Faith Meets Academia
Welcome to Faith Meets Academia!
Struggling to connect your faith with everyday life, career ambitions, or academic pursuits? Hosted by a university professor and ordained minister, Dr. Adrian Reynolds, this podcast will help you translate your faith-based values into personal growth, professional development, and academic success. Faith Meets Academia emphasizes that faith and work can forge a mutually sustaining partnership.
Each episode breaks down complex academic concepts into everyday language and connects them with timeless spiritual principles for transformational learning and development. By the end of each episode, you will be equipped with practical tools to set the tone for a purposeful, productive week.
Join the journey today!
Your host, Adrian Reynolds (Ph.D.), is an ordained minister, learning coach, and assistant professor of medical education at an R1 university. He is on a mission to merge educational innovation with biblical wisdom. Dr. Reynolds brings over two decades of teaching experience across the educational continuum: from working with underserved, high school students as a state-certified instructor of Spanish to coaching students in graduate and professional degree programs in evidence-based teaching skills and the science of learning.
Dr. Reynolds’ work is located within the rapidly growing field of applied learning sciences and is driven by both socio-cognitive and sociocultural approaches to learning and teaching. His preventive model of academic coaching has been published in journals such as Medical Teacher and Clinical Teacher. He has held over 1,000 (one-on-one) academic coaching sessions with medical students, residents, fellows, and pre-med students. Dr. Reynolds has developed numerous peer-teaching programs for medical students in addition to courses in the science of learning for residents, pre-med and high school students.
Dr. Reynolds has been preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ for over 10 years both nationally and internationally. He has long been recognized to seamlessly intertwine academic concepts with biblical principles: His approach to preaching and teaching the word of God is centered around growth mindset (Philippians 4:13), transformational learning (Romans 12:2), and reflective, mindful practice (Philippians 4:8, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:97).
As a missionary ambassador, Dr. Reynolds has embarked on transformative journeys that bridge cultures and continents, bringing tangible support and hope to those in need. Most recently, in the fall of 2023, his dedication to humanitarian causes led him to Mozambique: From the bustling streets of Maputo to the serene countryside of Inharrime, through the unwavering support and sponsorship from faith-based leaders and communities, Dr. Reynolds has played a pivotal role in the allocation of humanitarian aid and educational resources, providing essential support to elevate community wellbeing.
Earlier that year, he engaged in a mission focused on cultural exchange and relationship-building in the Maputo province to better understand and address local challenges. Through these missions, Dr. Reynolds exemplifies the true essence of a missionary ambassador, integrating service, education, and faith into impactful action.
Faith Meets Academia
Word of the Day # 7 - Mind Over Matter: How Your Thoughts Shape Your Reality
Your mind is the command center of your life—shaping your mood, behavior, and faith. Inspired by Philippians 4:8, this episode explores how filtering your thoughts can transform your mindset. Take practical steps to guard against negativity, focus on truth, and embrace a mindset grounded in wisdom and peace. Tune in now to take control of your thoughts and step into a more intentional, purposeful life!
WEBSITE: https://faithmeetsacademia.buzzsprout.com/2312145/episodes
CONTACT: faithmeetsacademia@gmail.com
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DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely my own and do not reflect or represent the positions, policies, or opinions of my employer, any organization or academic institution with which I am affiliated. This podcast is a personal initiative, and is not connected to my official/ formal duties and responsibilities as a university professor.
Hey, family, it's a beautiful day. Happy Wednesday. Hope your week is going well. Today's word of the day comes to us from Philippians 4.8. It's one of my all-time favorite scriptures.
Speaker 1:Yes, mind over matter. What are you dwelling on? That's the question. Here's what it says.
Speaker 1:Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, and if there's anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. Hey, let's keep it real. Your mind is like the command center for everything you do. Whatever you dwell on, whatever you're stuck on, whatever preoccupies your mind is like the command center for everything you do. Whatever you dwell on, whatever you're stuck on, whatever preoccupies your mind does influence your mood, and then that mood, that emotion, will certainly influence your behavior, your decisions and even your faith. If your thoughts are unguarded, unchecked, unfiltered, you're giving space to negativity, fear and distractions. So how do you guard your thoughts in real life?
Speaker 1:Paul isn't just throwing out abstract virtues. He's giving us a game plan. Think on what's true. Avoid feeding your mind with worst-case scenarios, half the things we stress out about never even happen, or probably more than half Never happen. Instead, ground yourself in reality and in what God has already done for you. He has a track record of excellence. Focus on what's just. Are your thoughts leading you to make fair and wise choices, or are they rooted in comparison, resentment or impatience? Maybe Surround yourself with what's lovely.
Speaker 1:This isn't about fake positivity, don't get it wrong. It's about intentionally exposing yourself to things that uplift you, that inspire you, that motivate you. What are you allowing to influence you? Here's the question, folks what are you allowing to take up space in your mind today? You cannot control every thought that pops up, but you can choose what stays. Let me say that again you can't control every thought that pops up in your head, but you can choose what stays. Start filtering what you allow in and make today the day you take some small step to control your mindset. If you want some actionable strategies, you know. If you want to get deeper into this, check out episode 14 and experience how mindful, intentional breathing can calm your mind and reduce stress. You might also want to check out episode 15 to discover how guided visualization rewires your brain for focus and success. Yeah, go, check them out and start taking control of your thoughts.
Speaker 1:Today, faith Meets Academia is available on Apple Podcasts, spotify and Amazon Music and all major podcast platforms. Hit, follow or subscribe so you never miss a word of the day or an episode. Now, keep in mind. The word of the day is you know, this is bonus content. Right? It's not a full episode, it's bonus content. All right, stay tuned for the next word of the day, which comes to you this Friday. All right, be blessed, enjoy the rest of the day.