Podcasts about centering

Jennifer Bray, Political Editor Of The Sunday Times, talks to Matt about her debut novel, The Lies Between Us.Centering on the warring Brown sisters, the book deals with the fall out from the disappearance of Susannah Brown. Jennifer also talks about a life-altering attack that happened to her as a young journalist at the beginning of her career. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

What does equity look like in ocean governance? In this episode of People, Places, Planet, host Sebastian Duque Rios speaks with Yoshitaka Ota of Ocean Nexus and Randall Abate, ELI Visiting Scholar, about the emerging concept of ocean equity—and why centering social justice is essential to the future of marine conservation and ocean law. From marine protected areas and small-scale fisheries to deep sea mining, marine geoengineering, and the rights of nature movement, the conversation explores how traditional environmental governance frameworks have often failed to address systemic marginalization in coastal and Indigenous communities. Drawing on anti-subordination theory, environmental justice, and human rights law, the guests explain how ocean equity moves beyond consultation toward meaningful power-sharing—including rethinking free, prior, and informed consent, stewardship-based resource management, and the intersection of human rights and marine conservation. For environmental lawyers, policymakers, and ocean governance professionals, this episode offers a forward-looking framework for aligning conservation, climate action, and justice.What is ocean equity? (04:08)From EJ to anti-subordination (09:37)Consent, power, and meaningful participation (16:05)Stewardship and MPAs (21:56)Rights of nature and the human right to a healthy environment (29:54)Emerging governance challenges and the future of ocean law (33:37) ★ Support this podcast ★

Portland Playhouse in Northeast Portland is currently performing "Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous." The play follows four Black women artists as they confront their own and each other’s evolving definitions of art, protest, and storytelling. Audiences have until March 15 to see performances by Faith Lavon and Ashlee Radney, who play actors of different generations. They join us to discuss the production and its relevance today.  

This week, we welcome Bishop Drew Williams from All Saints Church Amesbury, preaching from Isaiah 45:1–5, alongside reflections from Hosea 11, Luke 1:78–79, Romans 7, Isaiah 54:2–4, and the wider story of redemption .Centering on God's promise to give “treasures of darkness” (Isaiah 45), Bishop Drew unpacks the historical moment of Israel's exile and Cyrus' unlikely role in their restoration—revealing how God brings hidden treasure out of places of defeat. But this isn't just ancient history. It's a deeply personal promise. The same God who broke open Babylon's vaults now enters the hidden, shame-filled vaults of our own hearts.With pastoral warmth and theological depth, Bishop Drew explores how trauma, sin, and shame drive us into secrecy—and how Jesus meets us there, not with wrath, but with compassion. Drawing from Hosea's declaration that God's “compassion grows warm and tender,” and Luke's image of the “Dayspring from on high,” we are reminded that grace is not a substance to be rationed—it is a Person who abounds toward us.This message is a call to step out of hiding. The darkness we fear may actually be the place where Jesus reveals His mercy most clearly. What feels like failure can become treasure. What feels like shame can become testimony. And what feels like the end may, in Christ, be the ignition of calling and destiny.In the power of the cross, Bishop Drew invites us to trust the slow, gentle work of healing—piece by piece—and to move forward with courage. Because in Jesus, we are not disgraced, not abandoned, and not disqualified. We are called by name.

Episode Topic: What We Can Learn from Ukraine's Fight for Democracy (https://go.nd.edu/241c49)Historian Olesya Khromeychuk challenges us to view democracy not as a static inheritance, but as a grueling “learning curve” forged in resistance. Centering on the concept of “hope as an emergency tool,” Khromeychuk reveals how Ukraine's “hopeless hope” offers a strategic blueprint for collective survival and democratic perseverance in an increasingly uncertain global order.Featured Speakers:Clemens Sedmak, Director of the Nanovic Institute for European Studies, University of Notre DameMichael Pippenger, Vice President & Associate Provost for Internationalization, University of Notre DameOlesya Khromeychuk, Director of the Ukrainian Institute, London Read this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: https://go.nd.edu/41fffa.This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled Revolutions of Hope. (https://go.nd.edu/85a132)Thanks for listening! The ThinkND Podcast is brought to you by ThinkND, the University of Notre Dame's online learning community. We connect you with videos, podcasts, articles, courses, and other resources to inspire minds and spark conversations on topics that matter to you — everything from faith and politics, to science, technology, and your career. Learn more about ThinkND and register for upcoming live events at think.nd.edu. Join our LinkedIn community for updates, episode clips, and more.

What does it truly mean to see—and how close are we to restoring sight for those who have lost it? Dr. Lauren Ayton shares her journey at the frontier of vision restoration, from leading Australia’s first bionic eye trial to navigating the ethical, scientific, and personal dimensions of bringing sight back. Topics covered: The meaning of “seeing” and how the brain constructs vision Personal motivations behind vision restoration research The evolution of bionic eyes and retinal implants From basic science to technological intervention in vision Ethical dilemmas in emerging vision restoration technologies Patient experiences regaining sight and decision-making in trials Challenges of public perception vs. scientific reality Incremental innovation vs. paradigm shifts in medical science Importance of access, equity, and foundational care Designing technology for real human needs and capabilities Connect with Dr. Lauren AytonLinkedInCentre for Eye Research Australia Episode Chapters:00:00 – Introduction: What does it mean to see?01:45 – Dr. Lauren Ayton's personal journey and driving questions03:35 – Career: Academia, startup life, and innovation in vision science05:27 – The complexity and subjectivity of vision07:08 – What happens when vision is restored? Patient experiences08:52 – Scientific breakthroughs that made sight restoration imaginable10:37 – The science behind bionic eyes, retinal implants, and gene therapy12:30 – Suprachoroidal approach in Australia's first in-human bionic eye trial13:59 – Ethics of risk, hope, and consent in experimental medicine15:56 – Supporting patients through uncertainty and high-stakes decisions17:26 – Managing expectations: Public perception vs. current scientific reality20:08 – Incremental change, paradigm shifts, and multidisciplinary collaboration22:00 – Translation: From brilliant ideas to real-world impact24:06 – Access, equity, and the bigger picture of vision care25:48 – Human-driven innovation: Designing for dignity, capability, and real needs27:30 – Lessons from vision science about clarity, perception, and what we miss28:52 – The future: What's possible in 10–20 years of vision restoration30:19 – Ethical reminders for the path ahead31:44 – Dr. Lauren Ayton's takeaways: Centering humans and aiming high32:57 – How to support or get involved in vision research33:45 – What's keeping Dr. Lauren Ayton hopeful34:46 – Closing and credits

Community care has always been a pillar of a functioning society. But what does community care actually look like? According to  Angela Russell, host of the local award-winning podcast Black Oxygen, community care can take on countless forms. Whether it's leaning on a neighbor in a time of need, volunteering with a local organization , or even just hosting a group chat among friends. The latest season of Black Oxygen centers on the topic of community care. And today, host Bianca Martin caught up with Russell to talk about the new season of the podcast and the role that community care has historically played in civil rights movements. 

What happens when an Army veteran discovers her superpower is storytelling? In this episode, Cam and Otis sit down with Cher Terais, a two-time #1 bestselling Wanderlust Romance author who's redefining the romance genre by centering bold, accomplished Black women in stunning destinations around the world.Cher explains shares her journey from military service to becoming a full-time author and founder of The Booked Club travel community. From discussing the therapy found in writing to revealing how her storytelling skills translate into helping other entrepreneurs connect the dots in their marketing, this conversation offers a unique perspective on creativity, reinvention, and building a life that feels as good as it looks.What makes this episode particularly valuable is Cher's emphasis on authenticity and representation. Whether you're an aspiring author, an entrepreneur looking to sharpen your storytelling, or simply someone interested in how diverse experiences shape creative vision, Cher's insights provide a roadmap for choosing courage over comfort and building something uniquely yours.Chapter Times and Titles:Introduction: Meet Cher Terais [00:00 - 02:51]Welcome, and the "less than the F word" joke about romanceCher's background as an Army veteran turned authorSetting the stage for wanderlust romanceThe Storytelling Superpower [02:51 - 21:03]How storytelling became Cher's entrepreneurial edgeConnecting dots for other business ownersThe week at College Station and working with entrepreneursWriting as Personal Communication [21:03 - 31:00]"Music for me was a way to talk to people in secret."Writing from personal experience and emotionThe therapy in storytelling vs. being a storytellerRepresentation and Authenticity in Romance [31:00 - 42:24]Centering bold, accomplished Black women in romanceWhy representation in travel and romance mattersStaying authentic in your creative workBuilding The Booked Club Community [42:24 - 48:16]From books to retreats and travel experiencesCreating spaces where adventure and softness coexistThe reality of becoming a travel curatorLessons on Reinvention and Creativity [48:16 - 51:15]Camden's takeaway: Not wanting to be arrogant, but owning your giftsOtis's reflection on storytelling and connectionThe power of choosing a life that feels as good as it looksConnect with Cher [51:15 - End]Website: cherterais.com Social media: "One of one" on all platforms - TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, PinterestBooks available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and local bookstoresSigned copies exclusively at cherterais.comFinal thoughts on supporting small businesses and authentic storytellingConnect with Cher Terais here:https://cherterais.com/https://www.facebook.com/cherterais/

