Trailer Park Kid to Therapist Guy: Paul Krauss discusses Philosophy, History, Sociology, Technology, Authenticity, & Meaningful Solutions [Episode 152]

This special episode of The Intentional Clinician Podcast features Paul Krauss, MA LPC, being interviewed by Lindsey Beaver, LMSW, and Josh Zheng, LPC. The conversation provides an intimate look into Paul's background, personal philosophy, and professional journey as both the founder of Health for Life Counseling and host of The Intentional Clinician Podcast. Rather than Paul conducting his usual interviews, this episode reverses roles to explore the man behind the microphone, offering listeners insight into his formative experiences, current worldview, and approach to mental health and social change.

Also discussed: the organic nature of the idea conceived during a grocery store walk, "Who are you?", Joan Didion, adaption, macro-evolution, self-evolution, identity, Paul's childhood, Lansing, Michigan, trailer parks, a food co-op, hippie culture, living in a motel, meeting people of diverse origins, anxiety, hyper-vigilance, being anxious and doing it anyway, changing the narrative, the positive influence of parents, how your parent's blind spots affect you, working in coffee shops and food, teaching, learning about the effects of trauma, creating a therapy center, building community, world-building, the National Violence Prevention Hotline, Comparing the internet to the printing press revolution, technology as both revealing secrets and creating new problems, a "fire hose to the face" of information, technology's impact on children and mental health, authoritarianism as a response to information chaos, being "narrowly educated", systemic problems and power structures, discussion of economic inequality since the 1980s, housing affordability and corporate ownership. the role of big business in creating inequality, war is a business, how economic stress affects mental health and social problems, importance of limiting technology use intentionally, investing in local communities and relationships, finding your "tribe" online if not available locally. the need to create positive alternatives rather than just criticizing, philosophy of change, trauma therapy and fundamental personal change, the necessity of painful experiences for growth, the importance of taking risks and receiving feedback, the role of courage in transformation, frustration with intellectual class pointing out problems without solutions, we need truth-tellers as much as new system builders, creating meaningful alternatives to tribal identity, the balance between being "not special" but unique, importance of sharing and serving others, personal self-care without self-indulgence, curating life experiences intentionally, challenging belief systems and getting out of comfort zones, and much much more.

> "You're not special. And I don't mean that in a mean way, but you are not special... However, you are unique and beautiful and intelligent, and you have talents and gifts that no one else has. You have talents and gifts that no one else has, and you have a personality that no one else has ever had."- Paul Krauss 

>"All I know is that I know nothing, and that is to try. That is how I try to wake up every day and remind myself that I don't know anything. And I'm a mini little ant in the universe and I will never know everything. But I love learning and I want to find other people that love learning, and I want to share that with them."- Paul Krauss 

In this episode, all of the songs utilized are from "Mystic" by PAWL

1. "Alright" from the album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)
2. "Dreams" from the album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)
3. "The Moment" from the album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)
4. "Bars" from the album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)
5. "The Inside is Outside" from the album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)
6. "Kitchen Drawers" from the album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)
7. "Little Sin" from the album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)
8. "Thirty-Six" from the album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)
9. "Windshield" from the album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)
10. "Between Chaos and Rigidity" from the album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)
11. "Dawn in Detroit" from the album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)
12. "Mystic" from the album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)

 

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Paul Krauss MA LPC is the Clinical Director of Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, home of The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids. Paul is also a Private Practice Psychotherapist, an Approved EMDRIA Consultant , host of the Intentional Clinician podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical Trainer, Counseling Supervisor, and Meditation Teacher. Paul is now offering consulting for a few individuals and organizations. Paul is the creator of the National Violence Prevention Hotline as well as the Intentional Clinician Training Program for Counselors. Paul has been quoted in the Washington Post, NBC News, Wired Magazine, and Counseling Today. Questions? Call the office at 616-200-4433. 

If you are looking for EMDRIA consulting groups, Paul Krauss MA LPC is now hosting a weekly online group.  For details, click here.

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