In this episode, I explain why I believe deconstruction and reconstruction are a healthy part of human development, how we see many examples of deconstruction and reconstruction in the bible, and why it's essential for human flourishing. Enjoy! 

In this episode, I explain why I believe deconstruction and reconstruction are a healthy part of human development, how we see many examples of deconstruction and reconstruction in the bible, and why it's essential for human flourishing. Enjoy!

Episode 255 | Deconstruction, Reconstruction and Human Flourishing

Are humans born with "original sin" or "original blessing?" How you understand where you come from (your origin story) drastically affects how you see yourself and the world around you. In this episode, I talk about where the doctrine of original sin came from and how it affects those who ascribe to it. Enjoy! 

Are humans born with "original sin" or "original blessing?" How you understand where you come from (your origin story) drastically affects how you see yourself and the world around you. In this episode, I talk about where the doctrine of original sin came from and how it affects those who ascribe to it. Enjoy!

Episode 254 | Original Sin or Original Blessing?

How do you perceive reality? Is life basically a system of scarcity, where it's all up to you to crank it up, make it happen, and dig deep? Or is life energized by a ground of being that keeps sending gift after gift to each one of us? How you perceive reality deeply affects your experience of reality. 

How do you perceive reality? Is life basically a system of scarcity, where it's all up to you to crank it up, make it happen, and dig deep? Or is life energized by a ground of being that keeps sending gift after gift to each one of us? How you perceive reality deeply affects your experience of reality.

Episode 253 | The Shape of Reality

Elizabeth Hagan

Reverend Elizabeth Hagan is a graduate of Duke Divinity School, a multi-published author, and has been a pastor for 15 years. She saw the isolation, loneliness, and shame that remains unspoken when Christians shy away from difficult conversations on taboo topics. Elizabeth knew that the church could do better to foster a sense of acceptance and belonging. So she wrote Brave Church to open the door to the presence of God in difficult conversations. You can follow Elizabeth's work on her website, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Reverend<a href="https://elizabethhagan.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Elizabeth Hagan</a> is a graduate of Duke Divinity School, a multi-published author, and has been a pastor for 15 years. She saw the isolation, loneliness, and shame that remains unspoken when Christians shy away from difficult conversations on taboo topics. Elizabeth knew that the church could do better to foster a sense of acceptance and belonging. So she wrote <a href="https://elizabethhagan.com/books/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brave Church</a> to open the door to the presence of God in difficult conversations. You can follow Elizabeth's work on her <a href="https://elizabethhagan.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a>, as well as on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/revelizabethhagan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/elizabethhagan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/elizabethagan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.

Episode 252 | Brave Church with Elizabeth Hagan

Tyler Sit is a pastor, author, and church planter of New City Church in South Minneapolis, a multi-racial church focused on environmental justice and centering marginalized voices. Tyler's new book, Staying Awake: The Gospel for Change Makers, is a practical exploration of Christianity for people who want to show up for justice and stay in the movement. Complete with stories, worksheets, poetry, and a commitment to centering queer people of color, this book is here to support you in staying awake: to God, to the evils of oppression, and to the world’s coming liberation.

<a href="https://www.tylersit.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tyler Sit</a> is a pastor, author, and church planter of <a href="http://grownewcity.church/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New City Church</a> in South Minneapolis, a multi-racial church focused on environmental justice and centering marginalized voices. Tyler's new book, <a href="https://www.tylersit.com/stayingawake" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Staying Awake: The Gospel for Change Makers, </a>is a practical exploration of Christianity for people who want to show up for justice and stay in the movement. Complete with stories, worksheets, poetry, and a commitment to centering queer people of color, this book is here to support you in staying awake: to God, to the evils of oppression, and to the world’s coming liberation.

Episode 251 | Staying Awake with Tyler Sit

Winn Collier just released A Burning in My Bones, the authorized biography of Pastor and author Eugene Peterson. It's a brilliantly written book about a centered pastor during a time when many pastors succumbed to a consumer-driven philosophy about church and spiritual development. Winn's spirit is gentle and his voice grounded me. We recorded this conversation during the week that Daunte Wright was killed by a police officer here in Minneapolis, and also just before the Derek Chauvin verdict was read, so I was scattered. Still, we had a robust conversation about what we both loved about Eugene Peterson. Enjoy. 

Winn Collier just released A Burning in My Bones, the authorized biography of Pastor and author Eugene Peterson. It's a brilliantly written book about a centered pastor during a time when many pastors succumbed to a consumer-driven philosophy about church and spiritual development. Winn's spirit is gentle and his voice grounded me. We recorded this conversation during the week that Daunte Wright was killed by a police officer here in Minneapolis, and also just before the Derek Chauvin verdict was read, so I was scattered. Still, we had a robust conversation about what we both loved about Eugene Peterson. Enjoy.