At the halfway point of the year, it's easy to feel like we're just trying to make it to the finish line. But this message is an invitation to do more than survive—to recenter. In Colossians 1:15–23, we're reminded of who Jesus really is: the One who created all things, the One who holds all things together, and the One who leads His church. If Jesus is truly the center, everything else—our stress, our opinions, our fears, our responsibilities—finds a better place. Pastor Tim speaks honestly about the emotional weight of our cultural moment, and how easy it is for Christians to get pulled into anxiety, outrage, and division. But the church is called to something different: unity in Christ, a deeper story, and a kingdom mission that doesn't rise and fall with the news cycle. This message also prepares us for Lent and the practices that form us: Sabbath, fasting, and prayer. Not as a way to earn God's love—but as a way to become more aware of it, and more grounded in it. If you feel off-center right now, this message is for you. May Jesus become central again—steady, present, and supreme.

About this episode: Sexual education often focuses on the potential risks of unplanned pregnancies and STIs. But an approach to sexual health that includes frank discussions of what feels good could yield better health outcomes. In this episode: Sexual health expert Joshua O'Neal talks about the value of starting sexual health conversations with enjoyment and comfort. Note: This episode was produced in collaboration with the National Coalition of STD Directors. Guests: Joshua O'Neal, MA, is a sexual health educator and program director at the Southeast HIV/STI Prevention Training Center. Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: Promoting protection and pleasure: amplifying the effectiveness of barriers against sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy—The Lancet Pleasure and PrEP: Pleasure-Seeking Plays a Role in Prevention Choices and Could Lead to PrEP Initiation—American Journal of Men's Health Pleasure as a measure of agency and empowerment—Medicus Mundi Schweiz Pleasure As Tool For STI Prevention: Part 2—NCSD Real Talk Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky @‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

What happens when a life that looks “perfect” on the outside quietly drains you on the inside?In this heartfelt conversation, Elaine Starling welcomes transformational coach Kathleen Connor, whose journey from chronic self-sacrifice to radiant self-devotion reveals why remembering yourself is not selfish — it's sacred.Kathleen shares the wake-up moment that changed everything, the subtle signs of depletion many women ignore, and her powerful Recognize → Reject → Replace → Repeat framework for breaking free from invisible roles. This episode is an invitation to return to center, reclaim your energy, and rediscover who you are beneath the roles you've been living.Topics Covered0:00 Why so many women lose themselves in service — and how it quietly erodes joy2:30 Kathleen's wake-up moment and the cost of constant giving5:55 Centering through breath, Intention, and Divine connection10:00 The physical and emotional signs you're externally referenced14:50 What abundance really is — and why it begins with energy17:20 Nourishing Love vs. conditional love19:50 Exhaustion, resentment, and the hidden signals of misalignment25:55 The Recognize → Reject → Replace → Repeat Method29:45 Simple daily practices that rebuild self-trust and devotion34:15 Kathleen's Emotional Baseline Assessment and next stepsKey Takeaways

Harry Doull grew up living in a small family hotel in the French countryside. Then he worked for the UN and Google, before leaving tech behind to co-found his candle company, Keap. This week, he's on the podcast to share why he left tech for candlemaking, and how he's grown Keap without social media or Amazon — while still garnering plenty of customers, partners, and awards, including landing on Wirecutter's best candles list. This one's for all the product-makers out there and anyone who believes business without social media can't scale. They can! We're proving it! Buy a candle & join us! ALSO — If you want to try a Keap candle, use the code OFFTHEGRID for 15% off your first purchase. My faves are: Timur Moon, Wood Cabin, Wild Figs & the brand new Grapefruit + Yuzu (affiliate links) And if you want to partner with Keap, check out their Mindful Creators program.  RESOURCES + LINKS

This interview has been a long while in the can, waiting to be published. This in depth discussion with filmmaker, creative, and fearless storyteller Lucy Coleman was recorded early in 2025 and due to reasons you'll hear in the long intro (recorded in the foyer of Luna Cinemas Leederville, a home away from home), it's now finally being released into the world.Lucy Coleman is the creative vision behind films like Hot Mess and Lean In, both featured in the best films list of their respective years, with Hot Mess getting a mention in the Best Aussie Films of the 2010s list. These are biting, searing comedies that tear apart what we think Australian comedy can or should be. Then, there's Lucy's Stan. series Exposure, a change of pace, a drama which she wrote. This powerful series follows Alice Englert's Jacs Gould as a photographer returning home to find out why her best friend took her life. It's powerful, but also flips the script of the routine and tired 'cop returns to his country town home to solve a murder that he discovers is linked to him'. It's always a man solving these crimes. Always small town. Exposure changes that: it's not a murder, but a suicide. It's not a woman trying to figure out what's happening, but a friend, a very close one at that. It's a devastating series that left me hollowed out by its end. Exposure, like Hot Mess and Lean In, is an experience which lingers in my mind, changing how I see the next film or TV show that I watch. This interview, like those works, hasn't left me. And now, I'm releasing it into the world. Enjoy. Thank you Lucy for your patience with me getting this into the world. Sign up for the latest interviews, reviews, and more via https://www.thecurb.com.au/subscribe/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This interview has been a long while in the can, waiting to be published. This in depth discussion with filmmaker, creative, and fearless storyteller Lucy Coleman was recorded early in 2025 and due to reasons you'll hear in the long intro (recorded in the foyer of Luna Cinemas Leederville, a home away from home), it's now finally being released into the world.Lucy Coleman is the creative vision behind films like Hot Mess and Lean In, both featured in the best films list of their respective years, with Hot Mess getting a mention in the Best Aussie Films of the 2010s list. These are biting, searing comedies that tear apart what we think Australian comedy can or should be. Then, there's Lucy's Stan. series Exposure, a change of pace, a drama which she wrote. This powerful series follows Alice Englert's Jacs Gould as a photographer returning home to find out why her best friend took her life. It's powerful, but also flips the script of the routine and tired 'cop returns to his country town home to solve a murder that he discovers is linked to him'. It's always a man solving these crimes. Always small town. Exposure changes that: it's not a murder, but a suicide. It's not a woman trying to figure out what's happening, but a friend, a very close one at that. It's a devastating series that left me hollowed out by its end. Exposure, like Hot Mess and Lean In, is an experience which lingers in my mind, changing how I see the next film or TV show that I watch. This interview, like those works, hasn't left me. And now, I'm releasing it into the world. Enjoy. Thank you Lucy for your patience with me getting this into the world. Sign up for the latest interviews, reviews, and more via https://www.thecurb.com.au/subscribe/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The most-downloaded episode in the history of this podcast. Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch, two of the most influential voices in missional church thinking, discuss what it means to recalibrate everything around Jesus in a post-Christendom world. A powerful conversation about reimagining church, mission, and what it means to follow Jesus in contemporary culture.Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Peace and Forgiveness…For God's Glory In the final episode of the season, Yulee and Daniel share personal reflections on their healing journeys and emphasize the necessity of having support systems, practicing discernment, and engaging in healthy spiritual leadership that aligns with the gospel of grace. They also touch upon the 'whisper network,' the importance of fruit of the spirit, and practical ways to foster accountability and challenge toxic behaviors in ministry. 00:00 Introduction to Toxic Ministry 00:47 Personal Reflections and Listener Feedback 05:22 The Importance of Embracing Humanity 06:47 Evaluating Leadership and Power Dynamics 12:22 The Halo Effect and Leadership Pitfalls 20:19 DARVO and Toxic Leadership Responses 28:35 Receiving Feedback as a Leader 29:36 The Importance of Margins and Self-Care 30:10 Participating in Change and Addressing Toxicity 31:50 The Role of Integrity and Responsibility 33:34 Challenges of Speaking Up Against Toxic Leaders 42:46 The Whisper Network: Pros and Cons 48:16 The Importance of Community and Support 51:36 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections If you appreciate the work we do at the Asian American Center at Fuller Seminary, please consider supporting us! Your monetary support sustains our vital work and expands Asian American research, leadership development, and pastoral formation for the Church in the year ahead. Donate here: fuller.edu/giveaac

 Portland filmmaker Jan Haaken has a new short documentary called “SUMUD: A doctor’s report on genocide and survival in Gaza.” “Sumud” in Arabic means “steadfast perseverance.” The film follows Oregon Health and Science University anesthesiologist Travis Melin as he provided volunteer medical care in Gaza in August of 2025. We’re joined by Haaken and Melin who share more about making the documentary -- and what effect they hope the stories in the film will have.

