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
Episode 51 - How to Stand Alone to Stand Out
Sometimes we feel pressured to blend in when our heart is truly calling us to stand out. Yes, I know you've been there.
In this episode, Dr. Reynolds shares a simple story about standing alone, which resulted in unexpected opportunities for growth. Drawing from Scripture, psychology, business, and history (along with insights from Cal Newport’s Deep Work), Dr. Reynolds explores how figures like Jesus, Rosa Parks, Einstein, Daniel, and Elijah reveal the power of standing apart from the crowd. You’ll discover why true solitude creates clarity, why balance matters, and how standing alone for God is never really being alone.
WEBSITE: https://faithmeetsacademia.buzzsprout.com/2312145/episodes
CONTACT: faithmeetsacademia@gmail.com
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.
Hello, hello, good morning, good afternoon, whatever time it is, wherever you are, I am so excited that you have returned to FMA Faith Meets Academia for episode 51. Can you believe it? Episode 51 already. Time really flies. Thanks for tuning in. I appreciate the love, the feedback, the support. It's because of you why this podcast still continues.
Speaker 1:All right, so let's get right into it. How to stand alone so you can stand out? How to stand alone so you can stand out?
Speaker 1:Have you ever been to one of those conference receptions or it might even be a staff meeting, faculty meeting where everybody's in their little cliques, their little groups, friends come in with friends and colleagues come in with their work buddies. Well, recently I attended one of those. Right, it was a conference. I found myself standing alone at a table just enjoying the delicious hors d'oeuvres and I mean they were really good, I tell you they were really good. And as I stood there I noticed people walking into the room with, you know, their colleagues, co-workers in their department groups, cliques, if you will. As they say, I guess, birds of a feather flock together. And there I was, standing at this table, just me. And you know that used to bother me On campus. I would see the same thing. Folks would come to department meetings or retreats and they would sit with their friends, leaving the new person all by themselves.
Speaker 1:But this time, something a little different happened. First, a student came over and I ended up basically giving him a free mini coaching session. And I ended up basically giving him a free mini coaching session. Then two guys from a global education company joined me and within about 15 minutes or so, guess what happened? They offered me a consulting opportunity and on top of that, they wanted my wife, who is an executive business coach, to get involved as well. Hear this If I had been huddled with my own group the same people I see every day on my job that moment probably would have never happened. That conversation with those guys would have never happened, right? So let me tell you this, friends. So let me tell you this, friends Sometimes God sets you apart not to isolate you or abandon you, but to position you for a greater purpose. Let me say that again Sometimes God sets you apart not to isolate you, but to position you for a greater purpose. At this event, I didn't stand alone to be noticed. Noticed, I mean, I just happened to be standing there alone, I mean, but it was for a purpose. And in reflecting on this, I'm reminded that again, god sometimes sets us apart from the crowd, pull us out of the crowd and the noise so we can hear his voice clearly. We can declutter the noise. We can can hear his voice clearly. We can declutter the noise, we can reflect on his word and how it applies to our lives, and that's where the transformation starts.
Speaker 1:Jesus often modeled this right. Take a look at Luke 5.16. So he himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. He himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. And you know what, each time he returned from that prayer in the wilderness, each time he returned from solitude, if you will, his impact just magnified, just multiplied. I mean, he tanixed his impact.
Speaker 1:Yeah, oftentimes we don't like to think of our Lord and Master in those practical ways, but I mean that's exactly what happened. When was the last time you intentionally stepped away from the noise so you could actually hear God's direction? Stepping away from the crowd can be the first step toward your clarity. So, friends, let me tell you this If you feel left out or odd because your life doesn't line up with the latest trends or fads, then it means you really don't know who you are. God didn't create you to be a clone of someone else. He created you to be a reflection of him. Hey, let's go back to the beginning, genesis 1.26,. Then God said let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.
