You make the rules! Sort of....

When it comes to establishing a habit or a discipline, you know yourself better than others. You can read a book where the author gives a tip on how to get to bed earlier, but if that does not work for you, then don't do it! Finding what works best for yourself is half the battle.

You can set the parameters around something and what "counts".

Just because some gymfluencer says that a workout only "counts" if it's an hour long doesn't mean you have to adopt that mentality. You get to choose what "counts".

Give this episode a listen if you struggle with defining what types of parameters need to be set around your habits and disciplines!

There are some buzz words that start off with the proper definition attached, but then quickly slide into whatever the cultural use becomes. Gaslighting* started off as the understanding that when someone is correct about something and they are talking to someone else who is disregarding the facts and is focused instead on making the person think they are crazy for thinking that way.

Now, it has become anyone that makes a person feel uncomfortable in a conversation or someone that disagrees with us.

Scott and Sophia talk about gaslighting, and how they would counter the current cultural definition of gaslighting as, more often than not, simply poor communication. Why? Well, listen to the episode to get their take on things!

*with the understanding that there are true gaslighting moments. Scott and Sophia do not disregard that in the slightest. Simply another perspective for moments that are frustrating, but do not happen to be gaslighting.

Sophia has a new soapbox that she's standing on and it's the topic of Discernment! Scott and Sophia discuss discernment in the context of cancel culture. Should we throw out an entire book that someone published if some of the theology is questionable? Should we call for someone to lose their platform because we disagree with them? What music should we as believers listen to?

Discernment is incredibly important, but how do you develop a healthy amount of it? Listen to this week's episode to find out!

Problem Solving continued! Joe Ruiz is still with Scott and Sophia chatting about Problem Solving as well as conversations he's had with students over the years.....

Scott and Sophia are joined in the studio by Joe Ruiz! He is a Senior Associate Director in the Office of Community Life alongside Sophia and Scott. Joe has worked in the education field for many years, and shares his insight on the skill of problem solving, as well as some areas that he sees students struggling in.

The three of them talked for so long, this episode had to get split in two! Make sure and catch Part 2 to hear the rest of their conversation.

In the Center for Student Thriving, we have a lot of programs for Liberty University Students to participate in. But figuring out which one you should attend, how a program will benefit you, and where to go to sign up can be a bit time consuming. So Scott and Sophia made a whole BONUS episode for you to hear about each program and why we think you should come to them!

To view registration information, click here:

https://www.liberty.edu/students/dean/student-thriving/

Scott and Sophia have differing opinions when it comes to personality tests. Sophia loves them and thinks they are extremely helpful in creating self-awareness. Scott......has many thoughts on how people hide behind their results to justify their unhealthy behavior.

Give this episode a listen to hear different perspectives regarding personality tests, how they can be used for good, and also cautions against them.

The phrase "Our Identity is in Christ" is one that gets used within Christian circles on a regular basis. The issue with that is it can lose its meaning and impact.

On this episode, Scott and Sophia bring in a different perspective. They discuss the impact on our minds and hearts when our identity is in nothing, or it is in things that are fluid like what the popular kids decide is cool, what social media trend is currently acceptable, what body image issues our friends have that we take on, etc.

Give this episode a listen to hear Scott and Sophia's takes on building a firm foundation in the Lord, and how to recognize when outside sources are trying to suck us in.

Discussions surrounding technology tend to heavily focus on the negative. Scott and Sophia talk about the positives AND the negatives! How you can use your phone to HELP you get homework done. How to set boundaries so that you can enjoy technology instead of feeling guilty. And how to look at it as a tool instead of a hindrance!

Give this episode a listen for inspiration and ideas in regards to positive technology usage!

Identity is a hot topic on Tik Tok and Instagram. Labels are either something we cling to, or reject.

In an age when the social media comparison game can throw us off course at any given moment, having a firm foundation of knowing who we are is vital. Our identity will be in something. Whether that be Christ or a personality test type, or something the world has decided is "good enough." Do you want to explore what the possibilities of having it in Christ are?

Sophia and Scott discuss this topic in today's episode.