The Work of Being Human

Happy New Year to all! In this opening episode, Foundations: The Two Things You Need in Order to Grow, we begin the year by doing something countercultural: slowing down. Instead of rushing into resolutions and forced change, we look to winter — and the natural rhythms of the seasons — as an honest model for how growth actually works. Drawing from the agricultural calendar, psychology, and Christian wisdom, this episode explores why January is not a time for productivity or reinvention, but for rest, stillness, and preparation. We talk about dormancy, readiness, and the unseen work that happens beneath the surface before anything grows. You’ll hear why insight alone doesn’t transform us, how modern mental health culture often pushes urgency over wisdom, and why true change requires both grace and self-discipline. This episode sets the foundation for a year-long journey rooted in reality, humanity, and timing — beginning not with a push, but with a breath.Follow me on Instagram: @vanessathetherapistSend me an email: contact@vanessabentley.coAnd don't forget... DM me with a photo of you, fascinated by a piece of cheese. And yes -- you have to listen to this week's episode to get it. ;-)

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate, near and far! This week, we discuss the essence of what it means to be present. Too often, we offer parts of ourselves and not the whole, and we wonder why we feel lonely and disconnected. The truth is: all healing culminates in the ability to be fully present. We'll look at what it is, what it's not, and why it's the greatest gift we can give another. Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessathetherapist/Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanessabentleylpcFollow me on X: https://x.com/VthetherapistSend me an email with a podcast request: contact@vanessbentley.co

As we continue our series, Ending the Year Well, we look at a very important question we could ask ourselves at the close of the year: what does the healthiest version of myself look like? If I'm as healthy as I want to be, what does that look like emotionally, physically, mentally, professionally, sexually, and so on. Then we do some inventorying: who is going to help me get there and who isn't? Folks, it's time to "clean out the closet" of our relationships. We're going to talk about recruiting, reconciling, and releasing... and we're looking ahead into 2026 with purpose, intention, and full responsibility for who we are. To look at the "Yearly Inventory" from years past, click here:1: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vanessa-londino-podcast/id1555914519?i=10005887743442: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vanessa-londino-podcast/id1555914519?i=10005898247483: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vanessa-londino-podcast/id1555914519?i=10005905945794: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vanessa-londino-podcast/id1555914519?i=1000591292133If you'd like to send me a message, email me at: contact@vanessabentley.co (not .com)

As the year winds down to a close, it’s time to take some inventory and think through how we want to close 2025 out. Starting a new year with a clean slate is one of the greatest gifts you can supply to your mental health. No baggage. No loose ends. No unfinished business. Just a clear mind and an open heart. So we need to ask ourselves: Am I holding on to hurt, bitterness, or resentment? Is there someone I need to forgive? This week, we tackle what forgiveness is and isn’t, how to do it, and how it’s actually essential to your mental health. Send me an email about the podcast! Contact@vanessabentley.coBuy “The Toolbox” - https://a.co/d/azt401j

Happy thanksgiving to all! I wanted share the gratitude in my heart for you, the audience, some thoughts on how to cultivate a life that overflows with thankfulness, and a prayer for all who listen. Many thanks for keeping this podcast going in its fourth year!

Listen to this episode if you’re feeling defeated, tired, run down, or if you’re hearing yourself complain a lot. Elysia Skye is a speaker, mindset and leadership consultant, and host of The Brilliance Method Podcast, and here’s what I learned from talking to her: authenticity in action is one of the most compelling expressions of humanity. Elysia is brave, bold, deeply caring, and filled with hard fought wisdom. She has faced battles in her own life to reach her goals, and she brings this same passion and practical knowledge to us in this episode. Her work is all about bringing out the “brilliance” in all of us, and I’m so thankful she shared her gifts with the Work of Being Human audience! Follow me on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/vanessathetherapist?igsh=MTJ6NTYwdWFsOG5ieg%3D%3D&utm_source=qrhttps://www.instagram.com/theworkofbeinghuman?igsh=MXd6cTY3b3ZwNXZ1&utm_source=qrTo connect with Elysia… Watch or Listen to The Brilliance Method Podcast: https://linktr.ee/elysiaskyeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/elysiaskyeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/elysiaskyecoachTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elysiaskyeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elysiaskyeLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elysiaskye/

Dr. Alan Weissenbacher is a pastor and a neuroscientific researcher. His work in addiction and recovery led him to dive more deeply into the brain’s ability to change and rewire itself. In this episode, Dr. Weissenbacher leads us down the road of recovery, brain change, a grace filled process, and why you should celebrate every step. (Hint: it has to do with how your brain works.) He’s funny, kind, thoughtful, patient, and delivers a strong wind of hope for anyone who has ever felt like giving up. Simply put: this episode is about how you can change anything!For more information on Dr. Weissenbacher, click here: https://alanweissenbacher.comTo order his book, “The Brain Change Program,” click here: https://a.co/d/2KuNY3N

Many listeners have requested an episode on grief for two reasons: (1) grief is difficult, and we seek all the help we can get. (2) Grief is universal. We will all face losses of many kinds. Marcia’s experience with grief, while heart wrenching and tragic, offers us hope, purpose, and an uncommon vitality. She is an expert on finding life again after loss. Marcia teaches us to view grief as a spiritual passage through our greatest fears to a new version of ourselves. Marcia’s faith, hope, and determination to live again will inspire you to accept grief as part of life and, in her words, get breathing again, moving again, and living again.For more information on Marcia: https://www.thesterlingrosesanctuary.usTo purchase Marcia’s book on grief: http://a.co/d/3Qq4eHRFollow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesterlingrosesanctuary/

Two weeks ago, we took a bit of a deep dive into understanding how our negative beliefs develop. This week, we're going to tackle what we DO about them. How do we actually change negative belief systems about ourselves? About others? The truth is, we have a lot more power and agency than we realize. Through deeper understanding and an assertion of our commitment to growth and change, we can actually change any negative belief to a positive one. This week, I'll talk you through how. If you'd like to send me an email about the podcast - thoughts, requests, (critiques!), and reactions - I'd LOVE to hear from you! Email me at contact@vanessabentley.co (not .com)Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessathetherapist/Thanks for listening! Please follow, subscribe, and SHARE! :-)

This was one of those episodes I simply had to do. I was ready to record part 2 of last weeks episode (“Why Am I So Hard on Myself?”), but based on my own experience and what I’m hearing from you all, I had to pivot. This week, we tackle what to do when we’re offended, when we disagree. We look at the escalation stages of conflict and how to diffuse it at the most essential stage. We are going to become skilled communicators, in search of truth and reason, able to navigate disagreement without putting our relationships in jeopardy. These are skills everyone simply must have. (And we even dabble a bit into Socrates!)Send me an email. I’d love to hear from you! Contact@vanessabentley.co (not .com)