The Turn Outward Podcast

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 perspective on issues men are facing in mental health and relationships. He and I discuss how healthy masculinity is serving others, protecting, and being vulnerable rather than having control.

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 what it means to date with a turn outward mindset.

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 of mindfulness. If you're interested in receiving coaching from Daniel or joining his online community, use the link below: https://www.skool.com/mindfit-tribe/about

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 partners. We discuss healthier alternatives that lead to long-term rather than short term solutions.

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 purpose.

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 also discuss how this principle relates to dating and every other meaningful connection.

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 of service.

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?

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.

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.

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 compassion especially for those that the world would be quick to cast judgment upon.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 relationships.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 with wonder and gratitude, and learning to reinvent ourselves.

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.

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 someone that has hurt us?).

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.

In this episode I get vulnerable and talk about some of the challenges I have faced that have tempted me to cope by distracting, numbing, and isolating. Why do I spend endless amounts of time on my phone? Why do I procrastinate? Why do I find it difficult to connect with others? Asking these difficult questions allows us to find the underlying emotions behind our behavior and begin turning outward.

In this episode I tell the story of backpacking and camping in Hawaii with my friends, and the lessons learned from when things don't go ideally.

In this episode I talk about various lessons I learned throughout the week while completing assignments for my graduate program. How should we treat those that are different then us? How can we connect with those that believe differently than us? How can we find peace and purpose when things don't go our way? Find out in episode 3!

In this episode, I talk about three different theories on aging, and what they mean for the rest of us. How can principles of successful aging lead us to focus on the needs of others and live more healthy, connected, and meangingful lives? Tune in to find out!

Here in the very first episode of the Turn Outward Podcast, I talk about my background, my upbringing, and the origin of the name Turn Outward.