Podcasts about Spiritual direction

— In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to become disconnected—from ourselves, from one another, and from the natural world. We're constantly chasing the next task, the next notification, the next destination, often forgetting that some of life's greatest healing happens when we simply slow down and pay attention. But what if one of the most powerful practices for reducing stress, restoring mental clarity, and reconnecting with a deeper sense of peace wasn't another productivity hack—but simply spending intentional time among the treesToday, we're exploring the beautiful practice of forest bathing, also known as Shinrin-yoku—a gentle invitation to step away from the noise of everyday life and immerse ourselves in nature through our senses. We'll talk about the growing science behind this practice, how it supports our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being, and why slowing down may be one of the most profound pathways to joy. Valeria sits with Amanda Chapman   — She has been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 1997 and has worked with people from all walks of life and ages from diverse backgrounds.  Amanda is also a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy; a Certified Heart Math Practitioner; a Certified Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapist; and a Certified Life Coach, with a specialty in Spiritual Direction. Amanda currently offers both counseling and nature-based services through a branch of Elizabethton Counseling and Arts Center, located at Shakti in the Mountains, in Johnson City, Tennessee.  Within her practice, Amanda specializes in what she calls Psycho-Spiritual Counseling, a blend of traditional psychotherapy or "talk therapy", outdoor or nature connection experiences, and spiritual direction or guidance. In addition to her counseling services, Amanda offers seasonal forest bathing experiences, which are guided nature walks, inspired by the Japanese practice of "shinrin-yoku," an outdoor practice that opens doors for physical and mental system regulation and relaxation and a reconnection to Mother Earth.  Amanda also offers workshops and facilitates community talks on various subjects, such as Spiritual Awakenings, How to Age with Grace and Gusto, the Hidden Powers of the Highly Sensitive Person, Animal Communication, and Embracing the Inner Child. She also hosts and guides a local monthly group that explores the nature of reality and spirituality.  Amanda's personal story of spiritual awakening will be coming out in a soon-to-be published nonfiction anthology, What Happened Next: Stories of Life Altering Encounters, and she is currently working on her memoir.  Amanda is a proud native of her community and loves sharing the magic of what nature and spirit can do for our hearts, bodies, and minds. When not working, Amanda can be found spending time with her granddaughter or just sitting in silence in her backyard woods, listening to the birds and watching the deer and squirrels, and the occasional neighborhood bear.  To learn more about Amanda Chapman and her work, please visit: https://www.oneforestworld.com/

Is it possible to be a strong leader with a healthy soul? Let's be honest — prioritizing soul care can feel at odds with the results-driven culture that sometimes exists in ministry. Even so, the Good Shepherd invites us to slow down to receive the nourishment and refreshment that will not only bless us, but also those we lead. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi has a conversation with Adam Jungeblut — a pastor of 22 years and soon-to-be graduate of the Soul Shepherding Certificate in Spiritual Direction program. His story illustrates how even the most driven leaders benefit from creating space to heal, grow, and overflow. You'll gain practical insight to help you stay on mission while also prioritizing soul care practices like solitude, silence, and empathy. Resources for this Episode Books and Guides: Your Best Life in Jesus' Easy Yoke: Rhythms of Grace to De-Stress and Live Empowered Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God's Great Empathy for You Lectio Divina Guides Further Support:  Sabbatical Guide (Includes Meeting with a Sabbatical Coach) Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director Earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat

In this conversation, bestselling historian Bart Ehrman argues that ideas we now take for granted—caring for strangers, helping those in need and expanding our moral concern beyond family and tribe—were anything but obvious in the ancient world.Bart has spent much of his career challenging traditional Christian beliefs. But in Love Thy Stranger he makes a surprising historical case for Christianity's positive legacy, while remaining candid about the harm the church has also caused. Along the way we explore Jesus' relationship to Judaism, why the early church may have changed his teaching on forgiveness, whether Christianity transformed the moral imagination of the West, and what—if anything—we stand to lose as faith continues to decline.After the interview, Nomad hosts Tim and Nick wrestle with what it means to be shaped by Jesus' moral vision while no longer holding all the beliefs that once came with it.Interview starts at 11m 44sBooks, quotes, links →The creation of Nomad's thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad's online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Homegrown Conversations, and Nomad Revisited.If you'd like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listener mug!If a monthly commitment isn't possible right now, a one-off donation is always deeply appreciated—you can do that here.Looking to connect with others nearby? Check out the Listener Map or join our Nomad Gathering Facebook group.And if you're up for sharing your own story, we regularly post reflections from listeners on our blog—all with the hope of fostering deeper understanding, connection and supportive relationships. If you'd like to share your story on the blog, contact us for more information here.

Why the AI conversation is bigger than functionality The hidden story underneath productivity and efficiency When accomplishment becomes a measure of human worth Why peace should be the source of work, not the reward for it Navigating religion when the rest of life is falling apart Spirituality as something that encompasses the whole person Signs that a religious system may be functioning like a cult The danger of institutions claiming exclusive access to God What healthy spiritual practice should actually produce Phoebe Bridgers and the power of familiar-yet-challenging art Why great artists invite rather than demand Art, friendship, and love as forces that meet us where we are and move us forward Links For Justin:Read Justin's SubstackOrder In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of PoemsOrder Sacred StridesJustinMcRoberts.comSupport this podcastNEW Single - Let GoNEW Music - Sliver of HopeNEW Music - The Dood and The BirdThe Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

Imagine a standing coffee date with a friend who talks at you the entire time, looks at their watch, and then says, “Gotta go! This was great!” You'd walk away feeling pretty unsatisfied. The level of intimacy we can reach is limited when conversation remains one-sided. But, too often, we treat our prayer lives the exact same way. We focus on how well we said our prayers instead of stopping to listen to what God wants to say back. This week, Jonna Schuster, author of Hearing God's Voice, joins me to talk about listening prayer. We dive into its theological foundations, the four primary "languages" God uses to communicate, and how learning to hear His voice shifts our daily mission from a heavy burden into a rest-filled collaboration. Episode Timeline: [00:00] – Introduction [01:21] – Jonna's origin story [08:34] – What inspired Hearing God's Voice [14:00] – The scriptural foundation for listening prayer [18:00] – The 4 languages of God: seeing, hearing, feeling, and thinking [24:41] – Receiving God in the mode of the receiver [27:58] – Physical vs. emotional feelings in prayer [35:01] – Asking God for practical solutions and wisdom [39:33] – Overcoming the biggest obstacles to hearing God [46:56] – How listening prayer complements Catholic devotions [50:50] – Moving from performance anxiety to rest and intimacy [53:02] – What church renewal looks like when prayer becomes the norm [59:01] – Where to begin and how to find Jonna's work Resources Mentioned CatholicRevivalMinistries.com Hearing God's Voice ⭐️ Enjoying the Show? If The EquipCast is helping you navigate the realities of parish leadership, please take 60 seconds to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your review helps other tired ministry leaders find these tools and realize they don't have to walk this path alone! Connect & Take the Next Step: Grab Your Free Tools: Get the playbook that actually changes lives at EverydayEvangelization.org. Bring This to Your Parish: Discover strategic training and accompaniment at Anchor Consulting. Read the Book: Order your copy of A Clear Path: How to Make Missionary Disciples in Your Parish. The EquipCast is powered by Everyday Evangelization in conjunction with Anchor Consulting, delivering practical evangelization strategies and parish ministry tools to help you leave your ministry better than you found it. Copyright © 2026 Anchor Consulting. All rights reserved.

