Embodied Faith: Neuroscience-informed Spiritual Formation artwork

Embodied Faith: Neuroscience-informed Spiritual Formation

95 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 11 ratings

Get unstuck in your spiritual life through neuroscience-informed spiritual formation. Many Christians struggle integrating questions of mental health, trauma, and psychology with their journey of faith. Using all the tools God gave us (from brain science to Bible study), Embodied Faith connects relational neuroscience to our life of faith so you can grow in spiritual and relational maturity. Co-host Geoff Holsclaw (PhD, pastor, and professor) and Cyd Holsclaw (PCC, spiritual director, and integrative coach) talk with practitioners, therapists, theologians, and researchers on learning to live with ourselves, others, and God. Get everything in your inbox or on the app: https://www.grassrootschristianity.org/s/embodied-faith

Christianity Religion & Spirituality neuroscience relational neuroscience ifs psychology faith spirituality theology spiritual formation spiritual practices god
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Episodes

086: Non-Toxic Masculinity (with Zachary Wagner)

January 30, 2024 14:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MB

The problem of toxic masculinity is much bigger than contemporary expressions of Christianity. Mistreatment of women and men dehumanizing others is a feature of human culture fraught with sin.  But the church is called to be salt and light, so how can we foster a non-toxic masculinity? Our guest today is Zachary Wagner, a writer, researcher, and minister. He serves as the editorial director for the Center for Pastor Theologians. We’re talking about his book Non-Toxic Masculinity: Recovering...

085: Forming Spiritually Resilient Children (with Dr. Holly Allen)

January 23, 2024 19:00 - 36 minutes - 24.8 MB

Many children today are growing up amid adversity, whether brought on by family difficulties or larger societal crises. All children need to be able to deal with stress, cope with challenges, and persevere through disappointments. While we cannot protect children from all hardships, we can promote healthy development that fosters resilience. Our guest, Dr. Holly Catterton Allen, recently retired from her position as Professor of Christian Ministries and Family Science at Lipscomb University...

084: Mental Illness or Spiritual Issue? And how they connect (with Dr. Matthew Stanford)

January 16, 2024 18:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MB

Research tells us that when people suffer from a mental health crisis, the first person they turn to for help is not a physician, a psychiatrist, or a social worker, but a pastor, a priest, or a minister. Unfortunately, many church leaders are not trained to recognize mental illness and don’t know when to refer someone to a mental health professional. And how do we know the difference between a mental illness and a spiritual issue? This is what we are talking about with Dr. Matthew Sanford,...

083: Does God Hate? Or, Making Sense of God's Emotions (with David Lamb)

December 12, 2023 17:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MB

Does God hate? Is God emotional? Emotions feel irrational, impulsive, and problematic for God, especially when we think about hate, jealousy, or sorrow. But the truth is the Bible is full of all sorts of stories that express God expressing emotions. This episode focuses particularly on God and the emotion of hate. Our guest is Dr. David Lamb. He is the MacRae Professor of Old Testament and in 2017 the Dean of the Faculty at Missio Seminary. He is the author of "God Behaving Badly: Is the Go...

082: On Getting Out of Bed; Or, on Living with Mental Anguish (with Alan Noble)

December 07, 2023 14:00 - 32 minutes - 22.7 MB

For many people, sorrow, despair, anxiety, and mental illness are everyday experiences. And while we have tremendous advancements in therapy and psychiatry, the burden of living often comes down to some mundane choices, like "Should I still bother to get out of bed?" Dr. Alan Noble joins us to talk about life with mental anguish and his book, On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of Living. We talk about faith and hope in the goodness of life amid the struggles and pain. Stay Connecte...

081: From Therapy, to Trauma, to Attaching to Immanuel (God With Us) with Stephanie Rossing

November 28, 2023 17:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MB

How do we help people get their brains back online? Can the Spirit lead us through a process of healing without triggering re-traumatization? And how can we attach more deeply with God? Guest Stephanie Rossing (Licenced Marriage and Family Therapist) talks about her own journey as a therapist, discovering and receiving training in trauma treatments (EMDR and Dialectical Behavior Therapy), and how she learned to let the Spirit lead treatment and how Immanuel Prayer helps us attach to God mor...

