The Well Mind Podcast
by Ben Kohls, PhD
The primary focus of this podcast is to engage people in discussions about a broad range of topics related to wellness, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. It is my hope and intent that the topics and themes covered during this podcast will serve to promote and enrich your understanding and practice of wellness in your relationships, professional life, and your mind and body. I'm your host, Dr. Ben Kohls, a licensed professional clinical counselor and counselor educator with over 15 years of experience in the mental health field.
Episodes
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The Journey Continues: Emily Kratz
After more than a year away, The Well Mind Podcast returns for Season 3 with a conversation about endurance, presence, faith, and what difficult experiences can teach us about living well. In this episode, Dr. Ben welcomes back Emily Kratz, who first appeared on the podcast after winning the...
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Navigating Mental Health with Faith: Dr. Joshua Mears
In this episode of the Well Mind Podcast, Dr. Ben Kohls speaks with Dr. Joshua Mears about his journey in mental health care, focusing on the integration of faith in clinical practice. They discuss the challenges and rewards of working in corrections, the importance of spiritual care in therapy,...
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Addiction in Family Systems: Latrina Raddler
In this episode of The Well Mind podcast, Dr. Ben Kohls speaks with Latrina Radler, a new faculty member in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. They discuss Latrina's journey into mental health, her formative helping experiences, including community care following Hurricane Katrina.…
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Scaling Impact: Dr. Jennifer Londgren
In this episode, I welcome back my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Jennifer Londgren. Season 2 continues as Jenna shares about the experiences that drew her to the field and how her journey to professional counseling was shaped by her love for people and understanding behavior. We discuss the...
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Connection through Play: Anita Smith
In this episode of the Well Mind podcast, Dr. Ben Kohls engages in a broad and thoughtful conversation with Anita Smith, exploring her journey into the counseling field, the integration of faith in therapy, and the value and joy of play therapy. They also discuss Anita's global counseling...
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Faith Driven Purpose: Dr. Helena Stevens
Summary In this episode of the Well Mind Podcast, I speak with Dr. Helena Stevens, core faculty member at Bethany Lutheran College in the CMHC Program. We discuss Dr. Stevens' unique journey to becoming a counselor, the importance of mentorship, and the integration of faith into professional...
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The Gift of Time and Presence: Dr. Karina Clennon
In this episode of the Well Mind Podcast, Dr. Ben Kohls welcomes Dr. Karina Clennon back to the podcast. Karina opens the conversation by sharing about her journey of becoming a professional helper. Together we explore the significance of time and presence in relationships, the challenges of...
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Season 2 Announcement
In this episode, Dr. Ben Kohls returns to the Well Mind Podcast after a hiatus, sharing updates on his work in the counseling program at Bethany Lutheran College, including efforts towards specialized accreditation. He discusses the upcoming season, which will feature interviews with faculty...
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Faith-based Health Innovation: Dr. Jason Paltzer
Welcome to the show, friends! I’m excited to have you with me. The Well Mind Podcast is space for meaningful conversation on a broad range of wellness related topics, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. For this conversation, I invited Dr. Jason Paltzer back to the podcast to chat about…
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Pursuing Wellness: Dr. Jennifer Londgren
Welcome to the show, friends! How are you doing? I really mean it, how are you doing? Are you giving time and attention to your well-being and relationships or have they been an afterthought lately? Depending on your season of life, current commitments, stress levels, you may be struggling to…
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The Journey: Emily Kratz
Welcome to the show, friends. It is great to have you here. The Well Mind Podcast is a space for meaningful conversations on wellness and mental health. I want to start by sharing a quote with you from a book that I just recently finished reading. “Does the destination matter? Or is it the path...
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Connecting Mental and Physical Health: Denise Schonwald
Welcome to the Well Mind Podcast, a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics. I’m your host Dr. Ben Kohls. I am a clinical mental health counselor and counselor educator. This podcast is my effort to bring free and open access content on health and…
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Triumph Over Crisis: Gregg Martin
Welcome to the Well Mind Podcast! I'm excited to share my recent conversation with retired Major General Gregg Martin in this episode. He is a 36-year army combat veteran celebrated for his remarkable career commanding engineer units and holding prestigious roles such as president of the National...
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Maternal Mental Health: Elizabeth DeBolt
The Well Mind is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics and this episode is a beautiful example of that mission. I’m your host Dr. Ben Kohls. I’ve been a practicing clinical mental health counselor for over 15 years and am currently a counselor…
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Tools for the Well Mind: A Panel Discussion
The Well Mind is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. I’m your host Dr. Ben Kohls. I’ve been a practicing clinical mental health counselor for over 15 years and am currently a counselor educator and…
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Talking Wellness with Dr. Jennifer Londgren
Welcome to episode 36! The Well Mind is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. I’m your host Dr. Ben Kohls. I’ve been a practicing clinical mental health counselor for over 15 years and am currently a...
