Author: Sovann

John Lynch is one of my heroes and favorite authors. I am so excited to have him on this episode of The Courage, Coaching and Counseling Podcast!  

He is a winsome, beloved and profound communicator of the grace and love of God. His Two Roads talk has been viewed by hundreds of thousands all over the world. He has acted out this message on tour with Mercy Me. John has taken the truths of identity in Christ to West Point. He has created conferences for several thousand fathers and sons at Men’s Round Up. He wrote his own story, On My Worst Day, and co-authored The Cure, Truefaced, Bo’s Cafe, The Cure and Parents, and the devotional Trust for Today. His wife Stacey travels with John these days to many of his speaking events. They delight in their three children-Caleb, Amy and Carly, along with four grandchildren.  

You can order his book and audiobook:
On My Worst Day Book
On My Worst Day Audiobook

The Cure
The Cure & Parents (one of my favorite parenting books)

He was also part of the Heart of Man Movie: https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Man-William-Paul-Young/dp/B082XGSQHN  
The Two Roads Message: https://youtu.be/Rfy03PEVUhQ  

You can connect with him:

On YouTube
https://www.facebook.com/JohnLynchSpeaks
https://www.instagram.com/johnslynch/
https://www.johnlynchspeaks.com/

More of his podcast appearances: https://www.johnlynchspeaks.com/free-resources

The Courage, Coaching and Counseling Podcast launched March 30th, 2021.  

You can watch it on my YouTube Channel.

The purpose of the show is to encourage and inspire you to be more courageous in life and to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. It is for those who may be struggling with mental illness, relationship struggles, or seeking clarity and direction in life.  People who are interested in personal growth, emotional and spiritual health.  Moms and Dads who would like help with their marriage and/or parenting.  And people who are interested in how church leaders and mental health providers can work together to care for people.  

In these two episodes, my guests Benjamin and Heidi Sadler talk about Music, Marriage, Mental Health and Ministry.

Chasing Ebenezer is a world folk-rock band based in Portland, Oregon. With influences from Celtic, African, and Middle Eastern music, their songs make it hard for audiences to sit still. Their tunes are alive with bohemian violin licks, world percussion, and an ever-increasing array of instruments. The couple hosts a weekly YouTube show that encourages others to create.

Chasing Ebenezer Website

Patreon

Press Kit

Spotify channel

Instagram Chasing Ebenezer
Heid’s Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Benjamin’s sermons at Clear Creek Community Church: https://clearcreekpdx.com/?s=sadler

This interview includes discussion of depression and suicidal ideation.

If you are struggling with suicidal ideation, anxiety, depression and need help please reach out.

You can call, text or message help in crisis at here:

1-800-273-8255

Suicide Prevention Hotline

Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor

I’ve often wished I could share helpful posts that I come across on social media with clients and friends but I can’t ethically follow back on social media.

I finally realized I could do this if I started an Instagram channel for counseling!

Recently, I’ve posted some videos on sleep and Insomnia there. I’m also sharing encouraging and helpful posts in my Stories. I’m not following back personal accounts and especially not following back clients to maintain your privacy. But I hope you’ll follow if you’d like some support for mental, emotional, relational and spiritual health and growth.

It’s National Sleep Awareness Month and the start of National Sleep Awareness Week March 14-20, 2021.

I also am starting to post more on my previously dormant YouTube Channel.

I uploaded four videos in the past two years and five total in the past four years.

I’ll be posting episodes of The Courage, Coaching and Counseling Podcast there but also other videos on books, mental health, marriage and parenting.

My goal this year is to get to 1000 subscribers. So far, I have 13.

I hope you’ll check my channel out and subscribe.

Please let me know if there are any topics you’d like me to do a video about.

9 minutes.

9 minutes of silliness in front of a bunch of strangers and a few friends in a pub here in Portlandia.

Joking about being a dad, therapy, online dating, sex.

Over way too fast (oooh, there’s another joke there) but an exercise in facing my fears and re-writing a narrative that had been a millstone around my neck.

9 minutes but years in the making and overcoming.