What does it mean to become a man? And who teaches us how? In this episode, Tim is joined by author Shannon Kearns to explore the stories, expectations and assumptions that shape masculinity. Drawing on his experience as a trans man, Shannon offers a unique perspective on what it means to consciously navigate a world that many assume comes naturally.Together they explore male loneliness, friendship, vulnerability, violence, faith, and the quiet fear many men carry of not being enough. Rather than offering another culture-war take on masculinity, this conversation asks a more generous question: what might it look like to improvise a better way of being a man?After the interview, Nomad hosts Tim and Joy reflect on their own experiences of gender, friendship and vulnerability, and wonder whether some of the familiar stories we tell about men and women are quite as simple as they seem.Interview starts at 13m 13s Books, quotes, links →The creation of Nomad's thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad's online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Homegrown Conversations, and Nomad Revisited.If you'd like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listener mug!If a monthly commitment isn't possible right now, a one-off donation is always deeply appreciated—you can do that here.Looking to connect with others nearby? Check out the Listener Map or join our Nomad Gathering Facebook group.And if you're up for sharing your own story, we regularly post reflections from listeners on our blog—all with the hope of fostering deeper understanding, connection and supportive relationships. If you'd like to share your story on the blog, contact us for more information here.

This week, we offer an exclusive For the Journey conversation between Rev. Bill Haley and Dr. Margot Eyring, Coracle's Spiritual Direction Coordinator. They discuss the ins and outs of Spiritual Direction both for recipients and for practitioners. If you've ever considered finding a spiritual director or becoming one, we hope you find this conversation helpful!Learn More About Spiritual Direction through CoracleView Our Complete Archive of “Space for God” Prayer Practicesinthecoracle.org  |  @inthecoracleSupport the showFor the Journey is a resource of the Coracle Center of Formation for Action and is made possible through the generous support of men and women across the globe.

Meet Jeannine Peters Jeannine Peters is a certified spiritual director with an MA in Religion and Religious Education from Providence College and an MA in Theology from The Catholic University of America. She is certified in Theology of the Body through the Theology of the Body Institute, trained in Unbound Healing Prayer through Heart of the Father Ministries, and holds a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Divine Mercy University. Jeannine lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their two daughters. A Story Shaped by "The Hound of Heaven" Jeannine opens up about how Francis Thompson's classic poem "The Hound of Heaven" became the lens through which she understands her own faith journey — a soul running from God, only to be relentlessly, patiently pursued by Him until she finally surrendered. Growing Up in Chaos, Finding God in Lourdes Jeannine shares candidly about growing up in an alcoholic, emotionally abusive household, and how a spontaneous, unplanned visit to Lourdes, France set the stage for one of the most significant turning points in her life — an unplanned pregnancy in her mid-to-late twenties that ultimately drew her back to God. Healing Through Theology of the Body and ACA Jeannine describes how studying Theology of the Body helped her understand her worth and dignity intellectually, while Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) gave her the practical tools to actually live out that healing — teaching her how to be authentically herself with God, her husband, and her children. A Miraculous Reunion Thirty-one years after placing her birth daughter for adoption, Jeannine shares the incredible story of how her daughter reached out, and how God orchestrated an unplanned meeting in the same state at the same time — allowing Jeannine to hold her daughter for the first time since birth, on her daughter's birthday. Her Message of Hope Jeannine closes with an encouraging word for anyone struggling to trust God: He is faithful, He never gives up on us, and He meets us exactly where we are, even in our smallest steps of surrender. Learn more about Jeannine and her ministry at jeanninepeters.com #CatholicWomenNow #JeanninePeters #HoundOfHeaven #TheologyOfTheBody #CatholicAdoption #BirthMother #AdoptiveMother #SpiritualDirector #UnboundPrayer #CatholicFaithJourney #CatholicPodcast #IowaCatholicRadio Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our StationsLINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post your thoughts here. If you want a reply email me at connectTFJ@yahoo.com. I look forward to hearing from you.What if the most important relationship on your spiritual journey isn't with a book, a doctrine, or even a church? It could be one wise person willing to walk beside you.In a culture of DIY religion, I offer reasons why spiritual mentorship is vital, based on my 50 years of ordained ministry. I share some of my journey and examples from history to help you find the mentor you need.I talk honestly about ordination in today's faith traditions, marked by uneven standards across denominations, and the ongoing exclusion of women and LGBTQIA+ people from ministry.I think you'll come away with a clearer sense of what to look for in a spiritual guide and the encouragement to go find one, whatever your tradition or season of life.Support the showSubscribe to this podcast for only $5 per month to get a monthly bonus episode, access to exclusive subscriber-only episodes, and the POSTINGS weekly newsletter on Substack with more resources for well-being!Subscribe at https://tracksforthejourney.buzzsprout.comEnjoy the Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@tracksforthejourney77 

We're joined by Sarah McDonald, communications director in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, with Clarion Herald update. Dina Dow, director of evangelization and catechesis in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, joins us. Dr. Tom Neal, Chief of Evangelization and Mission Engagement of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee with Catholic 101 segment where we will answer questions about spiritual direction.

Join Dan and Stephanie Burke as they discuss what a good spiritual direction session should look like, the importance of prayer before meeting, how frequenting the Sacraments helps draw you deeper, and more! Resources: Avila Summit: Spiritual Warfare and the Family - event Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits - video series Discernment of Spirits for Beginners - Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett & Dan Burke Into the Deep - video series Finding Peace in the Storm - Dan Burke Into the Deep – Dan Burke Spiritual Warfare and the Discernment of Spirits - Dan Burke The Contemplative Rosary - Dan Burke and Connie Rossini A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness - Susan Brinkmann OCDS SpiritualDirection.com/Events - website Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation EWTN Religious Catalogue – online

What is the difference between counseling and spiritual direction?In this episode, Dr. Fredrick J. Long, Ben Hundley, and Patrick Holley explore one of the most important questions in Christian formation:Which better facilitates love—counseling or spiritual direction?Along the way, they discuss empathy, spiritual formation, God's will, emotional healing, Christian counseling, prayer, discernment, and what it means to help people grow in their relationship with God.Are these two approaches fundamentally different, or do they overlap more than we realize?Join the conversation and let us know what you think.#faith #bible #christian #christianity #jesus #counseling #therapy #guidance #spiritual #christ #love #podcast #conversation Study deeper with GlossaHouse:

Join Dan and Stephanie Burke as they discussion what a good spiritual direction session looks like. Don't miss out as they discuss the importance of praying before meeting your spiritual director, frequenting the Sacraments, and more!

