On this episode, Matt sits down with the resilient Rueben Samuels to talk about life with a chronic illness (Cystic Fibrosis), adding value to our time and life after a double lung transplant. This is a conversation about life and death and how to make room and meaning for both.

instagram: @reubenshighlights

Virginia Cumberbatch is Director at Community Engagement Center & Social Justice Institute at The University of Texas at Austin. She works within the city of Austin to help make UT a community anchor opposed to an ivory tower. She sat down with us to talk about the importance of not only cultural identity but also the importance of place and it’s history. We use Austin as an example that can better help you think more critically and lovingly about your own life and city.

twitter: @vacumberbatch

insta: @vacumberbatch

Austin Psychotherapist Jeremy Ezell sits down with Inefficiency host Matt Inman to talk about how emotional intelligence plays into the quality of our relationships.

On this shorter episode, Matt talks about ghosting the podcast for way too long in order to create the first issue of Inefficiency Magazine. We all are trying to juggle life and sometimes we drop certain aspects. But there is something we gain in the dropping and picking back up that is helpful for us in the long run.

Inefficiency Magazine is a quarterly publication tailored for the therapeutic space made by helpers and artists. If you have listened to Inefficiency for awhile or are trying to hold the tensions of caring for your career convictions and also caring for your family, you will want to check this episode out.

Year two of Inefficiency is in the books and this episode is a look back through the many different conversations this past year.  You will hear from a host of different guests that show off inefficiency in some of its greatest forms. Enjoy some memorable moments from this second year of Inefficiency.  

We have done 52 shows in the past two years and we are celebrating! Friends joined us at Stouthaus Coffee Pub for a talk on birthdays getting down to inherent value, storytelling of inefficiency, pies in the face and an almost dance party.  So much fun!

Brian Mulder is a wood worker, barber and musician.  He quit formal Christian ministry at the age of 30 to live and think differently. Brian embodies a creative, connected inefficiency that is rare and infectious. Mulder just finished up a European house show tour for his new album, Holotropic and stopped by Austin, Texas for a live conversation and house show for us. Brian resides in Holland, Michigan.  

instagram: bmuldster

website: www.muldermakes.com

Shawn Hofer is a psychologist in private practice in Minneapolis, MN.  He has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Rosemead Schoo of Psychology and is an advanced candidate at the Minnesota Psychoanalytic Institute.  He is also a faculty member at BIPACT.  He takes a psychoanalytic approach to depression, anxiety, grief, eating disorders and spirituality. 

Sharifa Stevens, a Bronx native living in Dallas, TX, earned a BA from Columbia University in New York and a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary. She writes, sings, and prefers to spend her time giggling, noshing or traveling. Sharifa is married to Jonathan. They have two children.

Michael Padden is a New York based director who develops new plays with many artists and companies throughout the city. Some of the companies that he’s had the pleasure of working with include: Samuel French Short Play Festival, Rising Phoenix Repertory, MCC’s Youth Company, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, The New Group and Barrow Street Theatre. He was a member of the 2014-2015 Playwright Directors Unit and the 2015-2016 Director’s Unit at The Actor’s Studio.  

Jason Mitchell is a California native who has spent some quality time in Dallas too. He has worked for companies like The Pursuant Group, Operation Smile and is now the president of Makau Sports.  Jason is married to Cheryl and lives in the San Francisco area. 

"It's really difficult to write a short biography, but especially difficult in a post-truth era." 

Jason Ikpatt is a 23 year old Nigerian man-boy who grew up in the South. His life draws inspiration from the disenfranchised, the rejected, the solemn, the absurdists, the outrageous, the Wu Tang Clan, and his lovely gem of a mother. His poetry draws inspiration from Kahlil Gibran, Warsan Shire, Sylvia Plath, Walt Whitman, the Wu Tang Clan, and his lovely gem of a mother. 

