Podcasts about emotionally healthy spirituality

Ruth introduces a year-long journey of becoming whole, learning how Jesus meets us beneath the surface and forms us for every season of life. This will include discovering how emotionally healthy spirituality shapes our faith and relationships across every age and stage of life from singleness, dating, and marriage to parenting, the empty nest, retirement, and end-of-life.

Last week, Susan and guest host, Kristen Schatzman, discussed the idea of "Doing for God vs. Being with God" and what that means in our relationship with God.This week, thanks to a listener's question, they are digging into the practical steps we can all take to make the shift from DOERS to BEINGS.You can get your copy of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality on AMAZON.To learn more about Kristen's work at the Samaritan Community Center: https://www.samcc.org/

Jay Bakker, son of televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, shares his journey from growing up in the spotlight to watching his father go to prison - and how those experiences shaped his understanding of grace. In this conversation, Jay talks about judgment, unconditional love, and what it means to extend grace even to enemies. A deeply personal and challenging conversation about what grace actually looks like in practice.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.

Sermon Summary:We wrapped up our journey through Pete Scazzero's Emotionally Healthy Spirituality with a question that matters more than any sermon series: what does a sustainable spiritual life look like on a random Tuesday when no one is asking you to think about it?A study of Israeli parole judges showed that the time of day mattered more to their decisions than the facts of a case. Decision fatigue is real. We are not brains driving bodies around. We are whole people who get depleted, and depleted people default to whatever is easiest and most immediate. Good intentions, without structure, are not a plan.That structure has a name. Fifteen hundred years of Christian tradition calls it a Rule of Life, drawn from the Greek word for trellis, a framework that helps something grow where you actually want it to grow. Daniel had one. Praying three times a day toward Jerusalem, keeping convictions about food and allegiance, he maintained his identity through sixty-plus years of living inside the most sophisticated empire on earth. The lions and the furnace made him famous. The prayer at the window made him who he was.The Desert Fathers and Mothers, St. Benedict, William Wilberforce and his Clapham Circle all understood the same thing: formation requires intention. Scazzero organizes a Rule of Life around four areas: Prayer, Rest, Work, and Relationships. Sabbath is not just recovery. It is a declaration that God holds things together. Caring for the body is a spiritual act. Community is not optional support for the real work. Community is the work.The goal of all of it is joy. Jesus said his joy would be in us and our joy would be complete. The most formed disciples should be the most alive people in the room.URF WEBSITE: ➤ http://www.urfellowship.comSOCIALS: ➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urfellowship/➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urfellowship

Reading: Exodus 13:17-22 

Lent is a season of reflection but it's also a season about spiritual growth.In this preview episode, Pastor Chris, Pastor Rylea, and Pastor Ericka introduce our upcoming Lent series on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality and why emotional maturity and spiritual maturity can't be separated.We talk about:Why anger isn't the problem and what we do with it isSigns of emotional unhealth (overreacting, taking things personally, repeating patterns)The difference between self-help and spiritual transformationWhat it means to stop being a “one-year Christian 22 times”How Lent can help break old habits and form new onesThis Lent, we'll explore biblical characters like Saul and Joseph and examine how their emotional lives shaped their spiritual journeys.We'll also be inviting our entire community into:• Practicing the Prayer of Examen• Crafting a personal Rule of LifeIf you've ever felt stuck in your faith, this season might be your invitation to move forward.Episode OverviewThis episode previews our upcoming Lent series: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.We explore the connection between emotional maturity and spiritual growth — and why Lent is the perfect season for introspection and intentional formation.Key Quotes“You can't be spiritually mature if you're emotionally immature.”“I was a Christian for 22 years, but instead of being a 22-year-old Christian, I was a one-year-old Christian 22 times.”“Our spiritual life and our emotional life are deeply intertwined.”What We DiscussWhy emotions aren't sinful — but unexamined emotions can be destructiveHow resentment, insecurity, and anger show up in ScriptureWhy self-help alone cannot change usThe role of community, communion, and confessionHow faith evolves and adapts over timeWhy growth is not linearLent ResourcesDuring Lent, we are inviting our community to:Practice the Prayer of Examen dailyCraft a personal Rule of LifeUse our Community Spiritual Formation Guide

"Our activity for God can only properly flow from a life with God." - Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero.What is the difference between "doing for God" and "being with God"?Susan has invited her mentee and fellow counselor, Kristen Schatzman, into the studio to dig into the idea and help shift our mindset about what God truly wants in our relationship with Him.You can get your copy of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality on AMAZON.To learn more about Kristen's work at the Samaritan Community Center: https://www.samcc.org/

Sermon Summary:What does it actually mean to love our neighbor? This week we explored one of the most familiar stories Jesus ever told and discovered it might be more challenging than we have let ourselves believe.The story begins with a lawyer testing Jesus, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. He gets the answer right, loving God and loving neighbor, but wants to narrow the field. Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan, and in doing so, flips the question entirely. The real question is not "Who is my neighbor?" but "To whom will I be a neighbor?"The priest and the Levite both had reasons to keep walking. We do too. We are busy, distracted, insulated by climate-controlled homes and cars and screens that show us pain from a safe distance while requiring nothing of us. But the Samaritan stopped. He saw a human being in need and co-suffered with him, which is the literal meaning of compassion.Pete Scazzero reminds us that many of us can recite the commandments and practice spiritual disciplines without ever connecting them to how we actually treat people. John Mark Comer puts it plainly: the single most important question on the spiritual journey is whether we are becoming more loving. The spiritual practices we have explored throughout this series are the trellis. Love is the fruit.We closed with five practical ways to grow in love: Believe that every person has intrinsic value. Behold the image of God in others. Be Listening with our full attention. Be a true peacemaker who leans into healthy conflict rather than avoiding it. And be curious, not judgmental.Love is what came down and changed the world. May we be known for that kind of love.URF WEBSITE: ➤ http://www.urfellowship.comSOCIALS: ➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urfellowship/➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urfellowship

Reading: Genesis 50:15-21 

SERMON SUMMARYWe live in a blizzard. Our schedules overflow, we wear busyness as a badge, and we're expected to work like we don't have families while raising families like we don't have jobs. In the whiteout conditions of modern life, many of us have lost our way spiritually, wandering in circles just feet from home.God offers us a rope to lead us back: two ancient disciplines called the daily office and Sabbath. These aren't just additions to our already packed schedules. They represent a complete resettling of our lives toward God, a new way of being in the world.The daily office invites us to stop throughout our day, not to get something from God, but simply to be with Him. Through centering, silence, and Scripture, we learn what the early church knew: nothing should interfere with the work of being present to God. As Elijah discovered, God reveals Himself in the sound of sheer silence.Sabbath, the longest and most specific of the Ten Commandments, calls us to a 24-hour period every seven days where we stop, rest, delight, and contemplate. This isn't legalism. The Sabbath was made for us, not us for the Sabbath. We need to find our own rhythm, whether that's Sunday, Monday, or Friday.Thomas Merton warned that activism and overwork are forms of violence we do to ourselves, killing the root of inner wisdom that makes our work fruitful. When we're busier than God requires, we cannot love others through the love of Christ.The invitation remains: What would you need to change to build God-honoring rhythms into your life?URF WEBSITE: ➤ http://www.urfellowship.comSOCIALS: ➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urfellowship/➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urfellowship

