Project I Am

In this episode of the Project I Am Podcast , David invites you into a compassionate conversation about the stories you tell yourself, especially the ones shaped by shame. Together, you’ll explore the difference between what happened to you and what you made it mean about you , and how those old meanings can quietly run your life in the present. David normalizes the deeply human experience of carr...

What if the biggest barrier to your self-acceptance isn’t your past…but your refusal to forgive yourself for it? In this episode of Project I Am , David explores why unforgiveness toward self is the #1 block to genuine freedom, confidence, and wholeness. Together, you’ll unpack: · Why shame and guilt are not proof that you’re a good person · The hidden reasons we cling to self-punishment and can’t...

In this episode, we name a kind of grief that rarely gets spoken aloud: not grief for what happened, but for what couldn’t happen. The unlived life. The version of you that never got to thrive. The dreams that never had safe ground. The tenderness that had to go quiet just to survive. This is grief without ritual and often without witnesses—yet it shapes how we carry ourselves, love others, and im...

In this soulful and meditative episode of Project I Am , Dr. David J. Schlosz gently guides you through the often-unseen experience of self-betrayal—the subtle ways we abandon parts of ourselves to fit in, be accepted, or feel safe. Drawing on wisdom from psychology, mystics, philosophers, and real-life reflection, we explore how self-betrayal fragments our wholeness and how we can begin to call o...

In this slow, contemplative episode of Project I Am , Dr. David J. Schlosz lingers with the luminous theme of belonging—guided by the Celtic hospitality of John O’Donohue and the tender wisdom of Henri Nouwen . What if belonging isn’t something we win, but a home we remember? Pour some tea. Let your shoulders drop. Come home to the truth that you already belong.

What if belonging isn’t a place you find, but a home you remember? In this sweeping, soul-level lecture, Dr. David J. Schlosz traces the long arc from exile to homecoming—guided by the luminous insights of Toko-pa Turner and echoed by voices like Maya Angelou, bell hooks, James Baldwin, John O’Donohue, Brené Brown, Henri Nouwen, and Parker J. Palmer. David explores why the ache to belong is more t...

In this deeply relevant and encouraging episode of Project I Am , Dr. David J. Schlosz explores the modern, secular wisdom behind the age-old phrase, "Forsake not the gathering together of the brethren lest you be deceived." Drawing from current psychological research, real-world stories, and lived experience, this episode uncovers how isolation leaves us vulnerable to believing lies about our wor...

In this deeply grounding and inspirational episode, Dr. David J Schlosz guides you through a 20-minute meditation focused on resilience — the quiet, powerful strength that allows us to bend without breaking, to keep going even when life feels overwhelming. Whether you're walking through a season of challenge or simply needing a moment of rest, this practice invites you to reconnect with your inner...

A calm, grounding practice for counselors. In this episode, I guide you through “I” statements designed to help you arrive in the room, hold spacious, compassionate presence, and loosen the grip of impostor thoughts. Use this as a pre-session centering, a between-clients reset, or an evening debrief to return to yourself. No fixing, no perfection—just breath, awareness, and the reminder that you a...

Loneliness and isolation are spiking worldwide—but connection is medicine. In this episode, Dr. David explores Relational-Cultural Theory’s Five Good Things —zest, clarity, worth, empowered action, and a desire for more connection—and shows how they function as vital signs of relational health. You’ll hear the origin story from the Stone Center, research linking social connection to better mental...

In this episode of Project I Am, I have a conversation with Phoebe Cocetti and Julia Berg about Limerence. These two Austin based therapists provide group therapy to people experiencing Limerence. Limerence is often described as an intense, involuntary state of romantic infatuation. It goes beyond having a crush—it’s a powerful emotional and physiological experience characterized by obsessive thou...

In this episode of Project I Am, I interview Dr. Charle Heaton, a career educator and married gay man. From navigating deeply conservative spaces to fully embracing his authentic self, Dr. Charles Heaton’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, identity, and pride. In this inspiring episode, Charlie shares what it was like to live as a married gay man while building a career in education—a...

