/People that I mention in this episode: by app app app app
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My Ongoing Experiment with Fasting
02/28/2021
My Ongoing Experiment with Fasting
We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin I'm definitely no expert on the topic of fasting, but I have been experimenting with it for a few years, and finally decided to do my longest fast since I first tried it back on Maunday Thursday in 1999. In early February I did my first ever 5 day water only fast. And it was a very difficult and amazing experience. I want to share with you my ongoing experiment with fasting -- but as I do -- I always recommend that you consult with your doctor, health coach, etc, before you decide to do your own. Though I grew up in a rich faith tradition where fasting was an important spiritual practice, I know that fasting is really an integrative discipline that interconnect our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual lives. In this episode I will discuss: the basic details of my fast what I added to my water (lemon juice, salt, LMNT) my experience of losing 13lbs in 5 days. defining your purpose for fasting the double standard when it comes to fasting how fasting brings your emotional, mental and spiritual life to the surface in a very raw form. Links to Things/People Mentioned in the Episode
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Goal Setting, Habits and the "Long Obedience in the Same Direction"
01/25/2021
Goal Setting, Habits and the "Long Obedience in the Same Direction"
At the beginning of each new year we tend to think about turning the page on the current year, setting some goals, and moving with energy and momentum towards the new year that awaits us. Though there is no magic with the turning of the calendar year, it does offer us a chance to think about resetting. But this was a different kind of year. 2020 threw all kinds at challenges at us, and as we move into 2021, I don't think any of us are under the illusion that a new year will automatically change things. But it still does offer us what the New Year transition has always offered us -- a change to pause for a minute and reflect upon what we have been through, and to think about where we are going. What I have found helpful in this transitional period is to identify some specific goals that I can work on for the year -- ones that I can track and measure -- ones that involve a certain element of risk and the potential for failure. So in this episode I want to come alongside of you and share what I have been doing that is helpful for me. You probably have your own methods, but I hope you learn something new and beneficial from how I do things. In this episode I discuss --the importance of thinking about goals over the long term -- not just in short frames of time. I talk about the quotes by Frederick Nietzsche, Eugene Peterson and Rich Roll that sent the context for this "long obedience in the same direction". --Categorizing goals in the areas of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. --Importance of habits to goal setting and achieving goals, with specific attention to cornerstone/keystone habits. --Writing down and reviewing and re-evaluating your goals / perhaps in a journal you write with hand -- like the Leuchtterm 1917 linked below. --The concept of drift and learning to "defy drift" (something my executive coaching mentor discusses) --Hindrances that often get in the way of achieving goals. Link -- -- -- (I use the lined one / sometimes I use the dotted matrix one as well)
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Marc Payan on Leadershp, Facing Challenges and the Lessons Endurance Teaches Us
05/18/2020
Marc Payan on Leadershp, Facing Challenges and the Lessons Endurance Teaches Us
It's hard to know where to begin when describing my friend Marc Payan. Just Google his name and see what comes up. Marc is a leader everywhere he goes, and like few people I have seen before, he inspires and encourages those around him to life a transformed life. That's the best way I can put it -- though it doesn't even really capture accurately what I want to say about Marc. So you are going to have to take a listen. And check out his I Oh, and did I mention all the amazing work he has done in communities with his Or that he is a As you can see, Marc is hard to describe in a few sentences, so I hope you enjoy our conversation covering a lot of topics from leadership, , to his love of endurance running.
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Encouragement in Your Anxiety
04/17/2020
Encouragement in Your Anxiety
Part of being human is that we get anxious. And no human can opt out of experiencing anxiety. It visits all of us at varying times in our lives, and to varying degrees. But what if you can reframe anxiety in a way that you see it as a friend, rather than a foe. What if your anxiety could help you grow? I explore this and what it means to be anxious. And how we often misinterpret critical passages and understandings on this topic.
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Importance of Play and Rest at Home and in Organizations
04/15/2020
Importance of Play and Rest at Home and in Organizations
Todd Sandel (CEO and Founder of The SouthCity Group) and I discuss the importance of play and rest at home and in organizations. One of the most important things leaders can do is model from top down the importance of play and rest to their teams.
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Addressing Leadership Drift During Times of Uncertainty
04/15/2020
Addressing Leadership Drift During Times of Uncertainty
Todd Sandel (CEO and founder of The SouthCity Group) and I continue our conversation around leadership during this time of uncertainty due to COVID-19. In this episode we address leadership drift due to overworking and trying to prove ourselves worthy of adding value.
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Productivity, Personal Wellness and Burnout
04/15/2020
Productivity, Personal Wellness and Burnout
In my ongoing conversations with Todd Sandel (CEO and founder of The SouthCity Group), we discuss the difference between personal wellness and productivity. One leads to burnout, while the other can lead to a thriving home and organization.
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Habits, Routines and Tuning In to One Another
04/15/2020
Habits, Routines and Tuning In to One Another
Todd Sandel (CEO and founder of The SouthCity Group) and I continue our conversation about leadership during this time of uncertainty. In today's episode we focus on the habits and routines that help leaders and their organizations thrive during this time. As well as talking about what that looks like in the home. Specifically the importance of tuning in with one another.
