“We’re All a Little Stuck. But There’s a Way Out” explores how learned helplessness—the belief that nothing we do matters—can trap us spiritually. Russ Ewell blends psychology, Scripture, and real-life stories to show how God’s power can break through discouragement and help us reclaim hope, purpose, and agency.

Written by Russ Ewell. Narrated by Darryl Howell.

Read the article: https://deepspirituality.com/learned-helplessness/

Join The Chemistry Lab: https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

00:36 - Learned helplessness—and what we can do about it

03:15 - The Workshop

05:45 - The Elements

07:25 - What is learned helplessness?

08:51 - Why do we stay stuck?

10:52 - Why our brain chemistry matters

13:05 - Brain chemistry + spiritual chemistry = breakthrough

15:39 - The stories we tell ourselves

16:23 - Four story styles

18:06 - How to identify your story style

19:34 - F.I.R.E. needs the right fuel

20:42 - The Catalyst Corner

25:02 - The man by the pool

30:31 - The Breakthrough Files

35:55 - Weekly Experiment

38:52 - Identify negative thought patterns in your story style

40:02 - Identify your strengths

40:42 - Make a “Shifting Mindset” chart

42:00 - Start small, but start now

42:46 - Come up with a game plan for when obstacles arise

43:56 - Celebrate small wins together

44:53 - The Field Notes

46:04 - The Research Shelf

48:57 - Reply or reach out

“We’re All a Little Stuck. But There’s a Way Out” explores how learned helplessness—the belief that nothing we do matters—can trap us spiritually. Russ Ewell blends psychology, Scripture, and real-life stories to show how God’s power can break through discouragement and help us reclaim hope, purpose, and agency.

Written by Russ Ewell. Narrated by Darryl Howell.

Read the article: https://deepspirituality.com/learned-helplessness/

Join The Chemistry Lab: https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

00:36 - Learned helplessness—and what we can do about it

03:15 - The Workshop

05:45 - The Elements

07:25 - What is learned helplessness?

08:51 - Why do we stay stuck?

10:52 - Why our brain chemistry matters

13:05 - Brain chemistry + spiritual chemistry = breakthrough

15:39 - The stories we tell ourselves

16:23 - Four story styles

18:06 - How to identify your story style

19:34 - F.I.R.E. needs the right fuel

20:42 - The Catalyst Corner

25:02 - The man by the pool

30:31 - The Breakthrough Files

35:55 - Weekly Experiment

38:52 - Identify negative thought patterns in your story style

40:02 - Identify your strengths

40:42 - Make a “Shifting Mindset” chart

42:00 - Start small, but start now

42:46 - Come up with a game plan for when obstacles arise

43:56 - Celebrate small wins together

44:53 - The Field Notes

46:04 - The Research Shelf

48:57 - Reply or reach out

What if your faith felt more like a lab: full of curiosity, growth, and breakthroughs?

In this episode, Russ Ewell, Mike Query, and Sean Kiluk talk about the last six issues of The Chemistry Lab, a new way to explore your spiritual life through experimentation and discovery. Learn how to grow spiritually by mixing the right ingredients—heart, soul, mind, and strength—and why asking big questions can lead to even bigger transformation.

🎧 Listen now and rediscover how powerful your faith can be.

#TheChemLab #SpiritualGrowth #DeepSpirituality #FaithAndScience

Questions:

1. How do we develop that mindset of discovery in our relationship with God?

2. How do I know which of the four dimensions I’m operating in, and how do I know which I need the most growth in?

Scripture:

• Proverbs 25:2 MSG
• 1 Chronicles 12:32 NIV
• Proverbs 16:2 NIV
• 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
• Mark 12:28-30 NIV

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

01:07 - How to develop a mindset of spiritual discovery

02:58 - Engage with thoughts and ideas that don't come up at church

07:45 - Why the metaphor of science is fun for spiritual discovery

11:12 - Be willing to look at the world and ask spiritual questions

12:13 - How to define chemistry as it relates to spirituality

12:29 - How to look at the world and not get afraid

16:49 - Looking at the motive and heart of people

19:50 - The Best Life

20:30 - How to know which of the four dimensions you need to work on with God

22:46 - What loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength looks like in your life

25:14 - The joy of writing and the chemistry of cooking

31:15 - The mindset of spiritual exploration and discovery

33:36 - Check out Deep Reads

34:48 - The best life series and other resources on the Deep Spirituality website

36:57 - Let us know what you think, we love hearing from you

Ignite your curiosity—and your soul. In “Fire in the Lab, Flow in the Spirit,” Russ Ewell connects the spark of scientific wonder with the spiritual ignition God longs to light within us. He shows how routine religiosity can dampen that flame and helps us rediscover our awe.

Drawing from Proverbs, Romans, and Galatians, Russ invites readers into a spiritual “Chemistry Lab,” where our human spirit meets God’s. The alignment of our spirit with God's Spirit brings flow, freedom, and divine purpose into our lives. Want something more than duty-driven religion? Then it's time to step into the Lab.