Is Joy Even More Central Than Love? (Thanksgiving Double Feature)

November 22, 2023 14:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MB

(This and the previous episode are part of a special Thanksgiving Double Feature Rewind of past episodes that are good to revisit in the ups and downs of a holiday) What is so important about joy? The great commandment is to love God and others, but is joy even more central than that? Where does joy fit in the landscape of political outrage and cynicism, in the seriousness of life today? We're talking about it. Looking at why joy and love are so connected. Stay Connected: NEED spiritual...

The Psalms as a Guide to Joy, Sadness, and Anger (Thanksgiving Double Feature)

November 22, 2023 13:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MB

(This and the next episode are part of a special Thanksgiving Double Feature Rewind of past episodes that are good to revisit in the ups and downs of a holiday) What if the Psalms aren't just old religious poetry, but guideposts for our everyday struggles and wounds? What if the Psalms are a pathway into the presence of God through the all too human emotions of joy, sadness, and even anger? Join Geoff and Cyd Holsclaw for a conversation with David Taylor, associate professor of theology an...

080: Finding Freedom in Constraint—Reimagining Spiritual Disciplines with Jared Patrick Boyd

November 21, 2023 16:00 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MB

We often think that freedom comes through casting off what controls us, and that we need to find our true selves apart from community.  But what if it is the constraints of the spiritual life that set us free? What if it is focused practices in community that lead to the flourishing of individual lives?  Today we are talking about finding freedom in constraints.  Our guest today is Jared Patrick Boyd. He is a Vineyard pastor, spiritual director, and Founding Director of the Order of the Co...

079: Being the Church in an Age of Secular Mysticisms (Dr. Andrew Root)

November 15, 2023 16:00 - 41 minutes - 28.5 MB

When atheists want spirituality, how should the church respond? In a secular age offering a buffet of spiritualities, all focused on the self and personal transformation, how is the Christian view similar or different than these alternative pathways? When everyone is spiritual, but few are religious, what is distinctive about following Jesus? And can I be a mystic without God? Dr. Andrew Root joins the podcast to talk about the rise in secular mysticism and what it means for the church in t...

078: Formative Spirituality, Agency in the Bible, and Being Human

November 08, 2023 15:00 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MB

What is spiritual formation? Is that even a very good term for life with and in Jesus? What are we being formed into anyway? Or, maybe we should ask “when” are we being formed? In this episode, we talked with Dr. Richard Middleton about formative spirituality, agency in the Bible, and being human, and how God is always looking for partners to work with and through. Dr. Middleton is Professor of Biblical Worldview and Exegesis at Northeastern Seminary and Roberts Wesleyan University (Roche...

078: Formative Spirituality, Agency in the Bible, and Being Human (Dr. Richard Middleton)

November 08, 2023 15:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MB

What is spiritual formation? Is that even a very good term for life with and in Jesus? What are we being formed into anyway? Or, maybe we should ask “when” are we being formed? In this episode, we talked with Dr. Richard Middleton about formative spirituality, agency in the Bible, and being human, and how God is always looking for partners to work with and through. Dr. Middleton is Professor of Biblical Worldview and Exegesis at Northeastern Seminary and Roberts Wesleyan University (Roche...

077: Why Humility and Hope is Essential for Therapists & Pastors

November 01, 2023 17:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MB

What character formation is required for soul care professionals, people like therapists, pastors, or spiritual directors? And what does this mean for everyone who follows Jesus?  It is humility and hope, says Dr. Chuck DeGroat. It is doing your work, the work on yourself. Today we talk about how so often (like pastors) therapists in training receive little character formation even while they receive the information needed to diagnose and remedy mental illnesses.  Dr. DeGroat talks about ...

