Truth Trauma Theology

Kyle Spears

My podcast is about the intersect between Trauma and Theology. Contemporary discussions have to involve a balance of biblical truth and current research studies. Topics will expand upon the content discussed on the Youtube channel.

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Friday · 51 min
Becoming the Leader You Are Meant to Be with Johnny Rivera
Leadership that begins from within. MetaForge Leadership invites you to discover how God shapes faithful leaders from the inside out. This is not a book about strategies or church models. It is a call to understand and engage in the inner transformation required to lead with depth, conviction, and lasting faith. Why did you write this book? The first section entitled “Forged on the Inside” deals with the interior life of a leader, why is this important? The second section “Forged in the field-How you lead” deals with the over leadership approaches. Explain the concept of “Low Man Wins”? In the third section “Forged for the Long Haul-How You Last” you talk about liminal seasons, can you explain this further? Johnny Rivera draws from over twenty years of ministry to help leaders confront the pressures, temptations, and fatigue that come with the role. With biblical insight and hard-earned wisdom, he reminds us of a sobering truth: You can preach to others and still be disqualified yourself. This book will help you stay grounded when results are slow, stay humble as your impact grows, and stay faithful when no one is watching. If you want to lead from a place of strength, not just skill, and finish the race with your soul intact, MetaForge Leadership offers a trusted guide for the journey. Johnny Rivera is a pastor, coach, and author who has spent over two decades helping leaders grow from the inside out. A Brooklyn-born Puerto Rican, Johnny brings street-level grit and spiritual depth to his leadership, blending biblical wisdom with raw honesty and practical experience. He serves as an evangelist and elder of the Central Jersey Church of Christ and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Christian Spirituality. Johnny is the founder of MetaForge Leadership, a coaching ministry that equips leaders to lead with integrity, resilience, and soul. When he’s not writing or mentoring, you can find him walking through life with his wife of 30 years and enjoying life with their two adult kids, or quietly listening for God in the spaces most people rush past.
September 30 · 1 hr 8 min
Love Your Neighbor with Dr. Katherine Douglass and Dr. Brittany Tausen
The biblical call to "love your neighbor" echoes through centuries, yet remains one of Christianity's most profound and challenging practices. In this innovative synthesis of practical theology and psychological science, professors Katherine M. Douglass and Brittany M. Tausen bring ancient wisdom from Scripture and cutting-edge research into a conversation that can revolutionize how you build meaningful connections. Pulling from their respective areas of expertise, Douglass and Tausen illuminate the psychological pathways and spiritual practices that activate neighbor love. Through engaging stories and evidence-based insights, they reveal why human connection often faltersand provide actionable strategies to overcome these barriers. Each chapter pairs illuminating research with practical exercises that readers can implement immediately, creating ripples of connection that extend far beyond their immediate circles. Love Your Neighbor doesn't just explain the biblical commandit empowers you to live it. Ideal for personal growth, small groups, or community-wide initiatives, this essential resource will help you love better and cultivate more Christlike ways of living in community. Katherine M. Douglass is associate professor of educational ministry and practical theology at Seattle Pacific University. She is also an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Her research interests include the role that the arts play in faith, confirmation as a rite of passage, ministry with marginalized youth, and religious socialization in the home. Brittany M. Tausen is assistant professor of social psychology in the Honors College at Baylor University where she teaches in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core. Her research focuses primarily on ways to reduce dehumanization, enhance neighbor love, and cultivate virtue so that loving intentions more readily manifest in loving actions.