This week, we offer an exclusive For the Journey conversation between Rev. Bill Haley and Dr. Jason Swan Clark, a pastor, theologian, spiritual director, and currently the Director of the London Centre for Spiritual Direction. Jason shares deeply from his journey to and through faith, opening up many wonderful rabbit trails for Bill to follow on theosis, Ignatian spirituality, ecumenism, and even the Enneagram.Learn More About Spiritual Direction through Coracleinthecoracle.org  |  @inthecoracleSupport the showFor the Journey is a resource of the Coracle Center of Formation for Action and is made possible through the generous support of men and women across the globe.

How do you hold onto a spiritual tradition after being deeply disappointed by the people who represent it? That's a question Swami Padmanabha — a Hindu monk, teacher and author of Evolution in Divine Love — has had to wrestle with more than once. Rather than walking away, those experiences led him into a deeper exploration of authority, uncertainty, love and the possibility that healthy traditions are those that continue to evolve.In this conversation, Tim and Swami explore what it means to stay rooted without becoming rigid, to question without becoming cynical, and to remain open to wisdom wherever it is found. Along the way they discover some surprising resonances between Hinduism and Christianity, and ask whether the future of religion might depend less on having all the answers and more on learning how to keep growing.After the interview, Tim is joined by Nick to reflect on what stayed with them most. From caring for God as though God were a child, to learning from other faith traditions without losing your own roots, they explore where Swami's vision resonated, where it challenged them, and the questions they're still left pondering.Interview starts at 12m 48sBooks, quotes, links →The creation of Nomad's thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad's online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Homegrown Conversations, and Nomad Revisited.If you'd like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listener mug!If a monthly commitment isn't possible right now, a one-off donation is always deeply appreciated—you can do that here.Looking to connect with others nearby? Check out the Listener Map or join our Nomad Gathering Facebook group.And if you're up for sharing your own story, we regularly post reflections from listeners on our blog—all with the hope of fostering deeper understanding, connection and supportive relationships. If you'd like to share your story on the blog, contact us for more information here.

In Episode 198, we explore John 8:12-20 and Jesus' powerful declaration of His identity and mission. Jesus speaks to the people and says: "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." It's a simple statement, but it's profoundly significant. Jesus is offering a choice between two ways of living: You can walk in darkness, or you can follow Him and walk in light. You can stumble and be lost, or you can see clearly and find your way. Through guided meditation, discover what darkness represents: confusion, lostness, stumbling around without knowing where you're going, making decisions without clarity or direction, being blind to what's real. And what is light? Clarity. Vision. Being able to see where you're going. Understanding your path. Seeing reality as it actually is. Jesus is saying: I am that light. If you follow Me, you won't stumble in darkness. You'll see. You'll understand. You'll know the way. But the Pharisees challenge Him: "You're making claims about yourself. That's not valid testimony." They're saying: You can't just declare who you are. You need external validation. You need witnesses. And Jesus responds with something remarkable: "These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going." Jesus is saying: I don't need your validation. I know who I am. I know where I came from—from the Father. I know where I'm going—back to the Father. I have complete self-knowledge and complete clarity about My identity and My mission. This episode explores what Jesus promises to those who follow Him: "If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness." Not because you'll understand everything. Not because all your questions will be answered. But because you'll have light. You'll have clarity about what matters most. You'll have direction. The Pharisees are still in darkness. They don't know who Jesus is. They don't know who the Father is. They're judging by human standards, by their own logic, by their own understanding. And that blinds them to the truth standing right in front of them. But anyone who follows Jesus—anyone who says yes to His light—doesn't have to stay in that darkness. You can see. You can understand. You can walk with confidence because you have light. Learn why following Jesus doesn't require seeing the entire journey ahead, but rather trusting the light that illuminates the next step. Discover practical steps for identifying areas of darkness in your life and inviting Jesus' light to illuminate confusion, lostness, and uncertainty. Find the freedom and confidence that comes from walking in clarity rather than stumbling in darkness.

Love, Community, and Truth: A Conversation with Natalie Runion In Episode 144 of Divine Table Talk, Jamie and Jane welcome Natalie Runion—USA Today bestselling author, speaker, worship leader, and founder of the Raised to Stay community—for an honest conversation about love, biblical community, and living in truth. Drawing from her experiences in ministry and the messages of her bestselling books Raised to Stay and The House That Jesus Built, Natalie shares how believers can pursue healing without abandoning the Church, embrace authentic Christian community, and hold tightly to truth while extending grace. Together, they discuss the beauty of imperfect people pursuing a perfect Savior and why healthy relationships are essential to spiritual growth. Whether you've experienced church hurt, are longing for deeper community, or simply want to love people more like Jesus, this conversation will encourage you to remain rooted in Christ and committed to building His Church. Learn more about Natalie, her ministry, speaking events, books, and the Raised to Stay community at: NatalieRunion.com ____________________________________ Connect with Jamie: Website: www.jamieklusacek.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieklusacek Connect with Jane: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewwilliams ____________________________________   Get Jamie's Newest Book: Living Loved: An 8-week Journey to Living Fully Loved