At the present moment, he is a friend, a son, a brother, an armchair intellectual, an above average pickup basketball choice, fiercely independent to the point of loner-ism, somehow also fiercely dependent on everything to the brink of uninhibited universal love, a sub-par bike mechanic, a jazz club stank face head-nodder, a road-trip instrumental freestyler, a decidedly naive optimist, an actual former desert mystic, and an early tax filer. He resides in Austin, Texas with his bamboo plant and three succulents. 

Erin Inman is an artist and stay at home mom to her two children.  She is also the wife of Inefficiency host Matt Inman.  She was on the podcast in 2015 to talk about her long term grief which ended up being one of the most listened to episodes of Inefficiency. She is back to talk about her year alongside her husband Matt Inman.  

Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for "a new kind of Christianity" - just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. 

Brian has served on a number of boards, including Emergent Villiage, Sojourners, International Teams and, The Seattle School, and his a founding member of Red Letter Christians. He has appeared on All Things Considered, Larry King Live, Nightline and On Being.  Brian's work has been covered by other news outlets such as Time, The Washington Post, Huffington Post and Christianity Today.

Brian resides in Florida with his wife Grace. He has four grown children and five grandchildren.  

Dr. Kevin Washington is a licensed psychologist and assistant professor at Howard University, who has served as a behavioral consultant for Essence Magazine and BET, Black Entertainment Television. He is the President of the Association of Black Psychologists.  He has degrees from Grambling State and Texas A&M. His work centers around rites of passage, ubuntu and ubuntu psychotherapy.  Through his research and writing he seeks to assist people to live with power, purpose and passion.  

Jamie Tworkowski is the founder of the non-profit To Write Love On Her Arms, an organization that presents hope and finds help for those struggling with depression, addiction, self-harm and suicide.  For 10 years, Jamie has given his time providing hope for those hurting all over the country.  He speaks dynamic hope and help through college campus conversations, book tours, music concerts, writing and even fashion.  The honesty that Jamie has about his own experience with depression and pain opens up spaces and gives permission for others to give value to their own experiences.  

www.twloha.com

@jamietworkowski (twitter and instagram)

Show Notes

• :00 Mary Oliver poem, Wild Geese
• 6:30  Start of JT interview
• 6:45  Explanation of Inefficiency
• 13:10  Permission as invitation
• 14:55 Importance of counseling and mental health
• 18:20 Dreams vs. Fears  ( www.dreamsvsfears.com )
• 21:22 Rehoping ( www.venture.org )
• 23:45 We all break in this life
• 26:35 Need for beauty and the arts
• 32:30 Holding space for us
• 33:45 Self-care
• 36:23 Sense of purpose
• 39:00 Story of Jamie's friend David
• 47:20 Crisis Text Line ( www.crisistextline.org )
• 48:50 Outro
• www.lostgoldmedia.com 

Shelly Prosko is a Physical Therapist, Professional Yoga Therapist & Pilates Instructor, she is a highly respected pioneer in the area of Physio Yoga Therapy, a combination of Physical Therapy & Medical Therapeutic Yoga.

Her mission is to educate, inspire & empower people to create health by authentically sharing her knowledge, expertise & experience as she travels across Canada & the U.S. offering specialty PhysioYoga Therapy workshops, presenting at international yoga therapy conferences, lecturing at medical college programs, instructing at numerous yoga therapy schools and actively promotes the integration of yoga therapy into our current healthcare system.

Michael Solberg is classically trained in the Rolf Method of Structural Integration and has studied extensively in Boulder, Co and Kauai, Hawaii. Alongside his wife, Virginia Solberg, they own the Solberg Center for Structural Integration in Dallas, Texas. Michael has also founded Pause Hawaii, a transformational immersion process in Hawaii for his clients, which combines structural integration, yoga, nutrition, meditation and personal discovery alongside adventure and the tranquility of the islands. Michael and his family reside in Plano, Texas.

He is a clinical psychologist who received his training at Rosemead School of Psychology in La Mirada, California.  He is the founder of the non-profit community mental health and teaching clinic, Richland Oaks Counseling Center, and has taught at the Texas School of Professional Counseling for 10 years.  He is fiercely inept (his words) at administrative responsibilities and passionately in love with clinical work, and spiritually curious about a broad many things.  He resides in Dallas, Texas with his wife and three kids.  