July 24 · 43 min
Traumatized Church: Helping Those who are Hurting with Dr. Scot McKnight and Adrienne Gibson
Whether you're a pastor, counselor, church leader, or someone who has been hurt by the church, Traumatized Church—written jointly by New Testament scholar Scot McKnight and therapist Adrienne Gibson—will help you on the road to healing and understanding. From understanding the symptoms of trauma in today's church members to providing actionable steps to foster safety, trust, support, collaboration, and empowerment, this book creates a roadmap for healing. Scot and Adrienne dive deeply into the realities of trauma—how it impacts individuals, communities, and ministries—Traumatized Church pairs theological insights with counseling expertise to guide readers through the four R's of trauma care: Realize, Recognize, Respond, and Resist. A compassionate and practical framework to address the wounds of trauma and learn how to develop churches as trauma-informed spaces. McKnight examines the life of the apostle Paul and his complex relationship with the Corinthian church, offering biblical wisdom from Paul's life that helps us shape a renewed response to trauma within the church today. Gibson relates stories of real experiences, practical advice, and scripturally grounded therapy insights to encourage a Kingdom-minded approach to community, rooted in love and restoration rather than re-traumatization. If you're ready to transform your understanding of trauma and begin building spaces of redemption, Traumatized Church is an essential resource for your ministry or personal growth. Together, we can create churches that reflect Christ's healing and compassion. Scot McKnight (PhD, Nottingham) has been a Professor of New Testament for more than four decades. He is the author of more than ninety books, including the award-winning The Jesus Creed as well as The King Jesus Gospel, A Fellowship of Differents, One. Life, The Blue Parakeet, Revelation for the Rest of Us, and Kingdom Conspiracy. Adrienne Gibson is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), clinical supervisor for the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBBHE), and the owner of Valor Counseling. She has been licensed for over two decades, working with children, families, and adults, and has served as a clinical supervisor and clinical director for two large community based mental health agencies in Arizona and Oregon. She has master’s degrees in counseling and New Testament. She regularly speaks on the topic of trauma and healing and consults with denominations on implementing trauma-informed care practices.
July 17 · 1 hr 15 min
Do Christians Still Have to Follow the Law with Alfredo Valentin
BK (Alfredo Valentin) is an urban apologist who focuses on providing apologetics, which is the defense of a religious or philosophical belief, specifically in the context of urban environments. someone who specifically addresses the questions, concerns, and objections of people living in urban areas, and presents the Christian faith in a way that is relevant and meaningful to them. Tell about your ministry and why you decided to become an Urban Apologist? Why do believe it is important that Christians understand the law and the OT? There are many groups that say Christians are still required to follow the Mosaic Law, give us a basic overview of how the law is fulfilled in Christ. How can people prepare themselves to engage with these various perspective.
July 10 · 1 hr 11 min
When the Journey Hurts: Finding Meaning in Suffering for Heart, Mind, and Soul with Dr. Liz Hall and Jason McMartin
Transform Your Suffering with Tools from Theology, Psychology, and Spiritual Formation We don’t like pain. So, we find creative ways to go around it. We try to ignore, minimize, or deny our suffering, but we're stillleft hurting. The twisting and defiling work of sin on this world is overwhelming and shatters our assumptions about ourselves and our place in the world. And yet, the path forward is through suffering. Our afflictions present an opportunity to encounter God and allow him to redeem our suffering. Drawing on six years of research, When the Journey Hurts untangles common misconceptions about suffering, instead helping you find meaning in it. The authors integrate theology, psychology, and spiritual formation to provide actionable steps and tools that teach you how to suffer well in relationship with God and others. This book introduces seven key practices to help you uncover meaning in your suffering, equipping you toengage with suffering in a healthy, faithful way: Identifying with Christ's suffering Lament Surrender Forgiveness Gratitude Memento mori (remembering our mortality) Weaving our storyof suffering into God's story These practices are supported by both theological insights and psychological research, providing a unique approach to navigating suffering. Rather than diminishing the weight of your pain, this book is designed to help you transform suffering into an opportunity for spiritual growth and deeper connection with God. With When the Journey Hurts, you'll find that your pain can lead you closer to Jesus. Jason McMartin is professor of theology at Biola University. He has served as an urban missionary and also as a bi-vocational pastor. Kelly M. Kapic holds the Honorary Chair of Theology and Culture at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. Kapic has also worked on research teams funded by the John Templeton Foundation. He is an author or editor of more than fifteen books, including the award-winning titles You’re Only Human and Embodied Hope, and is an active speaker. Dr. Liz Hall is professor of psychology at Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University, in La Mirada, California. For the past decade, she has led a team exploring the resources Christianity offers during difficult times. She coauthored Relational Spirituality with her husband, Todd, and has published over 150 academic works.