What if the thing keeping you from writing isn't discipline or time — it's that your creative life and your spiritual life are running on the same energy, and both are closing?Charlotte Donlon breaks down why most creative blocks aren't blocks at all — they're spiritual closings. And when you stop creating, it doesn't just affect your art. It affects everything: your mood, your relationships, your sense of self.What you'll learn:Why not writing makes you worse at everything elseHow your creative soul and spiritual life mirror each otherThe nourishing rhythms practice that replaces "write every day"Charlotte Donlon is an author, certified life coach, and trained spiritual director who has spent 15 years working at the intersection of creativity and contemplative spirituality. Her book Spiritual Direction for Writers offers a framework for writers who feel called to create but keep getting in their own way.Find Charlotte's book Spiritual Direction for Writers and all links at: mindlove.com/463Ready to nourish your creative soul with real support? Join the free Mind Love Collective for monthly themed calls and weekly challenge accountability. mindlove.com/joinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does ministry look like when your pulpit is a newspaper column? In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald sits down with Rev. Mara Richards Bim — pastor, spiritual director, and journalist — for a conversation about practicing faith outside the sanctuary. Mara traces her path from founding a Dallas theater company, to seminary, to breaking some of the most consequential immigration stories in North Texas. Along the way, she and TJ find the thread connecting the minister and the reporter: the discipline of sitting with hard things and refusing to look away. They talk about: Cry Havoc Theater, and how interview-based storytelling led to journalism Writing for Baptist News Global as a Clemons Fellow Tracing attempted property purchases in Hutchins, Texas, back to the federal government The movement of detained people through Dallas Love Field — and why that story hasn't gained the same traction What clergy witnessed together on the front lines in Minneapolis Covering CPAC, and the toll of bearing witness to hate Why spiritual care has to include care for the body Faith voices in the public square, and reclaiming ground from Christian nationalism How any calling — not just ministry — can be a place where your faith shows up About Rev. Mara Richards Bim: Rev. Mara Richards Bim is a pastor, writer and spiritual director. Mara graduated from SMU's Perkins School of Theology in 2024 with a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction. After graduation, she served as the Program Director at Faith Commons. Mara was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by Royal Lane in 2025. Previously, Mara had a 20-year career as an award-winning theatre artist. She founded the nationally acclaimed Cry Havoc Theater Company which operated in Dallas from 2014-2023. In 2020 Mara received the Holloway Family Foundation's Visionary Leadership Award and in 2021 she was named one of D Magazine's "78 Women Changing the Face of Dallas." Mara is a Clemons Fellow at Baptist News Global where she regularly writes about the intersection of religion and politics, focusing on the threats posed by Christian fascism. She serves on the Leadership Council of Texas Impact and is also an active volunteer with Christians Against Christian Nationalism. She is the first Justice & Advocacy Fellow in the newly-launched Prophetic Leadership Program at Royal Lane. Mara and her family reside in Plano, Texas. Links Referenced Below https://baptistnews.com/article/autho... https://baptistnews.com/article/city-... https://baptistnews.com/article/who-i...

Join Dan and Stephanie Burke as they discuss why you should not be friends with your spiritual director, how it impacts the director-mentee relationship, and other ways to destroy your spiritual direction relationship! Resources: Avila Summit: Spiritual Warfare and the Family - event Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits - video series Discernment of Spirits for Beginners - Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett & Dan Burke Into the Deep - video series Finding Peace in the Storm - Dan Burke Into the Deep – Dan Burke Spiritual Warfare and the Discernment of Spirits - Dan Burke The Contemplative Rosary - Dan Burke and Connie Rossini A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness - Susan Brinkmann OCDS SpiritualDirection.com/Events - website Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation EWTN Religious Catalogue – online

Preaching for the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, Joanna Arellano-Gonzalez offers a reflection on Jesus's radical honoring of women's dignity and choice of Mary Magdalene as witness and first apostle of the Resurrection:"To dismiss the witness and leadership of women is to ignore the example Jesus gave us. To disregard the messenger is to disregard the One who sent her."Joanna Arellano-Gonzalez is a proud first-generation Mexican-American from the La Villita neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. She is a co-founder and Director of Training and Formation at the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL), a Catholic and Christian-rooted community organizing coalition that advances community transformation through spirituality and grassroots organizing. She holds a Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality from Fordham University, with a concentration in Spiritual Direction.Visit https://www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/07222026 to learn more about Joanna, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Join Dan and Stephanie Burke as they discuss ways a person can destroy their relationship with their spiritual director. Don't miss out on part one of this 2-part series on why you should not be friends with your director and how that impacts your director-mentee relationship!

Are you secretly exhausted from trying to get an "A" in your spiritual life?In this laugh-filled reunion on the Interviewing Jesus Podcast, host Kristen Wambach welcomes back theological researcher and spiritual director Jessica Morris to dismantle the performance-driven engines of modern devotion. Together, they dive into Luke 9:23 to help you trade the legalistic courtroom of religious perfectionism for the effortless living room of grace. Pull up a chair to learn how to drop the burden of striving, step into a continuous spiritual flow, and find radical peace by unsubscribing from urgency.Key Conversation Breakthroughs: The Mirror of Spiritual Direction: We break down the quiet mystery of holding space, revealing why a spiritual director isn't there to fix your behavior but to help you drop your guard and rest in the Father's presence. Balancing Trauma Excavation with Grace: We wrestle with inner healing, sharing how to prevent deep soul-work and "dying to self" from becoming a performance-based chore, anchoring you in wholeness instead. Moving from Broken Cisterns to Absolute Peace: When people inevitably fail us, we explore how to anchor your inner stability solely in the unshakeable nature of Jesus. The Paradigm Shift: From "Use" to "Flow": We challenge the idea of being a tool "used" by God, shifting instead to a blueprint of becoming open channels for the Holy Spirit to flow through effortlessly. Luke 9:23 and Your True I Amness: Leaning into the Mirror Translation, we explore the liberating truth that His cross is your cross—fully finished so self-effort can finally stall out. Jesus Isn't Grading Your Faith: Jessica shares a personal story that shatters her own religious scorecard, offering the profound relief that God isn't grading your performance. Unsubscribing from Urgency: (Music Video) We unpack a live testimony from a recovery circle that redefines what it means to live in the "now." Learn how to identify frantic timelines as a trauma response and step firmly into the unhurried timing of a gentleman Savior.

For many Christian parents, the message was simple: if you follow the biblical formula, your children will grow into faithful, flourishing adults. But what if those promises were never true? In this episode, Tim speaks with Marissa Burt, co-author of The Myth of Good Christian Parenting, about the rise of the evangelical parenting movement, the fears that fuelled it, and the hidden assumptions about authority, obedience and control that shaped generations of families.Drawing on historical research and the stories of both parents and adult children, Marissa explores how well-intentioned families were often let down by systems that offered certainty where none could be guaranteed. Together, they discuss the relationship between love and control, the impact of shame and spiritual authority, and what healthier, more hopeful approaches to parenting and faith might look like today.After the interview, Tim is joined by his wife Hannah to reflect on how the conversation resonated with their own experiences of growing up in evangelical families, and how it has shaped the way they're raising their son, Elliot. Together they explore themes of fear, control, corporal punishment, questioning authority, and what it means to pass on faith without trying to control the outcome.Interview starts at 16m 19sBooks, quotes, links →The creation of Nomad's thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad's online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Homegrown Conversations, and Nomad Revisited.If you'd like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listener mug!If a monthly commitment isn't possible right now, a one-off donation is always deeply appreciated—you can do that here.Looking to connect with others nearby? Check out the Listener Map or join our Nomad Gathering Facebook group.And if you're up for sharing your own story, we regularly post reflections from listeners on our blog—all with the hope of fostering deeper understanding, connection and supportive relationships. If you'd like to share your story on the blog, contact us for more information here.