Shannon Neffendorf calls the neighborhood of Oak Cliff in South Dallas home.  His family has rooted themselves in Oak Cliff and are an integral facet of life in that neighborhood.  Shannon and Jenni own and operate Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters and also Davis Street Espresso and they were named D Magazine's First Family of Dallas Coffee.  Shannon's approach to his personal and professional life displays wonderful inefficiencies that get to the heart of family, community and the stewardship of wonderful coffee beans.  

https://www.oakcliffcoffee.com/

http://davisstreetespresso.com/

Matt Inman is a psychotherapist in private practice and host of Inefficiency Podcast. Matt believes a truly efficient life makes plenty of room for the inefficiencies of life, namely relationships, following our convictions and maturing into spirituality.  Matt leads group experiences for organizations such as Pause Hawaii and Venture Expeditions.  His work revolves around helping people grow in love and find connection in creative and bold ways. Matt resides in Austin, Texas with his family. 

Connor Jay is an undergraduate student studying the art and politics of story and is working towards going for his masters in counseling. He lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. He's trying to spend his days reminding people that they are so worth loving. He reads and rides bikes a lot. You can find him online on most platforms at @connorrejay.

Ryan O'Leary is a producer for Bleacher Report and lives in New York City. A 2004 graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, he also received his masters in sports management from West Virginia University. Over the past 10 years, Ryan has worked for NBC Sports covering the Olympics and the NHL while frequently contributing to the International Ice Hockey Federation. Outside of work he's passionate about useless information, iced coffee, traveling and mental health issues.

Bart Tittle is a teacher in early education who has degrees from The University of Missouri- Kansas City and Erikson Inititute in Chicago, Ill.  Bart is a long time friend who has developed a voice worth paying attention to in both progressive education and child development.  

Ira Inman is my 4 year old son. He is the leading co-sleeping expert in the country, has consumed 150 lbs of cheerios in the past two years and has constructed over 100 lego ships by hand.  He teaches me patience, presence and the sacredness of silliness.  

Joe Pug is originally from Maryland and came to Austin, Texas years ago to be in and around the storied Texas songwriting tradition. He has two studio EP’s, most notable being Nation of Heat in 2009. He also has three albums, Messenger in 2010, The Great Despiser in 2012 and Windfall in 2015. 

Paste Magazine said this of Pug, "In lesser hands, songs of this nature could take on the tone of self-help books, maxims of dubious value. But Pug's honesty and wordplay combine to levitate the songs over those empty, cliched realms."

He credits not only musicians like Dillon, Beck and M. Ward as his influences but also literary giants like Fredrick Beekner and Walt Whitman. 

Alex Guevara has a Master's Degree in Education and has worked for Teach For America in Watts, Los Angeles.  He has taught teachers at Arizona State University, recruited teachers in Camden, New Jersey and most recently taught high school in West, Philadelphia.  Alex has spent his entire career connecting with students and teachers from all over the country in urban settings.  

Gideon Tsang heads up vision and teaching at Vox Veniae, a multi-ethnic church community in Austin, Texas. Originally from Canada, Gideon has made a home for the last decade in East Austin with his family. He is a speaker, pastor, photographer, cyclist and overall great thinker. 

Erin Lane is a thirty-something writer and facilitator who schemes ideas for better belonging. She wants to live in Seattle when she grows up, but these days she is putting down roots in Durham, NC. She calls herself a Jesus follower, and a feminist too.

She works remotely for the Center for Courage & Renewal to develop programs that deepen the leadership formation of people of faith and support healthy congregational life. 

She is the author of Lessons In Belonging From A Church Going Commitment Phobe. She also has a blog at erinslane.com  

Erin Lane is a thirty-something writer and facilitator who schemes ideas for better belonging. She wants to live in Seattle when she grows up, but these days she is putting down roots in Durham, NC. She calls herself a Jesus follower, and a feminist too.