Bright Bold & Real has produced a special community series - Mindful Community Collective, MC² - to refresh and heal. This guided meditation is perfect to rest your mind and give your week a sense of calm, grace, and flexibility. Consider this time an oasis for your mind and soul.

New @greenpillnet pod out today!

Caregiving is often framed as a burden, but what if it's also one of the most meaningful ways we come to know ourselves?Emily sits down with acclaimed journalist and cultural critic Elissa Strauss for this episode to discuss her extensive work on the politics and culture of parenting and caregiving, which has appeared in publications like The Atlantic and The New York Times. Centering on her new book, When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others, they challenge feminist notions that have undervalued caregiving and explore how caregiving can enrich one's sense of self. You'll hear about the philosophical foundations of care ethics and how caregiving for various dependents, not just children, brings profound personal growth, scientific research on caregiver well-being, the importance of male caregivers, and also the need for systemic support for caregivers.Listen and Learn: How redefining caregiving, not as a burden, but as a powerful source of meaning and self-expansion, might change what we think feminism, motherhood, and what a “full” life actually look likeHow caregiving across parenting, disability, and aging becomes an intense, surprising mirror that reshapes identity and meaning in ways most of us never expectThe research that shows why caregiving doesn't have to wear you down, and under certain conditions, it can actually make you healthier and even help you live longerHow one husband turned the challenges of caregiving into moments of quiet activism, love, and connectionHow does caring for others bring meaning, even when day-to-day life feels messy?What if the real barrier for working caregivers isn't just the glass ceiling but the glass door separating home and work, and how breaking it could change everything we value about care?Why men's brains change when they care for others, how caregiving reshapes masculinity, and what it really means for dads todayWhy caring for those closest to us isn't just personal—it's a radical philosophical lens that could change how we think about society itselfResources: When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9781982169282Elisa's Website: https://www.elissastrauss.com/Elisa's Substack: https://elissa.substack.com/Connect with Elisa on Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/elissa.strauss.7/https://www.instagram.com/elissaavery/https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissa-strauss-742720112 About Elissa StraussElissa Strauss is a journalist, essayist, and cultural critic who has been writing about the politics and culture of parenting and caregiving for more than fifteen years. Her work appears in publications like the Atlantic, the New York Times, Glamour, ELLE, and elsewhere, and she was a former contributing writer at CNN.com and Slate. Her book, "When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others," is out now from Gallery Books, and she writes a Substack called "MADE WITH CARE."Related episodes: 444. Mattering with Jennifer Wallace441. Having It All with Corinne Low386. Parents Are Stressed: What Do We Do About It? With Emily, Debbie, and Yael356. Navigating the Challenges of Caregiving with Alison Applebaum354. A Family Guide to Dementia with Brent Forester275. Work, Parent, Thrive with Yael SchonbrunSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Lectern, John Vervaeke and host Ethan Hsieh explore what Ethan calls the "Underground Man" problem. How we can get trapped in endless abstraction, lose contact with lived meaning, and oscillate between inflation and collapse. They unpack the reflectiveness gap (hyper-reflection that disconnects us from motivation), how the imaginal bridges the abstract and the embodied, and why the cultural severing of transcendence and finitude fuels cycles of nihilism, indecision, and irresponsible action. The conversation also dives into the cognitive science of dissociation including volitional vs. pathological forms. Showing how disruptive strategies can support transformation when followed by reintegration. The Q&A then turns toward prayer and ritual: how they can go wrong as "vicious abstraction," and how they can go right as re-centering a dialogical practice that reconnects us to reality, responsibility, and compassion. This episode also includes an important announcement: this will be John's last Lectern Q&A for a while. Over the next few months, Mark Miller will host Lectern Q&As while his course runs on the platform. Sign up for Lectern (Teachable) and explore current courses: https://lectern.teachable.com/p/lectern-lounge Timecodes: 00:00 Welcome + Lectern Live Q&A begins 01:00 Format: pre-submitted questions + YouTube chat + call-in option 02:20 Announcement: John stepping back; Mark Miller hosting upcoming Q&As 03:05 Who Mark Miller is + why his course matters 06:00 The "Underground Man" problem + the reflectiveness gap 09:40 Phenomenology: inflation, collapse, depression, nihilism, atrophy of agency 17:35 Culture-level pattern: severing transcendence and finitude 19:50 Why "more abstraction" doesn't fix it 20:40 Non-duality, recentering, and the return to the lived 25:35 Dissociation + predictive processing + relevance realization 27:20 Dialogical self ("I-positions") + narrative binding across agency/selfhood/personhood 31:00 Self-organizing criticality + pivotal mental states 33:25 Volitional vs. pathological dissociation; reintegration vs. fragmentation 36:45 Being/non-being interwoven; mortality and transformation 38:45 Prayer/ritual: vicious vs. virtuous abstraction 44:45 A concrete example of re-centering prayer 51:55 Primordial vs. ultimate; intuition/insight/inspiration and the sacred 01:06:10 YouTube chat: sports/flow as an ecology of practices + sportsmanship 01:08:05 YouTube chat: how John re-centers (Søren / orientation-level flow) 01:13:05 YouTube chat: "Underground woman" problem + caregiving inflation/collapse 01:20:05 Closing + next Q&A with Mark Miller (date mentioned in episode) John Vervaeke is a professor, philosopher, and cognitive scientist whose work focuses on the meaning crisis, relevance realization, and the cognitive science of wisdom. His research bridges cognitive science, philosophy, and contemplative traditions to explore how humans cultivate insight, agency, and deep transformation. Ethan Hsieh is a facilitator, educator, and philosophical practitioner working at the intersection of performance, cognition, and transformative pedagogy. He is the creator of TIAMAT, a three-tier developmental framework integrating cognitive science, dialogical philosophy, and embodied practice. Through immersive learning environments and collaborative inquiry, Ethan helps individuals cultivate virtuosity as a way of life—emphasizing participatory sense-making, metacognitive mapping, and shared agency. John Vervaeke: Website: https://johnvervaeke.com/ Twitter: https://x.com/DrJohnVervaeke YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke/videos Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke If you would like to donate purely out of goodwill to support John's work, please consider joining our Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke 

No Sabbath…For God's Glory? This episode of Centering features a conversation with special guest Dr. Alex Jun, research professor of Korean American Ministry and Church Leadership Studies at Fuller Seminary, and director of the Asian American Center's soon-to-be-launched Korean American Ministry initiative. With hosts Daniel and Yulee, the group delves into the concept of Sabbath and sabbaticals, examining common misunderstandings and the importance of rest for spiritual and community health. They discuss the role of cultural and parental influences on work ethics, the pitfalls of overwork, and how to honor personal limits. Personal anecdotes and practical advice for integrating restful practices into daily life offer listeners a path toward healthier spiritual leadership. 00:00 Introduction to Toxic Ministry 00:56 Listener Stories and Toxic Church Culture 02:22 Special Guest: Alex Jun on Sabbath and Sabbatical 05:31 Misunderstandings of Sabbath 15:09 Cultural Perspectives on Work and Rest 18:26 Immigrant Experience and Work Ethic 24:38 Leadership and Rest in Ministry 27:33 The Struggle of Self-Worth and Leadership 28:14 The Reality of Sabbaticals and Leadership 29:15 Reforming Leadership Through Sabbath 30:40 The Messianic Complex in Leadership 32:52 The Challenge of Rest for Leaders of Color 35:19 Gender Dynamics in Leadership and Rest 36:41 The Model Minority Myth and Faith 44:11 Personal Practices for Sabbath and Rest 50:06 Concluding Thoughts on Sabbath and Humanity Critical Race Theory Centering season https://on.soundcloud.com/lwSbbDg462wyBQzqZD Serge - The Gospel-Centered Life https://serge.org/the-gospel-centered-life/ Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/battle-hymn-of-the-tiger-mother-amy-chua/1100154952 Khora Collective https://www.khoracollective.com/