Written by Russ Ewell. Narrated by Darryl Howell.

Read the article: https://deepspirituality.com/fire-in-the-lab/

Join The Chemistry Lab: https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

00:35 - The chemistry of a beautiful life

02:01 - The workshop

03:43 - Why did I choose science over God?

06:05 - Why church often fails to spark wonder

07:54 - Reigniting the fire

08:59 - The elements of "spirit"

10:43 - Spiritual flow

13:22 - God formed the spirit within

15:49 - Flow = Spiritual connection

17:48 - Creating a flow week

19:48 - The field notes

20:29 - Join the chemistry lab

In a world of distraction and superficiality, Russ Ewell introduces The Chemistry Lab—a weekly newsletter designed to spark spiritual curiosity and a deeper pursuit of faith. Inspired by childhood experiments and Proverbs 25:2, this narrative explains the heart behind the newsletter and the call to go beyond the surface in your spiritual life.

Written by Russ Ewell. Narrated by Darryl Howell.

Read the article: deepspirituality.com/welcome-to-the-chemistry-lab

Join The Chemistry Lab: https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

00:36 - A new space for spiritual people in superficial times

02:20 - The diagnosis

05:21 - The call to depth

08:01 - The two forces of our time

10:01 - What's at stake

12:28 - Welcome to the lab

12:38 - The leap

15:45 - Join the chemistry lab

Are fear, stress, and anxiety taking up too much space in your heart?

In this episode, Russ Ewell sits down with Ray Kim and Stone Eleazer to talk candidly about the emotional and spiritual battles we all face—but often keep hidden.

Through real stories and powerful insights from the Bible, they explore how fear, stress, and anxiety affect our mental and spiritual health.

Whatever the source of our anxiety and fear might be, this episode reminds us that we're not alone. And we don’t have to stay stuck. God is real. He’s loving. He’s good. And he wants to set us free.

🙏 Read the latest issue of The Chemistry Lab newsletter → https://deepspirituality.com/learned-helplessness

🧪 Head over to The Chemistry Lab to join us on this journey → https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/

📑 Journey through The Best Life series → https://deepspirituality.com/best-life/

Scripture references:

Psalm 73:28 NIV

Psalm 34:4 MSG

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NLT

Matthew 13:22 AMP

Ezekiel 11:19 NIV

Psalm 42:11 Voice

Romans 15:13 AMP

Luke 6:45 NIV

2 Corinthians 1:9 NIV

Philippians 4:6-7 AMP

Galatians 5:22-23 TPT

Psalm 90:14 NIV

Psalm 131:2 Voice

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 00:28 - Is anxiety a spiritual struggle?
• 05:06 - How anxiety, stress, and fear can make us stronger
• 08:06 - Where you put your hope can determine anxiety
• 10:50 - Our emotions are not the truth; that is why we need the Bible
• 12:27 - Faith over fear
• 14:42 - How to not let emotions dominate you
• 18:43 - The six sources of anxiety
• 34:06 - The Chemistry lab
• 34:56 - Q&A
• 37:14 - What does anxiety expose about my walk with God?
• 39:47 - Practicals for casting off anxiety
• 42:31 - How to not lash out when anxious
• 44:47 - How to deal with other people's anxiety
• 49:21 - Convictions to deal with diagnosed anxiety
• 53:28 - How to create a calm environment at home
• 01:03:16 - Get the conversation started for yourself

Have you ever felt like fear, stress, or anxiety were running your life, even when everything looks fine on the outside?

In this episode, Russ Ewell sits down with Ray Kim and Stone Eleazer for a powerful conversation about what it really means to connect with God in a personal, powerful, and purposeful way. Together, they unpack how fear, stress, and anxiety often go unspoken in our spiritual lives—and how these emotions can keep us stuck in surface-level faith.

Whether you’ve been walking with God for years or are just beginning your journey, this episode will inspire you to stop hiding, start healing, and find lasting peace in a relationship with God that meets you exactly where you are.

🙏 Read the latest issue of The Chemistry Lab newsletter → https://deepspirituality.com/learned-helplessness

🧪 Head over to The Chemistry Lab to join us on this journey → https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/

📑 Journey through The Best Life series → https://deepspirituality.com/best-life/

#FaithOverFear #EmotionalHealth #SpiritualGrowth #DeepSpirituality #AnxietyAndFaith #ThePeaceYouLongFor

Scripture references:

• Ezekiel 3:15 NLT
• Jeremiah 6:13-14 NIV
• Isaiah 43:2 NIV
• Psalm 94:19 NIV
• 1 John 4:18-19 NLT
• Romans 5:3-5 ERV
• Psalm 63:1-3 NIV
• Proverbs 25:2 MSG
• Proverbs 24:10 CSB
• Proverbs 24:10 NLT
• Romans 12:2 Voice
• Psalm 146:3-9 MSG
• James 5:16 NIV

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

00:30 - The River excerpt

06:53 - How to make God personal, powerful, purposeful

11:03 - Why 'peace-peace' relationships ruin churches

19:55 - How deep friendships change your life

29:15 - What happens when we experience God's love

32:33 - The Chemistry Lab newsletter

33:20 - Why we should develop a spiritual culture

37:47 - What does it mean to build a spiritual culture

45:55 - What a spiritual culture can do for you

50:17 - What to do when tempted to replace spiritual culture

59:22 - The role of therapy in a spiritual culture

In this special Q&A podcast episode about our newsletter The Chemistry Lab, we tackle some of the most honest and heartfelt questions about faith, suffering, and spiritual growth. From dealing with pain to figuring out what to read in the Bible, this episode is a refreshing reminder that your relationship with God can be personal, powerful, and practical.

