Two Therapists At A Bar

Why is it so hard to commit? Whether it's relationships, careers, or personal goals, we often hesitate to commit because we're afraid of making the wrong choice, missing out on something better, or losing our freedom. But what if commitment is actually the path to a deeper kind of freedom? In this episode, we explore the psychology and philosophy of commitment—why we resist it, what makes it worthwhile, and how to follow through on what matters, even when the excitement fades. We also discuss when commitment means sticking it out and when it means knowing when to change course.

On this episode, we bring back our first ever guest Gene Fought. A lot has changed in the last year and a half: we talk Gene's recent burnout, why doing everything yourself eventually stops working, and the "140% rule” for letting other people carry some of the load. Gene also opens up about reconnecting with his faith, getting baptized, becoming more intentional in his marriage, and rethinking what success looks like as he gets older.

Gene Fought works as an Intelligence Analyst for the Federal government, is the owner of Renzo Gracie Martinsburg and founder of the ⁠Grapple;4Life Foundation⁠.

On this episode, we’re joined by Jason Foster, someone whose career has given him a unique perspective on faith, leadership, masculinity, and what it means to invest in the lives of others.

Jason spent 10 years serving as a dean at Seventh-day Adventist boarding schools, working closely with young people during some of the most formative years of their lives. He has also served as a pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and is currently co-operating a small landscaping company in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Throughout those different chapters, Jason has developed a particular interest in mentoring men and thinking deeply about the challenges facing men today.

In this conversation, we’ll explore Jason’s perspective on masculinity, relationships, faith, responsibility, and what healthy manhood might look like in our current culture—along with wherever else the conversation takes us.

Dr. Jon Van Ornam is back on the podcast! This time, we explore AI versus social media—which is more reliable when searching for health information, and what are the risks of turning to either? Along the way, we discuss the relational impact of these technologies and check in on Jon’s latest nutritional supplements experiments.

Dr. Jonathan D. Van Ornam, MD, MBA, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Prompted by the recent loss of Dale’s beloved dog of 14 years, this episode explores the role animals play in our emotional lives. We sit down with a veterinarian to talk about why pets matter so much to our mental health, what pet grief can teach us, and why the veterinary profession carries such a heavy emotional burden. We also get into a quick-fire round of pet hot takes, from pet insurance to grain-free diets and more.

Dr. Jennifer Vick has 18 years of experience as a Small Animal Veterinarian. Outside the office, Dr. Vick enjoys hiking, gardening, playing violin and piano, and spending time with her rescued dog Stanley.

In this episode, we explore how to navigate difficult parent relationships before opting for estrangement. We talk about the struggles between generations, and how adult children and their parents can hold empathy and understanding for each other while still respecting boundaries.

How much is too much to share with your spouse? In this episode, we explore why this question is important to answer for the health of your relationship, the difference between protecting your partner and deciding for them, what belongs between just the two of you, and why the things left unsaid tend to accumulate in ways we don't always see coming.

Dr. Michael Shceeringa is back with us to continue the conversation from our earlier episode, where we challenged the idea that “the body keeps the score.” In this episode, we go deeper into trauma and unpack common myths. Does everyone have trauma? How is trauma actually defined? Why do some people with trauma not develop PTSD? We explore these questions and much more.

Guest Bio

Dr. Michael S. Scheeringa, M.D. is a retired child and adolescent psychiatrist, former Professor and Vice Chair at Tulane University School of Medicine, and a leading researcher in the field of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Over his nearly three-decade career, he has served as principal investigator on more than 15 federally funded studies, authored over 90 peer-reviewed articles, and written several books, including The Trouble with Trauma and Treating PTSD in Preschoolers. Dr Scheeringa's research informed the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD in young children.

Are you a therapist or clergy? Upgrade your toolkit and earn 3.5 CE hours with our $99 course on providing ⁠⁠ethical faith-informed therapy with Christian couples.

We’re back — first episode of 2026. In this episode, we catch up on what we’ve been up to during the break before diving into a topic that affects all of us: how to receive critical feedback. Why is it so hard to hear? How do you know when criticism is worth receiving — and when it’s not? And once you decide to take it seriously, how do you process it in a way that actually helps you grow instead of shutting you down?

Are you a therapist or clergy? Upgrade your toolkit and earn 3.5 CE hours with our $99 course on providing ethical faith-informed therapy with Christian couples.

For the month of December, we’re replaying our top 5 episodes of the year—this one comes in at number 3:

In this episode, we talk about the kind of grief that shatters a life—and what comes after. We’re joined by our very first guest, Gene Fought, who shares his story of unimaginable loss: the death of his daughter to suicide. Through his story, we explore what it means to grieve, whether there’s a wrong or right way to grieve, how faith and loss can coexist, and how to support others when they’re in the depths of pain. This is a raw, honest, and hopeful conversation about heartbreak and finding meaning after tragedy.

Gene Fought works as an Intelligence Analyst for the Federal government, is the owner of Renzo Gracie Martinsburg, founder of the ⁠Grapple;4Life Foundation⁠, and serves as a Board Member and Public Policy Chair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

Are you a therapist or clergy? Upgrade your toolkit and earn 3.5 CE hours with our $99 course on providing ⁠ethical faith-informed therapy with Christian couples.