Saundra Weddle joins fellow Venetianist Jana Byars to talk about her pathbreaking new release, The Brothel and Beyond: An Urban History of the Sex Trade in Early Modern Venice (Penn State UP, 2026). This book deepens our understanding of women's engagement in urban life through a close study of Venice's sex trade. Centering questions of gender, agency, and mobility, it reveals how sex workers were embedded in the social and spatial fabric of the city. From the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries, the Venetian government attempted to control commercial sex by segregating it in municipal brothels in Rialto and later by minimizing the public's contact with sex workers, limiting their profits, and cracking down on recruitment. These decentralized efforts proved ineffective, and women who performed this labor lived and worked throughout the city. This book traces the diffusion of sex work from the brothels to the alleys, gondola landings, taverns, bathhouses, and peripheral squares of Venice. Saundra Weddle uses legislation, criminal records, contemporary chronicles, and other archival sources to reconstruct the networks of sex workers, procuresses, clients, landlords, and others who facilitated or profited from their labor. Using maps and photographs of key sites, Weddle demonstrates how the built environment both constrained and enabled women's practices, offering an alternative urban history that foregrounds embodied experiences and vernacular spaces. By assigning new meanings to everyday locations and spatial conditions, this study challenges monument- and elite-centered narratives of Venice and redefines the place of women within its urban history. It will be of interest to scholars of architectural and urban history, women and gender studies, early modern social history, and Italian studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Saundra Weddle joins fellow Venetianist Jana Byars to talk about her pathbreaking new release, The Brothel and Beyond: An Urban History of the Sex Trade in Early Modern Venice (Penn State UP, 2026). This book deepens our understanding of women's engagement in urban life through a close study of Venice's sex trade. Centering questions of gender, agency, and mobility, it reveals how sex workers were embedded in the social and spatial fabric of the city. From the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries, the Venetian government attempted to control commercial sex by segregating it in municipal brothels in Rialto and later by minimizing the public's contact with sex workers, limiting their profits, and cracking down on recruitment. These decentralized efforts proved ineffective, and women who performed this labor lived and worked throughout the city. This book traces the diffusion of sex work from the brothels to the alleys, gondola landings, taverns, bathhouses, and peripheral squares of Venice. Saundra Weddle uses legislation, criminal records, contemporary chronicles, and other archival sources to reconstruct the networks of sex workers, procuresses, clients, landlords, and others who facilitated or profited from their labor. Using maps and photographs of key sites, Weddle demonstrates how the built environment both constrained and enabled women's practices, offering an alternative urban history that foregrounds embodied experiences and vernacular spaces. By assigning new meanings to everyday locations and spatial conditions, this study challenges monument- and elite-centered narratives of Venice and redefines the place of women within its urban history. It will be of interest to scholars of architectural and urban history, women and gender studies, early modern social history, and Italian studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Saundra Weddle joins fellow Venetianist Jana Byars to talk about her pathbreaking new release, The Brothel and Beyond: An Urban History of the Sex Trade in Early Modern Venice (Penn State UP, 2026). This book deepens our understanding of women's engagement in urban life through a close study of Venice's sex trade. Centering questions of gender, agency, and mobility, it reveals how sex workers were embedded in the social and spatial fabric of the city. From the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries, the Venetian government attempted to control commercial sex by segregating it in municipal brothels in Rialto and later by minimizing the public's contact with sex workers, limiting their profits, and cracking down on recruitment. These decentralized efforts proved ineffective, and women who performed this labor lived and worked throughout the city. This book traces the diffusion of sex work from the brothels to the alleys, gondola landings, taverns, bathhouses, and peripheral squares of Venice. Saundra Weddle uses legislation, criminal records, contemporary chronicles, and other archival sources to reconstruct the networks of sex workers, procuresses, clients, landlords, and others who facilitated or profited from their labor. Using maps and photographs of key sites, Weddle demonstrates how the built environment both constrained and enabled women's practices, offering an alternative urban history that foregrounds embodied experiences and vernacular spaces. By assigning new meanings to everyday locations and spatial conditions, this study challenges monument- and elite-centered narratives of Venice and redefines the place of women within its urban history. It will be of interest to scholars of architectural and urban history, women and gender studies, early modern social history, and Italian studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saundra Weddle joins fellow Venetianist Jana Byars to talk about her pathbreaking new release, The Brothel and Beyond: An Urban History of the Sex Trade in Early Modern Venice (Penn State UP, 2026). This book deepens our understanding of women's engagement in urban life through a close study of Venice's sex trade. Centering questions of gender, agency, and mobility, it reveals how sex workers were embedded in the social and spatial fabric of the city. From the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries, the Venetian government attempted to control commercial sex by segregating it in municipal brothels in Rialto and later by minimizing the public's contact with sex workers, limiting their profits, and cracking down on recruitment. These decentralized efforts proved ineffective, and women who performed this labor lived and worked throughout the city. This book traces the diffusion of sex work from the brothels to the alleys, gondola landings, taverns, bathhouses, and peripheral squares of Venice. Saundra Weddle uses legislation, criminal records, contemporary chronicles, and other archival sources to reconstruct the networks of sex workers, procuresses, clients, landlords, and others who facilitated or profited from their labor. Using maps and photographs of key sites, Weddle demonstrates how the built environment both constrained and enabled women's practices, offering an alternative urban history that foregrounds embodied experiences and vernacular spaces. By assigning new meanings to everyday locations and spatial conditions, this study challenges monument- and elite-centered narratives of Venice and redefines the place of women within its urban history. It will be of interest to scholars of architectural and urban history, women and gender studies, early modern social history, and Italian studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/italian-studies