In this reflective and educational episode of Project I Am , Dr. David Schlosz explores the profound role of transference and countertransference in the therapeutic relationship—unpacking how these often misunderstood dynamics can become powerful tools for growth, insight, and healing. Through the lens of Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT) and the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) , David brea...

In this vulnerable and powerful episode of Project I Am , Dr. David Schlosz peels back the mask many of us wear—the smile that hides the ache. Centered around his original spoken word poem, David explores how we often live on autopilot, clinging to humor, charm, and control as coping strategies rooted in early survival. Drawing from Internal Family Systems, trauma research, and personal reflection...

In this heartfelt and deeply insightful episode of Project I Am , Dr. David Schlosz sits down with somatically-oriented psychotherapist Whitney Sutherland to explore what it truly means to heal from complex trauma. Drawing from both clinical expertise and personal experience, Whitney shares how early attachment wounds shape our sense of self—and how healing becomes possible through presence, curio...

In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful — and often overlooked — truths in therapy: the healing lies not in the techniques we use, but in the authentic relationships we build. Drawing from Carl Rogers’ person-centered approach, Relational-Cultural Theory, and current research, we’ll unpack why the therapeutic relationship is more important than any core theory or intervention. We’ll t...

In this deeply reflective and empowering episode, Dr. David Schlosz explores the transformative power of sitting in your feelings —fully allowing yourself to feel, process, and move through emotional discomfort rather than escaping it. Drawing on cutting-edge research in psychology, counseling theory, and somatic practice, this episode challenges the cultural and personal habits of avoidance and e...

In this episode of Project I Am, Dr. David Schlosz explores the powerful and often unspoken roles that therapists embody throughout the healing process. Far beyond techniques or treatment plans, effective therapy relies on presence, attunement, and the fluid ability to shift roles as the relationship deepens. Drawing from recent research in interpersonal neurobiology, attachment theory, and relati...

In this episode of Project I Am, Dr. David Schlosz explores the powerful and often unspoken roles that therapists embody throughout the healing process. Far beyond techniques or treatment plans, effective therapy relies on presence, attunement, and the fluid ability to shift roles as the relationship deepens. Drawing from recent research in interpersonal neurobiology, attachment theory, and relati...

In a recent Project I Am podcast interview, I sat with Sonata Miles and Tessa Myers and discussed the launch and success of Counselor Support and Success Initiative (CSSI). We explored the dynamic evolution of their work—its roots, its reach, and the exciting road ahead. What began as a grassroots study group has become a robust professional collective offering resources, guidance, and community f...

In this Mentoring Moments episode of Project I Am , Dr. David J. Schlosz guides counseling students and early-career therapists through the evolving landscape of Telehealth therapy. Is therapy via video really effective? How do you build authentic connection through a screen? What do the most recent research studies say about digital therapeutic alliances and client outcomes? Blending clinical res...

What does it mean to lead with integrity when the room wasn’t built for you? What does authenticity look like when others are filtering you through their biases? In one of the most powerful conversations I’ve had, I sat down with Dr. Rachelle Smith —counselor, scholar, higher ed leader, wife, mother, and truth-teller. We explored: ✅ The emotional labor of being a Black woman in academia ✅ Why co...

Shame is a silent weight many of us carry — a belief that we are somehow flawed, broken, or unworthy of love. In this powerful and compassionate episode of Project I Am , Dr. David J. Schlosz unpacks the profound impact of shame on our mental and emotional well-being and offers a path toward healing through the courageous practices of confession and authenticity. Drawing on research from shame exp...

In this powerful episode of Project I Am , Dr. David J. Schlosz explores one of the most transformative practices in personal growth and mental health today: embracing and integrating all the parts of ourselves. Drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Polyvagal Theory, and somatic therapies, David invites you to rethink your inner world—not as broken or fragmented, but as a system of valuable,...

The mental health counseling field is evolving at lightning speed, and today’s students are stepping into a landscape rich with new opportunities—and new challenges. In this episode of Project I Am – Mentoring Moments we dive deep into Emerging Trends in Mental Health Counseling, exploring the cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of our profession. Join us as we break down: · The rise and p...