The Reluctant Missionary

Authentic stories from the travels of Michael Smalley.

How to Stop Your Anxiety From Destroying a Perfectly Good Sunday letting go trauma Oct 13, 2025

 

It was a perfect Sunday afternoon. NFL Redzone was on. I was relaxed. Life was good.

My son David, his wife K'leigh, and my grandson Remington had been visiting The Woodlands, TX and were supposed...

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High-Functioning Trauma: When You Look Successful But Feel Empty Inside trauma Sep 19, 2025

 

Why being the "helper" and "expert" might be masking deeper wounds—and what to do when your success feels hollow


From the outside, Marcus had it all figured out.

Successful business owner. Beau...

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Why Your Body Remembers What Your Mind Wants to Forget trauma Sep 14, 2025

 

The hidden reason talk therapy isn't enough—and why healing trauma requires more than just changing your thoughts


"I've done years of therapy," Lisa told me during our first session. "I've proce...

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The Trauma Response You Don't Recognize (And Why It's Destroying Your Relationships) trauma Sep 10, 2025

 

Why emotional shutdown isn't a character flaw—it's your nervous system trying to protect you (and what to do about it)


The phone stopped ringing in August 2019.

Not because people stopped calli...

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Why Your Relationship Keeps Exploding Over Small Things (It's Not What You Think) trauma Sep 03, 2025

 

The hidden neurological reason intelligent, motivated couples keep having the same explosive fights—and what to do about it


Sarah and David sat across from me in my office, both exhausted and co...

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IT WORKS IF YOU WORK IT

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