Unhurried Living | Helping Christians Rest Deeper & Lead Better

Over the summer, we are sharing ten episodes of our podcast we’re calling “Unhurried Favorites.” Today we’re sharing “Attachment to God” with author Jim Wilder. Gem and I had an encouraging and very helpful conversation with Jim about his book Renovated. We loved how Jim unpacked how our relationship with God and our formation into the likeness of Christ is rooted in connection with God. Christian faith has often focused on right beliefs and right choices as the key to personal growth. But biblical evidence and modern brain science show that our character is shaped more by whom we love than merely by what we believe. In Renovated, Jim Wilder shows us how we can train our brains to relate to God based on joyful, mutual attachment, leading to emotional and spiritual maturity, as our identity and character are formed by our relationship with God. Dr. Jim Wilder is a neurotheologian, training leaders and counselors for over 30 years on five continents. The founder of Life Model Works, he is an expert on the intersection of theology and brain science. He is coauthor of Rare Leadership and Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You. You can also connect with Jim via social on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Over the summer, we are sharing ten episodes of our podcast we’re calling “Unhurried Favorites.” Today we’re sharing “Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison with Richella Parham.” Richella is a wise and trusted friend and I you’ll love the reminder to step out of the comparison trap and learn to more fully express your true self. We also wanted to let you know that beginning in September, Unhurried Living will give birth to a brand-new podcast, called “I Can Do That!” and it will be hosted by [me]. [I’ll] help you see the big picture and take your next step so you can transform hopes into habits. In each episode [I’ll] share one practical idea, with one simple takeaway. [Alan] will host the Unhurried Living Podcast. [He] will continue to interview fellow authors on themes related to An Unhurried Life. He’ll also share round table discussions with members of the Unhurried Living community on the values and practices of unhurried leadership. Enjoy this unhurried favorite, “Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison with Richella Parham.”Connect with Richella on social in all the usual places! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Over the summer, we are sharing ten episodes of our podcast we’re calling “Unhurried Favorites.” Today we’re sharing “Intentional Soul Care.” I’ve often said that one of the greatest challenges for men and women of influence is the care of their own souls. It’s rare when someone asks another who is leading them about how their souls are doing, so intentionality about soul care is key. We also wanted to let you know that beginning in September, Unhurried Living will give birth to a brand-new podcast, called “I Can Do That!” and it will by Gem.  Gem will help you see the big picture and take your next step so you can transform hopes into habits. In each episode she will share one practical idea, with one simple takeaway. Alan will host the Unhurried Living Podcast. He will continue to interview fellow authors on themes related to An Unhurried Life. He’ll also share round table discussions with members of the Unhurried Living community on the values and practices of unhurried leadership. But today, enjoy this unhurried favorite, “Intentional Soul Care.” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Over the summer, we are sharing ten episodes of our podcast we’re calling “Unhurried Favorites.” Today we’re sharing “How to Take a Restful Vacation.” This may seem odd considering we are still knee deep in the dynamics of the pandemic. And yet we are seeing people becoming more active than before. So whether you are planning a getaway or a staycation, we hope you’ll find these insights useful as you make your way toward some rest. In this episode Alan and Gem share their experiences during a dream 34th anniversary vacation trip to Italy and Spain. It was beautiful, they saw amazing sights, and were gone long enough to disengage from work and to come back refreshed. But it wasn’t all perfect. Today, they share what we learned about themselves and what a true vacation for them looks like. How can you get away, have fun, and refuel with deep rest? The answer might be different for everyone.  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Here at Unhurried Living, we are often trying to find any number of ways to invite you into the depth of the work God wants to do both in you and through you for the good of others. One of Paul’s prayers has him asking that God would powerfully strengthen us inwardly through his Spirit so that Christ might dwell in our hearts more fully. Doesn’t that sound inviting?  Well, today I’m glad to be sharing a recent conversation on this theme of depth that I had with Rich Villodas (vee-yo-duss) about his book The Deeply Formed Life. I love the robust and holistic vision he offers us in it. So that’s what we’ll be talking about on today’s episode of the Unhurried Living podcast. Rich Villodas is the Brooklyn-born lead pastor of New Life Fellowship, a large, multiracial church with more than seventy-five countries represented in Elmhurst, Queens. Rich graduated with a BA in pastoral ministry and theology from Nyack College. He went on to complete his Master of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary. He enjoys reading widely, and preaching and writing on contemplative spirituality, justice-related issues, and the art of preaching. He's been married to Rosie since 2006 and they have two children, Karis and Nathan.Follow and learn from Rich on social:Instagram at @richvillodasFacebook at @rvillodasTwitter at @richvillodas Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The connection between our minds and