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The 437 Project: Paul Tenhaken, Kelly Marshall, Greg Koch
Welcome to the Well Mind podcast, I’m your host Dr. Ben Kohls, I am a professional mental health counselor, counselor educator, and currently the director of the clinical mental health graduate program at Bethany Lutheran College. This is a special episode of the podcast, where I have not one…
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21st Century Christian Mental Health: Dr. Josh Knabb
The Well Mind is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. I’m your host Dr. Ben Kohls. I’ve been a practicing clinical mental health counselor for over 15 years and am currently a counselor educator and…
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Becoming a Peacemaker: Doug Noll
Welcome to episode 33 of the podcast! Thanks for joining me for today’s conversation. How important is it to you to have peace in your life? How about this: What does it take to be a peacemaker? Certain famous people in history likely come to mind when you think about being a peacemaker, but what...
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Empowerment Through Connection: Dr. Ashley Schoof
The Well Mind is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. I’m your host Dr. Ben Kohls. I’ve been a practicing clinical mental health counselor for over 15 years and am currently a counselor educator and…
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Life and Breath: Reis Paluso
My guest in this episode is a surfer, father, husband, entrepreneur, and expert in the practice of breath work and cold exposure. Relatably, Reis Paluso found himself caught up in the ever accelerating process and goals of building a life through his work, family, friendships, and favorite…
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Facilitating Healing and Wellness: Dr. Luke Weber
The Well Mind is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. I’m your host Dr. Ben Kohls. Welcome to the podcast! It’s great to have you with me today. On a snowy January day here in Mankato, Dr Luke Weber joined...
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Facing Behavioral Addiction: Dr. Amanda Giordano
I recently read an article in Counseling Today entitled Six Steps for Addressing Behavioral Addictions in Clinical Work and knew immediately I needed to invite the author onto the podcast. Fast forward a few short weeks and I was able to sit down with Dr. Amanda Giordano and talk all about...
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Human Flourishing: Dr. Michael Berg
Welcome to the podcast! In this episode we venture back into the familiar theme of Vocation. This is a topic that has been featured on the Well Mind previously, but it’s one that is so relevant to our everyday life that we will likely continue to draw from this well repeatedly for deeper insights...
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Gird Up! Podcast Crossover
Welcome to the first ever crossover episode between The Well Mind Podcast and Gird Up! Podcast. Charlie Ungemach is the host of the Gird Up! Podcast and invited me on the show to talk men and mental health. It was fun being on the other side of the table and getting to be a podcast guest! I give…
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Stars in the Sky: Haylee Blauert & Jason Jaspersen
Welcome to a very special episode of the podcast. In addition to the typical audio format, there is also a video format available on YouTube. Listeners may enjoy checking out the video version, because we have included some visual images to accompany the discussion. You can find a link to the…
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Ethics in Action: Hilary Jane Grosskopf
Hilary Grosskopf is a leadership strategist, award-winning author, and yoga teacher. She integrates her experience in the modern working world with her knowledge of yoga to produce original content for learning professionals. Hilary’s leadership experience in the corporate world inspired her to...
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Hagah on 3 Words: Mike Novotny
Time of Grace lead speaker and author, Pastor Mike Novotny, is my guest in this episode of The Well Mind. Mike has been the pastor at The Core in Appleton, WI for 7 years and joined Time of Grace just a couple of years ago. Through his work with Time of Grace, he published his first book entitled…
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The Journey of Vocation: Dr. Karina Clennon
The Well Mind Podcast is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. How is your professional life impacting your overall wellness? How can we support the younger generation as they explore their career path?…
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The Problem of Suffering: James Hein
James Hein returns to The Well Mind to dive further into our spiritual wellness. In this episode, James and I explore the many facets of suffering and how it impacts our life, wellness, and relationships. Our discussion is wide ranging, touching on our experiences of guilt and shame, grief and...
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Redefining Balance: Jason Bowman
Please join me in welcoming Jason Bowman to the podcast. Jason is a yoga teacher, a meditation practitioner, an avid cyclist, speaker, and writer. He, along with his brother and elite athlete, Dylan Bowman, co-founded Pyllars. Pyllars takes a holistic approach to coaching running and endurance...
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Sharpening Your Mental Game: Amanda Cadwell
Athletics, exercise, and physical health have made appearances in previous episodes. Specifically in episode 2 I talked with Benson Langat, who is an elite runner and therapist. Then in episodes 9 and 10, I talked with Zoe Rom, Associate Editor of Trail Runner Magazine and Lizzie Kasparek,...
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The Practice of Forgiveness: Ed Frey
Join me in welcoming Ed Frey to the Well Mind community. The Well Mind Podcast is a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness related topics. In this episode, that topic is forgiveness. Forgiveness is an incredibly important practice that supports our relational…
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Building Teen Connections: Katelyn Bolte
Katelyn Bolte joins me in episode 18 of The Well Mind Podcast. This is a conversation focused on adolescent mental health and parenting teens. Katelyn is a mental health counselor and the director of a day treatment program for adolescents. Katelyn was a wonderful guest. We cover a lot of ground...