Saundra Weddle joins fellow Venetianist Jana Byars to talk about her pathbreaking new release, The Brothel and Beyond: An Urban History of the Sex Trade in Early Modern Venice (Penn State UP, 2026). This book deepens our understanding of women's engagement in urban life through a close study of Venice's sex trade. Centering questions of gender, agency, and mobility, it reveals how sex workers were embedded in the social and spatial fabric of the city. From the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries, the Venetian government attempted to control commercial sex by segregating it in municipal brothels in Rialto and later by minimizing the public's contact with sex workers, limiting their profits, and cracking down on recruitment. These decentralized efforts proved ineffective, and women who performed this labor lived and worked throughout the city. This book traces the diffusion of sex work from the brothels to the alleys, gondola landings, taverns, bathhouses, and peripheral squares of Venice. Saundra Weddle uses legislation, criminal records, contemporary chronicles, and other archival sources to reconstruct the networks of sex workers, procuresses, clients, landlords, and others who facilitated or profited from their labor. Using maps and photographs of key sites, Weddle demonstrates how the built environment both constrained and enabled women's practices, offering an alternative urban history that foregrounds embodied experiences and vernacular spaces. By assigning new meanings to everyday locations and spatial conditions, this study challenges monument- and elite-centered narratives of Venice and redefines the place of women within its urban history. It will be of interest to scholars of architectural and urban history, women and gender studies, early modern social history, and Italian studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saundra Weddle joins fellow Venetianist Jana Byars to talk about her pathbreaking new release, The Brothel and Beyond: An Urban History of the Sex Trade in Early Modern Venice (Penn State UP, 2026). This book deepens our understanding of women's engagement in urban life through a close study of Venice's sex trade. Centering questions of gender, agency, and mobility, it reveals how sex workers were embedded in the social and spatial fabric of the city. From the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries, the Venetian government attempted to control commercial sex by segregating it in municipal brothels in Rialto and later by minimizing the public's contact with sex workers, limiting their profits, and cracking down on recruitment. These decentralized efforts proved ineffective, and women who performed this labor lived and worked throughout the city. This book traces the diffusion of sex work from the brothels to the alleys, gondola landings, taverns, bathhouses, and peripheral squares of Venice. Saundra Weddle uses legislation, criminal records, contemporary chronicles, and other archival sources to reconstruct the networks of sex workers, procuresses, clients, landlords, and others who facilitated or profited from their labor. Using maps and photographs of key sites, Weddle demonstrates how the built environment both constrained and enabled women's practices, offering an alternative urban history that foregrounds embodied experiences and vernacular spaces. By assigning new meanings to everyday locations and spatial conditions, this study challenges monument- and elite-centered narratives of Venice and redefines the place of women within its urban history. It will be of interest to scholars of architectural and urban history, women and gender studies, early modern social history, and Italian studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saundra Weddle joins fellow Venetianist Jana Byars to talk about her pathbreaking new release, The Brothel and Beyond: An Urban History of the Sex Trade in Early Modern Venice (Penn State UP, 2026). This book deepens our understanding of women's engagement in urban life through a close study of Venice's sex trade. Centering questions of gender, agency, and mobility, it reveals how sex workers were embedded in the social and spatial fabric of the city. From the fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries, the Venetian government attempted to control commercial sex by segregating it in municipal brothels in Rialto and later by minimizing the public's contact with sex workers, limiting their profits, and cracking down on recruitment. These decentralized efforts proved ineffective, and women who performed this labor lived and worked throughout the city. This book traces the diffusion of sex work from the brothels to the alleys, gondola landings, taverns, bathhouses, and peripheral squares of Venice. Saundra Weddle uses legislation, criminal records, contemporary chronicles, and other archival sources to reconstruct the networks of sex workers, procuresses, clients, landlords, and others who facilitated or profited from their labor. Using maps and photographs of key sites, Weddle demonstrates how the built environment both constrained and enabled women's practices, offering an alternative urban history that foregrounds embodied experiences and vernacular spaces. By assigning new meanings to everyday locations and spatial conditions, this study challenges monument- and elite-centered narratives of Venice and redefines the place of women within its urban history. It will be of interest to scholars of architectural and urban history, women and gender studies, early modern social history, and Italian studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/book-of-the-day

Using People…For God's Glory? In this episode of the Centering, hosts Yulee Lee and Daniel Lee are joined by special guest Dr. Kevin Doi, Director of Pastoral Formation at the AAC and Affiliate Assistant Professor of Asian American Church Studies at Fuller Seminary. The conversation delves into the temptation to use people for ministry growth, the importance of honoring individual callings, and creating a church environment focused on relational health rather than numerical growth. The episode highlights practical strategies for both recognizing and countering toxic ministry practices in church leadership. 00:00 Introduction to Toxic Ministry 00:47 Understanding Toxic Ministry for God's Glory 02:29 Guest Introduction: Dr. Kevin Doi 04:23 The Familiarity of Oppression in Ministry 06:39 The Challenge of Healthy Boundaries 09:19 Rethinking Church Growth and Leadership 15:45 The Importance of Relational Ministry 25:11 The Role of Ministry Beyond Church Walls 25:57 Challenges of Church Leadership 27:12 Personal Experiences in Church Dynamics 29:29 The Pressure of Metrics in Ministry 32:20 Rethinking Church Leadership and Community 40:30 Practical Steps for Healthy Ministry 47:29 Concluding Thoughts and Next Episode Preview Asian American Pastoral Formation Initiative https://aac.fuller.edu/initiatives/pastoral-formation-initiative/ Leadership and the New Science by Margaret Wheatley https://margaretwheatley.com/books/leadership-and-the-new-science/ Fall 2026 Asian American Ministry Doctor of Ministry cohort, mentored by Dr. Kevin Doi and Dr. Daniel Lee https://fuller.edu/dmin/fall-2026-asian-american-ministry-cohort/ If you appreciate the work we do at the Asian American Center at Fuller Seminary, please consider supporting us! Your monetary support sustains our vital work and expands Asian American research, leadership development, and pastoral formation for the Church in the year ahead. Donate here: fuller.edu/giveaac

Earlier this month, the Oregon Community Foundation and Oregon Humanities announced the names of four recipients of Fields Artist Fellowships. Each of the winners will be awarded $150,000 during the two-year fellowship to work on artistic projects inspired by the communities and cultural traditions they hail from.   Ernesto Javier Martínez is a 2026-2028 Fields Artist Fellow based in Eugene. He is also an associate professor and head of the indigenous, race and ethnic studies department at University of Oregon. Martinez is a filmmaker and children’s book author whose award-winning works provide a rare glimpse into the experiences of queer Latinx youth. He joins us to share his plans for the Fields Artist Fellowship, which include producing an animated TV pilot inspired by the real-life tragic story of a man and his child who drowned while attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.  

In this episode, Scott McNeely, Head of Product and founding team member at Epicurate and co-founder of Modern Adventure, traces his journey from “kid with an Apple II+ in his mom's dessert business” to building and scaling product teams in travel, publishing, and tech. He reflects on growing up in humble circumstances while attending an elite LA boys' school, stumbling into travel writing, and then helping Lonely Planet and Viator navigate the shift from print to digital products. Along the way, Scott shares how his bias for action, love of ideas, and willingness to figure things out on the fly shaped his career.Scott opens up about the moments when those same strengths became liabilities, like a shouting match over digital transformation with Lonely Planet's leadership, and the emotional gut punch of being passed over twice for what felt like his perfect VP role. He talks candidly about anger, grief, and self-doubt, and how he rebuilt his confidence by zooming out, leaning on movement and thinking time, and staying curious. From scaling a team from 1 to 65 at Viator to learning to delegate, slow down, and create space for others, Scott offers a grounded, human look at what it really takes to keep growing as a leader.In this conversation, you'll learn:How to read your environment and decide whether to push for change or move on, using Scott's Lonely Planet experience as a case study.What it really takes to evolve from “get stuff done” operator to leader of a 60+ person team, including delegation, structure, and support systems.A grounded way to rebuild confidence after major setbacks, from being passed over for a dream role twice to anchoring your identity beyond one job.Things to listen for:(00:00) Intro(02:09) Scott's upbringing and early influences(08:28) Thank you to our sponsor, Navattic(05:53) Early career pivots and first big lessons(13:16) Pushing change and hitting resistance(27:27) Reading your situation with clarity and EQ(28:48) Leadership growing pains and delegation(31:29) Scaling fast teams and personal evolution(42:48) Career setbacks and shaken confidence(52:09) Centering habits for focus and resilienceA huge thanks to this episode's sponsor:Navattic: Interactive Product Demo Software - https://navattic.com/value Resources:Connect with Scott: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmcneely Learn about Epicurate: https://epicurate.vip/Learn about Modern Adventure: https://modernadventure.com/ Connect with Andrew:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcapland/ Substack: https://media.deliveringvalue.coHire Andrew as your coach: https://deliveringvalue.co/coachingJoin Growth OS: https://deliveringvalue.co/growth-operating-system

Fetishized Suffering…For God's Glory? In this episode of Centering, hosts Yulee Lee and Daniel Lee, are joined by guest Dr. Jessica ChenFeng, Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy and Director of the Asian American Wellbeing Collaboratory at Fuller Seminary's Asian American Center. Together they dive into the problematic glorification of suffering, especially within Asian American Christian contexts, examining how theological and cultural influences lead to detrimental endurance practices. These cultural influences are exacerbated within a systemic evangelical framework that rewards exhaustion, silence, and compliance. The conversation touches on the distorted understanding of suffering, its impact on organizational health, and practical steps toward healing. 00:00 Introduction to Toxic Ministry 01:11 Exploring Suffering in Ministry 02:51 Guest Introduction: Dr. Jessica ChenFeng 04:19 Cultural and Theological Roots of Suffering 11:53 Endurance and Toxic Endurance Culture 21:34 Organizational Costs of Fetishized Suffering 23:05 The Impact of Burnout on Creativity 23:33 Generational Fracture in Organizations 24:35 Theological Perspectives on Suffering 26:25 Therapeutic Approaches to Addressing Toxic Systems 32:58 The Role of Leadership in Healthy Systems 36:27 Personal Stories and Practical Steps for Healing 42:09 The Complexity of Discernment and Wisdom 43:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Redemptive Suffering: Christ's Alone https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/scottish-journal-of-theology/article/abs/redemptive-suffering-christs-alone/C946F1F74F4DD229388BF58C42A6F9CE The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer https://www.fortresspress.com/store/productgroup/467/Discipleship The Integrative Mindset by Brad D. Strawn and Earl D. Bland https://www.ivpress.com/the-integrative-mindset?srsltid=AfmBOooDDJV3-4K75irArSANAu9XWbChTkJPR1SAcP_Tw4-UWT5TvL4g Executive coach, Tracey Gee https://www.instagram.com/traceygee.me/?hl=en