Sermon Summary:We all hit walls in life: moments when our faith stops working the way we thought it would, when the foundation we've built on starts to crack. These aren't minor inconveniences. They're the trials that test everything we believe about God and ourselves.James 1:2-4 invites us to consider it pure joy when we face trials, because this testing produces the mature, complete faith we're after. The wall destroys our transactional relationship with God (the vending machine theology where we input good behavior and expect predictable outputs). What emerges is trust in God's character rather than control over our circumstances.Two paradigm shifts help us navigate the wall. First, we need to see pain as diagnostic rather than punitive. Like Dr. Paul Brand discovered with leprosy patients, pain alerts us to what needs attention: unforgiveness, shame, false identities, or misplaced hopes. Second, we need to embrace the death and resurrection pattern woven throughout creation. Seeds must die to produce fruit. Old skin must shed for new growth. Sometimes our need for control, our victim identities, or our plans must die so God can bring something better to life.The pathway through the wall is surrender. We either transform our pain or transmit it to others. Transformation requires releasing our right to revenge, receiving grace for our shame, or trusting God with what we've lost. Abraham, Jacob, Peter, and Paul all went through this process and emerged with new identities and fruitful lives.On the other side of the wall, we find God's love poured into our hearts at a depth we couldn't access before. We come out marked, like Jacob's limp or Jesus's scars, but those marks become evidence of God's redemptive power in our lives.URF WEBSITE: ➤ http://www.urfellowship.comSOCIALS: ➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urfellowship/➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urfellowship

Sermon Summary:We explored how our past profoundly shapes our present in this third week of our Emotionally Healthy Spirituality series. The core idea: to move into a healthy, mature future with God, we must take an honest look at our past.Science confirms what Scripture has always shown us. Research in epigenetics reveals that trauma and experiences can leave chemical markers on our DNA that get passed down through generations. The Bible shows us this same reality through Abraham's family line. From Genesis 12 through Joseph's story, we see a repeating pattern of deception, favoritism, and self-protection passed from father to son across four generations.Exodus 34:6-7 introduces the generational judgment principle, but here's the beautiful truth: while sin's consequences may extend three or four generations, God's steadfast love extends to thousands. The scale isn't even close. His mercy outweighs every pattern, every wound, every inherited tendency.The path forward requires five steps: see your past honestly (tools like genograms can help), own both the good and bad, bring others into the journey, allow God to redeem what's broken, and work to change by the Spirit's power. Joseph's story shows us how this transformation happens. He faced his past honestly, acknowledged the evil done to him, but invited God to redeem it for good. He became the one who broke the generational cycle.We can be that person in our family line. By God's grace, the patterns that have run for generations can end with us. We stand in the gap for those who came before and those who will come after.URF WEBSITE: ➤ http://www.urfellowship.comSOCIALS: ➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urfellowship/➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urfellowship

SERMON SUMMARYWe explored the journey to authentic spirituality by looking at David's confrontation with Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. Biblical authenticity means discovering who God created us to be, surrendering to the Holy Spirit's transforming work in that hidden 90% beneath the surface.David faced three major obstacles before he ever reached Goliath. First, accusations from family. His brother Eliab attacked his character and tried to shame him publicly. Second, expectations from authority. King Saul told David he was too young and inexperienced to fight. Third, armor that doesn't fit. Saul offered David his own armor, but David knew himself well enough to reject what worked for someone else.The key to David's confidence was his firsthand experience with God. While watching sheep in the fields, the Holy Spirit had been training him, teaching him to recognize God's voice above every other voice. He had killed lions and bears in private before facing the giant in public.We examined differentiation: the ability to maintain a clear sense of worth and identity in Christ, apart from the opinions or approval of others. This allows us to remain connected to people without being controlled by their reactions or expectations.Our world desperately needs authentic Christians who know themselves deeply and know God intimately enough to step into who they were created to be. This week, we're challenged to get alone with God and ask two questions: "Lord, what lies am I still believing about myself?" and "Lord, who did You create me to be?"URF WEBSITE: ➤ http://www.urfellowship.comSOCIALS: ➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urfellowship/➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urfellowship

Sermon Summary We begin the year asking ourselves a crucial question: one year from now, how do we want to be different? This new series, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, explores why spiritual maturity and emotional health cannot be separated.Many of us experience a gap between the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10:10 and our actual reality. We might be exhausted, anxious, or struggling in relationships despite our spiritual disciplines. The problem isn't God's promise. The issue is we've been pursuing spiritual growth while ignoring 90% of who we are.Like an iceberg, only 10% of our lives is visible (behaviors, attendance, service). The other 90% remains hidden (how we process emotions, childhood coping mechanisms, unspoken fears, unnamed shame). Traditional discipleship often leaves this 90% untouched. We can read our Bibles daily and still explode at our kids. We can serve in ministry and still have marriages dying from emotional distance.God created us as integrated beings with bodies, minds, wills, emotions, and spirits. All of these reflect His image. When we suppress our emotional lives in the name of spirituality, we don't become more like God. We become less human.Jesus promises rivers of living water flowing from the center of who we are (John 7:38). But when our hearts remain hard, anxious, wounded, or shut down because we've never addressed emotional health as a discipleship issue, that river gets blocked.The invitation is simple but scary: "God, you can have my emotional life." What would happen if we let Jesus into the rooms we've kept locked?URF WEBSITE: ➤ http://www.urfellowship.comSOCIALS: ➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urfellowship/➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urfellowship

Busyness may look normal, but it's quietly draining your marriage emotionally, physically, spiritually, and sexually. In this episode, Scott, Derek, and Gabrielle unpack why most of our busyness is a choice, how to discern when to say yes or no, and practical ways to create margin, live on mission, and protect what matters most at home.Scriptures:Romans 12:1-2Ephesians 5:15-17Matthew 16:25Genesis 2:25Questions to Discuss:1. What are some of the reasons you and your spouse are overly busy in your lives and schedule?2. What is the cost of your busyness to your marriage and family? (i.e., health, money, intimacy)3. Which of your current commitments are true needs and which are really choices that reflect your lifestyle preferences or fear of missing out?4. Who in your community group or trusted circle needs to speak into your level of busyness and help you evaluate your commitments?Resources:Podcast - More Than Roommates, Episode 41 - Why Busyness Might Destroy Your Marriage (feat. Gary Thomas)Podcast - More Than Roommates, Episode 31 - Too Busy to Get Busy (Part 2 of 3 in a series on marital intimacy)Book - Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, by Peter ScazzeroBook - Practicing the Way, by John Mark Comer