Episode 250 | A Burning in my Bones with Winn Collier

Kevin Butcher

Kevin Butcher is a dear friend of mine, and I loved this conversation. He just can't stop talking about God's expansive love, and I can't get enough of it.  He was a Pastor for thirty-five years, but now he's the Founder and Executive Director of Rooted Ministries, a nonprofit that comes alongside isolated, wounded, discouraged pastors and their families.  His brand new book is called Free: Rescued from Shame-Based Religion, Released into the Life-Giving Love of Jesus. I'd encourage you to pick it up today wherever you like to buy books. But if you order by clicking this link, you'll be supporting my favorite small bookstore, Hearts &amp; Minds, owned and operated by Byron &amp; Beth Borger. Just fill out the title and the author on their order page (it's easy) and they'll get it to you asap. 

<a href="https://www.rootedministries.co/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kevin Butcher</a> is a dear friend of mine, and I loved this conversation. He just can't stop talking about God's expansive love, and I can't get enough of it.  He was a Pastor for thirty-five years, but now he's the Founder and Executive Director of <a href="https://www.rootedministries.co/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rooted Ministries</a>, a nonprofit that comes alongside isolated, wounded, discouraged pastors and their families.  His brand new book is called <a href="https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/order/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Free: Rescued from Shame-Based Religion, Released into the Life-Giving Love of Jesus</a>. I'd encourage you to pick it up today wherever you like to buy books. But if you order by clicking this <a href="https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/order/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">link</a>, you'll be supporting my favorite small bookstore, <a href="https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hearts &amp; Minds</a>, owned and operated by Byron &amp; Beth Borger. Just fill out the title and the author on their order page (it's easy) and they'll get it to you asap.

Episode 249 | Rescued from Shame-Based Religion with Kevin Butcher

Kurt Willems

Kurt Willems is the founder and pastor of Pangea Church in Seattle, Washington. Also a writer, blogger, podcaster and speaker, he maintains the resource website Theology Curator and hosts the Theology Curator podcast. Kurt is passionate about taking dense ideas and communicating them in ways that are empowering for people in all walks of life. He holds a master of divinity degree from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary and a master's degree in comparative religion from the University of Washington. His wife, Lauren, is a special education teacher. They have two young daughters. Check out his brand new book, Echoing Hope: How the Humanity of Jesus Redeems our Pain. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

<a href="https://theologycurator.com/kurtwillems/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kurt Willems</a> is the founder and pastor of Pangea Church in Seattle, Washington. Also a writer, blogger, podcaster and speaker, he maintains the resource website <a>Theology Curator</a> and hosts the <a href="https://theologycurator.com/podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Theology Curator podcast</a>. Kurt is passionate about taking dense ideas and communicating them in ways that are empowering for people in all walks of life. He holds a master of divinity degree from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary and a master's degree in comparative religion from the University of Washington. His wife, Lauren, is a special education teacher. They have two young daughters. Check out his brand new book, <a href="https://theologycurator.com/echoinghope/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Echoing Hope: How the Humanity of Jesus Redeems our Pain.</a> You can follow him on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KurtWillems" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KurtWillems" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/KurtWillems" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/KurtWillems" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YouTube.</a>

Episode 248 | Echoing Hope with Kurt Willems

Sarah Bessey

Sarah Bessey is the author of the popular and critically acclaimed books Jesus Feminist, Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith, and Miracles and Other Reasonable Things. Her brand new book is a collection of meditations entitled A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Prayers for Renewal. She is a sought-after speaker at churches, conferences, and universities all around the world. Sarah is also the co-curator and co-host of the annual Evolving Faith Conference and she serves as president of the board for Heartline Ministries in Haiti. Sarah lives in Abbotsford, British Columbia, with her husband and their four children.

<a href="https://www.sarahbessey.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sarah Bessey</a> is the author of the popular and critically acclaimed books <a href="https://www.sarahbessey.com/books/jesus-feminist" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jesus Feminist</a>, <a href="https://www.sarahbessey.com/books/out-of-sorts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith</a>, and <a href="https://www.sarahbessey.com/books/miracles-and-other-reasonable-things" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Miracles and Other Reasonable Things</a>. Her brand new book is a collection of meditations entitled <a href="https://www.sarahbessey.com/books/rhythm-of-prayer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Prayers for Renewal</a>. She is a sought-after speaker at churches, conferences, and universities all around the world. Sarah is also the co-curator and co-host of the annual <a href="https://evolvingfaith.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Evolving Faith Conference</a> and she serves as president of the board for <a href="https://heartlineministries.org/tag/haiti/?page_id_all=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Heartline Ministries</a> in Haiti. Sarah lives in Abbotsford, British Columbia, with her husband and their four children.

Episode 247 | Sarah Bessey Returns

Lisa Deam

3000 Miles to Jesus follows the adventurous journey of three pilgrims who set off for Jerusalem in the 1400s. We’re invited to grab our staff and scrip and come along. Walking with these travelers of old, we hear their stories, gain nuggets of wisdom, and learn an important spiritual truth: all of life is a pilgrimage. The book draws on the rich history of the Christian faith to encourage us on our daily and lifelong walk with God. Author Lisa Deam writes of her inspiration for this book: “I discovered that in their travels, medieval pilgrims displayed qualities I wanted to emulate. They were patient. Faithful. Courageous. And inefficient—gloriously so. Pilgrims were in it for the long haul, risking everything to take a journey of faith. The conviction that drove them is one to which I daily aspire.”  You can follow Lisa on her website, on Twitter, and on The Contemplative Writer. You can find out more about her book 3,000 Miles to Jesus here.