077: Why Humility and Hope is Essential for Therapists & Pastors (Dr. Chuck DeGroat)

November 01, 2023 17:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MB

What character formation is required for soul care professionals, people like therapists, pastors, or spiritual directors? And what does this mean for everyone who follows Jesus?  It is humility and hope, says Dr. Chuck DeGroat. It is doing your work, the work on yourself. Today we talk about how so often (like pastors) therapists in training receive little character formation even while they receive the information needed to diagnose and remedy mental illnesses.  Dr. DeGroat talks about ...

076: Bearing God in the Storms of Death and Life (with Marlena Graves)

October 24, 2023 15:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MB

Have you ever been tossed around by the storms of life and wondered where God is in all? Or have you wished Jesus would quiet the storms a little quicker and more often? Today we are talking about bearing God in the storms of life. Marlena Graves is the Assistant Professor of Spiritual Formation at Northeastern Seminary in Rochester, NY. She has written five books, most recently Bearing God: Living A Christ-Formed Life in Uncharted Waters.  She wants people to know God delights in them. S...

075: Being Still Amid the Distractions and Downtime (with Brian Heasley)

October 17, 2023 18:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MB

Scripture tells us, “Be still and know that I am God”.  But for so many of us, this is so hard.  Today’s episode explores downtime, devotions, and distractions as we seek to be with God in our private and public lives. Our guest, Brian Heasley, is a long-term pioneer within the 24-7 prayer movement and serves as the International Prayer Director, he has years of experience in local-church and pioneer missions. Brian is passionate about prayer, mission, and justice that is rooted in a rhyth...

074: Hope Is The First Dose: A Treatment Plan For Recovering From Trauma (with Dr. Lee Warren, MD)

October 10, 2023 18:00 - 46 minutes - 32.2 MB

Is the abundant life as promised in Scripture possible for trauma survivors? Can those who suffer deep tragedy really find wholeness, or happiness, again? Today we are talking with a medical doctor who has walked with many people through trauma and tragedy even as he was walking through it himself. Dr. Lee Warren (MD) is an award-winning author, brain surgeon, and Iraq War veteran. Dr. Warren hosts a podcast exploring the complex interplay between faith and science. We are talking with him...

073: Be Kind To Your Attachment Strategy and Nervous System

October 05, 2023 19:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MB

When reactions shoot out of us that we regret, then what do we do? Do you blame or berate yourself? Do you shame and shout at yourself? Too often we are unkind to ourselves in situations like this.  But instead of this, we need to cultivate compassion (and build understanding) for the attachment strategies that have (literally) shaped our nervous systems, which fire semi-automatically when we are stressed out.  In this episode, Cyd and Geoff Holsclaw talk about being kind to your engrained...

072: How Your Attachment Style Shapes Reality (with Dr. Todd Hall)

October 03, 2023 13:00 - 42 minutes - 29.6 MB

How can two different people experience the same event differently? Do we see, hear, and even feel the world differently? Are we filtering social and emotional information in different ways?  The answer is yes. And this has to do with what Dr. Todd Hall calls attachment filters (or what attachment theory calls "attachment styles").  Dr. Todd Hall is Professor of Psychology at Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University. Dr. Hall’s writing and research focus on relational approaches to ...

071: Resourcing the Church for Mental Health (with Laura Howe)

September 26, 2023 14:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MB

The church is not immune to the growing mental health crisis, certainly not pastors and leaders. And we don’t always know where to get mental health resources for creating resilient individuals and churches. Howe guest today is passionate about bridging that gap. Laura Howe is a clinical mental health social worker, addictions counselor, and project manager. She has spent her 15-year career supporting and serving the marginalized and suffering in her local community. Laura launched Hope Mad...

070: Exploring a Theology of the Body and Confronting Shame with Beth Felker Jones (Summer Rewind)

August 17, 2023 19:00 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MB

(During our Summer Break we are airing important past episodes) We're tackling a topic that treads the tightrope between theology and personal acceptance - body theology and body shame. Why have we turned "your body is a temple" into a shaming mechanism? What if our bodies are the place we meet God? The place through which we glorify God? In this episode we wade deep into the waters of Western philosophical tradition, consumer capitalism's impact on body shaming, and the misinterpretation ...