This isn’t about having it all together. It’s about growing, exploring, and discovering how to walk with God in a way that’s real.

✨ Subscribe to The Chemistry Lab newsletter at DeepSpirituality.com/subscribe and join a community of spiritual explorers learning how each of us can develop a spirit of discovery.

🔥 Read the latest issue of The Chemistry Labhttps://deepspirituality.com/fire-in-the-lab

Scripture references:

• Acts 4:13 Voice
• Romans 4:1 NIV
• Genesis 48:15 NLT
• 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 NIV
• 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 NIV
• Mark 5:27-29 NIV
• Mark 5:34 TPT
• Isaiah 26:16 NIV
• Romans 8:26 NIV
• Philippians 1:19 NLT
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
• Jeremiah 17:9 AMP
• Proverbs 4:23 CSB
• Mark 5:24-34 TPT

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

00:43 - Welcome to the lab

03:21 - What does it look like to "be with Jesus"?

12:33 - How do you stay close to God during painful times?

21:43 - How do we know what to read in our Bibles every day?

What happens when the world starts saying everyone gets to have their own truth? In this honest and thought-provoking episode, Russ Ewell invites you into a new kind of spiritual journey—one built on curiosity, discovery, and a deeper search for what’s real.

Inspired by his childhood love of science, Russ introduces The Chemistry Lab, a new newsletter and conversation space designed to help you explore God in practical, personal ways. Through scripture, storytelling, and a bit of soul-searching, this episode unpacks how we’ve gotten lost in a world of misinformation—and how we can find our way back to something solid.

You’ll learn:

1. Why spiritual truth matters more than ever in a post-truth world

2. How to build a faith that engages your heart, mind, soul, and strength

3. What it means to let go of control and rediscover who God really is

Head over to https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/ to join us on this journey.

Show Notes:

• 1 John 5:4 NIV
• Proverbs 25:2 MSG
• Mark 12:30 NIV
• "What If It's True?" Article → https://deepspirituality.com/what-if-its-true/

Chapters:

00:00 - The spiritual effect of misinformation

02:00 - An antidote to misinformation

02:54 - The Chemistry Lab is open!

03:43 - A journey of spiritual discovery

06:47 - A kitchen table and science set

08:50 - People need a space to discover God

Ever feel like life is throwing you into seasons you’re not quite ready for? Whether you're stepping into something new—college, parenting, leadership, or just the next phase of your faith—this episode is here to help.

Join us as we discuss spiritual life skills—the everyday, practical qualities that help you grow stronger, love deeper, and live with purpose.

You’ll hear honest stories about overcoming regret, pushing through adversity, and learning how to stay grounded when life gets overwhelming. Whether it’s learning to manage your time, stay steady in your emotions, or simply keep going when quitting feels easier, this episode reminds you that growth is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone.

This episode is part of our ongoing "The Best Life" series, which is designed to help you develop essential life skills with God’s guidance. No matter your stage in life—whether you’re a student, a working professional, or enjoying retirement—God calls us to keep growing.

deepspirituality.com/best-life

Scriptures:

• 2 Timothy 4:5 AMP
• 2 Timothy 1:6-7 AMP
• Galatians 5:16 TPT
• Galatians 5:17-18 TPT
• Galatians 5:22-23 TPT
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
• James 1:2-4 Voice
• Mark 10:27 NLT
• Hebrews 12:11 NLT
• 1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

00:22 - Spiritual life skills to fulfill our purpose

02:59 - Ten qualities to fulfill your purpose

05:57 - A look ahead

08:20 - Why are spiritual life skills important

11:20 - How would you define spiritual life skills

13:45 - What are situations that taught you life skills

17:14 - Life skills can help you manage your emotions

19:17 - Spiritual life skills are for every life stage

22:17 - Our weaknesses are God's opportunity

26:03 - How spiritual life skills change our lives

27:05 - Learn how to not quit

30:19 - The power of regret

36:16 - Life skills build on one another

39:03 - Don't stunt your growth

43:04 - Life is about growth

45:01 - How to teach spiritual life skills

46:41 - six ways to teach spiritual life skills

48:51 - Teach spiritual life skills by sharing your life

55:33 - Walking through life skills with friends

58:54 - Figure out what's really inside a person to teach them

01:02:08 - recap the six ways to teach spiritual life skills