What is recovery all about?

What is the role of spirituality in recovery, and what is the role of our childhood experiences of our parents in our spirituality? 

In today’s episode, I interview Ken Ovitz, fellow counselor and spiritual pilgrim, about recovery, spirituality, how our parents shape our understanding of God, and how we need each other to really thrive. We talk about how recovery is about creating a sacred space that cultivates intimacy and vulnerability and enough authenticity to allow people to be themselves and come together. Along the way, we make references to Christianity, Judaism, and Viktor Frankl. In the end, we linger on the impact of family patterns, how to overcome shame, and how to incorporate spiritual disciplines, from different traditions.

The Outer Circle Inner Stillness is made possible by support from listeners, patrons, likes, and shares. For early access to content, and to learn more about how to support the podcast, visit ⁠www.patreon.com/outercircle⁠. 

Rhys Pasimio can be found through⁠ ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/outercircle⁠ and on instagram at @newpattrencounseling and through New Pattern Counseling at ⁠www.newpatterncounseling.com⁠, and is always happy to dialogue with listeners bringing honest questions!

Ken Ovitz can be found [email protected] and at his profile on Psychology Today - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ken-ovitz-cherry-hill-nj/808681

Thanks for listening!

#counseling #therapy #mentalhealth #addiction #sexaddiction #sexuality #spirituality #orthodoxy #judaism #faith #religion #meaning #viktorfrankl #community #compassion #suffering

Today I interview Trevor Hill, a sex-addiction therapist, and student of clinical sexology, from Little Rock, Arkansas. We reflect on the lingering legacy of Purity Culture, and how that has contributed to sexual shame, and how shame drives addiction. Then we explore practices of empathy and acceptance and how these can help to overcome shame in early recovery. Along the way, we reflect on our experiences of being addiction counselors while being ourselves in recovery.

The Outer Circle Inner Stillness is made possible by support from listeners, patrons, likes, and shares. For early access to content, and to learn more about how to support the podcast, visit www.patreon.com/outercircle. 

Rhys Pasimio can be found through www.patreon.com/outercircle and on instagram at @newpattrencounseling and through New Pattern Counseling at www.newpatterncounseling.com, and is always happy to dialogue with listeners bringing honest questions!

Trevor Hill can be found through The Finding Place at https://thefindingplacecounseling.com/staff/trevor-hill/ and [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

#counseling #therapy #mentalhealth #addiction #sexaddiction #sexuality #trauma #empathy #shame #toxicshame #purityculture #faith #religion #orthodoxy #easternorthodoxy #trevorhill #findingplace #newpatterncounseling #rhyspasimio #mindfulness

Here we review our favorite ever counseling movie!

"Good Will Hunting," is the story of Will, who is a brilliant and very angry under-achiever and Sean, his unconventional and relentlessly compassionate counselor, and the healing journey the undertake together. The story explores issues of trust, connection, trauma, humility, and the absolute vitality of human relationship.

We watch this movie as lovers of film, commenting on the screenwriting, the acting, the Boston Accents, and much more, concluding that this is indeed a cinematic masterpiece.

We also watch this movie as counselors and pore over Robin William's depiction of the counselor deep into his career wisdom, highlighting what he does that is simply for theatrics, and what he does that is actually very wise that we should emulate.

This episode is a crossover episode, appearing on both the Outer Circle Inner Stillness, as well as on the Word and Journey(hence the opening tagline).

The Outer Circle Inner Stillness channel is made possible through likes, shares, reviews, and financial support from its patrons and friends. One-time donations can be made on Venmo at @newpatterncounseling, and regular membership and support can be done through ⁠patreon.com/outercircle.⁠

Rhys can be found through his practice at ⁠www.newpatterncounseling.com⁠.

Caleb can be found through his practice at ⁠www.calebkellercounselingpllc.net⁠.

All honest questions and vulnerable feelings welcome. We'd love to hear from you!

What can we learn about the inner life from a 2005 epic film about the Crusades?

Check out our discussion and find out!

Rhys and Caleb delve deep into their loves of story, film, history, faith, and the journey towards inner peace to unpack the layers of meaning in this highly under-rated director's cut of a Ridley Scott film.

The story is simple - follow the lowly blacksmith Balian as his long lost knight-of-a-father reclaims him and ushers him into the crusades. Travel to Jerusalem, supposedly the source of all healing and forgiveness, and the much disputed jewel in the eyes of Christian and Muslim empires. Wrestle with the wildly opposing kingdoms hidden amongst each other.

A kingdom of earth, of power, of wealth, and violence.

A kingdom of conscience, and peace, that grows in the heart of any one will slow down to recognize it.

We tackle faith, trauma, racism, mindfulness, and the difficult journey of being a peaceful person. Listen along and let us know what you think!

The Outer Circle Inner Stillness channel is made possible through likes, shares, reviews, and financial support from its patrons and friends. One-time donations can be made on Venmo at @newpatterncounseling, and regular membership and support can be done through patreon.com/outercircle. 

Rhys can be found through his practice at www.newpatterncounseling.com.

Caleb can be found through his practice at www.calebkellercounselingpllc.net.

All honest questions and vulnerable feelings welcome. We'd love to hear from you!

Healing takes many forms, and many of those forms combine well to bring out their best parts! Elizabeth's healing journey has taken her through the 12 Steps, naturopathic healing, eastern medicine, and Christianity. Through her own journey of healing and learning to love herself, she has also learned much about healing others.

In our conversation today, I add in my own experiences of Recovery, the 12 Steps, Orthodox Christianity, and we talk about the daily practices in all areas of our life that we need for good growth.

Listen along for insightful and practical perspectives from a unique and wonderful combination of healing traditions!