069: Leading with & through Emotion: Limbic Resonance, Leadership, and Spirituality with MaryKate Morse (Summer Rewind)

August 16, 2023 09:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MB

(During our Summer Break we are airing important past episodes) What if the secret to impactful leadership and genuine community connection lies deep within our biological construct?  Are emotions and moods contagious, between people and in groups? Why are we unconsciously drawn to certain people and repelled by others? And what does this have to do with leadership? This episode uncovers the power of our limbic system, our emotional center, and how it shapes our interactions, leadership, a...

068: Exploring Low Anthropology and its Impact on the Human Condition, with David Zahl (Summer Rewind)

August 07, 2023 13:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MB

(During our Summer Break we are airing important past episodes) We spend our days feeling like we’re the only one with problems, when everyone else has their act together.  We feel like other are achieving so much, but we aren’t living up to our potential. What if the answer wasn’t a higher self-esteem, but a lower anthropology? What if instead of expecting more from others (and ourselves) we actually expected less? Host Geoff Holsclaw (PhD) talks with David Zahl about how a high anthro...

067 Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters (with Dr. Carmen Joy Imes)

July 25, 2023 09:00 - 32 minutes - 22.7 MB

What does it mean to be human? This timeless question proves critical as we seek to understand our purpose, identity, and significance. Amidst the many voices clamoring to shape our understanding of humanity, the Bible reveals important truths related to our human identity and vocation that are critical to the flourishing of all of creation. In this episode, we unpack the profound depths of human existence and our identities in God's image. Dr. Carmen Joy Imes is our guest. She is an associ...

066 From Division to Connection: Escaping Enemy Mode with Jim Wilder (Summer Rewind)

July 12, 2023 19:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MB

How do you escape enemy mode? When your brain and body are just against someone (and maybe you don’t even know why).  What if one brain state could explain why we stop listening to, talking with, or caring about, other people? What if this brain state reveals why we lose it on people, fall out of love, and traumatize one another? Clinical Psychologist & Neurotheologian Jim Wilder is on to help us unravel the concept of enemy mode, a state of mind that can lead to division and hostility. Jim...

064 Raising Resilient Kids: Emotional Regulation and the Role of the Church (with Jessica Nagy)

June 30, 2023 19:00 - 47 minutes - 32.7 MB

Is it possible to raise kids who are emotionally resilient within the dysfunctional dynamics of abuse, divorce, or shared custody? And how can the church be more supportive for children who have hidden trauma? That's what we are talking about with Jessica Nagy, the founder of Mosaic Motherhood, a community of warrior moms who are navigating co-parenting with a destructive individual. Join us as we weave through the complex labyrinth of childhood resilience. Break away from the commonly hel...

065 What is Spiritual Formation? (2 Minute Explainer)

June 30, 2023 19:00 - 2 minutes - 1.44 MB

Seems like everyone is talking about spiritual formation. But what is it exactly? In this two-minute explainer episode, Dr. Geoff Holsclaw dives into the realm of spiritual formation, and how it is a "process of being conformed to the image of Christ, within the community and trajectory of Christ, for the sake of others. And come study with Cyd and Geoff in this new, innovative Doctor of Ministry (DMIN) in Spiritual Formation and Relational Neuroscience. Stay Connected: NEED spiritual ...

063 What is Relational Neuroscience? The Four E's of Our Identity (2 Minute Explainer)

June 27, 2023 20:00 - 2 minutes - 1.44 MB

Ever wondered how your mind, brain-body, and relationships shape your identity? How do experiences become a part of who you are? This two-minute explainer episode delves into the realm of relational neuroscience, a field that embraces our fundamentally social nature and how it influences our neural and relational connections. In it Geoff summarizes relational neuroscience into four digestible E's: embodied, embedded, encoded, and extended. And come study with Cyd and Geoff in this new, i...