In the conclusion of the "Ferment" series, Sam Stephens explores how to protect the spiritual growth God is bubbling up within us. Centering his message on the poetic imagery of Song of Solomon 2:15, Sam warns against the "little foxes"—those small, seemingly insignificant compromises, distractions, or habits that can ruin a vineyard just as it begins to blossom. He emphasizes that while God provides the growth, we are called to be vigilant stewards of our spiritual lives. By addressing the small issues before they become major strongholds, we ensure that the "new wine" of our faith remains sweet and ready to be shared with others. Sam concludes with the profound reminder from the Heidelberg Catechism: our greatest hope is found in the fact that we are not our own, but belong body and soul to Jesus Christ. For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org.

In this new series, Everyday Heroes, Leah invites us to look beyond biblical “heroes” we already know and toward the quiet courage of everyday people who resist violence and preserve life. Centering the story of the midwives Shiphrah and Puah in Exodus, the sermon explores how faithfulness can take the form of moral courage, sacred skill, and strategic resistance.

TDC 082: Part 3: The "Contrarian Cannon" (Continued)In this episode of The Digital Contrarian, host Ryan Levesque tackles the dilemma every entrepreneur eventually faces: Do you build for the hyper-engaged 100, the silent 100,000, or orient everything around a single person?You'll discover why optimizing for scale creates drift, why over-serving your superfans leads to burnout, and why centering around "the one" sharpens your message and simplifies every decision.---Question of the DayWho is YOUR "one"? The specific person you're really building for? Drop their name (or describe them) in the comments.---Key Take-aways- Optimizing for scale often means building for the lowest common denominator- Over-serving your hyper-engaged 100 can quietly lead to burnout- Centering around "the one" gives you a clear lens for every decision- This approach sharpens your message while still serving everyone else- The right question isn't "who's my audience?"—it's "who am I really building for?"---Timestamped Outline0:00 – Introduction: Contrarian Canon Part 30:07 – Back from Colorado, deep in book editing mode0:34 – Beta reader opportunity coming soon0:48 – Today's topic: Who are you really building for?1:19 – Issue #47: The scale optimization trap1:31 – The core dilemma every creator faces1:38 – Building for the 100 (hyper-engaged followers)1:40 – Building for the 100,000 (silent majority)1:45 – Building for the one (single real person)1:56 – Why optimizing for scale creates drift2:05 – Why over-serving the 100 leads to burnout2:10 – The reframe: Centering around the one2:26 – How this approach sharpens your message2:29 – Clear lens for deciding where attention goes2:39 – Reflection questions for immediate alignment2:45 – Link to full issue in description2:52 – Back to manuscript editing2:58 – Remember to hug the ones you love---Links & Resources- Issue 047 of The Digital Contrarian – "How to Decide Who You're Really Building For" → https://ryanlevesque.net/the-100-the-100000-or-the-one/- Issue 047 Video → https://youtu.be/fvbgBrYyxFs- Return to Real Book Waitlist → https://ryanlevesque.net/return-to-real-book/- The Digital Contrarian Newsletter → https://thedigitalcontrarian.com---Connect & CTAEnjoyed this? Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts.Join 100,000+ digital entrepreneurs who get Ryan Levesque's "Strategic Insights for Digital Entrepreneurs Who Think Differently" every weekend: https://thedigitalcontrarian.com---CreditsHost: Ryan Levesque© 2026 RL & Associates LLC. All rights reserved.

This episode we are discussing what's happening with Autism in Canada and what has changed over the years with Seiun Thomas Henderson, an Autism and education specialist at Giant Steps  in Montreal who has been working in the field for over 35 years. He will be speaking at the upcoming  18th Annual Autism Conference called Building Brighter Futures: Celebrating Autistic Voices and Canadian Leadership in Autism in Edmonton later this month.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2026/01/09/inclusivity/Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

Sacrificial Faith…For God's Glory? In this episode of Centering, hosts Yulee Lee and Daniel Lee discuss the concept of sacrificial faith, critiquing the unhealthy pressure to sacrifice personal well-being for ministry. They emphasize the importance of discerning genuine spiritual practices, recognizing God's presence in all aspects of life, and living with integrity. Join the conversation to rethink what true, life-giving sacrifice means in the context of healthy spiritual leadership. 00:00 Introduction to Toxic Ministry 01:11 Personal Stories of Sacrifice 03:02 Theological Insights on Sacrifice 06:14 Equating Church with God 12:20 Toxic Leadership and Manipulation 19:04 Living Sacrifices in Scripture 22:05 Understanding True Obedience to God 23:03 The Importance of Feeling Loved by God 23:49 Challenges of Growing Up in Church 24:46 Finding Joy in Serving God 25:42 Integrating God into Everyday Life 27:39 The Danger of Spiritual Disciplines Becoming Idols 35:16 Jesus' Invitation to Rest 40:04 Practical Ways to Live Out Faith 43:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Khora Collective https://khoracollective.com/ If you appreciate the work we do at the Asian American Center at Fuller Seminary, please consider supporting us! Your monetary support sustains our vital work and expands Asian American research, leadership development, and pastoral formation for the Church in the year ahead. Donate here: fuller.edu/giveaac

What if your biggest ambition this year wasn't growing your business or building your brand, but loving God with everything you have? Instead of centering yourself in your goals, discover what happens when, as Luke 10:27 commands, you center Jesus in your heart, soul, mind and strength. Centering Jesus in our affections means cultivating deep love for God that overflows into everything else. The transformation might surprise you.

What if your biggest ambition this year wasn't growing your business or building your brand, but loving God with everything you have? Instead of centering yourself in your goals, discover what happens when you center Jesus in your heart, soul, mind and strength. Centering Jesus in our affections means cultivating deep love for God that overflows into everything else. The transformation might surprise you.

