Spencer Smalley

The Turn Outward Podcast

Education EN ↓ 30 episodes

In a world full of self-help suggestions, Turn Outward focuses on how altruism—turning outward and focusing on others—is the greatest form of self-service and leads to a healthy and purpose-driven life. Combining elements of psychology, neuroscience, sociology, philosophy, faith, and history, Turn Outward examines how we can take the most out of life by building up others, creating deep connections, and living in mindful gratitude.

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Author

Spencer Smalley

Category

Education

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Nov 20, 2024

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Episodes

Ep 30: Talking masculinity with Jayvan Teran 20.11.2024

In this episode, I sit down Jayvan Teran. Jayvan is the founder of a men’s coaching program called Koa Warrior, where he helps men become the best versions of themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. Jayvan shares his story of leaving his home country of Venezuela and trying to survive on the streets of the Dominican Republic, before eventually finding his way to the USA. He shares his pe...

Ep 29: Dating with a Turn Outward mindset 29.10.2024

In this episode, I sit down with Dating Coach, Ashley Jordan. Ashley shares her story of facing and heartbreak in her dating life; and how she was able to overcome them and find connection, value, and joy within herself. She shares techniques that she uses with her clients in order to help them experience more meaningful relationships and genuinely attract potential partners. She and I discuss wha...

Ep 28: Developing mental fitness with Daniel Jacobsen 24.10.2024

In this episode, I sit down with Life Coach, Daniel Jacobsen. Daniel tells his story of growing up feeling like he was out of place, struggling in school, and trying to balance many priorities; and how this experience led him to coaching. He shares how he overcame perceived unfairness and avoided a victim mentality, how we can reframe our thoughts to find meaning in the mundane, and the benefits o...

Ep 27: Reframing addiction with Weston Judd 15.10.2024

In this episode, I sit down with my good friend, Weston Judd. Weston and I discuss substance use and how its prevalence and perception have changed in our culture over time. We talk about what factors lead individuals to use substances at a high rate, and why we feel the need to numb and escape certain emotions. We relate this to pornography use and seeking validation from friends and romantic par...

Ep 26: How coming out helped me turn outward with Thommy Auseuga 08.10.2024

In this episode, I sit down with Thommy Auseuga. Thommy is a social worker back in his home country of Australia. He shares his story of growing up and discovering that he was gay, and what this meant for him in his religious and social environments. He shares how he was able to heal in presenting his authentic self to others, and how turning outward and helping others has given him meaning and pu...

Ep 25: Seeking connection over validation with Brodi Tomicic 01.10.2024

In this episode, I sit down with Brodi Tomicic, founder of Vivir Community and host of the Live it Be it Podcast. Brodi and discuss the difference between validation and connection, why we feel such a desperate need for validation, and how connection brings a more authentic sense of validation when we no longer feel a need to prove ourselves to others or perform as a character to please them. We a...

Ep 24: Sergio's testimony 26.09.2024

In this episode I sit down Sergio Gonzalez. Sergio shares his life story of choosing to turn away from God due to hardships in his life. He shares different trials that he experienced: traveling, stories, and meeting celebrities while living a life outside of faith. He describes a harrowing illness that he endured and visions he had that ultimately restored his faith in God and led him to a life o...

Ep 23: Honesty and tolerance vs. guidance with Hannah Larson 17.09.2024

In this episode I sit down with Hannah Larson and we discuss the importance of honesty in human relationships. We ask difficult questions about what is love—more guidance or more acceptance? How do we love people where they are without condoning destructive behavior? How do we reconcile when we have hurt and been hurt?

Ep 22: Identity determines destiny with Sam Richardson 10.09.2024

In this episode, I sit down with Sam Richardson. Sam is a family studies graduate and is beginning a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in the winter. Sam and I talk about challenges with our identity growing up. We discuss how our identity shapes our thoughts, beliefs, and actions; and how to base our identity in what is most important.

Ep 21: Breaking cycles of abuse with Kanoe Crowell 05.09.2024

In this episode I sit down with Kanoe Crowell. Kanoe is a behavior technician and social media influencer. She shares her story of growing up in Hawaii; experiencing childhood abuse; struggling with suicidal thoughts, addiction, and trauma; and going through a divorce. We discuss her journey of healing through therapy, finding God, and serving others.

Ep 20: Having compassion while exercising authority 27.08.2024

In this episode I sit down with my friend, Eddy Saunders. Eddy is a police officer and recent father. Eddy and I discuss how we manage careers based in crisis intervention and how to compartmentalize work-based trauma and to avoid letting it negatively impact family life.  We go to talk about how to enforce rules and boundaries without letting our hearts be poisoned with hate, and to have compassi...