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Public Health as Mission: Dr. Jason Paltzer
In this episode, we venture into new territory. If you’ve listened to previous episodes, you know that much of our conversations on the podcast are focused on different aspects of personal wellness. I take us in a different direction with this one. I’ve invited epidemiologist and public health...
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Reflections: Dr. Jennifer Londgren
The Well Mind welcomes Dr. Jennifer Londgren back to the podcast for episode 16. I asked Jenna back into the studio to reflect back on the past year with me and talk through our experiences with a growth mindset. I selected a number of questions for us to work through in our discussion. The…
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College Student Mental Health
It was a blast hosting the first LIVE episode of The Well Mind Podcast! I welcomed three mental health professionals that currently serve as counselors for students at Bethany Lutheran College. In an effort to directly address the contemporary challenges that college students are facing, I asked...
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Foundations for Marriage: Don Moldstad
The Well Mind welcomes Chaplain Don Moldstad to episode 14 of the podcast. Keeping with the family and relationship focus again this episode, I visit with Chaplain Moldstad on the work he does with couples preparing for a life together in marriage. He serves as the campus Chaplain here at Bethany...
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Family Resilience: Dr. John Seymour
The Well Mind welcomes Dr. John Seymour to episode 13 of the podcast. 2020 is in the rearview mirror and 2021 is in front of us. I’ve yet to dive into the topic of family wellness and I thought that this would be a fantastic place to start in the first episode of the new year. I’ve known John for...
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Soul Care: Dr. Mark Paustian
The Well Mind welcomes Dr. Mark Paustian to episode 12 of the podcast. I am thrilled to introduce Mark to the Well Mind community. He is one of those people that immediately communicates trust and compassion simply through his presence in conversation. He has been a formative mentor for me and we...
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Compassion Fatigue Resilience and Mindfulness
Welcome to The Well Mind Podcast. I’m your host Dr. Ben Kohls. This is episode number 11 and the first solo show for me. Today’s topics have been and continue to be critically important to me. As a mental health counselor, I am constantly trying to understand how people can persist, learn, and…
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Fueling for an Active Life: Lizzie Kasparek
The Well Mind welcomes Lizzie Kasparek to episode 10 of the podcast. Lizzie works for Sanford Power as a Registered Dietician providing nutrition consultation for athletes across the lifespan. She is an athlete herself, focusing primarily on endurance running, and understands what it takes to…
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Embrace Your Failure: Zoë Rom
The Well Mind welcomes Zoë Rom to episode 9 of the podcast. Zoë is an athlete, journalist, an Associate Editor for Trail Runner Magazine and is the host of DNF, a podcast focused on telling stories of failure in running and in life. In her podcast, she talks with everyday runners and some of the...
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Workplace Wellness: Jeremy Ballew
The Well Mind welcomes Jeremy Ballew to the podcast in the episode. How healthy are you at work? It’s estimated that the average American spends 90,000 hours at work across the lifespan. Who we are and how we are at work has a huge impact on our overall health and wellness. Jeremy works in the...
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Mission to be Transparent: Luke Italiano
The Well Mind welcomes Luke Italiano to the podcast in the episode. He is a pastor, writer, husband, and father. He also lives with the burden of depression. The National Institute of Mental Health reports depression as one of the most common mental health issues in the US. An estimated 17.3...
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The Power of Attachment: Taylor Heath
Today’s guest is licensed professional counselor, Taylor Heath. Her professional focus is counselling people that are experiencing struggles with mental health and addiction. In this episode, Taylor shares her expertise on attachment. Attachment begins at birth as we form connections through the...
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Integrating Faith and Counseling: Dr. Joshua Mears
Thanks for joining me for another episode of The Well Mind Podcast – a space for meaningful conversations about a broad range of wellness topics. I’m curious, when you hear the term “Christian Counseling,” what thoughts come to mind? I think that it’s safe to say that there is a pretty broad…
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Making a Compassionate Difference: Michelle Markgraf
Michelle Markgraf is my guest in this episode. She has been support person and advocate for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault for 10 years. She was previously the executive director of a center for counseling and advocacy services for domestic violence. Now she provides...
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Cultivating Spiritual Wellness: Pastor James Hein
I’m your host Dr. Ben Kohls. The Well Mind Podcast is a space for in depth conversation about a broad range of wellness related themes and topics. By education, I am a clinical mental health counselor and counselor educator. I am passionate about personal growth, living well, and thriving in...
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Finding Your Extra Strength: Benson Langat
This is episode 2. I’m your host Dr. Ben Kohls. How are you living your life? It’s a tough question and it’s a question today’s guest was recently asked and one that I hope we can all reflect on. Benson offers his insights on this question and so much more in today’s conversation. Benson recently...
About this show
The primary focus of this podcast is to engage people in discussions about a broad range of topics related to wellness, with a special emphasis on mental wellness. It is my hope and intent that the topics and themes covered during this podcast will serve to promote and enrich your understanding and practice of wellness in your relationships, professional life, and your mind and body. I'm your host, Dr. Ben Kohls, a licensed professional clinical counselor and counselor educator with over 15 years of experience in the mental health field.
Hosted by
Ben Kohls, PhD