In this slow, contemplative episode of Project I Am, Dr. David J. Schlosz lingers with the luminous theme of belonging—guided by the Celtic hospitality of John O’Donohue and the tender wisdom of Henri Nouwen. What if belonging isn’t something we win, but a home we remember?

Pour some tea. Let your shoulders drop. Come home to the truth that you already belong.

What if belonging isn’t a place you find, but a home you remember? In this sweeping, soul-level lecture, Dr. David J. Schlosz traces the long arc from exile to homecoming—guided by the luminous insights of Toko-pa Turner and echoed by voices like Maya Angelou, bell hooks, James Baldwin, John O’Donohue, Brené Brown, Henri Nouwen, and Parker J. Palmer.

David explores why the ache to belong is more than a feeling—it’s human infrastructure—naming what culture, public health, and art are all saying out loud: we need each other or we break. This episode invites you to craft a life where your presence can bear its full weight—unshrunk, unperformed, and undismissed.

Press play, exhale, and keep walking each other home.

In this deeply relevant and encouraging episode of Project I Am, Dr. David J. Schlosz explores the modern, secular wisdom behind the age-old phrase, "Forsake not the gathering together of the brethren lest you be deceived." Drawing from current psychological research, real-world stories, and lived experience, this episode uncovers how isolation leaves us vulnerable to believing lies about our worth, our value, and our place in the world—and how gathering in authentic community can offer clarity, healing, and strength.

You’ll learn:

· Why isolation is a serious mental and physical health risk

· The specific false beliefs that thrive in disconnection

· How community helps protect us from distorted self-narratives

· Practical, modern ways to build and sustain meaningful connection

· Real examples from around the world of people overcoming loneliness

Whether you’ve been feeling disconnected or simply want to deepen your experience of belonging, this episode offers both insight and hope.

Listen now—and take one small step toward gathering. May you be well.

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In this deeply grounding and inspirational episode, Dr. David J Schlosz guides you through a 20-minute meditation focused on resilience — the quiet, powerful strength that allows us to bend without breaking, to keep going even when life feels overwhelming.

Whether you're walking through a season of challenge or simply needing a moment of rest, this practice invites you to reconnect with your inner capacity to endure, heal, and grow. With gentle breathwork, self-compassion exercises, and imagery rooted in research-backed principles of resilience, this meditation offers both calm and encouragement.

You’ll be reminded: “You are stronger than you think. You will rise from this.”

No prior meditation experience is needed — just an open heart and a few moments of stillness.

What you’ll experience in this episode:

• A calming guided meditation to center your mind and body
• Reflections on real resilience and what it truly looks like
• Affirmations and visualizations to strengthen inner resolve
• Insights grounded in psychological research (APA, 2012; Bonanno, 2004)
• A supportive space to breathe, reset, and remember your strength

Tune in now and take a moment to return to yourself. Share it with someone who needs encouragement today.

A calm, grounding practice for counselors. In this episode, I guide you through “I” statements designed to help you arrive in the room, hold spacious, compassionate presence, and loosen the grip of impostor thoughts. Use this as a pre-session centering, a between-clients reset, or an evening debrief to return to yourself. No fixing, no perfection—just breath, awareness, and the reminder that you are enough for the work in front of you.

What you’ll get

• A paced, breath-aligned sequence of affirmations
• Language for holding space with humility, clarity, and care
• Gentle reframes for self-doubt and performance pressure

How to use Press play, sit or walk, and repeat each line silently (or out loud if private). If an affirmation doesn’t land, let it pass; linger where it does.

For therapists, supervisors, trainees, and anyone who serves others from a human, present heart.

Loneliness and isolation are spiking worldwide—but connection is medicine. In this episode, Dr. David explores Relational-Cultural Theory’s Five Good Things—zest, clarity, worth, empowered action, and a desire for more connection—and shows how they function as vital signs of relational health. You’ll hear the origin story from the Stone Center, research linking social connection to better mental and physical health, and simple practices to track and grow the good. Come learn how to be seen for who you really are—and to build relationships that repair, energize, and last.

In this episode of Project I Am, I have a conversation with Phoebe Cocetti and Julia Berg about Limerence. These two Austin based therapists provide group therapy to people experiencing Limerence.

Limerence is often described as an intense, involuntary state of romantic infatuation. It goes beyond having a crush—it’s a powerful emotional and physiological experience characterized by obsessive thoughts about another person, longing for reciprocation, and a deep need for emotional connection. People experiencing limerence often find themselves replaying interactions, daydreaming, or feeling heightened anxiety and euphoria depending on how the relationship—or even perceived signals—are going.

Unlike healthy attraction or love, limerence can sometimes feel overwhelming and even disruptive to daily life. It can affect focus, relationships, and overall well-being, because the person’s attention is so consumed by the object of their affection.

That’s why support groups like the one our guests lead are so important. They provide a safe space to talk openly about this experience, reduce shame, and explore healthier ways of relating.

You can get in touch with Julia and Phoebe here:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups/limerence-support-group-austin-tx/264051

https://www.instagram.com/limerencegirlsatx/

In this episode of Project I Am, I interview Dr. Charle Heaton, a career educator and married gay man. From navigating deeply conservative spaces to fully embracing his authentic self, Dr. Charles Heaton’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, identity, and pride. In this inspiring episode, Charlie shares what it was like to live as a married gay man while building a career in education—and how he found the courage to defy societal expectations and choose a life of truth and freedom.

Join us as we explore the complexities of identity, the cost of silence, and the liberating power of acceptance. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking to live more boldly, love more openly, and stand more firmly in who they truly are.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/crheaton/