isolation – Know Why Podcast

A Conversation on Gen Z, Mental Health, and Spirituality with Garryt Bryant

Surveys show that Gen Z is spiritual. One study found that teens today are very interested in learning more about Jesus. And yet research also shows that young people frequently struggle with anxiety, depression, and even loneliness. Is prayer the answer?

In this week’s episode, Garryt Bryant, a youth leader and pray coordinator for his church, talks about prayer. Garryt shares his own experience with mental health struggles and loneliness, and what helped him heal. He also gives practical tips for how to pray, including suggested passages of the Bible to study for anyone who wants to grow in their spiritual journey.

Garryt also shares about a movement he’s a part of, Prayer at the Heart, which is aimed at helping people around the nation engage in prayer.

Check out the resources Garryt recommends below:

E. M. Bounds Online:

https://www.embounds.online/

Project Pray (Dr. Doug Small)

https://www.projectpray.org/p-douglas-small

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206%3A9-13&version=ESV

Other Scriptures on Prayer (Isaiah 6, 1 John 5)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%206%3B%201%20John%205%20&version=ESV

Prayer at the Heart

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Interview with Ben Bennett

Want to tackle loneliness, anxiety, or depression in 2024? Improving mental health is a common New Year’s resolution. In this episode of the Know Why Podcast, returning guest Ben Bennett of the Resolution Movement shares practical tips from brain science that can help you go from feeling pressured to feeling empowered.

Overcoming Loneliness

Ben Bennett, Director of the Resolution Movement, says that isolation is one of the biggest contributors to poor mental health, especially among members of Gen Z. But isolation isn’t just physical; Ben told Know Why. that loneliness is really a “lack of meaningful connection.”

“One of the biggest contributors to poor mental health is isolation … We need one another. We find solution and answers through one another.”
Ben Bennett

“We need one another,” he said. “We find solution and answers through one another.”

Succeeding at Goals

For many people, New Year’s resolutions can result in feelings of pressure—not good for mental health. Ben recommends focusing on the smaller steps rather than the end goal. “We’re trying to set a goal of the result, but really we need to set a goal of the steps,” Ben said.

He encouraged listeners to “keep it simple. Remember to play the long game.” And if setting goals in January doesn’t work best for you, then don’t feel pressured to do it.

No matter when one sets a goal, success is possible when new habits are formed in the brain through neuroplasticity. Listen to the episodes for more tips from Ben, including information about he overcame anxiety through retraining his brain.

More Resources

To read more about overcoming mental health struggles, see The Resolution Movement’s devotional plans available through the YouVersion app, linked below: