Making Wholeness Possible - An Ongoing Spiritual Formation Journey
In this episode Ken Shuman has a conversation with Tony Mayer, a Faithwalking coach, facilitator, and our newest team member, about his Faithwalking journey and why he invests so much in this work. Tony discusses managing anxiety during the stress of a cross-country move and in a new context and showing up differently in the midst of anxiety from the way he did before. He also shares how Faithwalking helped him integrate the different spheres of his life and parts of himself such that he can now show up the same way - and more authentically - in all of these spaces. For Tony, Faithwalking was a catalyst for a journey of trust with God that has been unfolding ever since. He states, "I'm enjoying this work so much because every day I get to be witness to this transformation....We should always be transforming and helping someone else transform themselves."This episode was recorded in May 2025.
In this episode Ken Shuman states that a huge part of growing in emotional maturity is learning to define ourselves - and then aligning our lives with that self-definition. What does it look like to live it out? To illustrate this concept, Ken shares some of the ways he defines himself and how he puts that self-definition into action. This episode was recorded on May 16th, 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman has a conversation with Dr. Sarojini Sharma, an internal medicine physician, FW graduate, and FW coach. In it Sarojini shares her story of burn-out and the healing she encountered through the Faithwalking process and practices. Key for Sarojini was learning to slow down and live an unhurried life; learning to manage her own anxiety and determining what she is responsible for and what she is not responsible for; living into the guiding principles she established for her life; and how all this led her to a healthier way of dealing with conflict and greater peace. She attests that doing the Faithwalking work has "deepened her companionship with God" and speaks to the healing she experienced from chronic pain and fibromyalgia. In response, Ken acknowledged, "As we get more whole internally, as we get more whole emotionally, mentally, socially...it will impact us physically, and we will become more whole in every arena of our life."This episode was recorded in March 2025.
In this episode Ken Shuman speaks about one component of self-regulation - adaptability, and more specifically, the capacity to face and embrace change and challenge as part of growing in emotional maturity. This episode was recorded on May 9th, 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman has a conversation with Sean Rutter, a Faithwalking graduate and new FW coach, about the lie he used to believe that drove him every day and the way FW has equipped and freed him to live into his best and truest self. This episode was recorded in March 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman shares the next major component of emotional maturity, self-regulation, and breaks it down into five key areas that have a powerful impact on our lives, our relationships, and our alignment with the way of Jesus. This episode was recorded in May 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman states that if you want to know what God is like, you only have to look at Jesus. He encourages us to ask the question whether our theology aligns with what we know of the character and heart of God, as God will always be consistent with his character. If our theology doesn't match, then it is time to reconsider our theology.This episode was recorded in April 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman has a conversation with Amy Keahi, a Faithwalking graduate and nonprofit leader from Sioux Center, Iowa. In this conversation Amy shares some of the things that have impacted her most in her FW journey - among others, learning to be curious rather than defending herself; becoming as emotionally healthy as she can be so she can do a better job of helping and leading others; and the power of her positive declaration, "I am good at other things" (listen as she digs into what this means for her). She also speaks about the impact of Faithwalking on the organization she leads, having invited multiple staff members to join her on the FW journey. This episode was recorded in March 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman shares a Good Friday message on what he believes about Jesus and why we are people of hope. Not even death stops the Kingdom! It has come, and it is coming!This episode was recorded in April 2025
In this episode, Ken Shuman speaks about the choice we have as people of faith to live life unafraid in a world "devoured by anxiety," and a life aligned with the values of Jesus. This episode was recorded in April 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman has a conversation with Lou Huesmann, a Faithwalker and our newest FW board member, who has over 40 years of experience in pastoral ministry. Lou now works with an organization that serves pastors, ministry leaders, and churches through coaching, care in crisis, and consulting. Lou talks about personal transformation through the Faithwalking process and creating a different kind of culture in a congregation. "Faithwalking is masterful in this way. It doesn't end up as a self-help project. It turns you out to the world." "If there is a healthy version of yourself showing up, then it will be lifegiving to the world."This episode was recorded in February 2025.
In this episode of Faithwalking Stories. Ken Shuman has a conversation with Linda Naumowicz, a Faithwalker from NY. They talk about choosing to show up differently, responding to anxiety in healthy ways, and building extraordinary relationships. "It opened up a whole new world for me in my relationship with God, in my relationship with my family, my husband, my kids...everything." " I'm the best person I can be when I'm involved with Faithwalking. The difference it makes in me is phenomenal."
