In this episode of the Searching Inward Podcast, Scott Reall, Seth Abram and Anna Bryant welcome 2025 by reflecting on lessons they learned in 2024 and new year's resolutions.

“I’m not a girl who likes to make resolutions. I feel like I have enough disappointment in my life. I don’t need to be disappointed in myself as well, so not a huge goal setter.” -Anna [02:47]

“The first thing that comes to mind though is just the lesson of doing hard things and the experience of discomfort. In and of itself, it feels like an obstacle only, but I do think it leads to resiliency.” -Seth [04:08]

“It’s one thing to be aware but I must become intentional about reframing and redirecting.” -Scott [06:00]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:06] Intro

[01:33] Most ridiculous NY resolution

[03:35] Looking back at 2024

[08:10] Outro

Follow and Contact

Facebook: Restore Small Groups

Instagram: @restoresmallgroups

YouTube: Searching Inward Podcast

Website: restoresmallgroups.org

6 Hallmarks of Healthy Relationships

In this episode of the Searching Inward Podcast, Scott Reall, Seth Abram and Anna Bryant wish you a Merry Christmas! To embrace the holiday spirit, the three hosts reflect on their favorite holiday moments and traditions.

“It was like that childhood wonder all over again. It was such a beautiful, unexpected moment of joy where everything was all right and good again.” -Seth [06:00]

“It was so cold that the electricity went out with no heat, so we all slept in the living room, like 15 of us, by the fireplace. And it was really cool.” -Scott [06:50]

“It was such a simple Christmas, but it was just one of the sweetest. And I think it was my all-time favorite.” -Anna [08:54]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:06] Intro

[01:51] One Christmas treat

[04:39] Favorite Christmas memories

[09:24] Outro

Follow and Contact

Facebook: Restore Small Groups

Instagram: @restoresmallgroups

YouTube: Searching Inward Podcast

Website: restoresmallgroups.org

E108: Participant Interview: Derek Pham

In this episode of the Searching Inward Podcast, Seth Abram and Anna Bryant speak with Derek Pham about his experience with Restore Small Groups. Derek shares how the eight week program played an integral part in his mental health journey as he seeked support and a sense of community and home. He also discusses Seth's role in getting him to join a small group.

“Y’all, can I just say, Derek is epically festive in every way, and that’s one of the things that I really love about him. When I think of life and energy and fun, I definitely think of Derek.” -Anna [05:49]

“I never thought I could laugh in my story. I don’t want to get dark or weird but to be crying over some of the heaviest shares and then to also be joking around and laughing, there’s just an authenticity and a gift there that I never thought was possible.” -Derek [09:48]

“That’s the healing part of what happens in a group. You said it so well, Derek. There’s no one trying to fix or even remark in some ways for the most part after what I say. People just simply witness it and listen, and that holding of my pain–that’s simply holding, that’s it–is what is really miraculous even.” -Seth [13:11]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:04] Intro

[01:23] This week’s guest

[03:04] Why he joined Restore Small Groups

[06:13] First night vs last night

[09:03] This is my story

[15:44] The group experience

[19:16] Just show up and see what happens

[22:14] Rapid fire questions

[26:11] Outro

Follow and Contact

Facebook: Restore Small Groups

Instagram: @restoresmallgroups

YouTube: Searching Inward Podcast

Website: restoresmallgroups.org

In this episode of the Searching Inward Podcast, Scott Reall, Seth Abram and Anna Bryant talk about the six hallmarks of healthy relationships, based on Dr. Patrick Carnes’ book, “Don't Call It Love.” Healthy relationships are essential for personal and relational growth. The three hosts unpack each hallmark discussed in Dr. Carnes’ book and why they are important for healthy relationships.

“Being pursued shows you have interest. It tells me that you care.” -Seth [04:07]

“And I do think it’s impactful. Like when you’re making eye contact, when you’re listening, when you have your phone put away, and you are zooming in on whoever is speaking or whatever they’re sharing, not to respond, not to give feedback, but to just hold space for, I think it’s a game changer for a lot of people.” -Anna [12:12]

“And a person did choose to leave, and it hurt, but I have this sense of dignity and honor about myself. You know what? I rather be alone in this way than lonely in a dishonest way.” -Scott [37:59]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:05] Intro

[01:46] The six hallmarks

[02:31] Taking initiative deepens the connection

[07:19] Presence is to hold space

[12:36] Completion: follow through with your promise

[18:11] Vulnerability: risky but essential

[25:11] Nurturing: caring for another human being

[28:47] Honesty: a foundation of trust and respect

[39:35] Outro

Follow and Contact

Facebook: Restore Small Groups

Instagram: @restoresmallgroups

YouTube: Searching Inward Podcast

Website: restoresmallgroups.org

Dr. Patrick Carnes’ Book:

Don't Call It Love

In this episode of the Searching Inward Podcast, Seth Abram and Anna Bryant speak with Susan Davenport, After Breast Cancer (ABC) Program Director at YMCA of Middle Tennessee. Susan shares her very moving story about asking God to help her invest her suffering from breast cancer to help other survivors find wholeness. She talks about how Scott Reall’s books inspired the curriculum they use in the ABC Program and the impact it provides for a much deeper level of healing.

“I think pain a lot of times also turns people the other direction, so I think this speaks clearly about the softness of your heart and how you allow this to shape you in a beautiful way.” -Seth [07:37]

“And I love to see how the work that we’re doing here at Restore and the work that you’re doing at the Y through ABC, they compliment each other so beautifully.” -Anna [16:08]

“Beautiful, beautiful things happen inside these small groups.” -Susan [26:13]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:05] Intro

[00:51] About this week’s guest

[01:38] The strongest person in this gym

[05:43] Investing her suffering into a mission of support

[08:12] About ABC Program

[11:35] The community’s contribution to shared healing

[13:38] Journey to Wholeness and its impact

[19:37] Leading with faith boldly and gently

[22:02] Stories from the small groups

[26:30] Don’t be afraid to feel your feelings

[27:48] Contact Susan and learn more about ABC

[29:15] Outro

Follow and Contact

Facebook: Restore Small Groups

Instagram: @restoresmallgroups

YouTube: Searching Inward Podcast

Website: restoresmallgroups.org

Contact Susan

Website: YMCA of Middle Tennessee

Website: After Breast Cancer Program

Scott Reall’s Books:

Journey to Freedom: Your Start to a Lifetime of Hope, Health, and Healing

Journey to a New Beginning after Loss: Freedom from the Pain of Grief and Disappointment

Journey to Living with Courage: Freedom from Fear

Journey to Healthy Living: Freedom from Body Image and Food Issues

Journey to a Life of Significance: Freedom from Low Self-Esteem

E105: Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from Restore Small Groups! In this episode of the Searching Inward Podcast, Scott Reall, Seth Abram and Anna Bryant reflect on the holiday by sharing their most meaningful Thanksgiving traditions and what they are most grateful for this year.

“I’ve enjoyed Thanksgiving more at this time in my life really than when I was really little.” -Scott [03:24]

“We’re going away and we are going to just write a new story. Because sometimes holidays are hard and make you more sad than glad, and so we are changing the narrative and doing something new.” -Anna [05:16]

“Also, I’m just grateful for the ways in which I have challenged myself this year and risked things and found new capacities for myself.” -Seth [08:01]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:05] Intro

[00:53] Meaningful Thanksgiving traditions

[05:38] Most grateful for this year

[09:06] Outro

Follow and Contact

Facebook: Restore Small Groups

Instagram: @restoresmallgroups

YouTube: Searching Inward Podcast

Website: restoresmallgroups.org

In this episode of the Searching Inward Podcast, Scott Reall, Seth Abram and Anna Bryant discuss the highlights of Week 2 from their flagship program, Journey to Freedom, based on Scott’s book, “Journey to Freedom: Your Start to a Lifetime of Hope, Health, and Healing.” This week centers around the concept of true hope, redefining our understanding of hope and its transformative power that is foundational for change.

“I think hope is the greatest motivation that we feel.” -Scott [01:15]

“To grow is to allow ourselves to be vulnerable and to be limited. And there’s no way we’re going to do that if we have a false understanding of hope.” -Seth [10:29]

“The world needs your unique vision for your life, your unique being to show up fully, because if there was another one of you, one would be irrelevant.” -Anna [16:48]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:05] Intro

[00:40] The significance of true hope

[04:07] Examples of true hope

[09:08] Mistaking hope for wishes

[11:36] The story of Michelangelo

[17:11] Vision and hope

[20:08] Real desire for change

[28:28] Struggling to hold on to hope

[31:37] Outro

Follow and Contact

Facebook: Restore Small Groups

Instagram: @restoresmallgroups

YouTube: Searching Inward Podcast

Website: restoresmallgroups.org

Scott Reall’s Books:

Journey to Freedom: Your Start to a Lifetime of Hope, Health, and Healing

Journey to a New Beginning after Loss: Freedom from the Pain of Grief and Disappointment

Journey to Living with Courage: Freedom from Fear

Journey to Healthy Living: Freedom from Body Image and Food Issues

Journey to a Life of Significance: Freedom from Low Self-Esteem

In this episode of the Searching Inward Podcast, Seth Abram and Anna Bryant speak with Matt Jefferson about his experience with Restore Small Groups. Even though he has participated in several group and become a facilitator, Matt takes us back to his first group and how it felt liberating and organic to share about himself. He also shares how participating in a small group of functional strangers helped him get into a stronger, more stable place.

“A verbal processor if I ever saw one.” -Anna [10:26]

“I don’t think Group fixes the problems. I think it gives you a chance to figure out what needs focus and attention and how to do it in an appropriate way to make your life more fulfilled.” -Matt [21:55]

“It’s hard to see or access certain parts of yourself without other people.” -Seth [22:24]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:05] Intro

[01:19] About this week’s guest

[04:08] Connecting with Restore Small Groups

[08:00] Recalling that first group

[13:44] In a stronger, more stable place

[18:27] How the group helped his process

[23:34] A secret in plain sight

[28:33] Rapid fire questions

[33:27] Outro

Follow and Contact

Facebook: Restore Small Groups

Instagram: @restoresmallgroups

YouTube: Searching Inward Podcast

Website: restoresmallgroups.org