3000 Miles to Jesus follows the adventurous journey of three pilgrims who set off for Jerusalem in the 1400s. We’re invited to grab our staff and scrip and come along. Walking with these travelers of old, we hear their stories, gain nuggets of wisdom, and learn an important spiritual truth: all of life is a pilgrimage. The book draws on the rich history of the Christian faith to encourage us on our daily and lifelong walk with God. Author <a href="http://lisadeam.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lisa Deam</a> writes of her inspiration for this book: “I discovered that in their travels, medieval pilgrims displayed qualities I wanted to emulate. They were patient. Faithful. Courageous. And inefficient—gloriously so. Pilgrims were in it for the long haul, risking everything to take a journey of faith. The conviction that drove them is one to which I daily aspire.”  You can follow Lisa on her <a href="http://lisadeam.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website,</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/lisakdeam" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and on <a href="https://thecontemplativewriter.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Contemplative Writer.</a> You can find out more about her book 3,000 Miles to Jesus <a href="http://lisadeam.com/lisas-books/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.

Episode 246 | 3,000 Miles to Jesus with Lisa Deam

Reclaiming what's holy about our humanity - a weekly podcast with Steve Wiens. Connect with Steve at www.stevewiens.com

Steve is one of those interviewers who doesn’t demand that the conversation follow his pre-conceived notions and it makes the listener feel like you’re sitting there allowing a few friends to talk something out.  I’m so very grateful for this podcast.

Truly Honest Conversations

Terrific! Always relevant, always good. Thank you!

Terrific!

Reclaiming what's holy about our humanity - a weekly podcast with Steve Wiens. Connect with Steve at <a href="http://www.stevewiens.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.stevewiens.com</a>

This Good Word With Steve Wiens

Lynne Jackson

episode 55  |  parenthood with Jim and Lynne Jackson 

Aundi Kolber

I met Aundi Kolber at the Festival for Faith and Writing in 2018, and she’s been a friend ever since. This is Aundi’s second time on the podcast, and this is how she describes herself: I am a deep thinker and deep feeler. Sometimes I get bored with small talk. I love stories, people, counseling, theology and my precious family. I find myself constantly amazed by God’s faithfulness in my life. I write, think, and chew on this often. I believe that Jesus is my ultimate hope and healer. I am a licensed professional counselor in Castle Rock, CO and attended Denver Seminary for my graduate education. I am married to the love of my life and have a daughter and son who are the joy of my heart. My hope for this blog is to create a space to dig into hard, funny, and imperfect things. My work has been featured on Relevant, CT Women, The Huffington Post, The Mudroom, Happy Sonship and Circling the Story. If you enjoyed my conversation with Aundi, check out her website, follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and you can buy her brand new book, Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode--and into a Life of Connection and Joy. Click here to subscribe to my weekly newsletter, Finding God After Losing Faith.

I met Aundi Kolber at the Festival for Faith and Writing in 2018, and she’s been a friend ever since. This is Aundi’s second time on the podcast, and this is how she describes herself: I am a deep thinker and deep feeler. Sometimes I get bored with small talk. I love stories, people, counseling, theology and my precious family. I find myself constantly amazed by God’s faithfulness in my life. I write, think, and chew on this often. I believe that Jesus is my ultimate hope and healer. I am a licensed professional counselor in Castle Rock, CO and attended Denver Seminary for my graduate education. I am married to the love of my life and have a daughter and son who are the joy of my heart. My hope for this blog is to create a space to dig into hard, funny, and imperfect things. My work has been featured on Relevant, CT Women, The Huffington Post, The Mudroom, Happy Sonship and Circling the Story. If you enjoyed my conversation with Aundi, check out her <a href="https://aundikolber.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a>, follow her on <a href="https://twitter.com/aundikolber" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aundikolberwrites" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aundikolber/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and you can buy her brand new book, <a href="https://amzn.to/35Zz22u" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode--and into a Life of Connection and Joy</a>. <a href="https://stevewiens.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=a0ed467043&amp;u=23609ae53b8df25cc4aa2e516" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here to subscribe to my weekly newsletter, Finding God After Losing Faith.</a>

Episode 214 | Try Softer with Aundi Kolber

Louise Johnson

Melissa Louise Johnson is a writer, a Marriage and Family Therapist, and a gifted Spiritual Director. She advocates for embracing authentic beauty in the world through her podcast and her blog, both called Impossible Beauty. We talked about her journey with body image and food issues, as well as how she's writing and revealing a counter-narrative about beauty in a world that still praises thinness at all costs.  Check out Melissa's podcast and blog, and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.  Resources mentioned on the episode: The Illusionist (documentary)  The Emily Program Melrose Center Hillary McBride 