In this episode, Ken Shuman unpacks what we commonly refer to as "the Lord's Prayer," or "the Model Prayer," from Matthew 6. He commends it to us as a guide - a way to pray during these challenging times of high anxiety. This episode was recorded in March 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman shares what we are responsible for during periods of high anxiety and loss and what we are not, the importance of naming our losses, and the power of reminding ourselves what we hope for. This episode was recorded in March 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman has a conversation with Kurt Bush, a professional coach, pastor, and Faithwalking leader. In it Kurt talks about the power of renouncing vows he made to protect himself in his first formation and how he has experienced increasing freedom from the oppressive need to take responsibility for other people's feelings. He shares about the process of learning to disrupt his anxious autopilot behaviors and instead to freely choose how he wants to show up in his relationships and the world. Furthermore, he describes the transformational experience of engaging in authentic, safe community growing toward wholeness together through the Faithwalking work. This episode was recorded in March 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman interviews Jennie Hudson, Faithwalker and Faithwalking coach, about how differently she shows up in life as a result of her journey with Faithwalking; how she is keeping her transformation alive; and a beautiful fruit of this work that she has discovered - peace.
In this episode, Ken Shuman talks about the importance of addressing our shame in our journey toward emotional maturity - and as part of that, renouncing the lies we believe about ourselves .
In this episode, Ken Shuman has a conversation with Jeff McGee, a pastor who is a Faithwalking Circle leader, facilitator, and coach - and until recently, a long-time board member. In it Jeff talks about how he is such a different person than he was before doing the Faithwalking work, and how his "failure voice" has been disempowered in a way he never thought possible. He says that the work God has done in him through Faithwalking has changed his life and his leadership and has transformed his relationships. "Faithwalking is the most profound spiritual formation process that I have ever experienced." - Jeff McGee
In this episode, Ken Shuman talks about the difference between guilt, regret, and shame; what healthy guilt is versus guilt that is unhealthy; and how to address our guilt. This episode was recorded in February 2025.
In this episode of our Faithwalking Stories series, Ken Shuman has a conversation with Angela Ashley, a Faithwalking participant and coach, about her Faithwalking journey. In it Angela shares how she is showing up so much differently in life and in her relationships than she used to, and how - not even knowing what she was missing before - she is experiencing life so much more fully and abundantly.
In this episode, Ken Shuman discusses the importance of deepening self-awareness for growing in emotional maturity, and offers four practices to help us get started.
In this episode, Ken Shuman interviews Chris Godfredsen, Faithwalking facilitator, coach, Circle leader, and board member, about what is unique about the Faithwalking community and this journey of emotional maturity. "Faithwalking helps us manage our anxiety, take responsibility for ourselves, grow in our emotional maturity - so that we can become people who actually follow the way of Jesus by loving others well in our actions." (Ken Shuman)
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues his series on emotional maturity, answering the question "How do I begin to take more responsibility for my own life and give up taking responsibility for the lives of other people?" with five practical steps.
In this episode, Ken Shuman interviews Jan Price, Faithwalking coach, facilitator, Circle leader, and long-time practitioner, about her Faithwalking journey. This episode was recorded in December 2024.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues his series on emotional maturity, encouraging us to commit to always growing in emotional maturity and offering seven suggestions to help us keep making progress. This conversation was recorded in February 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues his series on emotional maturity, picking up where he left off with personal responsibility, which he believes is the foundation of emotional maturity. This conversation was recorded in January 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues his series on emotional maturity, telling the story of two prodigal brothers and exploring the nexus between self-awareness and personal responsibility. This conversation was recorded in January 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues the series on emotional maturity by discussing our responsibility. What story are you telling yourself that is limiting you? This conversation was recorded in January 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman discusses the most crucial components of growing in emotional maturity. This conversation was recorded in January 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman discusses the quality and character of God's life. What does our character represent? This conversation was recorded in January of 2025.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues the series on emotional maturity by discussing, what we have learned over the last several weeks. This week we talked about self-regulation. This conversation was recorded in December 2024.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues the series on emotional maturity by discussing what we have learned over the last several weeks. This week we talked about the importance of self-care. This conversation was recorded in December 2024.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues the series on emotional maturity by discussing what we have learned over the last several weeks. This week we talked about the capacity for courage and how it is a vital tool needed to pull all of the components together to practice emotional maturity. This conversation was recorded in November 2024.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues the series on emotional maturity by discussing what we have learned over the last several weeks. This week, we talked about developing the capacity for appropriate empathy and unselfishness. What is healthy empathy? This conversation was recorded in November 2024.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues the series on emotional maturity by continuing the discussion on assessing what we have learned over the last several weeks. This week, we talked about what we learned in our first formation. What did you learn about people different than you, judging, and criticizing others different than you, and staying connected? This conversation was recorded in November 2024.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues the series on emotional maturity by continuing the discussion on assessing what we have learned over the last several weeks. This week, we talk about boundaries and self-differentiation. What did you learn about yourself in your first formation? This conversation was recorded in November 2024.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues the series on emotional maturity by continuing the discussion on assessing what we have learned over the last several weeks. Where would we like to be in our growth process? This conversation was recorded in October 2024.