our bodies is undeniable. And even though the scientific world confirms this, practically speaking, we don’t always know how to make the most of this God-designed connection. Our guest today is Sarah Panther and she is going to talk about this connection by sharing her story of ongoing chronic illness and how she has moved to greater healing. Welcome to the Unhurried Living Podcast. Sarah Jackson Panther is a health coach and writer. She works with people navigating journeys of grief, trauma recovery, chronic illness, and limbic system retraining and writes about finding hope and healing in the darkness. She’s also the creator of an online healing movement class, called “Release, Rewire, and Restore,” designed to help participants release stored trauma, rewire their brains, and step into soulful restoration. You can learn more about her class and coaching at www.sarahpanther.com and can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook as Sarah Jackson Panther. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you’re a follower of Christ, and most of you who listen to this podcast would likely describe yourself that way, a big part of that experience is church. The church is a gathering of fellow-students of Christ. The church is people. The church is a kind of kingdom outpost wherever it has been planted in the world.  Today, I’m talking with Jason Feffer about the community he leads called The Practice. We talk about our experiences of church, and how God has been leading them to be together week to week. I’m looking forward to sharing that  conversation with you on today’s episode of the Unhurried Living podcast. Jason Feffer is an evangelist for the spiritual disciplines. For over twenty years he has been helping people follow Jesus in their everyday lives with his teaching and writing. He leads The Practice, a practice-based contemplative ministry at Willowcreek Church. Jason has a B.A. in Christian Education with an emphasis in Spiritual Formation from Wheaton College and a M.A. in Ministry Leadership from George Fox Evangelical Seminary. He is husband to a beautiful wife, father to a couple of amazing sons, and he currently resides in the suburbs of Chicago, IL.Connect with Jason on social:Instagram at @jason.fefferFacebook at @jason.fefferTwitter at @practicetribe Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today we find ourselves at the intersection of neuroscience and creativity  with my friend, Amy Pierson. Amy firmly believes that creativity cracks open the soul, each and every one of us is God’s favorite, and living artfully is living authentically.Amy is a long time friend from the spiritual formation community. We met many years ago and have only been together in person a handful of times, but she is the kind of person that you simply pick up where you left off the last time. Intelligent, soulful and with a twinkle in her eye, Amy believes in the importance of expressing our creativity. With a degree in Journalism and Advertising, Amy Pierson has worked for many years in the spiritual formation arena, leading the efforts of the Spiritual Formation Alliance, and completing her Certificate of Christian Spiritual Formation from the Renovare Institute. Amy also served as a digital content creator for a digital platform that champions organizations transforming lives. Most recently, Amy desired to collaborate with others, and Burning Heart Workshops was borne out of her life-long journey with faith, learning, and leadership. Amy lives with her husband and family in Colorado.Learn more from Amy and connect with her on social media:Instagram @amypiepieFacebook @amy.h.pierson  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you were to walk around our neighborhood these days, you’d see a number of homes that are being remodeled. Some of the work is so extensive that no one is living in those homes while the work is being done. But the goal is, of course, to rebuild those houses so that they can become homes again. Many of us are experiencing what some have called the “deconstruction of faith.” Something that made sense and worked before doesn’t seem to anymore. The constructions of faith that we were given aren’t as perfect as we once thought they were. But the goal of deconstruction, in this case, isn’t to destroy the home. It is to rebuild it. Where will our trust in God finds its new home?Recently, I had a very encouraging conversation with my friend, A. J. Swoboda about his latest book titled After Doubt. It’s a beautiful invitation into the sorts of reconstruction that many of us need and into which God is graciously inviting us. A. J. Swoboda is assistant professor of Bible, theology, and world Christianity at Bushnell University. He also leads a Doctor of Ministry program around the Holy Spirit and leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of a number of books, including the award-winning Subversive Sabbath. He is married to Quinn and is the proud father of Elliot. They live and work in Eugene, Oregon.Enjoy getting to know A. J. better via social at:Facebook @theajswobodaTwitter @mrajswoboda  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Letting go is hard, isn’t it? For most of us, it’s about admitting that we aren’t in control, and that is difficult. My dear friend, Marla Christian, is with me today and we’re going to talk about the freedom of releasing our grip on people and circumstances. Marla has long been a part of the Al Anon community and I have learned so much from her about letting go. I can’t wait for you to learn from her. Marla Christian is the CFO of Corporate Benefit Planners a business-to-consumer insurance agency that delivers Web-based, insurance information to individuals, families and small businesses. She also works at an import company in sales. For 16 years, Marla served in the high school ministry of a mega-church, and she is currently an active member and Sponsor in 12-step programs.  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.