Speaker 1:Let's bring in psychology into this for a minute, right. Let's take a look at why we even have this craving to be in the in-group, right? Psychologists call this social identity theory, right? So, yeah, we do find security and self-esteem and belonging and feel valued when we're connected to or with a group. So, remember, this is all about balance I have to talk about. This is all about. This is not about being standoffish or detaching yourself from people and doing everything by yourself. That's not what this is about. This is about balance.
Speaker 1:Yes, you work as part of a team. Yes, you're part of a family. Yes, you're part of a community, but how often do you find the time to understand and define you? You can't do that while you're in the crowd. So, yes, through the lens of social identity theory, we understand why.
Speaker 1:Kids, for example. They formed their own groups and their cliques as early as six or seven years old, right, and in the cafeteria. You know, you see the cool table, if you will. You know setting the rules as to who can, you know, sit at that table and who can't. Right, you know, if you're not at that table, you kind of feel left out, like, oh my gosh, like what's wrong with me? Am I so different than the rest? And then, by the time students hit university, the fitting in might look like partying like your peers or following the latest trends, or even silencing your own voice just to blend in. But here's what God says Exodus 23.2, you shall not follow a crowd to do evil. Similarly, in Romans 12.2, paul tells us. Paul tells us. So the pull to fit in is strong, but the call to stand out is even stronger.
Speaker 1:Let's take a look at some examples you're probably very familiar with in our everyday lives when it comes to standing alone so you can stand out. Look at Apple and Microsoft. Let's talk a little bit about these two companies. Microsoft built its reputation on productivity and efficiency. Think about the Microsoft Word you're using right now, excel, windows and other programs that drive office processes and procedures worldwide. Apple they went in a different direction. They were all about creativity and design.
Speaker 1:The iPod in 2001 wasn't just another music player. It was a huge cultural shift, unlike anything we'd ever seen the iPhone in 2007. It wasn't just another device to make phone calls. It revolutionized the entire smartphone industry. It redefined how we communicated with each other and how we interacted with and used these smart devices. It reshaped the act of communication in itself. Now, if Apple was just simply trying to outdo Microsoft, we wouldn't have the iPhone. If Microsoft was just trying to outdo Microsoft, we wouldn't have the iPhone. If Microsoft was just trying to outdo Apple, we wouldn't have the tools we depend on daily in schools, in our businesses, etc.
Speaker 1:Each stood apart, in their own lane, defined themselves on their own terms, and that's why both stand out. Standing out doesn't come from copying what you think is better. It comes from creating differently. Let me say that again. Standing out doesn't come from just copying what you think is better. It comes from creating differently or, simply put, just being original. You know, this reminds me of something I read in Cal Newport's book called Deep Work.
Speaker 1:Cal Newport is a computer scientist and productivity expert, and here's what he says about solitude. He says solitude isn't just being physically alone right, it's being free from constant input and distraction, especially digital input. Solitude creates the mental space for focus, reflection and creativity. Without it, our limited attention gets scattered, making deep work or focused work almost impossible. That's what Cal Newport says about solitude, or separating yourself from the noise. So this should resonate with you because, to clarify, standing alone is not just a physical stance. It's about stepping away from the constant scrolling, shifting attention every few minutes from one digital device or one page to the next. And Cal Newport makes the point that we have to build solitude like a skill.
Speaker 1:Disconnect regularly. You know, have a couple of days where you're not even logged on to social media, for example. Minimize distractions. Create rituals that protect your time with yourself, that protect that space. Sometimes students in particular wonder why they can't focus for any long period of time on any one thing, and I often tell them hey, look, that's because you've trained your mind to bounce around from one thing to another, distracting yourself every couple of minutes. Take a look at your phone, take a look at your cell phone and see how much time you spend on, whether it's TikTok, twitter, instagram, facebook it's probably hours, right? So when you're jumping between apps, stories, tweets, webpages, one after the other, one after the other, you're wiring your mind to be unfocused, you're wiring your brain to be inattentive, you're wiring your brain to not be able to focus on any one thing for a sustained period of time, and in order to really be productive, your brain has to be trained to do the opposite, and so that's why it's necessary to periodically disconnect. If you never unplug from the noise, you'll never plug into your purpose. Let me say that again If you never unplug from the noise, you'll never plug into your purpose.