She works remotely for the Center for Courage & Renewal to develop programs that deepen the leadership formation of people of faith and support healthy congregational life. 

She is the author of Lessons In Belonging From A Church Going Commitment Phobe. She also has a blog at erinslane.com  

Dr. Allender earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Michigan State University.  In 1997, Dan and a cadre of others founded The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, in order to train therapists, pastors, artists, and leaders to more effectively serve in the context of the 21st century. Dan served as President of The Seattle School from 2002-2009.

Dr. Dan Allender has pioneered a unique and innovative approach to trauma and abuse therapy over the past 30 years. Central to Dr. Allender’s theory and approach are the categories of Faith, Hope and Love, and their converses betrayal, ambivalence, and powerlessness. Through identifying and engaging these categories in one’s personal narrative, healing and transformation can occur by bridging the story of the gospel and the stories of trauma and abuse that mark so many.

Dan continues to serve as Professor of Counseling Psychology at The Seattle School. He travels and speaks extensively to present his unique perspective on sexual abuse recovery, love and forgiveness, intimacy and marriage, worship, and other related topics. Dan is the author of The Wounded Heart, The Healing Path, To Be Told, and God Loves Sex, and he has co-authored several books with Dr. Tremper Longman, including Intimate Allies, The Cry of the Soul, Bold Love, and Bold Purpose.

Dr. Allender earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Michigan State University.  In 1997, Dan and a cadre of others founded The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, in order to train therapists, pastors, artists, and leaders to more effectively serve in the context of the 21st century. Dan served as President of The Seattle School from 2002-2009.

Dr. Dan Allender has pioneered a unique and innovative approach to trauma and abuse therapy over the past 30 years. Central to Dr. Allender’s theory and approach are the categories of Faith, Hope and Love, and their converses betrayal, ambivalence, and powerlessness. Through identifying and engaging these categories in one’s personal narrative, healing and transformation can occur by bridging the story of the gospel and the stories of trauma and abuse that mark so many.

Dan continues to serve as Professor of Counseling Psychology at The Seattle School. He travels and speaks extensively to present his unique perspective on sexual abuse recovery, love and forgiveness, intimacy and marriage, worship, and other related topics. Dan is the author of The Wounded Heart, The Healing Path, To Be Told, and God Loves Sex, and he has co-authored several books with Dr. Tremper Longman, including Intimate Allies, The Cry of the Soul, Bold Love, and Bold Purpose.

Josh Morris is a Staff Chaplain in pediatrics at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach, CA.  He is also an Army Reserve Chaplain who recently returned from an 8 month deployment to Afghanistan.  He is also a PhD student at Claremont School of Theology studying Practical Theology and Spiritual Care and Counseling. 

Twitter: @joshtmo

ZACHARY MOON IS A COMMISSIONED MILITARY CHAPLAIN WHO PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS A CHAPLAIN IN THE VA HOSPITAL SYSTEM AND WITH COMBAT VETERANS IN RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. HE RECEIVED HIS MASTERS OF DIVINITY FROM CHICAGO THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND IS CURRENTLY A PHD CANDIDATE AT ILIFF SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY. HE LIVES WITH HIS WIFE AND HIS TWO ENTHUSIASTIC TODDLERS IN DENVER, COLORADO.

Sam Song is a photographer, explorer and creator who lives in Orange Country, California.  He created Yellow Ventures to help create a beautiful future today.  Sam is a creative with 10 years experience as a pastor at New Song Church in the Los Angeles area before launching out on his own. Sam is a leader in regard to curiosity, creativity and helping helpers.

website: www.yellow.ventures.com

instagram: yellow.ventures

The first year of Inefficiency Podcast is in the books!  This episode is a celebration of some memorable moments from the show.  Topics range from creativity to grief to spirituality. Enjoy!

