Explore the process of spiritual formation which transforms individuals into the image of Christ within the community, with a focus on relational and embodied aspects.

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, innovative Doctor of Ministry (DMIN) in Spiritual Formation and Relational Neuroscience.Join Attaching to God Learning Cohort: Quieting an Anxious and Avoidant Faith.Starting Nov. 12 (2024), with the live calls on Tuesdays, 2:30pm-3:30pm (EST). Link: https://www.embodiedfaith.life/attaching-to-god-cohortStay 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. Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

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 base in our relationships with God and others to develop resilience. Michael explains how delighting in each other and being delighted in by God allows us to experience His presence and radiate joy, ultimately transforming us from glory to glory. Learn how to embrace and work through obstacles in life with the contagious and tangible joy of God's kingdom.Resources: The Life Model—Simply Explained (PDF)Join Attaching to God Learning Cohort: Quieting an Anxious and Avoidant Faith.Starting Nov. 12 (2024), with the live calls on Tuesdays, 2:30pm-3:30pm (EST). Link: https://www.embodiedfaith.life/attaching-to-god-cohortStay 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. Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

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-being throughout life. She loves to teach and facilitate the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius as she marvels at the profound convergence of developmental psychology and developmental spirituality.Discover the critical importance of developing emotional awareness and mentalization skills from infancy, and how our caregivers shape these abilities. Learn how experiences beyond childhood can help overcome early limitations in our mentalizing capacity. Dr. Ponder also shares her insights on accessing our inner worlds through spirituality, reflecting on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, and how they can powerfully enhance our understanding of ourselves, others, and our connection with God. Don't miss this enlightening episode that merges the worlds of psychology and spirituality, offering transformative insights and practical applications for personal growth.Join Attaching to God Learning Cohort: Quieting an Anxious and Avoidant Faith.Starting Nov. 12 (2024), with the live calls on Tuesdays, 2:30pm-3:30pm (EST). Link: https://www.embodiedfaith.life/attaching-to-god-cohortStay 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. Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

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 she has recently written Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation.Join Attaching to God Learning Cohort: Quieting an Anxious and Avoidant Faith.Starting Nov. 12 (2024), with the live calls on Tuesdays, 2:30pm-3:30pm (EST). Link: https://www.embodiedfaith.life/attaching-to-god-cohortStay 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. Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

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 unpack the Psalms of Praise and the counterintuitive nature of joy, as well as how to find solace in the presence of those who are glad to be with us amidst life's challenges. Then, we venture into the world of Psalms of Lament, learning how they teach us to name our pain and grant us permission to be honest with God in our prayers and laments. Then we end by talking about the angry Psalms, the imprecatory Psalm.  As we delve deeper into the life of faith and the Psalms, we discuss their ability to move us beyond our attachment histories and emotions, fostering a more profound connection with God.Join Attaching to God Learning Cohort: Quieting an Anxious and Avoidant Faith.Starting Nov. 12 (2024), with the live calls on Tuesdays, 2:30pm-3:30pm (EST). Link: https://www.embodiedfaith.life/attaching-to-god-cohortStay 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. Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

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 understanding of the interconnectedness of faith, neuroscience, and the human experience.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 the material and then join the weekly cohort LIVE meetings.Join Attaching to God Learning Cohort: Quieting an Anxious and Avoidant Faith.Starting Nov. 12 (2024), with the live calls on Tuesdays, 2:30pm-3:30pm (EST). Link: https://www.embodiedfaith.life/attaching-to-god-cohortStay 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. Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

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).— ANCHORED Learning Cohort: Launching in mid-May.  Join now and start working through the material and then join the weekly cohort LIVE meetings.— ATTACHING TO GOD Learning Cohort: Launching again in mid-June. Join us and learn to grow beyond anxious and avoidant spiritualities.DESCRIPTION: We explore how our answers to these questions inform our behavior and how a process of rupture and repair helps us gain insight.We also discuss the significance of secure attachment during our formative years, and how our caregivers' sensitivity and attunement can lay the foundation for our sense of agency and security. However, an inconsistent care environment may lead to insecurity and impact our expectations from the world. Discover how our answers to these questions affect our ability to use our agency in moments of distress and our role in the Embodied Faith journey. Don't miss this enlightening discussion on the power of attachment and its profound influence on our lives.Join Attaching to God Learning Cohort: Quieting an Anxious and Avoidant Faith.Starting Nov. 12 (2024), with the live calls on Tuesdays, 2:30pm-3:30pm (EST). Link: https://www.embodiedfaith.life/attaching-to-god-cohortStay 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. Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

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 David here. 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 the material and then join the weekly cohort LIVE meetings.— ATTACHING TO GOD Learning Cohort: Launching again in mid-June. Join us and learn to grow beyond anxious and avoidant spiritualities.Join Attaching to God Learning Cohort: Quieting an Anxious and Avoidant Faith.Starting Nov. 12 (2024), with the live calls on Tuesdays, 2:30pm-3:30pm (EST). Link: https://www.embodiedfaith.life/attaching-to-god-cohortStay 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. Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

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 the material and then join the weekly cohort LIVE meetings.— ATTACHING TO GOD Learning Cohort: Launching again in mid-June. Join us and learn to grow beyond anxious and avoidant spiritualities.Join Attaching to God Learning Cohort: Quieting an Anxious and Avoidant Faith.Starting Nov. 12 (2024), with the live calls on Tuesdays, 2:30pm-3:30pm (EST). Link: https://www.embodiedfaith.life/attaching-to-god-cohortStay 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. Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).