Unhurried Living | Helping Christians Rest Deeper & Lead Better

Prayer doesn’t always move in one direction. Sometimes it feels rich and alive; other times, quiet and dry. But what if those ebbs and flows aren’t signs of failure, but signs of growth?   In this episode, Alan Fadling reflects on how prayer matures—not in a straight line, but like the slow, rising tide. Drawing on insights from Leonard Boase’s 1962 classic The Prayer of Faith and the seaside story of pastor and theologian Lee Whiston, Alan explores what it means to stop trying to “bring in the tide” ourselves and instead cooperate with God’s steady work of grace.   You’ll discover why the early sweetness of prayer often gives way to quieter forms of presence, and how grace deepens precisely in those quieter seasons.   In This Episode Why prayer matures through both consolation and desolation How the tide image helps us trust God’s slow work What Lee Whiston’s experience reveals about surrender and grace How emotional intensity yields to simple awareness of God   You’ll Gain Encouragement when prayer feels quiet or dry A renewed trust in grace’s unhurried rhythm Practical insight for cooperating with, not managing, God’s presence   Resources Mentioned The Prayer of Faith by Leonard Boase An Unhurried Life and An Unhurried Leader by Alan Fadling   Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When life feels overwhelming, empathy often becomes the very thing our souls are longing for. In this episode, Gem sits down with Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, founders of Soul Shepherding, to explore the healing power of empathy in the Christian life.   Drawing from their new book Deeply Loved, they share how true empathy helps us trade self-judgment for grace, comfort emotional wounds, release worry, and walk more closely with Jesus. This conversation offers practical guidance through the Four A’s of Empathy, along with compassionate wisdom for becoming more grounded, present, and emotionally healthy.   Whether you’re navigating conflict, longing for deeper relationships, or seeking healing for your soul, this episode invites you into the life-changing reality of being deeply loved.   Drs. Bill and Kristi Gaultiere are the founders of Soul Shepherding. With more than thirty years of counseling and ministry experience, Bill and Kristi have guided thousands of people in the journey toward emotional health and intimacy with Jesus. Their new book, Deeply Loved, is a beautiful, life-giving invitation into the kind of empathy that strengthens relationships, raises our emotional intelligence, and leads us back to the heart of Christ. ______________________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

True success doesn’t happen overnight. In his new book Gradually Then Suddenly, bestselling author and pastor Mark Batterson reminds us that God is often doing His deepest work slowly—beneath the surface, over time—so that when the breakthrough comes, we’re ready for it. In this conversation, Mark and Alan explore how faithfulness in small, daily choices prepares the way for unexpected moments of transformation. They talk about persistence, conviction, “cathedral thinking,” and how God grows us at what Mark calls the speed of a seed. If you’ve ever wondered whether your quiet obedience still matters, this episode will encourage you to trust that God’s gradual work always leads to sudden grace. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why what looks like “overnight success” is really the fruit of long obedience. How small, consistent actions create a “compound effect” of spiritual growth. What it means to live and lead at the speed of a seed. How to hold a long view of faith—what Mark calls cathedral thinking. Encouragement for weary hearts who feel stuck in slow seasons.   Resources Mentioned: Gradually Then Suddenly by Mark Batterson Learn more at markbatterson.com   Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