<a href="https://www.impossible-beauty.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Melissa Louise Johnson</a> is a writer, a Marriage and Family Therapist, and a gifted Spiritual Director. She advocates for embracing authentic beauty in the world through her <a href="https://www.impossible-beauty.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">podcast</a> and her <a href="https://www.impossible-beauty.com/ibblog" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">blog</a>, both called Impossible Beauty. We talked about her journey with body image and food issues, as well as how she's writing and revealing a counter-narrative about beauty in a world that still praises thinness at all costs.  Check out Melissa's <a href="https://www.impossible-beauty.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">podcast</a> and <a href="https://www.impossible-beauty.com/ibblog" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">blog</a>, and follow her on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissa.louise.johnson/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/impossible.beauty.blog/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.  Resources mentioned on the episode: <a href="https://theillusionists.org/watch/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Illusionist</a> (documentary)  <a href="https://emilyprogram.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Emily Program</a> <a href="https://www.healthpartners.com/hp/doctors-clinics/melrose-center/melrose-heals/index.html?utm_campaign=melrose_brand_17m3_care_melrose&amp;utm_content=brand-hp_branded_conversion&amp;utm_term=%2Bmelrose%20%2Bcenter&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;k_clickid=_k_EAIaIQobChMIoJCfhoq15QIVip-zCh3PLgYDEAAYASAAEgJR1PD_BwE_k_&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoJCfhoq15QIVip-zCh3PLgYDEAAYASAAEgJR1PD_BwE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Melrose Center</a> <a href="https://hillarylmcbride.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hillary McBride </a>

Episode 204 | Impossible Beauty with Melissa Louise Johnson 

"When something shatters, the broken pieces find their way into hidden cracks and crevices. Then they end up inside of us, causing pain, especially to the most vulnerable. It’s easy to walk past the fragments of brokenness. We’re busy and overwhelmed. And maybe that particular piece of jagged glass hasn’t hurt you. But it is hurting someone. Last night, I watched a video showing a five-year-old boy in Aleppo, Syria, being pulled from a burning building and placed in an ambulance. His home had just been bombed, and he was covered in dust, stunned. The left side of his face was bloody, but he didn’t say a word. He didn’t cry. He simply touched his face with his hand and then wiped that blood on the orange seat where he sat. Who is going to pull the jagged glass out of his mouth? I’m a pastor, and I live in the suburbs, far away from buildings that get bombed. But I see jagged glass everywhere. Last Sunday at church, a dad came up to me with tears in his eyes. “He’s back in treatment,” he choked out, speaking of his youngest son and the addiction that keeps getting the best of him. I hugged this brokenhearted dad, prayed with him, and held him as he cried." That's from the preface of my second book, Whole: Restoring What is Broken in Me, You, and the Entire World, which is set to release on Tuesday, August 22nd. This one took a long time to write. Lots of editing, lots of head scratching in front of a blinking cursor. I felt lost a lot of the time. But I'm really, really proud of what came together.  My good friend Becky read it several weeks ago, and we spent about an hour discussing what went into writing this book, and why it's important for this time in our world. Part 2 will be next week. Enjoy!  Music from this week's episode is from Joel Hanson (song: Let Me Tell You Everything). 

"When something shatters, the broken pieces find their way into hidden cracks and crevices. Then they end up inside of us, causing pain, especially to the most vulnerable. It’s easy to walk past the fragments of brokenness. We’re busy and overwhelmed. And maybe that particular piece of jagged glass hasn’t hurt you. But it is hurting someone. Last night, I watched a video showing a five-year-old boy in Aleppo, Syria, being pulled from a burning building and placed in an ambulance. His home had just been bombed, and he was covered in dust, stunned. The left side of his face was bloody, but he didn’t say a word. He didn’t cry. He simply touched his face with his hand and then wiped that blood on the orange seat where he sat. Who is going to pull the jagged glass out of his mouth? I’m a pastor, and I live in the suburbs, far away from buildings that get bombed. But I see jagged glass everywhere. Last Sunday at church, a dad came up to me with tears in his eyes. “He’s back in treatment,” he choked out, speaking of his youngest son and the addiction that keeps getting the best of him. I hugged this brokenhearted dad, prayed with him, and held him as he cried." That's from the preface of my second book, <a href="http://www.stevewiens.com/whole" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Whole: Restoring What is Broken in Me, You, and the Entire World</a>, which is set to release on Tuesday, August 22nd. This one took a long time to write. Lots of editing, lots of head scratching in front of a blinking cursor. I felt lost a lot of the time. But I'm really, really proud of what came together.  My good friend Becky read it several weeks ago, and we spent about an hour discussing what went into writing this book, and why it's important for this time in our world. Part 2 will be next week. Enjoy!  Music from this week's episode is from Joel Hanson (song: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/let-me-tell-you-everything/id1249045947?i=1249047498" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Let Me Tell You Everything</a>).