062 How the Fruit of the Spirit are a Foundation of Resiliency (with Michael Sullivant)

June 27, 2023 13:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MB

What if the Fruits of the Spirit can build a "nest of resiliency" to weather life's trials?  What if these fruit were less spiritual and more relational? Join us as we speak with Michael Sullivan, director of relational networks at Life Model Works, who shares his insights on how focusing on LOVE, JOY, and PEACE can transform us into Christ. Together, we discuss the power of God's "Hesed" - God's love, mercy, and kindness - as an anchor in our lives, and the importance of creating a secure...

061 The Art of Mentalizing: Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships through Emotional Awareness (with Dr. Lina Ponder)

June 19, 2023 21:00 - 34 minutes - 24.1 MB

We've all heard about mindfulness. But what about "mentalization"? We are talking about how this little-known concept helps us understand ourselves (creating more self-compassion), understand others (leading to more empathy), and connect to God.  Our guest, Dr. Lina Ponder is a clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, and spiritual director—so she is perfect for this podcast. She has trained with international experts on the role of early life bonding on the quality of relationships and well-b...

Why Discipleship is an Adventure in Transformation (with Jessie Cruickshank)

June 12, 2023 17:00 - 35 minutes - 24.2 MB

Jesus told his followers, “Go and make disciples of every nation,” but a lot of us stop before we start—because we feel like we don’t have what it takes. But Jesus didn’t ask spiritual superstars to make disciples. He invited ordinary people into the adventure of following him. Our guest, Jessie Cruickshank, holds an M.Ed. from Harvard in mind, brain, and education. She is an ordained minister and a nationally recognized expert in disciple-making and the neuroscience of transformation. And ...

060 Why Discipleship is an Adventure in Transformation (with Jessie Cruickshank)

June 12, 2023 17:00 - 35 minutes - 24.2 MB

Jesus told his followers, “Go and make disciples of every nation,” but a lot of us stop before we start—because we feel like we don’t have what it takes. But Jesus didn’t ask spiritual superstars to make disciples. He invited ordinary people into the adventure of following him. Our guest, Jessie Cruickshank, holds an M.Ed. from Harvard in mind, brain, and education. She is an ordained minister and a nationally recognized expert in disciple-making and the neuroscience of transformation. And ...

059 The Psalms as a Guide to Joy, Sadness, and Anger (with Dr. David Taylor)

June 02, 2023 13:00 - 35 minutes - 24.2 MB

What if the Psalms aren't just old religious poetry, but guideposts for our everyday struggles and wounds? What if the Psalms are a pathway into the presence of God through the all too human emotions of joy, sadness, and even anger? Join Geoff and Cyd Holsclaw for a conversation with David Taylor, associate professor of theology and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary, as we explore the relevance of the Psalms and his book, Open and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life. Together, we ...

058 Spiritual, Neural, and Relational Integration: On the union of brain, body, bible, and more

May 25, 2023 19:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MB

What if the key to a deep and fulfilling faith journey lies in the integration of the brain, body, and Bible? Join Geoff and Cyd as they discuss the importance of integration, taking inspiration from the Trinity, the Church as the Body of Christ, our union with God, and the great commandment to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  As they talk about interpersonal neurobiology, internal family systems, and coaching, this conversation will hopefully leave you with a new unders...

057 Exploring the 3 Core Attachment Questions Shaping Our Lives

May 24, 2023 19:00 - 19 minutes - 13.7 MB

Whether we are aware of it or not, we are constantly living from the answers of three core attachment questions. Join us for a conversation on the three default attachment questions deeply embedded in our nervous systems and implicit memories: 1) are other people available to me; 2) will this distress be alleviated; and 3) can I use my agency for good? ANNOUNCEMENTS:   — HELP SUPPORT this podcast financially by joining our Substack for only $8 a month (every little bit helps). — ANCHORE...

