Deep Spirituality

“We’re All a Little Stuck. But There’s a Way Out” explores how learned helplessness—the belief that nothing we do matters—can trap us spiritually. Russ Ewell blends psychology, Scripture, and real-life stories to show how God’s power can break through discouragement and help us reclaim hope, purpose, and agency. Written by Russ Ewell. Narrated by Darryl Howell. Read the article: https://deepspirituality.com/learned-helplessness/ [https://deepspirituality.com/learned-helplessness/] Join The Chemistry Lab: https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/ [https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/] Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 00:36 - Learned helplessness—and what we can do about it 03:15 - The Workshop 05:45 - The Elements 07:25 - What is learned helplessness? 08:51 - Why do we stay stuck? 10:52 - Why our brain chemistry matters 13:05 - Brain chemistry + spiritual chemistry = breakthrough 15:39 - The stories we tell ourselves 16:23 - Four story styles 18:06 - How to identify your story style 19:34 - F.I.R.E. needs the right fuel 20:42 - The Catalyst Corner 25:02 - The man by the pool 30:31 - The Breakthrough Files 35:55 - Weekly Experiment 38:52 - Identify negative thought patterns in your story style 40:02 - Identify your strengths 40:42 - Make a “Shifting Mindset” chart 42:00 - Start small, but start now 42:46 - Come up with a game plan for when obstacles arise 43:56 - Celebrate small wins together 44:53 - The Field Notes 46:04 - The Research Shelf 48:57 - Reply or reach out

“We’re All a Little Stuck. But There’s a Way Out” explores how learned helplessness—the belief that nothing we do matters—can trap us spiritually. Russ Ewell blends psychology, Scripture, and real-life stories to show how God’s power can break through discouragement and help us reclaim hope, purpose, and agency. Written by Russ Ewell. Narrated by Darryl Howell. Read the article: https://deepspirituality.com/learned-helplessness/ [https://deepspirituality.com/learned-helplessness/] Join The Chemistry Lab: https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/ [https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/] Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 00:36 - Learned helplessness—and what we can do about it 03:15 - The Workshop 05:45 - The Elements 07:25 - What is learned helplessness? 08:51 - Why do we stay stuck? 10:52 - Why our brain chemistry matters 13:05 - Brain chemistry + spiritual chemistry = breakthrough 15:39 - The stories we tell ourselves 16:23 - Four story styles 18:06 - How to identify your story style 19:34 - F.I.R.E. needs the right fuel 20:42 - The Catalyst Corner 25:02 - The man by the pool 30:31 - The Breakthrough Files 35:55 - Weekly Experiment 38:52 - Identify negative thought patterns in your story style 40:02 - Identify your strengths 40:42 - Make a “Shifting Mindset” chart 42:00 - Start small, but start now 42:46 - Come up with a game plan for when obstacles arise 43:56 - Celebrate small wins together 44:53 - The Field Notes 46:04 - The Research Shelf 48:57 - Reply or reach out

What if your faith felt more like a lab: full of curiosity, growth, and breakthroughs? In this episode, Russ Ewell, Mike Query, and Sean Kiluk talk about the last six issues of The Chemistry Lab, a new way to explore your spiritual life through experimentation and discovery. Learn how to grow spiritually by mixing the right ingredients—heart, soul, mind, and strength—and why asking big questions can lead to even bigger transformation. 🎧 Listen now and rediscover how powerful your faith can be. #TheChemLab #SpiritualGrowth #DeepSpirituality #FaithAndScience Questions: 1. How do we develop that mindset of discovery in our relationship with God? 2. How do I know which of the four dimensions I’m operating in, and how do I know which I need the most growth in? Scripture: * Proverbs 25:2 MSG * 1 Chronicles 12:32 NIV * Proverbs 16:2 NIV * 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV * Mark 12:28-30 NIV Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:07 - How to develop a mindset of spiritual discovery 02:58 - Engage with thoughts and ideas that don't come up at church 07:45 - Why the metaphor of science is fun for spiritual discovery 11:12 - Be willing to look at the world and ask spiritual questions 12:13 - How to define chemistry as it relates to spirituality 12:29 - How to look at the world and not get afraid 16:49 - Looking at the motive and heart of people 19:50 - The Best Life 20:30 - How to know which of the four dimensions you need to work on with God 22:46 - What loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength looks like in your life 25:14 - The joy of writing and the chemistry of cooking 31:15 - The mindset of spiritual exploration and discovery 33:36 - Check out Deep Reads 34:48 - The best life series and other resources on the Deep Spirituality website 36:57 - Let us know what you think, we love hearing from you

Ignite your curiosity—and your soul. In “Fire in the Lab, Flow in the Spirit,” Russ Ewell connects the spark of scientific wonder with the spiritual ignition God longs to light within us. He shows how routine religiosity can dampen that flame and helps us rediscover our awe. Drawing from Proverbs, Romans, and Galatians, Russ invites readers into a spiritual “Chemistry Lab,” where our human spirit meets God’s. The alignment of our spirit with God's Spirit brings flow, freedom, and divine purpose into our lives. Want something more than duty-driven religion? Then it's time to step into the Lab. Written by Russ Ewell. Narrated by Darryl Howell. Read the article: https://deepspirituality.com/fire-in-the-lab/ [https://deepspirituality.com/fire-in-the-lab/] Join The Chemistry Lab: https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/ [https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/] Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 00:35 - The chemistry of a beautiful life 02:01 - The workshop 03:43 - Why did I choose science over God? 06:05 - Why church often fails to spark wonder 07:54 - Reigniting the fire 08:59 - The elements of "spirit" 10:43 - Spiritual flow 13:22 - God formed the spirit within 15:49 - Flow = Spiritual connection 17:48 - Creating a flow week 19:48 - The field notes 20:29 - Join the chemistry lab

In a world of distraction and superficiality, Russ Ewell introduces The Chemistry Lab—a weekly newsletter designed to spark spiritual curiosity and a deeper pursuit of faith. Inspired by childhood experiments and Proverbs 25:2, this narrative explains the heart behind the newsletter and the call to go beyond the surface in your spiritual life. Written by Russ Ewell. Narrated by Darryl Howell. Read the article: deepspirituality.com/welcome-to-the-chemistry-lab [https://deepspirituality.com/welcome-to-the-chemistry-lab] Join The Chemistry Lab: https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/ [https://deepspirituality.com/the-chemistry-lab/] Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 00:36 - A new space for spiritual people in superficial times 02:20 - The diagnosis 05:21 - The call to depth 08:01 - The two forces of our time 10:01 - What's at stake 12:28 - Welcome to the lab 12:38 - The leap 15:45 - Join the chemistry lab