I love Mark. He is a phenomenal writer and teacher, and I had the gift of spending two years working with him as he mentored me in my writing craft—and the book I’m still working on (now in year five!). In this conversation, we explore writing, authenticity, and how listening to your inner voice can change your life. We talk about the timeless wisdom of Emerson and how it applies to modern life, as well as the role of craftsmanship, creativity, and what it means to stay true to yourself as a writer in the age of AI. Mark shares his perspective on writing as a spiritual practice, the discipline of the craft, and what it really takes to not only live, but to create authentically.

**

Mark Matousek is a bestselling author, teacher, and speaker whose work explores personal awakening, self-inquiry, and creative transformation through writing. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including his latest work on Emerson, the Stoics, and Me: Timeless Wisdom for Living an Authentic Life. Mark is also the founder of The Secrets Forum, a global community dedicated to exploring the human condition. He is widely known for his method “Writing to Awaken,” which uses journaling and deep questioning as tools for insight, healing, and self-discovery. https://markmatousek.com/

**

SHOW LINKS:

https://www.amazon.com/Emerson-Stoics-Me-Timeless-Authentic/dp/0063059703

**

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Authenticity Has a Price

02:00 What Is Your Inner Voice?

06:00 Writing as a Spiritual Practice

10:00 Emerson’s Philosophy Explained

14:00 Spirituality Without Religion

19:00 How to Trust Yourself

23:00 The Cost of Being Authentic

29:00 The Shadow & Hidden Power

34:00 AI vs Authentic Writing

41:00 Is AI Killing Creativity?

47:00 Why Struggle Matters

54:00 The Beauty of Being Human

1:03:00 Writing to Awaken Practice

1:12:00 Advice for Writers

1:29:00 Death, Meaning & Purpose

***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4

***

CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr. Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness: Mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com

* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.

WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. Fun fact: You're one of my greatest inspirations. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛

I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

info@innercalling.org

1069 W Broad St

STE 804

Falls Church, VA 22046

#writing #spiritualgrowth #stoicism #stoicphilosophy #stoicwisdom #stoicmindset #spirituality #spiritualjourney #spiritualguidance #writingcommunity #writingadvice #transformation #selfinquiry #intuition #innervoice #innerknowing

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I was raised by a single father, so I’ve always had a deep respect for how difficult and essential good fathering is. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. David Wen, a clinical psychologist specializing in parents, children, and families. We talk about why anger is often the first challenge for fathers, and the tension between what you received growing up and the kind of father you want to be. We explore how small moments with your child can make a lasting difference. We also talk about self-care, emotional regulation, and simple in-the-moment tools when things escalate, along with the pressure many fathers carry as providers and how it impacts their capacity to show up at home.

***

Dr. David Wen is a licensed clinical psychologist at Hope+Wellness who specializes in working with children, parents, and fathers. He brings clinical expertise and lived experience to his work, supporting dads and parents in showing up in ways that feel meaningful, even in the face of real-world parenting challenges.

His approach is grounded in evidence-based therapy and delivered with a style that is warm, direct, and attuned to both parents and children. Learn more: https://www.hope-wellness.com/david-wen-psyd

**

00:00 Inner calling: from engineer to psychologist

02:00 Absent father, immigrant family, raised by four women

05:00 How do you give what you never received?

07:00 Inherited temper and breaking the cycle

09:00 How becoming a psychologist taught him to parent

10:00 Working with fathers: anger is the first thing to address

11:00 Parenting is a skill — not just instinct

13:00 Inherent love vs. learned nurturing

26:00 Is it healthy for men to express anger?

28:00 Dr. Victoria's story: raised by a stressed single father

30:00 Self-care isn't selfish — quality over quantity

34:00 In-the-moment coping skills: deep breaths, walk away, be random

36:00 Kids don't break — but parents do

38:00 Special time: five minutes of focused attention changes everything

40:00 Join their world — get to know your kid

43:00 Fatherhood and intuition — starting antidepressants as self-awareness

50:00 Capacity, coping skills, and the weight fathers carry

51:00 The provider pressure — learning to be the plus one

52:00 Advice for new dads: get your temper in check first

54:00 Your values as a North Star for parenting

55:00 Encouragement for dads feeling ashamed or disconnected

56:00 First steps when you feel distant from your child

57:00 When the child feels wronged: how to still reach out

59:00 How therapy helps fathers — being seen and supported

01:01:00 Book rec: 1-2-3 Magic

***

CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com

* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.

WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. Fun fact: You're one of my greatest inspirations. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛

I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

info@innercalling.org

#parenting #adhd #adhdawareness #parentingtips #parentingjourney #fatherhood #fatherhoodjourney

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I've always wondered what it's like being an actor. How do they do what they do? So I asked my friend Nick to come onto the show. He's an actor and therapist who talks about the ancient art of theater and how it connects us — how our longing for stories is something deeply ancient. From watching his brother transform on stage at eight years old to navigating a world of screens and AI, Nick explores what happens when strangers sit together in the dark and feel something real together. Something that is being lost more and more in modern life. What is it? A conversation about acting, intuition, community, vulnerability, and why we can't make meaning alone.

***

Nick Sholley is an actor and licensed therapist.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/peter-n-sholley-mft-great-barrington-ma/84815

***

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c4

***

CONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIA

Podcast Website: www.innercalling.org

Dr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranade

Hope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com

* * * *

WHAT IS INNERCALLING?

innercalling is a podcast hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP that brings together leaders, scientists, clinicians, authors, artists, and everyday people to explore what it means to stay grounded in inner wisdom, creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity during rapidly changing times. Inspired by the tradition of clinical psychology, each episode is a conversation that honors the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for growth and resilience that lives within each of us.

WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?

Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. Fun fact: You're one of my greatest inspirations. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛

I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:

info@innercalling.org

1069 W Broad St

STE 804

Falls Church, VA 22046

Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.