July 3 · 1 hr
God Is Still For You: Ten Reasons You Can Be Sure with Bob Page
With wisdom and deep empathy, a seasoned chaplain reminds listeners of God’s steadfast, loving presence in their lives. When life turns upside down, the world's cruelty can feel crippling. Unexpected and devastating news like a diagnosis, betrayal, or layoff can make God feel distant—or nonexistent. It's natural to wonder where God is and whether he cares at all. Those who face trials need a reminder that God is still for them. Bob Page, retired Air Force brigadier general, offers ten reasons to persevere in faith and move toward a life of renewed hope and purpose. God Is Still for You invites listeners to sit with a battle-seasoned chaplain, who knows firsthand how painful life can be, and ask the hard questions. With decades of experience in active duty, Bob personally understands how dark it can feel to believe God is absent. Each chapter highlights Scripture, contains real-life stories, and ends with a clear statement of why the listener can be sure that God is still for them. With biblical truth, fresh and compelling retellings of Bible stories, and a wise and personal writing style, Bob will guide listeners to find hope.
June 26 · 1 hr 8 min
Hallway Miracle: Opening a Jewish Heart to Jesus with Cara Shine
In The Hallway Miracle, Cara shares a story of personal transformation shaped by early antisemitic bullying and a lifelong wariness of Christians. Years later, she finds herself working at an elementary school as the only Jewish staff member among Christian coworkers, uncertain what genuine faith truly looks like. Set during the fall of 2002, as sniper attacks bring fear into everyday life across the Washington, D.C., area, the memoir unfolds against a backdrop of heightened anxiety and uncertainty. When a student is killed at a nearby school, the fragile sense of safety disappears. Blending personal reflection with historical tension, The Hallway Miracle explores anxiety, identity, and faith. Through a small but unexpected moment involving a desk calendar devotional, a handful of M&M’s, and a powerful prayer, Cara encounters a moment of grace that reverberates far beyond the hallway where it begins. Written with honesty and sensitivity, this book will resonate with readers who carry complicated questions about faith and long to see what belief looks like when it is lived out with quiet authenticity. Cara Shine is a retired award-winning elementary school teacher with a passion for encouragement, anxiety management, and “bridge building” between the Old and New Testament through her Jewish background. When she isn’t busy with her work as a lay pastor and ministry coordinator, Cara and her husband, Jeff, enjoy trying to beat their daughter, Emma, and her husband, Matthew, at Pickleball whenever they have a chance. They rarely succeed, but darned if they don’t keep trying! Her faith story, The Hallway Miracle, will reignite your compassion for those around you and remind you that even in the darkest hours, God can turn ashes into something beautiful.
June 12 · 1 hr 9 min
Where Are You God? Unmasking Your Pain & Uncovering His Presence with Dominique Young
If you’re silently suffering under the weight of depression, anxiety, shame, grief, and spiritual doubt, Dominique Young helps you discover the nearness of a God who does not shy away from your brokenness. In this safe space, you are invited to take off your mask, confront your hidden pain, and be seen by God for who you truly are―beloved. Far from a quick fix or feel-good message, God, Where Are You? is a vulnerable, faith-filled journey that uses heartfelt storytelling and practical tools to help you wrestle with real emotions and deep questions―like how to deal with failure, how to find your true identity, and more. Practical tools include: Tracing God Devotionals: Explore Bible verses at the end of each chapter and learn how to recognize God’s character and presence even in hard places. Reflection Questions: Through self-examination, you can heal deeply and receive clarity, healing, and personal revelation. Prayers: Each chapter includes heartfelt prayers that bridge raw emotion and spiritual intimacy, modeling honest and hopeful dialogue with God. God, Where Are You? is not just a book to be read―it’s a healing journey to be walked. With authenticity, compassion, and biblical grounding, Dominique is your traveling companion to uncover the life-giving truth: even in the silence, God is near. Dominique Young is the founder of Faith Mamas Inc. (Faith Family Worldwide), a community of more than 6,000 Christian women and a private app serving over 1,700 believers. She helps people break free from fear through Scripture and has been featured on the Don’t Mom Alone podcast and The Refreshed Moms Podcast. Dominique holds a psychology degree from Hampton University and a master’s in theology from Fuller Seminary. She is also a devoted wife and a mother of four. Here is a safe space for your deepest questions and your hidden pain. Interview Outline Was there a particular moment or life experience that inspired you to write God, Where Are You? How did your own spiritual and mental health shape the stories and insights that you share in your book? You invite readers to confront grief and doubt with honest faith. What advice would