056 The Importance of Your Physical Body in Worship (with Dr. David Taylor)

May 19, 2023 18:00 - 40 minutes - 27.8 MB

What would you say to someone who just feels that in-person worship is for them?  If we worship in spirit and truth, do our bodies even matter? Are our bodies just neutral spectators, reluctant participants in worship? Dr. David Taylor joins us to talk about just how important our bodies are for worship, that we "get to" and "need to" worship God with our bodies.  Check out his new book, A Body of Praise: Understanding the Role of Our Physical Bodies in Worship. And find out more about Da...

055 Why You Can't Get Unstuck Alone (Short Reflection Episode)

May 17, 2023 17:00 - 15 minutes - 10.6 MB

Will power + Knowledge ≠ Spiritual Change. What is the role of community, of joy, of honoring our parts, and of self-compassion as we seek to unstick our minds and break unhealthy spiritual patterns? Geoff and Cyd offer a brief reflection on themes from our previous episode. ANNOUNCEMENTS:   — HELP SUPPORT this podcast financially by joining our Substack for only $8 a month (every little bit helps). — ANCHORED Learning Cohort: Launching in mid-May.  Join now and start working through th...

054 How to Unstick Your Mind (with Mimika Cooney)

May 09, 2023 20:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MB

How can you unstick your mind? How can faith be a key to mental resistance? We talk it with Mimika Cooney, a faith-based author, speaker, and coach.  She empowers Christians to rewire their brain by combining neuroscience, positive psychology, and a faith-based approach. Author of the recently released Unstick Your Mind: Shift your Mindset, Develop Grit & Break Barriers. You can find Mimika at www.mimikacooney.com. And follow her on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/mimikacooney Stay Con...

053 Is Joy Even More Central Than Love?

May 03, 2023 18:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MB

What is so important about joy? The great commandment is to love God and others, but is joy even more central than that? Where does joy fit in the landscape of political outrage and cynicism, in the seriousness of life today? We're talking about it. Looking at why joy and love are so connected. (And this is really the beginning of season 4...Ignore that Geoff said it was the beginning of season 3). ANNOUNCEMENTS:   — HELP SUPPORT this podcast financially by joining our Substack for only...

052 Is God Ashamed of Me? (Brad Vaughn, fka Jackson Wu)

March 27, 2023 21:00 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MB

Did Brené Brown miss something about shame? Is it always bad, or something good? Does God save us from shame? Or might God save us through shame? If this sounds crazy, maybe it is because we thinking about shame in a Western cultural framework.  Dr. Jackson Wu talks about how honor and shame work in the Bible, and how that might help us read the scriptures and understand salvation. Check out his new books, Seeking God's Face: Practical Reflections on Honor and Shame in Scripture, and The C...

051 Healing Trauma in the Church (with Janyne McConnaughey, PhD)

March 24, 2023 12:00 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MB

How, in our churches, can we walk with those struggling with the effects of trauma? How can we create spaces for deep connection with God and authentic healing? How can we become more than trauma-informed, becoming God’s people who are truly trauma-responsive as those who follow the crucified and risen Jesus? Cyd and Geoff sit down with Janyne McConnaughey (PhD) to talk about a practical and compassionate roadmap for how churches can journey with those struggling with trauma. Janyne's New...

050 Can Deconstruction Cure a Disembodied Faith? (with Dr. Sean Davidson)

March 20, 2023 14:00 - 37 minutes - 25.9 MB

Can disembodied ways of thinking and living lead to a more embodied faith? No. And that’s why we need to look at the promise and perils of faith deconstruction. Everyone's journey of deconstruction is different. But only some paths lead to a more embodied faith, while others perpetuate the very problems we are trying to deconstruct.  We talk about how deconstructing faith can be good, and how it can turn bad, with Rev. Dr. Sean Davidson, rector of three parishes in New Brunswick (yeah, mor...

049 On Distorting Sex, Marriage, the Gospel (with Dr. Beth Felker Jones)

March 10, 2023 20:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MB

Like Jesus, we need to overturn the tables of those peddling gender hierarchies within the temple of our bodies. Because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, we need to overturn this harmful equation of sex and salvation with a gender hierarchy. In this episode, with Dr. Beth Felker Jones, we talk about the recent outrage over the article "Sex Won’t Save You (But It Points to the One Who Will)", its distorting and damaging theology, and point toward a better understanding of the go...

