The Work of Being Human

Vanessa Bentley
  • 4.8 (81)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

This is a podcast about facing truth in a world that keeps offering better-sounding lies. We talk about the ideas people organize their lives around—spiritually, psychologically, relationally, and culturally—and what those ideas actually do to real human beings when lived out. Some episodes lean clinical, some philosophical, some cultural, some theological—but the backbone is the same: human beings heal when we face reality and embrace our humanity. We believe Truth is discoverable, and orienting our lives around it — that's the Work of Being Human.

  1. 2d ago

    INCOMPATIBLE: Where Modern Psychology and Christianity Collide

    This episode starts with a simple question: What exactly is a human being? Not what are our symptoms. Not what's our diagnosis. Not what's our attachment style. What are we? The more time I spend in the field of psychology, the more I realize something important: psychology is very good at describing pain. It's somewhat capable of helping people heal. But when it comes to personhood—to human dignity, worth, identity, and why any of it matters—it gets strangely quiet. So in this episode, I'm comparing two very different views of what it means to be human: modern psychology and Christianity. One sees us primarily as biological, psychological, and social organisms. The other says we're something much more. We're going to talk about identity, consciousness, human nature, suffering, healing, and the question underneath all of it: Why does a human being have dignity in the first place? Because if therapy helps people reclaim their personhood—and I believe it does—then sooner or later we have to ask where personhood came from. It's a little philosophical. It's a little theological. It's definitely psychological. And if you're willing to think with me for an hour, I think you'll find the question is far more important than it first appears. Write us a message about the podcast: https://www.vanessabentley.co/contact This podcast is: Produced: Jared Bentley and Madison Thompson Music: Vanessa Bentley Arrangement: Winston Philip

    52 min

  2. Jun 1

    TRAUMA: What It Actually Is (And How to Really Heal)

    Trauma is one of the most misunderstood concepts in modern mental health. In this episode, I challenge the idea that every painful experience is trauma and offer a clear, reality-based framework for understanding what trauma actually is, how it changes us, and what genuine healing requires. Drawing parallels between physical injury and psychological injury, we'll explore why trauma is more than pain, disappointment, or hardship. Trauma creates damage. It alters how we see ourselves, other people, and the world around us. You'll learn: • What distinguishes trauma from normal suffering • Why trauma changes our perception of reality • The connection between trauma, shame, fear, and fragmentation • Why healing requires expansion rather than avoidance • Why wisdom is essential when rebuilding trust and relationships• The five stages of trauma recovery: Stabilize Name Grieve Integrate Reconnect I'll offer you a definition of trauma that sits at the center of the conversation:"Trauma is the forced contraction of human personhood under overwhelming conditions, which leads to fundamental changes in one's perception of reality." Whether you're working through your own trauma, supporting someone who is, or simply trying to understand the human experience more deeply, this episode offers practical insight, compassion, and hope. If this conversation resonates with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may benefit. Produced and Edited by Jared Bentley Music by Vanessa Bentley Arranged by Winston Philip Recorded in Nashville, TN Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessathetherapist/ Follow the show: https://www.instagram.com/theworkofbeinghuman/ Send us an email on content you want to see: admin@vanessabentley.co

    36 min

  3. May 11

    Dr. Adam Urato: The Weaponization of Empathy

    This week I speak with maternal-fetal medicine specialist, Dr. Adam Urato, and unpack a growing cultural phenomenon: the weaponization of empathy. From antidepressants in pregnancy to gender medicine, we explore how emotional appeals are often used to shut down scientific scrutiny and moral dissent. Rather than rationally addressing questions about evidence, risk, and efficacy, critics are accused of lacking compassion altogether. This episode examines the psychology of fear mongering, moral manipulation, and “conversation stopping” tactics that overwhelm critical thinking with emotional pressure. What happens when empathy becomes detached from truth? What happens when critical thinking is replaced with authoritarianism masquerading as compassion? Follow the show to learn more: https://www.instagram.com/theworkofbeinghuman/

    1h 9m

  4. May 4

    What Man-Hating Does to Your Mental Health

    I recently saw a meme posted by a mental health professional and it said, "Every woman has a story about a man who harmed her." It got me thinking... In a culture where contempt toward men is increasingly normalized, even framed as "female empowerment," we have to ask a more honest question: what does that kind of thinking actually do to our mental health? In this episode, we examine misandry (the hatred of men) through three lenses—the individual, the relational, and the societal—and expose the distorted thinking that sustains it. Because even though something can feel justified, it may still not be true. And if we build our lives on ideas that distort reality and dehumanize others, we don’t become stronger, we simply live as victims of our own faulty thinking. This is a call back to reality, to clear thinking, and to a more human way of relating. If this made you think, please share it! And follow/subscribe to the podcast for more. Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessathetherapist/ Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworkofbeinghuman/ For more info: www.vanessabentley.co (not .com)