Those of us who have a zeal for serving God often don't realize we're susceptible to running too hard for too long. We might not see our need for rest until we're weary, exhausted, or overwhelmed. Whether you're burned out or simply desiring a sacred season of renewal — all of us need extended times of rest for healing, discernment, and deeper intimacy with Jesus. ​Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss the importance of rhythms, such as retreat and Sabbatical for all followers of Jesus. You'll learn how powerful longer, immersive experiences of rest are for cultivating health and wholeness in everyday life and ministry. Resources for this Episode: Your Best Life in Jesus' Easy Yoke: Rhythms of Grace to De-Stress and Live Empowered Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

This week, we are reconnecting with Dr. Susan Phillips, who has been a long-standing presence at Regent Summer School. This year, she will be back teaching Contemplative Listening: The Foundation of Spiritual Friendship and Direction from July 20-31. Susan has many years of experience as a spiritual director, researcher and teacher. In this conversation, she shares with us about listening as vocation and sanctuary. She also shares helpful perspectives on the transformative power of listening, why it's so hard to listen, how we slowly build trust in listening relationships, and balance empathy and self-care. As you listen, we hope you receive an invitation to slow down and notice the kind voice of God in your life.Susan's BioA spiritual director and professor of sociology and Christian spirituality, Susan S. Phillips earned a PhD in sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, and served as the Executive Director of New College Berkeley, an affiliate of the Graduate Theological Union, from 1994 to 2022. In addition to teaching in a number of institutions within the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, and serving on its doctoral faculty, Susan has taught for many years at Fuller Theological Seminary, Regent College, and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Her books, like her teaching, explore the intersection of Christian spirituality and social science, and include the award-winning Crisis of Care: Affirming and Restoring Caring Practices in the Helping Profession (Georgetown University Press, 1995), Candlelight: Illuminating the Art of Spiritual Direction (Morehouse, 2008), and The Cultivated Life: From Ceaseless Striving to Receiving Joy (IVP, 2015). Susan loves listening to people as they pray and seek the Holy in spiritual direction, retreats, and everyday life. Related ContentPrevious Podcast AppearancesOn Spiritual Practice (Nov 2017)Spiritual Direction, with John Lunn (June 2018)Spiritual Practices in Community (Nov 2021)Regent Vine ArticleAdvent: God Forges a Path (Dec 5, 2025)Regent College PodcastThanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social MediaFacebookInstagramYoutubeKeep in TouchRegent CollegeThe Regent VineSummer ProgramsRegent College NewsletterSupport UsGive Back

This episode is a listener Q&A covering some surprisingly connected themes: ambition, gratitude, creativity, faith, neurodivergence, and artificial intelligence. Justin explores: Why “being held back” isn't always something to overcome. How gratitude changes our relationship with ambition. What to do when your faith feels like it's falling apart. ADHD, executive functioning, and practical ways to get unstuck. Why creativity begins with play rather than performance. Whether AI can actually participate in the creative process. Why the tools we use ultimately shape the people we become. Referenced: Austin Kleon – Don't Call It Art C.S. Lewis on beauty The Atlantic AI Search Database Spiritual direction as a practice of discernment Links For Justin:Read Justin's SubstackOrder In The Low - NEW Book with Scott EricksonCoaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of PoemsOrder Sacred StridesJustinMcRoberts.comSupport this podcastNEW Single - Let GoNEW Music - Sliver of HopeNEW Music - The Dood and The BirdThe Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

What does faith look like in a time of rising Islamophobia, Christian nationalism, and division? In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald sits down with Rev. Mara Richards Bim and immigration attorney Zainab Khan for an honest conversation about what's happening in North Texas and across the country. Together, they explore how fear and misinformation are fueling anti-Muslim hate, why Christian nationalism is growing, and what people of faith can do to build stronger communities. They talk about: Islamophobia in Texas Christian nationalism and its impact on faith communities Immigration, belonging, and religious freedom How Christians, Muslims, and people of all faiths can stand together Simple ways to support your neighbors and make a difference in your community About Rev. Mara Richards Bim: Rev. Mara Richards Bim is a pastor, writer and spiritual director. Mara graduated from SMU's Perkins School of Theology in 2024 with a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction. After graduation, she served as the Program Director at Faith Commons. Mara was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by Royal Lane in 2025. Previously, Mara had a 20-year career as an award-winning theatre artist. She founded the nationally acclaimed Cry Havoc Theater Company which operated in Dallas from 2014-2023. In 2020 Mara received the Holloway Family Foundation's Visionary Leadership Award and in 2021 she was named one of D Magazine's "78 Women Changing the Face of Dallas." Mara is a Clemons Fellow at Baptist News Global where she regularly writes about the intersection of religion and politics, focusing on the threats posed by Christian fascism. She serves on the Leadership Council of Texas Impact and is also an active volunteer with Christians Against Christian Nationalism. She is the first Justice & Advocacy Fellow in the newly-launched Prophetic Leadership Program at Royal Lane. Mara and her family reside in Plano, Texas. About Zainab Khan: Zainab Khan serves as the Managing Attorney for the Immigration Detention Project that is funded by Dallas Area Interfaith and housed in the Texas A&M University School of Law Legal Clinic. The Immigration Detention Project helps eligible detainees seek release form immigration detention, whether through bond hearings in immigration court or habeas petitions in federal court. Prior to joining Texas A&M Law, Ms. Khan was a federal public defender, first in the Southern District of California, and most recently in the Northern District of Texas, defending the rights of the accused. Before that, she was a fellow at the Muslim Legal Fund of America, where she worked on criminal cases and civil rights cases affecting Muslim Americans. Ms. Khan is a graduate of the Southern Methodist University School of Law and the University of Texas at Dallas.

In this episode, Tim talks with sex therapist and author Tina Schermer Sellers about the hidden legacy of religious sexual shame and the impact it can have on our relationships, our spirituality, and our sense of self. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Tina explores how messages absorbed in childhood can shape the way we experience our bodies, desire, intimacy, and even our understanding of God. Together they discuss purity culture, embodiment, safety, trust, and why our bodies often hold onto shame long after our beliefs have changed.Along the way, Tina offers a more hopeful and life-giving vision of sexuality—one rooted not in fear or control, but in connection, pleasure, mutuality, and belovedness. The conversation explores eros as a life force, the possibility of healing through relationships, and how we might begin to reclaim our bodies as places of joy, wisdom, and even divine encounter.Following the interview, Tim is joined by his wife Hannah for a thoughtful and often humorous conversation about growing up with evangelical messages around sex, dating and relationships. Together they reflect on shame, intimacy, safety, eros, and what it means to raise children with a healthier relationship to their bodies, desires and sense of self.Interview starts at 19m 08sBooks, quotes, links →The creation of Nomad's thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad's online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Homegrown Conversations, and Nomad Revisited.If you'd like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listener mug!If a monthly commitment isn't possible right now, a one-off donation is always deeply appreciated—you can do that here.Looking to connect with others nearby? Check out the Listener Map or join our Nomad Gathering Facebook group.And if you're up for sharing your own story, we regularly post reflections from listeners on our blog—all with the hope of fostering deeper understanding, connection and supportive relationships. If you'd like to share your story on the blog, contact us for more information here.

