The Psych Monologues

Dr. Mitsch takes time out to talk about three different aspects of our functioning.  What we know, what we do, and who we are.  Our emphasis in each of these areas has everything to do with how we relate to Jesus, to others, and even to ourselves.  Join in to the exploration of understanding how our beings directly influences how we know, and what we do.  

Dr. Mitsch dives into a topic that we love to talk about, but struggle to live with any degree of authenticity.  How are you at accepting grace in your life?  

Do you live life in an integrated or disintegrated way?  What does that even mean?  Why is it all that important.  Listen further as Dr. Mitsch takes this podcast to highlight the cost of living disintegrated lives, and the potential benefits of seeking integration in our lives and relationships.  

Strange title, right?  Dr. Mitsch takes some time to reflect on his relationship with a new golden in his home, and the parallels he sees in his relationship with the dog and his relationship with God.  We are surrounded by lessons to be learned even from our animals that include learning about grace, love, and presence.

Dr. Mitsch has an exciting announcement to share about the ministries of Stained Glass International, and "pulls back the veil" on the silent retreats that he leads for Next generation Christians.  

Mystery.  The funny thing about the word is that is evokes the very thing it purports to describe.  The word itself prompts one to experience mystery is what it actually means for the Christian life journey.  Dr. Mitsch takes some time to talk about the importance of mystery not because it exists in our world, but because of what it is calling us to experience.  Listen in and find out the connecti...

Dr. Mitsch takes a moment out of schedule of topics to reflect on how grief has a way of revealing our expectations on loss, and how we typically respond to it.  After the loss of his trusty companion, Koda, he reflects about his loss and the important aspect of grief that all listeners can relate to.  It is sobering, enlightening, and encouraging all at the same time.  Our call to connection is.....

Do you value integrity in your life?  If so, why?  Dr. Mitsch takes some time this episode to look more closely at this quality of people and consider why it is so important.  What does it mean?  What will we lose if we seek it?  What do we gain?  These are just some of the questions that are addressed in this week's episode of The Psych Monologues.

Why is acceptance so hard for us to do?  What are the obstacles that get in our way?  Why is it so important for our ability to change?  This are a few of the questions Dr. Mitsch attempts to answer in our quest to engage our spiritual journey fully.  

Dr. Mitsch takes some time to look more deeply into the motivations, the movements within the deconstruction of one's faith, and what happens on the other side of that process.  

Dr. Mitsch proposes a provocative question:  do you engage your world with either/or thinking or both/and thinking?  What's the difference between those, and why is it important in our thinking about ourselves, God, or others?  

Dr. Mitsch introduces a new word for your vocabulary, and a challenge to consider how to participate in the transformation of your own heart that leads to a life(beliefs and practices) that matches and is guided by a whole heart.

Dr. Mitsch returns to the microphone after a summer hiatus to discuss the reality of the fact that we all live in the shadowlands, and how it feels when we bid someone we love good-bye.  There are a variety of things to learn and reflect on about the shadowlands we live in and what kind of people we will be as we experience life with both losses and joys. 

Why are we so committed to punishment as the primary means of change in our spiritual development?  Dr. Mitsch explores how this has developed in us, and the key strategies we seem to be committed to in changing our behavior.  He also explores how to embrace the grace that is our antidote to shame and punishment.

When you are interacting with another person, are you more prone to look for the "right" answer, or the "real" answer?  Dr. Mitsch explores how the true path of spiritual journey can be found in living in real time with others, ourselves, and God and that is the "right" path.  

Dr. Mitsch asks the question, "Do you generate joy, or experience it?"  So often, we feel compelled to focus on "positive thoughts" in our denial of the reality in which we live.  Is there a way to live with reality as it is while opening ourselves to experiencing joy as it is revealed to us?

Dr. Mitsch asks the penetrating question: What God do you worship?  The God you talk about, or the one you actually relate to?  We often split our relationship with God by talking about Him one way, and then relate to Him another way.  

Join Dr. Mitsch as he looks back over two years of The Psych Monologues podcast.  From the earliest episodes which were motivated to keep in contact with his graduating students affected by the global pandemic, to today and a podcast committed to the intersection of faith, psychology and spiritual formation. Listen again to the most downloaded episodes over the 100 episode history!

Somewhere along the way, we’ve gotten the impression that there is something fundamentally wrong about being human.  How does being human figure into our spiritual journey, and how do we embrace our humanity as we travel this journey?

Why are we so committed to punishment as the primary means of change in our spiritual development?  Dr. Mitsch explores how this has developed in us, and the key strategies we seem to be committed to in changing our behavior.  He also explores how to embrace the grace that is our antidote to shame and punishment.    

What does it mean to experience God's presence?  What does being present with others have to do with God's presence?  These are but a few of the questions addressed in this week's podcast.  Also, get a look into the Spring 2022 Silent Retreat.  

So, what do you think of when you hear the word obedience?  I bet you haven't thought of what has happened in modern Christian-thinking and even in our larger culture in regards to obedience.  Dr. Mitsch examines what has been left out of our understanding of obedience in our relationship with God.

What do boundaries have to do with relationships with yourself, God, or others?  Does it have any relevance to my spiritual development?  These are a couple of questions Dr. Mitsch tackles as he explores the importance of good boundaries as we seek to develop healthy relationships with others and with God.  

Dr. Mitsch takes time to explore the thing we hate the most - our insecurities.  What can our insecurities tell us, and how can they lead us into a deeper relationship with others and with Jesus?

What do you think of when you hear the word lament?  For most people, they may have never heard it before.  Dr. Mitsch focuses his thoughts and observations on the importance of lament in our lives to gain greater ownership of ourselves, and greater connection with others.