Episode 108 | Whole, Part 1

Brian Zahnd

Nearly three hundred years ago, a young preacher by the name of Jonathan Edwards gave a sermon called "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," which has aruably become the most influential sermon in the history of the Evangelical church. In it, he says “The bow of God's wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood.” Lovely image. Brian Zahnd is the founding pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. When he was in his twenties, he was greatly affected by Edwards' vision of God as angry, violent and retributive. "What I did know was that I liked Jesus," Zahnd says, "But I was really scared of his Dad, the faceless white giant with obvious anger issues."  In his brand new book, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God: The Scandalous Truth of the Very Good News, Zahnd paints a very different, very biblical portrait of God: one that looks like Jesus. In it, he asks questions like: Is seeing God primarily as wrathful toward sinners true or biblical? Is fearing God a normal expected behavior? And where might the natural implications of this theological framework lead us?  I loved this book, and I loved my conversation with Brian.  Enjoy!  Oh, and Here is the hilarious and poignant youtube video of "Fyodor Dostoyevsky" reviewing Brian's book.  Music on today's episode is by Masss (Silver Collar) 

Nearly three hundred years ago, a young preacher by the name of Jonathan Edwards gave a sermon called "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," which has aruably become the most influential sermon in the history of the Evangelical church. In it, he says “The bow of God's wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood.” Lovely image. <a href="https://brianzahnd.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brian Zahnd</a> is the founding pastor of <a href="http://wolc.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Word of Life Church </a>in St. Joseph, Missouri. When he was in his twenties, he was greatly affected by Edwards' vision of God as angry, violent and retributive. "What I did know was that I liked Jesus," Zahnd says, "But I was really scared of his Dad, the faceless white giant with obvious anger issues."  In his brand new book, <a href="http://amzn.to/2jTmczg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God: The Scandalous Truth of the Very Good News</a>, Zahnd paints a very different, very biblical portrait of God: one that looks like Jesus. In it, he asks questions like: Is seeing God primarily as wrathful toward sinners true or biblical? Is fearing God a normal expected behavior? And where might the natural implications of this theological framework lead us?  I loved this book, and I loved my conversation with Brian.  Enjoy!  Oh, and Here is the <a href="https://brianzahnd.com/2017/08/fyodor-dostoevsky-reviews-sinners-hands-loving-god/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hilarious and poignant youtube video</a> of "Fyodor Dostoyevsky" reviewing Brian's book.  Music on today's episode is by Masss (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/silver-collar-feat-snoogz/id1030945265?i=1030945414" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Silver Collar</a>)

Episode 115: Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God with Brian Zahnd

Kaitlin Curtice

Kaitlin Curtice is a Native American author of the forthcoming book Glory Happening: Finding the Divine in Everyday Places (it releases on November 7th, 2017). She's also a frequent writer with Sojourners, and she leads worship at First Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia. Her writing is elegant, poignant, and it creates space for busy people like me to rest and be at peace. Talking to Kaitlin was like experiencing grace - her experiences and her stories invite me into a slower, more beautiful way of living. I loved my conversation with Kaitlin and I love that I now get to share her with you!  Follow Kaitlin on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; Please check out her blog, and you can read her articles at Sojourners here. Music on this episode is by Ben Howard (I Will Be Blessed)

<a href="https://kaitlincurtice.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kaitlin Curtice</a> is a Native American author of the forthcoming book <a href="http://amzn.to/2p5GDcH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Glory Happening: Finding the Divine in Everyday Places</a> (it releases on November 7th, 2017). She's also a frequent writer with Sojourners, and she leads worship at First Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia. Her writing is elegant, poignant, and it creates space for busy people like me to rest and be at peace. Talking to Kaitlin was like experiencing grace - her experiences and her stories invite me into a slower, more beautiful way of living. I loved my conversation with Kaitlin and I love that I now get to share her with you!  Follow Kaitlin on <a href="https://twitter.com/KaitlinCurtice" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kaitlin.curtice" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kaitlincurtice/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a>; Please check out her <a href="https://kaitlincurtice.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">blog</a>, and you can read her articles at Sojourners <a href="https://sojo.net/biography/kaitlin-curtice" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. Music on this episode is by Ben Howard (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-will-be-blessed/id1152675985?i=1152676170" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I Will Be Blessed)</a>

Episode 88 | Glory Happening with Kaitlin Curtice

Seth Haines

This is the second time I've had Seth on the podcast - I love this guy. September is National Recovery month, so in this episode, we talked about how his understanding of sobriety has matured since Coming Clean: A Story of Faith came out two years ago. We talked about the foundational principle that God has created everything for good - including sex and beer. But we also talked about the pursuit of the deeper desire of intimacy with Christ that seems both elusive and right in front of our face.  Enjoy the podcast!  And then connect with Seth on his website, or by subscribing to his Tiny Letters, or by joining his Patreon Community. And make sure to grab a copy of Coming Clean. Music on today's episode is from Andy Gullahorn (Song: I Want to Be Well). 

