3 Parallels Podcast

In this powerful episode of The 3 Parallels Podcast, Dr. Jason Branch is joined by Dr. Lewis Johnson for a conversation that explores identity, healing, fatherhood, and what it truly means to grow. Lewis shares his journey of becoming a father through adoption, but it’s not just about parenthood. It’s about breaking cycles, confronting childhood trauma, and becoming the kind of man he didn’t alway...

In this episode of The 3 Parallels Podcast, Dr. Jason Branch sits down with Dr. Julie Cosenza to explore who they were, who they are, and who they are becoming. Julie reflects on pivotal moments from their undergraduate years to present day, sharing personal insights that shaped their understanding of identity, race, and culture. They discuss early experiences with race relations, unpacking the im...

Description: Dr. Branch takes listeners on a personal and powerful journey through the 3 Parallels: Who he was, who he is, and who he is becoming. In this podcast, Dr. Branch opens up about his own story. how past beliefs around toxic masculinity shaped the way he saw himself, others, and the world around him. He shares how his views were formed by what he was taught and told about manhood, and ho...

Description: In this powerful episode of The 3 Parallels Podcast, Dr. Branch welcomes Grace Schroeder a former student, emerging therapist, and current graduate student who opens up about her deeply personal and transformative journey. From growing up within a religious framework to finding her voice in the therapeutic space, Grace shares how she learned to live in the gray, challenge black-and-wh...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The 3 Parallels Podcast, Dr. Jason Branch sits down with his brother from another mother, Future Dr. Mr. David Barnes. Together, they explore David’s transformational journey. Growing up without fully recognizing his brilliance, struggling in school, and learning to embrace his unique lens on life. From culinary arts to the school counseling professi...

In this inspiring episode of The 3 Parallels Podcast, Dr. Jason Branch sits down with Erin Odin, a healthcare sourcing specialist whose past year has been nothing short of transformative. Erin shares her journey of navigating grief, relationship challenges, and emotional overwhelm—only to rise into a new season of growth, healing, and self-discovery. Erin opens up about what it means to let go of...

Description: In this reflective solo episode of The 3 Parallels Podcast, Dr. Jason Branch dives into the powerful metaphors of “ripples” and “breadcrumbs” to explore how small actions and subtle moments shape our lives. Ripples are the waves we create through our choices—intentional or not. Breadcrumbs are the hidden clues, opportunities, and quiet whispers of meaning we often overlook in the busy...

 In this powerful episode of The 3 Parallels Podcast, Dr. Branch sits down with Dr. Amber Khan, Program Manager at NBCC and a legend within the Minority Fellowship Program, to explore identity, healing, and purpose. As a South Asian, Muslim immigrant woman in the counseling profession, Dr. Khan shares her deeply personal journey of carving her path outside of traditional academia and stepping into...

In this deeply moving mentor session, Dr. Branch sits down with his mentee, Miles Medina a first-generation graduate student in counseling to unpack the real and raw emotions behind reaching out to people on “a higher level,” like professors and PhDs. Miles opens up about the fear of rejection, imposter syndrome, and the weight of academic validation. He shares the pressure of being 1 of 1—the onl...

 Description: In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Dr. Branch sits down with Tahirah Gaillard to explore her deeply personal and transformative journey into the counseling profession. From rocking big earrings, jeans, and Jordans to discovering her true purpose in the listening spaces of education, Tahirah shares how she realized she was the woman she had been looking for all along. Tahirah ope...

Description: In this captivating episode of The 3 Parallels Podcast, Dr. Jason Branch sits down with Nan Wang, a mental health counseling student and entrepreneur with a dynamic professional journey. From business consulting to the world of counseling, Nan shares her courageous shift into the helping profession, revealing what it means to follow your curiosity and evolve with purpose. With refresh...

Description: In this heartfelt and insightful episode, Dr. Jason Branch sits down with Matt Angler Carlson, a renowned counselor educator and mental health professional, for a deeply personal conversation about identity, emotional intelligence, and living with intention. Matt opens up about growing up in a “psychological family,” where his father’s work in counseling laid the foundation for his ow...