you give to someone who wants to experience God’s presence as they contend with unresolved pain or unanswered prayers? You emphasize that faith and healing can coexist with suffering. Why is it important for Christians to understand that healing is often a multifaceted or lengthy process? You mention in your book that some trauma victims process grief and pain on their own because they are afraid of turning to a therapist for help. What are some common fears that prevent people from seeking out a therapist? What would you say to encourage them to be open to therapy? How can faith communities better support those who are suffering from depression and anxiety? One of your goals when writing God, Where Are You? was to help readers put on a new identity rooted in the Holy Spirit. For women who are feeling stuck in pride or self-reliance or shame or guilt about past mistakes: What first steps should they take to begin to embrace their new identity? You encourage readers to drop their “masks.” What does that mean, and what might that entail from day to day? God, Where Are You? helps readers identify lies from their pasts that have skewed their self-perception. Give us an example of a common lie related to one’s identity that individuals need to replace with God’s truth. Follow Dominique On: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dominiquenyoung/
February 20 · 1 hr 9 min
Holy Disturbance: Reacquainting the Church and Her People with the Gifts of Suffering with Karen Sjoblom
How might believers get back to offering the gifts of suffering-faith, perseverance, empathy, and hope-to those living in a literal world of hurt? People used to seek support from the Church when life got hard. But instead of providing a place for people to suffer well together, many churches today focus more on big growth, how-to programs, and positive news. If we come to value comfort over depth, chasing after more safe, predictable lives, we risk diminishing our light and His hope. In Holy Disturbance, author Karen Sjoblom aims to reacquaint people of faith with the gifts of suffering by weaving historical and current-day narratives around Reverend Addison Groff's timeless prayer, "Disturb Us, O Lord." Focused on equipping and encouraging pastors, leaders, volunteers, and congregants, Sjoblom invites the Church and Her people to move toward deeper faith and community-especially within our storms. Study how and why we've drifted from being suffering servants Read dozens of stories from congregants, leaders, and pastors about grief, recovery, hurt, and growth within the Church Soak in reflection questions, meaningful practices, and leadership wisdom to map a new course for your church and community-and a renewed thirst for God Suffering engenders messier lives but richer, deeper connections...and this is what the Church was built for. Holy Disturbance is part love letter and part wake-up call to the Church and Her people-to recognize the gifts that come from our seasons of struggle, and to share our hard-won lessons and His hope with a hurting world. About Karen: An award-winning author, freelance writer, and editor, Karen Sjoblom has had a 40-year career in healthcare, science, education, high tech, and nonprofit communications, as well as decades in faith-based nonfiction. She also co founded and ran for nine years Eve‟s Daughters, a nonprofit for single moms and their kids outside of Portland, Oregon. In addition to Holy Disturbance, she‟s published Gone for Good: Lessons from a Midlife Exodus; One: Single Mothering, Full Circle from her time with Eve‟s Daughters; two parenting books with New Leaf Press as part of the Mom2Mom series; plus a patient and family handbook on living with Lou Gehrig‟s disease. She‟s also edited several books by multiple authors. She‟s passionate about matters of faith, resilience, and re-creation: studying our stories and scars, witnessing His mercy, and stepping into our missions. She lives in the Midwest, writing, teaching, and encouraging others to know, value, and share the wisdom gained from their life-journeys with a hurting world. Follow Karen: Website: KarenSjoblom.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.sjoblom LinkedIn: https:/www.linkedin.com/in/karensjoblom/
January 23 · 1 hr 3 min
The Real Conversation Jesus Wants Us to Have? A Conversation with Regina Cates
Regina V. Cates is an author, activist, podcaster, and founder of Romancing Your Soul, an organization that helps people develop lives of love, compassion, and purpose. Her first internationally bestselling book Lead with Your Heart: Creating a Life of Love, Compassion, and Purpose continues to be an inspiration to people who desire a more fulfilled life. Regina is followed by hundreds of thousands on social media who embrace her messages of kindness, compassion, and empathy for one another as equal members of our human family. In this conversation we discuss Regina's new book The Real Conversation Jesus Wants Us to Have: A Call to Bravery, Peace, and Love. Viewing modern Christianity from Jesus’s point of view Why are we not loving our neighbors as ourselves? What has changed? What questions can you ask to confront the judgmental attitudes alive within Christianity? How do you think Jesus would view modern Christianity? What attributes, from Jesus’s viewpoint, make great