This is the second time I've had Seth on the podcast - I love this guy. September is <a href="https://www.recoverymonth.gov/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Recovery month</a>, so in this episode, we talked about how his understanding of sobriety has matured since <a href="http://amzn.to/2wLF99y" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coming Clean: A Story of Faith</a> came out two years ago. We talked about the foundational principle that God has created everything for good - including sex and beer. But we also talked about the pursuit of the deeper desire of intimacy with Christ that seems both elusive and right in front of our face.  Enjoy the podcast!  And then connect with Seth on his <a href="http://www.sethhaines.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a>, or by subscribing to his <a href="http://www.tinyletters.com/sethhaines" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tiny Letters,</a> or by joining his <a href="https://www.patreon.com/sethhaines/posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Patreon Community</a>. And make sure to grab a copy of <a href="http://amzn.to/2j5Tquy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coming Clean</a>. Music on today's episode is from Andy Gullahorn (Song: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-want-to-be-well/id1078852018?i=1078852027" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I Want to Be Well</a>).

Episode 111 | Inner Sobriety with Seth Haines

Last week (episode 206), I had such a great conversation with Jennifer Dawn Watts that we immediately scheduled a time for her to interview me. I found myself reflecting on some of the things she asked me - and some of the surprising ways I answered - days after we talked. I hope you enjoy our conversation. 

Last week (<a href="https://thisgoodword.podbean.com/e/episode-206-real-with-jennifer-dawn-watts/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">episode 206</a>), I had such a great conversation with <a href="http://www.jenniferdawnwatts.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jennifer Dawn Watts</a> that we immediately scheduled a time for her to interview me. I found myself reflecting on some of the things she asked me - and some of the surprising ways I answered - days after we talked. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Episode 207 | The One Where Jenn Interviews Me 

Jen Hatmaker

Jen Hatmaker is hilarious. And really, really courageous. I unabashedly love her.  We talked about her writing, the Enneagram (of course), and her courageous journey in and out of the evangelical subculture.  What else can I say? It's Jen Hatmaker!  Enjoy. 

Jen Hatmaker is hilarious. And really, really courageous. I unabashedly love her.  We talked about her writing, the Enneagram (of course), and her courageous journey in and out of the evangelical subculture.  What else can I say? It's Jen Hatmaker!  Enjoy.

Episode 154 | Jen Hatmaker! 

Aundi Kobler is a therapist who specializes in helping people overcome trauma, especially in helping people understand how trauma is stored in the body differently than other memories.  "According to leading researchers like Bessel van der Kolk and Peter Levine," Kolber writes, "trauma occurs when a person’s natural threat response is activated in their body, but their ability to cope becomes overwhelmed and ultimately stuck in a hyper/hypo vigilant mode. Thus, the traumatic event(s) become “stuck” in a person’s body instead of being stored as a normal memory. This inability to properly integrate the event into the narrative of their life is what results in symptoms such as flashbacks, disturbing thoughts, physical ailments or emotional volatility."  This was such a fascinating conversation - both in terms of understanding bigger traumatic experiences but also smaller ones, which might happen several times in a given day. It was also really helpful for those of us who are trying to support someone who has been through a significant trauma.  Enjoy the podcast! You can get in touch with Aundi by checking out her website, following her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, and also by reading her published articles below: Relevant Magazine: 3 Ways to Support Someone Recovering From Trauma When the Wound is Healing Huffington Post: Learning to Celebrate in the Middle of Pain Resources: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk 

<a href="http://www.bravelyimperfect.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Aundi Kobler</a> is a therapist who specializes in helping people overcome trauma, especially in helping people understand how trauma is stored in the body differently than other memories.  "According to leading researchers like Bessel van der Kolk and Peter Levine," Kolber writes, "trauma occurs when a person’s natural threat response is activated in their body, but their ability to cope becomes overwhelmed and ultimately stuck in a hyper/hypo vigilant mode. Thus, the traumatic event(s) become “stuck” in a person’s body instead of being stored as a normal memory. This inability to properly integrate the event into the narrative of their life is what results in symptoms such as flashbacks, disturbing thoughts, physical ailments or emotional volatility."  This was such a fascinating conversation - both in terms of understanding bigger traumatic experiences but also smaller ones, which might happen several times in a given day. It was also really helpful for those of us who are trying to support someone who has been through a significant trauma.  Enjoy the podcast! You can get in touch with Aundi by checking out her <a href="http://www.bravelyimperfect.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a>, following her on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/aundikolber" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/aundikolber" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/aundikolberwrites" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and also by reading her published articles below: <a href="https://relevantmagazine.com/article/3-ways-to-support-someone-recovering-from-trauma/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Relevant Magazine: 3 Ways to Support Someone Recovering From Trauma</a> <a href="http://www.bravelyimperfect.com/blog/2018/6/14/when-the-wound-heals-fathers-day-re-visited" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">When the Wound is Healing</a> <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/learning-to-celebrate-in-the-middle-of-pain_us_57977992e4b0e002a31413dd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Huffington Post: Learning to Celebrate in the Middle of Pain</a> Resources: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0670785938/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1530202577&amp;sr=1-3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Body Keeps the Score</a> by Bessel van der Kolk