All of us long to experience the renewal of deep, soul-nourishing rest. Trying to rest through entertainment or "zoning out" often leaves us feeling more restless than before. Even some vacations are not truly restful. What does it look like to genuinely recover and recharge in body, mind, and spirit? ​Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi teach us how to take a real rest with Jesus. You'll learn how to differentiate between temporary relief and holistic renewal as you grow in the ability to practice soul care alongside the Good Shepherd. Resources for this Episode: Join Our Free Devotional Email List Your Best Life in Jesus' Easy Yoke: Rhythms of Grace to De-Stress and Live Empowered Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Mark Scandrette has spent over twenty years wrestling with a hard realization: knowing a lot about God doesn't mean you're good at following Jesus. Dave Kludt spent fifteen years in pastoral ministry learning that everything, down to how you arrange the chairs in a room, forms people. Together they co-teach a Doctor of Ministry cohort at Fuller Seminary built around two words: integral and embodied. Mark is the founder of Reimagine and author of Practicing the Way of Jesus and The Ninefold Path of Jesus, and a longtime friend of the podcast (he first joined us back on episode 112). Dave is the president of Reimagine's board, a former pastor of 15 years, and Mark's partner in this new cohort, a Substack, and an upcoming podcast.IN THIS CONVERSATION:Why "getting more information" doesn't lead to transformation, and what doesWhat Dave means by an "integral" approach to formation, and why it starts with facing the world's fractures honestlyWhat Mark means by "embodied" formation, and the Learning Lab model Reimagine uses to teach by doingWhy the leader of a Learning Lab has to be a participant, not just an expertMoving from a "closed fist" to an "open hand" posture toward your next stepWhy discomfort with failure gets in the way of formation in many churchesHow Mark and Dave use the Enneagram as a formation tool, not a personality quizThe "formation edges" Mark and Dave are each working on right nowMark and Dave's hopes for the Fuller Doctor of Ministry cohort on integral and embodied formationRELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:markscandrette.com — Mark's websitereimagine.org — Mark and Dave's organizationFuller Seminary's Doctor of Ministry programBooks mentioned:Practicing the Way of Jesus, by Mark ScandretteThe Ninefold Path of Jesus, by Mark ScandretteRELATED EPISODES:The Beatitudes and Spiritual Leadership, with Mark ScandretteThe Spiritual Life of a Leader, with Tod BolsingerThe Neuroscience of Spiritual Formation, with Jim WilderSend me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Many of us have learned that forgiveness includes minimizing hurt or making superficial reconciliation. These misunderstandings hinder us from stepping into the freedom we long for. Yet the Bible paints a more holistic picture of forgiveness that helps us trust Jesus with our emotions and follow him into relational wisdom. ​Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi bring helpful clarity to what forgiveness is and is not. You'll find the courage to surrender outcomes of conflict to Jesus and experience the settledness of releasing those who hurt you into his hands. Resources for this Episode: Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Abi Millar grew up in a charismatic evangelical church where faith once felt vivid, immediate and full of certainty. But as questions about science, belief, heaven and hell began to press in, that certainty slowly unravelled. In this conversation, Tim talks with Abi about what it cost to leave, the freedom and loss that followed, and the spiritual hunger that eventually re-emerged after a long season of atheism. They also talk about some of the practices Abi explores in her book The Spirituality Gap — including yoga, ayahuasca, tarot and meditation — and the tension between scepticism and openness that runs through her journey. Along the way, the conversation touches on rootedness, community, cultural integrity, and the question of whether spirituality can truly flourish without a shared story or tradition. Following the interview, Nomad hosts Tim and Nick reflect on the burden of heaven and hell, the freedom and loss of leaving evangelical faith, and the search for meaning beyond certainty. They also explore what Abi's journey raises about psychedelics, tarot, rootedness, and the limits of highly individual spirituality.Interview starts at 10m 34sBooks, quotes, links →The creation of Nomad's thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad's online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Homegrown Conversations, and Nomad Revisited.If you'd like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listener mug!If a monthly commitment isn't possible right now, a one-off donation is always deeply appreciated—you can do that here.Looking to connect with others nearby? Check out the Listener Map or join our Nomad Gathering Facebook group.And if you're up for sharing your own story, we regularly post reflections from listeners on our blog—all with the hope of fostering deeper understanding, connection and supportive relationships. If you'd like to share your story on the blog, contact us for more information here.

Host: Steve Macchia, Guests: Susan Currie, Matt Scott "I'm becoming more and more convinced that every leader needs a spiritual director." – Steve Macchia This week's episode of The Discerning Leader Podcast, offers a thoughtful conversation about the transformative practice of spiritual direction. Steve Macchia and Susan Currie explore what spiritual direction is, how it differs from counseling, mentoring, and coaching, and why it has become one of the most meaningful practices for nurturing intimacy with God. Susan shares her own journey into spiritual direction and explains how a spiritual director serves not as someone who fixes problems or gives answers, but as a companion who helps us attend to the presence and voice of the Holy Spirit. Along the way, the conversation explores the importance of contemplative listening, the role of silence, the gift of being deeply heard, and the value of having trusted companions for the journey of faith. Whether you're curious about spiritual direction for the first time or looking to deepen your own practice, this episode offers wisdom, encouragement, and practical guidance for tending the health and vitality of your soul. We've provided a 3 page Soul Care Audit that will offer you a handful of questions to consider how well you're caring for your soul. You can download the PDF here and spend some time prayerfully reflecting on your current rhythms and practices.  Join the conversation about spiritual discernment as a way of life at www.LeadershipTransformations.org and consider participation in our online and in-person program offerings. Additional LTI spiritual formation resources can be found at www.SpiritualFormationStore.com and www.ruleoflife.com and www.healthychurch.net.

Forgiving those who have wronged us is one of the most challenging things to do in apprenticeship to Jesus. It's tempting to rush into surface-level forgiveness in effort to be a “good Christian.” Yet authentic forgiveness requires that we get into our hearts. Often it includes walking through a process of addressing uncomfortable emotions and relational conflict.  Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share honestly about a recent conflict that happened in their relationship. You'll learn from their example how prayer, reflection, and patience are valuable dimensions of forgiveness that lead to greater growth and freedom. Resources for this Episode: Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Join us for our Summer Wisdom Shorts where we share brief thoughts for you to ponder each week. Mentioned in today's episode:For those interested in a checking out spiritual direction to see what it's like contact robertscontemplative@gmail.com to learn more.Some of our show notes contain affiliate links.    We want to save you the effort of looking up resources + we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thanks for your support.