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"Trimming the Sails"
04/15/2020
"Trimming the Sails"
In this interview I chat with CEO and founder of The SouthCity Group Todd Sandel about how leaders can navigate this time of uncertainty. We discuss the metaphor of trimming the sails and how leaders and their teams can identify and prioritize what is most important during this time. This is critical in organizations and in the home.
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Deeper Dive Into the Movement of Orientation, Disorientation, New Orientation
04/03/2020
Deeper Dive Into the Movement of Orientation, Disorientation, New Orientation
Y. I first learned it by this name and paradigm by reading work, . The movement itself is as old as humanity, and it is a movement that we all go through in our lives. Currently we are in a period of global and national and local disorientation -- together -- I hope that we move into a newness when COVID-19 subsides, and that we just don't go back to our old ways. Because disorientation brings about growth. There is an opportunity for us to be a new kind of people and community.
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COVID-19: How to Navigate Mental Health in a Time of Uncertainty
03/22/2020
COVID-19: How to Navigate Mental Health in a Time of Uncertainty
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a long time since I have done a podcast. About a year actually. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was on a break for awhile, just reading, researching, writing and focusing on other kinds of work. I had nothing new to add to the conversation so thought I would hit pause.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But in light of COVID-19 and how it has caused all of us to look at some things in a new way, it has also really caused a spike in people's mental health struggles...from anxiety to depression, and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this episode I wanted to keep it simple and just focus on the four pillars of self-care, which is why I started this podcast about 3 years ago. It is more critical than ever that we are being mindful of our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual capacities, as they are often the key to help up regulate our emotional reactivity...allowing us to show up in our not only our own lives...but the lives of those around us (family, friends, neighbors, community) in a way that is life-giving. And we need more than ever to be people that breathe life into those we are around. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->
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Jeff and Robin Reinke on Pornography, Marriage, and Recovery
04/18/2019
Jeff and Robin Reinke on Pornography, Marriage, and Recovery
In this episode I had the privilege of sitting down with my good friends Jeff and Robin Reinke. Besides being colleagues of mine in a workshop we lead in equipping ministry leaders in a variety of issues impacting the church, we are also co-authors in . Jeff is the in Carlsbad, CA, and in Carlsbad, CA. They are an amazing couple with a beautiful story of redemption and hope, and they are passionate about helping others navigate their own life struggles. In This Episode
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Kelly Haer Discusses the Issue of Singleness, and How Restoration Therapy Can Help One Navigate It
04/11/2019
Kelly Haer Discusses the Issue of Singleness, and How Restoration Therapy Can Help One Navigate It
In this episode I discuss the topic of singleness with my colleague Kelly Haer. Kelly is on staff at where she is the Relationship IQ Director. Kelly is a part of the teaching group that I am a part of that meets with and trains ministry leaders 3-4 times a year on issues that are impacting the church. In our time together we works towards equipping these leaders to more successfully address the issues that they come across in the local church. Singleness happens to be one of those topics that many churches are struggling to address, especially during a period of time where more and more people are not getting married, yet ministry often targets marriage and family. Kelly addresses this issue at length in our free e-book, In this e-book, and in this conversation, she discusses the current state of singleness in the United States, its impact in the church, and how Restoration Therapy provides a tool to best address this issue. Mentioned in the Episode
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Robert Scholz on Addiction Through the Lens of Restoration Therapy
03/27/2019
Robert Scholz on Addiction Through the Lens of Restoration Therapy
In this episode I get to sit down with a colleague of mine who I have been getting to know more over the last couple of years in our collaborative work together around and ministry leaders. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, consultant and writer, who specializes in helping individuals and families who are struggling with addictions. I am so glad to have Robert on the podcast, as addictions is something that I come into contact almost everyday in my work, but it's not something that I specialize in. So thankfully I have skilled people like Robert that I can refer to. In this episode we dive into what an addiction is, it's characteristics, and how it is defined. And we explore the impact of addiction on relationships, and more specifically drugs and alcohol, while also touching on the rampant and addictive nature of vaping. Mentioned in the Episode
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Conversation with Terry and Sharon Hargrave on the Beginnings and Future of Restoration Therapy and Relate Strong
03/22/2019
Conversation with Terry and Sharon Hargrave on the Beginnings and Future of Restoration Therapy and Relate Strong
In this episode I spend some time in conversation with and Hargrave. Terry is the founder of and is the and Sharon is the , as well as the founder and director of . I have known this couple for about 8 years, and not only do I consider them close friends, but I am a huge fan of them. Restoration Therapy has changed my life and practice, and my wife and I have also trained together in Relate Strong. I can not say enough nice things about Terry and Sharon, and the impact they are making upon the world. In this episode we explore some of the early roots of Restoration Therapy and Relate Strong, and why we are bringing this work to ministry leaders in our workshops that we do several times a year. Mentioned in the Episode Download your free copy of by Terry Hargrave and Franz Pfitzer
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Dust and Identity
03/01/2019
Dust and Identity