During the week, we work, but during the weekends, we play. Today's episode is all about seven weekend rhythms that we live by. Resources from this episode: Dwell Bible App Discount  Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero The Family Teams Podcast Rhythms Reset  Send Nancy an audio message! Join my email list!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

Kevin Withem has a heartfelt conversation with David Bruce, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and elder. Kevin and David discuss Peter Scazzero's work "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" (Part 2) and how it applies to Healthy Church and spiritually healthy Christians. EHS Book: https://www.amazon.com/Emotionally-Healthy-Spirituality-Impossible-Spiritually/dp/0310348498 Learn more at https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/ Contact David Bruce through Psychology Today's portal at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/david-allen-bruce-culver-city-ca/822190 We survive on your donations: donate at www.commongroundsunity.org/donate. CGU has a vision to create and support gatherings of unity-minded Christians around the globe. Imagine the good news of these gatherings modeling the prayer of Jesus in our divided world. Please give us feedback by posting your thoughts and suggestions on our Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068486982733 Please check out commongroundsunity.org to learn more about CGU, how to subscribe to the newsletter, join the Facebook group, or find the YouTube Channel. Check out our gatherings on the About page, where you can connect with other unity-minded Christians in your area. If you cannot find a gathering in your area, we can help you start one. It's not difficult or time-consuming, and we will help you out along the way. It really does, simply, start with a cup of coffee. If you want to volunteer or ask questions, please email John at john@commongroundsunity.org. Until next time, God bless, and remember, “Unity Starts With A Cup of Coffee.”

Healthy relationships through dharma-bhakti balance _ Emotionally Healthy Spirituality - 3 Gita 3.26 by Exploring mindfulness, yoga and spirituality

Friend of the show, Brook Smith, is back in the studio with Susan to share her personal story of finding God in the hardest places of life and how Romans 5:2b-5 was part of that journey.To purchase "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" by Peter Scazzero that Susan mentioned in Today's Episode:AMAZONMARDELBARNES & NOBLETo Learn More about SOZO House, you can click here: SOZO House Rest. Heal. Renew.

3 Positive Responses to Negative Emotions _ Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Part 2 Chaitanya Charan (1) by Exploring mindfulness, yoga and spirituality

Kevin Withem has a heartfelt conversation with David Bruce, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and elder. Kevin and David discuss Peter Scazzero's work "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" and how it applies to Healthy Church and spiritually healthy Christians. EHS Book: https://www.amazon.com/Emotionally-Healthy-Spirituality-Impossible-Spiritually/dp/0310348498 Learn more at https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/ Contact David Bruce through Psychology Today's portal at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/david-allen-bruce-culver-city-ca/822190 We survive on your donations: donate at www.commongroundsunity.org/donate. CGU has a vision to create and support gatherings of unity-minded Christians around the globe. Imagine the good news of these gatherings modeling the prayer of Jesus in our divided world. Please give us feedback by posting your thoughts and suggestions on our Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068486982733 Please check out commongroundsunity.org to learn more about CGU, how to subscribe to the newsletter, join the Facebook group, or find the YouTube Channel. Check out our gatherings on the About page, where you can connect with other unity-minded Christians in your area. If you cannot find a gathering in your area, we can help you start one. It's not difficult or time-consuming, and we will help you out along the way. It really does, simply, start with a cup of coffee. If you want to volunteer or ask questions, please email John at john@commongroundsunity.org. Until next time, God bless, and remember, “Unity Starts With A Cup of Coffee.”

What does redemptive leadership mean? As Christians, we have a unique calling: not just to lead, but to serve. What does this look like in today's culture, and how can we serve as leaders and foster an environment of abundant grace and joy wherever we are?Christianity Today's Dr. Nicole Massie Martin helps us to understand how we can nail outdated models of leadership to the cross, and what it will take to replace them with Biblical ones:“We need to nail to the cross what is a very secular understanding … of [power, ego, and performance], so that what is resurrected through Christ might be redemptive and bring glory to God and good to the people that we lead.”This conversation is from an Online Conversation recorded in May 2025. We hope this conversation will inspire you to identify the ways you lead, and how you can step further into leading with grace, humility, and joy.Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Peter ScazzeroKilling Comparison: Reject the Lie You Aren't Good Enough and Live Confident in Who God Made You To Be, Nona JonesGo deeper into the issues discussed in this episode with these Trinity Forum Readings:How Much Land Does a Man Need?; Leo TolstoyA Man Who Changed His Times; William WilberforceLetter from Birmingham Jail; Martin Luther King, Jr.Who Stands Fast?; Dietrich BonhoefferNarrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass; Frederick Douglass

Why Emotions Matter_ 1 Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Wellington, New Zealand - Chaitanya Charan by Exploring mindfulness, yoga and spirituality

2 Emotionally healthy spirituality - when tolerance is helpful and when harmful _ Sydney by Exploring mindfulness, yoga and spirituality

1 Emotionally healthy spirituality - why the mind needs to be comforted not just controlled Sydney by Exploring mindfulness, yoga and spirituality

3 Emotionally healthy spirituality - do the things that matter to me matter to Krishna _ Sydney by Exploring mindfulness, yoga and spirituality

