RENAR Voice

Erica and Ana sit down with Dr. Jody Vernam—former president of CSI’s Rho Eta Nu Alpha Rho chapter and current core faculty member at Liberty University. In this episode, Dr. Vernam shares her journey into leadership within the counseling profession and offers valuable insights and specifics for those aspiring to become college counselors. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation filled with inspiration and to taste Dr. Vernam's humility and wisdom.

Episode reference:

APA: Rhoads, E., & Barend, A. (Producers). (2025, May 15). Ep. 48: The Ins and Outs of College Counseling: An Interview with Dr. Jody Vernam [Audio podcast episode]. In RENAR Voice. Rho Eta Nu Alpha Rho of Chi Sigma Iota, Liberty University

Hello everyone! We are sorry for the delay, but much has happened! Erica successfully defended her dissertation and is now teaching at Liberty! Congratulations, Dr. Rhoads!

In this episode, Erica and Ana discussed the journey with the editors of the book and how the project was conceived.  We explored the key concepts about which the editors are most proud. We also discussed how a Christian professional counselor can achieve congruence in incorporating spirituality into counseling while upholding our code of ethics (ACA) and professional standards (CACREP). Tune in for insights and encouragement.

Please contact Dr. Rhoads or Ana Barend at [email protected] or [email protected]

Link for the book here.

Episode reference:

APA: Rhoads, E., & Barend, A. (Producers). (2024, October 10). Ep. 47: Christian Integration in Counselor Education: A Candid Talk With the Editors- Drs. King and Ford [Audio podcast episode]. In RENAR Voice. Rho Eta Nu Alpha Rho of Chi Sigma Iota, Liberty University

Below are examples of how to reference the chapters:

Seigel, B. & Tyre, Y. (2024). Christian integration and evidence based practice. In J. A. King & K. M. Ford (Eds.), Christian integration in the counseling profession (pp. 301-314). Kendall Hunt.

Ostrander, C. & Ostrander, M. (2024). The role of the Holy Spirit in counseling. In J. A. King & K. M. Ford (Eds.), Christian integration in the counseling profession (pp. 489-507). Kendall Hunt.

Mayo, G. & Doney, C. (2024). Christian integration in grief and loss. In J. A. King & K. M. Ford (Eds.), Christian integration in the counseling profession (pp. 403-413). Kendall Hunt.

During this interesting conversation, Erica and Ana were delighted to hear from Dr. Daniel how fascinating, effective, and therapeutic group work is! As we are made in God's image (3 in One), group work addresses our need for relatedness and exposes how we relate with each other. We also explored how to making meaning from experiencing pain, and developing cognitive complexity in ourselves and our clients/students.

APA: Rhoads, E., & Barend, A. (Producers). (2023, November 16). Ep. 46: Group counseling: Interrelatedness, meaning in pain, and cognitive complexity- Dr. Denise Daniel [Audio podcast episode]. In RENAR Voice. Rho Eta Nu Alpha Rho of Chi Sigma Iota, Liberty University

Erica and Ana interviewed Dr. Joy Mwendwa, who is an embodiment of joy! In this interview, they discussed practicum anxiety and specific steps Master students can take to address this normative reaction to the counselor education experiential process. They also explored Dr. Mwendwa's teaching philosophy and the importance of humility and presence through the pedagogical process. We hope you enjoy!

Joy is also a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia and a Licensed Counseling Supervisor where she offers counseling supervision at Thomas Road Counseling House, Cornerstone Counseling Counseling and Care, and DMV Counseling Coaching and Consulting.

APA Citation: Rhoads, E., & Barend, A. (Producers). (2023, September 8). Ep. 44: Calming practicum anxiety: Being a learner amongst learners- Dr. Joy Mwendwa [Audio podcast episode]. In RENAR Voice. Rho Eta Nu Alpha Rho of Chi Sigma Iota, Liberty University

Erica and Ana begin their podcast hosting experience interviewing Dr. Mary Deacon, who is a professor who has inspired both of them as they develop into the leaders God has designed them to be.

Dr. Deacon has been teaching at Liberty for 12 years, she was the CACREP liaison, director of three of our master’s programs, and assessment coordinator. We hope Dr. Deacon's view of leadership will also inspire you.

To visit Dr. Deacon's page, click here.

Recommended APA citation example: Rhoads, E., & Barend, A. (Producers). (2023, May 17). Ep. 44: Servant Leadership- Dr. Mary Deacon [Audio podcast episode]. In RENAR Voice. Rho Eta Nu Alpha Rho of Chi Sigma Iota, Liberty University

In this final episode of RENAR Voice, Robert and Jeff say goodbye and thank core professors and chapter leadership for their support and encouragement.  What began as an idea to interview a professor (Episode 1) turned into two years of episodes featuring Liberty professors, the Special Feature track with experts outside Liberty, and the first passes of the Client Voices track offering some personal testimonies of being in the client's chair.