"for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19) In this episode I reflect on the passage found in Genesis 3:19 that is repeated every Ash Wednesday. It's a beautiful, but harrowing passage that reminds us of just how fragile and short our lives are. But this reminder, rather than being tragic, is to help us focus on our life on what is important. We were created from the very dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7). Our first work (vocation) was to work the land (the dust) we were created from, displaying a connection between our identity and the work, service and hobbies we put our lives towards (Genesis 2:15). And yet, often, many things cut us off from this very soil (the dust), and disconnect us not only from our identity, but our Creator as well (Genesis 4:14). Mentioned in Episode by (Check out their Lenten Devotionals)
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Possibly the Two Most Important Questions We Can Ask Ourselves
02/28/2019
Possibly the Two Most Important Questions We Can Ask Ourselves
And he said, "Hagar, slave-girl, of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?" Genesis 16:8 Where have you come from? Where are you going? Perhaps these are two of the most important and fundamental questions we can ask ourselves. I appreciate that brings to these questions in his phenomenal book, . It wasn't until I read his book that I realized, these are two of the most fundamental questions I have been asking my whole life...and they are the questions that I am continually asking my clients in my therapy practice. They often don't take the form of those exact sentences, but they are asked in some form or fashion throughout my work. And it is these two questions, and this text, that I dive into in this episode. I hope you enjoy the episode. And more importantly, I hope you are asking yourself these two questions. Mentioned in the Episode by by T by
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The Creation Account, Self-Differentiation and Restoration Therapy
02/21/2019
The Creation Account, Self-Differentiation and Restoration Therapy
This episode is somewhat of a continuation of where I reflected both theologically and psychologically on the biblical text found in Genesis 1-3 (and a little of 4). Those opening chapters have lots of insight and implications for us relationally. In this episode I want to pick up on some of those themes, especially the idea of self-differentiation, and focus on how Restoration Therapy lends itself nicely to this concept. I think you will find this a helpful episode in understand you and your relationships better.
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Reframing How We Talk About Anxiety and Depression
02/13/2019
Reframing How We Talk About Anxiety and Depression
I had the opportunity this last Monday to record a video on anxiety with another therapist, and one of the pastors at Preston Trail Community Church in Frisco. And then a few hours later, I talked to a group of parents at Legacy Christian Academy in Frisco about anxiety and depression. It's obvious that anxiety and depression are prevalent issues affecting our culture today. One only has to read the latest headlines, look into the most up to date statistics, or have a conversation with someone you know....everyone seems to struggle with anxiety and depression at some point in their life. This is an issue I have talked about a lot, and I continue to talk about it, as it's something I am very passionate about. There are lots of angles to approach this topic, but the most important in my mind is that we reframe the conversation around anxiety and depression as one being about shame and something being wrong with someone...to it's something that affects all of us, and we need to be able to bring it out into the open, and talk about how anxiety and depression can be used as an opportunity for growth. In this episode I dive into what anxiety and depression are, how to reframe it, what tools you can use, and much more. I hope you find this helpful. Some of the Things Mentioned in This Episode
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Some Relational Reflections on Genesis 1-4 (at the intersection of theology and psychology)
02/02/2019
Some Relational Reflections on Genesis 1-4 (at the intersection of theology and psychology)
As I mentioned in a previous podcast, I thought I would take some time this year (on occasion) to stop and reflect on my reading of the bible, and how it connects at the intersection of theology and psychology. So in this episode I want to take some time and just reflect on Genesis 1-4 and some insights that may be helpful for you and your relationships. Enjoy the episode. Books Mentioned in this Episode by by by
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Journals, Goal Setting, and a New Season of Podcasts
02/01/2019
Journals, Goal Setting, and a New Season of Podcasts
It's been about 5 months since my last podcast episode, as I was needing to take a break for a while why I focused on some other goals. But it's time for a new podcast season, and in this episode I talk about some new topics I am going to explore this season, as well as some new goals that I have been working on, and how I am using a paper journal to help me stay focused and on track. I hope that this episode motivates you in the new year, and gives you some new ideas to accomplish all that you set out to do.
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Letting the Silence Unfold Between You and Others
09/19/2018
Letting the Silence Unfold Between You and Others
"Love consists in this, that two solitudes, protect and border and salute each other." -- Rainer Maria Rilke A couple of weeks ago my wife and I returned from a "marriage adventure" on the Inca Trail in Peru. This adventure (through WinShape and Intrepid), led us for four days and 3 nights hiking along the 33 miles to Machu Picchu. This was an unbelievable experience for my wife and I as we led four other couples on this marriage adventure. But probably one of the most transformative aspects of the trip was the moments (sometimes very long moments -- hours at a time) of silence as I walked along the trail. And what struck me most was the moments of silence between my wife and I. A comfortable silence where neither of us felt the need to talk or crack jokes, or lighten the levity with noise. But instead, it was that silence that drove me closer to God, and closer to her. And it was in that silence that I really grew. In this episode I reflect on the importance of silence in relationships, which is something that I'm trying to work on and get better at in my own life. In the episode I mention the wonderful book by , And I also mention the book by ,
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