Speaker 1:Let's go back in time a little bit and look at some historical examples of standing alone to stand out and the impact that that has made. 1955, december 1st, montgomery, alabama. Rosa Parks made a simple choice she refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus. That single decision, as you know, sparked the Montgomery bus boycott, which lasted for 381 days and eventually led to the US Supreme Court striking down bus segregation as unconstitutional, institutional. This one woman took a stand. Standing alone for her meant taking a firm stance, making a decision and doing something that wasn't popular but ended up causing a transformational shift. Rosa Parks stood alone that day by sitting down.
Speaker 1:Let's go even further back 1905, albert Einstein. While working as a patent clerk in Switzerland, einstein challenged Newton's classical mechanics, especially the idea that time and space were absolute. Now, at first there were a lot of scientists in that time who dismissed his theory of relativity as just too radical. Right, but here's what happened he stuck with it and in 1919, there was a total solar eclipse and astronomers confirmed Einstein's hypothesis that light bends around the sun. So the once dismissed idea reshaped the physics landscape and earned him worldwide recognition. Einstein eventually won the Nobel Prize in 1921.
Speaker 1:Those who dare to stand alone are carving out a path for generations to come. When we search the scriptures, we see many examples of people who made the decision to stand alone. So they can stand out, stand out in impact, stand out in influence and bring about meaningful change. Daniel, during Babylonian captivity the scripture says in Daniel 1.8 that he purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with a portion of the king's delicacies. The result God gave him and his friends wisdom ten times greater than everybody else, greater than everybody else. And then, later on, when Daniel prayed openly, despite the king's decree, we know what happened. God shut the lion's mouth and Darius, the same king who threw Daniel in that den of lions, proclaimed Daniel 6, 26,. He is the living God and steadfast forever.
Speaker 1:Let's talk about Elijah on Mount Carmel. Yes, he stood alone and made no mistake. That was tough. He was depressed to the point of having suicidal thoughts. Now, hopefully, if you decide to stand alone, you won't get that distressed, right so make use of your mental health services, right? Standing alone also means taking care of yourself, right so Elijah? 1 Kings 18.22,.
Speaker 1:Elijah said to the people I alone am left, a prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are 450. One 450 to one. Can you even fathom that? Elijah called on God and fire fell from heaven. The people cried out. Here's the result of his standing alone. Here's the impact.
Speaker 1:The people cried out the Lord, he is God, the Lord, he is God. God, the Lord, he is God. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me so that the message might be preached fully through me and that all the Gentiles may hear Also. I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion and the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Speaker 1:You know what this tells me. When you stand alone for God, you're never truly standing alone, because God is standing with you. He will give his angels charge over you to protect you, to guide you, to take care of you. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, david says all the days of my life, all right. So to close this episode, I have four key takeaways or take-home points for you.
Speaker 1:Number one God sets you apart to position you for a greater purpose, not to isolate you. Sometimes standing alone is about your purpose, not punishment. Number two step away from the noise so you can hear clearly. We're talking about how to stand alone so you can stand out. If you never unplug from the noise, you'll never plug into your purpose. Number three don't copy. Create differently.
Speaker 1:Social identity theory explains why we crave belonging, but true impact comes when you embrace your God-given identity and originality. Standing out doesn't just come from copying what you think is better. It comes from creating differently. Number four when you stand alone for God, you're never truly alone, and that's a really important one to remember. When you stand alone for God, you're never truly standing alone. Everyone might not be cheering for you, everyone might not even be happy for you, but if you really believe that you're on a mission for God, keep marching forward. Never look back until we meet again. Remember to share this episode or any other with your friends or family members. You can find faith meets academia on any major podcast platform, whether it's apple podcast, spotify, amazon music, you name it. It's there. Enjoy the rest of your day, the rest of your week. Be blessed.