Starting the New Year with Jesus reshapes our priorities, renews our focus, and grounds our lives in lasting hope rather than fleeting resolutions. Rooted in Matthew 22:37, this devotional invites believers to begin the year by loving God fully—heart, soul, and mind—choosing spiritual devotion over worldly pursuits and discovering the abundant life Jesus promises. Highlights The most meaningful New Year’s resolution is deepening your relationship with Jesus. Centering your life on Christ brings greater joy, clarity, and spiritual stability. Material success and worldly goals cannot satisfy the soul like Christ can. Starting the year with Jesus means trusting Him with struggles, grief, and uncertainty. Following Jesus leads to protection, comfort, and a fuller life rooted in His love. Loving God above all else realigns our hearts and reveals where our true allegiance lies. Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Starting the New Year with Jesus By Vivian Bricker Bible Reading:“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’” (Matthew 22:37). As the New Year approaches, many of us consider the New Year's resolutions we want to make. Various resolutions can draw our attention, such as weight loss, getting organized, or switching careers. While all of these are common New Year's resolutions, the greatest resolution we can make is to start the year with Jesus, cultivate our relationship with Him, and faithfully follow Him. Developing a stronger relationship with Jesus throughout the year will prove beneficial not only for the present year but also for all years to come. While we will not be completely immune from problems, our lives will become better and more focused on the Lord. The more our lives are centered around Jesus, the more joyful we will be. Soon, we will see that materialism and the things of the world do not fulfill us. They are but empty promises that lead us away from the Lord. We don’t need to chase after these things or follow them. Since we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we should strive to nurture our relationship with Him. This New Year could be the perfect start. Consider what you are struggling with and the help that Jesus can offer. Maybe you are battling a chronic illness or facing the death of a loved one. Give these matters over to Him and trust Him with the New Year. It can be easy to think that this year will be just as terrible as the year prior, but we need to remember that we are making a change. The change from living in accordance with Jesus rather than with the world will prove to be glorious. Protection, safety, and comfort will always surround us. Jesus does not want us to start another year without Him. He wants us to walk with Him and to trust Him. By making this decision, we can truly start living the most whole life that Jesus died for us to have (John 10:10). Intersecting Faith & Life: When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, He replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). By doing this, we will be able to live this New Year with our hearts focused on the Lord. Rather than loving the things of this world, we need to change the narrative and choose to love Him. Challenge yourself and see if the Lord is truly your top priority. Is He the one you want to please, or is it yourself? As we enter the upcoming year, we need to examine our hearts and ask ourselves these challenging questions. By answering these questions honestly, we will be able to see where our allegiance lies. If a person has discovered they have not truly placed faith in the Lord yet, they can choose to trust in Him today. This can be done by believing that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 10:9-11). If you believe this, you will have eternal life, forgiveness, and salvation. With this upcoming year, take the opportunity to start the year with Jesus. Choose to faithfully follow Him and love Him throughout every storm of life. Some days will be harder than others, yet the love the Lord has for us knows no bounds (Romans 8:37-39). Since the Lord loves us in this way, we need to love Him too and focus on serving Him. What are your New Year's resolutions? Are any of them centered around Jesus? What would it look like to follow Jesus rather than the world this upcoming year? Dear Lord, please forgive me for focusing on the world rather than You in previous years. I’m choosing to start this year with You and to keep my eyes focused on You. During this upcoming year, help me to fully love You with all my heart, soul, and mind. You are completely worthy of all my love, and I’m sorry I have been far from You for so long. In Your Name, I pray, Amen. Further Reading: Luke 9:23-24 John 8:12 John 14:15-31 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Navigate the energy of January 2026 with a deep dive into the 3 core energetic themes: Centering, Receiving Outside Help, and the Elixir of Self-Challenge. Move beyond the 'hustle' illusion and learn how to align with your internal rhythm, activate your heart chakra, and collaborate with divine guidance for a powerful start to the new year. Discover why 2026 is the year of reclaiming your personal authority and living from the inside out. Sign-Up for Amanda’s January Workshop! This Frequency Field Inner Circle Experience includes: January Astro–Numerology PDF Guide + Worksheet (downloadable) A comprehensive roadmap for the month: numerology themes, key transits, New + Full Moon focus points, and prompts to help you track your signal and make aligned choices. Companion Voice Memo (audio) A guided walkthrough of January—astrologically, numerologically, and energetically—so you can listen and re-listen whenever you need clarity, orientation, or recalibration. Live Workshop on Zoom + Replay Access through March 31, 2026 Attend live if you’d like, or use the replay—either way, this is a practical and energetic container to help you step into 2026 with a clean signal and real momentum. Host: Amanda Rieger Green YouTube: @soul_pathology⁩ Instagram: @soulpathology Website: SoulPathology.com Email: Podcast@soulsessions.meFollow Amanda on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulpathology/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you chasing every gold star, climbing every ladder, and nailing every "right" mark—only to find yourself missing out on real fulfillment and meaningful connection? The relentless pursuit of achievement can sometimes leave us feeling lonely, disconnected from ourselves, and trapped in relationships that don't truly nourish our hearts. When ambition runs amok, the cost may be far greater than just burnout or missed vacation days—it can lead to self-abandonment and relationships that feel more like a cage than a home. In this episode, you'll discover how overachievement and perfectionism can sabotage our capacity for genuine connection—and what it takes to turn things around. Through honest storytelling and practical insight, the conversation explores the hidden costs of self-abandonment and the steps toward reclaiming self-worth, authenticity, and aligned love. Whether you're feeling the grind of burnout or yearning for more realness in your relationships, you'll gain tools for slowing down, getting honest with yourself, and opening up to relationships that feel like home. Coach Keren Eldad is an Executive Coach, Speaker, podcast host and the Author of the new book: GILDED - Breaking Free from the Cage of Ambition, Perfectionism and the Relentless Pursuit of More.   Episode Highlights 06:18 The roots of self-abandonment: Overachievement and relationship choices. 09:12 Societal pressure and the pursuit of external validation in partner selection. 10:27 Personal story: From self-betrayal to reconstructing identity and worth. 16:07 Building healthy love: The learning curve toward self-connection in relationships. 20:39 Embracing uncertainty: Letting go of control and playing to win in relationships. 26:56 Yellow flags in relationships: Burnout, overfunctioning, and sexless marriages. 31:29 Radical honesty and initiating difficult conversations. 35:51 Centering yourself before addressing relationship issues. 39:54 Tools, coaching, and the path to authentic relationships.   Your Check List of Actions to Take Pause and self-reflect: Practice taking a mindful pause before reacting in relationships to better understand your true feelings and needs. Identify your patterns: Bring awareness to tendencies like overachieving or people-pleasing that may be impacting your connections. Prioritize self-worth: Work on recognizing and affirming your own worth, rather than relying on external validation or achievement. Start small conversations: When something feels off in your relationship, gently broach the subject with curiosity rather than jumping into confrontation. Read for growth: Incorporate reading transformational books by thought leaders to cultivate self-awareness. Seek support: Consider working with a coach or therapist to dig deeper into your personal growth and relationship patterns. Practice radical honesty: Begin being radically honest with yourself about what you want and how you feel, as self-abandonment only perpetuates dissatisfaction. Accept uncertainty: Learn to embrace the unknown in relationships, allowing space for vulnerability and authentic connection rather than controlling outcomes.   Mentioned Gilded: Breaking Free from the Cage of Ambition, Perfectionism, and the Relentless Pursuit of More (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self *Amazon link (book) Dare to Lead (*Amazon link) (book) Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough (*Amazon link) (book) The Work of Byron Katie (website) Brene Brown (website) Eckhart Tolle (website) Ram Dass (website) Louise Hay (website) ERP 494: Designing Love That Lasts: 6 Principles for Lasting Connection — An Interview with Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh ERP 174: How to Experience More Love in Your Relationship with Byron Katie 12 Relationship Principles to Strengthen Your Love (free guide)   Connect with Keren Elded Websites: KerenEldad.com Facebook: facebook.com/LiveWithEnthusiasm?_rdc=1&_rdr# YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCgGViwGVn_yrHkq3PQ9R_-Q Instagram: instagram.com/coachkeren/?hl=en LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/keren-eldad Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coached-with-coach-keren/id1467079024  

On this episode, we welcome Sheryl Ann Syby, Assistant Vice President of Women's and Children's Services at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.  Sheryl has over 35 years of nursing experience, specializing in women's and children's health including pediatric care, OB Clinic, Family Centered Care, and Neonatal intensive Care unit. This is one of the topics that is near and dear to our hearts at Seelaus.  Sheryl's career journey has given her a front lines of the myriad issues that women and babies face and how the medical community is evolving to address their most critical needs including a Centering program for women that empowers women to advocate for themselves. About Sheryl SybySheryl has over 35 years of nursing experience, specializing in women's and children's health. Prior to joining CBMC in 2024, she worked at Holy Name Medical Center as Director of Women's and Children's Services. More recently, Sheryl worked as the Assistant Vice President of Nursing at Hudson Regional Hospital. There she obtained operational experience broadened by her work in various clinical areas, including emergency medicine, perioperative services, case management, emergency management, security, and hospital education. Sheryl has a bachelor's degree from Farleigh Dickinson University and her master's degree in Leadership/Administration from Aspen University.About Cooperman Barnabas Medical CenterCooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC) is a fully accredited acute care hospital and offers a comprehensive array of services including advanced cancer care, sophisticated neurology and neurosurgery services including a neuro-interventional lab and cardiac care featuring three cardiac catheterization labs.About R. Seelaus & Co., Inc. R. Seelaus & Co., Inc. was founded in 1984 by Richard Seelaus, originally as a municipal bond broker-dealer. The firm has since become a certified women's business enterprise ("WBE") and has grown into a full-service financial firm that is mission driven in its commitment to creating more opportunities for women in the financial services. R. Seelaus & Co., Inc. and its subsidiaries offer investment advisory, asset management, capital markets, brokerage, fixed income and equity trading, institutional sales, leveraged finance and insurance services. The R. Seelaus & Co., LLC subsidiary is a broker dealer registered with the SEC and member of FINRA, and the subsidiary Seelaus Asset Management, LLC, is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor ("RIA"). With various fixed income trading desks and more than seventy professionals, both entities serve individuals, families, public and private companies, non-profit organizations, and institutional investors. The firm has offices in NJ, CT, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, South Carolina, and Massachusetts. For more information about R. Seelaus & Co., and its subsidiaries visit www.rseelaus.com

Sponsor: Use code BIRTHHOUR for 20% off your first order and up to 40% off monthly plans at thisisneeded.com. The Birth Hour Links: Know Your Options Online Childbirth Course (code 100OFF for $100 OFF!) Beyond the First Latch Course (comes free with KYO course) Access archived episodes and a private Facebook group via Patreon!