Description: What happens when life doesn’t follow the script and you decide to rewrite it anyway? In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The 3 Parallels Podcast, Dr. Jason Branch sits down with Rachel, a former student turned licensed therapist, who shares her courageous journey of transformation. From navigating a chronic illness and discovering her neurodivergence, to stepping into her...

Disclaimer The content of this podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The information shared, including any materials linked from this podcast or website, is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a physician, therapist, coach, or other qualified professional. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are my own and do not refl...

Description: In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Jason Branch breaks down his original concept of "The beach and the sandbox." The beach represents freedom, possibility, and expansive thinking. The sandbox? Restrictive rules, outdated systems, and the pressure to fit into boxes that were never built for us.  Dr. Branch shares two deeply personal experiences that bring this metaphor to life. Des...

Description: What happens when life doesn’t follow the script and you decide to rewrite it anyway? In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The 3 Parallels Podcast, Dr. Jason Branch sits down with Rachel, a former student turned licensed therapist, who shares her courageous journey of transformation. From navigating a chronic illness and discovering her neurodivergence, to stepping into her...

Description: Join Dr. Branch in this reflective and energizing episode of The 3 Parallels Podcast as he guides listeners through the powerful metaphor of The Salamander and the Gator. Framed by the 3 Parallels—Who We Were, Who We Are, and Who We Are Becoming—this episode captures a live webinar with Master’s-level counseling students and members of Chi Sigma Iota, an international honor society fo...

Description: In this heartfelt episode of The 3 Parallels Podcast, Dr. Jason Branch sits down with long-time friend and professional colleague, Alanah Melton, for a powerful conversation about healing, growth, and authenticity. Alanah shares her journey through therapy, single motherhood, and public service—including her work with Birmingham’s youth and her current role in the mayor’s office addre...

Description: In this episode, Dr. Branch shares a transformative moment from his therapeutic journey with a courageous client named Gin. What started as a simple call-in about a broken office chair turned into a deeper conversation about worth, boundaries, and mutual growth. Dr. Branch unpacks how that single moment became a mirror—pushing him to reflect, adjust, and grow both personally and profe...

Description: In this episode, Dr. Branch connects with one of his mentees, Miles—a graduate student in a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and a powerful one-of-one navigating academic and professional spaces as an individual from an Indigenous community. Together, they dive into the internal battles Miles is facing, including imposter syndrome and the weight of perfectionism. Dr. Branch h...

Description: Dr. Branch takes the listeners on a journey where you're either a balloon or a string floating freely or anchored firmly to the ground. I'm Jason Branch, and today I'm going to tell you about discovering who you really are. Balloon people are dreamers. They're the entrepreneurs, the creatives who float through life, taking risks and creating their own path. String people are different...

Disclaimer The content of this podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The information shared, including any materials linked from this podcast or website, is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a physician, therapist, coach, or other qualified professional. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are my own and do not refl...

Description: Dr. Jason Branch takes listeners on a transformative journey of self-discovery and cultural competence in counseling. Dr. Branch is interviewed by Dr. Catherine Bishop to share perspectives with her multicultural counseling class in the Clinical Mental Health Program at Alliant International University.  Speaking with passion and candor, he challenges mental health professionals to di...

Description: Dr. Jason Branch interviews future Dr. Kenneth Carter, in a deeply personal conversation about personal growth, emotional intelligence, and the transformative power of therapy. Kenny shares his journey from growing up in Dayton, Ohio, in a challenging environment to becoming a successful professional in California. He describes his initial emotional limitations - being stuck in a mind...

Description: In this episode Dr. Jason Branch takes listeners on a transformative journey of overcoming fear and procrastination. He shares his decade-long struggle with starting his podcast, revealing how fear had paralyzed him from pursuing his dream. The turning point came through a powerful TED Talk by Myron Golden, whom Jason playfully refers to as his "adopted uncle."  Golden's wisdom helped...