During the holiday season, we can all feel overwhelmed and stressed. But what do you really need? And what would it look like to engage life with a deeper sense of agency and self-compassion? Today on Unhurried Living Podcast, we are replaying a conversation between Gem and Aundi Kolber as they invites us to embrace the transformative power of kindness toward ourselves. We’ll explore how early experiences shape the way we suppress our needs, why it’s so hard to name and honor what we truly feel, and how practicing softness can actually make us stronger.  In this conversation, you’ll learn: How our past experiences shape the way we engage with our needs and emotions Why self-compassion is a powerful (and often overlooked) tool for transformation A simple prayer or body practice you can use in moments of stress   Join us as we dive deep into what it means to cultivate resilience, trust, and a deeper friendship with God—even in the hard places. ________________________________ Aundi Kolber is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), trauma-informed therapist, and best-selling author of Try Softer and Strong Like Water. With a compassionate and holistic approach, Aundi integrates psychology, faith, and neuroscience to help individuals experience emotional healing and resilience. She is passionate about empowering people to move toward wholeness by learning to honor their needs, trust their inner wisdom, and cultivate a life of deep compassion. Through her writing, speaking, and therapeutic work, Aundi offers a refreshing invitation to wholeness—one that prioritizes gentleness, self-compassion, and deep connection with God. ______________________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if your morning didn’t begin with hurry, but with holy attention? In this episode, Alan Fadling shares how simple, grounded practices help him begin each day in God’s presence.   Over the years, Alan’s early “quiet time” has matured into a rhythm of relationship—an unhurried meeting with the Living God. He describes his morning flow of silence, Scripture reading, singing the psalms, praying for others, and reading spiritual classics like The Philokalia.   You’ll hear how these rhythms have become daily invitations rather than obligations—ways of remembering God, listening for his voice, and resting in love before the day begins.   Resources mentioned: The New Coverdale Psalter(Anglican House Publishers) YouTube video about The New Coverdale Psalter An Unhurried Life An Unhurried Leader   Whether you’re exploring new spiritual rhythms or returning to familiar ones, this episode offers encouragement to meet with God as a friend. Learn how simple practices—quiet, prayer, and Scripture—can nourish your soul and prepare you for the day’s work in a deeply unhurried way.   Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What happens when you spend an entire year learning from the life and wisdom of a trusted spiritual mentor? In this conversation, author and spiritual director Lori G. Melton shares her experience walking alongside the insights of Mister Fred Rogers, America’s favorite neighbor.   Drawing from her book Journey with a Giant, Lori invites us into a year-long spiritual practice of choosing a “giant of faith” to learn from. She shares how reflecting on Fred Rogers’ approach to life, faith, and presence helped her slow down, deepen her relationship with God, and gain clarity about her purpose.   Whether you choose Fred Rogers or another spiritual guide, this conversation will inspire you to: Embrace the wisdom of those who have walked with God before you Cultivate habits of presence, patience, and listening Experience steady spiritual growth without striving   If you’ve been feeling spiritually stuck or longing for deeper connection, this episode offers a gentle yet powerful way to take the next step on your faith journey.   About Lori G. Melton:Lori G. Melton is an author, spiritual director, retreat leader, and a member of Hope*Writers. She and her husband, Bryan, are the creators of the Sanctuary Stirrings Podcast and the founders and directors of The Sanctuary at Bear Creek Retreat Center, which serves hundreds of people a year. When she’s not writing, speaking, or welcoming guests, she enjoys spending time with her six children and three grandchildren. ______________________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if reading could become a spiritual practice—not just for gaining knowledge, but for nourishing your soul?   In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling talks with Jeff Crosby, author of World of Wonders: A Spirituality of Reading, about the formative power of books. Together they explore how stories, poetry, memoir, and even Scripture can shape our hearts, spark wonder, and help us encounter God’s presence in the pages of a book.   In this conversation, you’ll discover: How books can become trusted companions in your spiritual journey Why stories, poetry, and memoir awaken wonder and reshape our hearts Practical ways to cultivate a reading life that nourishes your soul How reading Scripture slowly and reflectively forms us over time   Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Every day, we are bombarded with thousands of messages promising happiness, comfort, or even identity if only we buy the right product. But beneath the noise of advertising lies a deeper reality: we are already loved, already chosen, already whole in Christ. In this episode, Gem Fadling shines a light on how consumer slogans shape our sense of self and offers a way back to the truth of God’s word.  This conversation explores the difference between the “false self” and the “true self,” and invites us to embrace the pace of grace rather than the rush of consumption.  Listen in to learn:  How advertising shapes our view of identity and worth  The difference between the “imposter self” and the “true self”  How scripture re-anchors us in God’s love and presence  ______________________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Where do you turn when your soul feels thirsty? In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling reflects on Psalm 87:7, “All my fresh springs are in You.” We explore how God alone is our true source of renewal, even when we’re tempted to drink from counterfeit springs like busyness, control, or distraction. Drawing on the imagery of living water and daily bread, Alan shares how this one line of scripture can become a simple, grounding prayer to carry through your day. Discover how God’s presence can be a hidden well of strength in your work, relationships, and everyday life. If you’ve ever felt spiritually dry, restless, or weary, this conversation will help you return to the fresh, unending stream of God’s life in you. What you’ll learn: Why Psalm 87:7 offers such a powerful picture of spiritual renewal• How to recognize “counterfeit springs” that leave us empty• Practical ways to carry scripture into the ordinary moments of your day• How prayer, silence, and Sabbath help us drink deeply from God’s presence Listen in and discover how God can be your fresh spring of life, energy, and joy.   Connect with Alan on LinkedIn or learn more about Unhurried Living programs on their website.  Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Hospitality is more than setting a table or opening your home. It’s a posture of the heart—a way of seeing and responding to the people God places in your path. True hospitality flows from God’s generous welcome to us and creates spaces of belonging wherever we go. In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Gem Fadling talks with Laura Murray, author of Becoming a Person of Welcome, about moving from performance-based hosting to a transformed life of welcome. Drawing from her Armenian heritage, years in church leadership, and a rich theology of God’s hospitality, Laura offers practical steps for cultivating authentic connection, listening deeply, setting healthy boundaries, and leading others into a lifestyle of welcome. Whether you’re a ministry leader, a community builder, or simply someone longing for relationships rooted in grace, this conversation will inspire you to carry God’s presence into everyday moments. Listen in to learn: Why hospitality is a posture, not a program How to reflect God’s welcome in daily life Ways to create authentic belonging without performance pressure Spiritual practices that shape a hospitable heart Connect with Laura Murray: Website: www.digitalsilentretreats.com Book: Becoming a Person of Welcome ______________________________________________________ Connect with Gem on Instagram and learn more on the Unhurried Living website and her new book, Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads Learn about PACE: Certificate in Leadership and Soul Care Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.