Episode 153 | Trauma with Aundi Kolber

I have a strong suspicion that many of my listeners and readers are the kind of people who hate Christian cliches and who are tempted to throw away their faith because of troubling doctrines like... Hell - how can we possibly believe that a loving God could decide that anyone needs to spend an eternity of conscious torment? A Violent God - how does the God we seem to see in the Old Testament square with Jesus? The church - are we at the beginning of a new reformation? Sound like you? In this episode, I tackled all three, in the hopes that you might find a way to hang on to your faith, but also explore some new ways to see some old things. Some of the resources I mentioned in this episode: The Four Views of Hell Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God  CrossVision Enjoy!My work:Purchase my new book, Whole: Restoring What's Broken in Me, You, and the Entire World here! I host a weekly podcast. I write books. I have a website. I am the pastor of a great little church. I am sometimes available to travel to hang with your tribe to help you all become more you. And yes, I do Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Oh, and if you’d like to stay up to date with my writing and events and such, you can subscribe to my email list. There. We’re all caught up.

I have a strong suspicion that many of my listeners and readers are the kind of people who hate Christian cliches and who are tempted to throw away their faith because of troubling doctrines like... Hell - how can we possibly believe that a loving God could decide that anyone needs to spend an eternity of conscious torment? A Violent God - how does the God we seem to see in the Old Testament square with Jesus? The church - are we at the beginning of a new reformation? Sound like you? In this episode, I tackled all three, in the hopes that you might find a way to hang on to your faith, but also explore some new ways to see some old things. Some of the resources I mentioned in this episode: <a href="http://amzn.to/2zeMTBD" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Four Views of Hell</a> <a href="http://amzn.to/2hM1n4E" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God </a> <a href="http://amzn.to/2hWhJvw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CrossVision</a> Enjoy!My work: Purchase my new book, Whole: Restoring What's Broken in Me, You, and the Entire World <a href="http://stevewiens.com/whole" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>! I host a weekly <a href="http://www.thisgoodword.podbean.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">podcast</a>. I write <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Wiens/e/B01AXGX5WU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1509102527&amp;sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">books</a>. I have a <a href="https://www.stevewiens.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a>. I am the pastor of a great little <a href="http://www.genesiscov.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">church</a>. I am sometimes available to travel to <a href="https://www.stevewiens.com/speaking/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hang with your tribe</a> to help you all become more you. And yes, I do <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeginningsBook/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/stevewiens" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stevewiens/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. Oh, and if you’d like to stay up to date with my writing and events and such, you can <a href="http://eepurl.com/vFjBX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">subscribe</a> to my email list. There. We’re all caught up.

Episode 122 | Theology For the Rest of Us

episode 54  |  stop yourself 

We're always in the process of letting things go - we take breaks from social media, vacations from work, we get injured and can't work out anymore... but how can we be mindful about how we let go of those things, so we really let them go? And when it's time to pick them back up again, how can we grab hold of those things - when it's time to do so - mindfully, instead of trying to hold it the same way we used to hold it? Whether you're taking a vacation, scheduling a day off, or taking time off of a creative project, it's helpful to think through what you are letting go of and how you are letting it go. Enjoy. 

We're always in the process of letting things go - we take breaks from social media, vacations from work, we get injured and can't work out anymore... but how can we be mindful about how we let go of those things, so we really let them go? And when it's time to pick them back up again, how can we grab hold of those things - when it's time to do so - mindfully, instead of trying to hold it the same way we used to hold it? Whether you're taking a vacation, scheduling a day off, or taking time off of a creative project, it's helpful to think through what you are letting go of and how you are letting it go. Enjoy.

Episode 198 | Letting Go and Grabbing Hold Again

I'm in Denver, attending the Evolving Faith Conference, which is "a gathering for wanderers, wonderers, and spiritual refugees to help you discover...you are not alone."  I'm taking some time at the end of every day to record my thoughts about what I experienced that day and how I'm processing it. This episode is part 1, where I discuss how I felt sitting in a room today where about 120 faith leaders gathered to listen and learn about what it means to lead our congregations through significant change. It was such a beautiful gift for me to be in a space that was created for me to work through my own questions, fears, and hopes as it relates to the church (Big C), but also the church (little c) that I pastor. I'll be posting more thoughts tomorrow night (part 2) and then I'll wrap it up with my final thoughts in part 3 early next week. 

I'm in Denver, attending the <a href="https://www.evolvingfaithconference.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Evolving Faith Conference</a>, which is "a gathering for wanderers, wonderers, and spiritual refugees to help you discover...you are not alone."  I'm taking some time at the end of every day to record my thoughts about what I experienced that day and how I'm processing it. This episode is part 1, where I discuss how I felt sitting in a room today where about 120 faith leaders gathered to listen and learn about what it means to lead our congregations through significant change. It was such a beautiful gift for me to be in a space that was created for me to work through my own questions, fears, and hopes as it relates to the church (Big C), but also the church (little c) that I pastor. I'll be posting more thoughts tomorrow night (part 2) and then I'll wrap it up with my final thoughts in part 3 early next week.