leaders great? Demonstrating why it is necessary for individuals to critique their religious and social experiences from Jesus’s viewpoint in order to truly love Christ. For individuals who are fed up with church but still love Jesus, what should they do? Where should they go? What is broken within Christianity? What are some tangible solutions to fix what is broken within Christianity? What religious, social, and political persecution have you witnessed? How does the church fail to address sexual abuse, misogyny, homophobia, corrupt politics, and religious authority? Resonating with those who have themselves fallen victim to widespread religious judgment. How can this book be a guide to those fallen victim to widespread religious judgment? Compelling Christians and Christianity to answer questions Jesus would ask of anyone who claims to love and follow Him. What do you think it would be like to have a conversation with Jesus about our modern world? What would the conversation focus on? Follow Regina: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReginaVCates/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/regina_cates_music/ Website: ReginaVCates.com
Sep 19, 2025 · 56 min
Healing for the Inner Person with Jenna Riemersma
Jenna Riemersma is a Harvard-trained speaker, therapist, and best-selling author. She is a Certified IFS Clinical Consultant, and teaching faculty for the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals, Jenna is dedicated to helping others know that "all parts are welcome." Jenna Riemersma applies the groundbreaking insights of Internal Family Systems (IFS) for anyone who feels stuck in unwanted feelings and behaviors, with a special focus on personal transformation for readers of faith. Altogether You delivers practical, life-affirming counsel from a place of deep personal faith. Riemersma understands the unique discouragement that people of faith experience when their actions do not line up with their sincere beliefs. With genuine sensitivity to tradition and biblical teachings, she helps readers understand that God is not waiting in frustration on the other side of our “pile of sins” until we “get our act together.” Rather, the God of grace is with us right here, right now in our core imago Dei—the always-accessible starting point for healing. Riemersma’s book is packed with warm, personal stories and immediately applicable insights. She guides readers through paradigm-altering understandings with helpful definitions and summaries, self-inventories, action steps, and resources. Tell us a bit about your journey towards authentic faith and becoming acquainted with the IFS model? Let’s start with giving a basic overview of the IFS model for those who are not familiar with the model. There are many folks who feel hesitant about psychological theories being incorporated into spiritual formation. Can you take a moment to explain how the “Spiritualizer” manager part of self influences how we experience authentic Christianity? Can you share more about what you mean by “move towards”? Are there any upcoming projects that you are working on?
Jul 25, 2025 · 1 hr 15 min
Healing: Inside Out and Outside in: Finding Peace Through Spiritual Healing with Gwendolyn Melika Miller
Gwendolyn aka Melika Miller is a passionate writer, counselor, singer-songwriter, soul music artist, and advocate for spiritual growth and emotional healing. As the founder of Love Abundantly Counseling and Love Abundantly Ministry, she is dedicated to helping individuals deepen their intimacy with God and overcome life's roadblocks. She shares personal experiences and biblical wisdom through her books to inspire others on their faith journey. What inspired you to write 40 Years a Virgin: Why the Wait? How do you respond to societal pressures regarding purity and relationships? Can you share some personal experiences that shaped your journey of waiting? How does Healing: Inside Out and Outside In merge biblical principles with mindfulness? What are some practical ways to overcome negative thought patterns through faith? How does forgiveness contribute to inner peace, and what steps can people take to truly forgive? Follow Melika on Website: www.LoveAbundantlyMinistry.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmelika-miller22/ Patreon
Jul 18, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Somatic Processing with Beck Aste
Becky a trauma-informed somatic marriage coach and somatic practitioner, CEO of I Do Breakthrough, and the proud host of the top 5% globally ranked podcast, Your Breakthrough Blueprint. Becky spent a decade undergoing every mode and mainstream modality for saving her marriage after a long history of abandonment and betrayal only to find herself separated on the brink of divorce. That's when she found the buzzer-beater, hail-mary play that completely changed the game for her marriage and countless other marriages that she’s coached around the world. Becky is going to share some steps that will some of us to experience the long-awaited breakthrough we’ve been waiting for. Follow Rebecca On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gerald.godinho Twitter: https://twitter.com/godinhojerry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerry_godinho/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/geraldgodinho/
