Searching Inward Restore Small Groups

In this episode of the Searching Inward Podcast, Seth Abram speaks with Taylor Grice of Nashville about her experience with Restore Small Groups. Taylor shares what she uncovered about herself as she unpacked her story in the eight-week program. As she started to see pieces of herself in others, she developed special bonds with the peer group, and she describes how the community helped her move forward with some growth in her life.
“There is something that happens in a group as you get deeper and deeper, and you’re sharing more and more vulnerable things about yourself, where you start to–at least for me–I started to see pieces of my story in others, and it gave me the space to share.” -Taylor [07:02]

“When somebody else shares something about themselves, it unlocks something in me that I didn't have access to before until you name that about your story.” -Seth [09:11]

TIMESTAMPS
[00:05] Intro
[01:22] This week’s guest, Taylor
[03:25] Joining Restore Small Groups
[04:59] Walking to the first group with strangers
[10:46] What she discovered sharing her story
[14:46] A group of strangers become friends
[18:16] One of the most formational thing
[19:57] Lighting round
Follow and Contact
Facebook: Restore Small Groups
Instagram: @restoresmallgroups
YouTube: Searching Inward Podcast
Website: restoresmallgroups.org

In this episode of the Searching Inward Podcast, Scott Reall, Seth Abram and Anna Bryant have a conversation around loneliness, belonging and community and the relationship between the three. In this vulnerable conversation, the three hosts discuss how these deeply connected elements play a significant role in mental and emotional well-being and share practical takeaways to deal with loneliness in a healthy way and build a more meaningful community.
“I also think that the chronic epidemic of loneliness is deadly. I don’t think we can talk enough about how important it is that a person finds true connection.” -Scott [09:40]

“I’m just thinking about how the fine line between loneliness and belonging is largely around disclosure, how much of yourself you’re willing to disclose to truly find belonging and connect with people or not.” -Seth [14:46]

“Community is the antidote to loneliness and belonging, but just to remember that community is the people. It’s not person.” -Anna [42:29]

TIMESTAMPS
[00:05] Intro
[01:58] Loneliness: the pain of being alone
[06:27] The biggest loneliness pandemic
[14:12] Belonging: security and support
[22:35] Community: mutual support and belonging
[33:42] Bringing these three terms together
[43:04] Self-esteem vs self-worth
[50:54] Practical takeaways
Follow and Contact
Facebook: Restore Small Groups
Instagram: @restoresmallgroups
YouTube: Searching Inward Podcast
Website: restoresmallgroups.org

In this episode of the Searching Inward Podcast, Scott Reall, Seth Abram and Anna Bryant continue to explore one of Scott’s books, “Journey to a New Beginning after Loss: Freedom from the Pain of Grief and Disappointment,” and focus on the second chapter about anger–one of the stages of grief. They discuss our relationship with anger, the benefits of it during this stage and how to work through it.
“Anger is a hard one to wrestle with, and I think it’s so important for us to recognize that every feeling, whether it’s a pleasant feeling or a seemingly unpleasant feeling has both a benefit and an impairment.” -Anna [05:23]

“When you lose something, you feel that just complete untethered-ness to what was normal. Anger is what holds you up, I think, especially in the beginning. Anger is what holds you up and keeps you from being completely lost in it all. Anger is just vital, I think, to the grieving process.” -Seth [08:30]

“Forgiveness is a big part of our work in grief recovery.” -Scott [22:38]

TIMESTAMPS
[00:05] Intro
[01:20] Stages of grief
[05:02] Benefits of anger
[09:25] Reality hits
[15:10] Wrong expectations
[19:58] Resentment and regret
[23:53] The role of forgiveness
[27:43] How to work through anger
[33:35] Final thoughts
Follow and Contact
Facebook: Restore Small Groups
Instagram: @restoresmallgroups
YouTube: Searching Inward Podcast
Website: restoresmallgroups.org
Scott Reall’s Books:
Journey to Freedom: Your Start to a Lifetime of Hope, Health, and Healing
Journey to a New Beginning after Loss: Freedom from the Pain of Grief and Disappointment
Journey to Living with Courage: Freedom from Fear
Journey to Healthy Living: Freedom from Body Image and Food Issues
Journey to a Life of Significance: Freedom from Low Self-Esteem