The Outer Circle Inner Stillness is made possible by support from listeners, patrons, likes, and shares. To learn more about how to support the podcast, visit www.patreon.com/outercircle. 

Rhys Pasimio can be found through www.patreon.com/outercircle and on instagram at @newpattrencounseling and through New Pattern Counseling at www.newpatterncounseling.com, and is always happy to dialogue with listeners bringing honest questions!

Elizabeth Pasimio can be found at www.southbayfamilyacupuncture.com and on Instagram at @qiflowmama_acupuncture.

(Yes, we're related - we are cousins. :) )

We'd both love to hear from you!

Join us for our dive into Inside Out 2, Pixar’s latest exploration of emotions, identity, and mental health. In this discussion, we analyze the film’s portrayal of anxiety, self-concept, and emotional growth as Riley navigates the challenges of adolescence. With insights from professional counselors, we break down how the movie captures the complexity of the inner world, the transition from childhood to adolescence, and the role of emotions like anxiety, envy, and embarrassment.

We’ll also touch on whether Inside Out 2 is suitable for kids, how it compares to the first film, and what valuable takeaways it offers for parents, therapists, and anyone interested in emotional well-being.

The Outer Circle Inner Stillness is made possible by support from listeners, patrons, likes, and shares. To learn more about how to support the podcast, visit ⁠⁠my patreon⁠⁠. 

Rhys Pasimio can be found on ⁠Instagram⁠, or at his ⁠website⁠.

He is always happy to dialogue with listeners bringing honest questions!

In this special episode of Outer Circle Inner Stillness, we sit down with author and recovery advocate Patti Clark. Patti shares her deeply personal experiences, spanning decades, including relapses, reconnecting with herself, and building a fulfilling life in recovery. We delve into the challenges and nuances of recovery, particularly the unique experiences of women, and the creative tools and practices Patti has embraced along the way. From journaling to multi-addiction meetings, Patti offers hope, practical wisdom, and inspiration for anyone navigating the complexities of recovery. This is a conversation about resilience, growth, and the power of connection—perfect for anyone seeking insight and encouragement on their own journey.

The Outer Circle Inner Stillness is made possible by support from listeners, patrons, likes, and shares. To learn more about how to support the podcast, visit ⁠⁠my patreon⁠⁠. 

Rhys Pasimio can be found on ⁠Instagram⁠, or at his ⁠website⁠.

He is always happy to dialogue with listeners bringing honest questions!

When we were small, we could go out to the swings or share toy cars, and we were friends. Later, we could sit together for hours—maybe talking, playing games, or simply enjoying each other’s company in silence. We weren’t afraid to be ourselves or to open up to others. Or maybe we were, and the problem only grew worse. Now, as adults, we find ourselves freakishly busy, terribly lonely, desperately wanting to see and be seen, to love and be loved... but how?

Ahshuwah Hawthorne has spent his entire adult life building bridges—between people, communities, and ideological traditions. Drawing on the Bible, Tolkien, Aristotle, and his extensive understanding of how humans form and communicate their beliefs, he offers a vision of male friendship.

We begin with the belief that friendships are invaluable and that we all need people who truly know us. Achieving this requires both risk and effort. Moving a friendship beyond the “consumptive stage” into a deeper, more connected one means first exposing an important value or part of your personality. It also requires at least one person to actively pursue the other. Lastly, this effort must be sustained over time.

Rhys and Ahshuwah discuss holding appropriate—and appropriately flexible—expectations for how others connect with us and what each friendship can offer. They advocate for more intentional and active steps to “go there,” venturing into vulnerable territory. They value friendships that can comfortably be casual but also rise to meet the demands of a crisis. They see it as priceless to have a few people in life who dare to ask the hard questions and in whose presence “there’s room to be less than perfect.” Additionally, they emphasize the importance of friendships leaving the virtual sphere and entering a physical “meet space,” including interactions like shared martial arts practices.

The Outer Circle Inner Stillness is made possible by support from listeners, patrons, likes, and shares. To learn more about how to support the podcast, visit ⁠⁠my patreon⁠⁠. 

Rhys Pasimio can be found on ⁠Instagram⁠, or at his ⁠website.

He is always happy to dialogue with listeners bringing honest questions!

In this heartfelt and humorous episode, Rhy’s sits down with his longtime friend Toni Hammer, to explore the unexpected intersection of trauma, humor, and mental health. Tony shares her journey of using humor as a coping mechanism for anxiety and depression, discussing the balance between self-deprecation and self-awareness. Together, they delve into the complexities of using humor in the healing process, the importance of connection, and finding hope amidst challenges. This episode offers a fresh perspective on finding light in dark times.

The Outer Circle Inner Stillness is made possible by support from listeners, patrons, likes, and shares. To learn more about how to support the podcast, visit his⁠ patreon⁠⁠. 

Rhys Pasimio can be found on ⁠Instagram⁠, or at his ⁠website⁠.

He is always happy to dialogue with listeners bringing honest questions!

In this conversation, licensed therapist Darrin Ford shares his journey from skeptic to advocate of mindfulness practices in recovery. Drawing from 20 years of clinical experience and his own recovery journey, Ford explores how mindfulness can help break destructive patterns and foster authentic self-discovery. He discusses the science behind meditation's effectiveness, dispels common misconceptions, and offers practical insights for integrating mindfulness into daily life. Whether you're in recovery, a helping professional, or simply curious about mindfulness, this episode provides valuable perspectives on using meditation as a tool for healing and personal growth.

The Outer Circle Inner Stillness is made possible by support from listeners, patrons, likes, and shares. To learn more about how to support the podcast, visit his⁠ patreon⁠⁠. 

Rhys Pasimio can be found on ⁠Instagram⁠, or at his ⁠website⁠.

He is always happy to dialogue with listeners bringing honest questions!