Jul 12, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
What we find in the dark: Loss, Hope, and God’s Presence in Grief with Aubrey Sampson
Aubrey Sampson is a church planter and serves as a teaching pastor at Renewal Church, a multiethnic congregation in Chicagoland. Aubrey has a MA, evangelism and leadership and speaks regularly at churches and conferences around the country. She is an award-nominated author, a coach with Propel Women Cohorts, and the cohost of The Nothing Is Wasted Podcast. Aubrey is the author of several books, most recently Big Feelings Days: A Book about Hard Things, Heavy Emotions, and Jesus’ Love (October 2023). She is passionate about helping hurting Christians find God’s presence in their pain. She and her husband, Kevin, and their three sons live, minister, and play in the Chicagoland area. Today we will be talking about her latest book What we find in the dark: Loss, Hope, and God’s Presence in Grief. Follow Aubrey On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubsamp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubsamp/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/aubsamp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubrey-sampson-39110226
Jul 4, 2025 · 1 hr 14 min
A Guide to Leading Ministries of Reconciliation with Dr. Brian Leander
Brian is a minister of reconciliation with twenty-five years of exemplary results in organizational development, change management, and leadership development in churches and nonprofits in the United States and abroad. He specializes in developing culturally intelligent strategies for growth and impact. Christian ministry began for him as a church planter. Along the way, he earned a master’s in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University. Currently, his is an associate professor and director of intercultural leadership at Berkeley School of Theology. "I discovered that there is no single formula for the growth and health of a church. Instead, the church’s growth and ministry effectiveness depend on leadership, culture, community engagement, spiritual vitality, discipleship, and contextual relevance—each shaping how the church connects, serves, and impacts its community." Follow Brian On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrianleander YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC57X1pPV9jx5uYKLWhyq0Pg Twitter: https://x.com/ableander Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abrianleander/
Jun 27, 2025 · 56 min
The Only Way Forward Is Back: A Story of War, Adoption, and Finding Your Purpose in God's Plan with Jackson Terkeurst
Jackson TerKeurst is an entrepreneur and leader who continues to defy the odds as a first-generation immigrant from West Africa who owns and runs a small business. The adopted son of bestselling author and speaker Lysa TerKeurst, Jackson is passionate about drawing together people from diverse backgrounds to experience authentic community. He lives with his wife and their two children outside Nashville, Tennessee. In this episode he joins us to discuss his book The Only Way Forward Is Back: A Story of War, Adoption, and Finding Your Purpose in God's Plan.
Jun 20, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
The Shape of Joy with Dr. Richard Beck
In a world where mental health issues and loneliness are at an all-time high, it's more important than ever to find ways to cultivate joy, community, and meaning in our lives. Many of us feel trapped within ourselves, struggling to find a way out of our own negative thoughts and emotions. Author and psychologist Richard Beck (Hunting Magic Eels) argues that we are struggling because our shape is currently "curved inward." We are self-focused, self- absorbed, ruminative. We're trapped inside ourselves. And we're definitely not happy or filled with joy. So how do we control our egos and ambition when those drives have been useful to us in the past? How do we engage our imagination and our faith? In his latest book, The Shape of Joy, Beck offers a powerful argument for how we can break free and rediscover the transcendent and the sacred. Beck argues that to find true joy and fulfillment, we need to understand the importance of "curving outward" and moving beyond the self to encounter true lovingness. Drawing from the principles of positive psychology, Beck explores concepts like gratitude, mindfulness, ego volume, and the small self to provide readers with a road map toward a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life. Whether you're struggling with mental health issues, yearning for a deeper connection with your faith, or simply seeking greater happiness and fulfillment, The Shape of Joy will offer you an inspiring vision for a better future. Follow Richard on https://richardbeck.substack.com/about https://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/ Interview Outline Tell us a bit about your background and why you decided to write this book. The Shape of Joy has 3 main parts, let’s briefly touch on the concept of what you mean by “curved inward”? The second part is entitled “turning away” can you give us a brief understanding of this concept? The last part gets into being “curved outward” , why do you think this will be beneficial for people to understand? How have you personally benefitted from writing this book?