In this episode of the Searching Inward Podcast, Scott Reall and George Stull speak with Heather Lefebvre, a licensed psychotherapist who focuses on marriage and family therapy. Heather previously worked for Restore Small Groups over a decade ago, where her and her husband, Steven, were essential in the development and growth of the organization. She shares her journey with Small Groups and how it inspired her to transition into the mental health field.
“If I’m sitting there with a therapist, I want to know that they’ve been down this road too. ‘Cause you and I say you can’t lead somebody out of the desert if you’ve never been in the desert. And so, Heather’s been in the desert.” -Scott [04:31]

“Group is always a tethering point of I am not alone. I am not the only one who struggles. I cannot process in my head alone and think that that is going to help me challenge belief systems, challenge my neural pathways. Like that’s not enough. I really need to go and be around, be in community, be with people who are also fighting the good fight, who are also continually seeing life as a growth opportunity.” -Heather [14:34]

“So friends, when your therapist is encouraging you to move to a more vulnerable place, trust them. They really do understand how we can grow and how we can heal.” - George [21:07]

TIMESTAMPS
[00:05] Intro
[01:19] This week’s guest, Heather
[05:05] How Heather came to love Restore Small Groups
[11:30] Transitioning to the mental health field
[12:48] The value of individual therapy and small groups
[17:26] Vulnerability is healthy to our growth
[21:19] Why Small Groups are beneficial
[25:21] How neurobiology influences her therapy approach
[33:46] Recommended helpful practices
[37:36] We are good enough
[41:17] Heather’s website and final words
Follow and Contact
Facebook: Restore Small Groups
Instagram: @restoresmallgroups
YouTube: Searching Inward Podcast
Website: restoresmallgroups.org
Heather’s Website: mytherapistheather.com

In this episode of the Searching Inward Podcast, Seth Abram and Anna Bryant speak with Mike “L.A. Mike” Rada about his experience with Restore Small Groups. Mike shares how feeling lost mentally, physically and spiritually after a pretty bad case of COVID-19 inspired him to join a Small Group. He takes the host through his journey that quickly evolved into sharing vulnerably.
“It allowed me to let myself be vulnerable for once, and it was a very welcoming group of people. It was strange for me, but then it also felt great. It gave me a chance to let my guard down.” -Mike [09:11]

“I think it’s a really great description of some of the magic of what happens in a group. Where we meet one another is in our humanity first.” -Seth [11:06]

“I think you articulated well though. Like it was a catalyst for you to maybe connect your inner world and your outer world in a more honest way with the people in your life.” -Anna [15:52]

TIMESTAMPS
[00:05] Intro
[00:28] Today’s guest, Mike
[01:54] What drew him to Restore Small Groups
[05:43] His first and last days
[11:36] Sharing vulnerably
[14:50] Something that had an impact on Mike
[18:32] Why recommend Small Groups to others?
[20:46] Lighting round
Follow and Contact
Facebook: Restore Small Groups
Instagram: @restoresmallgroups
YouTube: Searching Inward Podcast
Website: restoresmallgroups.org

In this episode of the Searching Inward Podcast, Scott Reall, George Stull, Seth Abram and Anna Bryant talk about vulnerability. They explore what this means in the context of mental and emotional well-being and break down the myths about it. Listen as they share strategies for leaning into our vulnerability and embracing authenticity.
TIMESTAMPS
[00:05] Intro
[01:19] Defining vulnerability
[03:21] Myths about vulnerability
[09:12] “I don’t do vulnerability”
[14:34] Can’t go it alone
[16:48] What is vulnerability
[22:09] Within the framework of relationships
[32:46] Takeaways and strategies 
[38:30] Four feeling questions
Follow and Contact
Facebook: Restore Small Groups
Instagram: @restoresmallgroups
YouTube: Searching Inward Podcast
Website: restoresmallgroups.org