Jeremy Ezell is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor with a private practice in Austin, Texas. He is pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. At his heart, he is a writer, feeler and educator.  He works from a psychodynamic psychotherapy approach with influences in object relations and existentialism. He enjoys the blues, bikes and his family. 

www.austinpsychotherapycenter.com

Matthias Roberts is a writer, speaker and student at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. He is working on two master's degrees: one in Theology and Culture and the other in Counseling Psychology.  By trade, Matthias is a graphic designer and photographer.  As a gay Christian with a passion to communicate and unite, Matthias advocates for change in how faith communities engage with LGBT people.

My name is Matthias. I’m a writer and speaker advocating for change in how faith communities engage with LGBT people.

Twitter: @matthiasroberts          Instagram: matthiasroberts        Youtube:  /matthiasroberts

Julianna Zobrist is an independent Christian music artist with an album releasing May 6, 2016.  She is married to professional baseball player Ben Zobrist and they have three children.  Together they were a part of a historic run with the Kansas City Royals in 2015 and we sat down to talk about that magical window of time and how they deal with transition and stay grounded.  

Dr. Sarah Syed is a pyschologist at the Khalil Center near Chicago, Illinois.  She completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Purdue University. Her master’s degree is in clinical psychology was obtained from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University and her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Texas School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Syed has a broad range of experience working within the field of psychology including diagnostic and vocational testing, career counseling, domestic violence, addictions, family and couples therapy, depression, anxiety, stress, adjustment, grief/loss, school concerns, lifespan adjustment, and community mental health. Her pre-doctoral experiences include neuropsychology testing, children, family, and couples counseling and inpatient psychiatric care of adults with moderate to severe psychiatric issues.

Friendly Savages makes their music out of the Austin, TX cauldron of rock, blues, and secret sauce. The group's characteristic music style and the energy, joy, and musicality they bring to live shows have helped to establish them as "one of the best groups working in Austin today" (The Horn).  Their sophomore album, East in the Morning, was released in April of 2015.

For our twentieth episode we went live! We had some fun with A Christmas Carol and different perspectives in hopes of going home for the holidays healthier people.  We all have family that we find difficult and just maybe, they find us difficult too.  Have a listen to the episode done live in a crowded Stouthaus Coffee Pub in Austin, Texas.

Three Therapists (Matt Inman, Jeremy Ezell and Jess Worthington)

Two Christmas Beers (Deschutes Jubeale and Anchor Christmas Ale)

One Holiday Conversation (Scrooge, Christmas Ghosts and Healthy Relationships)

Tim Schurrer is on a mission to connect people to a more meaningful life. As the right-hand man to Donald Miller, he is gifted at turning lofty goals and world-changing vision into practical, daily actions. Tim set out 10 years ago to live a life that he could love. This pursuit took him on a journey across the country with TOMS Shoes before working with Apple Inc. for several years. Beyond Tim’s magnetic personality is a contagious sense of purpose and an inspiring zeal for life. Tim lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, Katie, and the world's cutest dog, Watson.

Website - http://timschurrer.com

Twitter - https://twitter.com/timschurrer

Instagram - https://instagram.com/timschurrer/

Gena Minnix, PhD is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in systemic therapies, trauma and spiritual discernment.  She is a professor at the Seminary of the Southwest, an Episcopal school.  She also co-founded the non-profit The Empathy Project.  She resides with her family in Austin, Texas.

Brad D. Strawn (M.A. Theology, PhD Clinical Psychology) is the Evelyn and Frank Freed Professor for the Integration of Psychology and Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary, Graduate School of Psychology. He has edited or co-authored three books including The Physical Nature of Christian Life: Neuroscience, Psychology & the Church (Cambridge: with Warren Brown) and Christianity and Psychoanalysis: A New Conversation (IVP: with Earl Bland). He also regularly publishes in integrative journals focusing on the dialogue between Christianity and Psychology. Brad’s research interests include embodied cognition, clinical psychology, psychoanalysis, the integration of psychology and theology, and psychology and ecclesiology. Brad is an ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene and a licensed psychologist who maintains a private practice in Pasadena, California where he works with individuals, couples and families.