048 From Shame to Grace: Your Body, the Temple (with Dr. Beth Felker Jones)

March 07, 2023 14:00 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MB

Why have we turned "your body is a temple" into a shaming mechanism? What if our bodies are the place we meet God? The place through which we glorify God? Dr. Beth Felker Jones joins Cyd and Geoff to talk about a theology of the body, and how we can lead our culture and churches into deeper freedom. Follow Dr. Jones at Church Blogmatics.  Stay Connected: NEED spiritual direction or coaching that aligns with this podcast? Connect with Cyd Holsclaw here. Join the Embodied Faith communi...

047 Laying Down Enemy Mode to Follow Jesus (with Jon Hand)

February 27, 2023 12:00 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MB

Shouldn't Jesus change how we see people? So why is it that Christians seem to have as many enemies as others? We talked with Jon Hand about why "enemy mode" is so prevalent in the church, and how being Jesus-centered gives us a new identity and a new perspective on others. This episode is a continuation of our interview with Jim Wilder on "How To Escape Enemy Mode." ATTACHING TO GOD Learning Cohort Waitlist: explore the gifts and shortcomings of distracted and dismissive attachment, and ...

046 When church trauma (literally) breaks your heart (with Rose Madrid Swetman)

February 23, 2023 19:00 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MB

Chronic stress and trauma are not just emotional. They change our bodies. It affects our physical nature, causing illness. And the reverse is true. When physical remedies don’t seem to be available, our relational and spiritual lives just might be the healing we need. Rose Madrid Swetman, pastor, coach, and spiritual director, talks about her experience with a kind of heart failure and the surprising healing that she found for her body, mind, and spirit.  Stay connected to The Center for T...

045 How To Escape Enemy Mode (Jim Wilder)

February 06, 2023 17:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MB

How do you escape enemy mode? When your brain and body are just against someone (and maybe you don’t even know why).  What if one brain state could explain why we stop listening to, talking with, or caring about, other people? What if this brain state reveals why we lose it on people, fall out of love, and traumatize one another? Clinical Psychologist & Neurotheologian Jim Wilder is on to talk about all this, and help us identify and overcome enemy mode. Find out about Escaping Enemy Mode ...

044 The Connected Life: The Art & Science of Relational Spirituality (with Dr. Todd Hall)

January 31, 2023 19:00 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MB

Loneliness and disconnection have been on the rise for a long time in our society. We long for a deep meaning to make sense of our lives, but we don't know how to find it. How can we find a Connected Life? Embodied Faith host Geoff Holsclaw (PhD) talks with professor of psychology Todd Hall (PhD) about finding "The Connected Life" through growing our relational knowledge and strong attachment bonds. See Dr. Hall's new book — The Connected Life: The Art and Science of Relational Spiritualit...

043 Original Trauma, IFS, and Christian Mysticism (with Jonathan Puddle)

January 23, 2023 21:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MB

Original Sin? How about "original trauma". What would change if we shifted from one to the other? How might that shift our view of ourselves, of sin, and of salvation? And what does Christian mysticism have to do with it? Jonathan Puddle is a contemplative, Jesus-following mystic who helps people find God at work in their inner lives. He is the author of the award-winning, You Are Enough: Learning to Love Yourself the Way God Loves You, and Mornings with God: Daily Bible Devotional for Men....

042 Practicing Self-Compassion (6 minute meditation)

January 23, 2023 18:00 - 8 minutes - 6.01 MB

Self-compassion can be hard? Integrative coach spiritual director Cyd Holsclaw guides you through a short practice (6 minutes) to help you give yourself more compassion and receive the compassion of God. Related Episode: What is Self-Compassion? Why is it important for faith journey? Stay Connected: NEED spiritual direction or coaching that aligns with this podcast? Connect with Cyd Holsclaw here. Join the Embodied Faith community to stay connected and get posts, episodes, & resources...

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