Overcoming the belief that I never finish and follow through on things.

Of being that typical Enneagram 7 that keeps talking about what cool, fun, and awesome thing I’m going to do.

It wasn’t the fear of failure in the eyes of others that was the hardest to overcome. (it’s a room full of strangers, I don’t have to come back)

It was the fear of failure in my own eyes.

The fear of yet another false start and stop.

Another broken promise to myself.

Another rep of building the muscle memory of starting and quitting.

Another dream that my wife has gotten used to rolling her eyes about, to humor me with listening and a “That sounds nice, honey.”

I tell my clients, family, and friends to be brave, all the time, every day 9 minutes and I did it.

More on what it was like on an upcoming podcast episode.

What have you been dreaming about doing for years that you need to be brave and finally do it this year?

Guys! I’m excited to be starting a podcast this month!
This is something I’ve been dreaming about for years.
I even recorded my first episode about 6-7 years ago on my iPad.
But, I wasn’t brave enough to push the button and get started.

I’ve been inspired by so many people, recently it’s just coming together and it’s finally happening.

So far I’ve interviewed eight people and have another four scheduled before launching at the end of this month.

The purpose of the show is to encourage and inspire people who may be struggling with mental illness, relationship struggles or seeking clarity in life. People who are interested in personal growth, emotional and spiritual health. Moms and Dads who would like help with their marriage and/or parenting. And people who are interested in how church leadership and mental health providers can work together to care for people. Entrepreneurs and artists who are building their business, their art, tribe and brand.

I’ll also do some solo episodes on mental, spiritual and relational health. On parenting and marriage and being brave with work, relationships and your calling.

Happy New Year! I hope you had a great Christmas and Happy New Year’s!
What a year! I calculated that last year I had approximately 2700 conversations about physical, emotional, spiritual and relational health.

Here is a class I was invited to teach for a Sunday School Class on getting unstuck and why do we do the things we don’t want to do and struggle with the things we do.

Here are some videos and resources on habit change, healthy eating, physical activity that I recommend to my patients and clients.

On the different ways we talk ourselves out of being active

When those closest to you don’t support your efforts to improve your life.

One more, I enjoyed this talk by Kevin Leman on getting 2021 off to a good start.

On realistic expectations and self-compassion for the holidays

It can be the time to put a line in the sand and fight your battle to do things differently from the past.

It can also be a time to relax and not worry about doing it perfectly.

If you’ve danced the same dance and played the same role while reading from the same script for years or even decades with your family it’s ok if your attempts to do “healthy boundaries” don’t go smoothly.

Especially in the hustle and stress of Christmas.

Love covers a multitude of sins.

Try to be just a little braver, honest, assertive, loving, healthy, or whatever you’re working on.

It won’t go to waste, regardless of how your family system responds.

The system as a whole may not change, but you can.

A quick tip if Covid-19 has strained your relationships.

In relationships, we develop a rhythm, homeostasis, agreements, and habits that create safety and stability. The changes of this year, like working from home or changes in work and hobbies can disrupt the daily and weekly rhythms, creating stress.

One way to manage the stress is to open up and tell your partner:

“I need help with ____.”

Especially if what you used to work for you, individually and together, isn’t working anymore. Another way is to offer support and be curious:

“Is there anything I can help you with? Support you in?”

Stress can drive you apart, isolate you, and make you feel alone. Or it can be an opportunity to love and care for each other on a deeper level.

Here are a few older posts on stress and parenting and marriage.

How Stress Affects Your Parenting

A Quick Tip For Stress and Marriage

Fighting for Your Marriage: Lessons From The Zombie Apocalypsehttp://www.sovannpen.com/saveyourmarriagefromzombies/

I’ve been recommending these two videos a lot to clients lately:

This book has been the most helpful emotionally and spiritually to me this year:

Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad

This interview with the author talks about the burnout and trauma so many have experienced this year.
Right-Side Up Leadership: “You are experiencing trauma” John Eldredge (Apple podcast)

Right-Side Up Leadership: “You are experiencing trauma” John Eldredge