Jun 13, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
The Gift of Conflict with Richard Parrish
One of the number one issues facing most churches is the inability to resolve conflict. I have invited an expert who works to help people of faith towards growth in the art of reconciliation. Richard Parrish is the Director of Richard Parrish Ministries, an outreach of Music Serving the Word (MSW). Richard attends to the soul care of pastors, leaders, and learners. Richard is an ordained minister and speaks in many cross-denominational settings. A seasoned, empowering, and compassionate leader, he devotes his life to assisting others through writing, speaking, mentoring, and offering spiritual care to pastors and ministry leaders. He resides in Arizona with his wife. Questions: Can conflict really be a good thing? What tips can you offer to those who avoid conflict but recognize the need for it in some circumstances? What does the Bible say about conflict? Why are we afraid of conflict? Is conflict-avoidance a detriment to personal growth and development? What are some barriers that prevent reconciliation and how do we break them? How can an individual recognize when they are avoiding conflict? What are the biggest misconceptions about conflict? How can we find peace during conflict—in personal relationships and the world around us? Can conflict birth hope? Follow Richard on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RichardParrishMinistries Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/discover- the-lectionary/id1207472495 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ZDBj6QQFzMlq8DnFzqfgL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH7YOau1FqQ2DbGkm WfdUNw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-parrish/
May 23, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Hope for My Hurting Heart with Linda Dillow
When you are crushed and brokenhearted, where do you go to find hope? Jesus said that in this life we will have pain, heartbreak, and trials. So how do we deal with our pain? What does it look like to walk with God in our grief? In Hope for My Hurting Heart, bestselling author Linda Dillow offers practical wisdom, real-life stories, biblical teachings, and encouragement to help you navigate pain and loss and find hope and healing through God’s love. This insightful guide includes • eight essential Heart Skills that will help readers move from grief to gratitude • personal stories that reveal Linda’s own struggles with a traumatic brain injury and her daughters’ cancer battles as well as stories from others who have struggled with pain and loss • biblical insights that will help those who are hurting turn to God’s Word and the Holy Spirit for comfort No loss is beyond our heavenly Father’s understanding. Learn what it looks like to experience peace and comfort in God’s presence in the midst of suffering— and to find hope Linda Dillow is a bestselling author and a respected Bible teacher and conference speaker. Her books include Calm My Anxious Heart, Intimate Issues, and What's It Like to Be Married to Me? Linda is the mother of four children, including one who is now with Jesus, and grandmother of ten. She and her husband, Jody, lived overseas for seventeen years and now make their home in Monument, Colorado.
May 2, 2025 · 58 min
With God in Every Breath: A Guide to Drawing Closer to Jesus through Your Senses with Whitney Simpson
What if the opportunity to connect with God was as close as your next breath? Many of us yearn for a deeper connection with God but struggle to find the time or space to cultivate it in the midst of our busy lives. The daily stress of meeting familial, work, and personal responsibilities leaves us longing to connect with God and find rest for our souls. We crave intimacy with our Creator and the peace that only God’s presence can give. With God in Every Breath invites you on a journey towards a more embodied and present spiritual life. In this practical book, Whitney R. Simpson offers carefully crafted guided prayers and meditations that provide an accessible way for us to quiet our hearts and a way to enter into God’s presence that engages all of our senses. Whether used alone or in a community, each meditation is rooted in Gospel passages from The Message translation and designed to meet you in your everyday life. This helpful guide includes: Guided Meditations: Explore imaginative and sensory-rich meditations that bring you closer to Jesus. Reflection Questions: Each Scripture-based meditation is followed by a set of questions to help you engage the content more deeply. Closing Prayers: Each meditation closes with a guided prayer to encourage you to bring gratitude into each of your reflections. For more information visit: www.whitneyrsimpson.com

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