Twitter: @Bdstrawn

Erin Inman is a dynamic woman who has a knack for creativity, expression and loving.  She works at home as a mother and is also a part time preschool teacher.  She has been a reluctant artist over the past 10 years and has recently leaned into her writing, doodling and illustrating. Erin opens up about the evolution of her grief over her mother's death when she was 14.  

David Salinas is the founder and curator of the Department of Brewology based out of Austin, Texas. For the last 15 years David has been dedicated to create better design and better coffee. Just recently his two passions merged in the culmination of the Department of Brewology; a typographic exploration of the art & science of handcrafted coffee.  

instagram: flatteryleadstoruin                                     website: www.departmentofbrewology.com

Jonathan Russell is a chaplain working for urban justice at the Union Rescue Mission on skid row in Downtown Los Angeles, a contributing fellow at the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture, and an adjunct professor of philosophy and religion at Chaffey College. He hold a Masters degree in theology and philosophy of religion from Fuller Theological Seminary, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Religion and Philosophy at Claremont Graduate University. He was formerly a young adult and college minister and prior to that he spent nearly a decade as a professional musician in the music industry as a founding member of the band Cold War Kids, in which he was a songwriter and the lead guitarist.

Paul has spent time working in higher education, the church, and the non-profit sector. The common thread with each of these has been a passion for advocating on behalf of those affected by injustices happening in the world, as well as educating and mobilizing communities as to their responsibility and opportunity to change these situations. Paul holds a MA in Organizational Leadership from Bethel University. He is pursuing his PhD in International Relief and Development from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Together with his wife Candace, and their two children, Lola and Justus, they are committed as a family to engage in the story of justice and hope. Paul loves both camping in the wilderness and drinking coffee in the city.

Twitter: @paulhurckman

Dr. Kim is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Biola University.  She regularly teaches in the undergraduate psychology department and supervises doctoral research at Rosemead School of Psychology. Her research interests include multiculturalism and gender issues, racial and cultural identity formation, Asian-American psychology, and the use of qualitative research methods. 

Sleeping At Last is the moniker of Chicago-based singer-songwriter, producer and composer, Ryan O’Neal.

You may know Sleeping At Last from various Films and TV Shows such as The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 1, The Fault in Our Stars, Grey's Anatomy, So You Think You Can Dance, Criminal Minds, Bones, Believe, Vampire Diaries and many more.  

He has collaborated or sang with many artists including Jon Foreman, Billy Corgan, Van Dyke Parks, Paul Von Merens, John Goodmanson, Alanis Morissette and many more.  

Ryan recently scored the upcoming feature documentary film, “Many Beautiful Things” which will release in 2015, along with an official motion picture soundtrack.

Web:  www.sleepingatlast.com            Twitter: @sleepingatlast                   Instagram: sleepatlast

Instagram: @nathanyoder / Twitter: @nathanyoder yondrstudio.com / darkwater.com  yondrflash.com

(Due to sound issues this episode is best listened to with headphones)

My guest today is Dr. Michael Leach.  He is a clinical psychologist who received his training at Rosemead School of Psychology in La Mirada, California.  He is the founder of the non-profit community mental health and teaching clinic, Richland Oaks Counseling Center, and has taught at the Texas School of Professional Counseling for 9 years.  He is fiercely inept (his words) at administrative responsibilities and passionately in love with clinical work, and spiritually curious about a broad many things.  He is married with three children who have showered him with grace for his many shortcomings (once again, his words).  

Twitter: @mrjosephbarkley

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Una Mulale is the Director of Pediatric Critical Care at Woodhull Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.  he is about to transition out of her current position and into a fellowship at Harvard Medical School in Pediatric Global Health.  She is the co-founder of Barona, an organization promoting the value of all human beings and aims to create Botswana’s first Children’s Hospital. 

Twitter: @unamulale

Josh Morris is a Staff Chaplain in pediatrics at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach, CA.  He is also an Army Reserve Chaplain who recently returned from an 8 month deployment to Afghanistan.  He is also a PhD student at Claremont School of Theology studying Practical Theology and Spiritual Care and Counseling. 

Twitter: @joshtmo