    31 min

  5. Apr 27

    Eli Singer: Stop Blaming the Algorithm and Take Your Life Back From Your Phone

    We all know our phones are a problem. But knowing it hasn’t changed it. In this episode, I sit down with Eli Singer, founder of Offline Now, to explore what’s really happening in our relationship with technology—and why most solutions fall short. We move beyond surface-level advice and into the deeper questions: Is the phone the problem, or is it revealing something about us? Where does responsibility actually lie? And what does it look like to take real ownership of our behavior in a world designed to keep us distracted? This isn’t a conversation about screen time limits. It’s about self-accountability, agency, and the uncomfortable truth that no algorithm can control us without our participation. If we want our lives back—our attention, our relationships, our humanity—we have to face reality and act accordingly. Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessathetherapist/ Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworkofbeinghuman/ Eli's website: https://offline.now/

    1 hr

  6. Apr 20

    Mental Health Is NOT What You’ve Been Told: Reality, Truth, and What it Takes to Heal

    What if mental health isn’t about managing symptoms—but about facing reality? In this episode, I challenge the dominant narratives of the mental health industry and offer a clear definition: mental health is your ability to live in reality—without denial or deception—and thrive within it. Using a personal story about healing chronic knee pain as a metaphor, I explore and expose the difference between treating symptoms versus addressing root causes. From debunking the “chemical imbalance” theory to dismantling the over-reliance on diagnoses, this episode calls you back to something deeper: truth. You’ll explore how denial and deception subtly shape our lives, why self-knowledge is essential for thriving, and what it actually means to build a life that works. This is not about “living your best life”—it’s about living a real one. Thank you for listening! Please remember to share and hit subscribe! Email the show: www.vanessabentley.co Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessathetherapist/ Follow the show: https://www.instagram.com/theworkofbeinghuman/ Link to the article - debunking the chemical imbalance theory: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2022/jul/no-evidence-depression-caused-low-serotonin-levels-finds-comprehensive-review Link to the article - "Psychiatric diagnoses are not scientific:" https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2019/07/08/study-finds-psychiatric-diagnosis-to-be-scientifically-meaningless/

    37 min

  7. Apr 1

    David Lea: Are We Responsible for Every Bad Thing That Happens to Us?

    In this episode, I sit down with David Lea, a trauma-informed polarity coach, to explore how childhood experiences shape identity, relationships, and healing. While we find common ground around personal responsibility and the lasting impact of early life, the conversation quickly moves into deeper—and more consequential—territory. David’s framework centers on the idea that all suffering is rooted in unprocessed childhood wounds and that individuals are ultimately responsible for everything they experience. I challenge that view, arguing that while personal accountability is essential, there are realities we encounter in life that we did not choose and cannot fully control. From the nature of trauma to the question of whether evil exists beyond the self, this conversation reveals two fundamentally different ways of understanding human suffering—and what it actually means to heal. Learn more: www.vanessabentley.co Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessathetherapist/ Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworkofbeinghuman/ Learn more about David Lea: https://www.daring-deeply.com/

    1h 36m

  8. Mar 23

    Is Celebrity Culture Good for Our Mental Health? (No.)

    We all know celebrity culture is a little ridiculous… but have you ever stopped to ask why we’re so drawn to it? Why we admire celebrities, follow their lives, and sometimes even love to hate them? In this episode, in the wake of the Oscars and "awards season" in general, I explore the deeper psychology behind our fascination with the "rich and famous" — why human beings have always looked “up” to gods, heroes, and icons, and how that same instinct is playing out today in celebrity culture. The problem? The people we elevate shape what we believe is possible and even who we are—and when those models are built on illusion rather than substance, it subtly impacts our identity, our attention, and our mental health. This is an episode about modeling, meaning, and the question we’re all answering, whether we realize it or not: who is worthy of our attention? To send me an email with show ideas or requests: contact@vanessabentley.co Follow me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/vanessathetherapist/ The original Bobo Doll experiment (in full): https://youtu.be/dmBqwWlJg8U?si=S6hY1d1oldSkCOBX

    40 min
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4.8
out of 5
81 Ratings

About

This is a podcast about facing truth in a world that keeps offering better-sounding lies. We talk about the ideas people organize their lives around—spiritually, psychologically, relationally, and culturally—and what those ideas actually do to real human beings when lived out. Some episodes lean clinical, some philosophical, some cultural, some theological—but the backbone is the same: human beings heal when we face reality and embrace our humanity. We believe Truth is discoverable, and orienting our lives around it — that's the Work of Being Human.

Information

  • Creator
    Vanessa Bentley
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    193
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Vanessa Bentley
  • Show Website
    The Work of Being Human

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