God designed us to flourish in “love one another” relationships. That's why it's impossible to cultivate mental health in isolation. Yet all of us know that relationships can be a complicated blessing, with the temptation to keep our hearts hidden or take too much responsibility for others. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss how to navigate caring for others while also accepting your own limitations and needs. You'll learn how to prioritize the support you need so you can help others carry their burdens without getting drained. Resources for this Episode: Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God's Great Empathy for You Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director Earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

In this episode, Damon Garcia joins us to explore the pressure of trying to find — and faithfully follow — God's plan for your life. Growing up in a Pentecostal and charismatic church culture, Damon was taught that God had a specific calling for each person, and that missing it could mean missing the life you were meant to live. Damon reflects on the anxiety, striving, and self-surveillance that this way of thinking can create, as well as his own complicated journey into ministry and eventual departure from evangelicalism.As the conversation unfolds, the lens widens beyond church culture to ask what happens when one version of calling collapses, only for another to take its place. From hustle culture and monetised gifts to the pressure to “become somebody”, Damon reflects on the ways capitalism shapes our understanding of purpose, success, and worth. Along the way, he offers a gentler alternative: a vision of “small, simple callings” rooted less in grand destiny and more in presence, grace, creativity, and the ordinary life in front of us.Following the interview Nomad hosts Tim and Joy reflect on growing up in Pentecostal and charismatic church cultures where “calling” shaped everything from identity and relationships to work, status, and major life decisions. Together they explore the anxiety of trying to discern God's plan, the hierarchies hidden within church culture, and the ways privilege, power, and gender shaped those callings.Interview starts at 12m 24sBooks, quotes, links →The creation of Nomad's thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad's online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Homegrown Conversations, and Nomad Revisited.If you'd like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listener mug!If a monthly commitment isn't possible right now, a one-off donation is always deeply appreciated—you can do that here.Looking to connect with others nearby? Check out the Listener Map or join our Nomad Gathering Facebook group.And if you're up for sharing your own story, we regularly post reflections from listeners on our blog—all with the hope of fostering deeper understanding, connection and supportive relationships. If you'd like to share your story on the blog, contact us for more information here.

Tara Owens has spent over twenty years as a spiritual director, and she also trains other spiritual directors. She's the author of Embracing the Body, the executive director of a nonprofit, a boxer, and a coaching client of Alan's. That last detail matters, because this conversation is about something most leaders quietly wrestle with: which kind of helper do I actually need right now? Alan and Tara unpack the three lanes (therapy, spiritual direction, and coaching), where each one shines, where leaders most often apply the wrong tool to the wrong problem, and what it cost Tara to finally say yes to a coach after years of resisting it. Who this episode is for If you've been in therapy for a while and have a gut sense the season is shifting but you don't know where to go next. If you've been pursuing growth through one modality and quietly suspect you've been trying to use a hammer on a screw. If you're a leader who's allergic to coaching (or to spiritual direction, or to therapy) and you want to understand what you might actually be allergic to. If you sense you're stuck and you can't tell whether you're stuck in the past, in the present, or in the future. This one is for you. What you'll take away A simple framework for which lane fits which season: therapy integrates your past, spiritual direction sits with you in the present, and coaching is for the leader who needs someone in their corner for the future What spiritual direction actually is (and isn't), and why "director" is a confusing word for what's really a non-anxious, non-manipulative, agenda-free listening presence Why "there are no spiritual direction emergencies" and what that reveals about the slower, deeper work most leaders never make space for The trap of "spiritual cannibalism" that helping professionals (and pastors, and leaders of any kind) need to watch for in themselves Why Tara, a deeply respected spiritual director, had a years-long allergy to coaching and what finally moved her The phrase that named what she was missing: "I didn't have anybody in my life who was for my future" Why the resources you actually need are usually closer than you think, often already on your team and under your nose How to evaluate fit when looking for any of the three, and why "they say they're your coach" doesn't mean they actually are Quotes worth sitting with "There are no spiritual direction emergencies." "You're not Jesus. I'm not Jesus. That's not our job." "I didn't have anybody in my life who was for my future." "Hope is the ground of everything I do, and it's probably my weakest muscle." "So much about coaching is naming and permission." "Ask 'who' instead of 'what.' Some of God's greatest 'what' questions or opportunities are answered by 'who do I need.'" Reflection questions Where are you actually stuck right now: in something from your past, in something happening in your present, or in something you can't see clearly about your future? What's the right partnership for that specific kind of stuck, and have you been trying to solve it with the wrong tool? Who, not what, might be the answer to the next thing God is doing in you? Resources Embracing the Body: Finding God in Our Flesh and Bone by Tara Owens. Learn more about Tara's work at anamcara.com. For coaching, frameworks, and tools to help you lead well, head to h2leadership.com. If you're a leader sensing you need partnership but can't quite name where the gap is, that's exactly the kind of clarity our coaching work is built for. Schedule a breakthrough coaching session.

In this episode on early Christian monasticism, Geoff and regular guest David Clayton explore how the Desert Fathers and Mothers understood sin as discorder (of all kinds) and how asceticism was a path toward freedom to love God and others. They discuss sin not merely as rule-breaking but as patterns that impair clear seeing, free choosing, and loving well. Asceticism is presented as training that frees the heart by reshaping habits, while emphasizing grace, mercy, and the hope to “begin again” each day.Dive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.Stay Connected: Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.Join the Embodied Faith community to stay connected and get posts, episodes, & resources.Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

Special Guest Nicki Behnke joins us to discuss her role as a Spiritual Director and her powerful Mother's Day message. 

What if the deepest encounters with the divine are not dramatic or ecstatic, but quiet, steady, and hidden in ordinary life?Mark Vernon returns to Nomad to explore silence, mysticism, and the search for God after disillusionment. Reflecting on his own journey through priesthood, contemplative practice, psychotherapy and spiritual direction, Mark speaks about finding a form of Christianity rooted less in performance or certainty, and more in attention, presence and the inner life.In this conversation, Tim and Mark discuss The Cloud of Unknowing, Julian of Norwich, William Blake, spiritual homelessness, and why the mystical tradition may still have something vital to offer those who feel drawn to Christ but no longer fit easily within institutional church life.Following the interview Nomad hosts Tim and Anna reflect on their own relationship with mysticism, and the way it has shaped their evolving faith. Interview starts at 12m 48sBooks, quotes, links →The creation of Nomad's thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad's online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Homegrown Conversations, and Nomad Revisited.If you'd like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listener mug!If a monthly commitment isn't possible right now, a one-off donation is always deeply appreciated—you can do that here.Looking to connect with others nearby? Check out the Listener Map or join our Nomad Gathering Facebook group.And if you're up for sharing your own story, we regularly post reflections from listeners on our blog—all with the hope of fostering deeper understanding, connection and supportive relationships. If you'd like to share your story on the blog, contact us for more information here.

