Project I Am

In this episode I interview April Karli regarding the counseling needs of Christian clients and obstacles to receiving care.

April Karli is a lifetime resident of Austin, Texas. She has been a pastor at Austin Mustard Seed for six years. As a PK (pastor's kid) she spent her life in the church, and has served in leadership roles in a variety of churches throughout her adult life. April has a heart for people who have been wounded by their experiences in church settings and longs to see them find healing. She's been married to Matt for 27 years. They have two grown daughters and two dogs. She prefers tea over coffee.

Austin Mustard Seed: https://www.austinmustardseed.org/

April's socials: Insta: https://www.instagram.com/aprilkarli/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@aprilkarli

Resources:

These are therapists and resources who are Christians, and licensed therapists, who write and talk about the intersection of mental health and faith:

Aundi Kolber https://aundikolber.com/

Chuck DeGroat https://www.chuckdegroat.net/

Broken to Beloved https://www.brokentobeloved.org/

In this guided meditation, you’ll be invited to cultivate self-compassion, self-acceptance, and inner peace through a series of powerful affirmations. Life is a journey of growth, and no matter your past, you are worthy of love, forgiveness, and new beginnings.

Through gentle affirmations, deep breathing, and a moment of stillness, this meditation will help you:

· Release self-judgment and embrace your journey with kindness

· Let go of past mistakes and step into self-acceptance

· Develop a more positive self-concept and inner peace

Allow yourself this time to reconnect with your heart and nurture the love you so freely give to others. You deserve healing, happiness, and self-love.

Find a quiet space, take a deep breath, and let’s begin.

We’ve all been there—chasing perfection, believing that if we just fix one more thing about ourselves, we’ll finally be happy, successful, or enough. But what if I told you that perfection is not only overrated, but a complete myth?

In this episode of Project I AM, we’re breaking down why the pursuit of perfection is a trap that keeps us stuck, exploring the psychology behind growth, and sharing real-life stories of people who found freedom in imperfection. Drawing from research by Brené Brown, Carol Dweck, and Kristin Neff, we’ll uncover why healing and self-improvement are lifelong journeys—not destinations.

If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t enough until you “got it right,” this episode is for you. It’s time to let go of perfection and embrace the messy, beautiful process of growth. Tune in and take the first step toward freeing yourself from the perfectionist mindset.

Available wherever you get your podcasts. Let’s grow together!

In this 10-minute guided meditation, we invite you to take a seat at the head of your inner table—the place where all parts of you are welcome. From the strong and capable parts to the ones that feel messy, uncertain, or even difficult to acknowledge, every part of you has a place, a purpose, and a voice.

With gentle curiosity and deep compassion, you’ll learn to embrace the parts that may have been silenced, to comfort the ones that struggle, and to invite in any missing pieces of yourself that long to be seen. Through mindful awareness, self-acceptance, and the healing presence of your higher self, this meditation will help you integrate all aspects of who you are.

No part of you is too much. No part of you is unwelcome. There is space for everyone at the table.

Take a deep breath, settle in, and let’s begin

In this episode of Project I Am - Mentoring Moments we dive deep into broaching, a critical counseling skill that helps create culturally responsive and inclusive therapy sessions.

You’ll learn:

• What broaching is and why it matters
• How broaching builds trust and enhances therapeutic rapport
• The Broaching Continuum – where do you fall?
• Practical strategies to integrate broaching into your counseling practice

Whether you're just starting your graduate program or preparing for practicum, this episode will equip you with the tools to address race, culture, and identity with confidence. Don’t miss this essential conversation on becoming a more effective and socially conscious counselor!

If you found this episode valuable, be sure to subscribe and share it with your fellow counseling students!

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Do you ever feel like no matter how much you achieve, it’s never enough? You hit a goal—only to move the finish line further. Instead of feeling successful, you feel discouraged. This is what high achievers call “The Gap” mindset—where you measure yourself against an ideal that’s always out of reach. But what if there was a better way?

In this episode of Project I AM, we break down the life-changing concept of The Gap vs. The Gain—coined by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. We explore why focusing on how far you’ve come (instead of how far you have to go) is the key to motivation, happiness, and long-term success.

Register for Mentoring moments Live here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/kWb1PSCLQB6mU8Dq22qzgw

Register for Conversion Therapy - same old tricks Webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tqIusny2SEmAQPpNIk22oQ

#Mindset #PersonalGrowth #Success #TheGapVsTheGain

In this episode of Project I Am, we explore three powerful Japanese philosophies that can transform the way you live: Ichigo Ichie, Ikigai, and Kaizen.

Ichigo Ichie – The art of being fully present and cherishing each moment as if it will never happen again. Ikigai – The journey to discovering your life’s purpose by aligning passion, vocation, mission, and profession. Kaizen – The philosophy of continuous improvement, making small, sustainable changes that lead to long-term success.

Through engaging real-world examples, scientific research, and practical applications, we’ll uncover how these concepts can help you live a more intentional, meaningful, and fulfilling life.

Tune in as we discuss:

· How to cultivate mindfulness with Ichigo Ichie

· Steps to find and embrace your Ikigai

· The power of small, daily improvements with Kaizen

· Actionable strategies to apply these principles in your everyday life

If you’re looking to live with more presence, purpose, and progress, this episode is for you!

Subscribe, listen, and start your journey of self-discovery today.

Project I am Presents: Mentoring Moments Live

A Free Live Session for Counseling Students & Recent Graduates

Are you a counseling student or recent graduate looking to connect, learn, and grow in your career? Join us for Mentoring Moments Live—a virtual gathering designed to build community, share resources, and provide expert insights from guest speakers in the field!

🔹 What to Expect: ✅ A supportive space to connect with peers & professionals ✅ Valuable resources to enhance your counseling journey ✅ Engaging discussions on real-world challenges & best practices ✅ Special guest speakers sharing their expertise ✅ An opportunity to suggest topics & shape the conversation

Date & Time: Mar 10, 2025 07:00 PM CST

Where: A Zoom link will be provided after registration

📝 Register Here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/kWb1PSCLQB6mU8Dq22qzgw

Whether you’re navigating grad school, preparing for licensure, or launching your career, this is your space to ask questions, gain insights, and grow alongside fellow counselors.

Don’t miss out—sign up today and be part of this growing community!

In this episode, we sit down with Whitney White, a licensed counselor from Tennessee and a PhD student researching impostor syndrome. Whitney opens up about her journey into counseling, the challenges of pursuing a doctoral degree, and the surprising ways impostor syndrome shows up in the counseling profession.

Whitney also shares her personal experiences with impostor syndrome, the highs and lows of PhD life, and what’s next for her in the world of counseling and education. If you’ve ever doubted your abilities despite clear evidence of success, this episode is for you!

Connect with Whitney White: Find her on Psychology Today for counseling services in Tennessee,

For any questions - please go to my website or email me at [email protected]

What are Fire Drills for Life?

Have you ever found yourself in a stressful situation, scrambling to figure out the right response—only to regret your reaction later? What if you didn’t have to decide in the moment at all? What if you already had a plan?

In this episode of Project I AM, we’re diving into the power of Fire Drills for Life—a strategy used by elite athletes, military units, and top performers to eliminate stress, make better decisions, and set themselves up for success. When we choose ahead of time how to respond in key moments, we don’t have to rely on willpower or emotional impulse—we just follow through with our predetermined plan.