In this episode, Emily Elizabeth continues the series on emotional maturity by leading today's discussion on assessing what we have learned over the last several weeks. What are we aware of in our growth process? This conversation was recorded in October 2024.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues the series on emotional maturity. Today's discussion is about how spiritual maturity is necessary to be emotionally mature and vice versa. This conversation was recorded in October 2024.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues the series on emotional maturity. Today's discussion is on taking responsibility for your responsibility. This conversation was recorded in October 2024.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues the series on emotional maturity. Today's discussion is on unselfishness. This conversation was recorded in September 2024.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues the series on emotional maturity. Today's discussion is on the capacity not to be threatened by differences. Are you self-differentiated? This conversation was recorded in September 2024.
In this episode, Brenda Graff discusses how taking ownership of your reality is part of emotional maturity. Brenda teaches an essential component of being aware of the ability to make choices. This conversation was recorded in September 2024.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues his series on emotional maturity that is a preview of a new course we will be launching in January. In this episode Ken and a group of Faithwalkers discuss self-regulation: Emotionally mature people are increasing their capacity for self-regulation. They live a life that is thoughtful and intentional. This conversation was recorded on August 30, 2024.
This week Marcos Leon and a group of Faithwalkers continue with the series titled 'The Serenity Prayer.' Today they talked about serenity. The group is following the book: The Serenity Prayer: A Simple Prayer to Enrich Your Life by Trevor Hudson. This conversation was originally recorded in September of 2024. See notes and questions in this link.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues giving the group a preview of the new Faithwalking class on emotional maturity that will launch in January. This time, Ken teaches an essential component of clearly defining ourselves—the intentional and increasing capacity for self-awareness. This conversation was recorded in September 2024.
In this episode, Ken Shuman continues giving the group a preview of the new Faithwalking class on emotional maturity that will be launching in January. This time Ken teaches on an important component of emotional maturity - the intentional and increasing capacity for self-awareness. This conversation was recorded on August 23rd, 2024.
In this episode and the next few to come, Ken Shuman is giving a preview of a new Faithwalking course that will be launching in January. This class will be on emotional maturity and will serve as an introduction to Faithwalking for those not familiar with it. In this class Ken will teach on what emotional maturity is, why it is important, and how to grow in it. In these Keep Calm sessions, he will share the course material and discuss the concepts with the group. In this episode, Ken introduces the first indicator of emotional maturity - the ability to take responsibility for oneself. This conversation was recorded on August 16th, 2024.
This week Marcos Leon and a group of Faithwalkers launch a new series of conversations titled 'The Serenity Prayer.' Today they introduced the topic. The group is following the book: The Serenity Prayer: A Simple Prayer to Enrich Your Life by Trevor Hudson. This conversation was originally recorded in August of 2024. See notes and questions in this link.
In this episode, Ken Shuman and a group of Faithwalkers reflect on a goal worth any sacrifice and living a life that give others a taste of the Kingdom. The focus scripture passage is Mark 9:43-40. This conversation was recorded on August 2nd, 2024.
In this episode, Ken Shuman and a group of Faithwalkers discuss wisdom and the kind of leader worth following (and being). The focus scripture is James 3:13-18. This conversation was recorded on July 26, 2024.