In this rapid-fire Working Session, Jon and Becky break down storytelling as a core nonprofit skill — not a marketing tactic — and share simple, practical frameworks you can use immediately. From clarifying your values and audience to collecting and activating stories more intentionally, you'll learn how to move supporters from empathy → connection → action and build a storytelling system that drives trust, belonging, and long-term engagement.Top 3 Takeaways:Story Drives Action — Not Tactics: People don't act until they feel something, and they don't stay until they feel like they belong. Learn how to anchor your storytelling in empathy, identity, and shared humanity so your calls to action actually land.Build a Simple Storytelling System: From collecting stories at the end of emails and donation forms to syndicating one story across multiple channels, you'll learn how to turn storytelling into a repeatable workflow — not a one-off creative lift.Tell Stories With Dignity and Trust: Ethical storytelling isn't about rules — it's about relationships. Centering dignity, consent, and agency protects the people behind the stories, strengthens credibility, and builds the kind of trust that fuels long-term community and generosity.This episode is packed with practical, low-lift storytelling moves you can implement today — whether you're writing an email, planning content, onboarding new supporters, or stewarding long-term relationships.Welcome back to Working Sessions: hands-on, clarity-filled conversations designed to help you move real work forward inside your organization.Let's get to work.Episode Highlights: Story as Meaning, Not Marketing (01:24)Preparing for Storytelling: Values, Audiences, and Action (03:07)Building a Culture of Storytelling (04:26)Ethical Storytelling Principles (06:10)Introducing the Impact Arc Framework (08:05)Practical Working Session Activities (11:42)Community as the Accelerant for Storytelling (15:04) Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/666//Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free.Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com Say hi

Guest  Dr. Rosenna Bakari - Psychologist, Entrepreneur, and Transformational Guide  Episode Overview  In this powerful conversation, Dr. Rosina BaKari shares her wisdom on letting go of what no longer serves us and stepping into our next best chapters. As a psychologist and entrepreneur, Dr. BaKari brings both professional expertise and personal experience to guide listeners through the challenging but essential process of transformation after betrayal and life's hardest moments.  Key Topics Discussed  The Journey to Entrepreneurship  How becoming an entrepreneur forced Dr. BaKari to stop hiding  The challenge of working alone and the fear that kept her isolated  Recognizing when "personality traits" are actually fear-based responses  Understanding and Navigating Fear  Why action is the only way through fear  How fear gnaws at us when we avoid what needs to be done  Taking baby steps instead of giant leaps  The Art of Letting Go  Why "just let it go" doesn't work  The 7X Framework: Seven areas that prevent us from moving forward  Betrayal and silence  Emotional dependency  Stagnant relationships  Complacency  Indoctrination  Loss of passion and purpose  Ego and identity  Forgiveness vs. Acceptance  Why you shouldn't rush to forgive  Letting forgiveness arise naturally from healing  Striving for acceptance before forgiveness  Meeting yourself where you are instead of where you think you should be  Radical Self-Centeredness  What it really means to be radically self-centered  Why serving from an empty cup doesn't work  Centering yourself in your own healing journey  The importance of self-preservation over people-pleasing  Seeds of Disempowerment  How childhood conditioning shapes our adult responses  The concept of "disempowerment by 1,000 cuts"  Recognizing subtle experiences of emotional disempowerment  Why we acquiesce in adulthood based on childhood patterns  The Morning Practice  Starting your day with five minutes of intentional self-reflection  Deciding who you want to be before your day begins  Creating self-awareness throughout the day  Noticing when you drift from your intentions  Rebuilding After the Crash  Why betrayal can be a catalyst for transformation  The opportunity to create something radically different  Not wasting trauma by just trying to get back to "normal"  Building a life that's bigger and more beautiful than before  Key Quotes & Insights  "If it were that easy, we'd all do it right? It's the processes that matter."  "Don't rush forgiveness. Let forgiveness arise from the healing."  "Be where you are. So often we don't allow ourselves to just be in the present moment."  "You can't pour from an empty cup. The more full you are, the better for everybody."  "Why would you rebuild what you had? Give it everything the old house didn't have."  "There's a gap between what we want and what we really want. Spend time digging into what really brings you joy."  Actionable Takeaways  Practice the Morning Five Minutes: Before getting out of bed, spend five minutes deciding who you want to be that day  Identify Your X Factor: Determine which of the seven areas is blocking your progress  Take Baby Steps: Don't try to transform overnight; take the next closest step in the right direction  Center Yourself: Practice radical self-centeredness in your healing journey  Question Your Conditioning: Examine which behaviors are truly you versus learned responses from childhood  Create Space for Clarity: Ask yourself what you really want, not what you think you should want  Resources  Connect with Dr. Rosina BaKari:  Website: RosinaBaKari.com  Instagram: @RosinaBaKari  Perfect For Listeners Who:  Are recovering from betrayal or major life disruptions  Struggle with letting go of past hurts  Feel stuck in patterns that no longer serve them  Want to create meaningful transformation in their lives  Are ready to step into their next chapter with intention    Want to dive deeper into transformation after betrayal? Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review to help others find these conversations. 

1/3. The Peace Debate — In a Londinium wine bar during a storm in 91 AD, Gaius and Germanicus philosophize about service and contemporary geopolitics, centering on the modern concept of "peace," particularly regarding Ukrainedespite ongoing conflicts in Venezuela and Hezbollah rearmament. Germanicus asserts that "peace" functions as a euphemism for defeat, deployed by the side facing inevitable submission to avoid public humiliation. Germanicus argues that Russia's protracted attrition strategy is culminating, evidenced by recent media reports of meteoric desertions and massive irrecoverable casualties exceeding 40,000 Ukrainian soldiers monthly, suggesting Ukraine approaches structural collapse. Gaius emphasizes that Europe lacks deployable military capacity and sustained fighting capability, necessitating a negotiated peace settlement to avoid the humiliation of military defeat. Germanicus notes that neoconservatives remain unusually silent, lacking control of the current administration, establishment Democraticinfluence, and weakened by collateral damage from Israel's Gaza campaign to their "endless war" doctrine. Gaiuscontends that the United States' only viable leverage for Russia involves promises of economic investment, reestablishing European energy linkages, and modernizing resource extraction through joint ventures. Germanicusidentifies three conditions for a viable treaty: Ukrainian neutrality, Russian reintegration, and attractive arrangements regarding Donbass, coupled with Ukraine affirming non-discrimination toward Russian-speaking populations. 1968

Rachel and Van start the show with a recap of the recent elections, including what the “blue wave” of elected officials means for the future of politics, the passage of Prop 50, and the reactions to Zohran Mamdani winning the NYC mayoral election. Then, they are joined by Jesse Blake, co-owner of the podcast network SDPN, to talk about the World Series and what it's like being a Toronto Blue Jays fan. Finally, they talk about the developing GOP “civil war” over Nick Fuentes before getting into Summer Walker's newest cover art and the viral discussion about whether it is embarrassing to have a boyfriend. 00:00 - Welcome! 04:34 - Election night recaps 32:02 - Van Jones comments on Zohran Mamdani  1:04:06 - Jesse Blake joins the show 1:18:13 - Has a GOP civil war begun? 1:40:32 - Summer Walker's new album artwork 1:52:17 - Embarrassing boyfriends 2:10:35 - Thanks for watching! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Jesse Blake Producer: Ashleigh Smith and Donnie Beacham  Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices