This week, host Jeff Lawrence sits with Foundation Academy Mental Health Therapist Nilda Laguna for Part II of adolescent anxiety and the possible contributions smart devices make to the causation. This week, they dig deeper into the causes and how to identify potential problems and strategies for combating dependency on smart devices.

Nilda Laguna is a licensed mental health therapist and founder of Inspirational Therapy in Clermont, Florida. Originally from Miami, she brings over a decade of experience in the mental health field, including her work with the Department of Children and Families, and as a professor and counselor to psychology students.

Nilda earned her Master’s degree in Psychology from Carlos Albizu University, graduating magna cum laude. Her practice is rooted in creating spaces of compassion, love, and acceptance, driven by her deep passion for helping others heal and grow.

Outside of her professional work, Nilda is a mother of two amazing boys. She finds joy in exploring the fields of neuroscience, studying the life of Christ, and discovering new food experiences.

The conversation is framed around the book The Anxious Generation; social psychologist Jonathan Haidt lays out the facts about the epidemic of teen mental illness that hit many countries at the same time. He then investigates the nature of childhood, including why children need play and independent exploration to mature into competent, thriving adults. Haidt shows how the “play-based childhood” began to decline in the 1980s and how it was finally wiped out by the arrival of the “phone-based childhood” in the early 2010s. He presents more than a dozen mechanisms by which this “great rewiring of childhood” has interfered with children’s social and neurological development, covering everything from sleep deprivation to attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, social comparison, and perfectionism. He explains why social media damages girls more than boys and why boys have been withdrawing from the real world into the virtual world, with disastrous consequences for themselves, their families, and their societies. (*Amazon)

This week, host Jeff Lawrence sits with Foundation Academy Mental Health Therapist Nilda Laguna to discuss adolescent anxiety and the possible contributions smart devices make in the causation.

Nilda Laguna is a licensed mental health therapist and founder of Inspirational Therapy in Clermont, Florida. Originally from Miami, she brings over a decade of experience in the mental health field, including her work with the Department of Children and Families, and as a professor and counselor to psychology students.

Nilda earned her Master’s degree in Psychology from Carlos Albizu University, graduating magna cum laude. Her practice is rooted in creating spaces of compassion, love, and acceptance, driven by her deep passion for helping others heal and grow.

Outside of her professional work, Nilda is a mother of two amazing boys. She finds joy in exploring the fields of neuroscience, studying the life of Christ, and discovering new food experiences.

The conversation is framed around the book The Anxious Generation; social psychologist Jonathan Haidt lays out the facts about the epidemic of teen mental illness that hit many countries at the same time. He then investigates the nature of childhood, including why children need play and independent exploration to mature into competent, thriving adults. Haidt shows how the “play-based childhood” began to decline in the 1980s and how it was finally wiped out by the arrival of the “phone-based childhood” in the early 2010s. He presents more than a dozen mechanisms by which this “great rewiring of childhood” has interfered with children’s social and neurological development, covering everything from sleep deprivation to attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, social comparison, and perfectionism. He explains why social media damages girls more than boys and why boys have been withdrawing from the real world into the virtual world, with disastrous consequences for themselves, their families, and their societies. (*Amazon)

This week, Jeff sits down with Orlando native and former Duke basketball star Krystal Thomas-Smith. Krystal shares her testimony of how she overcame profound adversity and how that led her to a more real and relevant relationship with Christ.

In this episode of Between Faith & Reason, host Jeff Lawrence sits down with entrepreneur, influencer, and business strategist Martha Krejci. Once a successful tech executive, Martha left the corporate world behind to pursue a mission-driven approach to business that truly serves and empowers entrepreneurs at every level.

Jeff and Martha dive into the shortcomings of traditional marketing models and why she felt called to create a new, more impactful way of doing business. They also explore the role of faith in entrepreneurship, discussing how Martha integrates her beliefs into her work with partners, clients, and her team. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a purpose-driven business while staying true to their values.

Tune in now to hear Martha’s insights on faith, business, and making a real difference in the marketplace!

Today's guest is Brandan Molthan, a native Orlando resident who owns and operates MCKINLEY Contracting in Windermere, Florida, and services all of Orlando and Central Florida. Jeff and Brandan discuss how his faith influences his relationships and practices in business.

In the introductory episode of Between Faith & Reason, host Jeff Lawrence sits down with The Observer editor and publisher Mike Eng to discuss this endeavor between Foundation Academy and The Observer and explore the impact faith can and does have in our community.

Episode 1: Welcome to Between Faith and Reason with Jeff Lawrence

Welcome to Between Faith and Reason, a weekly podcast exploring the intersection of faith and daily life in the Winter Garden, Florida, community. Hosted by Jeff Lawrence, this podcast will feature thought-provoking conversations on how faith shapes our families, schools, businesses, and local culture.

In this inaugural episode, Jeff introduces the heart behind the podcast and explains what listeners can expect in the coming weeks. We’ll discuss faith's role in our community and how it influences how we live, work, and connect.

Between Faith and Reason is brought to you by Foundation Academy, a private Christian school dedicated to academic excellence and spiritual growth, and The Observer, Winter Garden’s trusted hyper-local news source.

Join us on this journey as we seek wisdom, challenge perspectives, and celebrate the role of faith in our everyday lives.

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