Episode 200 | Evolving Faith, Part 1

Most people that I talk to feel guilty about their spiritual practices. They feel like they should be doing more, or doing better at them, and because they're failing, God must be really disappointed with them. Let's quit that nonsense. In this episode, I introduced some simple, really enjoyable, momentary spiritual practices that could help you attune yourself to God by finding some practices that help you enjoy God.  I really hope this is helpful, and I'd love to hear from you if it was!  Have a great day, my friends. 

Most people that I talk to feel guilty about their spiritual practices. They feel like they should be doing more, or doing better at them, and because they're failing, God must be really disappointed with them. Let's quit that nonsense. In this episode, I introduced some simple, really enjoyable, momentary spiritual practices that could help you attune yourself to God by finding some practices that help you enjoy God.  I really hope this is helpful, and I'd love to hear from you if it was!  Have a great day, my friends.

Episode 137 | Spiritual Practices that You Might Actually Enjoy

Rabbi Alan

Rabbi Alan is back!  Well, sort of. It's been so long since I've had him on that I needed to resurrect this brilliant episode that we recorded last Christmas. Because - maybe you missed it then, or you are new around here. Either way, you're going to love Rabbi Alan.  Enjoy. 

Rabbi Alan is back!  Well, sort of. It's been so long since I've had him on that I needed to resurrect this brilliant episode that we recorded last Christmas. Because - maybe you missed it then, or you are new around here. Either way, you're going to love Rabbi Alan.  Enjoy.

Episode 127 | Light with Rabbi Alan

There is an ache that accompanies the season of Advent, and it is related to the invitation that Avent gives us: to name what we're deeply longing for - in our own lives and also in the world.  This is easier said than done. In this episode, I name the three most common questions that come up as it relates to naming what we really long for, and I differentiate between the longings that are impermanent and the longings that don't go away.  Enjoy! Check out the show notes for links to three podcasts that I'm loving right now, along with ways to find out about my books, my speaking events, and everything else. 

There is an ache that accompanies the season of Advent, and it is related to the invitation that Avent gives us: to name what we're deeply longing for - in our own lives and also in the world.  This is easier said than done. In this episode, I name the three most common questions that come up as it relates to naming what we really long for, and I differentiate between the longings that are impermanent and the longings that don't go away.  Enjoy! Check out the <a href="https://stevewiens.com/2018/12/06/this-good-word-e%E2%80%A6-want-show-notes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">show notes</a> for links to three podcasts that I'm loving right now, along with ways to find out about my books, my speaking events, and everything else.

Episode 175 | What Do you Want? 

Jonathan Merritt

Jonathan Merritt is the author of the brand new book Learning to Speak God from Scratch, and he's also published more than 3500 articles in outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, Buzfeed, and many more. To find out more about Jonathan and to link to the content we discussed in this episode, check out the Show Notes.  Enjoy the podcast!  

<a href="http://jonathanmerritt.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jonathan Merritt</a> is the author of the brand new book <a href="https://www.speakgodbook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Learning to Speak God from Scratch</a>, and he's also published more than 3500 articles in outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, Buzfeed, and many more. To find out more about Jonathan and to link to the content we discussed in this episode, check out the <a href="https://stevewiens.com/2018/09/08/this-good-word-e%E2%80%A6jonathan-merritt/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Show Notes. </a> Enjoy the podcast!

Episode 163 | Learning to Speak God from Scratch with Jonathan Merritt 

We waste time. We spend time. We wish time would slow down, or speed up.  Mostly, we're all too aware that there's not enough time for everything we want to squeeze in.  Time is a bully. But what if there was a different way to look at time? How can we capture those moments that are ripe with life, brimming with hope, and exploding with possibility? In this episode, I talk about two different kinds of time: Chronos time, and Kairos time.  Enjoy. 

We waste time. We spend time. We wish time would slow down, or speed up.  Mostly, we're all too aware that there's not enough time for everything we want to squeeze in.  Time is a bully. But what if there was a different way to look at time? How can we capture those moments that are ripe with life, brimming with hope, and exploding with possibility? In this episode, I talk about two different kinds of time: Chronos time, and Kairos time.  Enjoy.

Episode 117 | Time is a Bully 

I want to help you get started on that thing you've been dreaming about, but you haven't started yet.  That book.  That podcast.  That piece of technology. That film. That nonprofit.  That church. That piece of art.  That piece of jewelry you want to put on Etsy.  That small business.  I've been creating things for my entire life, and if I could sit down with you and hear about the thing that you're dreaming about, I'd want to ask you the five questions that I talked about in this episode.  And there is a special invitation at the end - because I believe this world is going to be better the sooner you get your idea out there in the real world.  Enjoy, friends. 

I want to help you get started on that thing you've been dreaming about, but you haven't started yet.  That book.  That podcast.  That piece of technology. That film. That nonprofit.  That church. That piece of art.  That piece of jewelry you want to put on Etsy.  That small business.  I've been creating things for my entire life, and if I could sit down with you and hear about the thing that you're dreaming about, I'd want to ask you the five questions that I talked about in this episode.  And there is a special invitation at the end - because I believe this world is going to be better the sooner you get your idea out there in the real world.  Enjoy, friends.

Episode 118 | Start

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