What if you have more power over how you experience your life than you think? What if you could learn how to change the patterns that are keeping you stuck? What if there is a life-changing art of self-brain surgery?Geoff and Cyd Holsclaw interview neurosurgeon, trauma survivor, and author Dr. Lee Warren about the shift from feeling like a helpless “patient” to acting with agency like a “doctor.” Drawing from bereavement after his son's death and the breakthroughs of functional MRI observations, he shows us how the mind can transform the brain.Find out more about Dr. Lee Warren here.Dive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.Stay Connected: Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort.Join the Embodied Faith community to stay connected and get posts, episodes, & resources.Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, "What are you looking for?" Dr. Drew Dickens joined us to explain how AI has developed, the top three ways people are using it today, and the concerns believers should be aware of as it grows more powerful. Dr. Dickens is a visionary leader, AI expert, and scholar focused on the intersection of technology, spirituality, and faith-based engagement. His dissertation explored The Impact of Generative AI on Spiritual Direction, positioning him as a thought leader in this emerging field. He is the founder of the Encountering Peace app and podcast. We had Dr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini join us to share the realities of special-needs parenting, the need for support and community, and how families can embrace the place God has them in. They are speakers, authors, and mentors who lead Creative Management Fundamentals, offering biblically based coaching on life and relationships. They are also national speakers with FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember and have ministered together for decades. They are also the authors of The Special Needs Parent: A Guide to the Life You Never Expected. We then turned to our listeners and asked them, “During a season of seeking friendship, how did God provide you with that friend?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Dr. Drew Dicksen's Interview [ 05:44 ]Dr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini's Interview [ 20:53 ]Caller Segment [ 38:46 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Dan Burke and Dr. Anthony Lilles as they continue discussing spiritual direction, what should be happening, how to find our your root sin, and how to progress in the spiritual life! Resources: Remain in Me and I in Him Book Study - website Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits - video series Discernment of Spirits for Beginners - Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett & Dan Burke Into the Deep - video series Finding Peace in the Storm - Dan Burke Into the Deep – Dan Burke Spiritual Warfare and the Discernment of Spirits - Dan Burke The Contemplative Rosary - Dan Burke and Connie Rossini A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness - Susan Brinkmann OCDS SpiritualDirection.com/Events - website Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation EWTN Religious Catalogue – online

Dan Burke with Dr. Anthony Lilles continue talking about spiritual direction. Don't miss out as they talk about what should be in happening when you go to spiritual direction!

In this conversation, Giles Goddard and Halima Gosai Hussein are joined by Natasha Chawla for a wide-ranging exploration of faith, change, and the unexpected places where different spiritual rivers meet. Drawing on their journeys within Christianity, Islam, and Hindu philosophy, they reflect on the traditions they inherited, the moments that reshaped them, and what it means to remain rooted while allowing faith to evolve.Along the way they explore rivers as both metaphor and reality: places of origin, transformation, and encounter. The conversation moves between story and reflection — from pilgrimage and practice to ecology, justice, and the sacred in everyday life — offering a glimpse of how people from very different traditions can sit together with curiosity, generosity, and hope.Conversation starts at 19m 10sBooks, quotes, links →The creation of Nomad's thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad's online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Homegrown Conversations, and Nomad Revisited.If you'd like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listener mug!If a monthly commitment isn't possible right now, a one-off donation is always deeply appreciated—you can do that here.Looking to connect with others nearby? Check out the Listener Map or join our Nomad Gathering Facebook group.And if you're up for sharing your own story, we regularly post reflections from listeners on our blog—all with the hope of fostering deeper understanding, connection and supportive relationships. If you'd like to share your story on the blog, contact us for more information here.

Reinventing yourself after divorce is not about becoming someone new, it's about remembering who you've always been beneath the roles, expectations, and shared history. In this heartfelt and deeply honest conversation, Kristine Carlson welcomes Heather Sloan to explore what it really looks like to move through the emotional terrain of divorce and into a more grounded, self-honoring life. Heather opens up about the quiet grief, the identity shifts, and the tender moments of reckoning that often accompany the end of a marriage. She also shares how, little by little, she began to reconnect with her own voice, her own needs, and her own sense of possibility. Together, Kristine and Heather reflect on the power of not sweating the small stuff, especially during life's most overwhelming transitions. When everything feels uncertain, it's often the smallest acts of self-kindness and presence that help guide us forward.  You'll hear reflections on letting go of perfectionism, softening self-judgment, and allowing space for both grief and growth to coexist. Heather's story is a beautiful example of how clarity and strength can emerge when we choose to meet ourselves with compassion instead of criticism. Let this conversation be an invitation to trust your resilience, honor your healing, and embrace the unfolding of your next chapter. About Heather: Heather Sloan is a life coach, author, educator, retreat leader, and spiritual director trained through SoulFormation's Academy of Spiritual Formation and School of Spiritual Direction. She has a background in international studies and public health nursing. She's worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in East Africa, a community health nurse, and as a non-profit executive director. The throughline in her work and interests has been supporting whole-person health and well-being. After experiencing the personal crisis of divorce and rediscovering herself and a life that excites her on the other side of it, Heather wrote a book to help others do the same. It's called Make a Tour de Force of Your Divorce – Emerge from the Split with Grace and Grit. In it, she draws on her spiritual foundation and training to offer a practical guidebook to accompany others through the core themes, challenges, and opportunities that a significant breakup presents. It offers a transformational path to rebuild one's life and thrive. Learn more about Heather and get a copy of her book at www.TheHeatherSloan.com

In this special episode, theologian and author Selina Stone reflects on one of the oldest and most unsettling human questions: why do the wicked prosper?Drawing on scripture, history, and her own experience, Selina explores the anger, grief and moral disorientation that arise when cruelty and exploitation seem to flourish while justice is delayed.Rather than offering easy answers, she invites us to stay present to these realities — and to notice how hope, truth and resistance might still begin to stir within us.After Selina's reflection, Nomad host Anna Robinson guides us into a contemplative space, helping us sit with what we've heard and attend to what might be emerging in our own lives.The episode is woven together with original music by Jon Bilbrough (Wilderthorn), creating a meditative soundscape to hold the journey.Books, quotes, links →The creation of Nomad's thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad's online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Homegrown Conversations, and Nomad Revisited.If you'd like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listener mug!If a monthly commitment isn't possible right now, a one-off donation is always deeply appreciated—you can do that here.Looking to connect with others nearby? Check out the Listener Map or join our Nomad Gathering Facebook group.And if you're up for sharing your own story, we regularly post reflections from listeners on our blog—all with the hope of fostering deeper understanding, connection and supportive relationships. If you'd like to share your story on the blog, contact us for more information here.

Join Dan Burke and Dr. Anthony Lilles as they discuss what should be happening in spiritual direction and how to grow in the interior life! Resources: Remain in Me and I in Him Book Study - website Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits - video series Discernment of Spirits for Beginners - Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett & Dan Burke Into the Deep - video series Finding Peace in the Storm - Dan Burke Into the Deep – Dan Burke Spiritual Warfare and the Discernment of Spirits - Dan Burke The Contemplative Rosary - Dan Burke and Connie Rossini A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness - Susan Brinkmann OCDS SpiritualDirection.com/Events - website Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation EWTN Religious Catalogue – online