Ep 19: Living with abundance, awe, and wonder with Matt Nielsen 13.08.2024

Today I sit down with my friend, Matt Nielsen. Matt shares his experience growing up as a white person in northern Mexico, and how he has learned to help others feel seen through his experience of growing up different. We talk about shifting our mindset to allow us to be more present, changing the way that we pray, and allowing ourselves to experience childlike wonder again.

Ep 18: Unpacking childhood trauma with Dallin Bryant 06.08.2024

In my most vulnerable episode yet, I sit down with my friend, Dallin Bryant. Both of us discuss challenges we faced in our childhood years, ways that these challenges impacted us as adults, and how we were able to work through them and turn pain into purpose and growth.

Ep 17: The power of choice with Caden Kirby 30.07.2024

In this episode, I sit down once again with my friend, Caden Kirby, and we discuss the importance of believing in free will rather than determinism in terms of finding joy and meaning in our lives. We also discuss boundary setting, the necessity of suffering, and the dangers of trying to escape pain.

Ep 16: Different is a good thing with Derick Larsen 08.07.2024

I interview my friend, Derick Larsen, and ask him about his experience being diagnosed and living with OCD. Derick shares how he was able to shift his perspective on his condition from a negative label to a superpower—allowing him to connect with others like him and motivating him to help as many people as he can.

Ep 15: Discovering your inherent value with Caden Kirby 18.06.2024

I sit down and listen to my friend Caden Kirby's story. Caden was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 5. Caden shares his story of facing shame and judgement from his disability, pushing himself to walk throughout high school, and learning that he is so much more than his body.

Ep 14: Overcoming insecurity with Randy White 05.06.2024

I sit down with Randy White, the director of the Herriman Institute, and discuss the challenges faced by young adults today: the difficulty of perfectionism, comparison, and shame; and on the other side the tendency towards pride as a defence mechanism. We discuss how changing our interntions to be other-oriented can help us avoid both shame and pride, and how we can consistently show up in our re...

Ep 13: Navigating challenging family dynamics with Joanna Salvador 30.05.2024

Join me as I interview my friend and Family Studies graduate, Joanna Salvador. Joanna shares her story of growing up in a less than ideal family environment and the challenges that that created for her going into college. She then shares how these experiences helped her turn outward and desire to be an agent of change in her family and her community.

Episode 12: Effort and Patience with Julio Gonzalez 21.05.2024

For the first ever in-person interview on the Turn Outward podcast, I listen to Julio Gonzalez share his story of growing up in Mexico, immigrating to America during his childhood, and having his heart changed to discover what is most important in life.

Episode 11: A new convert's perspective on turning outward 15.05.2024

In this episode I interview Louisa Fowler-Packham. Louisa holds a Master's degree in Religious Studies from Boston University. Louisa shares her story of learning about and joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, going through mental struggles, getting married, and what these experiences have taught her about altruism and turning outward.

Episode 10: Humility and Mentorship with Kris Urbina 07.05.2024

Today I sit down with my close friend and fellow psychology graduate Kris Urbina, as we discuss topics such as why bad things happen, how to avoid toxic comparison, how to receive feedback with grace, and the importance of cultivating non-transactional relationships.

Episode 9: Traveling isn't about you with Paul Victor 24.04.2024

In the age of influencing, we think of travel as something selfish, something we do for our own interest, or to show off on social media. I sit down with Paul Victor, entrepreneur and avid traveler, and discuss how travel is made more fulfilling by embracing discomfort, being vulnerable, turning outward, and making connections. We also discuss the importance of being where your feet are, living wi...

Episode 8: Using our pain to heal others 17.04.2024

There's a narrative in self-care that we need take of our ourselves before focusing on others. This philosophy can be dangerous and cause us to isolate when we are experiencing emotional pain so as to avoid spreading our pain to others. In this episode I discuss how using our pain to build meaning and connection with others gives purpose to our suffering and is a crucial form of self-care.

Episode 7: Exploring Vulnerability and Conflict with André Hurtado 08.03.2024

Today we have our first ever podcast guest, André Hurtado! Andre and I delve into a philosophical, pyschological, and theological discussion about topics such as vulnerability: (how much of myself do I share and how much do I hold back?); relationship conflict: (why is it sometimes easier to forgive a different a stranger than someone close to us?); and empathy: (why do we feel a need to hurt some...

Episode 6: Compassion through seeing the Inner Child in others 24.02.2024

In this episode I discuss principles from the book You Are the One You've Been Waiting For by Richard C. Schwartz. First: that each of us is multi-dimensional and made up of several parts, and second: that there is a wounded child inside all of us. Understanding these principles allows us to view others through a lens of compassion rather than judgment.

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