Why is it that so many ministry leaders—people called to reflect Christ's love—so often end up burned out, disillusioned, or driven by power and platform instead of humility and service? It's heartbreaking when church leadership doesn't “smell like the gospel,” and instead resembles the very systems of profit and self-promotion it should prophetically resist.In this episode, Jason Jensen, Vice President of Spiritual Foundations for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and author of Formed to Lead, unpacks what true spiritual formation for leaders looks like, how to hold humility and faith in tension, and how suffering and the wilderness can become gifts in our ministry.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Jason Jensen observes that much leadership in the church fails to reflect the gospel and often focuses on power, platform, or profit.Large numbers of Christian leaders experience burnout or moral, character, or spiritual failure, leading to disillusionment among younger generations.Jason Jensen asserts that the Gospel of Luke presents a radically different, subversive vision of leadership, centering the vulnerable and overlooked.Leadership in God's kingdom includes all people, from parents to presidents, and turns conventional power dynamics upside down.Christian leadership requires holding together the paradox of tender humility and bold faith.Jason Jensen describes the spiritual formation of a leader as a lifelong, iterative process marked by failure, repentance, and receiving the love of God.Embracing wilderness seasons—times of pain, failure, or dryness—is essential for spiritual growth and character development.Markus Watson invites Jason Jensen to share from personal experience how suffering shaped his faith and leadership, prompting stories of transformation after injury and failure.Experiencing grief, loss, and mistakes can be some of the most formative experiences for a leader's development and empathy.Depth and authenticity in leadership are formed by embracing—not bypassing—suffering and wilderness experiences.Jason Jensen highlights Steve Hayner's example of leadership, specifically his ability to listen well, include others, and help others feel loved and safe.Steve Hayner practiced “expansive discourse” and adaptive leadership, carrying pain with others and facilitating mutual learning rather than judgment.Sustainable organizational change requires time, patience, and leaders who bring everyone to the table and foster shared purpose.Offering one's life—and even one's death—as a gift to God and others represents the culmination of a spiritual journey, embodying humility, sacrifice, and openness.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Jason Jensen:formedtolead.comInstagramXFacebookBooks mentioned:Formed to Lead, by Jason JensenRelated episodes:244. Finding Strength in Desperation, with Mandy SmithSend me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!Get Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!Ministry can stir up all kinds of feelings, especially when we're dealing with conflict, with grief, with change. And the better we understand what's happening beneath the surface, the better we can lead ourselves—and our people—more thoughtfully and more effectively.In this episode, I'm speaking with Dr. Audrey Davidheiser, a licensed psychologist and the author of Grieving Wholeheartedly. Audrey helps us understand something called Internal Family Systems—IFS—a powerful way of thinking about our inner world and all those “parts” of us that can get in the way of effective leadership.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Audrey Davidheiser explains what drew her to Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.Internal Family Systems is a psychological model that views people as having multiple internal "parts."Parts of yourself often express themselves in day-to-day decisions, sometimes even in conflict with each other.Markus Watson clarifies that having "parts" is different from dissociative identity disorder or multiple personalities.Audrey Davidheiser explains the difference between parts in IFS and the rigid, unaware system found in Dissociative Identity Disorder.Internal Family Systems builds on the foundation of family systems theory, adapting it to the internal world.Inside everyone are parts that take on different roles, often formed in response to significant experiences, such as trauma or relational wounds.Markus Watson illustrates the concept with the example of feeling different internal responses to everyday situations like going to a late-night movie.Every person has both helpful and challenging internal parts, such as critics, achievers, or comfort-seekers, and these parts influence behavior.Audrey Davidheiser introduces three types of parts in IFS: exiles (hurt parts), managers (protective parts), and firefighters (distracting/soothing parts).Parts are not inherently bad; even when their actions are destructive, they are typically trying to protect us or relieve pain.Markus Watson inquires about the relationship between sin and IFS, prompting Audrey Davidheiser to articulate how parts can miss the mark despite good intentions.Pastors can benefit from understanding their own internal parts, especially when reacting to challenging questions or situations in ministry.Audrey Davidheiser suggests the practice of being "unblended"—letting the true Self, rather than an emotional part, lead when responding to others.Leaders who operate from their "Self" (instead of from a part) can foster healthier responses and guide their communities through change with greater empathy and wisdom.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Audrey DavidheiserAim For Breakthrough websiteBooks mentioned:Grieving Wholeheartedly, by Audrey DavidheiserRelated Episodes:262: From Fired to Flourishing, with Chuck DeGroat254: Endless Expectations and Emotional ExhaustionGet Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

On this week's episode of Significant Women, I welcome my sister in the faith, Natalie Runion. Natalie is an author, pastor, and communicator with a passion for helping women walk in unity instead of comparison or competition. In our honest and heartfelt conversation, we talk about gossip, drama, friendship, and the hard reality that sometimes—even in the church—we don't always like each other. But Natalie's wisdom and biblical insights invite us back to a place of grace, generosity, and Spirit-filled sisterhood.Key PointsThe surprising story behind Natalie's book title: I Don't Even Like WomenChildhood friendships and why adult relationships can feel more complicatedGossip as a symptom of deeper heart issues—and how to lead groups away from itComparison and how the story of Mary and Elizabeth teaches us to celebrate one another instead of competeDeborah and Jael: two women who modeled partnership and obedience for God's gloryNavigating “high drama” friendships and learning emotional regulationWhat true friendship looks like: transparency, listening, and accessibilityObedience as the key to a truly significant lifeScriptures that anchor Natalie: Matthew 10:16, Luke 1 (Mary and Elizabeth), Judges 4–5 (Deborah & Jael)Resources MentionedI Don't Even Like Women by Natalie RunionPete Scazzero's Emotionally Healthy Spirituality series (leadership, relationships)Key Scriptures: Luke 1, Judges 4–5, Matthew 10:16, James 3 Connect with Natalie at https://natalierunion.com/Order ‘I Don't Even Like Women' and Other Lies That Get in the Way of Sacred Sisterhood at https://a.co/d/bGDgdhT Have a prayer request or feedback?Email Carol at: carol@carolmcleodministries.comShe and her team would love to pray for you. Stay Connected:Subscribe to the Significant Women Podcast and share this episode with a friend who needs to be reminded of her worth today.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolmcleodministriesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolmcleodministriesYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@CarolMcLeodMinistries The Significant Women Podcast with Carol McLeod is edited and produced by WileyCraft Productions. Visit https://wileycraftproductions.com/ to learn more.

✅ Why your emotional health is the greatest gift to your kids ✅ How to parent non-reactively when hormones and emotions run high ✅ The "backpack" you're handing your children (and how to lighten it) ✅ Simple calendar strategies that reveal what you truly value Full Show Notes Fall 2025 DadAwesome Accelerator SUMMARY Parenting doesn't have to be about survival mode. In this episode, Glenn Packiam shares how intentional rhythms and a focus on resilience can transform your family life. From learning to be non-reactive when hormones hit to using your calendar as a tool for what you truly value, Glenn offers practical wisdom for dads navigating everything from toddlers to young adults getting married. Plus, discover why the healthiest gift you can give your kids might be your own emotional well-being. Key Takeaways: You're going to hand your kids a "backpack" whether you like it or not—the goal is to make it as light as possible by dealing with your own emotional health first. Non-reactive parenting starts with slowing your breath and asking "what else is going on here?" instead of jumping to conclusions. Resilience isn't about avoiding hard emotions—it's about how quickly you recover and what you learn from difficult seasons. Your calendar reveals your true values; intentional rhythms like family dinners and Sabbath don't happen by accident. One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is your own repentance when you mess up. GUEST: Glenn Packiam is the author of The Intentional Year and several other books focused on spiritual formation and resilience. He's a pastor, speaker, and father of four children ranging from teenagers to young adults. Glenn lives in Southern California with his wife Holly, and his oldest daughter recently got engaged. He's passionate about helping parents move from survival mode to intentional, rhythmic family life that builds resilience in both parents and children. LINKS    Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618 Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book The Intentional Year by Glenn & Holly Packiam Resilient Pastor resources Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero

Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!Bias isn't always about the big, obvious issues. Sometimes it shows up in the subtle, everyday moments—like who we compliment, who we listen to, and how we respond to change. It's part of being human, but as leaders, it's our calling to become aware of those biases so we can lead with greater humility and clarity.In this episode, Erin Devers, author of The Unbiased Self, shares the science behind bias, why it's so hard to see in ourselves, and how anchoring our identity in Christ creates the freedom to lead—and live—in a much healthier and more effective way.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Bias is anything that prevents people from seeing reality accurately, not just issues of race or gender.Erin Devers describes a "cute" experiment where giving compliments—even insincerely—boosts happiness for both giver and receiver.People underestimate how enjoyable giving and receiving compliments will be, which shows a bias against social engagement.Erin Devers highlights that everyone has biases, and recognizing them is foundational to personal and spiritual growth.People have a "bias blind spot," making it much easier to see others' biases than their own.Erin Devers emphasizes Jesus' teaching about removing the plank from one's own eye as a reference to addressing personal bias.Self-esteem plays a major role in bias, as people spin stories to feel good about themselves, sometimes at the expense of accuracy.Attempts to feel right and to feel good about oneself are two core sources of bias in human thinking.Markus Watson connects the discussion to everyday church life, pointing out how bias impacts how pastors perceive congregants.Erin Devers explains that a secure identity as a child of God and sinner saved by grace allows Christians to pursue accuracy rather than always needing to be right.Rooting identity in something secure—whether faith-based or intrinsic human value—helps people approach disagreement with less defensiveness.Broadening perspective, such as considering larger life questions or relational values, helps reduce bias in emotionally charged situations.Erin Devers discusses the difference between fast thinking (quick, automatic judgments) and slow thinking (deliberate, reflective thought) and how both relate to bias.Habit formation and intentional practices like reducing social media can create space for deeper connection, reflection, and less biased engagement within communities.Markus Watson addresses how pastors identify which congregants will support or resist change, revealing how bias shapes leadership decisions.Erin Devers encourages church leaders to acknowledge the collective bias toward doing what is easiest when leading change, while grounding stability in God's presence.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Erin Devers, Indiana Wesleyan UniversityBooks mentioned:The Unbiased Self, by Erin DeversRelated episodes:252. Navigating the Pain of Being Othered, with Jenai AumanGet Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!Learn how real transformation in leadership begins when we shift our focus from what's happening to us to what's happening within us.Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Chuck DeGroat in Ep. 262, Fro Fired to Flourishing.“I had to turn my attention from what happened to me to what was happening within me."THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Change leaders cultivate self-awareness by focusing on their internal responses rather than solely external circumstances.Transformative leadership requires individuals to process their own emotional reactions before leading others through change.Leaders grow when they move beyond blaming external events and explore what pain reveals about their deeper character.Navigating difficult transitions means finding growth by going through challenges, not simply avoiding or getting over them.Lasting change in ministry or leadership begins when individuals reflect on and learn from their personal setbacks.Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!More and more, we find ourselves living in what we might call a post-Christian society.  And more and more, preachers and ministry leaders are finding that the methods they were trained in don't always resonate in a post-Christian context. In this episode, Mark Glanville, the author of Preaching in a New Key, brings together his experience as a jazz musician, pastor, and a scholar of the Old Testament to invite us into a new vision for preaching—one that helps us navigate the transition from Christian to post-Christian culture. THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Mark Glanville explains that both jazz and Christian faith involve learning and internalizing tradition, then improvising freshly within it.Jazz musicians practice and absorb the rhythms and melodies of their tradition, but always play something new in performance.Mark Glanville illustrates how biblical preachers should immerse themselves in scripture, becoming shaped by its themes and stories, much like jazz musicians learn their craft.The biblical tradition requires creative and contextual re-interpretation, as seen in how ancient scribes reimagined the metaphor of covenant.Preaching in a post-Christian society means recognizing that faith no longer enjoys cultural support and must grapple with mixed experiences of doubt and trust.Mark Glanville describes post-Christian contexts as places where church and societal values diverge, making the preaching task more complex.Congregants bring complex emotional and spiritual questions to church, rather than the simple expectation of receiving trusted doctrine.Markus Watson notes that contemporary preaching requires greater sensitivity, awareness of listeners' stories, and often more lyrical, dialogical communication.Mark Glanville emphasizes gaining relational intelligence through ongoing pastoral conversations and deep listening with parishioners.Preaching today involves “reversing the flow”—rather than proclaiming “thus says the Lord,” preachers reveal the beauty of Jesus within the text and invite fresh connection.Mark Glanville highlights that healthy preaching depends on the preacher's own healthy inner and emotional life.Preachers must recognize when they are operating from their “defended self”—speaking from wounds or fear, rather than from a secure, loving place in Christ.Scripture addresses communities, not individuals, so preaching should prioritize communal formation and invite congregations to embody Christ together.Mark Glanville encourages pastors to preach, model, and pray for the transformation they seek, stirring the congregation's collective imagination and trusting the Spirit to work through everyone, not just the leadership.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Mark Glanville:Website – www.markglanville.orgBlue Note Theology podcastBooks mentioned:Preaching in a New Key, by Mark GlanvilleRefuge Reimagined, by Mark Glanville and Luke GlanvilleRelated episodes:250. The Prophetic Challenge of DecoGet Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!In a world that celebrates rapid growth, platform-building, and constant success, it's easy to take on leadership strategies that promise bigger, better, and faster results. But when these approaches clash with the invitation of Jesus to embrace the cross, where does true, lasting influence come from?In this episode, Nicole Massie Martin, author of Nailing It, unpacks the spiritual paradox at the heart of healthy leadership—how surrender, humility, and even seasons of struggle can form us as leaders and empower the people we serve.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCUDE:Christian leaders often merge values like maximizing and growing their ministries, risking a "resurrection only" mindset that ignores suffering.Markus Watson highlights that the moments of deepest closeness with God often emerge from times of pain.Nicole Martin frames power neutrally, stating that its impact depends on how leaders use it—to empower or to hoard.Power must be used for God's glory and for empowering others, not for self-aggrandizement.Markus Watson admits that the temptation for influence and control is a real struggle in leadership, even when intentions are good.Nicole Martin explains that surrendering power as a leader looks like developing teams and creating an environment where others feel empowered to fulfill their calling.Nicole Martin shares a personal story of feeling powerless as a board member until another leader affirmed her authority and encouraged her participation.Empowerment should be modeled by leaders who intentionally invite others to use their own power and gifts.Ego is complex and influenced by cultural worldviews such as honor-shame, guilt-innocence, and power-fear.Nicole Martin emphasizes the importance of anchoring one's self-worth in the love of God, not in achievement or shame.Markus Watson describes how personal failure and pain loosened his unhealthy grip on ego and led him to ground his worth in being God's beloved.Nicole Martin asserts that healthy ego in leadership is characterized by deep confidence, humility, and openness, rooted in one's belovedness by God.Leaders must recalibrate their pace and surrender speed to God's timing, resisting the burnout that comes from adopting the relentless pace of the world.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Christianity TodaySoulfire International MinistriesBooks mentioned:Nailing It, by Nicole Massie MartinLife of the Beloved, by Henri NouwenAbba's Child, by Brennan ManningSurrender to Love, by David BennerEmotionally Healthy Spirituality, by Peter ScazeroFalling Upward, by Richard RohrRelated episodes:112. The Beatitudes and Spiritual Leadership, with Mark Scandrette252. Navigating the Pain of Being Othered, with Jenai AumanClick HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Flute 360 | Episode 330: "This Is Real Life – Two Flutists, One Faith, and a Journey Through It All with Dr. Kristin Caliendo" This episode isn't just a conversation—it's a moment of truth, healing, and deep connection. Dr. Heidi Kay Begay and Dr. Kristin Caliendo come together for a raw and heartfelt discussion on what it means to live a fully integrated life as a flutist, believer, caregiver, mother, teacher, and friend. It's for the listener who feels pulled in too many directions and is craving clarity, energy, peace, and purpose. If you've been questioning how to juggle it all—your health, studio, family, calling, and faith—this conversation meets you right where you are. It's a reminder that your body is sacred, your energy is a resource, and your identity is not defined by a title—but by who God says you are. Main Points: How faith, food, and friendship sustain us through life's hardest seasons. The connection between energy and your environment: food, people, habits. Caregiving, grief, and the supernatural peace that only God can give. What it really means to steward your body as a temple. Letting go of performance perfectionism and embracing presence in your playing. Redefining success beyond the degree, job title, or performance. Using your music and teaching as a vehicle for ministry and healing. The daily decision to live intentionally—one minute, one rehearsal, one lesson at a time. Resources Mentioned: Iowa State Daily on grapes vs. red wine for cancer prevention: grapes (especially red/purple varieties) contain higher levels of resveratrol without the risks associated with alcohol – click here to read article! Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith Atomic Habits by James Clear Guest's Information: Dr. Kristin Caliendo is a flutist, educator, mother, and caregiver with a heart for holistic living and Christ-centered purpose. She brings decades of wisdom not just as a performer and teacher, but as a woman deeply attuned to what it means to live aligned with her faith. Through every season—especially the hard ones—she models what grace, grit, and God-led living can truly look like. Connect with Kristin via email at kristinflute@yahoo.com. Follow Heidi! Follow Flute 360 via TikTok! Follow Flute 360 via Instagram! Follow Flute 360 via Twitter! Follow Flute 360 via LinkedIn! Follow Flute 360 via Facebook! Subscribe to the Flute 360's YouTube Channel! Join the Flute 360 Newsletter! Join the Flute 360 Family's Facebook Private Group! Join the Flute 360's Accelerator Program Here! TIER 1 for $37 TIER 2 for $67 TIER 3 for $97