Robert and Jeff reflect on the experience of isolation as online students, and the fruit of intentionally building relationships with professors whose transformational mentoring left indelible marks upon Robert and Jeff's professional identity formation and function.

They also share a few laughs about some funny moments on the podcast!

Robert Switala, MA is in residency at Living Free Counseling in Endicott, NY under the supervision of Anna Zaccardo, MS, LPC, LMHC, NCC, BCC. He is in the process of gaining the CSAT certification.

Jeff Mazzone, MA, MA Theo is in residency at Revelations Counseling & Consulting in Stafford, VA under the supervision of Guy Strawder, LMFT, LPC, Lt. Colonel (RET), USA.  He is EMDR Trained by EMDRIA approved consultants.

* Spotify users - visit here for episodes pre-dating Ep. 23

**All RENAR Voice content will remain accessible until January 20, 2023**

On this final guest episode of RENAR Voice, Robert and Jeff sit with counselor and professor Dr. Lisa Sosin who serves as the director of Liberty's PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program.  Dr. Sosin leads Robert and Jeff through a prayerful and intimate exploration of the challenges a Christian faces associating with professional organizations especially amid endorsed contradictions to what Christians believe about sexuality, gender, marriage, and human life.

Dr. Sosin draws on the Gospel story of the woman at the well to frame how one might navigate professional membership, discern the call to be a missionary within those associations, and ultimately allow love to cast out fear and build relationship.  She discusses practicing the profession with excellence for the glory of God, having a seat at the table, credentialing, and the need for each of us to discern and listen to our well-formed conscience.

Visit Dr. Sosin's faculty page here.

* Spotify users - visit here for episodes pre-dating Ep. 23

Recommended APA citation example: Switala, R. P., & Mazzone, J. (Producers). (2022, October 17). Ep. 42: Be not afraid of the culture - Dr. Lisa Sosin [Audio podcast episode]. In RENAR Voice. Rho Eta Nu Alpha Rho of Chi Sigma Iota, Liberty University.

Counselor (TX), Christian sex therapist, and Liberty University alumna and assistant professor Dr. Brittany Lashua joins Robert and Jeff to discuss female sexual desire.  She touches on topics related to specific dynamics both within a woman and with her spouse, as well as pornography, trauma, emotional intimacy, how sexuality is more than just genital, and much more in this packed 54-minute episode!

For more from Dr. Lashua, follow her on Instagram @brittlashua and  @sameteamforever  - the marriage/relationship coaching she offers with her husband (https://www.sameteamforever.com/). 

* Spotify users - visit here for episodes pre-dating Ep. 23

Recommended APA citation example: Switala, R. P., & Mazzone, J. (Producers). (2022, June 27). Ep. 41: A glimpse into female sexual desire - Dr. Brittany Lashua [Audio podcast episode]. In RENAR Voice. Rho Eta Nu Alpha Rho of Chi Sigma Iota, Liberty University.

Counselor (VA) and Liberty alumna and assistant professor Dr. Kristin Hauswirth joins Robert and Jeff to discuss her work as a counselor within correctional facilities and adult detention centers.  She shares what drew her to the work and her background in forensics, offers insight into the unique dynamics of this somewhat overlooked and marginalized population, and discloses stories from her experience as a woman within this environment.

Visit Dr. Hauswirth’s faculty page here.

* Spotify users - visit here for episodes pre-dating Ep. 23

Recommended APA citation example: Switala, R. P., & Mazzone, J. (Producers). (2022, June 13). Ep. 40: In prison, you visited me - Dr. Kristin Hauswirth [Audio podcast episode]. In RENAR Voice. Rho Eta Nu Alpha Rho of Chi Sigma Iota, Liberty University.

Ana Barend is a former professional surfer, world-class competitor, two-time Brazilian champion, World Surf League chaplain, and is a wife, homeschooling mother, and doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Liberty University.  She joins Robert and Jeff to tell her story as a world-touring professional athlete and pioneer of women's professional surfing in Brazil.  She shares how her own counseling education slowly revealed long-standing struggles with self-worth, inferiority, control, and childhood emotional neglect. Ana is learning to find and rest on her identity in Christ.

Ana serves as the 2021-2023 secretary of Liberty's Rho Eta Nu Alpha Rho (RENAR) chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, the counseling honor society.

Ana Barend, MA, NCC sees clients in Massachusetts at The Well, and co-owns Little Compton Surf Camp.

Recommended APA citation example: Switala, R. P., & Mazzone, J. (Producers). (2022, May 23). Ep. 39: *Client Voices* - Brazilian women's surf champion turns counselor [Audio podcast episode]. In RENAR Voice. Rho Eta Nu Alpha Rho of Chi Sigma Iota, Liberty University.