I enjoyed this book. I have mentioned it a couple of times on the podcast and probably encouraged you to read it. Join me this week for a book review of sorts. Peter Scazzero writes about ten symptoms of emotionally unhealthy spirituality. Using biblical principles, he works to focus individuals into a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God and others. It's worth the read. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It's Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature

Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!This episode explores the critical role awareness plays in avoiding burnout and fostering healthy leadership practices. Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss personal anecdotes and practical strategies to cultivate awareness, so we can better navigate the challenges that come our way. Whether you're leading a team or just trying to lead a more intentional life, this conversation is packed with insights to help you break free from autopilot mode and make mindful adjustments for a more effective and fulfilling leadership journey.Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Jonathan Hoover in Ep. 254: Endless Expectations and Emotional Exhaustion:“Awareness is a precursor to adjustment.”THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Awareness aids leaders in recognizing when they approach burnout.Well-trained leaders naturally navigate crises using second nature skills.Developing awareness prompts leaders to stop, assess shifts, and adjust effectively.Noticing emotions or bodily sensations signals leaders to pause and reflect.Naming issues in a room empowers leaders to identify and implement adjustments.Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!In his newest book, Chuck DeGroat offers a deeply personal account of his journey of being fired from a ministry position and the stress surrounding that experience that ultimately led to a life-changing health crisis. But it was that crisis that showed him the much deeper inner healing he needed.In this episode, Chuck DeGroat discusses not only his experience of deep inner healing, but also the need for inner healing for all of us who are ministry leaders.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Chuck DeGroat highlights his experience with the autonomic nervous system and its role in managing past trauma, indicating how unresolved trauma can manifest in physical and emotional symptoms.Engaging with our bodies helps reveal unaddressed shame and grief, which many individuals, including pastors, tend to bury.Chuck DeGroat shares his story of being fired from a church, leading him to recognize the necessity of inner reflection and healing for effective ministry leadership.Neglecting emotional health often leads to physical symptoms, illustrating the body's way of signaling unresolved emotional turmoil.Chuck DeGroat describes his journey from placing blame externally to focusing on internal work, which allows for more authentic healing.Constant activation of the sympathetic nervous system can have detrimental effects on one's health, indicating the importance of addressing stress and trauma.Chuck DeGroat encourages pastors and leaders to engage in regular practices that foster a calm and centered emotional state, aiding in spiritual insight and leadership.Successful healing involves consistently attending to emotional and physical cues from our bodies, signaling deeper underlying issues.Chuck DeGroat explains practices that help individuals transition from a survival mindset to a state of calm connection, enhancing overall well-being.Regular and intentional understanding of our body's signals is crucial for maintaining emotional health and preventing future burnout.Addiction often serves as an attempted solution to address deeper inner wounds, which requires a more nuanced understanding in the context of spiritual counseling.Chuck DeGroat discusses the value of acknowledging and understanding one's inner child to achieve authenticity and awareness in spiritual leadership.Differentiating between various parts of oneself allows for a clearer understanding of internal struggles and promotes healthier decisions.Effective spiritual and emotional growth requires addressing core issues beyond behavior, thereby promoting sustainable change and authentic leadership.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Chuck DeGroatWestern Theological SeminaryBooks mentioned:Healing What's Within, by Chuck DeGroatWhen Narcissism Comes to Church, by Chuck DeGroatRelated episodes:82. Narcissism and Spiritual Leadership, with Chuck DeGroat206. The Healing Power of Pilgrimage, with Jon Huckins254. Endless Expectations and Emotional Exhaustion, with Jonathan HooverClick HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Some might believe that brokenness leads only to suffering, but what if our pain could be transformed into something beautiful? In this episode of The Beauty in Brokenness, I explore how aligning with God shifts our experience of trials, reducing suffering and bringing healing, purpose, and peace. When we surrender our wounds to God, He doesn't let them go to waste. Instead, He uses them to refine us, draw us closer to Him, and reveal His glory in our lives. Through personal stories, biblical wisdom, and practical encouragement, I'll discuss how trusting in God allows us to experience restoration rather than despair. Key Scriptures for This Episode: ✨ Romans 8:28 – God works all things for good when we trust Him. ✨ Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted. ✨ Isaiah 26:3 – Perfect peace comes through surrender. ✨ 2 Corinthians 12:9 – His strength is made perfect in our weakness. ✨ Psalm 30:5 – Joy comes after sorrow. If you've ever felt trapped in your pain or wondered if there's purpose in your brokenness, this episode is for you. Tune in and discover how God transforms suffering into something sacred when we surrender it to Him. If you want to learn more about the membership go here: https://danacanneto.com/luminary-woman-membership/ If you are looking for ways to share your gifts and how to monetize them as well as learn how to create multiple streams of income to serve and support the Kingdom, go here: https://www.theluminarylifestyle.com/ Few books I am currently reading:  Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero - https://amzn.to/3Rlzlh8 Soul Care - 7 Transformational Principles for a Healthy Soul - https://amzn.to/4l22eN1 If you are interested in sharing your story on my podcast or have questions or just want to get support, you can email me at dana@danacanneto.com All other ways to find me here: https://linktr.ee/danacanneto Be sure to subscribe, share and like this video to help more people to find their way here!

Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!True ministry leadership isn't about power; it's about love in action. It's about stepping into the self-giving, co-suffering way of Jesus, even when it feels counterintuitive. This kind of leadership doesn't seek control but embraces humility, sacrifice, and deep connection with those we serve.In this episode, Marc Schelske, pastor of Bridge City Community Church and author of Walking Otherward, unpacks how embracing this kind of love reshapes our leadership, strengthens our churches, and helps us navigate the challenges of ministry with grace and wisdom.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Marc Schelske introduces the concept of other-centered, co-suffering love as a key aspect of following Jesus.The phrase "other-centered, co-suffering love" encompasses love that is conscious of others and willing to bear their burdens.Marc Schelske emphasizes the significance of Philippians 2 and Jesus' journey to Jerusalem as examples of this love.Jesus' journey to Jerusalem symbolizes a path that is not self-centered but oriented towards others.Self-centered, ego-defending ambition contrasts sharply with the way Jesus modeled leadership.Marc Schelske reflects on his own leadership transition, focusing on how he learned to disconnect identity from numerical success.Leadership driven by other-centered, co-suffering love requires holding space for others to process change at their own pace.Marc Schelske explains the importance of allowing time in decision-making processes to foster consensual and loving leadership.The fear of death and discomfort often drives the desire for control and power within leadership.Marc Schelske discusses creating communities where multiple perspectives can coexist without division.Churches must embrace a posture of vulnerability and humility in their leadership practices.Marc Schelske highlights that love acts by consent, meaning decisions should include space for honest dialogue and dissent.Co-suffering love challenges traditional notions of leadership by prioritizing presence over power.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Marc Schelske:Website - https://marcalanschelske.com/Bridge City Community ChurchBooks mentioned:Walking Otherward, by Marc SchelskeFalling Upward, by Richard RohrRelated episodes:206. The Healing Power of Pilgrimmage, with Jon Huckins236. Supporting Families with Autism in Your Church, with David Quel240. Leading with Wisdom from Above, with Uli ChiClick HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!Burnout. An all too familiar experience for most of us.  It's more than just feeling tired or overworked. It's that crushing sense of futility when your passion for ministry runs out, and it leaves you wondering if you can even continue the work you were once so excited about.Jonathan Hoover, the author of Stress Fracture, Your Ultimate Guide to Beating Burnout, shares valuable insights from his experience and research, including practical strategies for managing stress, the importance of self-care, and maintaining emotional and spiritual health in leadership. THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Jonathan Hoover shares the significant stress his father faced while pastoring their church.Jonathan Hoover explains how his father experienced severe emotional and physical symptoms of burnout.Markus Watson asks about the role of spirituality in addressing burnout.Jonathan Hoover highlights how the biblical story of Elijah offers insights into addressing burnout through rest and care.The world tempts people to believe they are infinite, leading to stress and burnout.Jonathan Hoover talks about 'super rats' and the dangers of endless adaptation to stress.Creating margin in life by setting limits can help prevent burnout.Monitoring multiple aspects of life, such as physical and emotional health, can help manage burnout.Jonathan Hoover introduces the concept of emotional exhaustion and how it impacts emotional regulation.Emotional intelligence decreases as emotional exhaustion increases.Burnout leads to a loss of passion and a fatalistic outlook on success.Minimizing distractions and increasing self-awareness are crucial in preventing burnout.To prevent burnout, people need to realize their own limits and adjust their workloads.Jonathan Hoover explains that emotional awareness is necessary for making lifestyle adjustments.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Jonathan Hoover:Website – drjonathanhoover.comChurch website - Newspring.orgBooks mentioned:Stress Fracture, by Jonathan HooverLeadership on the Line, by Ronald Heifetz and Marty LinskyRelated episodes:136. Healthy Attachment and Spiritual Leadership, with Todd Hall175. From Burnout to Resilience, with Jason Young179. The Neuroscience of Spiritual Formation, with Jim WilderClick HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Found a lost episode on my computer and it was so good I had to upload it even though it's six months old! The fall and winter have been incredibly busy for L & P (separately, not together), but we still love our listeners! In this, episode, we began the second of two series(es?) that we hooooope to continue soon! The last episode was Emotionally Healthy Spirituality part 1, and this one is "The LIST" part one. What list? Listen to find out!

Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson explore the essential question: "What thirsts of my soul am I bringing to my congregation?" They discuss the importance of leaders acknowledging their own needs and the dangers of seeking fulfillment from their congregations instead of God. Learn how aligning personal needs with God's guidance can help leaders bring true abundance to their communities.Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Alan Fadling in Ep 238, Lead with Less Anxiety:"What thirsts of my soul am I bringing to my congregation in hopes they'll meet me there rather than learning to take the thirsts of my soul to God so that God could meet me in those places? And then I could bring abundance to the community of people entrusted to me.”THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Leaders must acknowledge their needs to avoid seeking affirmation from their congregations improperly.Effective leaders should bring their soul's needs to God rather than their congregations.Leaders face the temptation of people-pleasing, which can derail their adherence to God's mission.Being transparent about personal needs helps leaders avoid subconscious behaviors that could hinder mission-focused leadership.Fulfilling personal needs through appropriate relationships prevents dependence on congregational approval.Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Join us on as we embark on a journey of transition and wisdom with our special guest, Tim Haring, founding pastor of Chestnut Ridge Church. With nearly 40 years of leadership and service, Tim recently shifted into retirement, turning over leadership of the organization to his successor.   From Northern Lights to Spiritual Insights - Wisdom for Navigating Life's Transitions   Whether you're facing a new leadership role, considering a career change, or moving to a new city, Tim Haring's reflections provide guidance and encouragement for personal growth and embracing change. Listening to this authentic, soulful and candid conversation, you will come away with— Guidance for navigating life's major changes, twists and turns Deeper understanding of your emotional and spiritual health Insights on knowing when it's the right time to retire Hope and encouragement for what's next   As Tim shares his experiences from recent travels to Norway and Hondura, you will hear how witnessing the Northern Lights and speaking at a conference for church leaders in Honduras have enriched his life.   Our conversation delves into the transformative concept of emotionally healthy spirituality. This newfound understanding of emotions and empathy in ministry opens doors for Tim to support pastors through coaching and mentoring.   Reflecting on his journey, Tim emphasizes the importance of seeking help during major life changes and his ongoing passion for growth, even in retirement. His story inspires us to continually learn and adapt, offering hope and encouragement for anyone navigating transitions.   More About Special Guest Tim Haring   Tim Haring is the Founding Pastor of Chestnut Ridge Church in Morgantown, West Virginia. He recently retired from his position as Senior Pastor, although he will continue to work part-time at the church. In nearly 40 years of pastoral experience, Tim has been instrumental in helping to plant four additional churches in West Virginia. Together, those form the Ridge Network of Churches.   Tim has a pastoral studies degree with a minor in Greek language from Moody Bible Institute and a business degree from West Virginia University.   Tim and his wife, Karen, have been married for 36 years. They have five children, one granddaughter and another grandchild on the way.   Settle in for a whirlwind wisdom journey from Norway to Honduras and from Columbus to Morgantown, where Tim joins us today.   Resources Tim Haring's book “When God Walked Alone” on Amazon Connect with Tim on LinkedIn Grab a copy of the book “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” from our BookShop Connect with Tim on Facebook Check out the church Tim founded - Chestnut Ridge Church   Credits Editor + Technical Advisor Bob Hotchkiss Brand + Strategy Advisor Andy Malinoski PR + Partnerships Advisor Rachel Bell Marketing, Social Media and Graphic Design Chloe Lineberg   Stay Connected with Us on Social YouTube @themainthingpod Twitter @themainthingpod Instagram @themainthingpod Facebook  @TheMainThingPod LinkedIn   Help Support and Sustain This Podcast Become a subscriber. Share the podcast with one or two friends. Follow us on social media @TheMainThingPod Buy some Main Thing Merch from our Merchandise Store. Buy a book from our curated wisdom collection on bookshop.org. Become a patron and support us on Patreon with funding.   Episode Chapters [0:03:35] - Tim's recent travels to Norway and Honduras [0:05:40] - How Tim and Skip are connected  [0:07:03] - Tim's transition from founder / leader of Chestnut Ridge to retirement [0:10:06] - Coping with feelings and emotions related to this major change [0:12:08] - Tim reveals his Main Thing [0:13:50] - Emotionally healthy spirituality; Tim candidly shares a weakness [0:18:25] - Discussion of Tim's work as an author [0:20:03] - Tim leaves us with words of encouragement   

Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!This episode tackles the topic of being "othered" by those in church leadership, an important conversation for anyone in ministry leadership who wants to understand how to create an environment of embrace, of love, of belonging—and of being a healthy team.Jenai Auman, the author of Othered, discusses her personal experiences of being othered by church leaders, the impact it had on her, and how leaders can cultivate communities marked by shalom and hesed.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Jenai Auman shares her struggles with toxic issues and resistance at a church where she was on staff.Advocacy for personal boundaries led to Jenai being labeled as the problem and asked to leave the church.Individuals often remain in unhealthy environments due to a shallow understanding of love and belonging, influenced by past trauma.Jenai Auman identifies with domestic violence survivors in her determination to fix the system from within.Through her painful experience, Jenai Auman gained transformative wisdom and spiritual growth.Emphasizing the importance of healing, Jenai Auman aims to avoid bitterness and repeating the harm done to her.The hesed of God demonstrates loving kindness and compassion, aiming for wholeness in a fractured world.The zero-sum game misconception causes competition for comfort and peace, but God's shalom advocates for abundance.By adopting an open-handed posture towards others, we mirror God's nature, fostering inclusivity and belonging.Jenai Auman advises those feeling othered to recognize their inherent belovedness without seeking external validation.Church leaders should focus on self-reflection and compassion, avoiding defensive othering.Jenai Auman discusses the concept of shalom as a state of peace involving love, wisdom, and understanding personal stories.Naming experiences of othering is crucial for healing, enabling reconciliation and peace.Jenai Auman reflects on how her experiences with othering have shaped her understanding of mutuality and divine love.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Jenai Auman:WebsiteSubstackEmailBooks mentioned:Othered, by Jenai AumanRelated episodes:82: Narcissism and Spiritual Leadership, with Chuck DeGroat92. Against a Culture of Abuse, with Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer163. You Can't Be Found if You're Never Lost, with Steve CarterClick HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Host Curtis Chang sits down with Pastor Caleb Campbell, author of the new book Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor. Caleb shares his powerful journey from disenfranchised young churchgoer to neo-nazi, and ultimately, his transformation into an evangelical pastor with a desire to reach adherents of Christian Nationalism. Together, Curtis and Caleb explore how our friends and neighbors become entangled in the worship of nationalism and political power and offer practical steps for inviting these individuals into meaningful relationships that foster hope and change.   Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!    Listen to Songs For the After Party, get sheet music, lyrics, and prayers for your church   Donate to Redeeming Babel HERE   Order Caleb E. Campbell's book: Disarming Leviathan Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor   REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE:   Rich Mullins' Song: Sometimes By Step   Galatians 6:1-2 NIV   Tim Keller: Preaching to the Collective Heart (blog post)   Pete Scazzaro's book: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality